About
Why the blog?
I love film. I love what it can be. I love that film can make you feel, make you think, and make you see the world differently. I love reading, talking, and writing about film–criticism, theory, and craft.
What makes you so special?
Not a thing. I’ve never been to film school. I don’t have any impressive credentials. As I start this blog, I’m but a novice when it comes to talking and writing about films. But, I know a little; and, I strive to learn a lot more. Most importantly, I plan on having a lot of fun along the way.
What’s with the cake?
When I first began to look at film with a critical eye, I was surprised by what all film could contain. It was so much more than an entertaining way to pass the time. In the fall of 1999, my wife took a class on Hitchcock at the University of Oklahoma. Concurrent with that, we both began really looking at Hitchcock’s films and what it meant to be an auteur. It changed the way we looked at film.
So at the time, I came up with this analogy of a good film being like a layered cake. There are physical layers…of cake, of filling, of frosting. There are layers of texture and of complexity. The basic ingredients may be rather simple…but in the hands of the right cakemaker, the results can be absolutely mindblowing. Sure, it’s not a perfect metaphor, but it’ll do.
I suppose the Hitchcock quote could’ve had something to do with it as well. But, honestly, I didn’t remember the quote until I stumbled across it while setting up this blog. Anyway…like some of the best quirks in film…it may not have been intentional, but it still works.
Who are you anyway?
My name is Dwight.
