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October 17, 2004
Movie Question
Just out of curiosity, does anyone else find it difficult to find time to watch movies when they're in the midst of writing a (film) paper? I'm moving tentatively towards drafting my conference paper, and I had planned to catch a movie this weekend-- several interesting films, including Shaun of the Dead and I {Heart} Huckabees are playing--but I'm finding it difficult to walk away from the computer to go see a film.
In addition, I'm less likely to even rent a movie while working on a paper. It's not likely that I'll "forget" what's in the film I'm discussing (I took copious notes!), but for some reason, I'm less inclined to watch other films when in intense writing mode. Do other people have this experience? I don't remember having this exact experience when writing my dissertation, so maybe it's simply due to the fact that I'm in writing sprint mode rather than writing marathon mode.
The paper is going pretty well, I think. I've been re-reading James M. Moran's excellent book, There's No Place Like Home Video, which has helped me to think through my discussion of the use of video footage in Capturing the Friedmans. Not much I can discuss in detail just yet, but the distinction between home movie and home video footage in the film, and the nostalgia plotted onto the Super 8 film seems important to my reading of the film.
I had orginally planned to discuss my feelings of midterm malaise, especially after reading so many other bloggers talking about it, but with Fall Break providing me with a little time to get some work done, I feel a little better about the world right now, even though Purdue got beat, ending the run among the undefeated.
Posted by chuck at October 17, 2004 1:02 AM
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Comments
I watched Friday Night Lights and thought it was solid. There was a good focus on the human costs of the crushing expectations of small town high school football. It seemed to avoid most of the cheesy sports movie conventions you'd expect, minus one scene that sticks out somewhat. I'd be interested to hear your take on it if you ever get the time to watch it.
Posted by: Rusty at October 18, 2004 10:05 AM
The previews look cool. I like the washed out cinematography and Billy Bob seems to make for a good slow-burn high school coach. I may not make it to a theater at all for another 2-3 weeks, but I want to see Friday Night Lights at some point. If it's still relevant, I'll try to review it.
Posted by: chuck at October 19, 2004 1:22 AM
Billy Bob's performance in this movie is one of his most subtle and one of his best. It is a very layered performance. At the risk of seeming self-serving, here is the link to my review.
Posted by: Dylan at October 19, 2004 1:49 AM
Thanks for the link to the review. Because I grew up in suburban Atlanta, I never really experienced that kind of community enthusiasm for high school football.
Posted by: chuck at October 19, 2004 11:35 AM
I find it difficult to write papers, film or otherwise, while watching movies, tv shows or even Headline News. But, I can write papers in a busy, loud coffeeshop. Go figure.
Posted by: Jen at October 19, 2004 5:49 PM
I'm pretty similar in that I usually work best in a coffee shop. There's something about the light level of activity that actually helps me concentrate. Of course it depends in part on the music playing at the coffee house--for some reason the baristas at Java Monkey have been playing a Talking Heads CD a lot lately, which I find distracting.
Posted by: chuck at October 19, 2004 7:20 PM
Talking Heads would be distracting.. mostly because I would be singing along. And I agree with the level of activity, which is why I can't study in the library.. it's just too quiet.
Posted by: Jen at October 19, 2004 11:35 PM
I find it impossible to watch movies when I'm working on a film paper. Or teaching a film course. It's only the prescribed ones for me then - and I'm saturated. And I can't work in cafes because I can't resist people-watching. At all. It's almost obsessive-compulsive. But I find people absolutely fascinating, especially when I'm supposed to be writing or reading something. On the other hand, dumb TV shows really help me concentrate. Go figure.
Posted by: LiL at October 19, 2004 11:58 PM
LiL, I noticed that when I was teaching film this summer, I didn't watch quite as many movies as I normally would. Sometimes I do find myself falling into the habit of people-watching, but usually that's a sign that I'm too tired to be working anyway.
Posted by: chuck at October 20, 2004 9:40 AM