The Running Wild Blog
Articles on the craft of filmmaking and the films we create.
MOVIE MONDAY: Reviews of The Black Phone, Let Him Go, 12 Angry Men, Postcards From the Edge, and Richard Pryor: Here and Now
My weekly movie reviews. You can also read these on letterboxd. The Black Phone (2022) Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Top Gun: Maverick may be getting most of the theatrical attention but this creepy horror/thriller also warrants leaving the couch for a trip to the...
BONUS WESTERN MOVIE REVIEW: 3 Bad Men (1926)
I continue to study the Western genre. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Western films. Listen here John Ford's early work is a great demonstration of the filmmaker's strengths and weaknesses. 3 Bad Men has both on display in spades. It shows...
Some Thursday Thoughts: WOODY ALLEN RUINED MY DATING LIFE
Though the acclaimed (and now lambasted) filmmaker, actor, and comedian has shaped my view of romantic relationships probably more than any other creative person, the title of this piece is admittedly an exaggeration. I should also be clear that...
MOVIE MONDAY: Reviews of Black Caesar, Hell Up in Harlem, and Original Gangstas
My weekly movie reviews. You can also read these on letterboxd. This week I decided to focus on three films by director Larry Cohen, all starring Fred Williamson. Black Caesar (1973) Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars Larry Cohen's style is unmistakable: the unhinged...
MOVIE MONDAY: Western Movie Reviews – Week 161 – The Deserter
Each Monday, I continue to share Western movie reviews. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Westerns and the overall filmmaking process. Click here to listen. Week 161: The Deserter (1970) Is it possible to make a really good movie without...
BONUS WESTERN MOVIE REVIEW: The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)
I continue to study the Western genre. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Western films. Listen here John Milius was right. Huston and Newman butchered his script. It's actually hard to imagine how the eccentric director and movie star could have done a...
Some Thursday Thoughts: DOES SCRIPT PAGE COUNT REALLY MATTER?
DOES SCRIPT PAGE COUNT REALLY MATTER? By film industry standards, a page of a script is supposed to equal a minute of on screen time. Therefore a 90 page script will in theory turn out to be an hour and a half movie. Though this is the Hollywood rule, it's...
MOVIE MONDAY: Western Movie Reviews – Week 160 – Return of the Seven
Each Monday, I continue to share Western movie reviews. I have now launched a podcast about the making of Westerns and the overall filmmaking process. Click here to listen. Week 160: Return of the Seven (1966) It will most likely be considered blasphemy...
MOVIE MONDAY: Reviews of Crimes of the Future, Alison’s Birthday, The Gladiator, and The Black Watch
My weekly movie reviews. You can also read these on letterboxd. Crimes of the Future (2022) Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars It's no surprise that it took David Cronenberg to give us the most original science fiction film in recent memory. This movie is a number of...
THE FIVE REASONS I DON’T WANT TO MAKE A LOW-BUDGET WESTERN AGAIN
Some Thursday Thoughts: THE FIVE REASONS I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A LOW-BUDGET WESTERN AGAIN As humans, it seems like we need frequent reminders of what not to do. Even after we feel like we've learned lessons based on experience, time passes and we have to learn them...
