Even with all of its scenes of preoccupied characters drained from work or arguing with their partners, 'Hohokam' remains Ross’ most joyous film. Inspired by fallen civilizations and dystopian futures, 'Hohokam' moves at a brisk pace. Its rhythm makes us feel the wear-and-tear of Anson’s and Lori’s daily grinds. But Ross’ style demonstrates great patience where it counts. He uses his camera and sound design to place his characters and their limited perception into greater perspective as they deal with…
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Blood for Dracula 1974
In his earlier American films, Paul Morrissey worked brilliantly within the confines of low-rent, no-frills productions. They were the ideal fit not only for the subject matter of Morrissey’s narratives, but also his stylistic sensibility and his worldview. But 'Blood for Dracula' (and 'Flesh for Frankenstein,' produced at the same time) shows little evidence of Morrissey having trouble adapting to a studio setting in Italy. He has said that his unifying ethical concern within his films is to “remark upon…
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The Annihilation of Fish 1999
"Well, if you won't laugh, I can’t cry anymore… might as well eat."
'The Annihilation of Fish' is about as loving and uncynical as a movie can get. Violent lullabies are rewritten to soothe lovers; dreams are (literally?) shot and killed in order to free the dreamer. 'Annihilation of Fish' begins with characters trapped by what they think are their only, perhaps last, chance at a life of purpose. Whether it's Poinsettia’s romance with a long-dead opera composer or Fish’s…
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Paper Planes 2023
If you're looking for something new to add to your annual Christmas movie rotation, I highly recommend checking out 'Paper Planes,' the new film by Alyssa Thordarson and Michael Glover Smith. Split Tooth has the honor of hosting its online premiere, and we couldn't be more thrilled. This is an incredibly assured directorial debut from Thordarson, who also wrote and stars in the film. She and Smith have crafted an incredibly sensitive and sincere movie about an unexpected connection formed…
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Safe 1995
There is an interview with Guy Maddin on the ‘My Winnipeg’ Criterion disc in which he compares melodrama to Werner Herzog's ecstatic truths. Maddin defines melodrama as "life uninhibited,” a style where characters can turn their insides out by articulating their deepest emotions in their fullest and most expressive forms. In ‘Safe,’ Haynes does something unique with melodrama, because he treats the film’s most ecstatic moments like they are being yelled through gritted teeth. There is a disharmony between the…
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The Killing of a Chinese Bookie 1976
With the exception of Mabel in 'A Woman Under the Influence,' I don’t know if Cassavetes ever gave us a better "self-portrait" — with so many of his personal insecurities and struggles on display, as well as his singular drive for creative freedom — than he did through the characters of Cosmo and Mr. Sophistication in 'Killing of a Chinese Bookie.' Cosmo finds freedom through putting on his act. As he says, he only feels like himself when he is…