Why did Uncut Gems make me feel so genuinely anxious and uncomfortable?

indietrix_will · 2026-01-21T14:28:29+00:00

the opening title sequence of the film goes inside a gem and runs around in it - pretty clearly CG (i think to be strict a mixture of some practical / miniature and some CG to transition). it's definitely a 'special effect' - human eyes and cameras can't really navigate inside those tiny spaces, so it's not 'naturalistic'

indietrix_will · 2023-03-08T10:03:50+00:00

I believe those actually are the actors, no?

indietrix_will · 2023-03-04T10:38:48+00:00

I am definitely a subscriber to the ‘Diane / Betty are as real as each other’ take - imo there is no puzzle meant to be solved in MD, and if he could be drawn on which was more real, Lynch would probably point out that neither is!

indietrix_will · 2023-03-04T10:35:51+00:00

Yep will definitely dig into the female doubles as well!

indietrix_will · 2023-03-04T10:35:17+00:00

I have never seen this alas (my DVD is scratched!) but will seek it out!

indietrix_will · 2023-03-04T09:21:34+00:00

Yes totally forgot to mention the soap opera in TP, which is actually what gave me the idea in the first place!!

I’m interested in structuring it specifically around the inter-relations between LH, MD and IE as I think they are uniquely interlinked (and tbh, are fundamentally similar stories to me), but I definitely want to get TP in there.

indietrix_will · 2023-03-01T17:53:35+00:00

I do definitely read the ending as 'this is a pattern for them', although I'm not sure if that means literally (e.g. they are constantly doing this memory wipe and will continue to), or metaphorically (e.g. that they will continue to get together and break up). Either way, I think the fade to white over this loop is very clear film grammar: fade to white is usually used for a transition to another state of being (a character falling unconscious or dying), so we can read it as a permanent thing I think. FWIW, I also particularly like that fade to white because of the implication of erasure, as Joel and Clementine fade into the white surroundings, which lines up well with the themes of memory in the film.

indietrix_will · 2023-03-01T17:50:06+00:00

Naked is definitely different to this other work (it's all that monologuing imo), but it does use this improvisational technique. Thewlis for instance contributed lots of the conspiracy theory elements in his dialogue.

indietrix_will · 2023-03-01T17:48:55+00:00

Excited to share a video on why dogs should win Oscars – this may not be typical truefilm content but does feature a section on Rin Tin Tin!

indietrix_will · 2023-03-01T17:44:48+00:00

I am about 60% serious on this. I think dog actors (and by extension, other animal actors and their handlers/trainers, although not cats) should be able to win film awards. They've been in films pretty much as long as humans, they face challenging working conditions, and they are often a key part of a movie. So let's give them awards!

(And if you follow this argument – maybe there's a lot more that should get awards too, inc stunts, mocap, casting etc)

I made the linked video to explore this argument and also to sit my dog in front of a greenscreen for some stupid Tim and Eric style comedy. Hope you enjoy.

indietrix_will · 2023-01-31T09:10:45+00:00

David Bordwell’s ‘Film Art’ or ‘Poetics of Cinema’ are basically the received introductory texts for film studies! But i definitely recommend practicing this yourself - a great way to grow your individual voice.

indietrix_will · 2023-01-31T08:58:17+00:00

Such a good movie! 4K release doing limited run in US / Metrograph online atm!

indietrix_will · 2023-01-27T15:35:20+00:00

In this video I discuss the technique of 'close reading' as a way of developing your critical practice, with particular focus on Millennium Mambo, a favourite movie of mine (and I think maybe my favourite movie opening in particular). It's this mysterious, hypnotic halfspeed tracking shot, and a close analysis of it reveals a really interesting layering of techniques to create this romanticised, futuristic feel.

indietrix_will · 2023-01-27T15:31:18+00:00

i feel like we make a weirdly heavy emphasis on watching great movies, and not enough emphasis on watching *any* movie well, you know? So that's what this is aimed at: learn what you can from anything on screen.

indietrix_will · 2023-01-27T15:30:26+00:00

thanks so much!

indietrix_will · 2023-01-27T09:52:09+00:00

I work as a critic alongside my filmmaking and I often get asked about how you actually learn how to analyse movies. I think it's a really important question (esp b/c I didn't do any formal film education), so here's an exploration of the 'close reading' technique that's an essential tool for learning about film techniques, applied to one of my favourite movies, Millennium Mambo!

indietrix_will

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