The Limits of Control

Featuring music by Japanese metal band BORIS, the new film by JIM JARMUSCH is a wonder of texture and variations on a filmic theme. While the "momentary" camera-work by CHRISTOPHER DOYLE is a delight, the soundtrack (that's including the pure music of the dialogue), is one of the richest in recent memory.

Punk rock

Audio of MOGWAI's "PUNK ROCK," the lead track on the album COME ON DIE YOUNG, synched up with the video footage of IGGY POP interviewed by PETER GZOWSKI sampled in the song.

"Do you understand what I'm saying, sir?"

The Last Days of the Guitar

The previous clip from ROY ANDERSSON reminds me of the beauty of the live, improvised guitar filling a scene in long-take cinema.

In the GUS VAN SANT film LAST DAYS, the KURT COBAIN stand-in played by MICHAEL PITT draws out a scene while looping takes on guitar, vocals, and drums. In both of these instances, the amplified sound becomes another aspect of the stunning architecture of the scene.

You, the Living

For reasons unknown, ROY ANDERSSON remains Sweden's best kept filmmaking secret. His newest film is still yet to be distributed to the U.S., and we are left watching clips like this on the internet.

I can't think of another filmmaker who has developed such a huge and original style, while dedicating his work to the absurd, joyous ends of people as a whole. His films are strange, unsettling, and a huge delight, which is needlessly a rare combination of elements.