Every once in awhile I find something cool on the Internet. As I have been pondering why I blog, I thought to my self, "Self, you should share some of those cool things." At the very least it would give me something to write about and share, and at the most enlighten you on things you may or may not have found on your own.
So I am continuing, what has become a regular feature on my blog:
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| (::disclaimer:: Obviously, this feature is subjective) |
So what, you may ask, is worthy enough to be featured in this, er, feature?
Or more specifically, his review of the 50 greatest action sequences.
From DDT's "about" page:
David Dylan Thomas is a writer/filmmaker living in Philadelphia. He started out in the video world, making a documentary about all of the rock bands at his high school. As an undergrad at JHU, he completed a short doc about college life called Zoo JHU. After graduating with a degree in Writing Seminars (one year shy of Hopkins creation of a Film Major!) he began volunteering on numerous independent shoots around Baltimore. In 1998 he completed his first 16mm short, The Least Dangerous Game. Three years later he completed his first feature, All Night Thing. While retooling and generally pimping this effort, he created his first blog, “Confessions of an Indie Filmmaker.” Around this time he also began writing monthly movie previews, which were ultimately picked up by Freewilliamsburg.com. In 2003, Thomas completed his first digital short, Attack of the Bobbleheads. The next year, he began writing in earnest, delivering content to five different publications, not including his own blog: Filmcritic.com, Freewilliamsburg.com, Bigyawn.net, PAW Print, and Blogcritics.org. Today, Thomas continues to live, write, and film in Philadelphia. By day, he’s also the Coordinator of Multimedia Services at La Salle University.
I found David Dylan Thomas' blog when I was searching for an AT-AT image for my "Walking Tanks Are Too Legit" post. Google Images found one I liked on his page. Upon which I realized I had stumbled onto something cool.
The AT-AT image was in the midst of a list of 50 Greatest Action Sequences. Mr. Thomas didn't just make a top 50 list though ... he gives detail and insight into each selection. He provides interesting history behind the action sequence. He includes many pictures and clips (although some have been removed due to copy right misuse). He offers educated opines of the movie industry and what was involved to film the sequences. He even notes the inspiration and challenges behind the sequences.
You can tell David Dylan Thomas loves movies. He knows movies. He considers himself a bit of an "action aficionado". He used the following guidelines to write his reviews and wrote about movies made before 2007 (the reviews were written about once a week from 8/07 to 6/08).
I’ve judged these films basically on six criteria. Things I like to see in an action sequence. Some of my favorite action sequences are, at their core, exercises in creative problem solving under pressure. With that in mind, I’ve highlighted the following…
1. Originality of Concept - We’ve all seen a car chase, but what about a car chase on the moon?! Okay, that never happened, but if it did, that would be, like, a point.
2. Intensity - In many ways, this is the whole point of an action sequence. And, as we’ll see, it can redefine what an action sequence is.
3. Beauty - Eye candy, or at least good cinematography, counts.
4. Speed - Think of this as a strength of field category. Whatever is difficult to do, is more difficult fast, and usually more entertaining.
5. Unpredictability - Can I guess how the hero is going to get out of this situation? If so, I have much less reason to watch.
6. Realism - Note, this is an “ism.” If it feels like it could happen, the intensity tends to go up. Scientifically (or at least probabilistically), almost none of these sequences could actually happen.
I have yet to read each of the 50 reviews because there is so much information. And though I haven't seen all of the movies he is referencing, I have found I like and agree with his reviews and simply find them fascinating to read about.
I appreciate all the time and thought David Dylan Thomas put into his reviews of the 50 greatest action sequences (of movies before 2007). So check it out .... it's what's cool on the internet.
