December 2011
16 posts
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Film Journal #231 - Derek Cianfrance's "Blue...
By juxtaposing scenes of two young lovers with their future failing marriage, director Dreck Cianfrance hits an honest mark as he shows the incredible highs and lows found in romantic relationships.
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Film Journal #230 - Lars Van Trier's "Melancholia"...
It’s the end of the world and only the chronically depressed are emotionally capable of handling such a tragedy. I kind of like that message.
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Film Journal #229 - John Cassavetes' "The Killing...
The more Cassavetes films I watch, the more I believe that the man’s greatest gift is painting uncomfortably real portraits of deeply flawed people. He sees through criteria we may consciously or unconsciously use to judge people and cuts through straight to their human essence. This makes for films that are undeniably honest, but also hard to swallow for they are seldom seen in the...
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Film Journal #228 - David Fincher's "Zodiac"...
This is David Fincher’s overlooked masterpiece. A procedural drama in which every element works together like clockwork and the film’s chilling realism is accentuated due to its pioneering digital cinematography.
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Film Journal #227 - Antoine Fuqua's "Tears of the...
Another choice of the neighbors. I could’ve sworn this film was directed by Edward Zwick while I was watching it. It’s a historical drama with race as a key issue and big spoonfuls of sentimentality. Bruce Willis frowns a lot.
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Film Journal #226 - Michael Bay's "The Island"...
We told our 13-year-old neighbor that he could bring over a DVD and watch it on our projector. This is what he brought. Michael Bay, your evil presence is felt all over this world and I will never forgive you for it.
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Film Journal #225 - John Cassavetes' "A Woman...
An utterly devastating film that moves and disturbs you with the sheer reality of its tragedy. Cassavetes understands the honest complications in everyday human relationships and the often sad truths for those living with mental illness. Read this.
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“What’s interesting about this whole thing is [this]: a director doesn’t have to...”
– Nicolas Winding Refn
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WatchArtist: Vivian Girls
Song: “Light In Your Eyes”
Album: Share the Joy
Available on Polyvinyl Records
Director/Director of Photography/Editor: Gerry Maravilla
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Film Journal #224 - Nicolas Winding Refn's "Drive"...
“Drive” is a true triumphant of style over substance and I don’t mean that as a slight. By combining elements of Walter Hill’s, “The Driver,” and other minimal 1970s films and infusing them with an even greater sense of European style, Refn delivers a movie that feels both familiar and contemporary. While it never tops the incredible opening scene and credit...
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Film Journal #223 - Takashi Miike's "Ichi the...
Japanese director Takashi Miike doesn’t give a fuck about what you think is acceptable to show on screen. He pushes boundaries and comfort levels in unprecedented ways that leave the view wanting to take a long, hot shower after watching one of his films. “Ichi the Killer” is an extremely violent and often disturbing film that will be enjoyed by all who can stomach it.
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Film Journal #222 - Nicolas Winding Refn's...
While it’s looking less and less like “Drive” will be coming to El Salvador, I’ve still been committed to seeing as much of Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn’s filmography as possible. Refn’s Viking acid trip blends elements of Leone and Herzog for a concoction that’s probably as bizzare as that sounds. Read Salon.com’s Andrew...
Anonymous asked: Stumbled upon this by accident- inspiring stuff. As someone who has just started to take cinema seriously, I was wondering what your essential films are.
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Film Journal #221 - David Fincher's "The Game"...
David Fincher knows how to construct an engaging thriller even when the script is lacking. Can someone smarter than me please write a paper on San Francisco in Fincher’s films? I’d love to read that.
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Film Journal #220 - Apichatpong Weerasethakul's...
I’m still not quite sure what I just watched, but I still want to say that I felt moved and hypnotized by this film. There are echoes of Malick, but at the same time, it’s something else all its own. Peter Bradshaw over at The Guardian has the right idea.