Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings is a telling example of Hollywood rationalizing its so-called inability to widen the boundaries of its creativity. In this case, the boundaries concern Hollywood’s tendency to reserve roles for its biggest stars, even when a big star appears unfit for the role in question. Much of the pre-release journalism … Continue reading When Hollywood gets repetitive: casting
What is more pleasurable: reading Martin Scorsese on cinema or reading reactions to Scorsese on cinema? The reactions compete for our pleasure because they reveal how easy it is for someone’s words to make us jump into a debate with two feet and eyes closed. In the March 2021 issue of Harper’s, Scorsese wrote an … Continue reading Why Scorsese is right about corporate power, Part 1
"Change your outlook ..." . This prescription is given to Badii by the Azeri taxidermist. Of the three passengers Badii picks up to solicit help in his plan for suicide, the taxidermist is the most vocal in his disagreement of Badii's intentions. In sharp contrast to the young soldier, whose nervousness from Badii's appeals made … Continue reading #45. Taste of Cherry. Dir., Abbas Kiarostami
notes on cinema 