More Than a Pinch of Fincher

I look forward to every David Fincher film that comes out. They’re just exceedingly well-crafted. We all know he cut his teeth on some high-end music videos, but he is so NOT a video music-type of director. Instead of fast edits, swooping crane shots and steadicam aplenty, his directing style is much more deliberate, with incredible attention to detail. The episodes of Mindhunter (Netflix-fucking great awesome show) that he directs are just of a better quality. He has that eye.

I have to go back and watch Alien 3 again, because I was not a fan of that film when it came out. I was such a geek over the first two - which, of course, are two very different types of films made by two superb directors - that the third one just left me cold. But I’m thinking I whiffed on that one. Because from Se7en on, I’ve enjoyed all his films. Some better than others, but they are all an extremely worthy watch. Se7en is a film, that at twenty-three years old, has aged really well. It doesn’t feel dated in the least. Maybe because it is set in this rainy, 1940’s-ish film-noir New York City (although I don’t know where a desert is outside of NYC - Binghamton maybe?), or maybe it’s Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, who seem somehow ageless. The film is still powerful, intense, riveting, which tremendous scenes of shock and awe. And the music - Howard Shore has not done better, imho. It’s a film, although not a pleasant view, is always one I’ll keep on. Zodiac is also tops for me. There’s just cool stuff in it - long tracking shots, great performances by a great cast, and a real creepy ending that had me wondering.

Nowadays, people are less interested in seeing the latest work from a director. They’re interested in the latest IP, or latest Marvel or DC installment, regardless of who directs them. I miss the days when I would patiently wait for the latest film by Brian DePalma or Sam Raimi, etc. Edgar Wright, Alfonso Cuaron and David Fincher are three directors (there are more, of course), that I eagerly wait for their latest releases. Cuaron’s Roma just came on Netflix (amazing right?) - nominated for some Golden Globes. That’s next on the list. Mindhunter has a season two coming. Can’t wait.