Chicago Cab (1997)

Illegal Shorts A filmmaker needs to decide early in the game who is going to capture her. The normal choices are short form or long form, usually cast described as stories about people or ideas with stories. (There’s an in-between choice having to do with situations that is increasingly popular.) The first choice usually means… Continue reading Chicago Cab (1997)

Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace (2004)

Two spheres Why are Canada and Australia so invested in exploring the periphery? My own theory is based on the existence of a few talented teachers in key places. For whatever reason, this is something you are unlikely to find elsewhere. First, note that every production value that normally paves the way to connection is… Continue reading Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace (2004)

Happy Feet (2006)

Mad Maximum Motion You can parse this into three bits I think. The first is what people normally see, the story. Miller and many of the Oz New Wave don’t pay much attention to this. They put something there of course, otherwise we would get distracted. Here it is an amazingly clever fold, referencing another… Continue reading Happy Feet (2006)

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Reflective Engagement I normally write about folding; the most obvious is when a film contains a film or play, but there are a bewildering number of types. The most interesting of these to me is when the film ‘folds’ the watcher in, in some way. The least interesting is when a film overtly quotes another.… Continue reading Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)