“I wrote the film not out of self-indulgence, but I thought – it’s like when you build a house, you have the ground floor – here, the reality of a marriage breaking up – and then you need a second floor, you need something to transpose the story, something that gives it meaning. It’s likeContinue reading ““To My Love, From My Love”: Discussing Andrzej Żuławski’s “Possession””
Author Archives: Zachary Betonte
Episode #102 – A Sonospheric Corpse, Part II
“A Sonospheric Corpse, Part I” is available here. The autumn and its contemplative condition of death and decay induce flirtations with the illusory, the uncanny, the weird and the eerie, and of course, the horrific. “A Sonospheric Corpse” derives inspiration from the surrealist technique, “exquisite corpse” in which each participant adds a contribution in aContinue reading “Episode #102 – A Sonospheric Corpse, Part II”
Episode #101 – A Sonospheric Corpse, Part I
The autumn and its contemplative condition of death and decay induce flirtations with the illusory, the uncanny, the weird and the eerie, and of course, the horrific. “A Sonospheric Corpse” derives inspiration from the surrealist technique, “exquisite corpse” in which each participant adds a contribution in a sequence. What follows is a phantasmagorical soundscape composedContinue reading “Episode #101 – A Sonospheric Corpse, Part I”
Call for Entries: “The Resonances of Horror”
The Film Jive podcast is currently seeking audio submissions to be included in its upcoming “The Resonances of Horror” episode which explores the concepts (or genres) of the weird and horror in cinema, music, literature, philosophy and contemporary everyday life (capitalism, healthcare, advertising, state violence, etc.) in anticipation of Halloween. The intention is to realizeContinue reading “Call for Entries: “The Resonances of Horror””
Episode #100 – Ennio Morricone, In Memoriam
“I’ve always felt that music is more expressive than dialogue. I’ve always said that my best dialogue and screenwriter is Ennio Morricone.” – Sergio Leone, Once Upon A Time In America In a career spanning more than sixty years, Italian musician and composer, Ennio Morricone became one of the most prominent and influential film artistsContinue reading “Episode #100 – Ennio Morricone, In Memoriam”
Episode #99 – Tutorials in Self Isolation
As a result of the enduring Covid-19 pandemic, the ticking of the clock no longer seems actual in any remote sense. We have collectively entered recursive time loops, fractals and spirals where the measurements of time; seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, etc. are little more than an afterthought. An intersection of present and futureContinue reading “Episode #99 – Tutorials in Self Isolation”
Notes on “Blues in Lewis’ Flat (Remixed)”
“Music is liquid architecture; architecture is frozen music.” Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Jerry Lewis makes his own sense, and by proxy, as do his films. His early, self-directed films (“The Bellboy”, “The Ladies Man”, “The Errand Boy”) are merely variations on recurring physical arrangements. These are comedies which excavate the divisions between socio-economic space andContinue reading “Notes on “Blues in Lewis’ Flat (Remixed)””
Episode #98 – Let’s Scare Jessica to Death
Originally published in November of 2016, Zach Betonte and Simone Barros are joined by Supporting Characters host, Bill Ackerman to discuss John Lee Hancock’s psychological horror film, “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” originally released in 1971. The trio consider the film’s distinctive rhythms, ambiguous structure and its possible interpretations and the performative range of Zohra Lampert as theContinue reading “Episode #98 – Let’s Scare Jessica to Death”
Film Jive Special – Soundtrack of Terror Vol. II
Originally published in October of 2016, this Hallow’s Eve, the Film Jive tomb is re-opened with another creaking cacophony of murderous disharmony and echoes of the fantastique with the “Soundtrack of Terror Vol. II”. Film Jive contributors Simone Barros, Zach Betonte and Andrew Swope welcome fellow trick or treaters; Bill Ackerman, Regina Barry, Philip Brubaker, Rooney Elmi, VeronicaContinue reading “Film Jive Special – Soundtrack of Terror Vol. II”
Episode #97 – Synecdoche, New York
Originally published in August of 2016, Zach Betonte and Simone Barros are joined by Jim Laczkowski, host of the Director’s Club and Voices and Visions podcasts to discuss Charlie Kaufman’s “Synecdoche, New York” originally released in 2008. The discussion considers Kaufman’s use of filmic space and architecture, the emotional effect of viewing a character’s ongoing crisis ofContinue reading “Episode #97 – Synecdoche, New York”
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