tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post7211301763078192725..comments2023-09-21T11:39:38.719-04:00Comments on Caviglia's Cabinet of Curiosities: Directing Movies Without The Benefit of a PenisCavigliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11282497659818304112noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-36108330341846550432008-08-01T08:29:00.000-04:002008-08-01T08:29:00.000-04:00Which is, I think, unlikely to make $77 million or...Which is, I think, unlikely to make $77 million or $30 million (though who knows?).<BR/><BR/>Btw, I assume you're going to get to Agnes Varda, but let me also put in a good word for Vera Chytilova. Unfortunately, you can't get most of her films on DVD, but her debut, Daisies, was released in the States, and there are bootlegs of her fantastic Panelstory out there. Unfortunately, what we don't get is her vast 80s input, which makes her seem like an artier director than she really is---she made loads of fairly ordinary (but often quite good) thrillers, melodrama, and horror movies, including Wolf Chalet, a bizarre Communist-Christian anti-Lord of the Flies.That Fuzzy Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586029006083399346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-60701001161205287622008-07-31T17:31:00.000-04:002008-07-31T17:31:00.000-04:00Domestic was 32 mil. You add in international and...Domestic was 32 mil. You add in international and it's up to 77mil. The video game would be completely awesome.<BR/><BR/>Well, back to working on the screenplay for Caviglia and Fuzzy Bastard's art film!Cavigliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11282497659818304112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-31804132702506063142008-07-31T17:07:00.000-04:002008-07-31T17:07:00.000-04:00Well, BIlB make about $30 million, which is a resp...Well, BIlB make about $30 million, which is a respectable number, but nowhere near anything on this list: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm The problem's exacerbated by the fact that BIlB doesn't have any toys, happy meals, or video games associated with it. Which is a shame, actually, as the game coulda been awesome (certainly better than the Clueless game, which looks like it's gonna be a total drag).<BR/><BR/>But you're right about the budgetary catch-22. Like I said, I think actresses directing is really the answer, at least in the short term. It'll also be interesting to see how the decline of the movie theater affects the logic---it could push us even more towards movies for 11-year-old boys, as toy licensing becomes the only dependable revenue stream, or towards TV movies becoming a bigger part of the landscape, a field where there are a lot more women directing.<BR/><BR/>And yeah, Chadha's decision to stay in Bollywood is fascinating. Certainly it's a safer career move---Hollywood is a place where you can make huge money or get chewed up completely, and I can certainly see a director wanting to stay in a context where they actually have some connections. We're seeing more and more countries making moves to unseat Hollywood's dominance---China and Russia are proving that they can make dopey CGI spectacles with the best of them---which could lead to some real shake-ups in the business.That Fuzzy Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586029006083399346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-22705996485085279492008-07-31T16:01:00.000-04:002008-07-31T16:01:00.000-04:00"Part of why women can't get away with a scandal o..."Part of why women can't get away with a scandal or flop, though, is that no woman has ever made a movie that made money like The Deer Hunter, Bull Durham, or Jaws"<BR/><BR/>I definitely agree with the above. But I think the problem starts with the fact that the sweeping majority of blockbusters cost more to make and, in general, women aren't entrusted with budgets of that size, so that it becomes a bit of a Catch-22. <BR/><BR/>Bend it Like Beckham made more money than almost anything. We'll see what happens to Gurinder Chadha - who, interestingly enough, has refused all Hollywood offers and is instead working in Bollywood. I sort of believe that her decision is kind of representative of how lots of people feel about mainstream Hollywood right now. Most of the movies are just dreadful, and would rather, if they have the opportunity, work elsewhere.Cavigliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11282497659818304112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-21035369766254213972008-07-31T15:51:00.000-04:002008-07-31T15:51:00.000-04:00I just vomited all over my keyboard.He really has ...I just vomited all over my keyboard.<BR/><BR/>He really has managed to achieve some sort of douchebag Nirvana.Cavigliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11282497659818304112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-56622495792519500252008-07-31T15:48:00.000-04:002008-07-31T15:48:00.000-04:00And to see Costner looking even more douchebaggy t...And to see Costner looking even more douchebaggy than usual---which is saying something---check this out: http://www.time.com/time/quotes<BR/><BR/>EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!That Fuzzy Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586029006083399346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-62366499271102603212008-07-30T17:29:00.000-04:002008-07-30T17:29:00.000-04:00Definitely check out Heckerling's AV Club intervie...Definitely check out Heckerling's AV Club interviews---they're mesmerizingly bitter.That Fuzzy Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586029006083399346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-76113867411085041582008-07-30T17:24:00.000-04:002008-07-30T17:24:00.000-04:00I actually have a really, really comprehensive lis...I actually have a really, really comprehensive list that I am working off of. I find Penelope Spheris's career to be particularly interesting.<BR/><BR/>I have a post planned where I will focus on women who make really ordinary mediocre films. I'm actually kind of excited about that.<BR/><BR/>Have you seen The Postman? If you haven't, you should. I think it might truly be the worst film ever, and is therefore really not to be missed. It ends with a group of humble citizens worshipping a 30 foot statue of-you guessed it- that douchebag Costner. There is really no excuse.Cavigliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11282497659818304112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6137320920765013089.post-67893554019849877592008-07-30T15:12:00.000-04:002008-07-30T15:12:00.000-04:00Part of why women can't get away with a scandal or...Part of why women can't get away with a scandal or flop, though, is that no woman has ever made a movie that made money like The Deer Hunter, Bull Durham, or Jaws (with the arguable exception of Fast Times At Ridgemont High, which is why Heckerling has been able to survive so many career reversals).<BR/><BR/>What could really change the equation would be if more actresses went into directing---then they, like Costner, could leverage the money their appearances command into having a little more creative freedom, including the freedom to fail (Costner gets to make his expensive bombs because he's worth so much cash as an actor). <BR/><BR/>Happily, this seems to be slooooooowly changing, as actresses who made their reputations in the 80s start moving into directing. Helen Hunt, most recently, is starting to make a name for herself, and fingers crossed this trend will continue.<BR/><BR/>By the way, to add some names to your list:<BR/><BR/>Allison Anders, who's been very smart about grabbing the increased freedom working for HBO and Showtime offers<BR/><BR/>Amy Heckerling, who made possibly the best teen comedy of the 80s and has had an interesting and varied career since (and did some fascinating interviews with The Onion AV Club).<BR/><BR/>Shirley Clarke, a fascinating beat filmmaker, who appeared as herself in kindred spirit Agnes Varda's Lion's Love.<BR/><BR/>Kathryn Bigelow---I'm not a big fan of her stuff, but she has done a lot to show that a woman can make action entertainment as silly as any man.<BR/><BR/>Penelope Spheeris: From the Decline and Fall of Western Civilization Part 2 (I am convinced that her gender gave her an extra ironic perspective on the world of hair metal) to Wayne's World.That Fuzzy Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586029006083399346noreply@blogger.com