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

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“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

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Chat GDT

From March. This has been my life for the last year. You actually can talk about Mary Shelley for a year and feel like you’ve just scratched the surface. Frankenstein book available October 14, and available for pre-order now.

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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