Last week I read a review of an independent filmmaker’s work that completely missed the mark. The reviewer gave himself away with the comment, “Why does he continue to make these weird films?” Clearly better suited to review the fashion statements and nuisances of Pink Panther II, the writer just did not get it. The […]
Finally, my copy of Vahilla Rising arrived. A visceral film by acclaimed director Nicolas Winding Refn, Vahilla Rising is hard to tag with the usual cinematic labels because there are many things this epic tale is not. What it is though, unquestionable and resolutely, is outside the box. This film is no cookie-cutter imitation/feel-good formula […]
Ever hear the old adage ‘misery loves company’? I can’t think of a better example than writer’s conferences which have proliferated in the past decade. Pick a state and you can find a conference where professional and beginning writers band together and obsess about writing, not writing, thinking about writing, what makes a good story, […]
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. At least it seems to be when I watch movies these days and find myself making mental notes on apparent editing skills or lack thereof. Take Bogart films for example. His films are classics and I own a good many because I just love Bogart. He is […]
Had a chance to catch up with Kelley Baker, The Angry Filmmaker. Always generous with his expertise and advice, Kelley took the time to answer a few questions. Tina: Heard you are coming to RIFF 2010. Any thoughts yet on a workshop topic? The Angry Filmmaker: I would like to do, The New Model of […]
A look at the summer box office confirms that 3D is now a way of life. I’ll confess that I was skeptical but alas have been won over. I like my monsters in 3D. So now that I am used to the glasses and paying extra bucks someone started the rumor that it’s bad for […]
In 1872, the fictitious Phileas Fogg traversed the globe in 80 days. A little known but ultimately true fact is that in 1889 a young, spunky reporter named Nellie Bly decided to recreate the journey. Challenged by Around the World in 80 Days author Jules Verne to beat the clock, she did. Her employer, the […]
Saturday I braved hours of Beltway traffic to buy my first movie camera. There was another customer in the showroom and in the small space it quickly became obvious we were in a stupid-question competition. Usually I take the lead in these things but my contender walked away with the blue ribbon. Why? Because his […]
Ah, Easter weekend. Sunshine. Tulips. Chocolate bunnies. Good friends. First Friday. A very good weekend in the ‘Burg as Fredericksburg-ites like to say. The official calendar may say spring but with short sleeve weather here to stay, the summer of RIFF 2010 has begun. Strolling down William Street I ran into my old friend, Freddy […]
So, the sun came out, dandelions bloomed, and suddenly we are rocketing toward summer 2010 like a runaway freight train. Wow. After a winter the Washington region won’t forget for a couple hundred years, it sure feels good.
My grandmother had a saying whenever an event was anxiously awaited. She’d say, “Don’t rush time. It will […]
