Thursday, April 29, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wow and Flutter
If you missed it, here's a Hi-Res QuickTime of a short film I directed back in 2005. Every now and then the Mediafire link must be reset.
WOW AND FLUTTER
WOW AND FLUTTER
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Shutter Island
Saw it last week and it's been haunting me since. I'm surprised people aren't raving more about this film and shocked at some of the backlash.
(SPOILERS)
I haven't read the book, but this is a brave movie. It dives into dark places few films dare to explore.
While stylistically Shutter Island is "classic horror/suspense" that proudly borrows from Hitchcock, the story is more of a slow excavation of human tragedy. The kind of minor catastrophe that regularly graces news. Those "Breaking News Stories" that make you wince and label someone a monster in the next breath. Stories that have become cliches and conceal the true complexity and pain of what happened.
Martin Scorsese has never really directed a true genre film. His work has almost become a genre in itself, blending (and blurring) conventions at will. Even his Cape Fear remake tackled drama, (comedy?), suspense and horror in equal doses and steered clear of simple classification.
Shutter Island is perhaps easy to dismiss because of it's refusal to do what audiences and critics might crave or expect. It's a film that's unflinching and hard to watch at times -- but this aspect is critical to the narrative. Just as Teddy Daniels can't side-step the truth, neither can Scorsese. And the audience isn't off the hook either -- we also have to look and discover what happened that day.
Somehow, the narrative remains satisfying and hopeful in end. I'm not sure exactly why, but I guess there's something brave about facing the truth and consequences of a terrible destiny. And Teddy becomes a poor man's Sydney Carton in the end, fully able to make the ultimate sacrifice after resurfacing from madness.
And the wonderful final credits mashup of Max Richter and Dinah Washington may also have something to do with striking the right tone at the end.
(SPOILERS)
I haven't read the book, but this is a brave movie. It dives into dark places few films dare to explore.
While stylistically Shutter Island is "classic horror/suspense" that proudly borrows from Hitchcock, the story is more of a slow excavation of human tragedy. The kind of minor catastrophe that regularly graces news. Those "Breaking News Stories" that make you wince and label someone a monster in the next breath. Stories that have become cliches and conceal the true complexity and pain of what happened.
Martin Scorsese has never really directed a true genre film. His work has almost become a genre in itself, blending (and blurring) conventions at will. Even his Cape Fear remake tackled drama, (comedy?), suspense and horror in equal doses and steered clear of simple classification.
Shutter Island is perhaps easy to dismiss because of it's refusal to do what audiences and critics might crave or expect. It's a film that's unflinching and hard to watch at times -- but this aspect is critical to the narrative. Just as Teddy Daniels can't side-step the truth, neither can Scorsese. And the audience isn't off the hook either -- we also have to look and discover what happened that day.
Somehow, the narrative remains satisfying and hopeful in end. I'm not sure exactly why, but I guess there's something brave about facing the truth and consequences of a terrible destiny. And Teddy becomes a poor man's Sydney Carton in the end, fully able to make the ultimate sacrifice after resurfacing from madness.
And the wonderful final credits mashup of Max Richter and Dinah Washington may also have something to do with striking the right tone at the end.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Damien Jurado's Saint Bartlett
Comes out in May on Secretly Canadian (his ninth album) produced by label mate Richard Swift. The first single Arkansas is highly recommended. Download the free mp3 at Stereogum below. I'm loving the sock-hop vibe and the fact we get to hear another stirring first person narrative from one of America's most talented, prolific and consistent songwriters.
Honestly, I recommend every single record he's put out without hesitation. Each contains amazing songs and a cohesive aesthetic. Sure you could collect his very best tracks on a long playlist, but I prefer to hear his albums from beginning to end the old fashioned way. Often on vinyl.
ARKANSAS by DAMIEN JURADO
If you haven't seen my short film Wow and Flutter, please download a hi-res QT of it at the link below. Damien's wonderful song Saturday plays during the last scene and credits.
WOW AND FLUTTER
Honestly, I recommend every single record he's put out without hesitation. Each contains amazing songs and a cohesive aesthetic. Sure you could collect his very best tracks on a long playlist, but I prefer to hear his albums from beginning to end the old fashioned way. Often on vinyl.
ARKANSAS by DAMIEN JURADO
If you haven't seen my short film Wow and Flutter, please download a hi-res QT of it at the link below. Damien's wonderful song Saturday plays during the last scene and credits.
WOW AND FLUTTER
Monday, March 1, 2010
New Calvin Marshall Behind the Scenes
Posted on YouTube today. A reminder of how fun shooting is. Sure it's also an agonizing grind, but it's still my absolute favorite thing to do.
I should be working on a new film this fall. I have four different projects out there looking for financing and I'm expecting one of them to go! The power of positive thinking at work.
Calvin Marshall Inside Look EP 04 (Behind the Scenes)
I should be working on a new film this fall. I have four different projects out there looking for financing and I'm expecting one of them to go! The power of positive thinking at work.
Calvin Marshall Inside Look EP 04 (Behind the Scenes)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
New Music 2010
A great year ahead -- so many new records to look forward to!
FRIGHTENED RABBIT Winter of Mixed Drinks
FRIGHTENED RABBIT Winter of Mixed Drinks
GORILLAZ Plastic Beach
TITUS ANDRONICUS The Monitor
LOVE IS ALL Two Thousand and Ten Injuries
BLACK FRANCIS NonStopErotik
MGMT Congratulations
NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Together
THE STREETS Computers and Blues
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE Forgivness Rock Record
THE HOLD STEADY Heaven Is Whenever
CALVIN MARSHALL Official Soundtrack
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
THE FALL Our Future, Your Clutter
INTERPOL
THE NATIONAL
THE CHOIR
DEVO Fresh
SALEM (1st Official Longplayer??)
THE WALKMEN
THE WRENS
ARCADE FIRE
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