Gone to the movies lately?

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by dissention

I think there are plenty of fabulous American filmmakers who bring a lot to the table, too, it's just that the general output over the past few years has left me quite cold when compared to the output of many foreign filmmakers. Even people whose work I love have just been grasping in the air for decent ideas lately (i.e. Todd Solondz's "Palindromes") and the general attitude that I've observed becoming even more prevalent than before is that because a movie is outside the norm and non-commercial, then it automatically has some merit. I think that's true with a lot of stuff when it's good, like Miranda July's "You and Me and Everyone We Know" and Larry Fessenden's "Wendigo," but that kind of stuff has become harder to find in recent years, imo. I'm disenchanted with a lot of American filmmaking. That isn't to say that I don't enjoy the movies (I admit to loving Flightplan), but my passion for American movies has waned a bit. The seventies are done and over with, but I sure wish the state of filmmaking from back then was still here today.

I think these movies are out there...it's just you have to dig harder. Funny you mention 'Wendigo' because I thought I was the only person who actually liked it. 'You and Me and Everyone We Know' was also a pleasant surprise.
Keep an eye out for Brad Anderson (The Machinist, Happy Accidents). I've enjoyed everyone of his films. I also really enjoyed Shane Carruth's 'Primer.' Let's see where he goes next...