Forget about the original Top Gun and its recent sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.  The Battle of Britain – a fifty-four-year-old movie – provides the same thrills and spills but does so from a more interesting perspective.             This WW II story’s roots can be found in the grand-scale, fact-based productions that began appearing less … Continue reading “THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (1969)”

I happened to catch a showing of Sidney Salkow’s 1957 noir film Chicago Confidential the other night.  Though it was an enjoyable story, what stood out was the cinematography of Kenneth Peach, ASC.  Born in Oklahoma on March 6, 1903, he entered the industry through the special effects department and became a cinematographer in 1926.  … Continue reading “KENNETH PEACH, ASC”

            In honor of having just seen Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (fabulously well done, by the way…), a close friend allowed me a peek into one of the most treasured volumes on his bookshelf.  Featuring the no-nonsense title of How to Photograph an Atomic Bomb, I was immediately thrilled by the opportunity.             Published in 2006, … Continue reading “FISSION FIXATION”

Is it me, or does most every production currently airing on Netflix look indistinguishable from one another?             Though some show modest variations in exposure, tone and color, each one seems to have been processed through the same algorithm.  Even legacy films that we’re all familiar with exhibit similar qualities.  I suspect that HDR tech … Continue reading “THE NETFLIX FLAVORIZER”

            I recently came into possession of an old Konica telephoto stills lens (full name: Konishiroku 5 Hexanon 1 : f4.5 = 400mm).  Its provenance apparently traces to a small New England police department, but that’s as much as I know about it.  Compared to most lenses of this focal length, it’s not too big … Continue reading “AN OLD-NEW TOY”

            Thursday will mark fifty-four years since Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface of the moon.  I’m sure at the time neither man could’ve imagined a greater thrill.             But the thrills weren’t left behind on the rocky surface of Tranquility Base.  In recognition of their being the first … Continue reading “REAL, IMPORTANT HISTORY!”

            There’s no other way to say this: Branded To Kill (Seijun Suzuki\Kazue Nagatzuka) is the weirdest, most ridiculous movie I have ever seen!             Ostensibly a gangster story, it also shows shards of the spy genre, noir, horror, science fiction and softcore porn.  I might’ve added comedy to that list, but it would’ve been … Continue reading “BRANDED TO KILL (1967)”

            I occasionally talk about figures from the past, how it used to be, the way things were done or what the job was like back in the day…             Well, let me be crystal clear: I am radically living in the present moment!  Some wiseass once observed that exchanges starting with “remember when” are … Continue reading “NOW HEAR THIS!”

I’ve always been a fan of day-for-night cinematography.  There has never been a better way to convincingly render expansive exterior scenes that cannot possibly be lit after sundown.  Watch any of the old John Ford westerns – in black and white or color – and you’ll see the effect in its fullest flower.  Back then, … Continue reading “DAY FOR NIGHT”

Still the greatest country that will ever be…!