Heidi Wilhite’s HUM210 uniblog

This was the first time for me viewing Sex, Lies and Videotape.  Andie MacDowell is married to Peter Gallagher who is having an affair with her sister Laura San Giacomo.  MacDowell is a quiet type and unwilling to let herself go.  When Gallaghers old friend, James Spader shows up all of their lives change.  Graham likes to videotape interviews with women.  The music is appropriately minimal and poignant.  In his self-centered and callow character, Gallagher adeptly shows the trace of vulnerability and the ambivalent desire to do the right thing.  James Spader is superb who uses subtle, volatile facial expressions.  Andie MacDowell and Laura San Giaocmo are equally well.

The next movie I viewed was Malcolm X.  Spike Lee created a perfect biography of the black nationalist leader.  In the lead role Denzel Washington literally becomes the character.  The phone in his hotel appears to be the correct vintage, except for the modular plug connecting the handset to the base.  The movie was much longer than I expected at close to five hours.  Besides that I thought it was a great history lesson.

During the reading I learned a great deal about the Independent American Cinema.  I was amazed to learn that the most significant element in the expansion of the American independent film sector is due to the efforts of Robert Redford.  Also, the various ways to finance an independent production.  Such as grant subsidies, private investments or pre-selling rights to films.  I would prefer to completely knockout queer cinema altogether.  It was interesting to read about race and minority in terms of cinema.  For me though, that doesn’t really play a factor as long as the movie looks like it will keep my attention.  All in all, this was a very informative chapter and look forward to continue on in the next chapter.