Not very showy but I remember being utterly memorized the first time I saw the pickpocket. The scenes in the train station are particularly visually arresting.
The style really doesn’t line up with my childhood memories of the book but I think the original illustrations were so iconic that any deviation was always going to feel slightly wrong. Bill Murry sounds like he’s on form as Mr. Badger though so I hold out some hope.
The beach scene in Leigh’s ‘All Or Nothing’ has that incredible wordless close-up where Phil (Timmy Spall) drives his cab to the shore and just stares out at the ocean. Not the greatest of all time but one of my personal favourites.
Or the first shot of Brando in Apocalypse Now, where that big crescent moon of a head just melts out of the darkness.
Or Binoche in Three Colors: Blue with the light from her daughters chandelier dancing across her face.
I’m loving this thread, there’s some grand specimens on show. I’ve got a rather lowly collection compared to most – just one cheap reproduction All About Eve and a nice Wieslaw Walkuski designed Caravaggio. Where’s the best places to get your posters, particularly new releases? I’m terribly uninformed about this sort of thing.
Most of the British TV (series based stuff) is pretty poor. But we occasionally get the odd great short run or one off shows – Red Riding & Freefall are two that spring to mind as being particularly good. There’s some great Brit actors just finding their feet at the moment, it bodes well for the next few years of UK cinema.
For a group of people with such great collective taste in cinema, this thread is a little embarrassing. Conor Oberst, really? And on the topic of Kanye, he was never a good rapper. His talent was sampling, he had a really good ear. Now he’s convinced he can sing he’s become a joke.
Often (although not exclusively) it seems to be about function, in that it allows the exhibition of works that were original quite transient or impossible to put in an gallery – Richard Wilson’s ‘Turning the Place Over’ and the video installation of it that he showed at the RA Summer Exhibition spring to mind.
There’s one on its way, not criterion though.
http://www.optimumreleasing.com/dvd.php?id=1162
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mepris-Blu-ray-Brigitte-Bardot/dp/B002BC9YYS
Lynch is a breath of fresh air. With the exception of Godard, he’s the one of the only working directors that considers the aural and the visual as equal components. His use of distortion is particularly masterful, it’s weird how cinema is really the last medium to still find distortion disturbing.
Franciso I’d really like to see that doc, pm if you remember the name.
It was Fanny & Alexander that pushed me over the edge in terms of viewing, I was a casual mainstream film goer before that one. Apocalypse Now was the one that made me stop making music and start studying film sound. Dancer in the Dark had a big effect too. I’m not that big a Von Trier fan but I remember being so inspired by that film – the digital photography, natural lighting – made me feel like talent was all you needed to make a great movie.
Some interesting choices here, not at all what one would expect.
I’m currently alternating the new Joanna Newsom record and the Charles Darwin inspired opera ‘Tomorrow, in a Year’ by the Knife, Mt. Sims and Planningtorock. This track is the standout for me.
Some interesting choices here, not at all what one would expect.
I’m currently alternating the new Joanna Newsom record and the Charles Darwin inspired opera ‘Tomorrow, in a Year’ by the Knife, Mt. Sims and Planningtorock. This track is the standout for me.
Are you attempting to do the sound yourself? You’re probably better off not buying any sound gear and just finding a good young sound designer that’s just starting out. Most of us will work for free, or the occasional BLT.
If you are going to buy stuff yourself then remember that it takes a hell of a lot more than the mics. Ric Viers lists 3 good field recording packages for different budgets in his excellent ‘Sound Effects Bible’.
Pro Package:
Fostex FR-2 Field Recorder
NP-1 Batteries & Charger
Sony MDR-7509HD Headphones
Sennheiser MKH-416 Shotgun Mic
Rode NT-4 Stereo Mic
X2 Rycote Windshield Kits
Standard Package:
Fostex FR-2 LE Field Recorder
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
Rode NT-4 Stereo Mic
Rycote Windshield Kit
Basic Package:
Zoom H4 Field Recorder
Sony MDR-7502 Headphones
Soundies will want to swap in and out various bits of gear to taste but if you’re not that knowledgeable on the audible side of things then one of these 3 is likely to be a good start.
First of all I know that this is a music video and not a stand alone film but I feel that the production values and length are such that it warrants discussion as if it were any other short.
This is the Romain Gavras directed music video for M.I.A’s new tune ‘Born Free’. It’s all over the net right now, I’m sure some of you will have seen it already. I’m interested as to whether or not a community such as this (usually of unparalleled taste) can come to a consensus over this work. My first impressions of it seems to differ from almost everyone else I’ve discussed it with.
I found it to be almost completely devoid of merit and unable to elicit any emotion other than disgust, which is of course a rather base and easy response to extract. Am I being short sighted and allowing my revulsion to cloud my vision of some greater whole or is this indeed as cheap and tawdry as it first struck me?
Being rather young and naive I’d not read all of the top 5, so the poll has proved quite useful to me. Having read so few of the books mentioned I can’t really comment on the list as a whole but I was really disappointed to see how under represented sound was. There are countless tomes on light & cinematography but only 2 critics (Sukhdev Sandhu & Charlotte Garson) included books dedicated solely to the aural in their personal lists. I know this was a poll of critics not of film makers and I know I shouldn’t be surprised but it was disappointing to see such a vital, fascinating aspect of cinema practically ignored. In case anyone is interested, the two books in question are Chion’s ‘Film: a Sound Art’ and Philip Brophy’s ‘100 Modern Soundtracks’ both of which are excellint.
I think considering that film is such a young medium and we would never be able to collectively agree on its greatest son that attempting to define an ancient art like music in one person is impossible. However, those of us thinking about the breadth of music as a whole rather than just our lifetimes or youth would be hard pushed to deny Bach as being most deserving of the lofty title.
Taking of my objective hat I’d personally plump for one of the following: Gould, Stockhausen, Cage. They’re the people that have gone the furthest in defining recorded/performed music as separate mediums. Not dissimilar to Bresson’s thoughts on Cinema/Theatre really.
What do you believe is the most visually impressive film of all time? almost 3 years ago
Not very showy but I remember being utterly memorized the first time I saw the pickpocket. The scenes in the train station are particularly visually arresting.
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Fantastic Mr. Fox Trailer almost 3 years ago
The style really doesn’t line up with my childhood memories of the book but I think the original illustrations were so iconic that any deviation was always going to feel slightly wrong. Bill Murry sounds like he’s on form as Mr. Badger though so I hold out some hope.
Go to Comment
BEST CLOSE-UPS IN FILMS almost 3 years ago
The beach scene in Leigh’s ‘All Or Nothing’ has that incredible wordless close-up where Phil (Timmy Spall) drives his cab to the shore and just stares out at the ocean. Not the greatest of all time but one of my personal favourites.
Or the first shot of Brando in Apocalypse Now, where that big crescent moon of a head just melts out of the darkness.
Or Binoche in Three Colors: Blue with the light from her daughters chandelier dancing across her face.
Go to Comment
Poster collectors almost 3 years ago
I’m loving this thread, there’s some grand specimens on show. I’ve got a rather lowly collection compared to most – just one cheap reproduction All About Eve and a nice Wieslaw Walkuski designed Caravaggio. Where’s the best places to get your posters, particularly new releases? I’m terribly uninformed about this sort of thing.
Go to Comment
These films are not in production, except in my imagination almost 3 years ago
Romantic Comedy – Colin Firth – Jennifer Aniston – Lars Von Trier
Good for the lols.
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Do you really consider that TV series have caught up with film in terms of quality? almost 3 years ago
Most of the British TV (series based stuff) is pretty poor. But we occasionally get the odd great short run or one off shows – Red Riding & Freefall are two that spring to mind as being particularly good. There’s some great Brit actors just finding their feet at the moment, it bodes well for the next few years of UK cinema.
Go to Comment
Is Conor Oberst the greatest living writer of our time? almost 3 years ago
For a group of people with such great collective taste in cinema, this thread is a little embarrassing. Conor Oberst, really? And on the topic of Kanye, he was never a good rapper. His talent was sampling, he had a really good ear. Now he’s convinced he can sing he’s become a joke.
Go to Comment
Is Conor Oberst the greatest living writer of our time? almost 3 years ago
Also, I know you can’t help it but stop being so american. What about Cocker, Morrissey or Yorke?
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Which Director Would You Want As Your Father almost 3 years ago
Dreyer – I image he wouldn’t have taken much shit. :-P
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You choose the book to make into a film. Then choose the director. Go! almost 3 years ago
Herzog directing ‘What is the What’ would be fantastic. Apparently it is in development, Tom Tykwer currently set to direct.
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Favourite film of the decade (so far)? almost 3 years ago
For me it has to be Hunger, probably closely followed by Mulholland Drive & There Will Be Blood.
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what is an artists film? almost 3 years ago
Often (although not exclusively) it seems to be about function, in that it allows the exhibition of works that were original quite transient or impossible to put in an gallery – Richard Wilson’s ‘Turning the Place Over’ and the video installation of it that he showed at the RA Summer Exhibition spring to mind.
Go to Comment
Blu-ray release almost 3 years ago
There’s one on its way, not criterion though.
http://www.optimumreleasing.com/dvd.php?id=1162
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mepris-Blu-ray-Brigitte-Bardot/dp/B002BC9YYS
Go to Comment
David Lynch Sound design almost 3 years ago
Lynch is a breath of fresh air. With the exception of Godard, he’s the one of the only working directors that considers the aural and the visual as equal components. His use of distortion is particularly masterful, it’s weird how cinema is really the last medium to still find distortion disturbing.
Franciso I’d really like to see that doc, pm if you remember the name.
Go to Comment
films that made you love film almost 3 years ago
It was Fanny & Alexander that pushed me over the edge in terms of viewing, I was a casual mainstream film goer before that one. Apocalypse Now was the one that made me stop making music and start studying film sound. Dancer in the Dark had a big effect too. I’m not that big a Von Trier fan but I remember being so inspired by that film – the digital photography, natural lighting – made me feel like talent was all you needed to make a great movie.
Go to Comment
The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers over 2 years ago
My first stab at this excellent thread…
for the challenge
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THE AUTEURS BEST OF THE DECADE: POSTERS over 2 years ago
Some great posters here…
some of my favourites
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers over 2 years ago
Here’s one adapted from one of (imo) the best movie posters ever
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Post a song you are currently listening to about 2 years ago
Some interesting choices here, not at all what one would expect.
I’m currently alternating the new Joanna Newsom record and the Charles Darwin inspired opera ‘Tomorrow, in a Year’ by the Knife, Mt. Sims and Planningtorock. This track is the standout for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMGSxURGqk
Go to Comment
Post a song you are currently listening to about 2 years ago
Some interesting choices here, not at all what one would expect.
I’m currently alternating the new Joanna Newsom record and the Charles Darwin inspired opera ‘Tomorrow, in a Year’ by the Knife, Mt. Sims and Planningtorock. This track is the standout for me.
Go to Comment
Post a song you are currently listening to about 2 years ago
@theladyassassin
er, yeah? :-s
Who be you?
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Resources for Film Projects: Lights, Camera, Sound, etc.: Helping Filmmakers Just Getting Started about 2 years ago
Are you attempting to do the sound yourself? You’re probably better off not buying any sound gear and just finding a good young sound designer that’s just starting out. Most of us will work for free, or the occasional BLT.
If you are going to buy stuff yourself then remember that it takes a hell of a lot more than the mics. Ric Viers lists 3 good field recording packages for different budgets in his excellent ‘Sound Effects Bible’.
Pro Package:
Fostex FR-2 Field Recorder
NP-1 Batteries & Charger
Sony MDR-7509HD Headphones
Sennheiser MKH-416 Shotgun Mic
Rode NT-4 Stereo Mic
X2 Rycote Windshield Kits
Standard Package:
Fostex FR-2 LE Field Recorder
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
Rode NT-4 Stereo Mic
Rycote Windshield Kit
Basic Package:
Zoom H4 Field Recorder
Sony MDR-7502 Headphones
Soundies will want to swap in and out various bits of gear to taste but if you’re not that knowledgeable on the audible side of things then one of these 3 is likely to be a good start.
Go to Comment
SILLY COMMENTS OVERHEARD WHILE EXITING THE CINEMA about 2 years ago
A split second after the credits began I heard a child behind me exclaim: “That was the greatest film I’ve ever seen!”
The film?
(shudder)
Avatar
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First impressions on this Romain Gavras music video? about 2 years ago
WARNING EXTREMELY NOT SAFE FOR WORK
M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.
First of all I know that this is a music video and not a stand alone film but I feel that the production values and length are such that it warrants discussion as if it were any other short.
This is the Romain Gavras directed music video for M.I.A’s new tune ‘Born Free’. It’s all over the net right now, I’m sure some of you will have seen it already. I’m interested as to whether or not a community such as this (usually of unparalleled taste) can come to a consensus over this work. My first impressions of it seems to differ from almost everyone else I’ve discussed it with.
I found it to be almost completely devoid of merit and unable to elicit any emotion other than disgust, which is of course a rather base and easy response to extract. Am I being short sighted and allowing my revulsion to cloud my vision of some greater whole or is this indeed as cheap and tawdry as it first struck me?
Go to Comment
The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 2 years ago
How’s that?
A: not very good
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 2 years ago
Yeah, that’s Lynn Barber
Here’s another 2009 Oscar botherer (i can only do minimal ones)
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BFI Sight & Sound’s top five film books about 2 years ago
Being rather young and naive I’d not read all of the top 5, so the poll has proved quite useful to me. Having read so few of the books mentioned I can’t really comment on the list as a whole but I was really disappointed to see how under represented sound was. There are countless tomes on light & cinematography but only 2 critics (Sukhdev Sandhu & Charlotte Garson) included books dedicated solely to the aural in their personal lists. I know this was a poll of critics not of film makers and I know I shouldn’t be surprised but it was disappointing to see such a vital, fascinating aspect of cinema practically ignored. In case anyone is interested, the two books in question are Chion’s ‘Film: a Sound Art’ and Philip Brophy’s ‘100 Modern Soundtracks’ both of which are excellint.
Go to Comment
Best DVD Distributors about 2 years ago
They’ve only got a few things on their books so far but New Wave Films have an excellent eye for new releases.
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Who is the greatest musical artist of all time? about 2 years ago
I think considering that film is such a young medium and we would never be able to collectively agree on its greatest son that attempting to define an ancient art like music in one person is impossible. However, those of us thinking about the breadth of music as a whole rather than just our lifetimes or youth would be hard pushed to deny Bach as being most deserving of the lofty title.
Taking of my objective hat I’d personally plump for one of the following: Gould, Stockhausen, Cage. They’re the people that have gone the furthest in defining recorded/performed music as separate mediums. Not dissimilar to Bresson’s thoughts on Cinema/Theatre really.
Go to Comment
film techniques you generally like or dislike about 2 years ago
Great thread! Although slightly lacking in the aural, here’s some sound techniques to balance things out.
Like: Highly designed but totally worldized sound – Null Extension (when used correctly) – Diegetic switching within a single shot.
Dislike: Vococentrism for the sake of convention – Any use of the Wilhelm scream.
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