Precious is a mess.  I wanted to like it.  I was encouraged and excited by all of the positive hype (both critically and otherwise).  I was enthusiastic to see a film that tackled tabboo and challenging material AND was going to be seen by a mainstream movie-going audience.

Let me just say upfront that the acting is top notch (particularly by the two leads — Gabourey Sidibe as Precious and Mo’Nique as her mother).  Both women deserve any and all critical acclaim that may come their way (which is probably going to come in the form of Oscar nods).  Now, that said, the film deserves little more acclaim and recognition.  Directing-wise the performances are there, but the storytelling is really a mess.  We fly from one issue to another never taking the time to really delve into it on more than a superficial level.  I liken the feeling to taking a few bites out of an apple and then discarding it.  We’ve tasted the apple, we’ve even gone back for more, but, ultimately, we won’t consume the entirety.  In addition, the pace is all over the place.  We slide from one montage to another, loosely connected with some of the most perplexing and distracting cinematographic choices I have ever seen.  Moreover, the musical choices are, in a word, unfortunate.  There are quite a few moments that are completely undercut by a ridiculous and completely out of place musical accompaniment.  I get it.  They help to soften some scenes so that they might be more digestible for a mainstream audience.

So, overall feeling?  The material is solid.  The performances are great.  There are certainly some wonderful moments (the climax is absolutely heart wrenching), but overall, the film feels like something I’ve seen a hundred times before (which is pathetic for a film which such mainstream-fresh material).  The film is held back by truly unfortunate storytelling choices that, when it’s all said and done, do nothing but detract from what could have been a very powerful story.

Screw Lee Daniels.  Also, if I see this film get a nod for Best Cinematography I will pitch a fit.

ie.

New portrait photos uploaded from a senior picture shoot.

There’s an example.  Have a look on the site.

New work on the way too.  Headshots and artwork.  (!)

-Andrew

I need to change my blog banner.  I’ll get around to it.

I uploaded three new/old images today from a new series.  I’m becoming unhealthily obsessed with re-photography.  I say unhealthy because what I should be doing is making new photographs — creating new work.  Instead, I’m trapsing through folders long since closed because the work didn’t spark with me.

Anyway, I’m happy with the three images.  Think Antonioni.  Only throw in interlacing and such.  I’ve basically used my macro mount to rephotograph the key image of a previous work and then I’ve placed the two next to each other.  The juxtaposition highlights the second image’s jagged, unnatural feel.  It also mediates the line between reality and abstraction.

That’s it for now.  More soon.  On a semi-regular basis too.

Oh, and the shots from Taylor’s senior picture shoot will be up shortly in the portraiture section.

It’s fine now.

It’s going to be

fine.