What's Going To Happen Next

David Lowery has a command of the medium. It shows in every second of footage I've seen from 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints'.

Anne Thompson did an interview with the director (very worth watching) in which he said he wanted each shot to have a purpose, and you certainly feel that. I haven't seen pure fluff shots from Lowery.

Lowery shoots so that you want to know what's just out of frame. How that is an indicator of good camera work I don't know, but I've noticed the same sort of thing in (good) movies that aren't shot with classical camera technique -- ones that use a lot of hand-held camera. Conversely, if you're wondering what's out of frame in a movie with classical camera work, it's often a sign of poor framing (although there must be times when everything is done just so and you still want to know what's out of frame).

Thompson mentions how Lowery has been compared to Terrence Malick. You can see the similarity but, to me, Lowery's work has more forward motion. You wonder what's going to happen next.

Malick's camera often meanders. Lowery's camera just looks like it's meandering when, really, it's purposeful and precise.

'Only God Forgives' Clip

This movie gets under my skin. Not often that happens.

Nicholas Winding Refn shoots in an atmospheric way, akin to Terrence Malick, except with a much more immediacy and plot energy. Scenes are captivating and repulsive in equal measure. You try to turn away but can't because you're entranced, staring and slack-jawed, then the next shot starts and it's worse/better. The effect is breathtaking.

Ryan Gosling's character is seriously compromised -- exactly what's required for good story.

Right now 'Only God Forgives' is looking like required viewing.

























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New 'To The Wonder' Trailer Really Has That Malick Touch

There's a lot of touching going on. Out of curiosity I counted about 25 shots where people touch and 40 where nobody touches or that contain no people. There are only a few shots with two or more people where nobody touches -- maybe 3 or 4.

I'll be doing a more comprehensive work up later.



















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Like The Cover Of A Novel

Strictly a rental, but must-see.

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French Trailer for 'To The Wonder'

Even more perfume commercial-y than the US version which I thought came off as a bit of an affectation. Of course, saying that is redundant, yes? That's Malick's style. That's what he does. It's not affectation, it's the way he shoots movies.

As is, judging from the trailers, if you liked 'Tree of Life' 'To The Wonder' will be a pleasure. If you didn't, it looks like this movie has more of what you didn't like about the other movie and it's even more well done. So, it's either more likable or more not likable, depending.

But really, admit it, if you didn't know it was a trailer for a feature film would you be surprised if an insert shot of a bottle of perfume appeared at the end?

'To The Wonder' perfume...available at finer stores everywhere.

A la merveille Bande-annonce VO

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Is Malick-esque Becoming an Affectation?

It's nice, with an approach that's immediately recognizable. The fast around-the-corner pans, wide angle closeups, extremely low shots. All very nice. Next, we'll get a poster that bloggers will rave about. Very nice. But, then comes the movie, which not many will see, not many (regular) people will talk about, and few will understand.

Atmospheric and contemplative is all good and well, but watching this trailer it almost seems as if someone is imitating Malick. It's (almost) as if a film student made this as a 'study', if you will, of this acclaimed director's style. But, it's not 'somebody', it's Malick and I can't help but wonder if the approach is a substitute for filmmaking that people want to see. Is this highly technical camera work self-serving? Is the plot twisted into ambiguous turns for their own sake? Has Malick's mission become simply to construct movies for audiences to watch and wonder about but not really get, enjoy, or be entertained by?

And, plot? Well, we get no clue here. The thing is, though, what exactly the movie is about might end up being argued endlessly even after it's released. We may have no clue even after we've seen the movie.

Does this flirt with being affectation? Would that be a bad thing?

Sorry, out on a limb as it may be to say, that's what I got. That's what I felt. This trailer is visually stunning, moody, compelling, beautiful in a strange way, and memorable, but it's also a tad, I hesitate here, ...derivative. Yes, that's it.

Okay. Next, let's see that great poster, then...




















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Christopher Nolan and David Fincher on Terrence Malick's Filmmaking

'Tree of Life' Featurette

Trailer for 'The Tree of Life'

Transcends 'must-see' status. Must experience.

How many times do you say something like that.