Author: Jonathan Eig
Debating the Auteur Theory: An Argument Against
The second of a two-part debate between CURNBLOG’s Simon Butler and Jonathan Eig on the legitimacy of the Auteur Theory. See Part One here. Let’s go to the source. Andrew Sarris, writing in the Introduction to his seminal book The American Cinema: “Not all directors are auteurs. Indeed, most directors are anonymous. There is much…
Emotional Violence and the Movies: 6 Films You’ll Feel
I hate to admit it, but I never made it all the way through Hollywood vs. America, film critic Michael Medved’s long and rather ponderous book which suggested in 1993 that Hollywood filmmakers were largely to blame for the decay of the American social fabric. The idea that any such decay might be attributable to…
Great Femme Fatales: 6 Underappreciated Film Noir Villains
We’ve been dealing with weighty issues of late and so I think it’s time for another list. After all, lists make the blogosphere fun. I know when I think of fun, the first thing that comes to mind is the femme fatale. It being NBA finals time here in the USA, this one will employ…
Chef and Conflict: The Dramatic Imperative
There are people on this planet who believe the Apollo 11 moon landing was faked. There are people who believe Howard the Duck is underrated. There are people who believe bacon is not good. But you know what no one believes? That conflict isn’t the root of drama. That’s the first thing they teach you…
Hollywood and Societal Problems: Inflated, Created or Unrelated?
One day, film critic of tomorrow, you will be able to say you were there at the dawn of the #WOMTAY. But you will have to read until the final paragraph to know what that means. Ann Hornaday caused a bit of an internet stir with her column in Sunday’s Washington Post in which, among…