Schoolio's Movie Corner

[wmgaretjax]

2008 for me:

1. The Man from London
2. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days
3. Synecdoche, NY
4. The Flight of the Red Balloon
5. Paranoid Park
6. Che
7. Silent Light
8. Waltz with Bashir
9. Reprise
10. Happy Go-Lucky
11. The Wrestler
12. Rachel Getting Married
13. In the City of Sylvia
14. Wall-E
15. My Winnipeg

[rage patton]

I just got done seeing The Wrestler. Very good film, Rourke was pretty great too.

I felt the same as you about the ending at first, but after thinking about it for a while, it couldn't have been more perfect. It was superb.

Same with me. The more I think about the ending, the more I love it.

[KungFuJoe]

2008 for me:

1. The Man from London
2. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days
3. Synecdoche, NY
4. The Flight of the Red Balloon
5. Paranoid Park
6. Che
7. Silent Light
8. Waltz with Bashir
9. Reprise
10. Happy Go-Lucky
11. The Wrestler
12. Rachel Getting Married
13. In the City of Sylvia
14. Wall-E
15. My Winnipeg

Artsy Fartsy.

Speaking of which I finally got around to watching Three Times. You were right, it took some patience. Come the second act, with the intertitles, I had to pause to make some coffee. The third act pulled it together though. I liked the juxtaposition of different eras. It was an interesting film. Very pretty. Especially Shu Qi. The first part reminded me of Wong Kar Wai a lot. I'm going to try to rent more of Hsiao Hsien's films soon.

[indietron]

I love this short. Its called The Raftman's Razor. Its by Keith Bearden.

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[Down Rodeo]

Rachel Getting Married was incredible. Finally got around to seeing it.

I think I'll tackle the complete Che tomorrow.

[Down Rodeo]

Jared: Nice list, but just because Bela Tarr came out with a movie last year doesn't mean you have to make it #1 :)

[wmgaretjax]

Jared: Nice list, but just because Bela Tarr came out with a movie last year doesn't mean you have to make it #1 :)

Uh.... Yeah it does ;) To be honest though, my top 5 or 6 was really hard to order and any of those films would be a really solid #1.

[Down Rodeo]

Was The Man From London really that good? Because that's not what the internet told me.

[Boourns]

Benjamin Button is the most overrated movie of the year.

[wmgaretjax]

The Man From London was a very, very difficult film. Probably one of the toughest I've ever watched. Easily Tarr's least straight forward effort. But it's also one of those most deceptively simple films I've ever seen. I walked out slightly disappointed and confused, because it seems like a straight forward film noir at first... Then I actually began to unravel some of the cultural implications. I know that, despite spending almost 3 hours immediately after the film trying to decipher it with friends much smarter than I, I still lack an understanding of some of the linguistic elements of the film. I'm very, very excited to get a chance to see it again.

It's Bela Tarr's best film besides Werckmeister Harmonies in my opinion, and probably his most technically accomplished work.

Oh, and Joe, glad you are still gonna dig into Hsiao Hsien's films. Like I said before, The Puppetmaster is probably my favorite. One of the best films of the 90s.

[Gonshman]

Ah hell. The Reader and Rachel Getting Married played at my close theatre for a week, and now they're gone today. Fuck fuck. I have to go to Camelview I guess.

Rachel Getting Married is still at Shea 14, right?

[schoolofruckus]

Schoolio's 2008 Movie Roundup


Best

Synecdoche, New York
Silent Light
WALL*E
Mister Lonely
Ballast
Rachel Getting Married
Che
Waltz With Bashir
Wendy and Lucy
Slumdog Millionaire
Paranoid Park / Milk
The Wrestler
Burn After Reading
The Visitor
The Fall


In time, I feel that Silent Light may become one of my favorite films ever. I've watched it twice, and I'm dying to watch it again (luckily I have the DVD, but I've got other films to see, and miles before I sleep). I'm really hoping it gets a decent release this year, finally.

Worst

The Happening
I Could Never Be Your Woman
My Blueberry Nights
Redbelt
Forgetting Sarah Marshall


Movies I Have Yet to See Which May Have Made the List

The Man From London (Did it play one of Seattle's festivals or something? This is another one that needs to be put in theaters, like, now.)
I’ve Loved You So Long
Revolutionary Road
Happy-Go-Lucky
Shotgun Stories
The Flight of the Red Balloon
My Winnipeg


Oscar-Beggars I Have Zero Interest In (making a roaring comeback after an irrelevant ’07)

Gran Torino
The Reader
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Changeling

[schoolofruckus]

Also, for me, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days was an '07, so that would be why it isn't present here.

[wmgaretjax]

yeah it was an 07 release for some... I think The Man From London will be a 09 release for most, I saw it at a one time screening at MOMA NY.

I totally forgot about Miter Lonely. If I redid my list it would be one of the last few entries.

[thatfinkleygirl]

gad to see burn after reading made your list, i thought it was great but i know a lot of people who absolutely hated it.

[whynotsmile99]

I watched Salo earlier this week.

For a movie simply about the horrific sexual abuse, torture, and shit eating of kids at the hands of fascists, it was sorta fascinating.

i did feel horribly unclean after watching it though


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[whynotsmile99]

gad to see burn after reading made your list, i thought it was great but i know a lot of people who absolutely hated it.

i thought I was the only one who thought it was terrible

[wmgaretjax]

I still need to see Ballast.

[RotationSlimWang]

Frost/Nixon was pretty funny in the first half. The second half is nothing but long monologues by Nixon. Bleh.

[chairmenmeow47]

I disagree about Doubt - I thought it was excellent.

same here. but i come from a live theatre background so anything that feels like a play is right up my alley.

just saw slumdog, it was cute :)

the dance at the end though...

and couldn't convince my dad to see the nixon movie but at least i talked him out of underworld.

[wmgaretjax]

same here. but i come from a live theatre background so anything that feels like a play is right up my alley.

The difference between a live play and a film being perspective, you can't shoot a play like it feels... It gets redundant at that point. That was the problem with this adaptation. I'm sure it made for a great play...

[chairmenmeow47]

i dunno, i guess i just disagree. i don't have a film background or anything like that and i certainly don't claim to know what i'm talking about, i just know what i like and i pay more attention to actors than directors. and this film for me was about the actors. maybe if i watched it from a director's perspective, i'd feel differently. the directing certainly didn't stand out in any sense to me.

and i've seen other plays do well in film, who's afraid of virginia wolf comes to mind. for me, what made doubt was meryl streep and hoffman's performances. the directing didn't get in the way of their performances for me, so i guess that's why i enjoyed it. i'm not saying it should be film of the year or anything, but i thought it was done well.

[Down Rodeo]

I still need to see Ballast.

Seconded.

And good to see The Fall on your list, Gabe.

[wmgaretjax]

meryl streep and hoffman's performances.

Undoubtedly the best part of the movie, I can certainly agree with that.

[schoolofruckus]

I watched Shotgun Stories this morning. It was a terrific little film about a blood feud between two sets of brothers who shared a father that has now passed away. Atmospherically, it reminded me a lot of a David Gordon Green film....so I wasn't at all surprised to see his name pop up in the credits as a producer. Michael Shannon (whose work in Revolutionary Road is being widely heralded) headlines a cast of no-name actors who fully and totally inhabit this small Arkansas town whose quiet, broken-down ambience belies the violence simmering between the two halves of the family. It's not perfect, and it won't disrupt my Best of '08 list, but it's definitely one of the best out-of-nowhere indies I've seen recently.

[wmgaretjax]

Sounds interesting.

[WillyWonka5497]

My 2008:


1. WALL-E
2. Rachel Getting Married
3. The Dark Knight
4. Milk
5. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
6. Let The Right One In
7. Slumdog Millionaire
8. Frost/Nixon
9. The Wrestler
10 Dear Zachary

(if you've never heard of "Dear Zachary" I suggest checking it out. It is an emotional roller-coaster)


I still haven't seen Che or Gomorrah, the latter of which I'm guessing will make my top 10 once I do.

[roberto73]

I watched Shotgun Stories this morning. It was a terrific little film about a blood feud between two sets of brothers who shared a father that has now passed away. Atmospherically, it reminded me a lot of a David Gordon Green film....so I wasn't at all surprised to see his name pop up in the credits as a producer. Michael Shannon (whose work in Revolutionary Road is being widely heralded) headlines a cast of no-name actors who fully and totally inhabit this small Arkansas town whose quiet, broken-down ambience belies the violence simmering between the two halves of the family. It's not perfect, and it won't disrupt my Best of '08 list, but it's definitely one of the best out-of-nowhere indies I've seen recently.

I'll definitely bump this one up my Netflix queue. I've had it on there since Ebert recommended it in his year-end roundup.

[bmack86]

Apparently Push won three awards at sundance. I saw this and immediately thought they were talking about that cheesy looking Sci Fi movie that's coming out soon. I guess it's about underage pregnancy.

[WillyWonka5497]

Apparently Push won three awards at sundance. I saw this and immediately thought they were talking about that cheesy looking Sci Fi movie that's coming out soon. I guess it's about underage pregnancy.

hahahah that was exactly what I thought! I'm reading an email I got from Variety wondering why the jury at Sundance would pick that sci-fi movie with the guy from Fantastic Four.

[KungFuJoe]

I just watched the Korean film THE CHASER and WOW I am at a loss for words. This film tore my heart out. The response I had to this film I've probably not felt since Sympathy for Mr Vengeance. It made me incredibly angry & very sad. Remarkable really. Some of you may have heard of it since it's being remade in America by some of the same team that brought us The Departed. I believe Leo is starring. Anyways, the basic premise follows a detective turned pimp whose girls begin to go missing. On his quest to find the last girl he sent out he runs into the man who has been calling them in to go on a murdering rampage. Our anti-hero turns the killer into the police & together they work to try to keep this man captive until they can turn up the bodies & find enough evidence to prove that the murderer's confession is true. This is an incredible debut feature by Na Hong-Jin & it's no name cast is astounding. Granted, it's not without it's flaws but it's certainly the best film I've seen of it's kind since Oldboy. Comparisons can also be made to Seven. See it as soon as possible!

[schoolofruckus]

Those are some pretty huge touchstones you're throwing around there, Joe. I see that IFC is putting this one out, presumably sometime in 2009. Count me in.

[SoulDischarge]

So one theater around here found space between double screens of Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Hotel For Dogs for Rachel Getting Married, which really is a fantastic movie. First thing I've seen in the theater since the summer and it definitely made me miss seeing movies how they were intended to be watched. It was nothing mind blowing (nor was it trying to be) or anything I'd watch over and over, but it was a simple, true to life story filled with interesting, three dimensional characters dealing with some major issues without ever really feeling contrived, which is enough reason to add to the praise it's been getting around here.

Also, I read Rosemary's Baby the other day, and it's the first time where I've felt a film adaptation has made a book obsolete.

[Gonshman]

Frost/Nixon was pretty funny in the first half. The second half is nothing but long monologues by Nixon. Bleh.

Yeah, but I thought that one scene where Nixon calls Frost made the second half worth it.

"We are gonna bring those motherfuckers down!"

[KungFuJoe]

Those are some pretty huge touchstones you're throwing around there, Joe. I see that IFC is putting this one out, presumably sometime in 2009. Count me in.


I hope they release it soon. I will definitely watch it again in the theater. The UK trailer for it is a bit cheesey, but it's a great film. I hate to say too much about it, because I myself like to go into a film somewhat cold. It certainly pushes the buttons though.

[RotationSlimWang]

Yeah, but I thought that one scene where Nixon calls Frost made the second half worth it.

"We are gonna bring those motherfuckers down!"

Really? That was the scene where it finally jumped the tracks for me. It was just so many minutes of Nixon babbling on and Frost looking vacantly shocked RIGHT on the heels of two straight scenes of the exact same thing.

The movie was great when it was Nixon being a smartass dickhead. Once it left that it was irritating.

[anti-square]

Just watch the real thing instead.

[Gonshman]

Really? That was the scene where it finally jumped the tracks for me. It was just so many minutes of Nixon babbling on and Frost looking vacantly shocked RIGHT on the heels of two straight scenes of the exact same thing.

The movie was great when it was Nixon being a smartass dickhead. Once it left that it was irritating.

I agree with you about Frosts portrayal. Very one-note, especially during the sequences leading up to the final climactic interview.

As for the long monologues, I guess that is my theater leaning coming out. I think that that aforementioned speech did a good job of showing Nixons mental state, and it was also a great acting showcase for Langella.

Just out of curiousity, RSW, have seen Talk Radio? The movie or the play?

[RotationSlimWang]

With Bogosian? Yeah. That guy's such a tosser. It was pretty mediocre stuff. The speech on the phone was fine, but it could have been a minute and a half shorter and involved some actual back and forth. When you write your characters so that one is just spewing out their innermost thoughts to the other it's hacky. There should be play between them that actually draws the insights out.

[Gonshman]

With Bogosian? Yeah. That guy's such a tosser. It was pretty mediocre stuff. The speech on the phone was fine, but it could have been a minute and a half shorter and involved some actual back and forth. When you write your characters so that one is just spewing out their innermost thoughts to the other it's hacky. There should be play between them that actually draws the insights out.

I'm seeing the play in a month or two, maybe they had to get rid of some of the more theatrical stuff in the movie.

[RotationSlimWang]

Theatrical stuff is generally fucking crap.

[PotVsKtl]

Blanket opinion is generally buffoonery.

[Gonshman]

Theatrical stuff is generally fucking crap.

Are you talking about theatrical stuff (such a great describing word) in movies or theater conventions in general?

[RotationSlimWang]

What I'm saying is when you go to see the play version of a play-turned-movie in the hopes that you'll get more of the "theatrical stuff" they left out of the conversion from play-to-movie that created such a shitty movie... well, you're generally going to get crap.

Now Pot, you majored in making shitty moving picture art, not shitty theatre art. Your expertise does not apply to this kind of garbage.

[ShyGuy75]

*rolls grenade into thread*

[whynotsmile99]

have you guys seen that crazy movie where Cubba Gooding Jr and Helen Miren are hit men? They have a pretty wild sex scene in a garden.

[faxman75]

I watched Revelutionary Road this weekend. I didn't enjoy it. I've been in and seen enough bad relationships. I was thinking about it and I think watching Tony and Carmella's arguments and fights were far more real, intense and interesting than watching Leo and Kate. It was an alright movie but I don't think any of them deserved an a nomination except possibly their friends retarded son. He had some great lines.

[amyzzz]

I watched Revelutionary Road this weekend. I didn't enjoy it. I've been in and seen enough bad relationships. I was thinking about it and I think watching Tony and Carmella's arguments and fights were far more real, intense and interesting than watching Leo and Kate. It was an alright movie but I don't think any of them deserved an a nomination except possibly their friends retarded son. He had some great lines.
He was the only one that got nominated, the "insane" guy.

[faxman75]

He was the only one that got nominated, the "insane" guy.


I thought Kate was nominated too? The insane guy might be my supporting pick then. He was great.

[amyzzz]

Kate was nominated for The Reader. (she got the Golden Globes for R Road and The Reader though)

[wmgaretjax]

retarded? what the fuck...

[faxman75]

Retarded, handicaped, insane, mentally challenged. I sort of fucked up there I guess. He was just not right in the head.

[humanoid]

have you guys seen that crazy movie where Cubba Gooding Jr and Helen Miren are hit men? They have a pretty wild sex scene in a garden.

no, Cuba Gooding Jr =not going to watch

[KungFuJoe]

What I feel like doing to a lot of the people on this board right now...
3qhPDEOYbx4

[schoolofruckus]

I saw Revolutionary Road last night. If not for an A.I.-style ending that dragged on way past where it should have gone to black, and adding superfluous denouement that added nothing to what I thought the film was saying, I'd be tempted to call this one of the best films of 2008. But the ending is critical in all films, and this one needed to stick the landing in a major way.

I completely and totally bought into the film's thesis of fear of failure leading to the complete abandonment of the human spirit (again, until the ending). I loved the acting - in addition to the excellent (though admittedly showy) performances by Leo and Kate, I couldn't get enough of Michael Shannon's Ledger-Joker voice of reason, or Jay O. Sanders' steak-chomping corporate douche. I haven't read the book, but man, if only I could have chopped 5 minutes off this fucker.

[wmgaretjax]

The ending had incredible moments, but the manner in which they moved from one to the next was really mishandled. I would have really appreciated it cutting off after the scene with her in front of the window. It would have been a little dramatic, put perfect in context of the rest of the film.

[schoolofruckus]

I would have ended it earlier. After she waved goodbye to him on his way to work, a little bow (similar to the one she made at curtain call in the early play performance) would have been the perfect note to end it on.

[wmgaretjax]

Interesting. I never thought of pulling back that far. That could have been interesting, maybe a little too subtle, but I'll definitely keep that in mind if I ever watch it again.

[RotationSlimWang]

Watched W tonight. It was actually surprisingly good. Kinda an unusual story--how often do you see a flick about a man who failed his way to the top?

[captncrzy]

Watched W tonight. It was actually surprisingly good. Kinda an unusual story--how often do you see a flick about a man who failed his way to the top?

Haha, true.


I have screeners of Milk and Gran Torino from a friend, so I guess I'm finally going to get to see Milk tonight.

[roberto73]

I'll join the chorus of people who thought Revolutionary Road was a great movie that could have been exceptional if it had been about five minutes shorter. Bleak, but really, really good.

Last night I watched Kasdan's Body Heat for the first time in at least ten years. I'm trying to rewatch Mickey Rourke's early stuff – and he was great in his small part here – but I forgot how terrific William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, and – wait for it – Ted Danson were in this noir-ish update. The dialogue is sharp, the sex is steamy, and while anyone who's read any Chandler or Hammett will see the ending coming from a mile away, the film as a whole is a fun little morality play.

[PotVsKtl]

I'd like to punch Gran Torino in the neck.

[Hawkings]

They need to change the title Gran Torino to Get Off My Lawn

[KungFuJoe]

Chocolate is getting a limited release in the States next week. Then straight to DVD. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's hitting screens in L.A. If it's in a town near you I suggest you go.

By Mark Pollard • January 14, 2009

Prachya Pinkaew’s latest Thai martial arts extravaganza, starring Jeeja Vismitananda (as she is now being billed) will be screening in a few cities on February 6th, a mere four days ahead of arriving in stores on DVD and Blu-ray.

Magnolia Pictures’ web site lists the following screening locations.

Boulder, CO: International Film Series
Denver, CO: Esquire Theatre
New York, NY: Sunshine Cinema
Austin, TX: Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Dallas, TX: Inwood Theatre
Seattle, WA: Egyptian Theatre


http://www.kungfucinema.com/images/4556-02.jpg

[wmgaretjax]

Chocolate is coming here, I'm gonna try and go see it.

[shakermaker113]

I watched the trailer for it. I'm not terribly impressed. is there something I am missing?

[PotVsKtl]

People love Ong Bak apparently. The stunts were impressive but that's about all I could say for that movie.

[KungFuJoe]

I like Tom Yum Goong better than Ong Bak, but yes, it's only about the stunts & fight scenes. The stories are ridiculous. Same goes for Chocolate, but it at least has a fun premise. And the stunts are top notch. Jeeja is pretty incredible.

[PotVsKtl]

Well if Chocolate has a star nearly the caliber of Jaa I'm sure it'll be entertaining. I just wouldn't put much weight on the director alone.

[bmack86]

I'm thinking about watching Downfall (Der Untergang) tonight. Thoughts?

[wmgaretjax]

Downfall is a fantastic movie. Really gorgeous and a great character study. I went into it expecting nothing and walked out blown away.

[whynotsmile99]

downfall is incredible, if you are in the mood for it. The actor that plays Hitler is remarkable. it's very scary

[bmack86]

Downfall was fantastic. I was very impressed. They truly made Hitler and Goebbels seem tyrannical and demented.

[Monklish]

... yeah, cause that's hard to do.

[Monklish]

I hear it totally makes Mengele look like a real jerk too.

[bmack86]

Yeah, dick didn't wanna get blamed for making man-lamps

[bmack86]

what I liked, though, was the fact that they didn't only make these guys the one dimensional super-evil creatures that most history channel things suggest. They're instead painted as despicable but human characters. It felt like a very different take.

[Monklish]

A doctor once told my Jew-nosed mother that she had lovely skin which would make for a beautiful lampshade. True story.

[bmack86]

Was he very cold and haughty?

[Monklish]

I don't think he was a basket of muffins and hugs if that's what you mean.

[wmgaretjax]

Downfall is such a beautiful movie as well, especially the last half hour.

I watched A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. I didn't expect much, but it wasn't half bad. Shia LeBouf was actually pretty good in it and even though it was trying a little hard, it was a pretty solid coming of age story. It certainly feels like a first effort, but despite that there is some promise there...

[Doots]

Inland Empire was a joke with no punch line.

except maybe "HAHA I'M DAVID LYNCH LOOK AT ME I'M SO WACKY SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK AT ME"

[Monklish]

No shit. It's a David Lynch movie--you were expecting anything more?

[captncrzy]

A doctor once told my Jew-nosed mother that she had lovely skin which would make for a beautiful lampshade. True story.

I....you're kidding, right?

[shakermaker113]

I....you're kidding, right?

yes, that's why he added "true story" to the end of it.

[Memorial_07]

I think this is my career goal now:

To direct feature films. Lately I've just been so into watching movies nonstop.


Does anyone know how I would go about doing this and I am a junior in high school so if that helps at all let me know please

Thanks to whoever can help

[Monklish]

I....you're kidding, right?

Nope.

[shakermaker113]

Does anyone know how I would go about doing this and I am a junior in high school so if that helps at all let me know please

Thanks to whoever can help

you might try studying film at college.

[ivankay]

I think this is my career goal now:

To direct feature films. Lately I've just been so into watching movies nonstop.


Does anyone know how I would go about doing this and I am a junior in high school so if that helps at all let me know please

Thanks to whoever can help

i'm no authority because i'm not making them, but maybe these tips will help:

1) Make movies. Use whatever you got, get your friends together and just do it. This should be a good place to begin learning collaboration, techniques and the labor involved. Don't be conceited enough to not work on other films in whatever role. Show these movies to your friends and families and watch them to see if they like it or not.

2) Keep watching movies. Movies from all over the world and all times. Use them as inspiration and short cuts by learning from the errors and innovations of the past.

3) Develop an understanding of the business side of it. Learning these things will help you in many ways. When you do get to the point of shooting a non home movie, keeping your budget under control will help your reputation in the beginning stages.

4) Read scripts and look at story boards of films you admire. It will help you understand how different things can get.

5) When you are of working age, instead of the typical jobs young un's get, try to get one related to the industry. Never too early to start making friends.

i'm sure there is better advice out there, but those should be all right.

[Monklish]

Read a lot of scripts and a lot of books about how to properly craft scripts. Even if you're just going to be a director, the single most important aspect of filmmaking is the writing. if you don't understand what makes for good writing you're fucked.

I'm pretty sure you're fucked anyway though. Do you realize how incredibly annoying it is to be a director? Do you have any idea how much actors suck?

[ivankay]

Study and try acting. One of your primary jobs is to guide the actor. Knowing their language helps. The more comfortable you can make them, the more you will get out of them.

Same goes for photography, editing. music and writing.

[Monklish]

Good point Ivan--learn what annoying babies actors are and the stupid fucking bullshit language they insist on being directed with.

[ivankay]

Good point Ivan--learn what annoying babies actors are and the stupid fucking bullshit language they insist on being directed with.

Saves time and $$$$.

[Monklish]

It's absolutely correct, yeah. Actors are really irritating in the way they like to be directed. You can't just tell them what you fucking want, you have to employ some obtuse crap language.

[ivankay]

Not all actors work the same way. Some require the crap speak, some don't. You learn how to communicate with everyone's different approaches in order the achieve the goal. Hopefully you have weeded out the "complicated" ones in the audition process.

[Memorial_07]

Read a lot of scripts and a lot of books about how to properly craft scripts. Even if you're just going to be a director, the single most important aspect of filmmaking is the writing. if you don't understand what makes for good writing you're fucked.

I'm pretty sure you're fucked anyway though. Do you realize how incredibly annoying it is to be a director? Do you have any idea how much actors suck?

I've dealt with some very annoying people so I think I'll manage.


but seriously, thank you so much monklish and ivankay for the tips and ideas.
I really appreciate it.

:thu

[Monklish]

You haven't met "annoying" until you've dealt with actors.

[Memorial_07]

We'll see about that.

But I think I'll impose authority on them to make them not bitch and moan

[Monklish]

Oh lord, if you think that will work you're fucked. They'll tank on you and hold up the production on purpose.

[wmgaretjax]

You have to fuck actors up. End of story. Treat them like shit.

And don't go to film school, it's a waste of time and has been for a good 30 years now.

[ivankay]

i disagree with the waste of time. Getting together with peers in a focused program has benefits. Some programs are outrageously over priced though. It is nice to have access to all of that equipment and passionate people. You don't have to go, but it's not a waste of time. i know too many people who got work through the connections they made at school.

[wmgaretjax]

If you want to get together with peers. Start working via PA and all that shit. You don't need to pay 30,000 a year to network.

As far as directing goes, I can think of very few great American film makers who finished film school in the last decade. Europe is kind of a different story, but it's less networking and more craft at some of the schools over there.

[ivankay]

If you want to get together with peers. Start working via PA and all that shit. You don't need to pay 30,000 a year to network.


Excellent advice, but that doesn't make film school a waste of time because that option is there.

[wmgaretjax]

Excellent advice, but that doesn't make film school a waste of time because that option is there.

Excuse me, a waste of money. (that is to say, a traditional film school and not a double major or minor in film in addition to a full liberal arts education)

[ivankay]

Excuse me, a waste of money. (that is to say, a traditional film school and not a double major or minor in film in addition to a full liberal arts education)

i went to Long Beach. Fortunately the money factor wasn't that huge a part of it. The program obviously isn't as loaded as USC or NYU, but they had equipment, knowledge and good people to work with. i graduated with no debt, but that has a lot to do with the stick up my butt.

my ex went to USC, so for a couple of years i got to observe their program up close. i sat in on classes and loved what they had to offer. Their tools are top of the line and their connections are a who's who of people making movies right now. The cost? Fucking crazy. She would say it was worth it though.

[schoolofruckus]

I didn't realize you dated Kit Katt.

[SoulDischarge]

I'm with Jared on this one. I panic and think about suicide every time I look at my student loan information. And I didn't even finish. You learn by doing, so make shitty independent films that no one will see and get shitty P.A. jobs or internships. Also, don't expect to be a child prodigy, because you probably won't get anywhere for at least 10-20 years, if you're lucky. Learn about life so you don't become one of those douchebags whose only life experience they can filter into their films comes from watching other movies.

[ivankay]

I didn't realize you dated Kit Katt.

i'm sure that wasn't legal then. No offense to Katt, but i like to look into a girl's eyes.

[HowToDisappear]

I didn't realize you dated Kit Katt.

i'm sure that wasn't legal then. No offense to Katt, but i like to look into a girl's eyes.

Hahahahaha


Memorial, this is my purely uninformed, uneducated opinion, but become a film editor first. I think there are directors out there right now - especially some who began as actors - who could have really benefited from a thorough understanding of how a film is actually constructed as a whole and what the final product will be.

[ivankay]

Learn about life so you don't become one of those douchebags whose only life experience they can filter into their films comes from watching other movies.

Some of the best advice for anyone in regards to anything.

Memorial, this is my purely uninformed, uneducated opinion, but become a film editor first. I think there are directors out there right now - especially some who began as actors - who could have really benefited from a thorough understanding of how a film is actually constructed as a whole and what the final product will be.

Robert Wise is a great example. Editing really hones your ability to know what you want when shooting. Very valuable to understand.

[SoulDischarge]

That is one good thing I got out of film school that was part of the curriculum. Having to be a part of all aspects of the production. You see how everything correlates and how important every part is. You'll drown if you don't have basic respect for your collaborators and what they do.

[Somewhat Damaged]

I'm pretty sure you're fucked anyway though. Do you realize how incredibly annoying it is to be a director? Do you have any idea how much actors suck?

Monklish, I didn't realize you had directed anything recently. Care to regale us with a horror story from the set?

[Monklish]

I dunno, I just mean it's the same thing every time: you discover these actors--barely teenage boys especially--and you give them a cot to sleep on in your basement and a fucking sweet hat and plenty of support and affection and cuddling... but then what do you get in return? Tears. Always tears. Not the sexy kind either. Tears and a bunch of asshole questions about when they'll see a script and get their clothes back.

[Boourns]

I worked in casting for a while; actors are the biggest cunts on earth, even nobody's.

[schoolofruckus]

I agree that working in the editing process is one of the most beneficial educational tools to a budding director. I learned a mind-boggling amount of shit from cutting Walk. You don't necessarily need to be the editor, though. It's more important, as everyone here has said (I believe ivankay started it) to write a script - or have someone write one for you - and go out and shoot the fucking thing....and take part in every area of the filmmaking process.

As a director, your most important skills will be to nurture the creation of your characters (in collaboration with your actors), and to visualize and preconceive how the film will look and sound when it's finished. To be honest, if you you're not committed to the first part, and/or if you can't do the second part naturally to at least a basic degree, you're probably not cut out for directing.

[wmgaretjax]

FYI Gabe, I haven't forgotten about you. I've just been ridiculously busy.

[Memorial_07]

I agree that working in the editing process is one of the most beneficial educational tools to a budding director. I learned a mind-boggling amount of shit from cutting Walk. You don't necessarily need to be the editor, though. It's more important, as everyone here has said (I believe ivankay started it) to write a script - or have someone write one for you - and go out and shoot the fucking thing....and take part in every area of the filmmaking process.

As a director, your most important skills will be to nurture the creation of your characters (in collaboration with your actors), and to visualize and preconceive how the film will look and sound when it's finished. To be honest, if you you're not committed to the first part, and/or if you can't do the second part naturally to at least a basic degree, you're probably not cut out for directing.

Wow everyone. All this information is just too overwhelming for me right now.

But I am grateful you all took the time to answer some questions.

So in a nutshell, what should and I do and what are the most important things to know for wanting to be a director?

And should I read up on film editing and script writing?

Thank you all very much

[ivankay]

Everything mentioned. Also explore the commentaries and making of material on dvds. The good ones will be very enlightening.

[Memorial_07]

Ok so let me see if I'm right:

1. Get into Film Editing. How a film is made, put together etc.

2. Know actors methods and learn how they use them so I can communicate with them and be prepared to deal with some real whiny bitches.

3. Write or have someone I know write up a script for a good movie.

4. Watch movies I admire many times to spot the creative vision in each of them.

5. Look at original scripts and storyboards and see how they differ from the finished product.

Anything I missed?


By the way, Ivan, I think you were most helpful.

thanks so much, man

[ivankay]

The picking up a camera and making movies. It's as easy as sitting around with your friends and saying "You know what would be cool?" and then spending the next few hours making it.

When i was a kid and got access to a video camera for the first time, we made movies and had to edit in camera. We had no editing equipment and if we did something wrong, just had to rewind and do it over. This was an actual film exercise they taught at Long Beach. It teaches you to be thoughtful in your film making and not just to shoot everything.

[Memorial_07]

That exercise really sounds like what can divide real filmmakers from just typical everyday filmmakers.


Odd question but does a director actually pick up a camera when making a feature film or do they just call out what they want to be done?

[wmgaretjax]

On a typical filmset you have a camera operator who is backed by a couple of assistants that have various equipment tasks. They get their directions from the director of photography who works closely with the director.

[SoulDischarge]

Don't forget to not be a douchebag. That one is important.

[ivankay]

Odd question but does a director actually pick up a camera when making a feature film or do they just call out what they want to be done?

Robert Rodriguez is his own dp, so you can. When i had the chance to work with a dp, i was thrilled because i knew my limitations and how much better certain people were with cameras, lenses and lighting.

You don't just "call out". There's a lot of prep (if you want to be efficient) with the dp and actors. By the time you are on set, mostly everyone should have a good idea of what you are trying to acomplish. As director, you will get final say (until someone starts giving you money).

[wmgaretjax]

By the time you are shooting you should (this is relative of course) have lighting diagrams, storyboards, focus charts... all of that shit.

In my limited experience I would much rather DP a film with a director that allows a lot of creative input from the DP than direct. I hate dealing with actors and producers.

[portisheadgrl88]

The Best movie of 2006[/B]

The Pursuit of Happyness
The Illusionist
babel
inside man
Apocalypto
casino royale
Pan's Labyrinth
The departed
Hard candy
v for vendetta
Lonely Hearts

Best movies of 2007
Transformers
Grindhouse
300
superbad
american gangster
knocked up
smoking aces
There will be blood
Eastern promises
Ratatouille
3:10 to yuma
juno

Best movies of 2008
The curious case of Benjiman button
7 pounds
Dark knight
slumdog millionaire
Wall-e
Gran Torino
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Wanted
Twlight (yes twlight)

The worst Movies
The Fountain
Borat
House of Wax (new one)
Hostel
Saw (ALL OF THEM)
The strangers
Max Payne
The Last Kiss
Perfect Stanger
aeon flux
the league of extraordinary gentlemen

[ivankay]

In my limited experience I would much rather DP a film with a director that allows a lot of creative input from the DP than direct. I hate dealing with actors and producers.


Yes. Remember you will be working with some very talented people (or you hope to). These people will see things you don't from time to time and it will make your project better. Once i had a shot in mind, but traffic was fucking it up. The dp saw a different way to shoot it and it was way better than my original vision. Always be open to hearing what people have to say.

i believe in editing this way whe working with an editor:

1) They cut it the exact way you want it.
2) You let them cut it anyway they want it.
3) Take the best of both.

[KungFuJoe]

Everyone's advice on making films is pretty sound. In addition, if you're going to watch any movies as research I'd recommend these:

Lost in La Mancha
pe_zLCC5EFo

Irma Vep
UtY0OBL6Tgo

[schoolofruckus]

Hey Randy - remember that tape of David O. Russell going off on the Huckabees set and calling Lili Tomlin a cunt? I believe Christian Bale (http://gawker.com/5144788/christian-bale-just-screaming-crazily-at-everyone) was using it for motivation in the new Terminator movie.

[ivankay]

i love Lost in La Mancha. i saw it at the Nuart and when it was over said to my co watchers, "That movie is proof God exists and He's fucking with Terry Gilliam." Amazing chain of events.

After the movie, my girlfriend at the time and a friend went to the bathroom. An old guy walked by me and i got all geeked out and started following him outside the theater. i wanted to say something, but didn't want to be rude. His wife noticed me. Then Anne Bancroft said "It's all right. Go ahead."

"Mr. Brooks!"

Mel Brooks turned around and said "Yes. What? How can i help you?"

"You're great!"

He thanked me, asked my name and said it was nice to meet me.

That was awesome.

[Memorial_07]

Does the DP kind of have the creative vision of how the scene should be set up and where stuff should go etc. or do they do something totally different?

[wmgaretjax]

A DP generally makes decisions about framing, camera set up (lenses, settings, filters etc), and lighting... All of this is generally in accordance with the directors vision.

[wmgaretjax]

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/tokyo/

huh...

[KungFuJoe]

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/tokyo/

huh...


I saw this at the AFI fest & enjoyed it quite a bit. I really like how they put that trailer together.

[Memorial_07]

I just rented the Changeling (George C. Scott. Not Angelina Jolie) but haven't watched it yet.


Anyone know if it's any good?

[amyzzz]

Coraline starts tomorrow! I'm gonna see that this weekend.

[M Sparks]

OK, I saw "Ladies & Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains" last night.

06kCwPpyjCk

I don't know how I had missed this before. I've seen pretty much every late 70s-early 80s punk/new wave film from Liquid Sky to TGR&RS to du-BEAT-e-o, but somehow this little cheesy gem got by me until now.

Wow, you've got Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Paul Simonon playing in the same fake band ("The Looters"). You've got The Tubes playing the Spinal Tap-ish "Metal Corpses". And you've got Diane Lane and Laura Dern pretty much playing Bikini Kill 10 years before Bikini Kill existed.

Most importantly, you've got a nekked, supposedly underage, Diane Lane.

It ain't that great, but it's better than Liquid Sky, TGR&RS, and du-BEAT-e-o combined.

EDIT- Oh yeah, and I think that's Data from Star Trek TNG as her boss...

[M Sparks]

Coraline starts tomorrow! I'm gonna see that this weekend.

Laika (the production studio) just laid off a friend of mine. I sent him a note asking him whether I'm supposed to boycott it to protest the layoff, or make sure everyone sees it so they'll hire people back, but I haven't gotten an answer yet. :)

[M Sparks]

Then Anne Bancroft said "It's all right. Go ahead."

This is actually the coolest part of the story. But didn't you tell her she's great too?

[downingthief]

OK, I saw "Ladies & Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains" last night.

06kCwPpyjCk

I don't know how I had missed this before. I've seen pretty much every late 70s-early 80s punk/new wave film from Liquid Sky to TGR&RS to du-BEAT-e-o, but somehow this little cheesy gem got by me until now.

Wow, you've got Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Paul Simonon playing in the same fake band ("The Looters"). You've got The Tubes playing the Spinal Tap-ish "Metal Corpses". And you've got Diane Lane and Laura Dern pretty much playing Bikini Kill 10 years before Bikini Kill existed.

Most importantly, you've got a nekked, supposedly underage, Diane Lane.

It ain't that great, but it's better than Liquid Sky, TGR&RS, and du-BEAT-e-o combined.

EDIT- Oh yeah, and I think that's Data from Star Trek TNG as her boss...

Man, I haven't seen that in YEARS. USA network used to show that a lot back in the day. Damn, I'm old.

[ivankay]

This is actually the coolest part of the story. But didn't you tell her she's great too?

i thanked her. Mel Brooks is one of my personal heroes and i guess i was a tad blown away by an encounter to give her a "you're great too". She was absolutely cool.

[M Sparks]

Man, I haven't seen that in YEARS. USA network used to show that a lot back in the day. Damn, I'm old.

I didn't have cable when I was a kid. From what I've heard, it may not have even been released on VHS, which would explain why it was off my radar.

This was actually on Turner Classic Movies last weekend. What a great channel!

[OutOfmYminD]

Anyone see Caroline?

[ivankay]

i just finished seeing Coraline and will put it in that special movie category. i thought it was excellent and love the 3D. i did not read the source material and enjoyed the story presented. i have no clue about accuracy, but given the dark tone and good sequence of events, my suspicion is they must have stayed close. Looking forward to what fans have to say and seeing the movie again. Don't be an asshole to yourself, see it in 3D.

[SoulDischarge]

I just realized that Bunuel's The Exterminating Angel is finally getting a region 1 release thanks to Criterion. I picked up a region 2 version awhile ago at Amoeba, but considering this is probably my favorite of his, it's good to see it's going to be given the Criterion treatment.

[atom heart]

There's not much chance of me getting to see Coraline in 3D... it's what happens when you live nearly in the middle of nowhere. But I figure the story will make up for that.

[Memorial_07]

I hate bringing up something completely off subject but this is a film thread.

John Belushi is the Will Ferrell of his time.

Blues Brothers and Animal House are officially two of my favorite movies of all time now.


Which role do you prefer him in?

[Down Rodeo]

I just realized that Bunuel's The Exterminating Angel is finally getting a region 1 release thanks to Criterion. I picked up a region 2 version awhile ago at Amoeba, but considering this is probably my favorite of his, it's good to see it's going to be given the Criterion treatment.

Nice, that reminds me that I need to bump The Phantom of Liberty up my Netflix queue.

[ivankay]

I hate bringing up something completely off subject but this is a film thread.

John Belushi is the Will Ferrell of his time.

Blues Brothers and Animal House are officially two of my favorite movies of all time now.


Which role do you prefer him in?

hmmmm, Bluto vs Jake? Not that easy. Bluto has Animal House being the better movie in his favor. Bluto also has the scene outside the sorority house, the "Germans bombing Pearl Harbor" speech, "Food fight!", "Holy shit!", tons of funny faces and the pissing on the leg intro. Jake is a bigger role. Being stuffed in a little desk and then tumbling downstairs is great. Whenever he dances and the scene with Carrie Fischer is the best "acting" of all the Belushi screen time in both movies. i'll go with Bluto.

Fej_wSV4ov0

[Memorial_07]

I love how you always contribute to the conversations when I ask about film, Ivan.

And yes Bluto is a total Belushi role but he did an amazing job as having to be a blues singer but he'll always be more memorable in Animal House.

I'm watching it right now
:D

[Monklish]

John Belushi is the Will Ferrell of his time.

Jesus Christ. Way to kick a dead guy.

[Memorial_07]

I knew I'd get shit for that.

Think about it:

Will Ferrell is viewed as probably the funniest person of our generation, back then that was Belushi


I still think Belushi is more original though

[Monklish]

Will Ferrell is viewed by whom as the funniest person of our generation? 14 year olds? Please never try to make a movie.

[Memorial_07]

I'm not saying he is. I'm saying he is viewed as it by the public eye.

You are way too fucking critical

[wmgaretjax]

shut up.

[Gonshman]

Memorial, you said in another place you're 16, right? Well, I'm also in what you refer to as "our generation" and while I think that most people our age are generally ignorant of John Belushi, I still don't think Will Ferrell is treated as the equivalent by those who talk about such things. For that matter, I don't think there is any one modern comedian who has the star power and public influence that people like Lenny Bruce, Belushi, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, etc... had in their prime.

There will never be another Belushi. Farley tried, and came pretty damn close, but no dice.

[wmgaretjax]

Farley tried, and came pretty damn close, but no dice.

you too.

[Monklish]

Belushi wasn't even that funny.

So actually I guess him and Ferrell have that in common.

[KungFuJoe]

I don't know about the funniest, but Ben Stiller still cracks my shit up. (most the time anyways)

On another note I found out there is a midnight screening of Chocolate at the Sunset 5 tonight. I think I may have to go as it may be my only chance to see it in a theater. What better way than a midnight screening? I hope there is a good crowd.

I also want to see Coraline, as well as Taken on the big screen.

[Monklish]

Oh hell, fix that post right now.

[Memorial_07]

Memorial, you said in another place you're 16, right? Well, I'm also in what you refer to as "our generation" and while I think that most people our age are generally ignorant of John Belushi, I still don't think Will Ferrell is treated as the equivalent by those who talk about such things. For that matter, I don't think there is any one modern comedian who has the star power and public influence that people like Lenny Bruce, Belushi, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, etc... had in their prime.

There will never be another Belushi. Farley tried, and came pretty damn close, but no dice.

Those guys are timeless. And they always will be.

However, in x amount of years I don't know if the same will be able to be said about Ferrell, Vaughn or Stiller.

[whynotsmile99]

Belushi was funny but wildly overrated. guess killing yourself with drugs does help with whole hipster legacy thing. Animal House is pretty funny but nothing special. Blues Brothers is great. He had some good SNL skits and that's about it.

Chris Farley, Jim Carrey,Bill Murray and Dave Chappelle,among others in their prime will always be funnier to me, with a greater amount of material left behind. Not to mention Bruce, Pryor, martin, murphy and all the other legends.

I look forward to wmgaretjax's review of the genius of "Goin South"

[Memorial_07]

they were all stand up comics.

I don't recall Belushi ever doing stand up comedy

just skits

[captncrzy]

Mr. Ruckus-congrats. Heard it was really good.

[ivankay]

Mr. Ruckus-congrats. Heard it was really good.

Yeah, where are the "Walk" thoughts? i wanna know.

[whynotsmile99]

they were all stand up comics.

I don't recall Belushi ever doing stand up comedy

just skits

you're right, I don't think he did either. I think he started straight into Second City.

Still,

even without stand up, those comedians I mentioned had a ton of greater output than Belushi IMO. and again, I really like Belushi

[bballarl]

I saw "Walk" last night. It was quite good. And I am not just saying that because Gabe is my friend. I really enjoyed it. I wish it was longer.

I was there when a future icon debuted his first feature. Boom.

[bmack86]

I agree in wishing it was longer, and also in that I enjoyed it.

[Monklish]

One thing I wanted to point out about Gabe's flick 'cause it really grabbed me:

You can sense the passion for music he has. The most striking scenes in it were accompanied by music, and in those cases the tunes involved were used exceptionally. There was one in particular that depicted a girl taking the stage at a mostly empty bar not really interested in hearing the music. But she kicks into an awesome song really well performed and the crowd turns. Gabe did a remarkable job of capturing that feeling when you're at a show and there's some opener you don't care about coming on, and then all of a sudden they start playing and it's amazing. It was great at capturing that adrenaline rush.

[bmack86]

I very much agree with that point. The music accentuated the film in a great way, and it worked so well because it was clearly drawn from a music fan's mind. Also, I liked the fact that REM was in there accidentally.

[bballarl]

The mood of that REM tune (it was "Man on the Moon", right?) really worked with the scene. Yay for happy accidents.

[Monklish]

I don't really remember noticing the REM in a good way, heh. But that Fuck Buttons song at the end on the mountain was quite lovely. When the chair lift was coming up and when it first kicked into the distortion I was really impressed.

My one other side note is that I was shocked at how sharp and vibrant the shot was during the brief interlude of the girl's eye and the shot with the slug at the end. Stunningly pretty.

[bballarl]

Agreed. I thought the whole sequence with the slug was very pretty.

[tessalasset]

the snail was such a show off.

[Backwater]

What did you think of Touch of Evil, bmack?

[schoolofruckus]

Spoilerz galore


Thanks for all the kind words, guys. I really appreciate you coming out to the screening/after-party that night.

As for the rest of you Movie Corner types, I'll figure out a way to get the film out there. The use of unlicensed music is going to prohibit me from being able to stream it. But if anyone is seriously interested in seeing it, send me a PM.

[Memorial_07]

hey schoolofruckus, I haven't kept up in the conversation but are you in a film school?

[bmack86]

Gabe, it was cool that you got Belong to agree to let you use a track.

[Monklish]

Gabe, what was that song the chick played in the bar? I want it.

[bballarl]

"Well Well Well". John Lennon. Plastic Ono Band.

[Monklish]

Ahh.

[bballarl]

Good album too if you haven't heard it. Pretty spare and pretty nasty.

[shakermaker113]

what is this we are discussing? I looked back a page but couldn't figure it out.

[wmgaretjax]

I enjoyed Walk as well. I really loved the use of music and thought the editing was spectacular. I agree with Andrew that I wished it was a little longer. I think the first section could have been a little longer and the whole film would have benefited from some more early development.

I want to watch it again, but on the first watch I'd say I'm really excited to see what you do in the future Gabe. I think the biggest thing that you'll need to hone is the actors in your films. My guess is it was part amateur actors, and part lack of confidence in directing them, but there were some moments (I'll elaborate when I get a chance to give it a second run) that felt kind of unnatural to me. Beyond that, and some small quibbles about lighting, I really loved the film. Well done man.

[indietron]

Alright i havent been in here in a while so someone please help me... Did schoolofruckus make a movie?? And if so, where can i see it :)

[Gonshman]

I saw the first part of Che today. I'm withholding judgments until I see the full movie.

Regardless of my views of the movie, it completely canonizes Che, and that treatment was bothersome.

[tessalasset]

indietron, yes, he made a movie called Walk. It's not playing anywhere other than the premiere we had on friday at the warner bros lot. He might be able to get you a dvd copy of it tho.

and jared, what the fuck? you were there? did you go to the after party too?

[whynotsmile99]

damn, i would have liked to gone.

would love to see it if there is any way...

[indietron]

indietron, yes, he made a movie called Walk. It's not playing anywhere other than the premiere we had on friday at the warner bros lot. He might be able to get you a dvd copy of it tho.

and jared, what the fuck? you were there? did you go to the after party too?

That is really awesome. Congrats fruckus. I would really love to see it and support it.

[woogie846]

I saw Gran Torino on Friday. It was over the top and too melodramatic, but I'm still happy I watched it.

[bballarl]

indietron, yes, he made a movie called Walk. It's not playing anywhere other than the premiere we had on friday at the warner bros lot. He might be able to get you a dvd copy of it tho.

and jared, what the fuck? you were there? did you go to the after party too?

Gabe probably gave him a copy of it, seeing as Jared is a prominent film and music critic.

[Down Rodeo]

Today I watched Tarkosky's final film, The Sacrifice, and it was another masterpiece from this incredible director. If anyone has seen it, the final scene was soul-stirringly beautiful, just as the final scenes in Andrei Rublev and The Mirror were. If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it - it's truly a spiritual experience. (Not recommended for those with short attention spans)

Oh, and I want to see Walk, too.

[wmgaretjax]

I wish I could have been there! I was just lucky enough to get sent a copy...

[paulb]

I just saw Slumdog Millionaire.....amazing.

[bmack86]

Touch of Evil was awesome, as I expected. I watched the version that apparently hues closest to Welles' memo. I also read that his original cut had scenes that were meant to lighten the tone, and that he preferred the movie without these scenes.

[Down Rodeo]

Touch of Evil was awesome, as I expected.

I just re-watched this the other night, and it is amazing. Truffaut and Godard were also blown away by this film when it came out. Could you say that Touch of Evil paved the way for the French New Wave?

[schoolofruckus]

I saw the first part of Che today. I'm withholding judgments until I see the full movie.

Regardless of my views of the movie, it completely canonizes Che, and that treatment was bothersome.

The second part helps with that. A little.

[bug on your lip]

please

me see Walk

[schoolofruckus]

Regarding further exhibition of Walk

Because of the use of unlicensed songs in this movie (as discussed above), I am not allowed to make any money off of it. Thus, I would rather not produce a bunch of DVD's, and put myself further into the red than I already am. I am also not willing to take the chance of streaming it on a public site like YouTube, because anyone who happens to stumble upon it could bring it to the attention of the bands whose songs were used, who could have it yanked down immediately - as well as possibly form some undue suspicion that I'm somehow profiting from it. And that's not even getting into the issue of image and sound quality that I would have to be comfortable with before letting people watch it. However, I am planning to look into some different low-cost options to either stream it on a private site, or send it by download. It's a pretty big file - the film is 61 minutes long - so if any of you have any suggestions on the best way to do this, please keep in touch.

I knew going into the making of it that this is the position I was putting myself in. The thing is - the film was originally supposed to be quite a bit shorter than what we ended up with. The script is 32 pages; the film is approximately 55 minutes before credits. Part of it was a surplus of good footage - particularly during the hike scene - that I felt deserved to be in the final cut. Part of it was me insisting on a deliberate pace for the film as a whole, for reasons that I think anyone who's seen it can deduce. And part of it was me not knowing how to properly narrate a script so that the non-verbal portions play at an accurate page count.

All of which to say - I never intended on it being "released" on any kind of wide basis. The most I hoped for was a festival slot or two, but I've found out since finishing it that even film festivals won't touch a film with unlicensed music. Not only that, but as Jared alludes, there are definitely some student film touches to it in terms of production values. There are definitely some lighting discrepancies within certain scenes, and several rough edges in the sound ambience as well. Creatively, I believe in the film 100%. But the minor technical errors plus the fact that it's illegal have more or less scuttled the chances of me doing much else beyond the plan above to distribute it. On one hand, it wouldn't be a bad idea to re-cut it using only music that we have the rights to, and see if we could crack a lineup somewhere. On the other hand, we can't remove the performance of "Well, Well, Well" (the version of which a friend of mine did for this purpose) without re-shooting that entire scene. And even if we did do that (which would be a huge ordeal with returning to Gunnison and trying to round up 50 people again, which wasn't easy the first time), what guarantee would we have that it was the legality that got us shot down by SXSW in the first place?

The bottom line is that, at the end of the day, I have a student film (in which I wore the shoes of both pupil and university) that cost me a pittance compared to the average tuition bill at any legitimate school, and that I'm also extremely happy to watch each time I pop it in. I expected no less, but I can ask for no more.

[schoolofruckus]

hey schoolofruckus, I haven't kept up in the conversation but are you in a film school?

No.

Gabe, it was cool that you got Belong to agree to let you use a track.

Yeah. I emailed them and Turk was like "go ahead". One of my absolute favorite bands in the world. I'm less bummed about getting rejected from SXSW Film than I am for not having a justifiable excuse to attend SXSW Music and see them play.

That reminds me, I still need to send him a DVD....

"Well Well Well". John Lennon. Plastic Ono Band.

As re-interpreted by Claire Wadsworth and Scott Smith.

Good album too if you haven't heard it. Pretty spare and pretty nasty.

One of my top 10 favorite albums ever made.

[bug on your lip]

how about i send you some $$ to cover the DVD and shipping

[chairmenmeow47]

i watched deer hunter for the first time yesterday and HOLY HELL. there just are no words.

and congrats, gabe :)

[ivankay]

Gabe, i too am looking forward to seeing the film.

What do you mean rough edges in the sound ambience? Were there abrubpt sound edits in the background noise when you cut from shot to shot?

[wmgaretjax]

Gabe, if you like Belong I assume you might already have it... But a record store here still has a copy of the Colorless Record Lp that was put out on ST. Ives. They only made 300 and everyone has a different handmade cover... It's like 15$ and I could pick it up and ship it to you if you want...

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

when the fuck did jared turn into a Brackish African? And what is the story behind that?

[schoolofruckus]

Walk budget: ~$5,000

Licensing fees for songs on Walk soundtrack: >$10,000

Making the only film that Randy and Jared have agreed upon in the past 10 years: Priceless

[bmack86]

That is quite an achievement.

[wmgaretjax]

when the fuck did jared turn into a Brackish African? And what is the story behind that?

that happened a week or two ago...

i was rattling on about african cichlids with jackstraw.... i worked at a aquarium/fish supply place for a while and geek out about fish from time to time...

[HowToDisappear]

Congratulations on Walk, Gabe!

I'm sorry there will be no festival submissions, because then we could all see it. *coughscheduleaspecialscreeningatcoachellacough*

But this, I'm sure, is only the beginning of bigger things to come.

[thestripe]

Good album too if you haven't heard it. Pretty spare and pretty nasty.

Shit's boss.

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

that happened a week or two ago...

i was rattling on about african cichlids with jackstraw.... i worked at a aquarium/fish supply place for a while and geek out about fish from time to time...

between your obessesion with speed ukulele thrash metal japanoise and
african fresh water fish...I just don't know about you anymore Jare Jare.

[wmgaretjax]

between your obessesion with speed ukulele thrash metal japanoise and
african fresh water fish...I just don't know about you anymore Jare Jare.

I'm trouble that's for sure. I love fish.

Why in the world do I always get called Jare...

It's really bizarre because it's what my little sisters call me... But it seems to be a default nickname for someone named Jared. I don't mind it, I just find it strange.

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

its that porn star stach of yours from the previous threadz...it just screams jare jare.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z26/wmgaretjax/yo.jpg

Nothing fancy. Keepin' it classic.

look at that stache! it just screams "Yeah I've been naked on camera, what of it?"

[wmgaretjax]

yeah.... so?

the stache is going away next week... for the wedding and all. i promised the mrs to be.

[Monklish]

What are you, a state cop?

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

yeah.... so?

the stache is going away next week... for the wedding and all. i promised the mrs to be.

I had a beard for a month and the wife finally asked me to cut it...

[Monklish]

Jesus Christ, you had to agree to get rid of that thing as a favor to your mother in law?

[real talk]

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo137/rtorres/parkingspot.jpg

We parked in the parking spot of the director of the Watchmen.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo137/rtorres/screening_room.jpg

Silly phone shot of the screening room before it started.

The entire premiere night was a great success. Walk really impressed me and exceeded my expectations of a "student" film. The hiking scene was incredible and while it was noticeably long at the time, in retrospect I feel like the length (and the music) gave it the necessary weight. The chairlift shot and the snail shot could easily have been from a professional feature film. Gabe, thanks for having us down, I'm so excited for what comes next with your work.

[hawkingvsreeve]

Further thoughts on Walk, being that not many have been able to see it:


At first I was letting myself become distracted with audio and other tech hiccups here and there, and then I reminded myself that I was watching someone's first film and my (quite small) issues about it subsided. I enjoyed the music used in the film, as others have eluded to, and while that hike scene was a tad on the longer side, the accompanying music fit well. I also think that even though some of the people in the film may not have acted much or at all before the film, the performances as well as the film as a whole had a lot of heart. I could tell everybody involved wanted this project to be as great as they could possibly make it and that effort was very apparent. I said it a few times that night to everybody, but again, to all involved I am extremely proud of what you have achieved and was honored that I was able to be in that screening room sharing the experience.


Group hug.

[miscorrections]

I agree with Brandon and Valarie. I enjoyed myself immensely and am very pleased that the film was so good.

[PotVsKtl]

Hated it.

[hawkingvsreeve]

rofl house.

[miscorrections]

Traditional, scattered, or smothered and covered?

[hawkingvsreeve]

Smothered. Covered. Buttered. Cluttered.

[downingthief]

I am very jealous. I want to see this masterpiece.

[Gonshman]

I want to see this movie now too. Made by our very own boardie (even though I don't actually know who it is)!

[Down Rodeo]

Can someone provide a plot synopsis? I don't know when I'll get a chance to see this film.

[hawkingvsreeve]

I'll let Gabe field that question.

[real talk]

I want to see this movie now too. Made by our very own boardie (even though I don't actually know who it is)!

You don't know because he's not a "boardie."

[wmgaretjax]

Valarie... I went and played drunk laser tag last night and was listening to Kels on the way there... so when it came to pick a nickname I couldn't help but use Real Talk (I apologize)... However, I did the name proud and won 2nd place.

[suprefan]

red band trailer for observe and report.


_DQ_5K59S2k

[whynotsmile99]

looks hilarious

[sbessiso]

Awesome

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/7/l_c5292f3bc47346adb3fd5fd700a341b4.jpg

[schoolofruckus]

ASlTssjSjMA

[bmack86]

Awesome

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/7/l_c5292f3bc47346adb3fd5fd700a341b4.jpg

Does that really have a Monty Python line as the tag?

[real talk]

I though Vicky Cristina Barcelona was very pretty.

I also saw this one called "Arranged" and it was a cockle-warmer.

[PotVsKtl]

Rachel Getting Married is fucking intense. I cried like a bitch then banged up in a Carl's Jr. bathroom while crashing a car into my dreams.

[Young blood]

It's like you're one of the 2 coreys haunting my soul.

[TheGuvna]

TimeCrimes finally made it to my local indie theater.

Interesting low budget scifi, I'm glad i saw it before the big studio remake.

[PotVsKtl]

<object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nSoFoG-3hq0&showinfo=0"></param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nSoFoG-3hq0&showinfo=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="418" height="350"></embed></object>

[TheGuvna]

Cool As Ice.... I have a copy on VHS:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5j3cgKkbqrY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5j3cgKkbqrY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[davrone]

Awesome

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/7/l_c5292f3bc47346adb3fd5fd700a341b4.jpg

HAHA. I seriously almost became a PA on this movie. They literally filmed it like two blocks away from where I live.

[sbessiso]

Dude, you so should have done it. This movie looks ridiculous. Jason Statham is soo cool

[bmack86]

yeah, Rachel Getting Married'll do that.

[Down Rodeo]

Chop Shop was seriously awesome. It would've made my best of 2007 list had I seen it that year.

EDIT: Never mind, this was a 2008 release, and therefore it's going on my list.

[wmgaretjax]

I cried like a bitch then banged up in a Carl's Jr. bathroom while crashing a car into my dreams.

Yeah.

[C DUB YA]

here is the QT trailer you all been waiting for:

mQk1Pmn-MJE

[humanoid]

here is the QT trailer you all been waiting for:

mQk1Pmn-MJE

I'm not sure how I feel about that..it seems like it could be entertaining, but honestly I haven't enjoyed Quentin Tarantino in about 12 years

I used to like Brad Pitt, but I have a difficult time separating his acting from his public persona and everything we know about him now...although I really liked the Assasination of Jesse James..

he seems pretty hokey in that small clip, but I guess it may fit the tone of the movie

[C DUB YA]

did you like kill bill?

[humanoid]

did you like kill bill?

I liked certain elements of it, but the silly over the top violence and gratuitous foul language aren't my kinda thing..

don't get me wrong, I'm not offended by foul language whatsoever, it just felt slightly forced in those movies to me

same thing with violence, if it's in a more realistic context, then I'm fine with it, it just felt silly and cartoonish...and I realize that is kinda the point, it's just not really what I enjoy