Rob Christopher's Blog, page 18

3 things about Frederick Wiseman’s ASPEN

Aspen [1991]

1. “I’m here to tell you, the way to grow old gracefully is to get cosmetic surgery.”
2. Brief appearances by John Denver and Ed Bradley!
3. The artist noticed which way the art world was going. Conservative. She switched from abstract expressionism back to realism.

Just a shade below The Store for me on the Wiseman scale, but this is still an incredibly rich mosaic that nails exactly how Colorado felt in the very early 90s. When the pastor drops a reference to the Broncos in his sermon I was like, yup, that’s on point.

Some have said this is Wiseman’s funniest film and there’s definitely a case to be made. Because among other things Aspen is a nonstop cavalcade of period fashion, especially sweaters: the gorgeous, the boring, the horrifically ugly. And then there’s the rich gay with a blonde mullet who’s sporting a fuchsia onesie, belted, with a fleecy white vest. That’s the power of documentary.

3 things about Merlin Crossingham & Nick Park’s WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl [2024]

1. Snoozy Choc.
2. Unexpected turnip.
3. An elevated waterway for barges.

3 things about Merlin Crossingham & Nick Park’s WAALACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl [2024]

1. Snoozy Choc.
2. Unexpected turnip.
3. An elevated waterway for barges.

3 things about Jonathan Demme’s LAST EMBRACE

Last Embrace [1979]

1. Sweaty Roy Scheider in black bikini briefs.
2. The walls of the secret office and lined with compact shelving.
3. Commandeering a chunky tourist bus.

3 things about Azazel Jacobs’ HIS THREE DAUGHTERS

His Three Daughters [2024]

1. Sometimes someone doesn’t call 9-1-1 right away.
2. A variation on Ozu’s bottle shots.
3. Even afterwards, she still goes outside to smoke up.

David Lynch, 1946 – 2025.

RIP David Lynch.

Though I knew this day would come, I’m still very sad. I can’t calculate the effect that seeing the very first episode of Twin Peaks had on me when I was only 14, except that it quite literally altered the course of my life. It opened up completely new worlds to me, completely fresh ways of seeing and experiencing life. Lynch’s films eventually led me to the work of Barry Gifford, which in turn led me towards making Roy’s World: Barry Gifford’s Chicago. And it was the thrill of my life when Barry shared my film with “Dave” and the word came back that he loved it.

As long as human beings are still watching cinema, his films will be there to inspire, perplex, and thrill.

3 things about Brady Corbet’s THE BRUTALIST

The Brutalist [2024]

1. “Everything that is ugly…”
2. He lays his cheek upon the marble and exhales.
3. The jazz club scene–echoes of I Am Cuba?

3 things about Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker’s AIRPLANE!

Airplane! [1980]

1. “I’m not sure. I haven’t seen anything like this since the Anita Bryant concert.”
2. Instruments.
3. Maureen McGovern as the nun!

3 other things.

3 things about Anna Kendrick’s WOMAN OF THE HOUR

Woman of the Hour [2024]

1. “What is a girl for?”
2. The sounds of the room disappear; suddenly they’re the only customers left in the bar.
3. She takes refuge at the Last Chance Diner.

3 things about Sean Charmatz’s ORION AND THE DARK

Orion and the Dark [2024]

1. “I don’t think we have time for David Foster Wallace tonight.”
2. We can no longer see the stars outside at night so we have to go to the planetarium.
3. Light as a surfer dude.