Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 11:20AM the first and last images from motion pictures...
the first image.
the last image would give it a way so let's use the last line of dialogue.
I'm in your bleedin' class next term.
Can you guess the movie?
the answer is after the jump.
first and last Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 10:00PM In this weekly series "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", we look at a pre-determined movie and select what we think is the best (or at least our favorite) shot.
Let's stare this down right away.
The best shot in Alfred Hitchcock's immortal Psycho (1960) comes from arguably the most famous single scene in cinema's 100+ year history. It's that devastating slow clockwise turn (mirroring blood swirling down the drain) paired with a slow zoom out. Marion Crane is dead or thereabouts. Dying in the shower allows her final posthumous tears.
In what is arguably Hitchcock's most brilliant decision in a film filled with them, this moment turns the movie's fabled voyeurism (and explicit understanding of cinema's very nature) back at the audience. We've been staring at Marion Crane, foolish bird-like Marion, for 49 minutes watching her squirm in her "private trap". We couldn't (didn't want to?) save her. Now it's her turn to stare back.
How much death does the cinema need?
[read full post and participating blogs]
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 5:40PM Michael C. here from Serious Film for this week’s episode of Unsung Heroes. When Nathaniel first contacted me about a weekly column I remember him encouraging his contributors to delve into their cinematic obsessions. Well, in that spirit, my cinematic obsessions don’t get any more obsessive than my love for this film. I give you The Royal Tenenbaums.
Alec Baldwin’s vocal performance as the Narrator in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenebaums is one of those things that makes a film lover like myself shake his head and smile, it is just so damned perfect. It is a casting decision that can appear random on paper, but which becomes instantly indelible as soon as it's heard. Of course pretty much every choice in Tenenbaums is dead on – from the Dalmatian mice to the briefly glimpsed posters for Margot’s plays - but this choice has always stood out to me as particularly inspired.
For one thing, this was well before Baldwin was racking up the awards as Jack Donaghy so Wes’s casting of him as the voice of his film was quite the out-of-the-box choice. He has a fantastic voice, but it doesn’t have that storybook quality that you normally associate with narrators. It lacks that soothing gentleness that voices like Morgan Freeman's or Roscoe Lee Brown's (Babe’s narrator) have in spades. Baldwin recounts the story of the Tenenbaums in perfectly neutral tones but still manages to slip the smallest edge into his delivery. An almost imperceptible spin that would have been lacking in another narrator. When, for example, Royal declares that the recent days with his family were probably the happiest of his life, Baldwin is able to deliver the line,
Immediately after making the statement, Royal realized that it was true.
in a way that is somehow both without inflection and overwhelmingly sad. Come to think of it, Baldwin’s flat delivery which comes freighted with heavy emotional baggage is the perfect aural equivalent for Wes’s visual style.
One of the most pleasant surprises of the past decade or so was watching the metamorphosis of Alec Baldwin from straight-forward leading man to the invaluable character actor who pops up in Scorsese movies and steals every scene not nailed down. As an action hero he was good, but as a supporting player he is priceless. His memorably subtle work as the narrator in Tenenbaums is actually a pretty accurate demarcation line between the two phases of Baldwin’s career. It was around that time that he let go of his matinee idol looks and relied instead on his flawless comic timing and apparently bottomless supply of priceless line readings. I would love to see Baldwin go all the way and appear on screen in an Anderson film. His dead pan could go stone face to stone face with any in Wes's stock company.
It is often said that there are so many obstacles to getting a film made, so many opportunities for things to go wrong, that it’s a wonder any films get made at all. When a film arrives that is not just good but is an example of every detail going exactly right it is borderline miraculous. The Royal Tenenbaums is in my view such a film, which is doubly amazing because I can think of no film more richly detailed than The Royal Tenenbaums.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 3:50PM 
blogging rhythm's got me. everybody link ♪ ♫
BIG SCREEN
MUBI Farley Granger gorgeous star of Rope and Strangers on a Train has died at 85. RIP
Cinema Blend Our friend Katey is vlogging from Cinema Con in Vegas.
Antagony & Ecstacy has an amusing April movie preview.
IndieWire limits it to 8 limited release films that you must see.
SMALL SCREEN
Basket of Kisses is in tight with Matthew Weiner of Mad Men creation fame. I know because I went to a viewing party they threw in which he showed up! He spoke to them about what's going on with the show in light of all the negotiations and the dread news that we won't get the show again until 2012.
Basket of Kisses and here's some dire speculation about the cast cutting. Seriously, how on earth would they cut some of the headliners and still have the show?
The Daily Blam looks like they've already adjusted Wonder Woman's costume (previously discussed) to get rid of that vinyl shine on the pants.
A Socialite's Life Shangela from RuPaul's Drag Race got cast in a pilot for a hairdressing show starring Don Johnson. Kind of funny if you stop to think about it since Shangela was the one queen who couldn't style a wig for shit.
Pajiba lists the worst TV theme songs currently on the air.
How on earth do you cut this cast way down? They make the show!
OFF SCREEN
La Daily Musto Can this be true? Scissor Sisters asked to tone down their sparkle when opening for Lady Gaga. Boo! Never tell that awesome band to tone it down.
Cheyenne Jackson in the dentists chair. Hee. Truly nothing is private anymore. (thx)
Cheyenne Jackson, Drag Queens, Farley Granger, Lady Gaga, Mad Men, RIP, Scissor Sisters, TV Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 1:50PM 
Hope you're enjoying getting to know The Film Experience community with me. Some times I pick up bits from comments but this has been a much fuller picture, and so fun. I hope you've enjoyed. We wrap up tomorrow.
Today's featured reader is Keir.
Nathaniel: Do you remember your first moviegoing experience?
KEIR: Yes I do. Unfortunately for me, it wasn't a glorious experience. My Grandmother took me to see E.T., and I suppose I was a little wimp because every time E.T. would appear on the screen I would cry. I guess I thought he was scary. I think I remember her laughing a bit, then asking me if I want to see something else.
OMG. I went with my grandmother to E.T., too. Scout's honor. I remember she didn't like it and the rest of the year when everyone was like 'the whole world loves E.T.' I was like 'Um... Grandma 'Bel didn't!'
So... when did you start reading The Film Experience?
After the Brokeback Mountain mess. I wanted to vent my anger. (I knew that you were a big supporter, and couldn't wait to see what you had to say about it.) I especially love and appreciate your tribute to actresses.
You work or worked for Disney as a performer, right?
Yes, I'm a dancer first and foremost. I also worked for Royal Caribbean, and did the national tour of "Contact". I also sing, but dancing is really my love and passion.
Keir (left) in a number based around Dr. Facilier (right) from "The Princess and the Frog"
What's your favorite musical number?
I was a soloist for the number "Mr. Bojangles" from "Fosse". It remains my favorite piece that I ever did. It took everything out of me each time I performed it. There was always a sense of accomplishment whether or not I executed the number technically perfect. Bob Fosse is by far my favorite choreographer and my favorite style.
What film genres besides musicals do you love?
Well, actually I would say that Dramas are my favorite film genre, I suppose because I'm such a drama queen myself. I'm always affected the most by a film that stirs my emotions and makes me think.
A guilty pleasure for me are horror films. I know that 9 times out 10 it's going to be a bad film, but I love the thrill of it. It's always good to see a horror film with a date as well. I once went on a date to see The Notebook, and it was so awkward after.
Three favorite actresses. Go!
Hmmm...well, it will be hard to pick just three, but I would have to say: Meryl Streep is by far my favorite actress. I know it's such a typical answer, but that's for a reason. She is so versatile and natural in everything she does. I also look forward to her speeches, because she always makes me laugh. She is my acting God, for sure.
I've always had a thing for Gwyneth Paltrow. I'm in the minority that thinks she was absolutely the right choice back in '98. She is sophisticated and charming. I really had no idea that she could sing as well, which makes me like her even more. Sally Field is amazing as well.
He likes her. He really likes her. (So does Nathaniel!)
She has the right mix of humor and drama in her scenes. I've loved every single performance of hers.
On a side note, I LOVE Natalie Portman now. I'm biased in my belief that she was the rightful winner this year for obvious reasons. I love when an actor/actress can surprise you and knock your socks off.
