A European Observation about American Film
There are interesting reasons for the global dominance of American movies. Here a couple of observations from Europe via movieScope Magazine.
Continue readingBill Mechanic’s Speech on Indie Film
Bill Mechanic’s speech about the Business of the Business producing films.
Continue readingThe Informant! – Power of Ambition
Matt Damon plays a pitch perfect Power of Ambition protagonist. A close movie comparison would be to Damon’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, another movie that explores dark and twisted side of the Power of Ambition character.
Continue readingVulnerability Scenes
Everyone who has heard me speak or teach knows how fundamental vulnerability is to making a movie or television show memorable. The way an audience BONDS with a character is through scenes where the character is vulnerable. Here are some of my favorites– what are yours?
Continue readingThe Cynic’s Guide to Film and Literary Criticism
The tired and jaded view. It’s actually quite funny– and often true!
Continue readingTaking Woodstock – Bummer
The 40th anniversary of Woodstock, which took place from August 15 to August 18, 1969 is being marked forty years and eight days later by the release of Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock. Reviews are not quite groovy. I concur.
Continue readingThe Queen – Power of Conscience
The Queen, written by Peter Morgan, directed by Stephen Frears and starring Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen, is a pitch perfect Power of Conscience character study.
Continue readingJohn Hughes – Power of Idealism
John Hughes passed away today. Molly Ringwald represented John Hughes’ romantic ideal of the artist as misfit, sensitive and misunderstood, aspiring to wider acceptance but reluctant to compromise too much.
Continue readingPelham 123 and Duplicity – Unsatisfying Endings
The endings of The Taking of Pelham 123 and Duplicity left me shrugging and saying “Huh?” Both were box office duds. The lesson from both films is “earn your ending.”
Continue readingLand of The Lost – Power of Reason
#TypesTuesday – Any character, regardless of type, can be an idiot or a genius.
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