The Director's Narrative

Holy crap.  I cannot wait to see this movie.

I am a Superman junkie.  It’s my not-so-secret dream to direct a Superman movie of my own someday, so needless to say I’m pretty critical of the cinematic versions Clark Kent takes.  I’ve been pretty down on Man of Steel since it was announced, and even harder on it since the teasers and trailers started being released.  But this trailer is the first time I’ve seen some things that scream of the beauty and iconic grandeur possible with this character.

Please be a good movie.

The way they’re adding President Snow into these films to help the narrative to flow in a way it couldn’t outside the novels, is really brilliant.  These books have such a complex world that without something added to bring them to screen you’d have to resort to a constant voice over - so glad they didn’t make that choice.

Movies You Should See #4: Brand Upon the Brain directed by Guy Maddin

Guy Maddin is one of the most unique filmmakers I know of, and to be honest while I really like his style and creativity - I’m not sure I can say I enjoy his films.  But I still watch them and love them.  Maddin doesn’t make films like anyone I’ve ever seen.

I do believe that this film, which is silent by the way (and briefly toured the country with a live orchestra), was described as a fictional autobiography.  Told roughly in “memories”, Maddin revisits his childhood home - a lighthouse on an island - where his family ran an orphanage and falls into memory after memory.  Sometimes disturbing, sometimes incoherent  this film is entirely unique and different than anything you’ve ever seen.  Like it or hate it, you can’t see this film and not have an opinion on what you’ve just seen.

Movies You Should See #3: Bottle Shock directed by Randall Miller

This is one of my happy movies.  It’s impossible to watch this movie and not be happy in the end.  Though let me tell you right now, just get over Chris Pine’s bad wig - it’s not that important.

Before Bottle Shock I didn’t know there was a competition for wine between the French and the Californian’s.  Or that we trounced the French.  But my God, I now really want to try the winning chardonay.     

Movies You Should See #2: Another Earth directed by Mike Cahill

This movie put Mike Cahill and Brit Marling on my radar.  Written by the pair, starring Marling, and directed by Cahill these two hit the screen with one of the most powerful and dramatic films I’ve ever seen - and it’s a science fiction film.

This film hits home emotionally.  It deals with a tragedy - Rhoda (Marling) drinks and drives as a minor and kills the son and pregnant wife of John Burroughs and when she is released from prison four years later she is still dealing with this.  

What frames this entire film is the discovery of another planet.  It appears on the night Rhoda graduates from high school (and causes her accident), and by the time Rhoda is released this planet is revealed to be identical to our own.  As Rhoda moves further into her new reality more is revealed about the planet until it becomes a vital part or Rhoda’s journey.

I cannot recommend this film highly enough.  Made for next to no money, and a truly independent film, everything in it shines of passion and talent.

Movie You Should See #1: Ace in the Hole directed by Billy Wilder

I was first introduced to this film by one of my favorite professors - the same man that introduced me to Billy Wilder (and I cannot thank him enough for that).

Wilder made some pretty controversial films in his day, but this was one of the biggest.  It was released at two separate times, under two different titles.  The original title was this one - Ace in the Hole - the studio changed it to The Big Carnival right before its release without consulting Wilder and later changed it back.

This film did not sit well with audiences when it first came out, and may not sit will with some people now.  You see the subject matter of this film isn’t just relavent to 1951 - it’s relavent to now.  The main character Chuck Tatum, played by Kirk Douglas, is a reporter who cares more about his headline than anything else.  So when a man gets trapped in a mine in a small town, Tatum does what anyone can trust him to do - make it a headline.  The problem is that he does so at the expense of the trapped miner and his wife.

This film is populated with characters that are hard to like, but so realistic that they’re absolutely believable.  This film has the Wilder touch.  It was made over 60 years ago, but it’s just as relavent to the media today as when it was first made.

leftcoastjane:

gregmelander:

SIGN PAINTERS

A documentary about the lost art of sign painting. 

This is what I so wanted to be when I grew up, at one point. I’d’a prolly been good at it….

I had a ballet teacher that did this.  It fascinated me.  I wish I could letter the way these people letter.

I am so excited for this.  Much Ado About Nothing is probably my favorite Shakespeare play, and Joss Whedon is the man.

I’m going to miss Jon Favreau, but I’m so excited to see Shane Black in a directors chair again.