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Category Archives: Directors
“Boredom is very important in life. It helps you feel when something is wrong.” — John Strasberg
It’s John Strasberg’s birthday today. I told this story before on here years ago, when I used to write like this on here, on occasion. Figured I’d re-post it. He is very very important to me. Back in the late … Continue reading
“It’s an absolute miracle that I’m still around.” — Dennis Hopper
It’s his birthday today. I’m so glad I used one of my columns at Film Comment -now on hiatus – to sing the praises of Dennis Hopper’s wild and nihilistic Out of the Blue, starring Linda Manz and Hopper. Of … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Art/Photography, Directors, Movies, On This Day
Tagged Actors Studio, Croatia, Dennis Hopper, Out of the Blue, photography
2 Comments
“That’s the way I work: I try to imagine what I would like to see.” — Sofia Coppola
It’s her birthday today. Doing these posts is a way to pull up things from my gigantic archives. I might as well find ways to share them. But it’s also a reminder of how much I haven’t written. Topics I … Continue reading
Posted in Directors, Movies, On This Day
Tagged Bill Murray, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Coppola, women directors
6 Comments
“I’m very concerned that we don’t make movies that are original anymore.” — Robert Zemeckis
It’s his birthday today. While Robert Zemeckis has gone on to be a bazillionaire and one of the most successful producers in Hollywood of fairly middle-brow movies, he started off small and rowdy – with two films I love: first, … Continue reading
“I think a fear of portraying something negatively ends up creating more stereotypes.” — Sophia Takal
It’s Sophia Takal’s birthday today. “You probably can’t tell this from “Green,” but I actually think that art should have a sense of humor about itself. Art is very important and it can change lives, but it doesn’t actually save … Continue reading
“I started at the top and worked my way down.” — Orson Welles
It’s his birthday today. When Orson Welles was just a teenager, he traveled to Ireland. And although it seems improbable (perhaps not, because this is Orson Welles we’re talking about), he decided to audition for the newly-formed Gate Theatre, and … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Directors, Movies, On This Day, Theatre
Tagged Micheál MacLiammóir, Orson Welles
18 Comments
“If one devalues rationality, the world tends to fall apart.” — Lars von Trier
It’s his birthday today. So … happy (?) birthday to this provocative sometimes-maddening always-fascinating auteur. Question mark due to the doubt that “happy” has anything to do with the Danish film director, who has been poking the bear from the … Continue reading
“True success is figuring out your life and career so you never have to be around jerks.” — John Waters
It’s his birthday today. To anyone who is old, like myself, and into subversive art, like myself … watching John Waters becoming an elder statesman of mainstream cinema has been not only hilarious but GOOD AND RIGHT, as my friend … Continue reading
“All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl.” — Charlie Chaplin
“The secret of Mack Sennett’s success was his enthusiasm. He was a great audience and laughed genuinely at what he thought funny. He stood and giggled until his body began to shake. This encouraged me and I began to explain … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Directors, Movies, On This Day
Tagged Charlie Chaplin, Hart Crane, silent films
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“As a cinematographer, I was always attracted to stories that have the potential to be told with as few words as possible.” — Reed Morano
“I feel like directing is more about who the individual is rather than if they’re a man or a woman. It’s kind of hard to generalize and group all of us female filmmakers into one group, like we’re all going … Continue reading
Posted in Directors, Movies, On This Day, Television
Tagged Handmaid's Tale, women directors
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