The most recent batch of Academy Award contenders to come out – 12 Years a Slave, The Contender, Gravity, etc. – all come from renowned or at least established directors. Except for perhaps Neil Blomkamp and Benh Zeitlin, few directors can claim that their first films received Oscar nods. Where, then, did these acclaimed directors […]
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How digital film changes the racial politics of cinematography
Many filmmakers have reacted negatively to the industry’s transition from physical film to digital recordings. For all its benefits – immediate playback, easier editing, color correction – some argue that digital filming loses some the warm qualities that make physical film prints enticing. They aren’t convinced of the benefits, so physical film still has a […]
Continue readingIs “cinema” having a crisis? Not quite, says A. O. Scott
A. O. Scott is one of the most notable film writers who actively engages questions about the future of the moving image medium. His articles, though controversial, always offer a unique and thoughtful perspective on the impending and foreboding issues facing the film industry. Scott is deeply familiar with the exodus of creative talent away […]
Continue readingWhy widescreen? All aspect ratio questions answered in 18 minutes
The average media consumer is probably familiar with two aspect ratios, 4:3 and 16:9. Those are the dimensions commonly associated with standard-definition and high-definition TVs, respectively. Most media we consume has been formatted into one of these ratios for the sake of home viewing, but as you’d know if you’ve ever had to watch a […]
Continue readingBuy, buy, buy! All Criterion DVDs half-off for the next day
We don’t like to run blatant promotional material, but this is a special circumstance. The Criterion Collection, widely regarded as the gold standard for home media releases, is holding a one-day sale on their entire collection. Every Criterion DVD and Blu-ray is 50% off until noon tomorrow. This includes their collection sets and the Eclipse […]
Continue readingCNBC catches up with The Queen of Versailles subjects
The Queen of Versailles (HU DVD 4553) is one of the more popular and unusual documentaries in our collection. It chronicles the lifestyle of Florida billionaires Jackie and David Siegel as they attempt to build an impossibly massive mansion during the height of the recent economic downturn. As the film explains, a variety of economic […]
Continue readingVimeo steps into the film distribution game
The breakdown of the conventional media publishing model has led filmmakers to some unusual sources for funding. The most obvious alternative is Kickstarter, where hopeful directors can collect thousands of small donations to bankroll projects. Other large companies such as Netflix and Amazon have offered lucrative deals for original content in the vein of traditional […]
Continue readingHappy National Dog Day! Avoid animal tragedies with Does the Dog Die
Evidently, August 26th is National Dog Day, a holiday we can all agree with. The holiday’s goal is to raise awareness for local Humane Societies and the adoption process, which is a great thing, but it’s unclear how the average person should celebrate. Surely this is the right day to watch a few dog movies. […]
Continue readingHave $35,000 to spend? The ultimate streaming device awaits
With the rise of the Roku, Xbox, and Chromecast, streaming devices have become one of the most popular ways to consume media. Nearly every major movie eventually ends up on Netflix, Amazon, or iTunes. It has become easier than ever to watch any movie at any time, but you have to wait. New releases still […]
Continue readingEarly Orson Welles film uncovered!
Everyone knows Orson Welles best for his directorial debut, Citizen Kane. Though Welles had dabbled in some film work and shorts before Kane‘s debut, few of those early works have seen the light of the day. Perhaps Welles’s most famous lost work is Too Much Johnson, a series of vignettes originally designed to screen alongside […]
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