Meg Shields

Based in the Pacific North West, Meg enjoys long scrambles on cliff faces and cozying up with a good piece of 1960s eurotrash. As a senior contributor at FSR, Meg's objective is to spread the good word about the best of sleaze, genre, and practical effects.
Mandy score Church

Why the Language of ‘Mandy’ is Sound

By Meg Shields 

You’re a special one, ‘Mandy.’

Bronson film Clown

How ‘Bronson’ Subverts the Prison Film

By Meg Shields 

Watch a video essay by Jessica McGoff about both Nicolas Winding Refn and Tom Hardy’s breakout film.

sound of Jackie Portman Concert

The Sound of Trauma: The Aural Storytelling of ‘Jackie’

By Meg Shields 

How does sound affect how we understand a character? For Pablo Larraín’s film it’s more than just an accent.

horror streaming in september 2020 Tucker And Dale

All the New Horror Streaming in September 2020, and What’s Leaving

By Meg Shields 

Here’s our monthly rundown of all the horror flicks dropping and departing from your favorite streaming services in September 2020.

My Cousin Vinny courtroom scenes

The Delicate Art of the Courtroom Scene

By Meg Shields 

Let’s take this to court.

Pirates Of The Caribbean Adventure

What Makes ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ a Classic Adventure Film

By Meg Shields 

Say what you will about the rest of the franchise, but the original is an exemplary film for its genre.

Quentin Tarantino First Film My Best Friends Birthday

How Quentin Tarantino’s Lost First Film Predicted His Whole Filmography

By Meg Shields 

Before ‘Reservoir Dogs’ there was ‘My Best Friend’s Birthday.’

Timothy Dalton James Bond

A James Bond Under The Radar: Reflections on the Timothy Dalton Era

By Meg Shields, and Anna Swanson 

What if Timothy Dalton is the best Bond, actually?

The Turin Horse

Destructive Complacency and the Call to Action of ‘The Turin Horse’

By Meg Shields 

It’s possible to read ‘The Turin Horse’ as life-affirming. You just need to know your Nietzsche.