Fox's On the Lot

I've waited for a reason to return to this blog and Fox's new show On the Lot is the drumbeat. The filmmakers are quite a talented lot but we should turn the tables on the panelists, especially Carrie Fisher. She should be voted off the panel because her understanding of filmmaking is a national embarrassment.

She displays an absolute misunderstanding of film directing which is as much a visual, aural, kinetic, and synthetic form as it is a vehicle for "beginning, middle, and end" (her words) narratives. Interesting editing, camera movements, use of color, space, camera focal lengths seem to be beyond her evaluative capacity. What would Carrie say about Citizen Kane or The Battle of Algiers? Both masterpieces with strong stylistic visions which she would probably dislike.

Now to some of the filmmakers -
Kenny - you're very talented and have a unique visual style. Don't compromise your talent to make some hack 19th century novel form movie.

Marty, same with you - you have an elliptical style that is very interesting. Don't listen to Carrie who is still trapped in an establishing shot, shot, countershot convention. Good luck to all of you and I hope to see your name on the marquee in the near future.

Initiation - Volunteerization of the Mind

Welcome to the maiden voyage of my blog. Previous voyages, lasting several days to a pathetic few hours, sadly had to be jettisoned for more important commitments. The mandate and mission of this blog is clear and present: a one year mission to document anything things film: DVDs, Netflix, Greencine, the New York City film community, film collectibles, Luke's missing hand which has purportedly been found by the staff of certain death star, film festivals, Turner Classic Movies, in short all things fine and film.

In the coming days, I will post comments on "Tears of the Black Tiger," a dizzying exercise in invasive genre transplanting. This movie was release in 2000 but was only recently commerically distributed and released on DVD in the land of the bountiful harvest. The story on the partyline is the Weinsteins held American distribution rights but shelved the movie until last year. "Tears of the Black Tiger," along with another movie I've waited years to watch, "Three Crowns of the Sailor" by Raoul Ruiz, will be this week's viewing. Now the unbearable question of which wine to choose with each movie ... a nice merlot for Tears and Ruiz deserves champange...