Surfwise
6 July, 2008
As an exercise in storytelling, the film is exceptionally well done. Put together well, told with the proper highs and lows, following a good give-and-take arc. The people are engaging and interesting and the topic is well chosen and delightfully weird. As a visual and auditory aesthetic thing, however, I have some issues. Not as many issues as I generally have with documentary, which is refreshing, but still some issues. There were some questionable transitions, a few very poor choices musically, and some points at which the FinalCut pulldown menus started to flicker before my eyes in the form of canned effects. And some shots of a beach fire where the color correction had changed what should be orange-red to neon pink. Overall, though, everything was quite smooth and quite lovely. And, more importantly, I really did enjoy it. Which may have partly been due to the company.
Standard Operating Procedure
27 June, 2008
The world would be a better place if Danny Elfman were to suddenly disappear. I don’t wish any harm upon the man, but I’d really like him to just go away.
The film would’ve been fascinating in silence. Mr. Morris should’ve taken lessons from Werner when Werner jump-started his career, learned the art of proper reserve. Not that Werner is exceptionally proper or reserved, but he does know when to hold back, when to exercise a modicum of restraint. Generally.
The Mark of Caïn
7 May, 2008
Sadness and terror mixed with soot and urine, the last dregs of one’s humanity pierced into flesh with a guitar string and a wind-up razor. The echoes of pride are distilled, fermented and rotten, and fed to you in a metal bowl. And you believe that you have succeeded in surpassing your own worth, and you believe you have survived, but I still see the reflections of bars in your eyes.
