The How About Project Part 18 (of 26)

I love films where characters ride in trains. There's something kind of romantic about them. It may have something to do with me being infected with the travel bug a decade ago, but I think it has everything to do with the motion-vistas you get through large windows, the calming effect of the rails, and the introversion and inclination to tell stories. People always look calm and cool on trains (except for maybe Bruce Willis in Unbreakable). And there always seems to be something secretive going on. Trains make everyone interesting and everything mysterious.

Here are a few great pre-80s train films you may want to revisit or see for the first time:

3: Murder On the Orient Exress (1974)
2: Strangers On a Train (1951)
1: Night Train to Munich (1940)

From the Producer of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

"My children, personally, whenever they want to watch a horror movie, I’m delighted, but I have two girls, so they don’t like the genre as much as I do. But, for example, we play very graphic horror video games together, so I am not the president of the parenting board. As far as I’m concerned, horror movies are great; monsters are an integral part of childhood..."

- Guillermo del Toro, on being asked whether or not children should be allowed to watch horror films

The How About Project Parts 16 & 17 (of 26)

Animation.

We all love Pixar. Everything they do is gold (except maybe the two Cars films). They've also raised the bar, pushing other studios to at least raise their own standards with regards to animated output. While Disney isn't as big and successful as they were a couple decades ago, they still score above average. And boy, have there ever been some fantastic animated foreign films in the last few years alone -- L'illusioniste and Waltz With Bashir to name a couple. I could go on and on.

But for now, here's my top 3 pre-80s animated Disney films:

3: Dumbo (1941)
2: Pinocchio (1940)
1: The Rescuers (1977)

And for the heck of it, here are 3 great pre-80s non-Disney animated films you may want to check out:

3: Watership Down (1978)
2: Yellow Submarine (1968)
1: Fantastic Planet (1973)

Assembling...

They've finally revealed the design of the Hulk that they will be using in the upcoming Avengers film. It's Kirbyesque in nature which will make it the best version yet of the character put on film. Very cool.

Here's an artist's rendition of the assembled heroes from which the Hulk design was taken:

I. Cannot. Wait.

The How About Project Part 15 (of 26)

I don't remember the first time seeing Julie Christie on screen, or when it was I developed my crush on her. But I do still get something akin to butterflies when she appears on screen these days; it's not very often and I think she still has that unique presence of hers that demands your attention. What an actress.

Here are 3 of my fave pre-80s films starring the great British talent:

3: Darling (1965)
2: Demon Seed (1977)
1: McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)

Cap Poster From Tyler Stout

Love this. A little artistry goes a long way. Hope the film rocks...

The How About Project Part 14 (of 26)

Here are a few of my fave Shakespeare adaptations made before the 80s:

3: Hamlet (1948, directed by and starring Laurence Olivier)
2: Romeo & Juliet (1968, directed by Zefferelli and starring the incomparably gorgeous Olivia Hussey)
1: Macbeth (1971, directed by Roman Polanski)

Any other adaptations you can recommend? Perhaps of Bill's less familiar works?

Dogme 95 Continues

Just finished reading Richard Kelly's The Name of This Book is Dogme 95. It was an entertaining and informative book with an interesting structure. I read it because I count myself a fan of Lars von Trier and felt it pertinent to get a better grasp of the movement he helped spearhead more than a decade and a half ago. Also because I recently discovered that up to 60 films have been branded with the Dogme 95 label, at least according to IMDB. I thought there were maybe 20 at the most. So count me surprised, impressed, etc., by the staying power of the movement's influence.

If you're not familiar with the movement and its Vow of Chastity, you should really go and read up on it. The movement has inspired some fascinating films that will likely never stop stoking debate about cinematic worthiness and the state of filmmaking today. Those crazy Danes were on to something that not enough people -- supposed movie-lovers -- have still to take notice of. Filmmaking goes stagnant, even when the tech is evolving. Bay's Transformers series is the best example. Amidst all that kineticism on screen, there's just an inescapable, overriding disrespect for the audience, and sheer boredom. And things seem to be getting worse.

Go and watch a few of the Dogme films and begin a conversation with someone about film. I recommend starting with Festen (The Celebration), The Idiots, and The King is Alive. You may not "like" any of the films that you watch, but you will definitely form a respect and opinion about them. They will definitely make you think more about what constitutes artfulness and/or effectiveness in the filmic world.

Some more thoughfulness would go a long way to improving what we're watching.

The Hobbit!

Entertainment Weekly has a few first pics up of scenes from the The Hobbit. Only a year and a half to wait...

The How About Project Parts 12 & 13 (of 26)

At this halfway point I'm tempted to give Hitchcock another gander.

My fave Hitchcock in black & white:

3: Notorious
2: The Lady Vanishes
1: Psycho

And my fave Hitchcock in colour:

3: Rear Window
2: North By Northwest
1: The Birds