Assassins (1995)

Chunky Mix This project fascinates me. Donner is legendary for taking “chunks” out of genres, attaching them to characters, and jamming them together to make hits. Sometimes it works, and sometimes the experiment gets out of hand. This one is a failure, but an interesting one. Start with the idea that there are three acting… Continue reading Assassins (1995)

Assassination of a High School President (2008)

Mortarboards I fell into “Brick” quite by accident. It was an accident that I discovered it, and knowing nothing about it, I found myself swirling in the story without defenses. That is why I am open to similar experiences. This actually tries much the same thing: conventional noir embossed on a comically exaggerated high school… Continue reading Assassination of a High School President (2008)

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

Production Design They took an absolutely ordinary film — even dreary in places — and wrapped it in two things that are lovely. The first is a lovely production design. Pastel watercolours that are evocative of Verne’s abstract nature. I have idea who to credit for this, but the mundane story provides interstices of grace… Continue reading Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2000-2015)

Abstraction Along the Folds The game of animation is in large measure a matter of moving further and further into abstract universes. The game of modern movies is a matter of folding along self-referential dimensions. The rate of abstraction has been pushed pretty far, from Beavis to South Park to the contenders today. The whole… Continue reading Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2000-2015)

Apartment (1960)

Mechanical I have just had quite an argument with a well known film critic. He maintains that films are either good or bad and any good film is just simply good. I maintained that films are little worlds. Some are created more successfully than others. Some are more novel or clever or valuable than others.… Continue reading Apartment (1960)