Category Archives: Uncategorized

3 things about Woody Allen’s SWEET AND LOWDOWN

Posted on May 24, 2014 by robchristopher

Sweet and Lowdown [1999] 1. A dapper Oriental gentleman wearing glasses and a mustache sits down next to him and sips from a flask. 2. Chili stains on the edges of his mouth. 3. “My father died.” “Again? How many … Continue reading →

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3 things about Nagisa Oshima’s MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE

Posted on May 23, 2014 by robchristopher

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence [1983] 1. An empty bed strewn with red flowers and candles. 2. The soldier beats on the window until it breaks, and the prisoners finally quiet down. 3. As if gathering a specimen he cuts off … Continue reading →

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3 things about Robert Woodburn’s CORN’S-A-POPPIN’

Posted on May 23, 2014 by robchristopher

Corn’s-A-Poppin [1956] 1. A hog-caller named Lilian Gravelguard. 2. He awkwardly lifts her veil to kiss her on the side of her face, twice. 3. Grilled cheese on the moon. Somewhere in the twilight zone between Ma & Pa Kettle … Continue reading →

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STORIES FROM THE GRID: Lawrence/Magnolia

Posted on May 19, 2014 by robchristopher

Being part of a series involving Chicago and its surroundings. Early Saturday morning. Springtime. The sun is out and it’s already warming up. A woman wearing oversized sunglasses is crossing the street. Slung over her right shoulder are four or … Continue reading →

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3 things about Ron Howard’s FROST/NIXON

Posted on May 19, 2014 by robchristopher

Frost/Nixon [2008] 1. A pause before he shakes his hand. 2. Cinerama Dome on Sunset Blvd. 3. “You know, I would’ve said ‘sons of bitches,’ but Manolo here is a lover of dogs, and he hates me to defame animals.”

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3 things about Woody Allen’s SMALL TIME CROOKS

Posted on May 18, 2014 by robchristopher

Small Time Crooks [2000] 1. Rooftop, laundry on a clothesline, sunset. 2. “Make conversation. But don’t say anything, don’t speak.” 3. A bearskin that lights up.

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3 things about Jim Jarmusch’s ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE

Posted on May 15, 2014 by robchristopher

Only Lovers Left Alive [2014] 1. She opens her mouth in pleasure, revealing her teeth. 2. “How I wish I had met him before I wrote Hamlet. He would have provided the most perfect role model imaginable.” 3. Face dissolving … Continue reading →

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How quick-cutting obscures.

Posted on May 12, 2014 by robchristopher

Quick-cutting used to be a tool used by clever low budget filmmakers to help disguise the absence of expensive production design and special effects. And it worked. But now, paradoxically, it’s used even more often by big budget filmmakers; and … Continue reading →

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3 things about Andrew Stanton’s JOHN CARTER

Posted on May 12, 2014 by robchristopher

John Carter [2012] 1. Cracking the ice to water the horses. 2. Several instances: pointlessly cutting from a medium shot to a wide angle shot, briefly, and then back to a medium shot. 3. He emerges from the body cavity … Continue reading →

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3 things about Terry Gilliam’s 12 MONKEYS

Posted on May 11, 2014 by robchristopher

12 Monkeys [1995] 1. Grizzly outside City Hall. 2. Frank Gorshin’s sideways cigarette plant. 3. Insurance.

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