Frank and Ollie is a documentary that had been on my IMDB “to watch” list for a long time, but was actually not available. It was therefore a positive surprise when I saw it available through Disney+ and could finally see it. I am always fascinated by films that are about making films and I was curious to know what this film had in store. Continue reading
When filming a subject you are not only capturing it, but also depending the moment it is viewed can give also create a specific feeling. If you now watch something like Taxi Driver you are not only watching the story about Travis Bickle, but you also get an idea what New York in the seventies was like. If you travel even further back in time, to the first filmmakers, the brothers Lumière, than their first films also create a specific feeling. After they bought the patents to the “Cinématographe” from inventor Léon Bouly, as he didn’t have the financial means to realise his invention, the made the first movie camera. On the 19th of march 1895 they made their first film, in which they simply documented factory workers leaving their work. A lot of those first movies only show daily life. The arrival of a train at the station probably is their most famous one. The images you see are rough and jerky, but it was a very important first step to get to the moment we are now when it comes to film.
But what would happen if you took that very first movie camera and would allow directors from now to make something with it? What would they do? And what kind of feeling would the viewer have? That’s the idea behind this documentary. The rules these directors have are simple: Their movie can’t be longer than 52 seconds, no synchronised sound is to be used and they can have no more than three takes. Continue reading
The hope that we’ll get another new Die Hard movie which is worth watching seems to getting smaller as the movies (and the acting Bruce Willis does) are getting worse. Still the the original Die Hard movie and this third film in this franchise have gained a special place in my heart. They are wonderful, entertaining action movies in which the main characters end up in a situation which they can’t control and are forced to do anything to make the best of it with the means available. Continue reading
Earlier this year, the hilarious Kung Fury already showed that police officers don’t like to work with dinosaurs. It was, like the rest of the film, a bizarre moment. However, there is a feature-length film which has used that concept fully. I recently read about the existence of this film and the incredible story behind it. This is actually the most expensive “straight to video” movie ever made, with a price tag of $ 33.5 million. The film was planned to be released in cinemas, but because of various production problems (read this article ) the distributor didn’t want to do that anymore. It is a film that everyone involved, including lead actress Whoopie Goldberg, would rather forget. I would also like to add myself itself to that list. Continue reading
When watching Casino for the first time, years ago, I must admit that I felt a bit disappointed by it. It was a very long movie (178 minutes) which never captivated me the way something like Goodfellas did. It’s the obvious comparison to make of course since it’s also directed by Scorcese and stars Robert de Niro and Joe Pesci and maybe that was the reason I didn’t like it back then. I was probably hoping for the same type of movie and although it has its similarities it is a very different movie. Thinking I hadn’t been fair to the movie at the time, I had to revisit the world of Las Vegas during the seventies. A time before the big corporations moved in and when it was possible for gangsters to make quite a bit of money in the gambling capital of the world. Continue reading
This is a movie you might want to watch if you are anticipating to buy those Google glasses (which allow you to record everything you see). Set in 1999, just days before the new year, Strange Days paints society as a violent one where the end of civilization might happen soon. In this world Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) is a former cop who has become a dealer in experiences. A device has been developed which records everything a person experiences. Those recordings can be played back by another person who feels everything the original person does. It’s a lucrative business for Lenny, but he finds out it is a very dangerous one as well. Continue reading
Since I started the “Story Behind” series I’ve wanted to know more about the history of film. As you know watch older movies regularly, but haven’t really looked into specific time periods or genres. In this documentary Martin Scorcese takes the viewer on a journey showing his love for film. Should you join him on a 225 minute journey? Continue reading