Call for Papers: All Things Reconsidered – FILM Winter 2023-24

We are seeking essays for our new film-based Winter 2023-24 All Things Reconsidered series. These features analyze classic movies in film history. They are indexed in the academic ProQuest database. We are seeking pitches for articles on the movies listed below, although writers may also pitch others that are not on this list.

All Things Reconsidered articles should be at least 1,400 words, although that’s fairly short for a substantial essay, and writers are encouraged to go longer. Indeed, many of these features are in-depth, written for posterity and education, and some go over 3,000 words.

In these essays, we want to address:

1. Why this film matters. How has it stood the test of time?
2. How has the perception of the film changed over time (if relevant)?
3. Where did the movie come from in the history of the director’s work and the films that influenced it?
4. What societal trends influenced the making of the film, and what influence has it had since being released?

Tips for essays:

1. Please don’t use excessive dialogue quotations unless you are examining aspects of the script. Quotations are fine, but ideas are better.
2. Please have a unique take on the film. Develop a central thesis to build your essay.
3. These need to be essays with original critical thinking. We don’t want a plot summary. There must be an analysis.

 NOTE: At the top of film article submissions, indicate how you saw the film, e.g., if via a streaming service, identify that service; if from a Blu-ray, provide the distributor name and a link to the Blu-ray on their website (e.g., Criterion) not a 3rd party (e.g., Amazon). If you worked with a publicist for film access, provide the publicist’s name and email address.

Please choose from the list below, address pitches to Karen Zarker, and enter your pitch into our Submittable with the subject of “All Things Reconsidered Film”.

PITCH DEADLINE: 15 February

ESSAY DEADLINE: Rolling deadlines through 31 March.

Note: PopMatters is a wholly independent magazine of cultural criticism, est. 1999. Our mission is to educate readers and document our period on the cultural timeline. We publish for posterity. PopMatters is a highly respected magazine because of its ideals and its fine writers and editorial staff. However, such high ideals are not monetarily rewarded in today’s publishing climate. For this reason, we can offer you an excellent publishing platform for your quality work and our social media efforts – but for now, we are unable to pay you for your articles. Even the editors are currently volunteering their time. We are presently a 100% volunteer organization, with all advertising revenue supporting our basic expenses. Writers retain ownership of their copyright on articles so that they can use them for books and other projects. Their essays are indexed in ProQuest, as PopMatters has an educational mission.

Films – January

You may also pitch movies not on this list.

A Fistful of Dollars 1964
Broadway Danny Rose 1984
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1969
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb 1964
In The Loop 2009
Sherlock Holmes 2009
The Fantastic Four 1994
The Fantastic Four 1994
When Harry Met Sally 1989

Films – February

You may also pitch movies not on this list.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 1994
Before Sunset 2004
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure 1989
Blazing Saddles 1974
Office Space 1999
Reality Bites 1994
The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014
The Machinist 2004
The Motorcycle Diaries 2004

Films – March

You may also pitch movies not on this list.

Blood Simple 1984
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 2004
Four Weddings and a Funeral 1994
Hotel Rwanda 2004
New York Stories 1989
Some Like It Hot 1959
The Great Gatsby 1974
The Hudsucker Proxy 1994
The Ladykillers 2004
The Matrix 1999
True Crime 1999
Watchmen 2009