From Will Smith to Sohei Nishino

Hey guys,

Some new things:

1. Happy Thanksgiving!
   
   Spend it the A24 way? As commenter Foturkey says, "Why does every A24 trailer make you feel like there’s a demonic presence under the surface?"
   

2. Will Smith, I'm impressed. For years, I've always pointed back to this article by Bill Simmons. Aside from Ryan Reynolds actually being a star now, I think the piece mostly still holds true, even about Smith. In King Richard, Smith is still playing a "safe" part. It's very predictably an awards contender and audience pleaser. But what's different this time is that the character of Richard Williams is at least a little less typical and a little more interesting - quirky, dogmatic, brilliant, and flawed.
   
   You wouldn't guess from the trailer, but the film is surprisingly refreshing for a biopic - not because it breaks ground, but because it actually feels real and is executed with nuance rather than typical "drama" maneuvers.  Well-observed. And the family interactions are spot on.
   

3. Here's a star going out on a limb. Jake does breakdown well. In ways, this may actually be the stronger performance. Doubtful it'll get the same attention.
   

4. This use of VR is creepy and begging for a Black Mirror episode.
   

5. I've dabbled in map projects. Wish I came up with this one.  (desktop doesn't require the app) Music from all around the world, across the decades.
   

6. fuubutsushi - the feeling of longing for a new season at the first signs of its emergence
   
   And other nuanced Japanese words
   

7. Further on the Japanese tangent: Sohei Nishino.
   Epic collages. Check out his adventurous process.
   

8. On the differences between Dune's VFX and other sci fi / fantasy films.
   
   Dune is a great sensorial experience. The sound work is amazing. That said, Villeneuve's style has become such a one-note experience now, I'm starting to feel his films don't have much more to offer than mood and typical drama maneuvers.

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Chris