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.
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.

Full Metal Jacket Cinematic Gaze

The Eyes Have It: A Celebration of the Cinematic Gaze

By Meg Shields 

Here’s looking at you…and you…and you…

Moma Film Conservation Preservation

Conservation vs. Preservation: How MoMA is Safeguarding Film Heritage

By Meg Shields 

Conservation? Preservation? What’s the difference? Here’s how the Museum of Modern Art is making film — and film heritage work — more accessible.

Close Encounters Of Third Kind sequel Night Skies

The Fruitful Failure of Steven Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ Sequel

By Meg Shields 

Steven Spielberg’s ‘Night Skies’ was never made, but what audiences wound up getting instead was much better.

Bigtop Burger Steve

Drop What You’re Doing and Watch ‘Bigtop Burger’

By Meg Shields 

Does anyone fancy a hamburger? From an interdimensional food truck run by clowns?