The History of the Movie Trailer
Posted on March 30, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Many thanks to my friend Michael Mirasol for sharing this great look at the history of movie trailers.
http://vimeo.com/89871912
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Picture Lock: Women in Cinema, from the Bechdel Test to the Manic Pixie Dream Girl
Posted on March 26, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Many thanks to Kevin Sampson for including me in the Picture Lock Women’s History Month special, a panel discussion about the state of women in film, on and off screen. And many thanks to my fellow panelists, casting director Kimberly Skyrme, actress/singer Tia Dae, producer Erin Essenmacher.
Religious Leaders Respond to Noah: Moving and Inspiring
Posted on March 21, 2014 at 5:43 pm
Christian leaders are responding warmly to “Noah,” starring Russell Crowe. I have not seen the film yet, but was moved by the response of my friend Rebecca Cusey, who has, unlike many of the people who have been complaining about it. She writes:
I was never bored in this film. I was never embarrassed because it became too corny or trite or simplistic or unprofessional. Both those happen in Christian subculture movies. But this isn’t a Christian subculture movie. It’s a mainstream movie with deep theological themes.
It is just a good movie, a good movie made for everyone, that happens to be based on a Bible story….
The film differs from religious movies we all know in that the viewer doesn’t feel browbeaten at the end, forced to either accept or reject some theological point of contention. Rather, it opens questions and lets them linger. For all its talk of Creator, creation, and sin, it never preaches.
Ultimately, the movie explores hope versus despair, mercy in tension with justice, second beginnings. It is dark, but the darkness makes the clearing skies all the more lovely. It is a work of art and one that I recommend seeing, for believers and nonbelievers alike.
This is just what I was hoping for, a movie that begins a conversation that will open hearts to a deeper connection to the divine. I’ll report back when I see the film.
What! No Female Superhero Movies?
Posted on March 18, 2014 at 3:58 pm
On top of the distressing news that Halle Berry’s Storm character in the new X-Men movie has been cut down to one scene — possibly just one line — and Anna Pacquin’s Rogue removed entirely, comes some more bad news. According to CinemaBlend, Marvel’s Kevin Feige has announced that there are no plans to make a female superhero movie.
Marvel has either released, or officially announced, thirteen movies. That includes a trilogy for Iron Man and Captain America and two Thor films, and none of these films have focused on lead females at all. The Avengers counts one female among the core group, as does Guardians Of The Galaxy.
Hey, Kevin, “Gravity” and “The Hunger Games” did pretty well last year. There is a big audience for women-led action movies, and there are a lot of actresses in Hollywood who are ready for those roles. I’m pretty sure you can find some story in the Marvel multiverses that would pass the Bechdel test.
Sam Mendes Has Advice for Directors
Posted on March 14, 2014 at 8:00 am
Director Sam Mendes (“Skyfall,” “American Beauty”) has some advice for directors. In accepting an award, he listed 25 recommendations that are well worth reading. Some are particular to his profession (“If you have the chance, please work with Dame Judi Dench.” “Theater is the writer’s medium and the actor’s medium; the director comes a distant third. If you want a proper ego trip, direct movies.”) But most of them are good reminders for whatever path your life takes. Here are some of my favorites:
Always choose good collaborators. It seems so obvious, but the best collaborators are the ones who disagree with you. It means they’re passionate, they have opinions, and they’ll only ever say yes if they mean it.
Try to learn how to make the familiar strange, and the strange familiar. Direct Shakespeare like it’s a new play, and treat every new play as if it’s Shakespeare.
Confidence is essential, but ego is not.
You are never too old to learn something new, as I reminded myself, I learned to ski with my 10-year-old son, of course, who did it in about 10 minutes, and I spent four days slaloming up and down, looking like a complete tit. But, don’t be scared of feeling like a complete tit. It’s an essential part of the learning process.