PhillyTalk: Ask the Writers and Experts

Thanks, Chuck, for this response to a reader question. I'll post.

John,

You have great, eclectic taste.

While there is no official Disney DVD for "Song of the South," a movie that the studio felt might reinforce stereotypes about African-Americans, I see that there are some bootleg versions available. Check google.com while singing "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah." Or sign one of the many Internet petitions to persuade Disney to re-release the film.

 I know "Jeanne Dielmann" was released in Europe, you might try surfing the French DVD sites.

Criterion has an excellent five-disc set available of John Cassavetes' work, including "faces," "Shadows," "A Woman Under the Influence," "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie," and "Opening Night."  "Gloria," was a studio film -- if memory serves, Columbia released it. You might check Amazon to see if it's available new or used.

Best,

Carrie

Don,

According to Alison Silverman, local manager of the Ritzes, "Inland Empire" is still on the schedule. It just got pushed back. I think this is symptomatic of self-distribution, not of Landmark's management.

All best,

Carrie

James,

In this multiplatform universe it's important to write, blog and know how to produce your own radio and vlog (video-log) spots. Get yourself to a place where you have access to movies and also access to the technology that will enable you to practice these skills. Writing for the ear (for radio, television or podcast) is different from writing for the eye. Learn the difference, find your voice and be passionate about what you're saying.

Thanks for the question,

Carrie

Dear Paoli,

According to imdb.com, Malick is in production on "Tree of Life," a project he initiated in 1978. The film is shooting in Austin, Texas and an unspecified location in India. I am a Malick ademierr, particularly of "Badlands" and "The New World."

Best,

Carrie

JD,

I haven't done a scientific analysis, but horror flicks have been performing fantastically at the box office at least since 1931 when "Frankenstein" stunned audiences and kicked off a horror cycle of "Dracula" and "The Mummy," spawning hundreds of sequels including "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein." Next to "The Ring," these monster and vampire movies are pretty discreet, I admit. I think of the escalating blood and gore in horror flicks as giving audiences increasing quantities of blood, thirsty vampires that they are. Why do viewers like to be scared? 1) Because it tests his or her courage; 2) it has the effect of making him and her reach out and hold each other's hhnds, thus it's a good date option; 3) because it has the effect of making the viewer's problems seem less dire.

All best,

Carrie

According to our book editor, Frank Wilson, Larry retired and is living in Marin County, California.

All best,

Carrie

Dear Mac from Oreland,

You are not alone. Paul Greengrass' United 93 was on many 10-best lists and is considered by many (including me) a work of film art that told a gripping story without sensationalizing it. There were many people surprised by its lack of nominations. But you're right, there wasn't a major outcry. I think it's a model of concision.

I don't think you had a question, so that's my non-answer,

Carrie

Dear B,

Wish my high school counselor had been so sensitive to my questions! In the new media order, my undergraduate degree in literature, master's in art history and doctoral work in cinema studies has no real applications. I would tell your sophomore than she needs to be a fluent writer in many platforms. She should know how to write for the eye -- as in print journalism. She should know how to write for the ear -- as in radio. She should know how to produce and edit pieces for the web and for broadcast. And she needs a good foundation in film history as well as a grasp of the trends and technologies that shape film.

Best,

Carrie

Jim,

It was made in 1945, the year before Tauber, a legendary Mozartian tenor -- said to be nearly as great as Caruso -- passed away.

Best,

Carrie