Monthly Archives: May 2018

Fascinated by Film Grammar

Many times I have gone to a local Landmark Theater to take in an Art House film and before the feature presentation experienced the chain’s promotional material that ended with ‘The Language of Film is Universal.’ (BTW the idea that Universal Studios never took up this as a slogan is terribly amusing.) Of course Landmark Theaters uses that bit of advertising copy because Art house feature heavily favor international production, but it has the side benefit of being true.

Film has a grammar, cut two shot together and they create a meaning from that context that neither possessed, fade to black and then back up and the audience understands that a lengthy segment of time has passed, have one character look to the right and speaking while cutting to another character looking left and speaking and we draw the connection that they are conversing. (Beautifully demonstrated in The Last Jediwhen Rian Johnson used the simplest film grammar instead of showy special effect to connect Kylo and Rey.) There is a lot to film grammar and I listed only a few possible ways that you can see it; what fascinates me is that it is truly universal.

Take the bit about two shots creating a third meaning. This was explored near the birth of cinema by Soviet filmmaker and theoretician Sergei Eisenstein, looking here as though he inspired David Lynch’s Eraserhead. One of Eisenstein’s more famous experiments involved an actor looking directly into camera with a neutral expression, then cutting from the actor to various other shots of food, death, danger, and so on. When projected for an audience and asked what emotion the actor expressing the juxtaposition of the two images always created meaning where the actor had expressed nothing. Hunger is the next shot was food, horror at death and so on.

This was true not only for the peoples of Russia, but Western Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Again and again we find that the actual grammar of cinema transcends language and culture. It doesn’t matter where you come from, how you are raised, what your religious thoughts and convictions are, film works the same way for you as it does everyone else. It is a staggering thought and example of the commonality of humanity once you strip away the surfaces differences.

The Language of Film isUniversal.

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Noir Night: Fallen Angel (1945)

Technically this was two nights as coming down with a cold I found my late night energy flagging, sending me to bed early on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Fallen Angelis the story of a down on his luck con man, Eric Stanton (Dana Andrews) stranded in the California coastal town of Walton without even enough money to buy bus fare out. After helping a pair of fellow conmen running a traveling fake medium show Stanton becomes embroiled with two women, Stella (Linda Darnell) a fiery brunette, tough and no nonsense that nearly every man in town is pursuing, and June (Alice Faye) a sweet, sheltered, blonde who plays keyboard in the church with a large sum of money held by her suspicious guardian sister Clara. Intent on winning Stella with riches, Stanton begins a love affair/con with June. Things do not go as planned and Stanton finds himself on the run from a murder rap.

Spoilers from here on out.

I enjoyed this movie but it is not destined to become of my favorite noirs. My tastes in noir tends towards the darker films with fewer ‘happily ever after’ endings. Sam broken heart in The Maltese Falcon, or Walter Neff’s doomed end in Double Indemnity, these have more punch and more noir than the ones that work out in the end. Sadly, Fallen Angelis one of those with a happy ending. You can nearly hear the production crew flipping back and forth through the production code as the film progresses, shying away from anything that strayed too close to the line and thereby neutering the film.

When Stella turned up murdered I perked up. It was clear that Stanton wasn’t going to be the killer and at first I had pegged the guardian sister Clara. Later as June insisted with conviction that Stanton could not have killed Stella I really hoped that she turned out to be the killer. The sweet quite girl lashing out to keep what was her’s would have been verily cool. You could have still had the arc of Stanton growing as a character and learning to love, but losing it all as they took June off to prison. In the end it turned out to be one of Stella many thwarted admirers leaving Stanton and June to live happily ever after.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

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A Staggering Level of Corruption

People get used to things and what was once unthinking quickly becomes the new normal. Think upon gasoline, if the price were suddenly changed to $2 per gallon their would be cheers when at one time $2 a gallon would have provoked sharp and pain political punishment. This effect is found in narrative fiction as well. For continuing heroes, be they superheroes or slick spies, the stakes have to increase with every adventure or the audience becomes uninterested in the outcome.

With the current political administration we have, less than two years into its run already contracted scandal fatigue. Every single day it seems brings some new crisis, some new scandal, and some new evidence of corruption. The White acts besieged when its allies control both houses of congress.

It is my personal opinion that this is the most corrupt administration since the 19th century. If the stakes weren’t so high this would be farce, instead it is likely to end in tragedy.

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Don’t Confirm Gina Haspel

In general a President should get the people that they want for their administration. Sadly Trumps picks tend to be boot-licker and brownnosers who tell him what he wants to hear. That terrible Cabinet meeting where they all took turns praising the President as he sat there basking in the adulation is a symptom of a very dangerous man.

On a recent episode of the podcast Intelligence Matters the host and the guest, both men who formerly were quite high ranking at the CIA administration advocated for Ms. Haspel’s confirmation. They spoke of her experience, her intelligence, and her commitment to this country. All great qualities for someone wielding terrible powers in the service of their country, but the pair also praised Ms. Haspel as someone who would tell the President ‘no.’

If I had faith that she would act in such a manner I would fully support her confirmation, this president more than most needs strong capable people to tell him ‘no’ and check his worst impulses. Not an easy task to do with the President of the United States, particularly when that President is known for verbal rages when thwarted and who possesses a fragile ego.

Unfortunately Ms. Haspel as already been tested in the manner and she failed. When directed to carried out torture she did so. When directed to destroy evidence of that torture, she did so. From person far less power than a sitting president when did not tell them ‘no.’

Called before congress for her confirmation she dodged and evaded, going so far to refuse to label torture as immoral.

When we select people for power positions, the Congress, the Senate, and so one the most important character trait is judgment. That is the real job we are hiring them for, not to follow public opinion polls, not to be a weather vane for shifting moods, but to render judgment on our behalf.

Ms. Haspel’s judgment has been found wanting.

 

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Brief Thoughts on the Met Gala

Certainly High Culture and Fashion are not my areas of expertise but there area few observations I want to make about the controversy surrounding this year’s Met Gala. At the fund raiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art a number of celebrities wore fashion that was inspired Catholic Regalia. This took place in hand with the exhibition Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.

There have been voices raised protesting that their religion is not an excuse for someone else’s fancy dress. I can understand that viewpoint, though not a member of the Catholic faith, nor of any organized religion, those of the faith feel quite strongly, passionately, and deeply about their beliefs. I can see how it would appear as trivializing one of the core aspects of their identity.

But I also wonder how many of those people protesting the eroticism of these alter regalia gave any thought to cultures beyond their own?

When people think of American Indians one of the most comment images is of the elaborate feathered headdress, or of the tribal dances, but these are part of their religious practices. It is their regalia and that iconography is used for selling products and sports franchises. Do these same people hurt and insulted by the Met Gala speak up in support of the tribes who feel the same way about their culture?

Naturally I do not think that there should be a law on this. The people at the Met Gala have a right of expression, just as those who protest what was expressed. One thing I do believe is that if you are making an argument from principle and then you need to make is fairly otherwise you are simply placing your comfort and your outcomes above those of others.

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Ranking the MCU: Top Tier

Now we come to what I feel are the best films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. These last ten years have produced a number of entertaining movies and as I have said before even the lowest ranked MCU entries are still fun exciting movies but it is these four, presented in no particular order, that I think represent the pinnacle of what the studio has achieved.

Captain America: The Winter Solider: Winter Solideris a terrific throwback to the political thrillers of the 70s. Filled with twists and betrayals that echoed across the face of the planet, this movie up ended what was established and expected as constants in the MCU. A particularly bold movie considering it was released shortly after the debut the television seriesMarvel’s: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Not satisfied with all that the filmmakers, screenwriter and directors, also infused Winter Soliderwith a powerful theme about the dangers of trading freedom for security.

Captain America: Civil War: Civil Wargave us the big massive cross over battle which is a staple of a long running line comics. Torn by governmental actions our heroes find themselves suddenly battling each other in the sort of big, splashy, and thrilling manner fans had waited years to see. Before the airport fight in Civil warthe closest fan came to this experience was the fight between Zod and his henchpersons against Superman in Superman II. As with Winter Solider, again the story underneath was representing a powerful theme, the duties of friendship, loyalty, and the terrible corrosive power of secrets. I adore that the third act in this movie was not about a city or a world or a galaxy in danger but about the disintegration of a friendship.

Black Panther: Introduced in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther’s first solo outing stunned the world. A compelling combination of Afro-Futurism, comic book science-fiction, familial drama, and an indictment of colonialism, Black Panther, proved that a story that was about something, something very sensitive, could not only entertain but also reach millions with ideas that they might never have been exposed to without this film. Breaking box office records and preconceptions this movie is truly one of the finest examples of the power of genre cinema.

Thor: Ragnarok: Including the MCU’s most off-beat comedy as part of the top tier may but an unexpected move but comedies have a long tradition of truth telling. It was the function of the court jester to say what no one else was allowed and in many ways that is the part played by Thor: Ragnarok. Like its brother Black Panther, is a film about something, just with Ragnarok, the timeless themes of family, ones who are born into and the ones we choose, along with the corrosive nature of hidden crimes, is buried under a plethora of gags, farcical characters, and amazing action.

The running commonality among my selection for the best of the MCU movies is the presence of a strong theme. The best stories not only entertain but also illuminate some essential element of the human condition. Some may have notice an absence on this list, Avengers: Infinity War. Infinity War is the fist part of a two part story, when the conclusion arrives in 2019 I’ll slot the singular story in my ranking.

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Ranking the MCU: Part 3

With the Mid-Grade films behind us we move into the Honorable Mentions, those movies of the MCU that are a cut above the rest but do not quite reach the heights that the Top Tier films achieve. I find it curious that each film in this category is initial outing of its particular franchise. Though considering how often sequel fail to match their originals perhaps that is not so much of a surprise.

Iron Man: The first of the MCU movies, the project that was derided in Hollywood, still ranks as one of the better outing. Iron Mancreated the basic template of the MCU movies, establishing that mix of action, character, and comedy that continues to this day as the ultimate crowd pleaser.

Doctor Strange: Expanding the MCU into the supernatural, Doctor Strange, is an inventive cinematic trip. While following the character arc from Iron Man, an arrogant man learns the meaning of his life, Strangelights of the screen with dazzling performances and a third act where a cities to rebuilt instead of destroyed in a massive battle.

Captain America: The First Avenger: Steven Rogers, like Superman, is a very difficult character to write and perform. Unlike many other superhero characters, Steve is in no need to learn how to be good; he is inherently a good man. Too often such characters come off from anywhere Lawful Boring to sanctimonious. The script inThe First Avengercombined with the considerable talents of Chris Evans instead gives us a true hero, someone worthy of not only admiration but emulation as well.

Guardians of the Galaxy: When Marvel Studios first announce their plans for a Guardiansfilm I was among those who thought that had finally bitten off more than they can chew. Characters that were for the most part unknown to the wider public, including a gun-crazy intelligent raccoon, sounded like a film destined to fail. Instead with flair, style, and heavy doses of comedy, Guardians presented us with a new style of hero for the MCU and gave us the most screen-time for upcoming big bad Thanos. After it’s release we are all Groot.

Marvel’s: The Avengers: This film proved that the team-up movie was not only viable but a box office goldmine. Bringing back fan favorite Loki as its principle villain, The Avengers, gave a larger role for S.H.I.E.L.D., robbed us of a fan favorite in Phil Coulson, and mixed larger than life characters and egos in a manner that both entertained and supported their individual natures. The success and events of this movie would echo throughout the MCU up to and including Infinity War.

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Ranking the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Part 2

The Mid-Grade MCU movies are solid films without major flaws that tell their stories competently with flair and style that we come to expect from this franchise. Not surprisingly this is the largest number of MCU movies in a single category.

 

Ant-Man: This film is charming with a deft, light tone that makes this one of the more fun movies. I very nearly moved it into the ‘Honorable Mention’ category full the child’s bedroom fight alone.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2: It would have been nearly impossible to be as fresh as Guardians of the Galaxy, and hampered with a required that no major changes can occur due to its placement in the overall multi-film plot Vol 2still manages to tell a compelling story and explore deeper into established characters, putting one on the path to if not heroism at least fighting against the coming big bad.

Iron Man 2: A good solid follow-up to Iron Man, IM2doesn’t suffer from the ‘grab the girl’ cliché as Iron Man 3did, it deepens our understanding of Tony conflicted nature with his father Howard Stark, and broadens the MCU itself.

Spider-Man: Homecoming:SMHis a joy because it brings Peter Parker back home to the MCU instead of suffering intolerable studio dreck produced over at Sony. The decisions top return Peter to a high school student and to skip over one of the most well-known of all origin stories elevates this film. The plotting is a little flabby with one extraneous action set-piece and Peter’s actions are a little too consequences free otherwise this would have floated up into the ‘Honorable Mention’ slots.

Thor& Thor: The Dark World:  Both of these films do a fine job of presenting the mythological/cosmic settings of the MCU. The casting is well done and of course Loki instantly became a fan favorite. Thematically both films are a little flat without greater impact than the characters’ lives themselves. Perfectly watchable with enjoyable performances nothing in these movies either elevates or sinks them. They are very nearly the Platonic Ideal of  Mid-grade in the MCU.

 

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Ranking the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Part 1

Now that phase 4 of the MCU has hit theaters with Avengers: Infinity Warit’s time for me to give my personal rankings on the individual films. Instead of a numbered list I am going to break them down into categories. From bottom to top the categories are:

 

Bargain Basement

Mid-Grade

Honorable Mention

And

Top Tier.

 

Bargain Basement:

Let me kick off by saying that Marvel’s Bargain basement movies are still far superior to nearly all of the competition. These films have solid structures, competence, and for the most part achieve their goals. Their failings are usually a tendency to fall into formula over form.

The Incredible Hulk: This film while it hit all the required beats suffered from a bland and uninteresting protagonist, stake that were neither personal enough nor important enough to create engagement, and it failed to add any significance to the MCU project. Where a common critique leveled at the MCU movies is that their villains are not interesting enough, on average, with The Incredible Hulk, I found Blonsky, a man dealing with aging frame and willing to go to extremes to save his physical abilities, a much more compelling character than Bruce Banner.

Iron Man 3: I am an outlier in that I prefer Iron Man 2 toIron Man 3. (And I do hope that they eventually ditch the number scheme.) IM3in many respects to a fairly bog standard superhero story, including a third act that revolves around the villain snatching the love interest and force the hero to save her. While the climatic fight is a wonder of action directing, the story feels flat and fairly lifeless. Plot holes make repeated viewings less enjoyable that other movies in the MCU but what saves the movie are terrific performances from the stellar cast.

Avengers: Age of Ultron: This film is hampered by following to closely the formula set forth in Marvel’s The Avengers. The third act once again sees the Avengers battling in hand to hand against forgettable, punch-able mooks, while stopping the main bad guy from his world ending plot. In addition to that bit of repetition, Age of Ultronalso repeats the beat of the villains getting inside the team to disrupt it, as well as a dim move on the villains part in capturing the ‘girl’ of the team, giving away his location. Really Ultron kidnapping Black Widow was a very clichéd move and pulls this entry down from Mid-Grad to Bargain Basement.

Tomorrow – Mid-Grade

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The Ship has Already Hit the Iceberg

We are one third of the way through this election year and it appears to me that the Republicans are taking on water fast.

While Trump’s approval numbers remain the very low 40s, a value that is dismal but not yet disastrous, closer inspection reveals that the level is only that high because of very high levels of partisan support. Move beyond the GOP member and Trump’s number crash. Republican politicians, including the man third in line for the presidency, are retiring in large number and the donor class has already written of the House as a lost cause. The Senate map is tilted unfavorably against the Democratic Party and while gaining a majority there is quite unlikely, places such as The Cook Report and Five Thirty Eight do not dismiss the possibility out of hand. As spring finally rolls into town major GOP players are sounding like what earlier would have come out of only Democratic lips. Rubio, a weathervane of a pol always looking to see where the populace is heading, has described the recent tax cuts as something that did not help the workers of America and Trump’s own former HHS secretary admits that repealing the Individual Mandate will raise people premiums.

In this midst of such political calamity when we look at the GOP what do we see?

The House ‘Freedom’ Caucus mutters of plans to yet fully repeal the ACA.

In Illinois an actual Nazi runs for congress as a member of the GOP. (Remember when Illinois Nazi was a punch line?)

In California the GOP Senate candidate is an anti-Semite calling on the USA to be ‘free of Jews.’

The Vice President refers to a sheriff who defied our court system as a champion of the rule of law.

Two trillion dollars or more have been heaped upon the nation’s debt.

And of course we have an Administration that has taken no action to counter Russia’s meddling in our elections. (There are some sanctions on Russia, but none are for the attempts to sway our elections.)

This rot in the GOP is more than simply Trump. Trump is an artifact of the rot not a cause. Some time ago the Republicans surrendered reason, principal, and morality in their quest for power, playing to the basest motivations of the electorate.

They are destroying themselves the only question in my mind is much damage will they wreck before the end?

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