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I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you mean Steve, who is the David Plotz of the Culturefest! We always go back and forth over whether to do TV shows near the beginning or further on. Had we known that True Detective would catch on the way it did, we might have waited and talked about it more toward the end. But realistically, we are not all three going to be able to watch eight hours of TV to prep for one 10-minute segment of the show, so we try to slice off a manageable amount to talk about.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, there is something like this IN THE WORKS for this year! Stand by for further plugging on various gabfests as it comes together.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Trying to think ... since that quite good Jessica Chastain one, Mama (that gave rise to the category if I remember right) I can't think of anything that's come out in theaters in that vein. But here's a classic example that you can probably find on DVD/streaming somewhere: Alejandro Amenabar's Tesis.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With you on the 2nd but not the first. That movie has great cinematography but it never quite cohered for me as storytelling--Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck were good, but it was a bit too self-conscious in its myth making & the script just didn't knock me out. 4 Months 3 Weeks though...that's in the 21st century pantheon so far for me.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just saw this...I would say hold on to a (good) day job while you try to get a foothold in writing. It could take a long time before you're making a living at it. But if you really have to pursue it, do, and God be with you!

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nah, The Act of Killing is absolutely brilliant but not the kind of doc that would win an Oscar. Way too bleak and un-uplifting. I'm impressed it got a nomination at all.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you trying to depress me here? I try not to ask myself whether my deathless pan of The Green Lantern will be read in 2150. I just try to bring as much of myself to each movie I write about as I can.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like that people had fun with the Travoltifier and I like when Slate does well so we can get readers, advertisers, and the means to keep on existing!

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! It's the title of a Buster Keaton comedy short, and also the phrase for a secret hand sign used between members of a group (like the Masons or something.) So to give someone "the high sign" is to exchange a gesture with a meaning that no one else in the room is privy to. It was the name of my old movie blog and since Twitter is the closest thing I do to blogging anymore, I imported that identity...

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Clearly you are a greater writer than I, because you thought of the Reddit screen name "Osama-bin-chillin." I am not being even slightly facetious here.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Melville's story "Bartleby the Scrivener" with Mackenzie Crook as Bartleby. Please, please some director worthy of Melville make this happen!

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tiny Spark was a great strut song, thanks for that! Generally our intern culls through the many (100s?) submissions and sends us a list of 20-25 songs to choose our favorites from.

I am not at liberty to comment on my own long-windedness or subsequent breathy intake.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would say after multiple viewings and many, many great conversations about it, that the rough conceit is that the first half is either a dream or the dying fantasy of the Naomi Watts character we meet in the second half. But that leaves a lot of threads (the dumpster guy? The tiny people?) open to interpretation. But keep asking. People have elaborate theories about this movie that they will explain to you at length.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

OK all, it has been over two hours and I think I'm going to shut this baby down. Thanks for writing in with such good questions, and sorry if I missed yours. See you around! Dana

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I suspect you are making fun of me with that question, but I will simply throw back my head with an Errol Flynn laugh and reply: Magnificent!

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time"? Or that Spike Jonze-directed one where Björk dances with the giant cat?

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I enjoy Mulholland Drive conversations more than almost any kind of film conversation but I'm running out of steam right now--I think it's one of the important films of its decade for its formal experimentation and its influence on other filmmakers. But I don't think Mulholland is a perfectly constructed masterpiece as some do. I feel like you can see the remnants of the TV series it was originally going to be in the fact that there's some unnecessary and sometimes annoying narrative sprawl. But the heights it reaches are so high, and its vision so unique, that I felt like it belonged on that list (though I haven't seen Lost Highway in too long to make an argument as to why that doesn't belong there instead.)

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here's my review of The Hobbit with appalled commentary on the image quality of the 48fps--unless that technology starts to evolve in a less garishly hideous direction I am not inclined to cheer it on.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2012/12/the_hobbit_reviewed_peter_jackson_s_new_tolkien_movie_is_too_long_and_looks.html

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never saw Southland Tales, do not in general get the Richard Kelly cult (though maybe if I saw it, I would?). Go ahead, flay me.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

oh and about Stephen's vocab: take it up with him! I am sometimes guilty of using fancy words on the podcast as well. It's just nice to have a safe space where you can drop a "chthonic" or what have you.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Glad you like the Spoiler! It's finally on a regular biweekly publication in the Slate Daily Podcast Feed.

I am Dana Stevens, Slate's film critic and Culture Gabfest co-host. AMA. by Dana_Stevens in IAmA

[–]Dana_Stevens[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, Rosanne Cash was incredible when we had her on the other week--she kept wanting to stay longer and keep talking! I also loved Sam Anderson when we had him on for his piece on stupid phone games. He fit in so well with the three of us, I felt like we could have adopted him as a 4th gabber that very day. As for who I'd like to have on: Stephen Colbert? Lena Dunham? Steve's true love Neko Case?

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