<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Ben Patten - Writing Portfolio]]></title><description><![CDATA[Bite-Sized Words with Punchy Flair]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 23:02:33 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.benpattenwrites.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Solstice and the Stars: An Interview with Luke Angus]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Q&#38;A with Luke Angus on his latest short stunner: Solstice.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/solstice-and-the-stars-an-interview-with-luke-angus</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69efbfcc7cb0726b2da8472d</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_68bde36dc7ab464b95b609515e9dda3e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_820,h_341,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Short Stuff: LFF 2025]]></title><description><![CDATA[A collection of short writing on the film of LFF 2025!]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/short-stuff-lff-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffe47cecab90113755488e</guid><pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_332d598a67fd42f28a43ff03ba834e4f~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_972,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['The Smashing Machine' is too nice.]]></title><description><![CDATA['The Smashing Machine' is too nice.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/the-smashing-machine-is-too-nice</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffe3b14f7ebdc9f6ae6688</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_8acdf0fa5fc84ac991490d4bbde5a3b6~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_655,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['My Father's Shadow' and absenteeism.]]></title><description><![CDATA['My Father's Shadow' has kicked off my LFF coverage. A wonderfully melancholic story of two boys' trip to Lagos with their father, and the revolution to come.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/my-father-s-shadow-and-absenteeism</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffe1b7ecab901137554432</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 01:44:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_55797da4492c439d81dff0ab63158cf4~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_971,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Islands and the hell of tennis.]]></title><description><![CDATA[I spilt my coffee while watching Islands. I’m sorry to the person who had to sit in B3 after the movie, that’s on me, but this incredibly classic thriller didn’t give me time to look for a cupholder.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/islands-and-the-hell-of-tennis</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffe046b1ac8cd94fa50e63</guid><pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_3c4059d6e8014f5b87f36f9f03f498d9~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_610,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Christy: That Barbershop Feeling]]></title><description><![CDATA[Christy is a gloriously cute social drama that nails that barbershop feeling, somehow, while Irish children rap.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/christy-that-barbershop-feeling</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffded1ecab901137553ee0</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_a691a0f4ef074a15a650b1e04098dc53~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Eddington: A Shiny Gold Magikarp]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ari Aster's latest is bound to ruffle a few feathers: this incredibly modern TikTok western stands out from the crowd by attacking the closest target, whoever that may be.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/eddington-a-shiny-gold-magikarp</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f3327c446046829039aff8</guid><pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_bf5d5bbf64984b25a8cb74d019f043f8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[EIFF 2025 Animated Shorts Selection]]></title><description><![CDATA[What a bunch we've got this year! From morose giants travelling to the moon, to purple fart men, to sapphic romances about mountain women, there's so much on offer in this group of phenomenal shorts.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/eiff-2025-animated-shorts-selection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fed7d0ecab901137531711</guid><pubDate>Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_659cc52e749046d3b1e0d3450279bc7a~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_419,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['Sorry, Baby' needn't apologise.]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is the 'Year with the Good Movies'. No? Ah well.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/sorry-baby-needn-t-apologise</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffdaeb4f7ebdc9f6ae5756</guid><pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_118528bea32b4ce1ac525572643b658b~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_800,h_450,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['Bulk': A Midnight Memey]]></title><description><![CDATA[It's a good bit, but it gets to a point.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/bulk-a-midnight-memey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffdcf55905d1605de91628</guid><pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_0f0de41a87284842828739d7c4462086~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_690,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[F1®: The Movie: Can You See The Problem?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Has there ever been a worse title for a bigger movie than this summer lynchpin? Brad Pitt and Damson Idris flatline in this bloated excuse for a Maverick B-side.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/f1-the-movie-can-you-see-the-problem</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f1faccbc2ce3253fd1f0b9</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 12:39:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_fc0b6696735f4c259ecf860d1dd07080~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_977,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is there space for 'Elio'?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pixar's latest is their first trip to space in 17 years: the story of a boy looking to the stars for a friend.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/is-there-space-for-elio</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffd8f07e54dfff8b00a431</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_53741eceb5ce4062845b19812542d076~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_783,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Train Your Dragon and live-action remakes.]]></title><description><![CDATA[I mean, it's no How to Train Your Dragon (2010), but it's alright.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/how-to-train-your-dragon-and-live-action-remakes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffc6e4b1ac8cd94fa4e3ad</guid><pubDate>Sun, 15 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_100e4da711d54d18a590a881fd2291b2~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_700,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ballerina and cuckoldry.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Comparisons abound: Ballerina isn't worthy of the John Wick mantle, but it's still a pretty great grenade movie.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/ballerina-and-cuckoldry</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fd7cce5bf92805eb5e7a65</guid><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_2822a874688d4906856fb3ca2028dd0c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_844,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Long Day's Journey into Night.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Where is the core to this gorgeous slice of neo film-noir?]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/long-day-s-journey-into-night</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ffc584ecab90113755141e</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_db5d412e0e1d474bab1b1324ae214edf~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_856,h_482,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['Magic Farm' and selling the sensational.]]></title><description><![CDATA[You won't see another film this year about child cancer with this much horse penis, I'll tell you that for free.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/magic-farm-and-selling-the-sensational</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ff055757c1b4d987695cbf</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_3104a756d6184db1a11a8c09ebb220f4~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_819,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Train Your Dragon 2 and its momentary maturity.]]></title><description><![CDATA[For about 5 minutes, the most daring and mature animated feature made by a major American studio. And then it's not.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/how-to-train-your-dragon-2-and-its-momentary-maturity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ff02ffecab9011375374b0</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_d83805a63dcf4d08b27d6dddeadcd90b~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_604,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['The Phoenician Scheme': Wes Anderson's Roadrunner Movie]]></title><description><![CDATA[For all of the flak he's been getting, Wes is in the habit of surviving: his latest is a gorgeous espionage thriller about an oft-assassinated old man trying to connect with his daughter.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/the-phoenician-scheme-wes-anderson-s-roadrunner-movie</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fed475ecab901137531059</guid><pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_dc8d49a3d77e4dc0987af227b728673f~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_624,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA['Win or Lose' is a definite winner.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pixar's debut TV outing earns its spot amongst their ranks: funny, smart, beautiful to look at, and surprisingly heartfelt, 'Win or Lose' knocks it out of the park.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/win-or-lose-is-a-definite-winner</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fecbf457c1b4d98768e373</guid><pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_33e8ab1fb0434c198293b639073d29f5~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Gap and 'The Gorge']]></title><description><![CDATA[Romance, dancing, leaf humans, swashbuckling pirates and nude streaking; Scott Derrickson's 'The Gorge' has enough to fill that crater and then some.]]></description><link>https://www.benpattenwrites.com/post/the-gap-and-the-gorge</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fec90757c1b4d98768dcfe</guid><pubDate>Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68bb95_790f26fb14ce4200aafdfd23c69e2c1e~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_819,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ben Patten</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>