“VHS Massacre” was one of many looks back at the golden age of VHS and how physical media is dying in the age of streaming. Thomas Edward Seymour produced a very good and insightful glimpse at a time where the death of physical media seemed imminent. So it feels only logical that he’d follow it up with a further look in to the death of physical media. The problem though is that “VHS Massacre Too” is a less focused and somewhat confused successor that never quite knows what it’s trying to tell its audience.
Tag Archives: Filmmaking
The Chromakey Man (2022) [CINEJOY 2023]
Success or the potential for success can be a harrowing prospect for any artist, especially when they’re faced with the specter of impostor syndrome. Told through a unique avenue, “Chromakey Man” is a pretty insightful look in to a man facing inevitable success in a field he’s been struggling in for years. The problem is he has to face whether or not he’s ready for that success, and that becomes an inner conflict for him.
5-25-77 (2017)
It’s a shame that in 2022, a year filled with movies about movies that landed with a thud, that the best one, “5-25-77” will have gone largely unnoticed and ignored. “5-25-77” is a love letter about movie making, it’s an ode to the art of filmmaking, and how film can also be a reflection of how we view life. Director Patrick Read Johnson’s coming of age drama comedy is a pretty excellent indie film, one that I’ve been waiting for over five years to watch that is now being available to view for a wider audience.
Babylon (2022)
Damien Chazelle’s latest is one of the most controversial movies of the year, if only because it’s sparked a huge conversation about movies. It’s funny that a movie about the changing canvas of filmmaking sparked a very heated discourse about the changing canvas movies and bringing in audiences. The financial bomb feels a lot like Damien Chazelle correcting course for the sake of Oscar glory. Where as “La La Land” was a simple movie with aspirations to pay tribute to Hollywood, “Babylon” is a large, overlong, sweeping epic that aspires to pay tribute to Hollywood.
It doesn’t just pay tribute to Hollywood, though, it bends over to kiss its own ass every chance it gets.
Everything Ends, and so should “The Oscars”
I’ve been an avid Oscar fan since I was five years old. I’ve watched every single show since I was a wee lad, and I’ve always had a good time with the energy and love for movies. Over the years the Oscars have tested my devotion to the entire process what with the politics and unusual decisions for its awards. It always took top priority when I was growing up, and now it’s rare that I watch the entire ceremony in one sitting. Now in 2022, “The Oscars” seems so antiquated, especially when they’re still refusing to acknowledge interesting, and unique filmmaking in favor of the same old stuff we’ve seen a thousand times already.
Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster (2021)
For the generation that cut their teeth on classic Universal horror movies, Boris Karloff is, was, and will always be the definitive Frankenstein monster. What “The Man Behind the Monster” seeks to do is act as an appetizer for the aspiring horror buff who hasn’t quite been lucky enough see much of Karloff’s work. Karloff was a man who was powerful on-screen even in to his old age; “The Man Behind the Monster” explores the powerful actor, and his tumultuous career that survived through political controversies, and the Hays Code.
Jerry Lewis: The Total FilmMaker
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jerry Lewis’ book “The Total FilmMaker,” based on a series of lectures he gave on the challenges and strategies for being a film director. On this episode of “The Online Movie Show,” film historian James L. Neibaur shares his recollections of Lewis and provides insight on his contributions to filmmaking.
Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini (2015) [Digital]
On Demand and Digital for the First Time Ever on October 19th, “Smoke and Mirrors” is one of the many documentaries exploring the life and work of Tom Savini. For those unaware, Savini is a legendary make up artist that’s contributed to some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Behind the man and his make up is the story of a man who has spent most of his life second guessing himself and considering himself the black sheep among his talented group of siblings.