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Entries from July 2009

A Tone Poem to Time Travel

July 30th, 2009 · 5 Comments

Primer (2004)
Written by Shane Carruth
Directed by Shane Carruth
Running time: 77 minutes
By Joe Valdez

So, What’s This About?
In suburban Dallas, Aaron (Shane Carruth) and Abe (David Sullivan) divide their time between jobs as software engineers with toiling in Aaron’s garage in a bid to develop a get-rich-quick gizmo. While their partners (Casey Gooden, Anand Upadhyaya) seem [...]

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Tags: Alternate universe · Ambiguous ending · No opening credits · Paranoia · Shot In Texas

She Didn’t Act Sexy, She Just Was Sexy

July 27th, 2009 · 4 Comments

The Notorious Bettie Page (2006)
Written by Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner
Directed by Mary Harron
Produced by Killer Films/ John Wells Productions/ HBO Films
Running time: 91 minutes
By Joe Valdez

So, What’s This About?
In 1955, a Senate subcommittee investigating juvenile delinquency convenes under the chairmanship of Senator Kefauver (David Strathairn). As infamous S&M pin-up Bettie Page (Gretchen Mol) [...]

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Tags: Interrogation · No opening credits

The Quest For An Unusual Romance

July 22nd, 2009 · 1 Comment

Quid Pro Quo (2008)
Written by Carlos Brooks
Directed by Carlos Brooks
Produced by Sanford-Pillsbury Productions/ HDNet Films
Running time: 82 minutes
By Joe Valdez
So, What’s This About?
“I don’t remember any of what I’m about to tell you. I only know what the police and coroner reports said.” So begins a personal remembrance from Isaac Knott (Nick Stahl), correspondent [...]

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Tags: Bathtub scene · Black comedy · Dreams and visions · Mother/daughter relationship · Museums and galleries · No opening credits · Paranoia · Unconventional romance

The Scariest Four-Letter Word in American Storytelling

July 19th, 2009 · 2 Comments

Down to the Bone (2005)
Screenplay by Rich Lieske & Debra Granik, additional material by Jean-Michel Dissard and Anne Kugler and Alex MacInnis
Directed by Debra Granik
Produced by Susie Q Productions
Running time: 104 minutes
By Joe Valdez

So, What’s This About?
In a rural area of upstate New York, Irene (Vera Farmiga) finishes another day’s work as a clerk [...]

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Tags: Ambiguous ending · Interrogation · Midlife crisis · Mother/son relationship · No opening credits · Small town