Monthly Archives: November 2017

3 things about Stanley Kubrick’s EYES WIDE SHUT

Eyes Wide Shut [1999] 1. Snackwells, a glass of milk, cigarettes. 2. Motif: glowing Christmas trees in empty rooms. 3. The way he spins the cue ball on the table. A nervous gesture.

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To juxtapose is to connect: Marianna Milhorat joins ROY’S WORLD.

I am thrilled to announce that Chicago-based filmmaker Marianna Milhorat will be editing Roy’s World: Barry Gifford’s Chicago. I first came across her work earlier this year when I attended Chicago Film Archives’ annual Media Mixer at the Hideout. Drawing … Continue reading

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3 things about Robert Redford’s QUIZ SHOW

Quiz Show [1994] 1. Standing on the sidewalk watching some strange family’s TV set through the window. 2. Paul Scofield: what an accent! 3. “Cheating on a quiz show, it’s like plagiarizing a comic strip.”

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3 things about Otto Preminger’s THE HUMAN FACTOR

The Human Factor [1979] 1. Smashing an owl. 2. He gives him the injection, cheerfully adding, “No need for you to suffer.” 3. Ratty fur coat. It’s just not very good. Preminger’s approach (passionless, almost clinical) is usually an asset, … Continue reading

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3 things about Richard T. Heffron’s FUTUREWORLD

Futureworld [1976] 1. Come on … Spaworld? 2. “Are you going to do it? “Do what, Ron?” “Have sex with a robot?” “Not this trip, Ron.” 3. Melancholy, faceless Clark.

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3 things about Michael Crichton’s WESTWORLD

Westworld [1973] 1. “Begin bar fight.” 2. The river gradually transitions from the old West into Romanworld. Broken statuary. 3. Smoldering face cavity.

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3 things about Gordon Douglass’s SINCERELY YOURS

Sincerely Yours [1955] 1. An exterior shot of Madeleine Elster’s apartment from Vertigo! 2. “Do you want to touch me?” The woman reaches out and gingerly pokes him on the leg. “A little higher, honey. About here is where I … Continue reading

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It is happening again.

On Sunday, December 10: another Chicago screening of Pause of the Clock. It’s at Transistor in Andersonville and it’s free! My film pal Michael Glover Smith will be on hand to introduce the movie and then lead a Q & … Continue reading

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3 things about Stephen Cone’s PRINCESS CYD

Princess Cyd [2017] 1. The sound of an airplane periodically invades their conversation. A very slow zoom in and then, in the middle of her story, a cut. 2. “What will I do without you?” “Probably whatever you did a … Continue reading

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3 things about Oscar Bucher’s NELSON ALGREN LIVE

Nelson Algren Live [2016] 1. Neon sign for Fritzel’s. 2. Making room. 3. The look on Rick Kogan’s face as he watches Willem Dafoe perform “The Lightless Room.”

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