America’s Film Legacy
America’s Film Legacy 2009-2010
Category Archives: Uncategorized
CGI: Find another scapegoat
Some writers love compiling lists about “Why movies are so terrible today”—as opposed to back when they were great, before digital or widescreen or color or sound or whatever other technological development. CGI, or computer-generated imagery, is the villain … Continue reading
Early Cartoon Masterpieces Screen in New York City
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continues its five-part series on animation with The History of Silent and Early Sound New York Animation on Tuesday, May 19, at The Academy Theater on East 59th Street in Manhattan. Historian … Continue reading
Posted in Animation, Silent Film, Uncategorized
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Tribeca Docs Fight for Justice
The Fourteenth Tribeca Film Festival ended April 26 after handing out awards for both narrative and documentary films. Winning for Best Documentary Feature was Democrats, a step-by-step account of politicians in Zimbabwe trying to draft a constitution from Danish director … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Uncategorized
Tagged advocacy, documentary, Tribeca Film Festival
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Celebrating Animation from Its Beginnings
For the next five weeks the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be spotlighting animation in a series that stretches from the form’s early beginnings to one of this summer’s most eagerly awaited releases. An Animation Showcase: From … Continue reading
NY Times to Selma Filmmakers: Wait Your Turn
Media attention has shifted from Selma to American Sniper, largely because the former movie is struggling at the box office while the latter is breaking records. Selma and its director Ava DuVernay are still drawing attention, but not really for … Continue reading
Posted in Oscars, Politics, Uncategorized
Tagged Ava DuVernay, Joseph Califano, Oscars, Selma
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‘Sniper’ Backlash
Selma is under attack for refusing to accept the status quo—that President Lyndon Johnson did all he could to advance a civil rights platform. By depicting Johnson as preoccupied with other issues, even recalcitrant about black demonstrations, director Ava DuVernay … Continue reading
Posted in Oscars, Politics, Uncategorized
Tagged American Sniper, Clint Eastwood, Oscars
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Decoding ‘Selma’ and ‘American Sniper’
Obscuring the current Oscar race are trumped-up political controversies regarding Selma and American Sniper, proving that censorship and political correctness cut both ways. First detractors claimed that Selma did not portray President Lyndon Baines Johnson correctly, neglecting his role … Continue reading
Posted in Oscars, Politics, Uncategorized
Tagged American Sniper, Ava DuVernay, Clint Eastwood, Hollywood, Joseph Califano, Oscars, Selma
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Film Deadlines Approach
Two recent blog postings take impassioned stands on the film vs. digital debate. Kyle Westphal’s excellent roundup 2013 in Review: Whose Film Is It, Anyway? considers the consequences to artists and viewers when film is no longer available. Don’t Worry … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged DCP, Film vs. Digital, Grandmaster, Paramount, Wong Kar Wai
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Wong Kar Wai on Using Film for The Grandmaster
Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai’s The Grandmaster comes out Friday, August 23rd. It’s Wong’s first new film since My Blueberry Nights in 2007, and his first set in Asia since 2004’s 2046. Starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, The Grandmaster is … Continue reading
Film/Digital Countdown: Summer Blockbusters
As more bad news swirls around Kodak, there’s still time to point out that film remains an important medium for motion pictures. Six of last year’s nine Best Picture nominees, for example, were shot on film. But in this industry, … Continue reading