The hottest Cinema Substack posts right now

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The War Film That Turned Dietrich Bonhoeffer Away From Nationalism

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 237 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
💾 History War Nationalism Theology Cinema
  1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer changed his views on nationalism after watching the antiwar film 'All Quiet on the Western Front.' It made him see the harsh realities of war and question the idea that fighting for one's country is a noble cause.
  2. Alongside a French theologian, Bonhoeffer felt sad and moved by a scene where a German soldier comforts a dying French soldier. This moment helped him understand the deep connections between people, beyond national borders.
  3. Bonhoeffer believed that being a Christian should come before national loyalty. He saw nationalism as a dangerous idea that could harm human values, showing that real bravery means standing up against harmful beliefs, not just fighting in wars.

Living on the Periphery of the Empire

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 508 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Cultural Diversity Identity Cinema Globalization
  1. Growing up in a culture that is influenced by a larger superpower can create a struggle between maintaining your own identity and adopting the dominant culture. It's important to balance local traditions with global opportunities.
  2. Linguistic and cultural diversity is valuable, as losing a language or culture can diminish the richness of the world. Protecting local languages helps keep unique identities alive that add variety to global culture.
  3. Embracing a global language like English can offer personal advantages, such as broader audiences or opportunities. However, it may also lead to the marginalization of your local culture, which can be a tough choice for individuals.

Best (and worst) movies of 2024

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 5 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Film Cinema Reviews Entertainment Media
  1. 2024 wasn't a standout year for movies according to some, even though many critics disagreed. It seems like opinions on the quality of films can really vary.
  2. French cinema had a strong year at the box office, largely due to fewer Hollywood releases caused by a writer's strike. This led to more attention on non-American films.
  3. The top movie recommendations include many international films, showing that great cinema comes from all over the world, not just Hollywood.

New York City

Tao Lin • 499 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Events Personal Cinema
  1. The author is in New York City for a week, where he will host a reading and lecture. He has been to New York several times before and enjoys the experience.
  2. He plans to talk about his cat Nini during the reading, sharing personal stories and experiences, including Nini's health issues.
  3. The author hopes to sell art prints at the reading to help cover his travel expenses, as he is not being paid for the reading itself.

Life imitates comedy

Austin Kleon • 3397 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Cinema Literature Comedy
  1. Life often reflects comedy, showing how funny situations can mirror our daily experiences.
  2. Reading multiple books at once can spark creativity, as different ideas interact and inspire new thoughts.
  3. The acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes highlighted themes of resilience and the importance of perseverance in life.
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Is there a 'Godzilla' of 9/11? Part Two

Read Max • 1159 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Movies Superheroes Cinema
  1. The categories of '9/11 movies' include literal 9/11 movies, alien invasion movies, superhero movies, and '90s movies that relate to 9/11.
  2. Movies like 'War of the Worlds' and 'Cloverfield' are strong candidates for representing the 9/11 experience through alien invasion stand-ins.
  3. Superhero movies, like those from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, have deeply incorporated themes related to 9/11 and its aftermath.

Praise for a Film

Opaque Hourglass • 339 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Film Cinema Artistry Experience Sound design
  1. Many people found a particular unnamed movie to be a deeply impactful and unforgettable cinematic experience, often expressing regret for not seeing it in theaters.
  2. The film's soundtrack and sound design were highlighted as exceptional, with some viewers praising the auditory experience as transcendent and on par with classical music greats.
  3. Some individuals appreciated watching the film alone in theaters, believing it enhanced their personal connection with the story and the overall emotional impact.

January at the Movies

Rough Cuts • 157 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Movies Cinema Entertainment
  1. Building an audience on Letterboxd is different from other platforms due to its impermanence and interface design.
  2. Films like Ferrari provide insights on exploring themes like grief and emotional complexity.
  3. Movies like Frances Ha offer refreshing takes on traditional narratives, showcasing naturalistic dialogue and earnestness.

Cinema Without Cameras

Cybernetic Forests • 179 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Cinema Technology Storytelling Visual Effects Experimental
  1. AI technology like Gen-1 from RunwayML is enabling new possibilities in generative video creation by focusing on the structure and content of videos.
  2. The concept of 'No-Camera Cinema' explores storytelling without traditional cameras, embracing AI-sourced images to reshape narratives and challenge storytelling norms.
  3. Older technologies like Magic Lanterns and experimental films provide inspiration for reimagining cinema with AI, showcasing the potential for new storytelling techniques and visual explorations.

Sarah Palin Forever

Cybernetic Forests • 159 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Cinema Deepfakes
  1. The story 'Sarah Palin Forever' explores the impact of political environments and media ecosystems on shaping identities.
  2. The concept of deepfakes and how they can be used as tools for satire and storytelling is discussed.
  3. The power of images and words in media is highlighted, emphasizing how narratives shape our perceptions and understandings.

Revisio-News #3: The Overpriced Hellraiser 4 Workprint

Textual Variations • 231 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Film Media industry Horror Cinema
  1. The movie 'Hellraiser: Bloodline' had an interesting production history with multiple cuts and a leaked workprint version.
  2. Arrow Video is releasing a limited edition box set that includes one of the workprint versions of 'Bloodline'.
  3. Fans may want to wait for a standalone release of 'Bloodline' to get a better quality version without buying the box set.

Pulp Memories

Sounds Good! • 117 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Film Cinema Nostalgia Art Music
  1. The author reflects on revisiting classic Tarantino films like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction after many years.
  2. Pulp Fiction holds a special place in the author's heart, being the film he watched the most number of times in cinemas.
  3. Nostalgia for iconic films like Pulp Fiction should be cherished, as they continue to have an enduring impact on popular culture and filmmakers.

The Holdovers Escape Room

Aerial Shot • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Film Cinema
  1. A group of filmgoers got accidentally locked in the theater after watching the movie 'The Holdovers,' leading to a humorous and unexpected situation.
  2. The author shared a curated list of movies for a 24-hour marathon in a fictional scenario, blending classics with new films for an immersive cinematic experience.
  3. The author's dream is to own a movie theater and host movie marathons, creating a unique experience for fellow movie enthusiasts.

Chiaroscuro for the Modern Viewer

Through the Looking Glass • 99 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Cinema
  1. Chiaroscuro, originating from Caravaggio, brings depth and mood through contrasts between light and dark in visual art like painting and cinema.
  2. Modern cinema, influenced by chiaroscuro, uses lighting to color the mood of scenes and convey emotions or hints to viewers.
  3. Directors like Snyder and Fincher incorporate chiaroscuro in their works to amplify the tone and emotions, emphasizing gritty realism.

Obviousness on Screen

Counting Atoms • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film Media industry Satire Cinema
  1. The author has a preference for films and books that are not too obvious or unsubtle.
  2. The author found 'Barbie' to be too obvious and unsubtle, making it difficult to enjoy.
  3. The author enjoyed films like 'Interstellar' and 'Inception' that are clear despite being considered difficult to follow.

Poll Worker or Poll Dancer

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Cinema Social Issues Food
  1. Bill Gates faced a lot of anger from voters, but he stayed strong during tough times. His decision not to run for reelection shows how much the past elections affected him.
  2. A former poll worker shared her story of stepping up to help after Hurricane Sandy. She felt that young people are needed to improve the voting system in New York.
  3. Little Richard's influence on rock and roll was huge, even if he didn't get much credit. Many famous musicians looked up to him and acknowledged how he shaped their music.

The Phenomenon of 'The Room'

The Lifeboat • 57 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Film Art Entertainment Literature Cinema
  1. Art must give hope and faith, symbolizing the meaning of existence.
  2. Films like 'The Room' blur the line between good and bad, offering genuine enjoyment through sincerity and humor.
  3. Nanar films, though considered bad in traditional standards, provide a unique and fun escape from conventional views of quality in cinema.

The Kids Are Alright: Cinema's Future Is Here

Aerial Shot • 1 HN point • 23 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Cinema Filmmaking Entertainment
  1. Romy Mars, Sofia Coppola's daughter, is making waves in cinema with her TikTok content analyzing gender roles and women's empowerment.
  2. Sofia Coppola is praised for her ability to capture compelling and lived-in vibes in her movies like Lost in Translation.
  3. The future of the film industry looks promising with young talents like Romy Mars and established figures like Sofia Coppola pushing boundaries in storytelling.

Strong Force (1981)

The Author Is Dumb • 1 implied HN point • 22 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Director Cinema Action
  1. Andy Wu's Strong Force (1981) is a historical film connecting wuxia and gun fu genres in Hong Kong cinema.
  2. John Woo's A Better Tomorrow (1986) transformed the Hong Kong action cinema style by focusing on street-level crime and gun play.
  3. Strong Force faced challenges and was not widely recognized, becoming a forgotten curio due to its controversial content and lack of impact.

"You built a time machine... out of a Transformer model?"

Collisions • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Filmmaking AI Tools Narrative Creativity Cinema
  1. When using AI tools for video generation, ground the content in narration or dialogue between characters for a more compelling story.
  2. Enhance the generated footage with shot composition, lighting, and attention to detail like character reactions and emotions.
  3. Utilize music and foley work to amplify emotions in the footage and maintain viewer engagement.

Oppenheimer (2023)

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Film Critique Director Cinema Art
  1. The reviewer enjoys watching movies and shares thoughts on recent films like Mank and Oppenheimer.
  2. The reviewer discusses their mixed feelings on Nolan's work and specifically on the film Oppenheimer.
  3. The reviewer reflects on the lack of emotional depth and clear thematic message in Oppenheimer, questioning Nolan's ability to convey deeper meaning through his films.