Daniella (@daniellamazzio) · DIRTY

Daniella

@daniellamazzio

Culture Writer/Critic. Consultant. Posts about movies, Chicago, gardening, pollinators, disability, & leftism. Ran that Lydia Tár account. Now have a Michael Shannon podcast. Opinions are my own. Viva Palestina.

1.121 Folgt695 Follower375 Posts

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir daniellamazzio.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Daniella@daniellamazzio· 16h

I think it's charming that Jon Bernthal's hair is all top and no side in Spiderman and no top and all side in The Odyssey

Daniella@daniellamazzio· 18d

It was my forever love @joeengleman.bsky.social's birthday on Friday and he said instead of a photo of him I should post his birthday haul from me, which was two Wiseman movies, three books, and stained glass bird candle holders. ❤️

The movies include Missile and Essene. The books are Sun City, The Sunset Lands, and A Natural History of Empty Lots.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Jul 30

The Mouse is out of the bag: Extremely delighted to share that I'll be at this year's @socialismconference.org to talk w/ @vickyacab.bsky.social about her brilliant book, "The Extended Universe: How Disney Killed the Movies and Took over the World." Register! socialism2026.sched.com/event/2RijZ/...

Daniella takes a selfie holding up the book "The Extended Universe."

Daniella@daniellamazzio· May 8

Chicagoans, I think we may finally be out of the cold days for good because one of three swallowtails I overwintered emerged yesterday. She is very beautiful and I was worried they didn't make it and nature continues to amaze me 🥹 #SwallowtailSummer approaches....

A female black eastern swallowtail sits in Daniella's hand.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 30

These reviews and *all* my CLFF reviews can be found at room-tone.ghost.io.

These reviews and *all* my CLFF reviews can be found at https://room-tone.ghost.io.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 30

And RUNA SIMI (dir. Augusto Zegarra, Peru): "Zegarra's eye as a documentarian allows the greater reality to bleed through without overwhelming our central subject. This is a movie about the remnants of colonialism that maintain a stranglehold on Peru" room-tone.ghost.io/clff-6-runa-...

The poster for Runa Simi.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 30

MELODRAMA (dir. Andrés Farías, Dominican Republic): "[Chicago-based writer] Rey Andújar's most successful contribution is the romance he inflects into the dialogue... genuine work that solidifies MELODRAMA's place as a great—and tragic—romance." room-tone.ghost.io/clff-4-espin...

The poster for Melodrama.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 30

EVA (dir. William Reyes, Honduras/Colombia): "Both mother and son have to face a mountainous grief that no one could have expected, but that also puts both of their lives in stasis emotionally and economically." room-tone.ghost.io/clff-7-mistu...

The poster for Eva.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 30

CIELO (dir. Alberto Sciamma, Bolivia): "CIELO at its heart is a movie about the shock of living. The shock comes from great beauty (the desert cinematography rivals MAD MAX: FURY ROAD). It comes in great tragedy, too" room-tone.ghost.io/clff-5-to-di...

The poster for Cielo.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 30

Now let's get into my favorite watches (watches I hope will have substantial distribution!) First up, A BRIGHT FUTURE/UN FUTURO BRILLANTE (dir. Lucía Garibaldi, Uruguay): "[Elisa] just sees a caste system that sees her youth as a commodity" room-tone.ghost.io/clff-3-theyd...

The poster for Un Futuro Brillante.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 30

🎬 All of my dispatches from the Chicago Latino Film Fest are now live! Before diving into the links, let's get into some stats and highlights: 🧵

A foam board of the poster for the 42nd Chicago Latino Film Festival.

The Landmark Century Centre decorated with flags from the Latino diaspora.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 29

It's still ✨MATCH WEEK✨ for this year's Fund-a-Thon! Donate to support @chiabortionfund.bsky.social and critical healthcare access that extends far beyond Illinois! fund.nnaf.org/fundraiser/7...

Text on a graphic that reads: As the largest abortion fund in the country, CAF is meeting the moment. 1 in 4 people forced to travel for abortion care come to Illinois – since the fall of Roe v. Wade, 85% of CAF’s callers are based outside of Illinois.

A map shows CAF's critical service area includes: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Remaining states are general service area excluding Washington, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Rhode Island.

Text reads: Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, CAF has met historic need: 50K+ support requests fielded from people in 45 states. $20M+ distributed directly for appointment and travel costs. In 2025 alone, CAF: fielded nearly 20K support requests, spent $10M on appointment & travel costs, distributed $1.8M for abortion clinic & provider capacity building.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 22

There are so many ways to help! You can donate to my page linked above! OR you can buy one of the T-shirts I designed in tribute to the Alderman who said in 2022 he didn't want to see Illinois become the abortion state of the Midwest lol www.bonfire.com/from-the-peo...

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 14

This is how I feel when u don't subscribe to my newsletter, especially when u could be the first to know about new Hand Me the Mike episodes, could see my upcoming dispatches from the Chicago Latino Film Festival, and so much more.....

An illustration of Jesus sitting with his head hung heavy.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 13

HIGHLY recommend Vicky Osterweil's "The Extended Universe" which comes out this week from @haymarketbooks.org. Great blend of research and cultural criticism that gets into how Disney has shaped global policy w/ reach far beyond Hollywood by dissecting the business principles of IP.

Daniella smiles for a selfie by Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline while holding up "The Extended Universe: How Disney Killed the Movies and Took Over the World."

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Apr 11

🎶 We're baaaaaaack 🎶 On the newest, LATEST, Hand Me the Mike, I am joined by stellar writer and journalist @nataliesnotinit.bsky.social to talk about John Waters' CECIL B. DEMENTED! One of my favorite conversations so far. 🔗 below!

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Dec 6

Hand Me the Mike is BACK, baby, with a new episode on Shannon's directorial debut ERIC LARUE, featuring my dear dear friend @soberrabbit.bsky.social. Listen as we navigate some tough topics and talk about how the movie speaks to many feelings that have come to define 2025. 🔗➡️

A graphic that features an image of Judy Greer in Eric LaRue, multiple behind the scenes images of Michael Shannon directing, and the text: episode #08, Eric LaRue featuring Whitney Wasson.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Nov 17

FILM CRITICISM IS ALIVE AND IN LOVE, BABY!! You won't believe the conversations about adaptation (and streaming services) @joeengleman.bsky.social and I have been having around the house lately. Read my dive on HEDDA and Joe's on TRAIN DREAMS now online @chicagoreader.com ❤️‍🔥

A screenshot of the latest stories from the Chicago Reader homepage, featuring Review: Train Dreams by Joe Engleman, with subheader text reading: Clint Bentley's Train Dreams is a compelling and beautiful film, but it struggles as an adaptation to live up to its source material. Followed by Review: Hedda by Daniella Mazzio, with subheader text reading: Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler inspired director Nia DaCosta's fresh depiction of the titular character's sexuality and tragedy.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Oct 17

Chicago! Don't miss tonight's Cold Sweat double feature of TAKE SHELTER and SAVE THE GREEN PLANET at @facetschicago.bsky.social! If you go, you may even see a familiar postcard....

Screenshot of the Facets web page for Take Shelter.

Daniella holds a postcard featuring artwork for the podcast "Hand Me the Mike."

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Oct 15

Ya girl finally emerged from her bunker (a month of depression) and I'm pleased to say Hand Me the Mike is BACK with a discussion of Joshua Oppenheimer's 2024 musical THE END. @rosswbermaniv.bsky.social joins for a very rich conversation. We talk a lot about ACT OF KILLING, too. 🔗➡️

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Sep 27

FYI on @sbworkersunited.org action in Chicago tonight:

Graphic with text that reads: Urgent community action. What: a vigil to mourn the abrupt closing of historic union location Clark and Ridge and to celebrate the accomplishments to come. When: tonight, 9/27, 9-9:45pm. Where: 5964 N. Ridge Avenue. Stop by or spread the word to support your local, union baristas!

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Sep 16

Boy last week was a doozy, huh? Well after taking a mini break, Hand Me the Mike is back with a doozy! @petreraleigh.bsky.social and I talk about both of Werner Herzog's 2009 movies: MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YE DONE? and BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS. 🔗⤵️

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Sep 14

As Chicago continues to be used as a rhetorical device by the right, I want to highlight the abundance of Latin American and queer film screenings (starting this week through the end of Sept) between @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social's Crucemos Al Otro Lado programming & @reelingfilmfest.bsky.social!

Poster for Crucemos Al Otro Lado at the Music Box Theatre, September 14-24, 2025, featuring El Topo (by Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1971) on 35MM, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (by Robert M. Young, 1982), and Life Within the Lens: Chicago, Alli, Y Mas (a shorts program).

Poster for Reeling 2025, September 19-28, the 43rd Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Sep 1

It's #MikeDropMonday! The new hashtag I'm inventing to indicate there's a new episode of Hand Me the Mike. This week, we've got the Bechdel Cast's @caitlindurante.bsky.social on to talk about Michael Shannon's film debut GROUNDHOG DAY! This is a fun one that covers a lot of ground! 🔗⤵️

A graphic include images of Michael Shannon in Groundhog Day accompanied by text that reads: Episode #05: Groundhog Day, Featuring Caitlin Durante.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Aug 26

Great performances of the century? How about a lil film called BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD?! On the latest Hand Me the Mike, I'm joined by Chicago born-and-raised illustrator and Sidney Lumet completist Vincent Mollica. Really great convo that also digs into craft! 🔗⤵️

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Aug 18

On the latest Hand Me the Mike, I'm joined by Sweet Void Cinema's Jack McCoy to go deep on MAN OF STEEL. Inevitably, we talk James Gunn's SUPERMAN, but we also get into how Snyder's Kal-El grapples with mythos and why Shannon's performance is the perfect level of intensity. 🔗⤵️

A graphic featuring stills of Michael Shannon as General Zod, featuring the texting Episode #03, Man of Steel Featuring Jack McCoy.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Aug 14

Will be on live today at 4:20pm CT (ayyy) to talk film criticism and my Michael Shannon podcast with host and programmer Tyler Balentine. Listen at que4.org!

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Aug 11

On the latest ep of Hand Me the Mike, @isaacfeldberg.bsky.social and I talk TAKE SHELTER, what makes Shannon the 'Meltdown Maestro,' and reference everything from The Book of Job to THE SHROUDS. PLUS: @joeengleman.bsky.social and I quickly check in on our first-time watch of Boardwalk Empire.

Edited stills of Michael Shannon in Take Shelter accompanying the text: Episode #02: Take Shelter, featuring Isaac Feldberg.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Aug 7

What is it about Michael Shannon? Today, on Shannon's birthday, I'm pleased to share the introductory episode of "Hand Me the Mike." Listen to me share in my best NPR voice why the actor has such a fascinating — and uniquely American — career. Link in thread⤵️

The cover art for "Hand Me the Mike" hosted by Daniella Mazzio, featuring an illustration of actor Michael Shannon's head on a microphone.

Daniella@daniellamazzio· Jul 19

ICYMI: Over one month, I interviewed more than 30 orgs and individuals impacted by the Tr*mp administration's aggressive attacks on the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 🧵 chicagoreader.com/music/music-...