After a solid two weeks of almost non-stop work on one production after another, with another 2-3 weeks left to go, I think this video accurately sums up myself and my classmates’ mental situations. It is glorious work and I love it dearly, but sleep is the currency of this trade, and becoming accustomed to an average five hours per night has its consequences.
All of which doesn’t distract from the fact that this post is a dressed up placeholder. Yes, CINEMA TRUTH is still kicking around out there, and I really truly can’t wait to share my currently gestating Decade series – focusing on my favourites, of course, and the major trends that I find interesting enough to write about. And I’ve listened at least 12-15 times through the new Switchfoot album, HELLO HURRICANE, and have thoughts on this new, very very worthwhile addition to their discography. There are other good things being planned, slowly, but I want to do right by them, so it will take a while to pop them out, fully formed and readable.
Until then, let’s spend some time answering the following question: What is one of your favourite little scenes of the decade? What’s that one scene that no one else cares about or remembers, but makes the film for you?
I ask because tonight I was thinking about MINORITY REPORT (2002), and a wonderful scene between Tom Cruise and Lois Smith. It’s the bit where Cruise finds out about the minority report, which should help him prove his innocence – you can hear the plot wheels grinding into a higher gear – but it’s also a great showcase for Cruise and Smith as actors, and for the dialogue by Scott Frank and Jon Cohen. Their words have sharpness and poetry, and enchant somewhat while getting lots and lots of exposition done. By the end of the scene, you don’t really care that it was all talk about “this history,” and “go there, do that.” Smith is a treat, not so much chewing her dialogue as holding it on her tongue, sucking the juice out at certain intervals. It’s one my favourite little moments in film from this decade.
I couldn’t find a video of the clip, but here’s a shot of Lois Smith as Dr. Iris Hineman, the Mother of Precrime.
The future (i.e. December) looks promising. See you on the other side.
Video H/T: My good bud Aaron May, who doesn’t have anything I can link to, as far as I’m aware. His regular site is down for the time being.
Cinema Truth 