What we've done: August 29th & 30th, 2010

- Andy Horbal is moving.

- Lucas McNelly needs some help with wardrobe concerns.

- Simon Abrams said about Make-Out with Violence, "It's not so much." Mesrine: Public Enemy #1, in his opinion, is even less. Mad Max: Fury Road will clearly be more awesome than the both of them combined, if it ever truly exists.

- Dennis Cozzalio wags his finger at a needless finger-wagger. I don't even like Piranha 3D, yet I can't understand what's got Cameron's knickers all in a twist. Maybe he should go back to rolling in his huge piles of money for a while, get some perspective and settle the fuck down.

- Phil Nugent promoted the new issue of 'zine extraordinaire "Burning Ambulance" and sneered at Glenn Beck's math skills.

- Jim Emerson used a tie to break down "facts" vs. "opinions" and quizzed us on a unique wedding photo.

- Adam Lemke lost faith, only to have it quickly restored.

- Craig Kennedy had a poster for Jim and a trailer for Beautiful Boy, plus The Watercooler.

- Phil Nugent promoted the new issue of 'zine extraordinaire "Burning Ambulance" and sneered at Glenn Beck's math skills.

What we've done: August 26th-28th, 2010

- Dennis Cozzalio posted the second half of the conversation between himself and The Self-Styled Siren, along with gratitude for everyone who read, enjoyed and passed along the first installment. THE MODERN-DAY FILM CRITIC REFUSES TO DIE!

- Scott Von Doviak looked at the weekend releases, grumbled and started looking ahead in response.

- Simon Abrams pointed out a running theme in William Castle's movies and said happy birthday to Paul Reubens.

- Craig Kennedy posted the trailer for Tamara Drewe and a clip from that new Sofia Coppola film. Also, Weekend Forecast and Weekend Roundup.

- Danny Baldwin was genuinely surprised by The Last Exorcism.

- Daniel Getahun wondered wherefore The Social Network and wrestled with the number of different films hopping around inside The Other Guys.

- Phil Nugent got busy: a quick shot at Glenn Beck, a piece on Jordan Rides the Bus, dug into the legacy of Nixon and eulogized Satoshi Kon.

- Jason Alley will take Death at a Funeral USA over Piranha 3D any day of the week.

- James Frazier saw Charlie St. Cloud.

- Lucas McNelly bemoaned the difficulty of the PMD question. (Producer of Marketing & Distribution, if you're dumb like me.)

- Two Fs in a row for Adam Lemke? Damn, dude. My condolences.

Finally, our own Ari Dassa has been working on a documentary about his grandfather, and he's posted the first trailer for it. Check it out!

What we've done: August 25th, 2010

- Contest! Contest! Craig Kennedy is having a contest! The prize is a DVD of the supposedly-pretty-good Australian thriller The Square, which means I'll be entering. (Would that be a conflict of interest, Craig?) Also: A Martin-Scorsese-directed commercial/short film, the press release about the unrated rollout of the no-doubt-retarded Hatchet II, the specs on the disc that just may get me to jump to Blu-ray and the trailer for TIFF-bound creepshow Julia's Eyes. Busy day, dude.

- Jim Emerson examined a vibrant sequence from Mad Men and let Jon Stewart take the floor for a bit.

- Chuck Bowen wrote about Scott Pilgrim and The Thorn in the Heart. He verily loved the both, but which did he love more? SUSPENSE!!!

- Sean Burns reviewed Mesrine: Killer Instinct, or as it should be known, Vincent Cassel Fuck Yeah Hey Hey: Part One.

- I made sure that, once again, my blog lived up to its title.

And one more hat tip to Mr. Kennedy before I go, as he brought this faux-trailer to my attention last night. This film should really exist. If Hollywood's going to fuck over Dr. Seuss's legacy with every attempt at adaptation, why not just go full tilt nutters? Behold... THE LORAX: HE SPEAKS FOR THE TREES!!!!!

What we've (also) done: August 24, 2010

First off, I'd like to say thanks to the ever-awesome Paul Clark for keeping this place open while I went and got drunk in at least four states last week. His idea of ending each link rundown with a video is a really sharp one. This, folks, is why it helps to have the input of others!

So, here we go:

- I shouldn't want to see Make-Out with Violence after Chuck Bowen's vicious review, but I do. I am stupid.

- Simon Abrams broke down the upcoming NYC Alejandro Jodorowsky retro and reviewed Mesrine: Killer Instinct. Also: BOOOOO FUCK YOU CANCER.

- Adam Lemke ended up mixed on Aja's Piranha 3D. From his thoughts on Aja's work thus far, sounds like I'll concur. (Also, it's just damned weird to me to think of a Richard Dutcher film having gore and nudity. I mean, I know he's not a Mormon anymore, but I'm just sayin'.)

- Bryan Whitefield got graffiti-happy.

- Lastly, Craig Kennedy posted the press release announcing David Lynch as this year's artistic director for the AFI Fest. He then posted the trailer for Danny Boyle's latest film. I never find myself excited by the prospect of a new Boyle, since from where I stand, he does all he can to piss away all the promise inherent in each project he oversees. But 127 Days might well be his Gerry. So I'll keep an open mind.

What we've done: August 24, 2010

- Sean Burns reviewed Animal Kingdom and interviewed Stringer Fucking Bell.

- Jason Alley loved Scott Pilgrim, Brother’s Keeper, and demonlover. What Happens in Vegas, not so much.

- Craig Kennedy posted the teaser for Danny Boyle’s latest, 127 Hours. Slumdog grumble grumble.

Finally, in memory of the Japanese animator and director Satoshi Kon, who passed away earlier today, here’s the trailer for his latest completed work, 2007’s Paprika. R.I.P.

What we've done: August 23, 2010

- In his review of Last Play at Shea, Simon Abrams called Billy Joel out at the plate.

- Dennis Cozzalio celebrated the cheeseball carnage of Piranha 3D.

- Daniel Getahun spotlights the documentary La Sierra.

- Scott Von Doviak bemoaned the decline of Austin’s Dobie Theatre.

Finally, earlier today Mike D’Angelo posted a Scenic Routes column on Sita Sings the Blues, in which he submitted that movie clips are far more effective at selling a movie than an old-school trailer. Case in point: this spot for Jim, which Craig Kennedy posted on his blog. Instead of reverting to the usual montage and voiceover routine, this teaser takes the form of a commercial for a company that presumably factors in the film’s story. Whether or not this spot ends up in the final movie, I think it does a fine job of laying down the groundwork for the film- which, admittedly, I haven’t seen- without spoiling any of the actual plot. I have no idea whether Jim will be any good, but now it’s on my radar. Anyway, here’s the spot:

What we've done: August 21-22, 2010

- Sean Burns praised The Expendables, after a fashion. ()

- I unveiled my #1 film of the 2000s for the benefit of those who haven’t been paying attention, and praised a handful of worthy titles that missed the cut for some reason or other.

- Craig Kennedy slammed Piranha 3D.

- Craig Lindsey speculated on the necessity of a certain word.

Finally, I just looked at the Entertainment Weekly Fall Movie Preview, and while there were some titles that jumped out at me (The Town, True Grit, definitely not Little Fockers), I must admit that the following movie was one of the most exciting of the lot. I’m sure our fearless leader Steve would agree:

What we've done: August 20, 2010

- Dennis Cozzalio welcomed Ken Russell to L.A.

- In a somewhat welcome break from those who would declare film criticism dead, Lucas McNelly sounded a death knell for film festivals.

- Matt Noller reviewed Jacques Rivette’s Around a Small Mountain. In semi-related news, I would travel around, through, or over much more than that to see Rivette’s latest in the near future. Hint hint.

- Phil Nugent pondered the avian mentality of Dr. Laura.

- I unveiled my #2 film and favorite short of the decade simultaneously. As in, they’re the same movie, not as in I announced both of them at once. Never mind.

- Craig Kennedy, in his Weekend Forecast, offered up his thoughts on The Tillman Story and Soul Kitchen.

Finally, a few weeks ago I bemoaned to a friend the lack of contemporary international auteurs who have achieved some real reknown in this country. Granted, I think the idea of the golden days of moviegoing, when everyone eagerly anticipated the latest Antonioni or Rohmer film, has been somewhat exaggerated by the same patchouli-loving douches who pretend that the sixties were about spiritual enlightenment instead of getting high and having threesomes with your significant other’s college roommates. However, the truth is that at least people knew who Fellini and Bergman were, as compared to nowadays when the name “von Trier” will get you a blank stare. Anyway, judging by the reactions of most Python fans I know, I’m in the minority in thinking this Godard parody to be one of the troupe’s finest televised bits. But to these eyes, it’s priceless. Pretty strong meat indeed:

What we've done: August 19, 2010

Simon Abrams had some recommendations for what to watch this weekend.

Danny Baldwin reviewed Nanny McPhee Returns.

I posted one of the many holy moments from my #3 of the aughts.

James Frazier took on Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Craig Kennedy relayed Scott Foundas’ review of The Social Network.

Finally, the good folks at Criterion Collection recently released a DVD of one of the best French films of recent years, Abdellatif Kechiche’s The Secret of the Grain. It’s an awesome movie, and the DVD is completely worthy of it, but perhaps you require more convincing. So here’s a video of the film’s best-known scene, an extended belly-dancing sequence featuring the film’s breakout star, Hafsia Herzi (homina homina). You’re welcome:

What we've done: August 17 and 18, 2010

- Dennis Cozzalio hit the half century mark. Happy birthday, bud.

- The too-infrequently-seen Andrew Bemis poked his head out to announce his own best-of-the-decade poll.

- Simon Abrams had his mind blown by a triple feature of Zabriskie Point, Performance, and 200 Motels.

- Jim Emerson took a look at AMC’s new series Rubicon.

- James Frazier heckled back.

- Craig Kennedy posted the trailer for Fair Game Not Starring Cindy Crawford, and a clip from Zhang Yimou’s rethink of Blood Simple, A Woman, A Gun and a Noodle Shop.

- Scott Von Doviak sifted through the dreck that is this weekend’s new release schedule. Really, Hollywood? This is the best you could do?

Finally, my #4 film of the aughts, Francois Ozon’s 8 Women, had a decent number of positive reviews, but few of them were as enthusiastic about it as I was, and still am. But no matter- I’ve reconciled myself to being in the minority on this one, mostly because I’m pretty sure everyone else is simply late to the party. Here’s one of the film’s great bits, Isabelle Huppert singing “Message Personnel.” Note that the subs aren’t in English, so you won’t understand the dialogue, but this being Isabelle, you should get the gist all the same.

What we’ve done: August 16, 2010

- Sean Burns slammed The Extra Man in the Philadelphia Weekly.

- I eased into my top five of the last decade with a clip from Von Trier’s masterpiece.

- Jim Emerson examined the architecture of Mad Men.

- Phil Nugent spotlighted Terry Zwigoff’s other new Criterion DVD release, Louie Bluie.

- Finally, Craig Kennedy posted the one-sheet for Darren Aronofsky’s Venice-bound Black Swan, as well as the trailer. Enjoy!

What we’ve done: August 16, 2010

Dennis Cozzalio staged a blogger summit with The Self-Styled Siren. Part 1 posted today, with part 2 on the way.

Lucas McNelly, Muriel’s favorite crowdfunding aficionado, is part of a new contest. Check it out.

The ever-prolific Phil Nugent eulogizes the late Bruno S., and harbors no affection for the big hair decade.

Black gold gushed in my #6 film of my last decade, while I did some gushing of my own over the best film I’ve seen so far this year. Also, Restrepo wasn't bad.

Craig Kennedy posted the news about Fincher’s Girl (yeah, I don’t know either), and brought us trailers for both the new Francois Ozon and Joaquin Phoenix’s rapper doc.

Finally, some “Visual Word Play”, courtesy of Jim Emerson:

2010 NYFF Main Slate

This morning, the folks at the New York Film Festival announced their complete main slate for this year’s NYFF. I’ve got to say, it looks pretty sweet. Check it out:

NYFF Main Slate
The Social Network – David Fincher, USA (Opening Selection)
The Tempest – Julie Taymor, UK/USA (Centerpiece)
Hereafter – Clint Eastwood, USA (Closing Selection)

Another Year – Mike Leigh, UK
Aurora – Cristi Puiu, Romania
Black Venus – Abdellatif Kechiche, France
Carlos – Olivier Assayas, France
Certified Copy – Abbas Kiarostami, Iran/Italy
Film Socialisme – Jean-Luc Godard, Switzerland/France
Inside Job – Charles Ferguson, USA
Lennon NYC – Michael Epstein, USA
Meek's Cutoff – Kelly Reichardt, USA
My Joy – Serge Loznitsa, Russia
Mysteries of Lisbon – Raul Ruiz, Portugal/France
Of Gods and Men – Xavier Beauvois, France/Algeria
Oki’s Movie – Hong Sang-soo, South Korea
Old Cats – Sebastian Silva, Chile
Poetry – Lee Chang-dong, South Korea
Post Mortem – Pablo Larrain, Chile
Le Quattro Volte – Michelangelo Frammartino, Italy
Revolucion – Chenillo/Eimbcke/Escalante/Garcia Bernal/Garcia/Luna/Naranjo/Pla/Reygadas/Riggen,
Mexico
The Robber – Benjamin Heisenberg, Germany
Robinson in Ruins – Patrick Keiller, UK
Silent Souls – Alexei Fedorchenko, Russia
The Strange Case of Angelica – Manoel de Oliveira, Portugal
Tuesday, After Christmas – Radu Muntean, Romania
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives – Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand
We Are What We Are – Jorge Michel Grau, Mexico

Most of the expected Cannes titles made it, including competition favorites like Another Year and Of Gods and Men, plus the latest from Kiarostami and Joe’s Palme-winning Uncle Boonmee. On top of that, new titles by Assayas, Godard, Oliveira, Kechiche, Reichardt, Ruiz, Puiu, and Hong (to say nothing of an omnibus film containing a new Reygadas short) make this lineup pretty impressive.

And in case you were wondering, I made a quick list of NYFF predictions last week that ended up being fairly accurate as far as these things go. Here they are, for the curious:

My Predictions
Another Year
Black Venus
Carlos
Cave of Forgotten Dreams – Werner Herzog, Germany/France
Certified Copy
Film Socialisme
Hahaha – Hong Sang-soo, South Korea
The Illusionist – Sylvain Chomet, France
Inside Job
I Wish I Knew – Jia Zhang-ke, China
Meek's Cutoff
Miral – Julian Schnabel, USA/France/Italy/Israel
Norwegian Wood – Anh Hung Tran, Japan
Of Gods and Men
Poetry
Post Mortem
The Princess of Montpensier – Bertrand Tavernier, France
The Screaming Man – Mahamet-Saleh Haroun, Chad
Somewhere – Sofia Coppola, USA
The Strange Case of Angelica
Tabloid – Errol Morris, USA
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

More details about this year’s NYFF, including synopses of the selected films, can be found at the Film Society of Lincoln Center site. And if there are any friends of Muriel who plan on covering NYFF this year, leave a note in the comments so we know to keep an eye out for your reviews.

Criterion Watch (November 2010 Releases)

This was a feature that I used to run over at my blog, Silly Hats Only. But since I've got the run of this place for now, I'd like to put some of my own stamp on it (sorry, Steve), so I've decided to resurrect it here. Besides, this month's announcements are definitely worth repeating.

The biggest news is the mammoth box set America Lost and Found: The BBS Story, which chronicles the seven-film output of the influential BBS Productions between 1968 and 1972. The marquee titles in the set are naturally The Last Picture Show, Easy Rider, and Five Easy Pieces, and it'll be great to finally have those on Blu-Ray, even Easy Rider, a movie I don't much care for but which has some gorgeous cinematography. But just as cool as the lesser-known films in the set, including Henry Jaglom's early work A Safe Place, Jack Nicholson's directorial debut Drive, He Said, and two other Rafaelson films, The King of Marvin Gardens and the let's-kill-the-Monkees romp Head. Of course, it's going to be pricey, but if you've got an extra Benjamin lining your pockets come November, I can't think of a better use for it…

Unless, that is, you want to invest in this month's other announced titles, a trifecta as fascinating as it is eclectic. Believe it or not, Modern Times marks Criterion's first Chaplin release on DVD and Blu-Ray, and if this is any indication then any future Chaplins in the pipeline (pleasepleaseplease do Monsieur Verdoux) then we're in for some great stuff. Aside from a transfer that promises to be beautiful to anyone not named Jeff Wells, this disc also contains a treasure trove of extras, including a TV special on Chaplin featuring (pant pant) the Dardenne brothers.

Yet another classic on tap is Charles Laughton’s sole directing job, Night of the Hunter. And if anything, the features are even cooler on this one than on Modern Times. Most intriguing is the two-and-a-half hour outtakes reel Charles Laughton Directs Night of the Hunter, but there’s also plenty of other goodness in store, including footage of the cast on The Ed Sullivan Show and plenty of interviews both old and new. Plus it ought to be gorgeous on Blu-Ray, don’t you think?

Finally, this month’s “new release” announcement is a snazzed-up edition of Lars von Trier’s Muriel-winning Antichrist. And while I’m sort of loath to watch this movie again- it’s pretty disturbing, after all- I’m glad to see Criterion embracing it all the same. For all the controversy that’s sprung up around it, Antichrist remains a key film by a master filmmaker, one that’s filled with provocative ideas that linger long after the attention-grabbing aspects of the film have receded. True to form, Criterion has gone all out for this DVD, most notably a documentary about the film’s explosive premiere at Cannes ’09. Part of me wants to buy this just to show my support of the film, while another part is a little afraid to watch it again.

Remember, all four of these titles are being released on both standard DVD and Blu-Ray in November, so you can start making your Christmas lists early. You're welcome.

What we’ve done: Aug. 13 through 15, 2010

Steve’s out of town this week, so he’s asked me (Paul, by the way) to hold down the fort while he’s away. So if the sassy quotient plummets over the next seven days, sorry about that.

- Phil Nugent posted some contrarian thoughts on the venerable Roger Ebert, weighed in on President Obama’s take on the so-called “Ground Zero mosque”, and offered up a video tribute to the late Abbey Lincoln.

- In anticipation of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Simon Abrams tackled Oliver Stone's original, along with George Romero’s The Dark Half.

- Dennis Cozzalio unleashed the final installment in his awesome Horror Dads series.

- Craig Kennedy had himself a busy weekend, with the weekly Watercooler, trailers for Anne Hathaway in Love and Other Drugs and Sally Hawkins in Made in Dagenham, and a roundup of recent news from the world of cinema. R.I.P. Bruno S.

- Enjoying a guy-friendly double feature, Jason Alley loved The Expendables and gave The Other Guys a thumbs-up.

- James Frazier joined in the Expendables love fest.

- It’s Danny Baldwin vs. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World!

- #7 through #9 in my countdown of the best films of the 2000s provided a portal into Charlie Kaufman’s brain, everything you always wanted to know about carpentry *but were afraid to ask, and Edward Norton's less than loving tribute to the Big Apple.

Finally, Craig Kennedy posted this video on his site the other day, and it’s too much fun not to share. Behold, a Lego rendition of a Muriels favorite:

What we've done: Aug. 12th, 2010

- Martin McClellan is a new dad!

- Simon Abrams reported on David O. Russell's potential next project, to which I can only say, "Um... okay," and the conflict between the Deadpool and Green Lantern films. He also had an up-close-and-personal moment with Gaspar Noe.

- Dennis Cozzalio contemplates 3-D in both its past and current forms and highlights a couple films that might make fine use of the format, including a Joe Dante joint and another film THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BEST OF THE YEAR AND I WANT NO ARGUMENTS ON THIS.

- Daniel Getahun posted a great scene from a great film, don'cha know.

- Craig Kennedy hat-tips the "Lock & Load" video essay and Google's homage to The Wizard of Oz. He also displayed the poster (and the trailer) for The Town.

- Some day, I'll see Paul Clark's #10 of the decade. Some day.

- Scott Von Doviak is going Aussie this weekend.

What we've done: Aug. 10th & 11th, 2010

- Lucas McNelly requested help in finding a new DP for his upcoming film project Up Country, and then posted a demo reel from Dustin Pearlman, one among (presumably) many who have offered their services. (He also gave a strong recommendation to an indie film named Whale.)

- I think Sean Burns was just a smidge annoyed by Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

- Dennis Cozzalio made me wonder why I haven't watched my Emperor of the North DVD yet. Also, he showed us something beautiful.

- Daniel Getahun examined some recent news that related to the films Sugar and Crude.

- Danny Baldwin dug The Kids Are All Right, but wasn't thrilled by The Other Guys.

- Jim Emerson, too, was impressed by The Kids Are All Right.

- Meanwhile, in addition to unveiling his #12 and (awesome) #11 of last decade, Paul Clark revealed that he thought The Kids Are All Right was just... alright.

- Simon Abrams prepped for Enter the Void by diving back into Irreversible. Later, he looked around at this week's new releases, sighed and decided the best option was to catch The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe at MoMA, or maybe just stay inside and watch something on Netflix Instant before you can't anymore. (What I've seen so far of Don't Touch the White Woman is pretty fucking awful, dude.)

- Phil Nugent eulogized Tony Judt, then laid into Ross Douthat and Alan Greenspan.

- Scott W. Black was nonplussed by Ishtar.

- Craig Kennedy posted the trailer for The Romantics and the poster for The Tempest.

- I contemplated a room.

What we've done: Aug. 9th, 2010

- Danny Baldwin's back! And he wasn't too keen on Dinner for Schmucks.

- Phil Nugent ran down his late-summer viewings, including Salt and The Kids Are All Right, then asked us for a little help.

- Paul Clark's #13 of the decade is pretty singular.

- Craig Kennedy posted two interesting trailers: A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop and Enter the Void.

- Simon Abrams reviewed the DVD of Terribly Happy.

- Scott W. Black was lukewarm on Some Came Running.

What we've done: Aug.8th, 2010

- I don't think Simon Abrams cared for the Nightmare on Elm Street remake. (And I missed his rundown of the various features present at BamCinema's upcoming series of vampire films. So here it is today.)

- Craig Kennedy bore witness to a catfight in which one of the participants is dead and debuted a new version of his weekly feature The Watercooler.

- Scott W. Black loved Strangers on a Train. (Good job bud.) There was less in the way of love for The Wild Life and Nightmares.

- Paul Clark's #14 of the decade has something to hide.

- I expressed admiration for a very happy fellow.

For Your Consideration: Morten Søborg, Cinematography (Valhalla Rising)

Nicolas Winding Refn's Valhalla Rising, like Tony Stone's Severed Ways before it, is mainly interested in telling its slim story visually and doesn't care if its leisurely pace makes you antsy. If you're going to do this, you need to make sure that your images are worth the slog. And Jesus, is Valhalla Rising ever worth it. Whether or not one cares for the film itself, it must be agreed upon that the look of it is freakin' gorgeous.

Morten Søborg uses a grimy, desaturated color palate for the majority of the film's scenes - mud and steel blue-gray dominate, giving the film a weary, earthy feel. This, indeed, is kind of the default look for films like this, and even when well-executed it's nothing special on its own. What is special is Søborg's eye for contrast; because the primary setting is drab, it makes the moments of sharp color explode all the more forcefully. When Mads Mikkelsen falls into a recurring nightmare with a man painted in violent, screaming red, or when the arrival to North America reveals a deep, bright blue expanse of sky and darkly rich pine-green trees, it makes the sweaty monochrome fumblings of the swarthy guys on the ground seem that much more futile.

And then there's the long sequence ("Chapter III: Men of God") with Mikkelsen and the other Vikings lost at sea, endlessly adrift in a blinding mist - a striking triumph of haze, darkness and color filters. Marching towards certain death never looked so appealing.

What we've done: Aug. 7th, 2010

- Jim Emerson, via David Bordwell & Kristen Thompson, contemplated the structure of Inception.

- Paul Clark's #15 of the decade has nothing to do with Aerosmith.

- Jason Alley saw Salt and Predators.

- Scott W. Black wasn't wild about Wild Side.

- An Aboriginal musical exists, and Craig Kennedy had the trailer for it.

What we've done: Aug. 6th, 2010

- Simon Abrams threw a spotlight on the genre film series curated by William Lustig that going to unspool at Anthology Fil Archives and the newly-opened ReRun Theater. Also, he said nice things about Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl.

- Phil Nugent weighs in on the Prop. 8 ruling.

- Scott W. Black shrugged at Rituals.

- Paul Clark's #16 of the decade is Wes-tastic.

- Craig Kennedy had the Weekend Forecast.

What we've done: Aug. 5th, 2010

- Dennis Cozzalio used the work of Henry Jaglom and Allan King to contemplate the life and career of Gwen Welles.

- Simon Abrams ran down the weekend's filmic offerings. I DON'T SEE THE ISABEL SARLI RETRO ON THAT LIST, BUD.

- James Frazier wanted to kick the ass of Kick-Ass.

- Daniel Getahun highlighted a Jack Nicholson retrospective.

- Barry Munday, to be frank, looks awful. But that's not Craig Kennedy's fault. He posted the trailer, and he didn't seem too thrilled about the full course either.

- Paul Clark's #17 of the decade is incomplete.

- Scott Von Doviak tried to pick the best of a bad lot.

- Bryan Whitefield showed us some evocative photos.

What we've done: Aug. 4th, 2010

- Craig Kennedy broke down the list of documentaries announced for the Toronto Film Festival, and now I'm immeasurably sad that the new 3-D Herzog doc is going to be there and I won't. Plus: new films from Frederick Wiseman, Errol Morris and Jose Luis Guerin. Plus plus: A documentary on Filipino exploitation films from the dude who did Not Quite Hollywood! My heart is shattered, and we haven't even gotten to the big guns yet. (Also, a poster for that Joaquin Phoenix thing, if anyone cares.)

- Lucas McNelly offered some advice on how to keep your first film from being a waste of everyone's time.

- Jim Emerson cited a gamer's view of Inception as another avenue for discussing that endlessly-discussable film. And he, too, was all about that Razzle Dazzle.

- Simon Abrams disliked Lebanon. And he thought Spring Fever coulda used a bit of shoring up, too.

- Jason Alley really, really liked The Kids Are Alright. (He also liked The Uninvited, but I won't hold that against him.)

- Paul Clark's #18 of the decade came in about 17 spots too low in my opinion, dude.

What we've done: Aug. 3rd, 2010

- Jim Emerson dug himself some Salt. More so than he dug Inception, at any rate, but he was still very willing to break down the last shot (and the last shots of several of Christopher Nolan's other films).

- Simon Abrams highlighted some new DVDs you could stay home and watch this weekend instead of leaving the house to see Step Up 3D.

- Lucas McNelly offered more exposure, love and gratitude to Up Country backers.

- Sean Burns reviewed The Concert, the latest release from the Weinstein Company, whom I could have sworn had already gone belly-up.

- Paul Clark's #19 of the decade was about time.

- Craig Kennedy was all about that razzle dazzle. Specifically, this Razzle Dazzle.

- Vernon, Florida knocked Adam Lemke on his ass.

What we've done: Aug. 2nd, 2010

- Simon Abrams is looking forward to the New York Film Festival's Centerpiece selection.

- Chuck Bowen set Survival of the Dead and the Crazies remake against one another, then thrashed the "well-meaning nonsense" that is Last Letters from Monte Rosa.

- Dennis Cozzalio had some very kind things to say about Ramona and Beezus, which puts me in the unexpected position of kind of wanting to see it now. (He was right about Speed Racer, after all...)

- Paul Clark's #20 of last decade is a very good choice.

- Craig Kennedy posted the trailer for Barney's Version, a film that features both Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman. (Alternate title: The Great 2010 Shlub-Off.)

What we've done: Aug 1st, 2010

- Lucas McNelly posted Chapter 10 of the Up Country novella. (If you don't know what Up Country is, Lucas's site will explain. Also... where you been?)

- Simon Abrams reviewed Le Combat Dans L'Ile and digs deep into The Human Centipede (First Sequence).

- Phil Nugent feasted on a bunch of vintage rock-n-roll flicks and got cheesed off at the Jewish Anti-Defamation League.

- Paul Clark has been counting off his top 25 films of the past decade. Here's #21.

- Bryan Whitefield wrote about Denis Johnson's Tree of Smoke.

- Craig Kennedy posted the trippy-ass credit sequence for Enter the Void and a mashup of Inception and Paprika. (You knew that second thing would happen eventually, admit it.) Also: Watercooler!

- Adam Lemke updated his screening log. (Killer Nerd AND Dolly Dearest? Dude, why?)

Let's try this again.

There will be actual content showing up here at some point, not just random various links. Until then, though... let's get back to at least keeping the linkage current, shall we?