Bryant Frazer: January 2004 Archives

January 20, 2024

At the beginning of my career, I made very "filmic" films. The problem is that now, it has become too easy — all you have to do is buy a computer and you have filmic. You have armies rampaging over mountains, you have dragons. You just push a button. I think it was okay to be filmic when, for instance, Kubrick had to wait two months for the light on the mountain behind Barry Lyndon when he was riding towards us. I think that was great. But if you only have to wait two seconds and then some kid with a computer fills it in... It's another art form, I'm sure, but I'm not interested.

From Lion's Gate's press notes for Dogville

Latest Reviews

Into the Wild
Into the Wild (Penn, 2007)
The Last Winter
The Last Winter (Fessenden, 2006)
The Kingdom
The Kingdom (Berg, 2007)


Deep Focus Letter Grades

Teacher image
A+: A personal favorite. Reveals new facets on repeat viewings.
A: An outrageously great film.
A-: Brilliant. Heartily recommended. I can’t wait to see this again.
B+: A nearly-great film, or merely an outstanding entertainment. Recommended.
B: A good film with some shortcomings or perhaps a lack of ambition. Recommended, with reservations.
B-: An entertaining film, perhaps hampered by a lack of polish, a few bad creative decisions, or a lack of originality. An unremarkable work of integrity. Mildly recommended in a pinch.
C+: An interesting but formally mediocre film, or a formally accomplished but fundamentally banal film. Mildest possible recommendation: fans of the genre or the filmmakers may find it worthwhile.
C: Unremarkable in concept or execution. Screenings are not cost-effective.
C-: Has one or two interesting scenes.
D: Has no redeeming qualities.
F: Ow! My balls!

About this Archive

This page is a archive of recent entries written by Bryant Frazer in January 2004.

Bryant Frazer: September 2003 is the previous archive.

Bryant Frazer: February 2004 is the next archive.

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