The Conversations: Terrence Malick - Part II

If you haven't seen The Tree of Life, this post isn't for you. Oh, please, bookmark it. But don't read it. The Conversations: Terrence Malick - Part II is full of spoilers. But, more significantly, it's full of interpretation, and you owe it to yourself to try to grapple with The Tree of Life on your own; it's a movie for grappling, and it's about grappling, really. That said, those who have seen The Tree of Life are encouraged to head on over to The House Next Door and continue the discussion -- whether that's today or next week or next month, depending on when the movie gets to you. Whether you think Malick's fifth film is his masterpiece, or an erratic failure that crumbles under the weight of its ambition, it's certainly Malick's most debate-ready picture -- open to all kinds of interpretation. We got some great comments on Part I of this discussion, and I hope we see more of that here. So, when you're ready, give it a read, and let us know what we missed.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: Terrence Malick - Part I

Everyone is talking about Tree of Life. Well, everyone who lives in New York or Los Angeles or made it to Cannes. The rest of you can get your fix by heading over to The House Next Door for Part I of The Conversations: Terrence Malick, in which Ed Howard and I discuss his first four pictures: Badlands (1973), Days of Heaven (1978), The Thin Red Line (1998) and The New World (2005). We discuss Malick's affection for nature, his use of narrators and his implementation of music. We also discuss whether Malick's pictures are "too pretty." So give it a read, and let us know what we missed.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: Wong Kar Wai

It's been a longer than usual lapse since the previous edition of The Conversations, but that's not the reason for the image above. Today the series returns with a look at the career of the time-obsessed Wong Kar Wai. Ed Howard and I don't cover every film of Wong's career, but we do take a healthy and typically in-depth sampling: Days of Being Wild (1990), Chungking Express (1994), In the Mood for Love (2000), 2046 (2004) and My Blueberry Nights (2007). Wong is of course known for his blatant stylistic flourishes and themes, and over the course of the discussion Ed and I point out moments when it works and when it doesn't. We also discuss how Wong's films have a way of overlapping one another to create the feeling of a director making one sprawling work. What this discussion is missing is your input. So, if you can, make some time over the next few days, read through the piece and tell us what we missed in the comments at The House Next Door.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: Darren Aronofsky (Part II)

Put on your ballet slippers and dance on over to The House Next Door, because Part II of The Conversations: Darren Aronofsky, covering the recently released Black Swan, is live! If you’ve haven’t seen the film, you shouldn’t even open the link. (Spoilers abound, as usual.) But if you have, well, it’s the kind of movie that’s sure to inspire debate. Did I like Black Swan? Did Ed Howard? You’ll have to read the piece to find out. For now, I’ll say only that it was a fun film to discuss, and I’m eager to hear the thoughts of others about the movie.

So head on over to The House Next Door. If you missed it, here’s the link to Part I.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: Darren Aronofsky (Part I)

For the third time this month (making up for a late summer lull), there's a new edition of The Conversations at The House Next Door. In this installment, Ed Howard and I discuss the first four films of Darren Aronofsky: Pi (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000), The Fountain (2006) and The Wrestler (2008). This should get everyone ready for Black Swan, which comes out December 3. Ed and I will be swinging back with a Part II of this discussion in mid-December to provide our reaction to that film.

As I argue in Part I, Aronofsky is at an interesting point of his career, with enough similarity among his first four pictures to be able to note some of his signature techniques and themes, but also with enough diversity to make Black Swan an enticing mystery. (Note: I've avoided the film's trailers.) As I say in the piece, Aronofsky is interesting in that he's made polarizing films without, so far as I can tell, being seen as a polarizing filmmaker. Do people have strong opinions about Aronofsky? Perhaps we'll find out. It's been a while since the comments section on one of these pieces got lively, but maybe Aronofsky will cure that. So, if you have thoughts to share, please head on over to the House and jump in!

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: An Autumn Afternoon

And just like that, The Conversations is back! In this, the second of three editions of The Conversations this month, Ed Howard and I discuss Yasujiro Ozu's final film, 1962's An Autumn Afternoon, which of course inspires discussion of Ozu in general. After seeing eye to eye more often than not in our previous installment, on rock concert documentaries, this time around Ed and I found quite a bit to debate.

Is Ozu's photographic eye emotionally evocative, or just visually pleasing? Do his meticulous compositions serve the themes of his stories or stand apart from them? And what's the effect of Ozu's meticulousness on the acting? These are the kinds of things we grapple with in what is a relatively short edition of The Conversations. Our third installment this month will publish in less than two weeks, so head on over to The House Next Door and contribute to the discussion of An Autumn Afternoon.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: Rock Concert Films

After too long a layoff, The Conversations series is back with the first of what will be three installments over the next few weeks. In this edition, Ed Howard and I discuss a handful of rock concert documentaries: Woodstock (1970), Gimme Shelter (1970), Stop Making Sense (1984), Rattle and Hum (1988) and Instrument (2001). As you'd expect, we analyze the differences between the films (which are obvious) and the similarities (which are more common than I would have expected). We also discuss whether it's possible to admire or enjoy a rock concert documentary if you don't like the music of the artist being profiled. It's a discussion that I hope you'll find is worth the time. The next edition of The Conversations, which is totally unrelated, will post in about two weeks. So bookmark this baby for installment reading and add to the discussion at The House Next Door, if so moved.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: Todd Haynes

After an unusually long layoff due to busy summer schedules, The Conversations is back at The House Next Door! In this edition, Ed Howard and I go film by film through the career of Todd Haynes. This is our first director overview since Quentin Tarantino about this time last year. We were due. Though we couldn't cover every feature of Haynes' oeuvre, we did discuss Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1988), Poison (1991), Dottie Gets Spanked (1993), Safe (1995), Velvet Goldmine (1998), Far From Heaven (2002) and I'm Not There (2007). As usual, it ain't short. So bookmark it, take your time, and join the conversation with your comments.

Click here for an archive of The Conversations.

The Conversations: Sunset Boulevard and All About Eve

Today things spring back to life at The Cooler with news that the latest edition of The Conversations is live at The House Next Door. This time Ed Howard and I take on a pair of classics from 1950: Sunset Boulevard and All About Eve. We compare the films, particularly their direction. We analyze the main characters and wonder whether they reflect modern Hollywood all too well. We puzzle over a painting hanging in the background (someone solve the mystery!). We celebrate some of the terrific dialogue. It is, I think, a fun conversation. But it would be enhanced by your input. So when you have time, please head on over to The House Next Door, give the piece a read and join the conversation!

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)
Pixar (WALL-E) (October 2009)
Trouble Every Day (October 2009)
Lawrence of Arabia (December 2009)
Crash (1996) (January 2010)
Nashville (1975) (February 2010)
Easter Double Feature: The Last Temptation of Christ and The Passion (April 2010)
"Minor" Hitchcock (To Catch a Thief and Rope) (May 2010)

The Conversations: "Minor" Hitchcock

Just in time for some weekend reading, the latest edition of The Conversations is live at The House Next Door. The title of this installment is “Minor Hitchcock,” and with Alfred Hitchcock “minor” is a very relative term. Though Ed Howard and I could have explored some of Hitchcock’s least-known works, instead we chose to focus on To Catch a Thief and Rope, two films that include enough of Hitchcock’s signature flourishes and themes to seem part of his celebrated oeuvre, yet two films that rarely get mentioned when folks provide a short list of Hitchcock’s classics. With good reason? You’ll have to read to find out, and then jump into the comments section to keep the discussion going. Our previous Easter edition of The Conversations received a tremendous response of thoughtful dialogue, and I’m hopeful we might see more of the same here, even if the topic might not be so controversial. So when you have time, please head on over to The House Next Door and join the conversation!

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)
Pixar (WALL-E) (October 2009)
Trouble Every Day (October 2009)
Lawrence of Arabia (December 2009)
Crash (1996) (January 2010)
Nashville (1975) (February 2010)
Easter Double Feature: The Last Temptation of Christ and The Passion (April 2010)

The Conversations: Easter Double Feature

I'm pumped to report that there's a new edition of The Conversations at The House Next Door. In this edition, Ed Howard and I discuss Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ and Mel Gibon’s The Passion of the Christ, two movies that are similar in subject only – and even then only slightly. Ed and I debate the messages of the films, both in terms of perceived intent and ultimate effect, but we also discuss the filmmaking in general. This is our second Conversations piece to appear at the recently redesigned The House Next Door, and I’ve noticed that comments at the site have reduced since it became partnered with Slant Magazine. I can only assume that’s because commenters must create new accounts to comment. Well, those accounts are free and easy to set up, so what are you waiting for? Ed and I love to see our discussions and debates extended in the comments section, and that can’t happen without your help. Please head over to The House and join the conversation!

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)
Pixar (WALL-E) (October 2009)
Trouble Every Day (October 2009)
Lawrence of Arabia (December 2009)
Crash (1996) (January 2010)
Nashville (1975) (February 2010)

The Conversations: Nashville

I'm pleased to report that a new edition of The Conversations posted today at The House Next Door. In this installment, Ed Howard and I take on Robert Altman's Nashville. Ed and I agree and disagree with about equal measure over the course of the discussion, which touches on topics ranging from the film's timeliness (or lack thereof) to Altman's signature techniques. Whether you love or hate Nashville, there's quite a bit to chew on. As usual, Ed and I hope that our analysis is just the start of the discussion. So, please, head on over to The House Next Door and join the conversation!

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)
Pixar (WALL-E) (October 2009)
Trouble Every Day (October 2009)
Lawrence of Arabia (December 2009)
Crash (1996) (January 2010)

The Conversations: Crash (1996)

The Conversations series moves into its second year today at The House Next Door. Ed Howard and I start off 2010 by leaping back to 1996 to discuss David Cronenberg's controversial Crash - not to be confused with Paul Haggis' controversial Crash from 2004. Much of the conversation is spent trying to figure out what the film is attempting to do and how it is and isn't successful in meeting those aims. Ed and I toss around a few theories, but with a film like this I'm sure there are many more we didn't consider. So, please, head on over to The House Next Door and join the conversation!

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)
Pixar (WALL-E) (October 2009)
Trouble Every Day (October 2009)
Lawrence of Arabia (December 2009)

The Conversations: Lawrence of Arabia

I’m pleased to announce that a new edition of The Conversations is live at The House Next Door. This time around, Ed Howard and I take on an established classic, David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia. Over the course of our conversation, Ed and I look at the ways the film is and isn’t a traditional epic, discuss the effect of the brownface performances, interpret the sexuality of the main character and try to decipher the film’s lasting political statement.

This post wraps up a year’s worth of The Conversations. I’ve enjoyed the heck out of this experience, and I hope you have too because Ed and I have already begun plotting the initial months of 2010, which will include a surprise. Many thanks to Ed, to Keith Uhlich at The House Next Door who approached us for this project (and edits our not-short debates) and to all of the readers and commenters. These conversations have made me a better moviegoer. I'm grateful for that.

As usual, Ed and I hope that our latest discussion leads to an even larger conversation among readers, so head on over to The House Next Door and join the conversation about Lawrence of Arabia.

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)
Pixar (WALL-E) (October 2009)
Trouble Every Day (October 2009)

The Conversations: Trouble Every Day

I’m pleased to announce that The Conversations: Trouble Every Day is live at The House Next Door. In this edition, Ed Howard and I go into detail about that 2001 Claire Denis film and then step back a bit to discuss the horror genre and whether Trouble Every Day belongs to it. If you’ve never seen Trouble Every Day, here's an excuse to watch it. And here’s my advice: go blindly. This is one of those films that’s evocative and yet elusive. Rather than letting a critic’s review set your expectations, see how the film speaks to you.

This is the least mainstream film to serve as the sole focus for The Conversations, and that’s part of the fun of it. (Next month will be quite the opposite.) So, if you haven’t yet, check out Trouble Every Day and then head on over to The House Next Door. As usual, Ed and I hope that our discussion leads to an even larger conversation among readers. The comments are always open.

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)
Pixar (WALL-E) (October 2009)

The Conversations: Pixar

It's Pixar Week over at The House Next Door, and thus I'm pleased to announce the posting of The Conversations: Pixar. It's not as massive a read as it might sound. This time around, Ed Howard and I focus our discussion mostly on WALL-E, but we also take tangents into The Incredibles and Ratatouille, in addition to debating some topics that apply to Pixar in general.

Pixar Week has already produced some terrific pieces, so head on over to The House Next Door and devour what's there. As always, Ed and I hope that our debate is the starting point for a larger discussion among readers. So check out The Conversations: Pixar and leave your comments at The House Next Door.

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part II (September 2009)

The Conversations: Quentin Tarantino (Part II)

Curious what I thought of Inglourious Basterds? Anyone? Anyone? Oh, well, the wait is over. After the Kill Bill-esque cliffhanger of Part I, Part II of The Conversations: Quentin Tarantino is now live at The House Next Door. As promised, in this chapter Ed Howard and I go into detail about Tarantino’s latest film. In the days since Ed and I stopped collaborating on the piece it’s occurred to me how many details we never explored. Love it or loath it, you must agree that Inglourious Basterds provides much to discuss.

So please read Part II add to the conversation over at The House Next Door!

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)
Quentin Tarantino - Part I (August 2009)

The Conversations: Quentin Tarantino (Part I)

It is with great, well, trepidation that I announce that the (first part) of the eighth edition of The Conversations is live at The House Next Door. Why trepidation? Because the subject this time around is Quentin Tarantino. Given that movie fans have spent the past week-plus binging on Tarantino content across the blogosphere, I fear that yet another QT piece will be as welcome as a turkey dinner a week after Thanksgiving. But we’ll find out. Tarantino has a way of sparking interest long after fatigue has set in, so I’m hopeful.

In Part I, Ed Howard and I look back over Tarantino’s career in the final moments before Inglourious Basterds became part of the permanent record with its national release August 21. At some point we discuss Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003) and Vol 2 (2004) and Death Proof (2007). We also discuss Tarantino’s chapter of Four Rooms (1995). That said, we don’t take a strict film-by-film approach, often sticking to larger themes rather than dissecting the films as individual entities. In Part II, which will post Wednesday, we discuss Inglourious Basterds.

As always, Ed and I hope that our conversation is the starting point for a larger discussion. I realize many of you have Tarantino fatigue, but I hope you’ll give our latest effort a read. Please leave any comments at The House Next Door.

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)
Michael Mann (August 2009)

The Conversations: Michael Mann

I'm pumped to announce that the seventh edition of The Conversations is live at The House Next Door. In this installment, Ed Howard and I discuss the nine signature films of Michael Mann: Thief (1981), Manhunter (1986), The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Heat (1995), The Insider (1999), Ali (2001), Collateral (2004), Miami Vice (2006) and Public Enemies (2009). We exclude 1983's The Keep for reasons mentioned in the discussion.

If you've read any of the Conversations pieces to this point, you know they're not the kind of thing you can easily digest in the 15 minutes when your boss leaves to go get Starbucks. So, fair warning, this is the longest conversation yet. (Sorry!) However, since we go through Mann's career film by film, it's the kind of thing you should be able to enjoy in installments. I realize we're testing the limits of how much people will read online, but I hope you'll take the time to go through the entire piece, or at least read about the films that interest you. I think it's worth it.

As always, Ed and I hope that our conversation at The House Next Door is the starting point for a larger discussion. So please check out our Michael Mann piece and add to the conversation by leaving comments at The House Next Door. Tell us what we missed.

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)
Errol Morris (July 2009)

The Conversations: Errol Morris

I am happy to announce that the sixth edition of The Conversations series is live at The House Next Door. In this installment, Ed Howard and I discuss the eight documentary feature films of Errol Morris: Gates of Heaven (1978), Vernon, Florida (1981), The Thin Blue Line (1988), A Brief History of Time (1991), Fast, Cheap & Out of Control (1997), Mr. Death (1999), The Fog of War (2003) and Standard Operating Procedure (2008). If you read our previous discussion of Werner Herzog, which included considerable debate about documentary filmmaking, you might view this as an appropriate segue – or another tedious slog through the “nonfiction” genre. Hopefully the former.

As always, Ed and I hope that our conversation at The House Next Door is the starting point for a larger discussion. So please check it out and add to the conversation by leaving comments at The House Next Door.

Previous Editions of The Conversations:

David Fincher (January 2009)
Mulholland Dr. (February 2009)
Overlooked - Part I: Undertow (March 2009)
Overlooked - Part II: Solaris (March 2009)
Star Trek (May 2009)
Werner Herzog (May 2009)