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.
A Clockwork Orange

How ‘A Clockwork Orange’ Captured the Feel of the Future On-Location

By Meg Shields 

Here’s a video about the real futuristic locations and artwork that Stanley Kubrick used for the production design of ‘A Clockwork Orange.’

Criterion Restoration Essay

How Criterion Restores a Warped Film

By Meg Shields 

No two restoration projects are exactly the same. Here’s how the Criterion Collection restored a warped print of ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much.’

Tuca And Bertie

How Lisa Hanawalt’s Animals Teach Us About What it Means to Be Human

By Meg Shields 

Lisa Hanawalt’s characters make animals out of people. Or is it the other way around? Here’s a video essay about how her animals bring us closer to what it means to be human.

Quaranteen

A Cautionary Tale About the COVID-19 Booty Call

By Meg Shields 

Laughing at scary things is important, so here’s an animated short film about COVID-19 that ends with a cautionary country ballad.

Mr Vampire

How to Make a Family-Friendly Horror Film That’s Still Gory

By Meg Shields 

Here’s a video essay about how the Hong Kong action-horror classic ‘Mr Vampire’ manages to stay family-friendly without sacrificing its scares.

Extraction, Jb Nef

When is a Long Take Just a Gimmick?

By Meg Shields 

We know that a Long Take is always a treat, but if it doesn’t serve the story, it can feel like a gimmick. A new video essay explores why.

Bonnie And Clyde

How ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ Changed Hollywood

By Meg Shields 

What we’re watching: a video essay about how ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ changed the makeup of American cinema forever. 

Ponyo

The Power of Sound: Why a Hayao Miyazaki Film Feels Alive

By Meg Shields 

Here’s a video essay explaining how Miyazaki films use sound to bring animation to life.

Parasite Sunset Boulevard Comparison

How ‘Parasite’ and ‘Sunset Boulevard’ Script Disillusionment

By Meg Shields 

What we’re watching: a video essay comparing the disillusionment arcs of ‘Parasite’ and ‘Sunset Boulevard.’