Peppertree Pondering

The fruits of my pondering: often daily, but it varies. My reflections are mostly poetic, cinematic and photographic.

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SEEN, AUG ‘15

Reflection. The big questions are often misinterpreted or diminished when made explicit, film can often be the most appropriate place to explore these philosophical ideas through visual representations (Irreversible), scenarios (The Sacrifice), or character arcs (Blade Runner). The strength of a film can often be the lingering sensation in the viewer as their mind is engaged in dealing with these questions; whether it be the desires of a prince (The Leopard), the motivations of a tyrant (There Will Be Blood), or the spirit of humanity (La Grande Illusion). I think these are signs of great filmmaking.

Bold - first time Normal - rewatch

02/08 - The Leopard (1963), dir. Luchino Visconti 02/08 - Clerks (1994), dir. Kevin Smith 04/08 - Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015), dir. Christopher McQuarrie 05/08 - Irreversible (2002), dir. Gaspar Noé 07/08 - La Grande Illusion (1937), dir. Jean Renoir 12/08 - Capote (2005), dir. Bennett Miller 16/08 - There Will Be Blood (2007), dir. Paul Thomas Anderson 17/08 - Blade Runner (1982), dir. Ridley Scott 23/08 - Stalker (1979), dir. Andrei Tarkovsky 24/08 - Koyaanisqatsi (1982), dir. Godfrey Reggio 26/08 - Adaptation. (2002), dir. Spike Jonze 29/08 - Roger & Me (1999), dir. Michael Moore 29/08 - Star Wars (1977), dir. George Lucas 29/08 - Irreversible (2002), dir. Gaspar Noé 30/08 - John Wick (2014), dir. Chad Stahelski 31/08 - The Sacrifice (1986), dir. Andrei Tarkovsky

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Water and Sunset from Kieran Elliott on Vimeo.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney. Shot on BMPCC, with Metabones BMPCC Speed Booster, Nikon 17-55 lens, and Letus 1.33 anamorphic adapter. Music: Fur Alina (by Arvo Part)

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Seen, Jul ‘15

Reflection. This month was a mixed bag. From the gorgeous denouement to Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’ or kaleidoscopic drama of PTA’s ‘Magnolia’ to the silky plot messes of ‘Ant-Man’ and ‘Terminator: Genesys’, the overall lesson was that filmmakers need to look back to move on. Terminator’s ability to pay homage and use new technique to tell a new story paid off, and reminiscing on some greats help to appreciate when something is beautiful.

Bold - first time Normal - rewatch

01/07 - Easy Rider (1969), dir. Dennis Hopper 02/07 - Bad Lieutenant (1992), dir. Abel Ferrara 03/07 - The Terminator (1984), dir. James Cameron 03/07 - Terminator Genisys (2015), dir. Alan Taylor 06/07 - Particle Fever (2013), dir. Mark Levinson 06/07 - City Lights (1931), dir. Charles Chaplin 07/07 - Battle Royale (2000), dir. Kinji Fukasaku 09/07 - The Deer Hunter (1978), dir. Michael Cimino 14/07 - Begin Again (2013), dir. John Carney 17/07 - Fear and Lothing in Las Vegas (1998), dir. Terry Gilliam 18/07 - Scary Movie 3 (2003), dir. David Zucker 19/07 - Django Unchained (2012), dir. Quentin Tarantino 21/07 - Ant-Man (2015), dir. Peyton Reed 27/07 - Magnolia (1999), dir. Paul Thomas Anderson 31/07 - The World's End (2013), dir. Edgar Wright

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Seen, Jun ‘15

Reflection. A collective theme across the films I viewed this month concerned itself with human endeavours, triumphs and sorrows. From the companionship in Cries and Whispers, and In the Shadow of the Moon, to the relationships of Mother and Foxcatcher, and it’s eventual destruction in The Hunt and The Look of Silence. I thiunk the fact that most of the films I watched this month could be described as “powerful” might go down to that theme. And it’s a universal one.

Bold - first time Normal - rewatch

05/06 - Snowpiercer (2013), dir. Joon-ho Bong 05/06 - Nymphomaniac: Vol. I (2013), dir. Lars von Trier 06/06 - Smiles of a Summer Night (1955), dir. Ingmar Bergman 06/06 - Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015), dir. Alex Gibney 06/06 - Nymphomaniac: Vol. II (2013), dir. Lars von Trier 07/06 - Wild Strawberries (1957), dir. Ingmar Bergman 07/06 - The Magician (1958), dir. Ingmar Bergman 08/06 - Hannibal (2001), dir. Ridley Scott 09/06 - Mother (2009), dir. Joon-ho Bong 11/06 - The Look of Silence (2014), dir. Joshua Oppenheimer 13/06 - Cries and Whispers (1972), dir. Ingmar Bergman 13/06 - Seymour: An Introduction (2014), dir. Ethan Hawke 14/06 - Fanny and Alexander (1982),dir. Ingmar Bergman 14/06 - Saraband (2003), dir. Ingmar Bergman 18/04 - Foxcatcher (2014),dir. Bennett Miller 19/04 - Blazing Saddles (1974), dir. Mel Brooks 24/06 - Kung Fury (2015), dir. David Sandberg 25/06 - Kids (1995), dir. Larry Clark 26/06 - The Hunt (2012), dir. Thomas Vinterberg 28/06 - The Decoy Bride (2011), dir. Sheree Folkson 30/06 - In the Shadow of the Moon (2007), dir. David Sington

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Seen, May ‘15

Reflection Each film in this list had an interesting and purposeful colour palette: from the ultra saturation of Mad Max Fury Road, to the monochromes of Manhattan, to the prevalent primary tints and art direction in Hero and Three Colours: White. Colour tells story, invokes mood, explorer character, deepens setting, organises information, contrasts content, and amazes the viewer. A summary of all these wonderfully rich films would be the experience of Tarkovsky’s Stalker: colour distinguishes metaphorical and somewhat poetically real boundaries. In the end, it entertains... even if most of us don’t notice it. Good filmmaking.

Bold - first time Normal - rewatch

01/05 - Manhattan (1979), dir. Woody Allen 02/05 - Jackie Brown (1997), dir. Quentin Tarantino 03/05 - Broken Flowers (2005), dir. Jim Jarmusch 07/05 - Blood Simple (1984), dir. Joel Coen 10/05 - Stalker (1979), dir. Andrei Tarkovsky 11/05 - A Fish Called Wanda (1988), dir. Charles Crichton 14/05 - Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), dir. George Miller 15/05 - The Act of Killing (2012), dir. Joshua Oppenheimer 16/05 - For a Few Dollars More (1965), dir. Sergio Leone 17/05 - Hero (2002), dir. Yimou Zhang 20/05 - Before Sunset (2004), dir. Richard Linklater 23/05 - Shrek (2001), dir. Andrew Adamson 23/05 - Blue Velvet, (1986), dir. David Lynch 24/05 - Me and Orson Welles (2008), dir. Richard Linklater 24/05 - Reservoir Dogs (1992), dir. Quentin Tarantino 25/05 - Three Colours: White (1994), dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski 27/05 - Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010), dir. Banksy 27/05 - A History of Violence (2005), dir. David Cronenberg 29/05 - Kung Fury (2015), dir. David Sandberg 29/05 - Goodfellas (1990), dir. Martin Scorsese

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Seen, Apr ‘15

Reflection. There was a theme across the films of April in that they reflected on human drama and the nature of humanity. Tarkovsky’s works explore tragedy and Moore’s documentaries tragically explore our society. This brings up the ideals and necessity of the filmmaker in creating a piece that has meaning and gives the viewer an idea to consciously mull over and consider. It’s particularly fitting that April included Kubrick’s ‘A Clockwork Orange’ - showing the tragedy of removing one’s ability to be human.

Bold - first time Normal - rewatch

01/04 - Seventh Seal (1960), dir. Ingmar Bergman 02/04 - Leviathan (2014), dir. Andrei Zvyagintsev 03/04 - Bernie (2011), dir. Richard Linklater 04/04 - Sicko (2007), dir. Michael Moore 04/04 - Dredd (2012), dir. Pete Travis 04/04 - The Silence Of The Lambs (1991), dir. Jonathan Demme 05/04 - A Clockwork Orange (1971), dir. Stanley Kubrick 07/04 - Redacted (2007), dir. Brian De Palma 08/04 - 21 Grams (2003), dir. Alejandro G. Iñárritu 11/03 - The Conversation (1974), dir. Francis Ford Copolla 13/04 - Bowling For Columbine (200?), dir. Michael Moore 13/04 - The Guard (2011), dir. John Michael MacDonaugh 19/04 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), dir. John Hughes 22/04 - Killing them Softly (2012), dir. Andrew Dominik 22/04 - Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015), dir. Joss Whedon 23/04 - Ivan's Childhood (1962), dir. Andrei Tarkovsky 26/04 - The Mirror (1975), dir. Andrei Tarkovsky 26/04 - Primer (2004), dir. Shane Carruth 26/04 - Kenny (2006), dir. Clayton Jacobson

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Seen, Mar ‘15

Reflection. I saw a lot more documentaries this month than my usual appetite. Coupled with the brilliant video essay by Tony Zao, it got me thinking about the influential nature of cinema. It has an ability to literally mould our thoughts by means of manipulating time, vision, sound and many other immersive elements. In ‘Brick’, Johnson easily convinces us that high school is not unlike a noir film. In ‘Patton’, Schaffner convinces us that both the Allies and Axis powers of WWII were decent and morally sound. These are easily accepted in the cinema when the filmmaker uses her/his skill to best utilise the screen and sound.

Bold - movie, first time Normal - movie, rewatch

03/03 - Brick (2005), dir. Rian Johnson 13/03 - Top Five (2014), dir. Chris Rock 15/03 - Red State (2011), dir. Kevin Smith 15/03 - Chappie (2015), dir. Neill Blomkamp 16/03 - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), dir. Tom Tykwer 16/03 - Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991), dir. Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleanor Coppola 18/03 - Focus (2015), dir.  John Requa, Glenn Ficarra 19/03 - Patton (1970), dir. Franklin J. Schaffner 20/03 - American Splendor (2003), dir. Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini 20/03 - Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008), dir. Alex Gibney 28/03 - Crumb (1994), dir. Terry Zwigoff 28/03 - The Inbetweeners Movie (2011), dir. Ben Palmer 28/03 - Man On Wire (2008), dir. James Marsh 29/03 - The Imposter (2012), dir. Bart Layton 31/03 - The General (1926), dir. Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman

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New York and Boston, February 2015. Photographed by Kieran Elliott.

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New York and Boston, February 2015. Photographed by Kieran Elliott.

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Seen, Feb '15

Reflection. All the films I watched in February were strong in the plot department. They all seemed to have great dramas and strong editing. It has made me think about the way in which a film's technique needs to be in service of the plot. Further to this, a filmmakers choice in what makes the final cut is a choice that moulds the success of the finished product. Asking the tough questions of whether certain material is necessary or not for the film can keep the pace and drama on track. Good casting goes a long way too (honourable mentions go to Network, The Hours, Night Of The Hunter, Inherent Vice and The Departed).

Bold - movie, first time Normal - movie, rewatch

01/02 - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), dir. Frank Oz 03/02 - Network (1976), dir. Sidney Lumet 05/02 - Annie Hall (1977), dir. Woody Allen 05/02 - Philomena (2013), dir. Stephen Frears 05/02 - The Hours (2002), dir. Stephen Daldry 05/02 - Love Is Strange (2014), dir. Ira Sachs 13/02 - Whiplash (2014), dir. Damien Chazelle 15/02 - Night Of The Hunter (1955), dir. Charles Laughton, Robert Mitchum, Terry Sanders 17/02 - Inherent Vice (2014), dir. Paul Thomas Anderson 22/02 - Kingsmen: The Secret Service (2014), dir. Matthew Vaughn 24/02 - All This Mayhem (2014), dir. Eddie Martin 24/02 - Sideways (2004), dir. Alexander Payne 25/02 - The Departed (2006), dir. Martin Scorsese 25/02 - The Skeleton Twins (2014), dir. Craig Johnson

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New York and Boston, February 2015. Photographed by Kieran Elliott.

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Winter in NYC (3)

But truth be claimed and brought to fore: Her blood are the streets, her limbs indoors. Deep rooms lit dim with lulling reds As songs are sung and tummies filled. Percussion beats, rattles and churns From drum set, hands and cutlery As her song fills ears and fights to the heart: Oh, sweet jazz's pulsing soulful song. Kieran Elliott, 2015

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Winter in NYC (2)

A breeze does come and brings a gift Of icy flakes and misty white: The place transformed, the streets anew, A refreshed white, our spirit's lift. And then the food, the cakes and choc', Boutique stores with cheeky stock. Staff who care and chat and serve, You begin to think, "this all: deserved." Kieran Elliott, 2015.

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Winter in NYC

It echoes, repeats and grows in strength, It shouts and pouts and lacks in tune, But beat, it does, as drums do call: The rhythm of streets, her soul, her beat. The cold attacks, the sugar soothes, The sights amaze and and ideas bewild'. Her breathe takes on a thousand scents But her strength, as stone does hold. Kieran Elliott, 2015 I'm not sure if I will continue to work on the above poem, but as I experience NYC during this trip, I feel reflecting on it helps to appreciate it and digest the day. Photos to come upon my return.

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Seen, Jan '15

After reading Steven Soderbergh's 2014 'Seen, Read 2014' post, I thought it would be a educational to publish my own monthly. This is proceeded with a reflection from my perspective (an independent filmmaker at the beginning of his career [hopefully]).

Reflection. The biggest lesson that I learned for this month was regarding the need for inspired directing. Inspired - meaning that the decisions that a filmmaker makes must be influenced by motivating factors, primarily story (Once Upon A Time In The West and Glengarry Glen Ross) as well as philosophical context (Solaris and π). The specific reflection upon directing was brought forth clearly with The Imitation Game - a story/screenplay so thoroughly and entertainingly written that was really shot in a series of uninspired reverse shots with no exploration of screen real estate - a fine example of good television filmmaking (if it weren't for series like Breaking Bad). If a director decides to do something ballsy and different, like make a film look like a single, unbroken shot (like Birdman), then it must be inspired by something - it must be necessary.

Bold - movie, first time Normal - movie, rewatch Italics - short film 

01/01 - Inside Man (2006), dir. Spike Lee 03/01 - Do The Right Thing (1989), dir. Spike Lee 03/01 - Once Upon A Time In The West (1968), dir. Sergio Leone 04/01 - The Imitation Game (2014), dir. Morten Tyldum 05/01 - The Trip (2010), dir. Michael Winterbottom 07/01 - Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2005), dir. Stuart Samuels 09/01 - Batman Begins (2005), dir. Christopher Nolan 10/01 - Birdman (2014), dir. Alejandro G. Iñárritu 13/01 - Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), dir. James Foley 15/01 - He Took His Skin Off For Me - short (2014), dir. Ben Aston 19/01 - Solaris (1972), dir Andrei Tarkovsky 20/01 - The Dark Knight (2008), dir. Christopher Nolan 27/01 - Flubber (1997), dir. Les Mayfield 28/01 - π (1998), dir. Darren Aronofsky

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Some initial photos from a 4x4 trip to Morton National Park, NSW. A video and other photos to come.

K.