. . .for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all

So sayeth Hypatia of Alexandria, and I often think of her words when hitting the POST button. In the 3+ years that this blog has been in existence, there have only been a small handful of posts that didn't result in my self-critical tendencies rearing their not-quite-ugly heads, which is why I'm honored and humbled at having been tagged by both the swellegant, brilliant Campaspe and the gifted Damian "I-thought-Filmbrain-was-a-woman" Corvallis as a Thinking Bloggertm. The rules of this particular meme dictate that I must first link to the original post that started it all, and then nominate five other blogs that are, well, thought inducing. This last bit is tricky, for all the film blogs I regularly read meet that criterion. (Well, most of them.) Though I haven't followed the thread in great detail, I thought I'd try to choose five that haven't been nominated elsewhere.

I first became aware of the mysterious gentleman from Paris (who goes by the apropos moniker Harry Tuttle) in the comments section of both my blog and Girish's. Challenging, questioning, and confrontational without ever being rude, aggressive, or disrespectful, his thoughts on film and film criticism would spark some of the most fascinating dialog ever to appear in a comments thread. Even more impressive is the fact that English isn't his mother tongue, yet his eloquence and use of language would put many native speakers to shame. His blog, Screenville, is a treasure trove of meaty material. Must-reads are his five-part piece on The Wayward Cloud, and his six-part manifesto on Critical Fallacy. Daniel Kasman (aka D+Kaz) has of late become one of the most prolific film bloggers in New York City. There's hardly a series or retrospective that doesn't result in at least one review, and in between he chimes in on more commercial fare. Yet even with his impressive posting rate, his reviews are always well thought out, and remarkably insightful. His reasoned approach favors aesthetics over narrative, which allows him to find merits in trash such as The Transformers. Though he and I often differ in opinion (we've had some brilliant clashes at NYFF screenings), his reviews are always a pleasure to read. Flavorpill's (and Brooklyn's own) Lisa Rosman is the Dorothy Parker of the film blogosphere. The pieces on her blog, The Broad View, skillfully weave together the personal and the critical in a way I've not encountered before (or since.) There's not a single post on her site that is anything less than gripping, and her style makes me green with envy. Simply stated, this broad can write! Her analysis of Woody Allen was one of the best things I read in all of 2006. As with D+Kaz, Lisa and I have had our own knockdown brawls over certain films and filmmakers, and though she has no love for one of my sacred directorial cows, my admiration and appreciation never wanes. Greencine's David Hudson introduced me to Boyd van Hoeij at this year's Berlinale, and the few hours we spent chatting about film over multiple cups of coffee was a highlight of the festival. Here's a man who can claim he is the only film blogger in his entire country – but then again, he does live in Luxembourg. His site, european-films.net strives to offer the most complete coverage of the European film scene, from big-budget studio pics to tiny Indies you never heard of. Boyd's approach to film has a distinctly pan-European feel to it, and perhaps his living in a country that finds itself (both literally and culturally) at the crossroads of several nations is a factor in that. Regardless, the site is a not only an invaluable resource (particularly now that I'm in the distribution business), but his reviews offer a weighty alternative to the industry trades, which are often the only other English language source for many of these films. Strictly Film School is the one film blog I simply cannot read online. Site proprietor Acquarello's reviews are brimming with ideas and analysis that deserve to be read the old-fashioned way. A perusal of the site's archive, replete with many directors whose work I've yet to discover, often leaves me with a tremendous feeling of inadequacy. This is capital-C Cinephile stuff, yet the reviews are devoid of the pretentiousness and one-upmanship you occasionally find in these circles. This is criticism that at times approaches the poetic.

Comments

[Daniel]

Aesthetics over narrative? Them's fightin' words! In all seriousness, thanks for both the mention and the kind praise. I count your site and Acquarello's Strictly Film School as the two websites that not only got me interested in writing seriously online, but also writing better.

[HarryTuttle]

You're very nice to mention my blog among these illustrious critics, especially since it is paused for a few months now... Thanks a lot, you're too flattering. I thought the Critical Fallacy series was a flop.
I'm looking forward to your manifesto! ;)

Did you notice that Pierre Rissient was the subject of a documentary in Cannes? By the way he's talking about John Ford this week on Michel Ciment broadcast

[Damian]

Aha! Now it is MY turn to clear up a misconception, Filmbrain.

My last name is Arlyn. I live in Corvallis.

Now we're even. ;)

[Filmbrain]

Touché, Mr. Arlyn.

[acquarello]

Thanks for the nod, Filmbrain, it's a honor to be such distinguished company. I kinda feel left out of Flavorpill and D-Kaz's knock down, drag out distinction though, but I guess there's always an opportunity at this year's NYFF to duke it out... though hopefully, not over Lee Chang-dong's new film! :)

[Filmbrain]

Acquarello - perhaps it's because you have impeccable taste. But maybe this year we can find something to tussle over.

Harry - glad to hear from you. Hope you'll be posting again soon.

Did you see the Rissient doc? I'm dying to. I've only had a few one on one conversations with the man, but he is an absolute trip.

[HarryTuttle]

Nope, haven't seen it yet. The film didn't show up in Paris yet. How ironic that it's an american critic who makes a documentary on a French critic... Nobody is prophet in his own land.

[Noel Vera]

Rissient's a trip all right. Talked to him only once, but I do have a good anecdote involving him and Clint Eastwood.

[HarryTuttle]

Pray tell, what is the anecdote?