I know our nation plans on observing this somber anniversary with many different remembrances but if you’re planning on watching a film or documentary about the World Trade Center, allow me to make a suggestion.
MAN ON WIRE is a phenomenal film that reminds all of us that The Twin Towers had a life before they had a death (that’s a quote by the film’s subject).
This summer it feels like it’s a lot of “process” for very little “result”.
I’m trying to not let it frustrate me.
I’m trying.
F**k.
I’ve been trying to kickstart this thing, something so big, something so basic, but I can’t manage to do. I kick but it doesn’t start. I’m getting tired of kicking.
Heck, the only reason I’m doing this is so that I’ll have posted something in June.
Yeah, okay… gotta keep trying to kick.
I am a man alone. I’m not married, no kids, no girlfriend. I’m the silent type, often told I’m hard to read. I’m alone in my car, in my office at work, at the dining room table.
So it would make sense that two films I’ve recently worked on would resonate with me. I think I can safely categorizes them under “Cinema of the Lonely Man”. First things first, no romantic comedies in this catagory. No schlubs trying to find a girl, no ladies-man looking to settle down, no hedonists turning it around for a family.
Those aren’t lonely men, just men that happen to be alone until they find the right partner. No, I mean men that drift through the ebb and flow of a social life without a community. They might be looking for something, they might just be comfortable on their own. Yes, they are still sexual beings. They might have mates, but they’re still lonely. Maybe, instead of my describing what I mean, how about I cite the two films that conjured this thought. The first is TAXI DRIVER.
The second is 127 HOURS.
In one, the lonely man turns his isolation and frustration into violence. In the second, the lonely man finds that his isolation conspired with nature to put the proverbial gun to his head. It’s not until he commits to breaking his isolation that he finds the strength to turn the tables on nature.
Do you see what I’m getting at? I think the better you know me, the more you know what I mean, but I think everyone can get it. Either way, what other movies would you add to this sub-genre?
This is what I saw in theaters in 2010:
So I didn’t hit the century mark this year. Blame my trip to Europe (there’s always next year).
If forced to answer what was my favorite movie of the year, I’d probably say INCEPTION or THE SOCIAL NETWORK, maybe THE BEAVER, but honestly, it felt like a weak year (granted there were a lot of fine movies I haven’t seen… yet).
And for those interested, I saw AVATAR another 23 times this year, which brings the grand total to 50.
Yes, you heard that right, I seen AVATAR in theaters 50 times. That’s almost 6 days straight of AVATAR.
I want a medal.
If you’re even thinking about making a film/video, you should check out this shotgun mic shootout. Basically, this person compares 7 different popular mics used in film/video productions.
What if you don’t have an external mic for your camera? Then get the camera close to your subject. Sure, you can shoot wide shots but don’t let that be the only take with crucial dialog or you’ll be kicking yourself during post.
So at first I thought this was just a drive-in in Los Angeles (and I was stoked about that because I’ve never been to a drive-in). Imagine my surprise to learn that these guys are a production company/directing collective.
Then I took a second to think about it. Yeah, that’s what the artist of tomorrow (today) has to do: diversify. Not only do they direct, they have a pirate radio station, they run a drive-in, they have a recording studio/editing facility in the desert and they sell merchandise.
I think that’s the new model for struggling/starving artist. I’m trying to figure out how to do this to myself. How are you expanding your brand?
(I just heard echoes of the derby girl that spurned my affections)
Happy Friday everyone!
If you’ve ever met me in a bar or seen me in a decent restaurant and asked “what’s a good beer” then you’ve heard me give an impromptu lecture on brown ales or how a pilsener is different from a lager. Yes, I’m a beer geek and it’s all because of a documentary called BEER WARS.
This week, that documentary is available on iTunes (and apparently my PS3 too but I can’t stop playing BORDERLANDS to check–help). Don’t believe me? Here’s the proof.
(that’s the documentary on the “iTunes->Movies” homepage sandwiched between NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU and some Hulk cartoon while I download the latest FRINGE).
Of course I’m biased (dear FTC, I worked on it for almost three years but I am not being compensated for this mention… but if the director wanted to buy me some tasty cupcakes I wouldn’t say “no”) but I think it’s a pretty damn good doc. Also, the “making of” was mighty interesting so I can’t wait for the behind-the-scenes book (hint, hint; nudge nudge).
First, let’s tackle the movies I saw in theaters:
As usual, the ones without reviews were watched for work. For the morbidly curious, this is my workstation.
(Why is it so dark? Because I work in a full sized screening room.)
If I had to pick my five favorite flicks of the year, they’d be (in no particular order):
Q: What movie did I watch more than any other?
A: AVATAR = 27 times!
Runner up: ICE AGE 3D = 22 times!
Call me crazy but I’ve been so close to the century mark for a couple years now that I think I’m gonna make that one of my goals for 2010.
And yeah, I know you just called me “crazy”. You’re not the first.
As everyone has been weighing in with their films of the decade, it’s time for me to do so. What’s different about my pick(s) is that it isn’t about “the best” so much as what I feel defines the major trends of the last ten years, something that sums up our hope and fears, what we’ve been grappling with for the past decade.
That’s why my two films of the decade aren’t even a couple of my favorites.
The first is this major studio release:
The second is this Indiewood import:
So why these two? I think they encapsulate major trends in the market and the collective psyche. In the case of SPIDER-MAN, I think this film kicked off the comic-book-to-movie explosion of this past decade. Yes, I know the X-MEN movie came out first but this one earned 5 times what that flick reaped and I think I know why? It boils down to two things. One, it was the first major blockbuster after the event that defined our decade. Two, the scene where the Green Goblin is wailing on Spider-Man and then out of nowhere bystanders start pelting the bad guy with garbage and yelling, “We’re New Yorkers! We protect our own!” I swear to you I saw people light up and cry at that very moment. In the fantasy of this movie, and in the pit of our hearts, that’s who we wanted to be. That’s what we needed to feel. That’s how we want to see ourselves.
As for 28 DAYS LATER, this film was about our fear of others, the unknown, the looming man-made apocalypse, chemical and biological warfare, even the air we breathe. It was our collective mistrust morphed into rage. Plus it kicked off the whole running zombie thing which launched an avalanche of a revival in the genre. Just look at all the comics and awesome games like LEFT 4 DEAD or how about an awesome flick like the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake. I don’t think we’d have any of those if it weren’t for Danny Boyle‘s post apocalyptic nightmare.
Okay, time for you thoughts, questions and violent dissent.
Loading ...