Andy Warhol’s films are infamous for extremely long takes, static shots, and excessive lengths. Though not all his movies fit that mold perfectly, films like Empire (1965) are formative for how audiences and critics have conceived his cinematic works. In this video essay, I look at Warhol’s relationship to time, suggesting that his cultivation of boredom… Read more »
The Trouble with Angels (1966) was the last film that Ida Lupino directed, coming at the tail end of her long period as a television director. In many ways, it represents a sharp departure from the socially conscious noirs that she’s best known for, and yet for fans of the film, it feels like an… Read more »
The television show Twin Peaks (David Lynch & Mark Frost, 1990-1991) is known for its music. Its otherwordly soundtrack transports the audience into a universe where retro nostalgia meets the fantastic. In this video, I look at how musical set-pieces are used to illuminate the character of Leland Palmer, father of murdered teen Laura Palmer.
When Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom was released in 2012, audiences and critics alike noted the film’s similarities to Pierrot le fou, a 1965 film by French New Wave director Jean-Luc Godard. However, Godard isn’t the only — or even the most important — influence on Wes Anderson. This video essay looks at a few of the cinematic… Read more »
Robert Altman is known for eliciting nuanced performances from his actors. His 1977 film, 3 Women, is no different. In it, Sissy Spacek plays the inscrutable Pinky Rose, a childlike woman who is infatuated with Shelley Duvall’s character, Millie Lammoreaux. Pinky morphs over the course of the film, eventually adopting Millie’s persona, much to Millie’s confusion.
As audience members, we seem to intuitively know how to interpret films. We accurately categorize films as fiction and documentary without giving it a second thought. But how do we know which films are fiction or nonfiction? What conventions do filmmakers draw from to code their films as representations of fantasy or reality?