The hottest Film Substack posts right now

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Impossible to Please Everyone

Soaring Twenties • 170 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film Art Media Awards Entertainment
  1. The Oscars cannot please everyone due to the changing nature of audiences, the difficulty in selecting winners, and the evolution of cinema distribution.
  2. The concept of 'Best Picture' actually refers to 'Best Producing,' recognizing the producers' influence and power in delivering a high-quality commercial film.
  3. Despite criticisms, Oscar-nominated films are generally well-made and deserving of attention, showcasing a variety of stories and talent in the film industry.

How Woke Led to Cultural Decadence

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3438 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Film Gender Race Art Pop culture
  1. Cultural critics are concerned about the decline in original storytelling in movies, with studios relying more on established franchises.
  2. The influence of 'woke' ideology on art can limit the creation of compelling works by disregarding the natural differences and gendered characteristics between men and women.
  3. Wokeness has impacted art in areas like race representation in fantasy worlds, creating challenges for new storytelling while established franchises remain unaffected.

How 'Chicken Run' Stayed Aardman

Animation Obsessive • 3857 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Hollywood Character design
  1. When creating 'Chicken Run,' Aardman faced the challenge of maintaining their unique style amidst growth and Hollywood partnership.
  2. Nick Park and the Aardman team worked hard to preserve their quirky, British humor while collaborating on 'Chicken Run.'
  3. The film 'Chicken Run' is considered a successful example of balancing creative vision with external influences, retaining the essence of Aardman's work.

A bit too wet for me in the end

quite useless • 452 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Critique Social norms
  1. The film 'Saltburn' cleverly explores class dynamics through traditional characters and allusions.
  2. 'Saltburn' effectively leverages its setting to provide keen social observation and moral inquiry.
  3. 'Triangle of Sadness' suffers from a lack of cleverness in its script, leading to failed attempts at role reversal and humor.

🎧 Fragile Egos Don't Take Fountain

The Ankler • 412 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Hollywood Film Entertainment
  1. Bette Davis advised actors to 'take Fountain' for a shortcut, but really they wanted their feelings protected instead of practical advice.
  2. Executives often soften criticism with fluffy language to avoid hurting feelings.
  3. Rob Long was shocked when someone asked if his canceled show meant he was washed up, highlighting the delicate nature of egos in Hollywood.
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Split on Film

Cosmographia • 1597 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🎙 Podcasts Film
  1. The post is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content for a specific audience.
  2. The author mentions a podcast called Gone to Timbuktu, highlighting a recommendation for listeners who enjoy their content.
  3. The post features images and links, showing visual elements and ways to engage with the content.

Dune 3: Planetary Regeneration?

Surfing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Environment Religion Science fiction
  1. The Kynes family in 'Dune' is crucial, with Pardot, Liet-Kynes, and Chani playing significant roles in planetary regeneration.
  2. The complex characters and the family business of planetary regeneration add depth and memorability to the 'Dune' story.
  3. Herbert's ecological themes in 'Dune' explore the aim of all life to maintain coordinated patterns of greater diversity, emphasizing the importance of sustaining life.

'The Old Man and the Sea' Is a Tremendous Spectacle

Animation Obsessive • 3498 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Visual Arts Cinematography Storytelling
  1. The film 'The Old Man and the Sea' is a spectacular visual experience that sticks with you.
  2. Director Alexander Petrov used a unique 'paint-on-glass' animation technique, creating a massive, enveloping spectacle.
  3. The film faced controversy for drifting from the original story, focusing more on visuals than the narrative.

Envy Desire

Crumpstack • 255 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Film Art
  1. The short film 'Envy/Desire' is described as a subversive piece of cinema that challenges the audience's perception.
  2. The audience at the Sovereign House consisted mainly of young hipsters, with unique individuals like a fat bearded guy wearing a T-shirt saying 'RACEPLAY EXPERT'.
  3. To continue reading posts like 'Envy/Desire', one can subscribe to Crumpstack for a 7-day free trial and access to the full post archives.

Windows

Soaring Twenties • 262 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Essays Fiction Film
  1. The Symposium on Windows features a variety of creative works like essays, fiction, and short films.
  2. Different artists interpret the theme of Windows in unique and imaginative ways.
  3. The Symposium is a platform for artists to showcase their creativity and talent to a wider audience.

Buses

Soaring Twenties • 139 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Essays Fiction Poetry Film
  1. The Symposium on Buses presented a collection of short stories, essays, poetry, and a film all centered around the theme of buses, offering a variety of creative perspectives on this everyday mode of transportation.
  2. The contributors showcased diverse writing styles and storytelling techniques, captivating the readers with their unique voices and imaginative narratives.
  3. The Symposium highlighted the power of art in transporting readers and viewers, emphasizing the value of creativity and storytelling in capturing moments and emotions.

THE SOUND OF FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

The Nelson George Mixtape • 353 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Author analysis
  1. The sound design of 'Apocalypse Now' by Walter Murch played a crucial role in making Francis Ford Coppola's film memorable and visionary.
  2. Walter Murch revolutionized movie sound through his work on 'The Godfather,' 'The Conversation,' and 'Apocalypse Now,' contributing to cinematic masterpieces.
  3. Sam Wasson's book provides insights into Murch's artistic journey and his significant contributions to sound design in film, making it a great read for cinephiles.

Migrants are constantly haunted by "the life not lived"

Read, Watch, Binge • 196 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Immigration Film Books Identity TV shows
  1. Living in another country can make migrants wonder about the life they could have been living back home.
  2. Movies and books can explore the feeling of being divided between where you live and where you came from.
  3. Relationships and experiences can represent the life that could have been lived, sparking reflections on choices made.

Photo of the Day -- weekend

Photo of the Day • 176 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Art history Film
  1. The comparison of historical images to modern ones shows that some aspects of life remain constant over time.
  2. Through visual examples, the post highlights the similarities and differences in various historical events and figures.
  3. The post uses photography to reflect on the past and present, illustrating the continuation of certain themes through time.

Appreciating *Casablanca*

Bet On It • 120 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Film Gender Values Character development Patriotism
  1. The film 'Casablanca' presents unrealistic premises that serve as symbolic elements reflecting moral themes, inspiring and edifying viewers.
  2. The movie showcases themes of upward vitality, virtue, and moral growth, particularly in the character arcs of Rick and Laszlo.
  3. The gender dynamics in 'Casablanca' highlight male agency and Americanism, with a focus on male characters embodying higher intelligence and upward vitality, while female characters are often positioned as objects of admiration.

Brands And Their Beautiful Stories

Brain Worms • 235 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film Entertainment Media Art Society
  1. In 2023, the trend for movies shifted from 'Eat The Rich' satire to storytelling focused on brands and corporations.
  2. The genre 'Brands & Their Beautiful Stories' emerged, portraying companies like Nike and Mattel as protagonists.
  3. These movies glorify brands over human characters and often wrap pro-corporate themes in timely messages.

And the Mominees Are...

Momspreading • 216 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film Podcasts Art Literature Parenting
  1. 2023 was highlighted as the year of movie moms with fascinating portrayals in films.
  2. Different movies showcased diverse and complex mother characters, ranging from divisive to delightful to horrifying.
  3. Variety of emotions and elements like guilt, forgiveness, and growth were depicted in the films, providing a unique perspective on motherhood.

John Menick: The Narco-Image

Do Not Research • 718 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Film Media Consumption Entertainment Consumerism
  1. Viewer-consumers today are like addicts, seeking more and more content - movies, TV shows, clicks - leading to extreme viewing habits.
  2. The media industry has created a dependency on what's termed as 'narco-images,' which deliver intense, explicit, and shocking content to desensitized audiences.
  3. Capitalist consumerism mirrors addictive behavior, pushing for continuous product consumption and loyalty, resulting in harmful consequences just like the tobacco and opioid industries.

Postmodernism Is Good, Actually

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1226 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Music Philosophy Film
  1. The novel 'J R' explores the corrupting influence of money on our pursuit of creating things of beauty.
  2. The current cultural trend of identity-mongering tied to neoliberal capitalism reflects themes seen in 'J R' from fifty years ago.
  3. Art should maintain autonomy and challenge norms, as seen through examples from the avant-garde and critical analysis of current artistic trends.

"Now is the Most Important Time"

SatPost by Trung Phan • 58 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Celebrities Entertainment Social media Film Memes
  1. Being present and focusing on the now is a common theme among successful individuals like Jensen Huang, Cillian Murphy, Michael Jordan, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey.
  2. Living in the present moment and minimizing rumination about the past or worries about the future is key to achieving goals and success.
  3. Although the concept of 'now is the most important time' may seem generic, it holds value in helping people stay focused and achieve their aspirations.

Anxieties about kids and screen time, train vs. submarine movies, crime-novel recommendations, and other questions

Read Max • 928 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Film Tech Parenting
  1. The writer discusses concerns about raising kids with technology, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and modeling healthy behaviors.
  2. Submarine movies and train movies are compared, with a humorous take on cinematic transportation in films.
  3. The intersection of AI, writing, and labor is explored, emphasizing the social aspect of writing and the potential impacts of AI on the craft.

Dispatch from Sundance

Chance Operations • 157 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Technology Creativity Design
  1. The documentary 'Eno' premiered at Sundance to sold-out audiences and sparked discussions about the future of technology and film.
  2. The film 'Eno' is created using generative software, resulting in a unique viewing experience every time it's shown.
  3. There has been significant press coverage and excitement surrounding the film 'Eno' and its innovative approach to filmmaking.