Paul Thomas Anderson to Get Rowdy With Religion
Earlier today I was remarking to a coworker that film audiences are currently spoiled to all hell. They can choose between a Coen Brothers, a Wes Anderson and a Spike Jonze. When I look up at that marquee I get a little light-headed, then I bow to my knees and pray…
Read MoreRogue Film School: Demigod Werner Herzog Teaches Lucky Mortals to Dodge Bullets
Werner Herzog is a hero of mine. I look up to him and his work regularly inspires me. With that in mind I could accurately state that I don’t adore his movies in a conventional way. They aren’t the type that hold permanent residency in my DVD player…
Read MorePortugal the Man Visits the Future, Gazes Longingly
I’m consistently impressed by the visual sophistication that Portland-based Portugal the Man exudes, and this video is nothing but a confirmation of that. The director, Ryan Rothermel, is a Seattle-based director with an impressive reel. His Vimeo account is sporting some cool behind the scenes stuff as well, including a motion graphic test spot for [...]
Read MoreThank Christ: Bigtime Creepface Guillermo Del Toro And Disney Team Up to Terrify Children
This is a little tidbit that hits me at the opportune time in my life. In the past few years I’ve come to the definite conclusion that children need to be scared more. It’s hard to tell if it’s because I’m older (and fending off exaggerated-by-nostalgia feelings of enthusiastic terror) or if it really is [...]
Read MoreMichael Moore Aggressively Bites the Feeding Hand
Michael Moore obviously doesn’t give a fuck. That being said, he definitely gives a fuck. And that’s the essence of his persona. He’s the rebel with a cause. He’s the little prankster that utilizes the sheepish grin in defense of God’s Americans. He’ll throw a tantrum and scream and yell until some Momma somewhere show’s [...]
Read MorePan and Scan Deconstructed by Famous Directors
At this point the injustice of practice of pan-and-scan (cropping movies to fit the standard 4:3 television screen) is widely accepted. Once the ire of filmmakers, savvy film viewers are increasingly in the same boat with the opinion that changing the format of a movie in turn changes the moviegoing experience. And never for the [...]
Read More‘Alive in Joburg’ Lays the Groundwork for Starter-kit Cinema
I just saw director Neill Blomkamp‘s District 9 yesterday and like most movies I pretty much knew what to expect going in. To the extent you want to save your purity for District 9 you really don’t wan’t to watch this next clip, the 6-minute short film “Alive in Joburg.” If you know anything about [...]
Read MoreThe Fantastic Mr. Fox: Wes Anderson Defiantly Ventures Deeper Into His Own Style
With the release Wes Anderson’s The Fantastic Mr. Fox trailer he simultaneously released a declaration of commitment to his own vision. In recent years (first with The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou then more-so with The Darjeeling Limited) the critical establishment has began to sway against Anderson. The same style he forged and developed with [...]
Read MoreThe Builders and the Butchers’ “Golden Green”
I said it once but it’s so true I’ll say it again: Portland is in a golden era of rad music videos. Our stable of local directors continue to up the ante and the Builders and the Butchers new Henry-Darger-inspired track from Salvation is a Deep Dark Well is no different. Local booker, photographer and [...]
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