Michael Sragow
Encyclopedia
Michael Sragow is a film critic and columnist who has written for The Baltimore Sun
, The New Times, The New Yorker
(where he worked with Pauline Kael
), The Atlantic and salon.com
. Sragow also edited James Agee
's film essays (for the book Agee on Film), and has written or contributed to several other cinema-related books.
Sragow attended New York University
and Harvard University
, where he majored in history and literature. Sragow began his career at Boston Magazine
, and went on to become the film critic for Rolling Stone Magazine. From 1985-1992, he was the lead film critic for The San Francisco Examiner
. Commencing in 1999, he was a film critic for salon.com
, and commencing in 2001, he has been a film critic for The Baltimore Sun
.
He has earned criticism for favoring arthouse foreign films on a disportionate level compared to mainstream (and independent to a lesser degree) American films.
In 2008, Sragow published a biography of director Victor Fleming
; in his review, John Gallagher writes that Sragow's biography, "restores the director to his rightful place in film history and popular culture. It’s a fantastic read, assiduously researched, using primary archival resources and a full complement of remembrances from Fleming’s family and colleagues."
In January 2010, Sragow taught a course on "Classic American Films" at Centre College
for the school's three week "Centre Term." Sragow has constantly supported British filmmaker David Yates
through his online blog "Sragow Gets Reel", naming him "a big-screen master of tension, atmosphere and emotional suggestion".
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
, The New Times, The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
(where he worked with Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael was an American film critic who wrote for The New Yorker magazine from 1968 to 1991. Earlier in her career, her work appeared in City Lights, McCall's and The New Republic....
), The Atlantic and salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
. Sragow also edited James Agee
James Agee
James Rufus Agee was an American author, journalist, poet, screenwriter and film critic. In the 1940s, he was one of the most influential film critics in the U.S...
's film essays (for the book Agee on Film), and has written or contributed to several other cinema-related books.
Sragow attended New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, where he majored in history and literature. Sragow began his career at Boston Magazine
Boston magazine
Boston is a monthly magazine concerning life in the Greater Boston area and has been in publication for more than 40 years.-About the magazine:The magazine is self-described as:...
, and went on to become the film critic for Rolling Stone Magazine. From 1985-1992, he was the lead film critic for The San Francisco Examiner
The San Francisco Examiner
The San Francisco Examiner is a U.S. daily newspaper. It has been published continuously in San Francisco, California, since the late 19th century.-19th century:...
. Commencing in 1999, he was a film critic for salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
, and commencing in 2001, he has been a film critic for The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
.
He has earned criticism for favoring arthouse foreign films on a disportionate level compared to mainstream (and independent to a lesser degree) American films.
In 2008, Sragow published a biography of director Victor Fleming
Victor Fleming
Victor Lonzo Fleming was an American film director, cinematographer, and producer. His most popular films were The Wizard of Oz , and Gone with the Wind , for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director.-Life and career:Fleming was born in La Canada, California, the son of Elizabeth Evaleen ...
; in his review, John Gallagher writes that Sragow's biography, "restores the director to his rightful place in film history and popular culture. It’s a fantastic read, assiduously researched, using primary archival resources and a full complement of remembrances from Fleming’s family and colleagues."
In January 2010, Sragow taught a course on "Classic American Films" at Centre College
Centre College
Centre College is a private liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky, USA, a community of approximately 16,000 in Boyle County south of Lexington, KY. Centre is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution. Centre was founded by Presbyterian leaders, with whom it maintains a loose...
for the school's three week "Centre Term." Sragow has constantly supported British filmmaker David Yates
David Yates
David Yates is an English filmmaker who rose to mainstream prominence directing the final four films in the Harry Potter film series. He helmed the series' fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth installments, all of which became an instant blockbuster success and made him the most commercially...
through his online blog "Sragow Gets Reel", naming him "a big-screen master of tension, atmosphere and emotional suggestion".