Movie critique website
Hang out at this awesome knowledge hub that lets you delve into the intricacies of filmmaking, from the nuts and bolts of cinematic techniques to the broader story of cinema's evolution. This blog is a meaty feast for cinephiles, offering juicy insights on everything from the artsy abnormalities of Jan Švankmajer to the slow, thought-provoking wonders of Béla Tarr.
Diving into Jan Švankmajer's Surreal World
The one-and-only Jan Švankmajer is a Czech filmmaker with a penchant for the surreal, using everything from claymation to paper cutouts in his eclectic animations. A leading light in the Czech New Wave, he's been killing it in the world of experimental film for quite some time now.
- Key elements of his work: Trippy, often dark imagery; blending of live-action with animation; fairy tales and dreams presenting an illogical, subconscious take on reality.
- Where to start: Give "Dimensions of Dialogue" (1982) a whirl. Find collections of his shorts to truly grasp the evolution of his style and thematic preoccupations.
Exploring the Pauses of Béla Tarr
Béla Tarr is a Hungarian director with a knack for the "slow cinema" style—movies with lots of lingering looks, lengthy takes, and a intensive atmosphere that propels the storytelling.
- What sets him apart: Mood over plot; deliberate pacing; themes exploring existentialism and bleak human conditions.
- Beginner's guide: Check out "Satantango" (1994) for a prime example of his style. Or, give "The Turin Horse" (2011) a shot—it's famed for its philosophical introspection and minimal visuals.
Wuxia: Ancient Chinese Martial Arts Movies for Beginners
Wuxia, born from the marriage of "wu" (martial) and "xia" (chivalrous hero), is a popular genre of films bursting with Chinese martial arts and chivalry. Deeply rooted in ancient literature and philosophy, wuxia became a foundational part of Chinese cinema.
- Good-to-know characteristics: Skillful fight sequences, high-flying wire work, ancient settings, moral codes of honor, loyalty, and revenge.
- Jumping-off points: Start with classics like "A Touch of Zen" (King Hu) or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (Ang Lee). Delve into the cultural influences: Confucian principles, Taoist philosophy, and traditional folklore.
Enter the World of Film Theory
Postcolonial Film Theory
This critical approach unpacks how films depict colonial histories and power dynamics, analyzing how formerly colonized cultures resist or adapt to dominant narratives. Useful for better understanding films from or about postcolonial regions and the portrayal of identity and history.
New Sincerity
A fresh take on art and film, rejecting cynicism and irony in favor of authenticity and sincerity. Filmmakers under this movement prioritize raw emotion and human connection over cold detachment.
Metacinema
This fascinating filmmaking style explores the inner workings of cinema itself, often breaking the traditional "fourth wall" or revealing filmmaking techniques to create films that challenge conventional storytelling. Keep your eyes peeled for tales that blur reality and fiction!
Structuralist Film Theory
Concentrate on a film's underlying structures—narrative patterns, conventions, and codes—to better understand how meaning is constructed. This approach encourages exploring elements like editing, mise-en-scène, and sound to push beyond surface-level storytelling.
One-Take Films
These captivating films are shot in a single continuous take or designed to appear that way, creating a heightened sense of reality and immersion. Notable examples include "Russian Ark" (2002) and "Birdman" (2014). It's a must to pay attention to choreography, camera movement, and real-time storytelling to appreciate these cinematic marvels.
- Delve into the history of cinema to understand the origin and evolution of filmmaking techniques.
- Understand how films from postcolonial regions depict colonial histories and power dynamics through the lens of postcolonial film theory.
- Appreciate the art of new sincerity in filmmaking, focusing on raw emotion and human connection rather than cynicism and irony.
- Explore metacinema, a style that focuses on the inner workings of cinema itself, challenging conventional storytelling.
- Concentrate on a film's underlying structures using structuralist film theory to better understand how meaning is constructed.
- Experience the immersive beauty of one-take films, which create a sense of reality by being shot in a single continuous take.
- Discover the work of Jan Švankmajer, a Czech filmmaker known for his surreal, often dark imagery and blend of live-action and animation.
- Learn about the eclectic animations of Jan Švankmajer, a key figure in the Czech New Wave.
- Start with "Dimensions of Dialogue" (1982) to understand the evolution of Jan Švankmajer's style and thematic preoccupations.
- Discover the world of Béla Tarr, a Hungarian director known for his "slow cinema" style, mood over plot, and deliberate pacing.
- Check out "Satantango" (1994) for a prime example of Béla Tarr's slow cinema style.
- Give "The Turin Horse" (2011) a shot to experience Béla Tarr's philosophical introspection and minimal visuals.
- Explore wuxia, a popular Chinese genre of films that combines martial arts and chivalry, deeply rooted in ancient literature and philosophy.
- Start with classics like "A Touch of Zen" or "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to experience wuxia films.
- Delve into the cultural influences of wuxia films, including Confucian principles, Taoist philosophy, and traditional folklore.
- Learn about the lifestyle, fashion, and beauty trends depicted in films and analyze their impact on real-world trends.
- Discover how food and drink are presented in films, influencing dining experiences and culinary trends.
- Explore home and garden designs featured in films, gaining ideas for your own home makeover.
- Examine the portrayal of relationships in films, providing insights into building and maintaining healthy relationships.
- Discover the role of pets in films, providing insights into pet care and owner-pet dynamics.
- Prepare for your next travel adventure by researching popular travel destinations featured in films.
- Learn about the history and development of various sports, including football, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, and more, from a cinematic perspective.
