a stand-out dance piece

In the scrapbook this week: a stand-out dance piece and a contemporary monk family doc

Hey guys,

Some new things:

  1. If you haven't yet, follow the Alberto and the Concrete Jungle instagram. Not just film-related posts. Starting to collect world photography finds.

    Alberto is also the Best Feature Film at the Big Apple Film Fest. Due to weather, the drive-in event was postponed to this Saturday, Nov 21st, 7PM. So you can still make it if you want.

  2. Watching The Good Lord Bird. The first episode is here in its entirety, for free. (Trailer here. A searing Ethan Hawke performance.) I'm watching because I just read a new piece on him.

    Mr. Hawke is one of those actors I don't intentionally seek out, but often find myself remembering in movies I admire or cherish. Gattaca. The Before Trilogy, which gets better with each oneBoyhoodBefore the Devil Knows You're DeadTraining Day. Don't forget First Reformed...

  3. ...which is about a personal spiritual crisis. I find myself drawn to the intersection of spirituality and daily living. Filmmaker Yoko Okumura deals with a very interesting personal one in this short doc.

  4. Reading this.

  5. Dance is everywhere in music vids and commericals and shows no signs of slowing.  Here's a new one that stands out and is totally worth it.

  6. Coca-cola gets schmaltzy...but it does get to you. Taika Waititi directed it...

  7. ...He also directed an episode of The Mandalorian and has a Star Wars film coming out, currently slated for 2025.

    I'm sure he'll bring some personality to it. And The Mandalorian overall is solid. It has a little more reason to exist than the 3 Star Wars sequels that came out starting in 2015. There are a number of reasons those are collectively a failed exercise, in spite of bursts of artistic brilliance. I was a Star Wars fan growing up. Now they're a cash f I always figured if there was going to be a sequel trilogy, it would have to progress the arc in a natural way. George Lucas' original plans have been revealed. The part I like: "Okay, you fought the war, you killed everybody, now what are you going to do?’" said Lucas. "Rebuilding afterwards is harder than starting a rebellion or fighting the war." He was thinking through what questions and situations would realistically develop. Say what you will about his turn-of-the-century prequel films and their poor direction and dialogue, but this guy knows story structure and has ideas he wants to study. The lesson, once again...is have a reason to exist.

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Chris