A.O. Scott - film critic

Scott’s criticisms remind me of the no-bullshit reviews of Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert. Their perspectives on the history of film anchor their viewpoints.

Example: JOKER

“To be worth arguing about, a movie must first of all be interesting,” A.O. Scott writes. “It must have, if not a coherent point of view, at least a worked-out, thought-provoking set of themes, some kind of imaginative contact with the world as we know it. ‘Joker,’ an empty, foggy exercise in secondhand style and second-rate philosophizing, has none of that. Besotted with the notion of its own audacity — as if willful unpleasantness were a form of artistic courage — the film turns out to be afraid of its own shadow, or at least of the faintest shadow of any actual relevance.”

Pauline Kael (June 19, 1919 – Sept 3, 2001) Film Critic

Kael never held back, even if people disagreed with her sharp criticisms, they respected she was looking closely at everything. Eager to see this new documentary coming out about her.

The Crown - Peter Morgan

This series that follows Queen Elizabeth has it all: great stories, acting, sets/costumes, filming, etc. The 3rd season seamlessly replaces the younger cast with older actors playing the same roles. A+

Tom Waits - Musician, Actor, Old Man

It’s been interesting to watch Waits’ music evolve over the years. His first album Closing Time is still a favorite. Unlike many other musician, he’s seemed only to become more experimental throughout his career.

Recommended albums: Heart of Saturday Night, Rain Dogs, Bone Machine and Swordfish Trombones

Lars Von Trier - Director

Breaking the Waves is one of those rare and fearless movies that manages to have a hyper real quality that quickly ties you to the characters, environments and story. Much of it was shot on handheld 35mm by Robert Müller and lit mostly with natural light.

Jim Jarmusch - Writer/Director

I find Jarmusch is one of those directors that often surprises me with the most subtle of twists in his movies - where I didn’t see it coming but it lands in the third act and it was worth it.

Watch: Paterson, Ghost Dog or Mystery Train

Sean Baker - Writer/Director

Baker is one of those promising young filmmakers who’s career will be interesting to follow. His first feature Tangerine was shot entirely on a smart phone and his follow-up film The Florida Project (image below) was comprised of non/new actors + seasoned Willem Defoe.

Rick Baker - MakeUp/Special Effects Artist

Baker worked on numerous films: Videodrome (image below), American Werewolf in London, Planet of the Apes, King Kong, Star Wars, etc.) and raised the bar on what was possible with makeup/special effects in films and music videos.

Wim Wenders - filmmaker, playwright, author, and photographer

Wenders’ documentaries and feature films explore movement in space as well as isolation or maybe longing for human connection. The beauty, sadness and humor of Paris Texas (film still below) has stuck with me for years. Watch this 3min. compilation of various Wenders’ scenes here.

Steven Soderbergh - Writer/Director/Editor/Producer

Soderbergh helped to define independent film in the late 80’s and early 90’s and now has over 40 directorial credits to his name. His sound/visual editing skills tip many of his films into a higher level of cinema. One of my favorite books about making movies is Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies and Videotape - it contains the genesis and evolution of SL&V as well as many behind the scene photos and notes about his process.

WES ANDERSON - Filmmaker

Anderson is the master of ensemble and his style is so defined that it’s become cliché. But like so may excellent filmmakers, his work is so layered with great details, musical and narrative choices, that they often require multiple viewing to absorb the whole picture. Watch this excellent breakdown of his work.

DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME

Watch short, fun, stop-action animation sent in by Seth Bossung at Intention Architecture.

Gordon Willis - Cinematographer (1931 - 2014)

Willis was one of the best. Nicknamed the Prince of Darkness for his minimalist lighting techniques and shadows. His films include: The Godfather trilogy, Manhattan, Annie Hall, All the President’s Men and so on.

Watch an excellent 7min. tribute to many of the films he helped define.

Daniel Johnston - Musician (Jan. 22, 1961 - Sept. 11, 2019)

I became aware of Johnston and his eclectic and raw music mostly from the compassionate 2005 documentary about his life, The Devil and Daniel Johnston. Filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig chronicled the life of the manic-depressive/schizophrenic artist, using a blend of home movies, Johnston's own audiotapes, vintage performances, animation and current footage.

Johnston recorded nearly a dozen albums and amassed thousands of sketches, and has among his supporters Matt Groening, David Bowie, Sonic Youth, Beck, and Tom Waits.

Watch the trailer for the documentary here which also gives a taste of his music.

The Soundtrack Show - Podcast

Okay, I recognize I’m a little obsessed with movies and soundtracks, so I feel like this podcast was made for me. That said, this is such fun analysis and an interesting lesson in music & sound that I think many people would enjoy what show creator/host David W. Collins does here. Listen to his excellent dissection of John Williams Raiders of the Lost Ark (Part ll) soundtrack.

Harmony Korine - writer/director

Korine is best known for writing Kids (1995) and writing/directing Gummo (1997). His non-linear, fragmented style of storytelling and dark subject matter tends not to be for everyone, however, it’s hard to argue with his boundry-pushing experimentation of film. Read more here.

Robert Frank - Photographer/Documentary Filmmaker (94 years old) - Update: Frank died on Sept. 9

Nearly all of Frank’s images seem to be a commentary on race and class in the US. See more here.

Sally Menke - Film editor

Menke edited all but two of these films for Tarantino. Her contibutuions to modern independent film are giant. She died an untimely death in 2010 at the age of 56, while hiking in the hills of LA.

Walter Murch - Visual and Sound Editor

Murch edited (both sound and visuals) for more than 25 feature films, including: Apocalypse Now, The Godfather Trilogy, The Conversation, American Graffiti, The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley and so on. Read more here.

Movie Crush - Podcast

I’ve really been enjoying this podcast. One person is interviewed about a movie they love, host Chuck Bryant watches it and interesting conversation/analysis ensues. Listen here.