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Layer Cake
August 7, 2007
As with most movies of the gang/drug crime-genre, Layer Cake starts off with an extended explanation of all of the key components. Much like Casino, it provides a list, in brevity of the various players, and the way that the operation functions. At some point in every crime film, it seems as though this junction is necessary: ”This guy buys the drugs, this guy cuts the drugs, this guy sells the drugs, and, oh yeah, that guy is the supplier. That is the supplier’s right-hand man, that is his addict girlfriend, and that guy…well, he is just reckless.” By this right, Layer Cake fits comfortably, almost too comfortably, into an already established format for the way in which this type of film must establish character relations. In Ocean’s Eleven and Snatch, the cast is introduced in much of the same manner. This is the same for films like Goodfellas, and most other notable American crime dramas. Despite the obvious redundancy of this way of establishing character relations, this is satisfactory. In fact, I freely admit that I generally enjoy this type of character introduction. Despite the generic layout, and its predictability, I enjoy seeing which characters fulfill which parts (Simply, who they cast). After watching several films of this nature, one becomes familiar with certain actors that reappear. It is interesting to consider that the mob boss in Snatch plays a nobody in the film Lock Stocked and Two Smoking Barrels. Robert Deniro goes from bigshot in Casino, to bus-driver in A Bronx Tale. Moreover, this system is simply convenient. One does not have to overthink the ways in which plot extensions lead to character development. We are already familiar, based on the framework that has been established, which characters fit which parts. In reflection, it would be interesting to see how other film genres could incorporate the same tactic. I imagine romance films that introduce the lovers, and various other conflicting characters immediately: “This is the jealous overbearing lover, that chick is the love interest, that guy love’s her madly, but is poor, that is the rich father, and that is the mother who is having an affair with the neighbor.”
Additional Multi-Screen Showing
July 29, 2007It has been proposed that members of the PTFC reconvene for an additional multi-screen showing at the house. Obviously this matter, as always, is open to suggestion. Hopefully, this will be as adventful/fruitful as the last showing.
Disorienting Horror
July 27, 2007Last evening, the Project This Film Club hosted a multi-screen horror fest. In an effort to experiment with the aesthetic of disorientation, the club set up five older television sets in the basement of the Small Pink Bird house in Roseville. Each television set was connected to a seperate dvd player/vcr. After approximately half an hour of dealing with installment/viewing issues, the club decided to show the following films simultaneously:
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
The Return of the Living Dead (part II)
The People Under the Stairs
Nosferatu
Evil Dead II
Initially, the experience was entirely as disorienting as had been predicted. Most commented on the difficulty of remaining focused on a particular television set for any duration. Mixed laughs and commentary made it overwhelmingly evident that the viewing experience was of a much different nature. Seemingly, most of the audience members shifted between television screens based on the amount of action/humor occurring at any particular junction. One would distractedly watch Freddy guide a mental patient to his/her grueling death (A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors), then switch over to see Everett Mcgill in a full leather suit annihilating the interior of a house (The People Under the Stairs).
By starting the films simultaneously, we were originally hoping to discover emerging trends. Essentially, we were under the impression that many of the more obtrusively action packed portions of each film would be syncopated. Despite random moments of odd similarity (driving scenes, people conversing), this was, most assuredly, not the case.
Overall, it became evident that this experience refused any attempts to follow the plot extensions of a single film (or, for that matter, a series of films), throughout. Although many of the audience members had previously watched select films, this experience refuted general plot progressions. The plot of any particular film became dependent; dependent on the other four films. Climatic events became entirely confused. The varying shouts and agonizing screams that would typically mark a climatic junction were inevitably muttled by the dialogue/humor of other films. At times, the humor of another film would degrade the horror of the next. At certain junctions, the mixed screams from an adjacent television would intensify the interaction of other characters. Any attempts to treat a film indepedently were subverted by the overall experience.
The ending:
One could not help acknowledging the inherent beauty of each films ending. As the ending credits rolled over each screen, there existed an accompanying feeling of loss. The situation was ending; the collaborative film was fading from existence; the capacity for attention was slowly being restored. As the television sets flickered and faded, the slow concluding scene of Nosferatu served as a subversive tranquilizer. The conventional film viewing experience was restored just briefly as a horse galloped into the barren distance.
In House Showing: Six Hours of Horror
July 26, 2007The House Showing is scheduled for this evening. It is imperative that we collect the supplies necessary to facilitate maximum viewing pleasure. Currently, Jesse and I are in possession of three television monitors, two dvd players, a vcr, and a newly renovated backyard. Hopefully Dr. Alphonse Hudson will be able to provide yet another monitor and a vcr. In terms of cable, I am going to attempt to contact John. If the weather holds out, the films will be shown in the backyard. Otherwise, we will watch them in the basement, in conjunction with the big screen tv. There are also rumors of a fully functional projector, but obtaining it is still a work in progress.
Member Sites
July 25, 2007Soon the RADIKILL screen printing presses will be running. Dr. Alphonse Hudson from the Project This Film Club will be producing and distributing personal and collaborative print designs.
Although the website is still under construction, a link has been provided under the “member sites” section of the adjacent column.
Multi-Screen Horror Fest
July 21, 2007 
This week, members of the PTFC will be hosting a backyard/basement showing (final decision will be based on impending weather conditions). In an attempt to experiment with aesthetic, each horror film will be shown on various television screens/monitors simultaneously. We are still deciding which films to show, and are open to any suggestions that may arise.
When life hands you lemons…
July 20, 2007Moving and personal health issues are to blame for the posting failures that have occurred recently. The PTFC has attended a variety of films, and commentary/discourse will be provided within the immediate (and, I mean immediate) future.
