#the globe is such a good use of cinematography

[meanderingtext]

In episode 7 of season 3, Charlie’s globe lights up after he checks his phone and sees that nicks texted him. I love all the callbacks but especially this one to season 2 ❤️❤️

[destinyc1020]

Just Saw "The Color Purple" Last Night!! 😁😁 (My Movie Review)

WOW! Where do I even begin?? First of all, let me just start off by saying that I LOVED this movie! I really enjoyed it. 😃 You just knew that you were in for a wonderful ride when you heard the opening number to this film. I love musicals just in general, but there's just something extra special about seeing black talent, black voices, and black actors dancing, singing, and acting onscreen. 🥰 The whole entire film was a magical moment for me, and a sense of great pride. Sort of like the feeling I got when I saw "Black Panther" in theaters for the first time. 😊

I will say too that this film was very well shot. I kept being in awe of the cinematography, the camera angles, the vibrant colors, the use of lighting, the gorgeous shots of Georgia, etc. It was so very well done. You can tell that they spent a lot of time, hard work, and energy on this film to make it very special and of high quality. 👌🏾

I also loved how this film kind of had a stage/theater feel to it. You can tell that it was a musical theater play before it hit the big screen.

The Music The MUSIC!!! Oh the music!!! 🎵🥰 I've never seen the stage play musical, so a lot of the songs were new to me, but I liked a lot of the songs that were in the film. I also loved how they kept some of the original songs that were in the original 1985 film, like "Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)", and "Maybe God is Tryin' to Tell You Somethin'". 😊

The Acting The acting was very well done. I felt like everyone pulled their weight and there weren't any "weak links" in the cast at all. Halle did amazing....I think she has a great career ahead of her in acting if she keeps it up. Danielle Brooks...Omg she was AWESOME. I almost feel like she stole the show in some scenes lol....

Colman Domingo did a great job. I think Danny Glover was a bit more unlikable in the original film, but Colman is a very good actor, and I felt like he did a great job in this role.

I love my girl Taraji! She is SO very talented! Her voice is really great too. While I was watching the film, i couldn't help but remember everything she was saying on the press tour regarding unequal pay in Hollywood, and anytime I saw her onscreen I just couldn't believe that someone with her great talent still feels like she has to fight and scrap to just get a smidgen of what other actresses get in HW, and how she's always having to start right back at the BOTTOM. Smh...it's really sad. 🤦🏾‍♀️ Fantasia Barrino....OMG.... Like, I remember this woman on American Idol!!!! I am so proud of her and how far she's come. 😊 She did an AMAZING job in this! She thoroughly deserved her Golden Globe nomination. 👏🏾 She probably won't win, but she definitely deserved her nomination. I always feel like when someone has to not only act but also sing, dance, (or even play a musical instrument) onscreen, they usually are doing WAY more "work" than others who are just having to simply "act" onscreen lol. I will go to my grave saying that. But! I know this year is a pretty tight race for the "Best Actress" category, so, if she doesn't win, then it is what it is. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Just being nominated is an honor.

The Pros:

This is more like a pro AND a con (I'll explain)... But the fact that they cut out a lot of stuff from the original movie kind of made the story move a lot quicker, and I appreciated that!

I liked that the film didn't feel AS heavy as the original 1985 film. The film still had a lot of heavy elements in it (don't get me wrong), but you don't get to experience just HOW heavy the film is because there's a lot of singing and dancing, and they kind of gloss over certain things in the story (imo). This is actually probably a good thing, especially for a film coming out during the Holiday season lol.

The acting was superb.

It seems that they added a few more things to this film that was in the original book by Alice Walker, so that was a nice touch.

The Cons:

I liked how they cut stuff from the film, but at the same time I didn't lol. I'm so glad that I saw the 1985 version FIRST before seeing this version, because I think there would have been some elements that I wouldn't have fully appreciated because I didn't have the context. The 1985 version is pretty long and more slow-moving, but I felt like it added way more depth to everything that was taking place in the story. The 2023 version almost banked on the fact that you've probably already seen the 1985 version, and they didn't spell everything out for you...which, again...imo was a good thing and a bad thing at the same time lol. I can't explain it.

OVERALL SCORE: 8/10

Overall, very well-done movie! Loved the acting, loved the music, loved basically everything! 😊

[youssefguedira]

It's been like this since Crash beat Brokeback Mountain. Home of Phobia.

the thing is. the Thing Is. i saw maestro in theaters on its limited 'please give us an oscar even though we're netflix' run i was cautiously optimistic about the movie and it's like. it's just fine. there's nothing egregiously terrible about it but it is a complete nothingburger of a biopic it's not even a GOOD biopic. it is remarkably cookie cutter. it's got black and white for absolutely no reason i can ascertain and its switch to color part way through is like so incredibly weird. just PICK a COLOR bradley. i loathe to give nolan any ground on oppenheimer but at LEAST there was a REASON. that is understandable. i will give it that the score slaps but it kind of had to, the conducting scenes genuinely felt like the only part where there was any real substance or love put into that film, and it's really just a showcase for carey mulligan who is admittedly good. bradley cooper is just fine. it takes its discussion of bernstein's sexuality from the bohemian rhapsody school of biographical pictures. they're technically both movies about gay people but ONE of them is a devastating look at queerness across generations and family and love and the other occasionally makes references to it while hinging the whole film on the relationship between the gay person and his wife, which i have no complaints about it IS an interesting relationship, but the way it incorporates bernstein's sexuality feels vaguely Home Of Phobic.

and like i know that a lot of this actually comes down to active campaigning, because i don't know if there really was one for all of us strangers in the same way that when netflix wants something to win an oscar they throw everything behind it. i think (unevidenced claims btw i know nothing) they mightve done something similar with ripley which is like cool great go get those emmys. but WHO is seeing the 'i'm sorry i never came in your room while you were crying' scene and not IMMEDIATELY going oh i need to give this man every fuckin award in existence. like mr cooper is OK in maestro but who didn't see the scene where adam crawls into his parents bed in his pajamas from when he was a kid and immediately go this has changed me forever. who is doing it like mr. scott in all of us strangers. i argue nobody. this is partially because it's good and also because i hold the firm belief that he's simply one of the best actors working right now and i'm RIGHT. and like as well as that. what about paul mescal. what is rdj doing in oppenheimer that paul mescal is not doing. arguably what is ryan gosling doin[gunshot]. my real frontrunner in that category is sterling k brown but like STILL. a nomination would've been deserved. jamie bell and claire foy as well are fuckin phenomenal. and i can keep going we can talk about directing (excellent) and cinematography (INCREDIBLE. can we talk about it more. like i can't really remember how maestro looks other than serviceable. but there's one interview about every shot in the opening of all of us strangers emphasising adam's loneliness and it DOES you can FEEL that shit. that is cinematography that brings you into the film. you know that post about people wanting to help ariel out of the screen in the little mermaid. that's the shit i'm talking about. also like. just LOOK at the opener hang that shit in the louvre.)

ultimately when it comes to Cinema when i think about this year's nominees at least the ones i did see were MEMORABLE. maestro is nothing to me. i regularly forget it is a movie i have seen. all of us strangers haunts me every day of my goddamn life as is evidenced by My Blog over the past couple weeks as i descend further into whatever new problem i've developed. so tldr i'm not the academy but i should be and all of us strangers 2023 should've swept the nominations if not the actual awards. it GOT THE GOLDEN GLOBES. WHICH IS A REASONABLE PRECURSOR TO THE OSCARS. sorry just googled whether andrew scott has an oscar and that came up. anyway. this has been Neon Is Angry At The Academy Also Known As Fork Found In Kitchen. awards aren't an indicator of a films real quality because ultimately what all of us strangers is is a deeply deeply personal piece of art that everyone will take something different from and for me one of those things was It Is A Fucking Travesty That Andrew Scott Does Not Have An Oscar And In Fact None Of These People Do What The Hell. What The Hell. as well as feeling like i was going to be physically sick (complimentary). what i took away from maestro was a desire to rewatch the fabrizio de andré movie, which says a lot about both the movie and also me. the fabrizio de andré movie is also a pretty generic biopic but at least i ENJOY it

[ljones41]

“TOMORROW NEVER DIES” (1997) Review

"TOMORROW NEVER DIES" (1997) Review Recently, I had watched "TOMORROW NEVER DIES", Pierce Brosnan’s second outing as James Bond. Roger Spottiswoode directed the 1997 Bond movie. It co-starred Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Pryce and Teri Hatcher.

  When I first saw "TOMORROW NEVER DIES" many years ago, I had a low opinion of it. I wish I could say that my opinion of the movie has improved over the years after this latest viewing . . . but I would be lying. TOMORROW NEVER DIES had some highlights, but unfortunately, it possessed more negative traits than positive ones. I think it would be best if I list both the good and the bad about this movie: Positive: *What else can I say? Michelle Yeoh. *I found Bond’s romantic scene with a Danish linguist rather sexy. *The film's foreign locations – Hamburg and Thailand (as Vietnam) - looked more lovely, thanks to Robert Elswit's cinematography. *Bond and Wai-Lin’s escape from Caver building in Vietnam proved to be one of the better stunts I have seen in the entire Bond franchise. *Thanks to Roger Spottiswoode's direction and Michel Arcand's editing, I thought the Saigon motorcycle chase was handled very well. *Pierce Brosnan gave a very natural performance, especially during his scenes with Yeoh. *Oddly enough, I rather liked Vincent Shirerpelli as Dr. Hamburg. He proved to be a more interesting henchman than Mr. Stamper. And his death proved to be even more interesting. *Mr. Gupta seemed like a pretty sharp and cool guy. *The movie's main theme song, performed by Sheryl Crow - what can I say? I realize it is not regarded as one of the best theme songs from the Bond franchise. But I have always had a soft spot for it, thanks to Crow's vocals and the lyrics she co-wrote with Mitchell Froom. I mean . . . the song did earn a Golden Globe nomination. Negative: *Brosnan's angsty scenes with Teri Hatcher seemed stiff and unnatural. And his voice sounded odd in scenes featuring Bond's attempt to suppress his emotions. *Why did the director Roger Spottiswode, have Brosnan shooting two machine guns at once during the final confrontation on Carver’s boat? The actor looked like a walking action movie cliché. *I thought Jonathan Pryce had portrayed one of the most overbearing and annoying villains in the Bond franchise. Only Sophie Marceau in the latter half of "THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH" may have surpassed him. *Is it just me or is the plot of this Bond movie seemed like an extended rip-off of a "LOIS & CLARK" episode from its first season? Perhaps the discovery of Teri Hatcher’s casting must have given screenwriter Bruce Feirstein an idea. *Why is it that nearly every sentence directed by Ms. Moneypenny to Bond came off as a sly, sexual joke? Their dialogue grew very annoying. *Spottiswoode managed to transform Bond and Q’s Meeting in Hamburg into a hammy production number. Q was simply in Hamburg to hand over an armored company car to Bond. What a bore and a waste of time! *Carver's top minion, Mr. Stamper, struck me as a second-rate version of Red Grant from "RUSSIA WITH LOVE". Where was Robert Shaw or Andreas Wisnewski when you need them? *The entire car chase sequence inside a Hamburg parking structure featured Bond using a remote control . . . ah, never mind! The entire sequence struck me as a bore. Even worse, it happened after the marvelous Bond/Kaufman scene. What a waste of my time. *Despite all of the gunfire exchanged and the other action during the final confrontation sequence aboard Carver’s boat, I thought it was too long . . . and boring. *Joe Don Baker seemed wasted in this film as C.I.A. liaison Jack Wade. *Bond’s Cover as a Banker – I am beginning to suspect that Bond makes a lousy undercover agent. By opening his mouth and hinting at Carver’s boat, he ended up exposing himself. What an idiot! *Teri Hatcher seemed wasted in this film. And her angsty scenes with Brosnan seemed forced - almost unnatural. TOMORROW NEVER DIES did managed to produce a few favorite lines of mine: Favorite Lines: "Believe me, Mr. Bond. I can shoot you from Stugartt and still create the proper effect." – Dr. Kaufman to Bond BOND: "You were pretty good with that hook." WAI-LIN: "That’s from growing up in a rough neighborhood. You were pretty good on the bike." BOND: "Well, that comes from not growing up at all." "No more absurd than starting a war for ratings." – Bond to Carver KAUFMAN: "Wait! I am just a professional doing a job!" BOND: "So am I." (Then kills Kaufman) Despite some virtues, "TOMORROW NEVER DIES" is not a favorite movie of mine. In fact, it is my least favorite James Bond movie featuring Pierce Brosnan. Unfortunately, director Roger Spottiswoode seemed unable to elevate Bruce Firstein's generic screenplay marred by an unoriginal plot and one of the hammiest villains in the franchise's history. Hmmm . . . too bad.

[cineste]

Poor Things

Finally, I got a chance to see this extraordinary film that has received eleven Oscar nominations. Only Oppenheimer has received more with thirteen. I've now had the pleasure of seeing every 2023 Oscar Best Motion Picture nominated film. And this marvelous film is right up there competing, in my judgment, with The Zone of Interest for Best Picture.* At times unsettling and frequently comedic, Poor Things is an extraordinary tale of self-empowerment that is both character and cinematographically driven.

There are several reasons for my take on this thematically rich and genre challenging film, but foremost are Production Design and Set Decoration, Cinematography, Casting in general, and the astounding performance from Emma Stone, who certainly deserves to win Best Actress in a Leading Role. Stone has already picked up a Golden Globe for her work here, and she is also one of the producers of the film.

But other elements of Poor Things deserve attention too as the following Oscar nominations reveal:

- Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Mark Ruffalo (a career high performance)

- Costume Design

- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

- Film Editing

- Adapted Screenplay

- Makeup and Hairstyling

- Music

It's all of these components of filmmaking working brilliantly together that produce this magnificent film.

We are all "poor things." But through educating ourselves and experiencing the world fully - the good and bad, the beautiful and ugly - we can, while exercising hope, both redeem and empower ourselves, thereby allowing us, in the process, to help others and perhaps even change the world. This is Bella's story as a woman, which is so much more than merely the inspirational feminist fairytale some have labeled it.

Here are some elements in the film to consider:

What do each of the five principal men in Bella’s adventure represent?

Godwin/God does not prevent Bella from leaving with Duncan for Lisbon; in fact, he gives her money. Is he transformed both philosophically and emotionally by the end of the film? Does he in fact become a real “father?”

What do each of the four principal women in Bella’s journey represent?

The Brothel is both literal and figurative. Brothels are of course the most “degrading” of patriarchal institutions. Bella can't go much lower. She does not own her body completely yet, but she has already begun the process even before the range of brothel experiences she now undergoes. What do each of the men serviced by Bella at the brothel represent? Is Duncan's lament over Bella's "whoring" a different kind of patriarchal position grounded in class? Who's more pathetic? The type of men who frequent the brothel or Duncan? Is Bella actually sympathetic towards the brothel customers?

The shifts from B&W to colour and all the costume changes as Bella grows up are also noteable, as are the lens changes at specific moments.

Check out this challenging but brilliantly designed film.

*Of course, Oppenheimer will win - a superb classic Hollywood realist film despite undeveloped women characters - and Cillian Murphy should win an Oscar for his wonderfully nuanced performance. But, as much as I appreciate well-made classic Hollywood realist films, I am attracted to films that rewrite or challenge Hollywood classic realism. The two films I privilege here do just that.

[dweemeister]

Programming note: 2024's "31 Days of Oscar" marathon

For newer followers, mostly...

At around the time of the Academy Awards every year, this blog launches into its annual 31 Days of Oscar marathon (tagged "31 Days of Oscar"), based on the marathon of the same name put on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) in the U.S. and Canada. The queue is largely inspired by the structure of that marathon.

31 Days of Oscar begins this Friday on Friday, February 9. It runs until late in the night after the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10.

The premise is simple. For 31 days, the only films that may appear on this blog must have either received an Academy Award nomination or were given an Honorary Oscar. That rule makes this the most exclusive time on this blog, but arguably its most accessible. For good and ill, the Academy Awards are a gateway into cinephilia (it was a secondary gateway for yours truly). They remain valuable because it gives us a glimpse of the tastes of those in Hollywood at a given time.

And it's the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS) primary fundraiser - the Academy, on a daily basis, fosters younger filmmakers; maintains one of the largest film libraries in the world (not just Oscar nominees, but films of all types from across the globe), is one of the most important organizations in the world that embarks upon restoring damaged or neglected movies; and educates the public about cinema through various initiatives and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

This year, 31 Days of Oscar will be dedicated to a single category for each day. The schedule will look like this:

Friday, February 9: Costume Design

Saturday, February 10: Supporting Actress

Sunday, February 11: Supporting Actress

Monday, February 12: Production Design (formerly Art Direction)

Tuesday, February 13: Screenplay (Adapted and Original)

Wednesday, February 14: Screenplay (Adapted and Original)

Thursday, February 15: Director

Friday, February 16: Film Editing

Saturday, February 17: Supporting Actor

Sunday, February 18: Supporting Actor

Monday, February 19: Original Song

Tuesday, February 20: Original Score (including all past variants of this award)

Wednesday, February 21: Documentary Feature

Thursday, February 22: Cinematography

Friday, February 23: Makeup and Hairstyling (including films before the addition of Hairstyling to this award title)

Saturday, February 24: Lead Actress

Sunday, February 25: Lead Actress

Monday, February 26: Visual Effects

Tuesday, February 27: International Feature Film (formerly Foreign Language Film)

Wednesday, February 28: Sound (including all past variants of this award)

Thursday, February 29: All short categories (Animated, Documentary, and Live Action)

Friday, March 1: Animated Feature

Saturday, March 2: Lead Actor

Saturday, March 3: Lead Actor

Monday, March 4: Director

Tuesday, March 5 - Sunday, March 10: Best Picture (including the films nominated at the 1st Academy Awards for Best Unique and Artistic Picture)

Hope you enjoy! I am also not affiliated with TCM or the Academy in any way, shape, or form.

[supernovaa-remnant]

well, when it comes to andor, dark, and the swarm, i like literally everything lol

like, i think i'd actually count all three as some of my favorite shows because they're just so good, no matter from what point you look at it. writing??? amazing. plot??? amazing. characters??? amazing. cinematography??? amazing. acting??? amazing.

i mean, i'm in no way an actual expert, this is more personal interest and experience than anything else but by god, i just think these shows are fucking incredible and they left a lasting impact on me in multiple ways.

also omg since you mentioned it, i can't believe i forgot to list doctor who???? wonderful show, i love it so so much. do you have, like, a favorite era or doctor???

but please do go on about interconnectedness (just not to the point of crying please), i love to hear your thoughts!! :D

they sound like really interesting shows :D if I ever find the time to check them out, I'll let you know :3

omg doctor who it's such a good show. growing up, my favorite doctor was always the 11th doctor (amy was one of my favorite companions, too, and ofc I loved river and she was mostly around when the 11th doctor was around). as I've gotten older I kinda have less favorites if that makes sense lol. really like 12 and really like 10. um, unpopular opinion, but I really like 13 as well. like, I don't know, she has characteristics reminiscent of past doctors but is also very much her own doctor, y'know? I also adore yaz as a companion. in terms of the episodes themselves and the plotlines there, probably 10-11 era, but in terms of doctors my favorites are 11 and 13, I'd say. really really good show though and honestly there's so many interesting parts of it and good episodes from all the seasons.

what about you? do you have a favorite era or doctor??

as for interconnectedness.. I know people always talk about how humans are social creatures, but I feel like it expands beyond that, y'know? everything is connected. long ago stars exploded and those explosions created the elements that we're made of. something incredibly improbable happened to create the moon (because the earth-moon dynamic is very very weird and unlike any other planet-satellite dynamic in the solar system), and because of the moon life was able to form and evolve the way it did on the earth. 2000 years ago people looked up at the sky and created constellations and the zodiac system, and we still use that today despite the position of the sun relative to the constellations has shifted since then.

on a smaller scale—people have always just been people. and they were just living their lives, and yet somehow it all has lead to here and now. and, still, we're just people living our lives. and now we have the capability of being able to connect with people literally across the globe, and isn't that beautiful? that distance isn't as big of a barrier anymore?

and there's someone growing up in the house I grew up on. there's history there—my parents built that house when I was a baby, and my grandma painted my bedroom walls, and I experienced so much there. and now that house is watching another kid grow up and maybe the walls have been re-painted, but the original paint is still there, just hidden. and there are scratch marks on the wall from my now deceased childhood dog because he was just a puppy and not well trained yet when we got him.

and the child growing up there doesn't know any of that, and yet, in some way, we are connected because of it.

and I still think about the best friend I had in kindergarten and my best friend in elementary school and the friends I had in middle school. actually, speaking of doctor who, I had a middle school teacher who was doing a collage project in the ceiling of her classroom. basically it was a bunch of clouds and pictures of the sky. but, there was a little trio of sixth graders (me and two other girls) who loved doctor who. so, our teacher added a bunch of pictures of the TARDIS on the ceiling so that we could try to count them all (we never could). that ceiling is still there, even if I don't talk to those other two girls anymore.

it's just—everything is so connected. you're only a couple people away from any given person. it's crazy to me. and, another thing that's baffling. I wonder how many times I've been in the same room with the same stranger. because I don't remember all the strangers I see, but maybe I've sat in a train with the same stranger I sat on a bus with 5 years prior. maybe I passed a friend on the street years before we ever met. just, stuff like that is wild to me.

I don't want this to get too long, so I'm just going to make one more point: isn't it beautiful how, in the age of globalization, despite all the shortcomings, we've also found new ways to love?

Bare with me, but I'm going to very very briefly talk about parasocialism. Because, for example, Dream is always saying he loves his fans. Wilbur, in his last stream, said he loves his fans. and something they've both brought up is the fact that it's not like the love you feel for a friend or family member, but it's love nonetheless. and isn't that kind of beautiful? that it's possible to have love for people across the globe who you don't know? and it's not the same love as the love you have towards someone you know, but it's love all the same. and the same applies to social media. I love my mutuals. other people are always posting about how they love their mutuals. sometimes that evolves into an actual genuine friendship, and sometimes it doesn't. whatever it is, it's still love and care, and I just think it's really beautiful how deeply we can care about people we've never met and may never meet.

Okay, signing off here. I just love humanity and space and sometimes I'm just really full of love.

[sweetness-doesnt-touch-my-face]

#FunFact: Though it's ridiculously fun to light-heartedly use the phrase "that movie changed my life" in regular forms of conversation. I'm probably one of the few to sincerely mean it. For that reason among many, Dead Poets Society is my favorite film of all time. It's a little discouraging to see it become fangirl fodder these days. It's obviously not the intended point of the movie.

If you're even just a casual viewer, you realize and can appreciate the cinematography, the soundtrack, the performances, and the overall ideals. These are all acceptable if that were the reason to personally praise it so high above all else. But that's not my reason.

When I was a directionless 15-year-old, a high school dropout who felt double the pressure to take the right career path for the life ahead of her. I sincerely had no idea what I was going to be. I had started writing poetry as a throwaway hobby.

I never considered it as something to pursue let alone think about as a potential profession. I mean, hell. Any person will tell you that being a poet doesn't bring in the big mones and it's the least desired job in literature. Poetry hasn't been in demand since the early 20th century.

It's an unfortunately dying star.

It by no means gives you a stable let alone assuring future.

I had few outside sources in my life at the time that told me that my angsty pieces of poetry were actually good. To be told to stick with it because you're good is another. So I briefly flirted with the dream of being a poet reciting her pretentious garble in a smoke-filled after-hours cafe. But it never felt realistic. I had nothing original to say.

I was a kid for gods sake.

It just so happened that in this period of already overwhelming hormonal irregularity, I was also mourning the recent loss of Robin Williams. Binge-watching his filmography seemed like the only cure.

I happened to naturally come across dead poets, since it is highlighted as one of his best. I watched it blind. I was enamored by the delivery of the lines, the beautiful atmosphere of nature, in awe of Mr. William's portrayal.... then inevitably punched in the throat - which spurted a reasonable amount of tears.

But what I came away with it was far much greater than my little mind could ever comprehend. My future had been drastically altered. My existence wasn't rewritten, so to speak. It was that I felt I received the spiritual "yes." I can do this. Because I'm meant to do this.

I can, and will, be a poet. That will be my job from this day forward. I will find little financial gain from it. But my entitlement will accept no other title. This is what I'm going to be.

I am a poet.

In retrospect, watching actors pretend to be poets isn't exactly a wise idea when it comes to making a permanent life choice. It was Mr. Keating's words, however. It touched a place in my rough core, striking a nerve that I hadn't felt before. It resonated. There was a passion embedded within me. I was already writing poetry.

But I wasn't striving for success.

I was writing to remove the rotten parts of my brain.

But it was purposeful now. Poetry is an essential part of the human race. Of life. My words did mean something. Its fate didn't need to end up in the bottom of a trash can.

And it didn't.

It's almost nine years later.

I am still a poet.

It's what I do. It's what I am.

I've been published.

I've written hundreds of pieces.

I've had supporters from across the globe.

I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

[magazinenerd]

Founded in October of 1923 by Walt Disney, DISNEY animation studio has established itself very well in the film industry. From its first film “Snow white and the swan dwarfs” to today’s blockbuster Marvel hits, DISNEY has proved itself to be the best film maker and producer.

Movies by Disney often cover the concepts of good versus evil, being kind and humble, helping others, friendship in the most appealing way. The realistic animations match perfectly with the well-versed scripts. The production company is also the creator of the first produced sound cartoon Mickey Mouse, which further went on to become the official mascot of the company. 

Disney established itself well both, in the cinema and audiences’ hearts by producing “Snow white and the seven dwarfs”. It was highest grossing motion film of its time and bagged several accolades. The movie gives away a very beautiful message to young audience to be helpful and kind towards all and of course, be alert of strangers.

Disney, took it further in 1940 and released the evergreen Childrens’ movie and story tale: Pinocchio.it was premiered in New York on February 7th,1940 but has been revised and released again on media platforms in the subsequent years. Again, Disney Studios maintained their art of providing the children with the good lesson of not lying to anyone or anything or “Honesty is the best policy”. The story is adapted into books and is read and told widely across the globe to children. 

Since then, Disney has been home to numerous movies including global known movies such as Cinderella, Aladdin, The Parent Trap, Tinker Bell, The Princess and The Frog, Tangled to name a few. Iconic childhood show Winnie the Pooh also calls Disney home. 

Tangled set a milestone in Disney’s history as Rapunzel was the first 3-D animated film and as usual, well-acclaimed and cherished to this day by children and adults alike. Since then, Disney has constantly improved and delivered blockbuster hits including the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

It would be certain to say the relationship between Disney and its audience is impeccable and can not be replaced. It doesn’t matter what your age is or however specific your genre is, there is a Disney movie to cater to that. It would be safe to conclude that, Disney will always touch us audience with its amazing cinematography. 

All Rights Reserved @magazinenerd

^Please do not copy and repost. Suitable action will be taken against any such infringement.

☆THANK YOU FOR READING!☆

[thirtysecondsmilano]

Do Companies Really Know How to Choose a Good Video Production Company? Creative Agency

A Technical and In-Depth Guide to Finding a Specialized Video Production Company

In the era of digitalization, video is the most powerful and influential communication medium available to companies. According to a recent report by Cisco, 82% of global internet traffic will be comprised of video, confirming the centrality of this format in digital communication. For this reason, relying on a high-quality video production company is no longer an optional choice, but a strategic necessity for brands looking to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. But how do you recognize a truly professional video production company? What technical skills must it possess? And why is it essential to rely on a company that can combine creativity and technical mastery to ensure results that truly impact the market?

The Distinctive Features of a Professional Video Production Company

A high-level video production company doesn’t just produce videos. It’s a multidisciplinary team that manages every aspect of content creation, from ideation to post-production, using cutting-edge tools and techniques in the field of digital cinematography. According to HubSpot, well-made videos have a 49% higher probability of generating conversions compared to other types of content. This means that the technical and creative quality of the video directly affects the success of the message and the business objectives.

What Type of Videos Does a Video Production Company Produce?

In most cases, video production companies produce various types of audiovisual content. These are referred to in various ways, and here we have listed the most commonly used terms, at least in Italy. However, we have found that the nomenclature is widely used across the globe.

Branding Videos

Branded Video Content

TV Spots / Advertisements

Corporate Videos

Industrial Videos (specializing in the recovery of production machinery and similar)

Real Estate Videos / Interior and Exterior Architecture

Product Videos

"How-To" Videos (tutorial videos)

All Variants of Corporate Videos

Animated Videos or Motion Graphics

A video production company handles all phases of the video production process.

 Many of these relate to social media promotion. We create tailor-made videos that can be accessed both on social media and on traditional media channels in the target country. Every aspect of these specific tasks is essential for the success of the project.

The agency's experience allows the client to become actively involved in the pre-production and production project, realizing that even small adjustments can slow down and even increase production costs by 300%. For this reason, it is essential to know the preparation phases from the beginning, so as not to be overwhelmed and bewildered by the number of roles and tasks that a video production company should have. Let’s look at some (these are just the main ones):

Developing audiovisual marketing strategies with the client

Organizing pre-production and production aspects

Media planning and distribution

Proper location research, local experience

Casting the actors who will participate in the video

Costumes and sets

Using creative consultants and industry studies, if necessary

Creating scripts and subjects tailored to the client

Authorizations, permits, and safety for internal and external sets

Composition of custom and original music

Editing in post-production

Let’s take an example:

 good surgeons in the operating room without their entire team will likely struggle to achieve excellent results. Therefore, to reach a great goal, good surgeons must necessarily have their trusted team with proven experience. Just like Valentino Rossi, one of the best Italian motorcyclists, who had to have an excellent technical team that allowed him to achieve certain goals. An outsider might say that a good motorcyclist just needs to know how to ride the bike, but that’s not the case. In reality, the team consists of the chief mechanic, the telemetry technician, the coach and analyst, 4 mechanics, engineers, etc. We bring you these examples just to help you understand the commitment and the team you must have to achieve good results in video productions; even for those that may seem “simple,” planning and organizing a valid team is essential.

Just as Valentino’s engineers use their knowledge and expertise to help the rider go faster, a director needs their director of photography.

Every person is indispensable and cannot be replaced. We study carefully, light, and direct every single shot to ensure it is grammatically correct and evokes that particular emotion.

Thirty Seconds Milano creates unique and innovative projects thanks to experienced professionals who craft a truly unique story. Therefore, using Valentino Rossi's metaphor, if you want to win, you need a reliable and capable team. At Thirty Seconds, we truly love what we do, and for every project, we work with special teams that perform this incredible job.

We differentiate ourselves from classic video production companies because we have 20 years of experience, offer a wide range of services, and can manage all projects from concept to creation. In addition to standard filming services, we can offer:

Pre-production and production

Social strategies regarding the videos we produce

Planning and research for reference media

Organization and creativity for corporate events

Video marketing

At Thirty Seconds Milano, you will have the following services:

Screenwriters

Casting Director

Press Office

Photographers who can take behind-the-scenes images

Experts who can create the video storyboard

Writers who can create a script

A marketing team that can help promote the video and ensure its success

And much more

Today, even more than yesterday, it is important to take into account these statistical aspects that concern all marketing offices of large companies and beyond.

69% of marketing and sales departments have used video marketing in the last year, and 31% plan to use it again in the future.

Over 500 million users watch videos online.

82% of Twitter users watch videos on the popular social media platform.

75% of executives watch work-related videos every week.

54% share work-related videos with colleagues weekly.

93% of marketers use video for online marketing to influence sales or for communication needs.

Videos increase traffic by 160% and increase conversion rates by 80%.

The Importance of Video Production Phases The video production process is divided into several fundamental phases that, if neglected, can cause delays or increase production costs by up to 300%. Below is a description of the main tasks a video production company faces:

Developing audiovisual marketing strategies with the client

Organizing pre-production and production, including set planning and logistics

Media planning and strategic distribution

Researching suitable locations, evaluating the project’s needs

Casting participating actors

Costumes and set design, essential elements for constructing the visual world of the narrative

Involvement of creative consultants and industry studies when necessary

Creating customized scripts and subjects

Permissions, authorizations, and safety for external and internal shoots

Composition of original music, often custom-made

Editing and post-production, including visual effects and color correction

The Role of Professionals in the Cinematic Process The quality of a video production depends on the competence and cohesion of the creative and technical team. Every team member is essential for the success of the project, just as in an operating room where, without an expert team, even the best surgeon would not achieve the desired outcome. Similarly, in the world of motorcycle racing, Valentino Rossi achieved his goals thanks to the support of his technical team, consisting of mechanics, engineers, analysts, and telemetry specialists. The same applies to video production: every project requires a team of professionals collaborating to ensure the perfect execution of each scene.

The Role of the Director The director is the conductor of the production, responsible for the overall creative vision of the project. They supervise all aspects of the process, from the screenplay to post-production, ensuring that every detail reflects the narrative intent. The director works closely with the director of photography (DoP), the actors, and the technical team, significantly influencing the visual and narrative atmosphere of the video.

The Director of Photography (DoP) The director of photography is responsible for the images, the composition of the shots, and the lighting. They work closely with the director to translate the creative vision into tangible images, using high-quality lenses and equipment like steadycams, gimbals, and drones to capture dynamic and fluid shots. Thanks to their expertise, every shot is meticulously planned, ensuring that the lighting and camera angles contribute to the emotional impact of the scene.

The Creative Director The creative director is responsible for maintaining the visual consistency of the project, ensuring that all elements (set design, costumes, makeup) are in harmony with the creative concept of the video. They are also involved in brand development and the overall aesthetic design of the video, working closely with the director and the director of photography to ensure a harmonious and visually impactful result.

The Screenwriter and the Pre-Production Team The screenwriter creates the narrative foundation of the project, drafting a screenplay that will then be transformed into images. The screenplay is accompanied by the storyboard, a visual tool that allows for planning each individual shot before filming. The pre-production phase, managed by the production team, also includes location research, casting, and budget creation—activities that ensure the project runs smoothly.

Strategies, Technologies, Experience - We Know the Digital Market Video production companies develop THE ENTIRE VIDEO STRATEGY from scratch, carefully planning every single part, as they know that good planning and good pre-production allow the client to save both time and costs. A video production company must have excellent references, such as meeting deadlines, good command of language, being skilled communicators, and competent creatives.

Yes, it's a cost, but also an investment

Video production companies might seem expensive, but it's essential to consider the final result and the countless hours dedicated to the project, from story development to all aspects of pre- and post-production. There are hours of work involved in editing and just as many in production. Of course, much depends on the project and its duration. The real question to ask yourself is how important your project is and what its impact will be once published. It's better not to have a commercial video, or any type at all, than to have a poorly made video that fails to communicate what it should. This is why every single shot is meticulously crafted: each frame must evoke a specific mood, which can only be achieved through a deep understanding of the work.

5 Good Reasons to Choose a Professional Video Production Company:

Reason #1 - Save Time and Money At first glance, you might think we have a higher cost, but in reality, our ideas, experience, and many other factors will save you money and help create engagement with your target audience. We guarantee high-quality service thanks to cutting-edge cameras, experienced cinematographers, colorists, as well as the skills of directors, screenwriters, costume designers, set designers, makeup artists, and actors.

Reason #2 - Experience and Continuous Updates on New Technologies Our video production company is constantly updated through cutting-edge training. Sometimes, using a particular lens, choosing to shoot on a green screen, or showcasing a product with morphing techniques or 3D motion graphics can save you on expensive travel and locations.

Reason #3 - Media Planning (including social media) Based on our first meeting with the client, we can determine the production process and create versions designed for social media use. It's important not just to cut down a longer version but to produce various shorter versions of 10, 15, or 30 seconds depending on their intended use. For this reason, it’s crucial to plan from the outset how to shoot, ensuring we capture images suitable for “short stories” while still conveying the same emotional message. Furthermore, having collaborated with national media, we can identify exactly which media channels to use, yielding strong benefits from them.

Reason #4 - Flexibility and Understanding of the Desired Outcome The essence of a good video production company, besides choosing high-quality equipment for the project, lies in creativity and ideas. But how are those ideas transformed into images? Only through competent creative teams, creative directors, screenwriters, and storyboard artists can stunning results be achieved. Specialized video agencies can focus exclusively on video content. Brands have numerous requests, and the client will ultimately decide where and by whom to be guided during production. Statistics confirm that 78% of clients typically develop the project with those who created the story. A respectable video production company is very flexible and can certainly meet every need, even for the most demanding clients approaching video production for the first time.

Reason #5 - 360-Degree Experience - Past and Future To manage the present, one must know the past: what has worked in the past and why; which types of media work for a product and brand and which do not. We always suggest investing in national media to achieve better results in terms of brand awareness. We remember the beginning of advertising in Italy with Carosello in February 1957 and in the USA with Bulova in 1941. Knowing what has been done and the industry from a 360-degree perspective, from its evolution to today with the advent of social media and the increasingly brief ads broadcast via smartphones and especially online, is part of the background of a video production company.

Reasons to Rely on a Qualified Video Production Company Let’s delve into some statistical data to understand the importance of turning to a high-level video production company. The data is continually growing:

20 million people use YouTube, aged 26 to 60.

Online video is rapidly growing. The average viewing time has increased.

Over 8 million people watch YouTube.

More than 80% of brands acquire new customers through videos on social media, particularly on YouTube.

65% of customers confirm they purchased a product after watching a video.

We spend about 90 minutes a day watching video content. The data is rising sharply, with Asia leading the way. Source: Zenith

Do you understand how crucial it is to choose and invest in a professional video? That’s why it’s essential to rely on a specialized video production company.

Outcome: Users, your potential customers, are influenced by videos only if they are well-made and high quality; only this will impact their purchasing decisions.

Quality Characteristics of Professional Videos: To have a high-quality and effective video, attention must be paid to the following characteristics:

The video must be memorable.

The video must be honest, sincere, and truthful; it should not tell lies.

The video should encourage the consumer to buy or request information.

The video should be aesthetically pleasing and create interest.

The video must be audible. The choice of music and voiceover is important.

Marketing Manager - Marketing Offices - What to Know About Video Productions

A. What type of video does my company need? When choosing your video agency, you shouldn't just rely on the type of videos in their portfolio; indeed, they may never have made videos related to your industry of interest, but that doesn’t mean the agency doesn’t know how to create something that works for you. We suggest evaluating the agency not based on their experience or the type of clients in their portfolio, but especially on the creativity that emerges from initial meetings.

B. First Meeting with the Agency The first meeting with the video agency should give you an idea of what the relationship with them will be like. You should observe how the agency behaves initially, how involved they are, and how much they believe in the project. The first approach will be to gather as much information as possible; it may seem like a waste of time, but in reality, a good agency works a lot during the pre-production phase.

C. Great Technique and Little Creativity How well does the agency understand B2B or B2C? Can they differentiate the type of audience the video is aimed at? You should ask them these questions because it’s crucial that the agency understands the target audience and, consequently, what types of shots to make. In conclusion, the agency must have high-quality equipment and be proficient in shooting techniques, but it’s also essential that they have good creativity and a strategy that characterize the heart of the video.

D. Each to Their Own Role It may happen that initial meetings are with the account/commercial side of the agency. It’s important to ensure that, after an initial phase of mutual acquaintance, you establish immediate contact with the creative team of the video agency. Usually, the director, who is often also a creative producer, will have good proposals, almost always assisted by the creative director. Some agencies rely on foreign freelancers, while others have in-house staff. In our experience, it’s always better to refresh certain creative roles and rely on specific skills for each project so that every requirement is integrated into the respective project. The important thing is to maintain a stable team without changes along the way.

Video production companies around the world, and particularly in Italy, help businesses and brands engage the audience through the creation of emotional, high-quality, and impactful videos. In summary, the essential requirements that a video production company must have are as follows:

High-quality equipment

Creativity

Experience

Quick delivery

Clients in portfolio

Thirty Seconds Milano is the Best Video Production Company in Italy In an ever-evolving landscape like video marketing, Thirty Seconds Milano has established itself as the leading video production company in Italy. With a team of highly specialized professionals, cutting-edge technologies, and limitless creativity, we can transform any idea into a high-quality audiovisual product. With over 20 years of experience, we offer our clients a comprehensive range of services, from pre-production to distribution, ensuring excellent results at every stage of the process.

[where-dreams-dwell]

Thinking again about the Eternals and how bad they fumbled that potential. Because you have an Oscar winning director, who ensures breathtaking cinematography, solid performances from capable and exciting actors, with set pieces and choreography that is honesty very good.

And you fuck it up with the script.

It’s the same issue we had with Batman v Superman: there’s 3 good movies fighting for space in 1 film.

Firstly you could focus on relationships, exploring the found family/ageless guardians/eternal love story route with the ‘urgent problem’ just being a more powerful or capable version of the Deviants. From Friends, to The Umbrella Academy, via The Avengers, Avatar the Last Airbender, Big Hero 6 - we love a found family trope, especially if they’ve been brought (back)together to save the world. Ultimately the other Eternals are the only beings on the planet who can truly understand and empathise with each other so let’s explore and show that bond. Tell their story across the ages of the Earth with proper time spent to flesh out these conflicts and moments which define the group as a whole and how they individually relate to one another.

Tell the eternal love story of Sersi and Icarus, but consider the view of the brilliant Only Lovers Left Alive: Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swindon convincingly portray an ageless love, unconcerned with immediate worries. They are currently living apart but both know that eventually they will make their way back to one another, and they are in constant contact across the globe. Sersi and Icarus could be that: they have been/are/will be together but as they measure life by millions of years living separately for a couple of decades is nothing. They will be drawn back together again and in their hearts only the other can truly know and love them for all that they are. Explore this while they fight for the planet they both have come to love.

Or consider the less brilliant but arguably more entertaining eternal love in Hitchcock: Charlize Theron and Will Smith are thousands of years old and have been driven apart by circumstance but now Charlize loves another man and wants to spend his moral lifespan with him. Both acknowledge that it’s inevitable they will be together again as some point in the future but for the next 60ish years they will live apart so she can experience that love. Maybe in the time they’ve been apart Sersi has come to love another and now that war has brought Icarus back into her life and they have to fight together their different assumptions are being tested; Icarus assumed they would fall back into their love, while Sersi wants another 60 years with her mortal lover. All to the backdrop of fighting to wipe out The Deviants forever and be released from their duty.

Secondly you could tell the story of soldiers betrayed by their general and commander, using the same plot from the actual movie. The Eternals are foot soldiers stationed to defend the human population and have devoted their lives to their growth and safety. They’ve even stood aside when other threats revealed themselves (the MCU up to this point) because their mission was Celestially Ordained and to deviate from it would compromise their purpose. To realise that devotion was twisted and they must now stand aside and allow those they spent their lives protecting to die horribly would be traumatic; explore and tell that story. Again we love an underdog discovering they have been lied to or used and turning on their previous corrupt commander; Mission Impossible, Gladiator, all the Bourne movies. We *like* the story of cogs in the machine realising they have been used and standing up for their principals. Have them discover this news earlier and the movie then deals with their decision to accept their assigned role or rebel against their commander. Add Athena’s PTSD and past memory revelations to bring home the stakes of their choice, with a ticking clock counting down to ‘emergence’, and you’ve got a real tragedy brewing,

Furthermore, weave in the power struggle between Sersi and Icarus regarding who will be leading them with Ajax dead. Icarus is the loud and commanding ‘leader” type stepping forward to assume command, but Sersi is the reassuring rock for the team who each member finds themself turning to for advice, guidance, or to ask what she wants to do next with the expectation they will follow her. Or Ajax isn’t dead here but Icarus has fallen in line as her loyal lieutenant, assuming the rest would follow his lead. Instead of the eternal love story being the focus it’s instead a clashing of ideologies and personalities; upon learning of the betrayal and their assumed role Icarus and Sersi react very differently, showcasing what kind of leader they would be. The team being forced to fight one another as they also split along lines of ‘acceptable collateral’ allows for personal stakes and drama for the audience as well; we’ve spent the movie learning about this family and now they’re being forced to destroy one another…? In the words (and voice) of Benoit Blanc ‘it compels me’.

Finally, you could tell the mystery of an unknown threat present on the planet who takes out Ajax without warning or explanation. The team must gather or be gathered to solve the whodunnit, assuming Deviant involvement despite flimsy and unconvincing evidence, and the shared mystery brings the group together once more, forcing them to confront buried history and historic disputes while they plan an attack on the remaining clusters of Deviants. The Umbrella Academy S1 followed similar lines but you’ve got a list of movies that also circle this plot: R.E.D, The A Team, Watchmen. The revelation of betrayal from within doesn’t need to go hand in hand with the Celestials betrayal plot , as long as Icarus has another reason for turning on the team.

This plot could dive more into the tensions and strain of their posting to Earth; they’ve had different opinions on how problems with humans should be solved, leading to fall outs and separations. Sometimes one or other of them has ‘called it wrong’ and another has had to come bail them out of a situation they created. But what unites them was a shared purpose and assumption that they would what’s have one another. Losing that surety is scary and forces character exploration.

All of these ideas were present in the actual movie, but were fighting for screen time to do their plot lines justice. The Eternals was such an interesting concept and honestly was executed well in so many regards. But trying to tell all these tales, while also encompassing the breadth of time and circumstance they encompass, and allow for personality and individuality in each team member to be showcased… that movie is bursting at the seams and the poorer for it.

[terranoctis]

Favorites of May

For May, I made more of an effort to read and watch stories that are foreign and non-English. Love of foreign film is nothing new for me personally, but it should still be reiterated how many good films there are in the world. As the famous Bong Joon Ho once said at the Golden Globes, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” This is longest list of favorites thus far because I mostly chose foreign films that I've heard about and those stem usually from recommendations or good reviews--likely because these films are top-tier international films.

I want to add that it's extremely difficult to find international live plays and musicals subbed in English. I hope subbed live plays and musicals becomes a more prevalent and accessible part of international film and media import in the future for a Western audience member like myself. Shoutout to Tanz der Vampire and Death Note the Musical though for being subbed by fans!

Films

Dance of the Vampires: The Musical (2005) I will admit I was pleasantly surprised to see this and liked it more than I thought I would. It's my first non-English musical I've seen and I'm glad I saw the original German version before I ever saw the Broadway adaptation (which apparently alters much of it). It's pretty fun and good. Is it a little over-the-top and sort of goofy and horny at times? Yes, but that's kind of it's charm. The music is fantastic. As someone who loves orchestral overtures and rock, the musical has a fantastic blend of both and notably incorporates "Total Eclipse of the Heart" into its music as well (apparently the musical and the song are both by the same composer). It's a musical that embraces its goofiness while still being dramatic and serious at key moments. This is the only musical I know that has a whole song about how much they love garlic! It's a fun watch about vampires.

Perfect Days (2023) Perfect Days is a film that somehow beautifully captures Japan and a man's simple life as a toilet-cleaner through a minimalist lens. There's structure to the film, in the way the main character Hirayama wakes every day to follow his routine schedule and works to the fullest -- and somehow that routine in all the little moments informs us much about his life and how he sees the world, especially when there are little alterations to it with situations that occur. There are some of the most beautiful shots and frames in cinematography I've seen of quite mundane scenes that I loved, and it's perhaps one of the best things about this film. His day-to-day is broken up at times by haunting, hazy dreams he has each night and interspersed with a collection of fantastic songs from his cassette tapes. You can look at the film in two ways, where it's kind of sad because this man has isolated himself as an introvert--or you can find the beauty in the small things and how he lives. And in my opinion, it's both. Life comes that way, and he's experiencing the happiness as it comes (the shots of him looking up into the sky and sun), but also will feel the intense sadness as it does as well, as noted by the ending where he's driving and crying. His life will stay routine, but that's life--it has both the good and the bad that make you feel emotions. "Komorebi" defines sunlight filtering through trees and I think that word perfectly captures this film. There's beauty in his mundane life that brings happiness and those fleeting connections with people. For a film where not much progress in a plot happens (in the traditional sense) for the first half of it, I somehow loved it. There's a sort of zen, relaxing feeling to the film that also deals with a man's complicated feelings towards his family and connections to people. I related wholeheartedly to this film in a strange way.

Persepolis (2007) I've heard about this film before in a good light, but as I didn't know the source material, I was very much surprised (in a good way) about its focus and manner of execution. The film balances humor and serious matters in such a fantastic way through its black-and-white comic-book style. It's about a time of upheaval and conflict in Iran, which obviously is a distressing situation for those living there, but it's also about a child growing up and looking at the world with great curiosity and that punk-rock attitude of youth. There was a review I read briefly after I watched the film that captured it quite succinctly for me--it's somehow both the funniest and most depressing story. It's a rough time in Iran with the main character growing up, but the small hilarious moments interspersed between scenes of conflict somehow don't contrast the rough situation the character is subject to--only enhances and humanizes the character more. I love it. As someone who is American and is often witness to the way Western media portrays those from Iran and reduces them often to the stories of conflicts and terrorism, this story--this movie--does a beautiful job of portraying the wonderful culture and life of a girl who grew up in Iran, even in the midst of conflict and her life as a foreigner abroad. Of course, it's not a portrait of every Iranian's experience in similar circumstances, but it's a telling biographical picture of the author's experience in animation, which is pretty fascinating in itself to me. It's also rather informative of life in Iran and its culture from someone who disagreed with some of the more restrictive natures of its culture while also simultaneously taking pride in being Iranian.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) Umbrellas is often listed on top hundred film lists I sometimes look over to keep in mind films I might want to watch in the future, and after having seen it, it is definitely one of the most quintessential films for good reason. It's the first film, I think, that is entirely musical and it's charmingly done with how the dialogue is portrayed in all sing-song language. I used to think that kind of film was cheesy, but Umbrellas of Cherbourg executes it in the best way that matches film by doing dubbing and allowing the actors to act without having to worry too much about how they sound. All the music is composed in such a compelling and charming manner that I can't help but enjoy it. The color palette of the film as well as how it's filmed is beautiful, saturated with vivid colors that is quite unique. I can see how this film has influenced in terms of aesthetic so many modern films I've seen and inspired modern musical films as well. This is a film that feels like the natural predecessor to La La Land, not only for its music and sets, but also its ending. Though La La Land is more hopeful in framing its tragic ending for the pair we followed, this film allows you to grieve it in all the sweeping music. It's perhaps the most iconic of the foreign I've seen this month in its framing.

Chungking Express (1994) Could I ever really be a true Asian cinephile if I have never seen a Wong Kar Wai film? Probably not. He won't be for everyone, and there are aspects of this film if taken literally are problematic, but if I interpret it in a metaphoric way (as I did) and let myself stew in the sort of dreamlike state the movie evokes, it's rather charming. I liked this film more than I thought I would. I understand now why people like his films because I was enraptured with this one. The shots he has through glass are some of my favorites, but in general, all of the way the film is framed and filmed is beautiful and unique. It also evokes that memory of love and loneliness everyone has had. Sometimes you meet people at the right time--sometimes you don't. Love is transient because it also changes for everyone. One day you might like pineapples, one day you might not. Never quite seen a film that depicts the transient relationships you have in life as charmingly as this one.

After Life (1998) I don't think this is anywhere near my top-favorite film of the month and it is for certain my least favorite of the Koreeda films I've seen, but somehow it is the film I thought about the most after I watched it this month. For that, I do think it deserves to be part of this list. This is one of Hirokazu Koreeda's first films, and I believe the first film he directed that he personally wrote as well. A thing I learned about watching this and some interviews from his cinematographer was that Koreeda's roots were from documentaries, and it shows in this film. The film focuses on people who've passed away and the limbo they go into before they pass on, which consists of a social building where they are to select one memory that they carry with them into eternity. The memory they select is recreated by the team of counselors in the state of limbo (creating a film is like recreating a memory in some ways, after all), individuals themselves who were unable to select one memory to pass on with or are individuals who decided to stay and help others pass on. It's strange to think about what singular memory you would choose, your happiest memory, to carry on with you--and the movie poses that question to people from all walks of life. The film presents itself in a documentary way when it interviews the people who has passed on--and also beautifully demonstrates the power of how memory and knowing the way a memory has changed someone is utterly powerful. There was something so poignant about how happiness and memory is addressed, particularly with the way the two main leads deal with it as one of them meets the husband of the woman he never got to marry. There is something so quietly beautiful about the pair of leads staring up at the moon, contrived or not, in that old building they live in. There is something so utterly beautiful about realizing how you played a role in someone else's happiness and choosing that to be the memory you carry with you.

La Haine (1995) Considering the modern-day relevance we've witnessed as a society with police brutality and marginalization of some identities and the violence surrounding them, La Haine feels utterly devastating in the way it portrays the life of three young men in the Parisian outskirts. The creeping (and explosive) anger from someone in the Parisian suburbs that is not unlike those of individuals from the projects or the worst city suburbs of the U.S. in a system that constantly disrespects them can be felt throughout the film. Visually, the film displays in such a gritty manner the volatile nature of these neighborhoods and its multicultural people in the face of marginalization and how their lives circle around violence. The film is also simply a film about three young friends out on a typical night together, and that makes the tragedy of its ending all the worst, because you know it's not how you fall that matters, it's how you land. The film starts with those words and ends on those words in such a haunting way that reframes it by the very end and you can't help but be haunted by the whole film. Society is in a free fall, but how is it landing? The film leaves you with that question. The film has some of the best cinematography and blocking I've seen in an urban setting, with some shots I will remember for years to come. Its three leads share a remarkable chemistry that depicts very well friends similar to ones I've grown up with and I admired how genuine the film felt for it. Thematically still a rather relevant film today.

The Battle of Algiers (1966) I want to be clear that this wasn't a film I enjoyed watching, as most of my favorite films tend to be. It is a film that I find haunting for how relevant it is even today. Though it is about the French-Algerian conflict and revolution which I personally know very little about, it still portrays its conflict in a way that I can recognize today, much like what I see going on with the Palestine-Israel conflict and other more recent conflicts (even those less overt than a revolution). It's a film that controversially was filmed only several years after the actual conflict it is about, but made all the more special for it. Realistically captures in a documentary-like, neorealism style the conflict and the people of both the Algerian and French sides. Its use of sounds is great at establishing the tensions of the individuals involved, and the scenes with crowds look phenomenally similar to how I see crowds and revolutions in the news. Though I can't say I would watch this again because of how heavy I sort of feel watching it, I do think it's a film everyone should see at least once in their life (thus why it's on my list this month). On a technical level, it's top-notch too for its time.

Swing Kids (2018) This Korean musical film is fun in a way musical films usually are, but it is also heartbreaking and tragic in a way that belies its initial demeanor. Though it takes place in a prisoner of war camp, it starts in a way in which you might hope for a happy ending with different individuals overcoming their differences. About halfway through the film though, the film reminds you viscerally of the fact that this is a war and they are prisoners of that war, all of them. The characters we follow certainly overcome their differences by dancing, but it doesn't stop the rhythm of ideological differences and how those in power will commit horrific war crimes to smother such differences, regardless of how the dancers might want to say "fuck ideology." The ending is tragic, but somehow hauntingly realistic. I liked this film way more than I expected I would have. The film is somewhat messy in its construction and some of its writing is ham-fisted, but it also balances out by having nuanced perspectives on people of different backgrounds. There's also one long scene of the male lead and the female lead dancing the same dance in different places and it's one of my favorite edited long takes of a dance scene in film. Metaphorically, it also shows them breaking down all the barriers and bounding across different places of the camp in such a wild and free manner, breaking past gates and protestors. This parallel to a scene at the end where the male lead tries to visually break out past the stage to stop his brother from killing everyone showcases how even his dance fails to sort of "break" past that and is stopped in place by his brother and the onslaught of conflict in a war. I thought that was such a nice (and tragic) touch there, whether it was intentional or not. For all its messes and difficulty balancing what is a fun dance film with what is a war film, the film tugged emotionally at my heartstrings.

Literature

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami I can't say I've been subjected to the level of bullying in this book, but I can relate to the kind of isolating human experience of it. The book is somewhat rather bleak in its depiction of bullying, but it's also a sort of testament to endurance and how people think, whether they are the individual being bullied or are the bully themselves. I can't say it's really among my favorite books, but I did feel for it... and there's something so poignant about two bullied kids just writing to each other that got me in the beginning.

Music

I find that my music favorites of the month have started reflecting or relating to the movies I watch each month, and this month really showcases that! Most of my favorites this month were non-English songs.

"Good Night," Utada Hikaru An animated film that I watched at the beginning of this month called "Penguin Highway" had this as its ending song. I liked the movie quite a bit, but it was a little too convoluted to make my favorites list of the month. However, as a film about meeting someone and losing them for incomprehensible reasons--and the beauty of the world you had with them, no matter how strange, the song hit such a strong chord with me as the credits rolled.

"Feeling Good," by Nina Simone I've always liked this song every time I've heard it over the years, but I never quite looked it up until I heard it in the last scene of Perfect Days. It's honestly one of the best songs of all time for me, a timeless classic.

"Dreams," by Faye Wong I love this song. As a cover of The Cranberries' song of the same name, it's a great mix of that classic rock I like and a wonderful voice from Faye Wong. This played in Chungking Express and made me fall in love with it instantly.

"Simple and Clean (Re-recording)," Utada Hikaru I have the distinct memory of hearing Simple and Clean for the first time on an English commercial between some cartoon shows as a kid, in an advertisement for Kingdom Hearts. It started a lifelong love for Utada Hikaru's music. The re-recording is beautiful and nostalgic all at once. Kind of funny I have two favorites this month from Utada.

"Moves" by Suki Waterhouse Suki's music has been growing on me in the past month and I found this song of hers from two years ago that I love. She has the kind of music that I like to blast on my own while I'm taking a walk and thinking about everything. This song in particular though encapsulates so well when you're in love with someone who's apprehensive of being in love. Love that slow guitar and drums.

[denimbex1986]

'Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the film industry has been having a renaissance. Celebrities are essential influencers in our modern society, and people have been flocking to movie theaters to see their favorite stars. Additionally, many people have turned into passionate theater-goers not just to see the latest heartthrob, but also because of the movies themselves. During the pandemic, many, including myself, turned to different forms of media like movies as a form of escapism when the world outside our homes was chaotic, confusing and scary. As that current climate persists on a global scale, the public continues to find solace in leaving reality behind to enter a different one and become completely immersed in a story and its characters.

Specifically, many turned to fantastical stories as a form of escaping reality. For example, the Marvel franchise and superhero movies have exponentially grown in popularity over the past decade with audiences young and old enjoying stories where the good guys win and the bad guys lose on an epic scale. However, people don’t just watch superhero movies for the moral code; superhero movies contain extravagant stunts, interesting costumes and character building that allows people to identify with those on the screen and the world they exist in.

This year, “Poor Things” made waves for its fascinating cinematography and costuming. Despite sparking some ethical discussions, it is difficult not to lose yourself in the elaborate set design, eccentric characters and colorful costuming when watching the film. Not only this, but as the film industry continues to make more money, movie-making becomes more lavish and dramatic as a result of immense funding. Even though the film followed a real person and true historical events, “Oppenheimer” attracted audiences with grand-scale action sequences and sweeping cinematography. Despite being based on history that happened (in the grand scheme of things) not too long ago, the movie itself felt like it was of another world, allowing viewers to submerge themselves completely in the story and leave today’s reality at the door.

Despite humanity and society on a global scale feeling rather disastrous, people still gravitate towards human-centered stories. Even though many movies came out in 2023 that were grandiose and impressive, some of the most popular films of the year were the least elaborate and, at their core, human. “The Iron Claw” felt similar to “Oppenheimer” in the sense that while they were both real-life stories, they felt like they existed in an entirely different world.

In “The Iron Claw,” the viewer enters the denim-clad, shaggy-haired era that was the 80’s and 90’s with intensive wrestling stunts. However, at the heart of the film is a difficult, human-centered story that focuses on the love the Von Erich brothers had for one another in the face of continuous tragedy and hardships. In addition, movies like “Past Lives” and “All of Us Strangers” focus on themes of love, family relationships, cultural agility, sexuality and how much our parents screw us all up, of which everyone can identify with at least one. These films were both people-centered (well, despite Andrew Scott’s ghost parents in “All of Us Strangers”), real and raw, pulling at the heartstrings of audiences all over the globe. My favorite film of the year was “American Fiction,” which is another phenomenal example of the stories centered around issues very applicable to the audiences viewing them, including family (again), love, the arts and race, specifically in the United States.

Even though the world can be scary, hard-to-deal-with, enraging and hurtful, we have beautiful resources like movies to help us escape to another world for a while, especially when the one we reside in gets too difficult. Despite that, people still look towards relatable, human stories, even when they’re looking for a distraction. You would think in a world like the one we live in today, everyone would be seeking stories with worlds vastly different than our own to truly escape to another place.

But, continuously, people reach for stories about other people and seek characters with experiences that mirror our own. Human-centered films are still essential in our society. While we may not experience the same escapism a fantastical world could provide us, movies about people help us feel connected to one another in times of great divide and anguish as a society. I think these films remind us of the good parts of humanity but more so just how similar we all are. So yes, while fantasticism is fun, exciting, and allows audiences to get heavily immersed and involved, people will continue to seek human-centered films for the same reason humanity has always been interested in art: to see a piece of ourselves reflected in the mirror held up by the artist and to be able to say to ourselves, “I am not alone out here in this world that can feel so big.”'

[cleoenfaserum]

THE GREAT DEBATER (2007)

When you see a good movie, well, that should be the norm. So what constitutes a good movie? Here's an acceptable definition or description of what makes a good film from the internet (The 5 Key Ingredients To A Good Movie - FilmDaft). The key ingredients that make a movie “good” are when the acting, directing, writing, cinematography, and overall production value come together to tell one cohesive, entertaining, and impactful story. Like a good meal with all the right ingredients for a palatable experience. This movie was not good, it was beyond good, it was excellent, great, but see for yourself.

THE GREAT DEBATER

DIRECTED BY DENZEL WASHINGTON

A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Tolson was a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small African-American college in the Deep South into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure, Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the time and was under constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods as well as his radical political views. In their pursuit for excellence, Tolson's debate team receives a groundbreaking invitation to debate Harvard University's championship team. Awards 2007: Nominated for Golden Globe: Best Movie Drama.

IMdB: 7'5 BIOGRAPHY-DRAMA-ROMANCE RUNTIME: 2h 6m

LINK: https://ok.ru/video/2563822979782

[myfrenzi]

The Art of Cinematography: Visually Stunning Films on OTT

The Art of Cinematography: Visually Stunning Films on OTT

Hey there, fellow movie buffs! If you’re like me, you not only love a good story but also appreciate the magic of stunning visuals on the big screen. Thankfully, Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms bring the beauty of cinematography right to your living room. So, let’s embark on a journey through the world of visually stunning films on OTT, and discover the best movies on OTT that are a treat for the eyes.

Painting Stories with Light

Cinematography is the art of capturing images on film or digital media. It’s like painting a picture with light and shadows, and some movies take this art to a whole new level. Here are a few that will leave you in awe:

1. “Blade Runner 2049” (2017)

Best Movies on OTT: This sci-fi masterpiece is a visual feast. Its futuristic world, drenched in neon lights and holographic advertisements, creates a mesmerizing atmosphere.

2. “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)

Best Movies on OTT: This action-packed film is a symphony of chaos and color. The arid, post-apocalyptic landscapes and high-octane car chases make it a visual spectacle.

3. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014)

Best Movies on OTT: Wes Anderson is known for his meticulous framing and vibrant color palettes. This film’s whimsical visuals are a treat for the eyes.

Nature’s Beauty

Sometimes, the most breathtaking visuals are found in the world around us. These films make nature a central character:

1. “The Revenant” (2015)

Best Movies on OTT: This survival epic showcases the rugged beauty of the wilderness. Its long takes and natural lighting immerse you in the harsh environment.

2. “Life of Pi” (2012)

Best Movies on OTT: The film’s stunning ocean scenes and the surreal world of Pi’s journey with a Bengal tiger are nothing short of cinematic magic.

3. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013)

Best Movies on OTT: Walter Mitty’s globe-trotting adventures are a visual delight. From the Icelandic landscapes to the streets of New York, it’s a visual journey.

Historical Aesthetics

Period films transport us to different eras with their attention to detail. Here are some historical gems:

1. “The Shape of Water” (2017)

Best Movies on OTT: Guillermo del Toro’s film is a visual fairy tale. The underwater sequences and the creature design are a testament to its visual brilliance.

2. “Dunkirk” (2017)

Best Movies on OTT: Christopher Nolan’s war epic is a visual and auditory masterpiece. The way it captures the chaos of World War II is nothing short of breathtaking.

3. “The Favourite” (2018)

Best Movies on OTT: This period drama is visually opulent. The lavish costumes and the grandeur of Queen Anne’s court are a visual feast.

Animation Wonders

Animation isn’t just for kids; it can be a visual marvel for all ages:

1. “Coco” (2017)

Best Movies on OTT: Pixar’s “Coco” is a celebration of Mexican culture, and its vibrant depiction of the Land of the Dead is visually stunning.

2. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018)

Best Movies on OTT: This animated superhero film pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in animation. Its unique visual style is a game-changer.

3. “Spirited Away” (2001)

Best Movies on OTT: Hayao Miyazaki’s films are known for their breathtaking animation. “Spirited Away” takes you on a visually enchanting journey through a magical world.

Where to Find Visual Delights

So, where can you watch these visually stunning films on OTT? Well, popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ have a treasure trove of such movies. They understand the value of a cinematic masterpiece.

Wrapping Up

The art of cinematography is about making the ordinary look extraordinary and the extraordinary look out-of-this-world. These visually stunning films on OTT do just that. The next time you’re wondering what to watch on OTT, consider these films that are not just stories but visual experiences.

FAQs

What makes a film visually stunning? A visually stunning film often has exceptional cinematography, attention to detail, creative use of color and light, and a unique visual style that enhances the storytelling.

Are these visually stunning films suitable for kids? While some of these films are family-friendly, others may have mature themes or content. It’s a good idea for parents to check the film’s rating and content before watching with children.

Do I need a high-quality screen to appreciate these films? While a high-quality screen and sound system can enhance the viewing experience, the artistry of these films can still be appreciated on most devices.

Are there visually stunning films in genres other than those mentioned here? Absolutely! Visual excellence can be found in various film genres, from sci-fi and fantasy to drama and romance. Explore different genres to discover more visual gems.

Can I watch these films for free on OTT platforms? Some OTT platforms offer a selection of films for free with ads or as part of their subscription service, while others may require rental or purchase. Check the specific platform for details.

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PART 1.

MOVIE REVIEW

Ethan Hunt and the IMF team must track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than the mission. Not even the ones he cares about the most.

My only thought while watching this movie was I wish this franchise would just end while it has some dignity left.

Just for some context, I have only seen Fallout and pieces of the rest of the Mission Impossible Franchise. I am not exactly a fan of the franchise, but I do enjoy a good action flick. After being pleasantly surprised with Fallout, I was greatly looking forward with to Dead Reckoning, as the Mission Impossible Franchise gets better with each consecutive film. Sadly, to my surprise I found myself bored with Dead Reckoning as its one repetitive and predictable game of who is the best pick pocketer.

Through the course of Dead Reckoning we follow numerous characters trying to get their hands on a MacGuffin Key. The key with the ability to control/destroy the evil artificial intelligence. However, each character has different agendas of what to do with the key as it is constantly pickpocketed from one character to the next. This plot device gets very boring and repetitive very quickly as it's the main force driving the story forward. The main antagonist is hardly used, and only comes in when the plot deems it necessary. Then when the male characters have plot armor that is a mile thick, it's hard to sense that our characters are in danger. However, the films biggest crime is that the action pieces were obviously written before the actual story. This, with all the other elements creates a paper thin story, where the action pieces are the main force keeping the audience entertained. Which is nothing unheard of for this franchise but surprisingly the action pieces were a mess.

In concept, the action pieces could have been spectacular to watch. However, these pieces are drawn out much longer than what they should be and is filled with jarring editing and laughable choreography. It's especially obvious in the hand-to-hand combat scenes. For example, there is one fight that happens in a very narrow ally. During the fight, we are constantly switched to a new camera shot every second. If they kept it to one or two shots, then it could have worked, but because there is sever its really jarring. Then when it's cuts to Rebecca Ferguson dancing with a sword (that is what the fight choreography looks like), it's laughable. It felt like the editing team had an impossible job of trying to cover up the actors aging physique with flashy editing and dark cinematography. It's not the actors fault because aging is natural, but its obvious that the fights are not as clean as they used to be.

Now with all Mission Impossible movies, the natural charm and charisma of the actors is what holds the acting together as they power through some atrocious lines of dialogue. Tom Cruise is naturally charismatic as he returns as Ethan Hunt. He doesn't add anything new to the character, but is still entertaining. Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames had some great banter with Cruise and were entertaining to watch. Rebecca Ferguson role is greatly reduced as she is sideline to make way for the new Bond Girl, Hayley Atwell. Atwell's natural charm as a master thief holds her character mostly together. Pom Klementieff was a standout as a silent killer, Paris. Then Esai Morales returns to his villainous role as Gabriel, but doesn't really felt villainous to me, as the actor powers through bad writing.

Overall, if you are a fan of this franchise you are most likely will love this latest installment. There are some fun scenes scattered through out with some great comedic banter. However, if you are indifferent or not a fan of this franchise like me, then you are most likely not going to like this installment. It follows the same story beats as the rest of the franchise and doesn't do anything new outside of Tom Cruise death wish of dying while performing a stunt.

My Rating: C