Saturday, December 31, 2016

Break-in

This is a short about breaking in, either to the world of movie-making or into somebody else's apartment on a cold New Years day, perhaps. Originally posted as "Occupant," the pivotal opening sequence padded with weather shots of lovely snow that happened to be there. It plays better now as a bare bones attack scene and without cut-aways. There were sound issues, but they seem to be somewhat improved in this version.


Saturday, December 17, 2016

Why Playing Spider-Man Broke Andrew Garfield’s Heart

I wonder about this business about story serving the character, especially in the case of Lois Lane. In Superman II (1981 theatrical version) Margot Kidder's Lois drove the initial sequence because of her tenacious propensity for trespass in the name of journalism which put her in harm's way. Later, she put both herself and Clark and ultimately the world in harm's way by testing Clark and uncovering his identity for the abstract sake of truth and her pride as a journalist compulsively pushing. Today, these traits would be torn apart by the busybody internet bogging itself down with blogs on feminist behaviour versus "woman in trouble" or "woman as problem" narratives. In Man of Steel and Batman Versus Superman, Amy's Lois Lane has to be shown as tough and one step ahead of everybody and solving problems. By solving problems, she is by definition serving the story. If she is creating problems, them her character is driving the story. So the actress may be better off not getting what she wants. I don't know.