Missed Marks I periodically revisit the Marx films to recharge my own desire for creative anarchy. This time around, I became more aware of how unclever this is as film, and how clever they got later in the medium as fast learners. Its not anarchy yet. This and “Coconuts” were stage shows the Brothers had… Continue reading Animal Crackers (1930)
Tag: p2003
Comments first posted in 2003
An American in Paris (1951)
Sienna Shoes ‘The Red Shoes’ changed the world of film. It was deeply self-referential (a performance about a performance with the two enfolded) and had the extra advance of sometimes making the camera a dancer. So Gene Kelly tried his own ‘Shoes’. MGM refused to horse around with the camera but let him try on… Continue reading An American in Paris (1951)
Amy’s Orgasm (2001)
Caught in the Marketplace How difficult it must be for a young writer/director/actor with energy, some skill and no ideas. So just write about one’s self and use the current “intelligent” template of self-reference. That template has our writer playing a writer. The writer on screen is struggling with the same issues that vex the… Continue reading Amy’s Orgasm (2001)
The Aminatrix (2003)
Busy I’m not sure I understand why this is being made. Presumably, the goal is to advertise the upcoming matrix sequel in such a way that sets the stage for game and doll marketing. Industry studies show that the type of fantasy that drives the commerce targeting teens and younger does best when “real” images… Continue reading The Aminatrix (2003)
Italian for Beginners (2000)
Red Hair in Venice You know, intelligent filmmakers are faced with all sorts of philosophical dilemmas, not the least of which are controversies over storytelling styles. Let’s call them the North and South. The Northern style is a matter of creating a world whose fabric is a bit wrinkled and in the niches and loops… Continue reading Italian for Beginners (2000)
Italian Job (2003)
The In, The Out This slick production lacks the cinematic acrobatics of “The Good Thief.” Except, except for one clever thing. The editing. The direction, acting and all that are pretty ordinary, as is the actual story and it tested very poorly. So — the story goes — the concerned producers brought in a giant… Continue reading Italian Job (2003)
Alphaville (1965)
Reduced Time gives us great advantages. One of these is that we can see art in terms other than the artist used in creating it. The French New Wave was an interesting and timely set of cinematic ideas that were burdened at the time by clumsy theory and some frankly moronic critics. Now we can… Continue reading Alphaville (1965)
American Movie (1999)
Inarticulate Speech of the Trailer Park I am the perfect candidate audience for this. I watch a couple theatrical projects a day. I love film and am hungry for new and/or intelligent experiences. Plus, I have a passion for “folded” films, films that about themselves in some way. Moreover, this project comes with Sundance buzz… Continue reading American Movie (1999)
Dark Command (1940)
Before the Pattern John Wayne ruined the western for me. The whole idea of the western until Leone was in constant repetition, walking the same route every time so that subtleties could be emphasised. Since everything else was given, we could focus on the smallest things. Real art in moviemaking is in picking the right… Continue reading Dark Command (1940)
Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
The Character Lab Ostensibly, this film is an emotional account of a place where strong characters are created. But what I find interesting is the story behind the characters in the film. Disney has the most advanced character lab in the world, a place which scientifically explores how we personify emotions. I’ve had a glimpse… Continue reading Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)