Author Archives: Zac Petrillo

Tangible Intangibles in Blackhat

Early in Michael Mann’s cyber thriller, Blackhat, Special Agent Barrett (played sturdily as ever by Viola Davis) threatens an official with an overly-dramatic line about making the “intangible” into the “tangible.” The point isn’t the dialogue itself, and in a film filled with … Continue reading

Posted in 2015 Movies, Michael Mann | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

James Gray’s The Immigrant

At the core of James Gray’s powerful new film, The Immigrant, good and evil are melded to the point of being inseparable. Ewa, the titular lead character, says that she “wants to be happy.” Above all, she wants to survive, … Continue reading

Posted in 2014 Movies, Trailers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Trailer for Spike Jonze’s Her

Spike Jonze has always perplexed me. While his features are nothing if not unique and filled with dynamic images, they have always felt like an extension of his early career as a music video director. Like David Fincher, he seems … Continue reading

Posted in 2013 Movies, Films, Matthew McConaughey, Movies, News, Trailers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

American Hustle Trailer

David O. Russell’s resurgence as Oscar darling has been something of a marvel and, to a degree, the most frustrating thing to happen to what was shaping up as a uniquely niche canon. His newest, the very subtly titled American … Continue reading

Posted in 2013 Movies, Films, Movies, Oscar Talk, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Computer Chess

Andrew Bujalski’s whispery, tiny-budget films are, to some, representations of a predominantly white, late-20’s, well-educated perspective on a nation that’s become equal parts pacifying and challenging to that exact demographic. Perhaps the expectations of such films come less from the … Continue reading

Posted in 2013 Movies, Computer Chess, Films, Movies, Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PTA’s Directs “Hot Knife”

Using black and white photography, split screens, close-ups, and lingering beats, Paul Thomas Anderson’s music video for Fiona Apple’s “Hot Knife” paints a deceptively simple portrait of a woman expressing uncontrollable desires for another. It’s not until the final minute, … Continue reading

Posted in Films, Movies, Paul Thomas Anderson | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Clip From Cuaron’s Gravity

In a recent interview, Alfonso Cuaron insisted Gravity was more “Spielberg than Cast Away.” Personally, I don’t think that’s necessarily a positive. Although Spielberg meets Cast Away would be just fine. I’m always wary of sci-fi, but this one has … Continue reading

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“Boogie Nights” Making-of Footage

The internet bestows another wonderful gift. Happy Friday.

Posted in Boogie Nights, Films, Movies, Paul Thomas Anderson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“So Hideously Easy”: L’Avventura

Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’Avventura poses as a confounding poetic film about the purposelessness of a select group of Italians with too little to worry about not to continuously worry about themselves. On the surface, this film could be taken as a … Continue reading

Posted in Blow-Up, Films, L'Avventura, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brando’s Rebel Without a Cause Screen Test

Here’s a screen test of 23-year-old Brando trying out for the lead in Rebel Without a Cause. Brando is always working. For better or worse, the guy never stopped. His performances are filled with textures and grays because so much … Continue reading

Posted in Films, Marlon Brando, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments