"Anybody can direct a picture once they know the fundamentals. Directing is not a mystery, it's not an art. The main thing about directing is to photograph the people's eyes."
Not Sure What To Do With Yourself Today? I've Got A Suggestion.
It's a tough film to get through, but it's pretty much perfect for today. A real reminder both of our own, numerous blessings, and of human nature's astonishing ability to rise above adversity. (That's what might make it particularly helpful for those of us inclined to be excessively pessimistic about what today's ceremony may portend. A little perspective never hurts.)
Some People On The Internet Do Not Read Grant Snider's "Incidental Comics." Don't Be One Of Those People.
Today's Short Talks About The Often Punishing Weight Of Our Memories
This one ends up being significantly darker than Cubes, and almost more of a warning than a meditation. The importance of our memories as fundamental and irreplaceable building blocks of our humanity comes through loud-and-clear, though. Some memories are not worth giving up, no matter the alternative.
This Is What "The Day The Earth Stood Still" Would Look Like in Real Life
"Over the past couple of months, the skies over Iceland have been electrified with the absolutely astonishing beauty of the Northern Lights, leading many a photographer to brave the chilly air in order to capture some of that beauty for themselves. The city of Reykjavik further encouraged photos by encouraging that lights be turned off in the entire city."
There's A Mystery Behind "The Maltese Falcon," And It's Not Just A Cinematic One.
This Film Keeps Popping Into My Head. I'm Trying Not To Examine The Reasons Behind That Fact Too Closely.
If You're Going To Be A Classical "One-Hit Wonder," You Could Do A Lot Worse Than This
Amazon Prime Is Releasing A TV Show Produced By Studio Ghibli, And I'm Really Not Sure What I'm Supposed To Think
The themes/settings feel Ghibli-esque to me (though I wasn't quite sure 'til the magic-whimsy showed up around a minute through the trailer), but the obviously CGI character animation feels like a stark (and somewhat unwelcome) departure from their usual aesthetic. I suspect that's because the primary animation is being done by Polygon Pictures, not Ghibli.
Max Richter + Dinah Washington = A "Bitter Earth" That's Anything But Bitter (Musically)
Today's Short Feels A Lot Like WALL·E. At Least Until The Hummingbird Shows Up.
"Here's Some Money. Go See An Indiana Jone."
It's Been Years Since I Saw John Wayne's Last Film, And I Haven't Felt Like Watching It Since. But Then, I Saw This.
When I saw the film some years back, I simply could not separate the fictional character from Wayne himself. Watching the legendary star so close to the end (and such a shadow of his former, iconic self) was hard for me; it felt like a dirge, not a film. And my sadness at watching Wayne "go out" was the only emotion I could remember in the years since, so I've been exceedingly disinclined to return to it any time soon/ever.
Someone Made A Complete Transcription Of Basil Poledouris' CONAN Score For Pipe Organ
Today's Short Is Witty, Whimsical, And Wise. And The Perfect Way To Start Off The New Year.
It's Been Quite A Year, Hasn't It? Let's Go Ahead And Close Things Out With Michael Bay's Mindless Masterpiece.
And Now, For Something Not Quite Entirely Different (Because Christmas, Still) But Pretty Close To Entirely Different (Because RHCP)
Inexplicably (To Me, At Least), Today's SVS Is About As Christmas-y As They Come
I watch General Waverly standing gratefully in the gently falling snow -- or standing tearfully on the barn dance floor as his men honor him for his uprightness and his perseverance and his courage -- I forget the sappy silliness and secularized, gift-wrapped, Hallmarked "Seasons Greetings-ness" of it all.
