25 | Filmmaker, Writer, Composer, Madman | Creator of @365Infantry & WILD EYE ARCHIVE | Handyman for @AnvilMagazine & @GoWestMagazine
Connecticut, USA
Joined May 2017
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🚨 ONLY ON BANDCAMP! 🚨
My DEBUT ALBUM is up for preorder! THROUGH FIRES FORGED is my unique spin on dungeon-synth, melding my love of Vangelis, my work in the world of sword-and-sorcery & my symphonic stylings into an adventure like no other! ORDER NOW!
jacobcalta.bandcamp.com/albu…
Jacob Calta retweeted
"we didn't make the film because we had something to say. we made it because there was somethng we couldn't quite grasp." oh my god, if you think about it, this is such an interesting way to approach making a film
Jacob Calta retweeted
That we can watch most of Cassavetes' films easily today—part of why he's had such lasting influence—is because of the tireless work of Gena Rowlands to cement his legacy after his death. Without her, his films would have languished in out of print obscurity. We owe her so much.
Jacob Calta retweeted
Like anything slightly underground, that leaves the influence and brilliance to be recognized only by those who worked to find it. Not hearing about him until recently is both a product of your own nascent journey into film, but also the effect of trickle-down word of mouth.
Jacob Calta retweeted
I'll bite:
Until fairly recently, Cassavetes' work was difficult to find. It was often derided by the mainstream system in its own time, and, with the majority of his best work independently produced and distributed, limited in its release and exposure. You had to seek it out.
OK, I'll bite. If John Cassavetes is so insanely influential and brilliant, why have I not heard about him until recently?
I've been on a side-quest with classic and esoteric movies, mostly through the Criterion collection. I've watched dozens of Criterion closet picks from filmmakers and actors I admire.
They pick Cassavetes films ALL THE TIME. Probably more than any other director except Scorsese. I haven't seen a single Cassavetes film. I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about a Cassavetes film outside of those videos.
I'm not a slouch on film, I've got a pretty wide spread on what I've seen & what I appreciate. How has Cassavetes slipped through that net so completely for so long?
Jacob Calta retweeted
Woman Under the Influence got 2 Oscar noms, and Gloria was a mainstream hit. But current film culture isn't geared to the past. We all have knowledge gaps, it just happens. I think you'll enjoy discovering how influential Cassavetes has been, esp. with acting.
OK, I'll bite. If John Cassavetes is so insanely influential and brilliant, why have I not heard about him until recently?
I've been on a side-quest with classic and esoteric movies, mostly through the Criterion collection. I've watched dozens of Criterion closet picks from filmmakers and actors I admire.
They pick Cassavetes films ALL THE TIME. Probably more than any other director except Scorsese. I haven't seen a single Cassavetes film. I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about a Cassavetes film outside of those videos.
I'm not a slouch on film, I've got a pretty wide spread on what I've seen & what I appreciate. How has Cassavetes slipped through that net so completely for so long?
Honest answer (besides monoculture's implosion & there just being A LOT of movies from his period of production): he carved out the modern indie filmmaking mold (self-financed, experimental dramas) but rarely in a commercial capacity. He did mainstream acting (ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE FURY) to pay for the passion projects. Work like SHADOWS and FACES are seminal in the arthouse, but if you're not familiar with the arthouse, you're not familiar with Cassavetes. I enjoyed KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE and have been meaning to explore more of his work myself, especially the jazz-set drama of SHADOWS which was made right around the time he was a proper Hollywood star (EDGE OF THE CITY, TV's JOHNNY STACCATO, etc.).
To explain the reaction (and I mean no disrespect): the reason you're catching flack is because you're a bluecheck political account whose post reads kinda dismissive about a seminal artist. Optically, it looks like a right-winger trying to clown on an "irrelevant" figure in cinema. I don't think that was your intention, but there's a certain philistinism in modern RW culture discourse when it comes to artists of the modernist/postmodern-era Cassavetes hails, and intended or not, your post reads in that vein. "If X was so important, why haven't I heard of him?"
Combined with a glut of people running around saying everything from "R.E.M. have no cultural footprint" to the latest geschreing about the Western literary canon (Second Story's new video), it feels like anytime someone wants to talk about an artist from the era Cassavetes thrived in (the postmodern half of New Hollywood and art film of the time), it's have a revisionist bash & jam some more "RETVRN" down everyone's throats. It's the reason I gave up on the RW culture conversation.
My suggestion: watch some Cassavetes and see how you feel. I don't trust the internet to help me with anything anymore when we're all being incentivized to incite conniption fits at the drop of a hat, where antagonistic language gets promoted over a simple "hey who this?" It's annoying that your post has become the latest flashpoint for this, because an artist of Cassavetes' stature should spark better conversations thanks to his natural, intimate approach. I'd recommend starting with GLORIA (1980) as its one of Cassavetes' more mainstream and straightforward works, plus it gives you a great taste of Gina Rowlands (his wife) as a star in her husband's films.
OK, I'll bite. If John Cassavetes is so insanely influential and brilliant, why have I not heard about him until recently?
I've been on a side-quest with classic and esoteric movies, mostly through the Criterion collection. I've watched dozens of Criterion closet picks from filmmakers and actors I admire.
They pick Cassavetes films ALL THE TIME. Probably more than any other director except Scorsese. I haven't seen a single Cassavetes film. I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about a Cassavetes film outside of those videos.
I'm not a slouch on film, I've got a pretty wide spread on what I've seen & what I appreciate. How has Cassavetes slipped through that net so completely for so long?
Jacob Calta retweeted
Did you know a historic train at Didcot Railway Centre has a connection to Motörhead AND Queen? Find out how this piece of railway history became linked to the artwork for Orgasmatron, as we celebrate its 40th anniversary! Read more oxfordmail.co.uk/news/265450…
Jacob Calta retweeted
Love it. . . saying that, I've got Abbott and Costello's Hold That Ghost at the top of my list (just ahead of this), but this is still a fantastic horror comedy.
Jacob Calta retweeted
My review of THE MUMMY AND THE CURSE OF THE JACKALS zisiemporium.blogspot.com/20… @halciber @YesThatVCharles @Moore10112 @RiverCityOtter @Joferjeff @Thedocbot @SamesVegasss @horrorfan1979 @stagescreen60 @flixology101 @iheartbmovies @AfterHoursCin @gnometweeter @rockyohio
Jacob Calta retweeted
CINEMA: TONY STELLA
Edited by Tony Nourmand reelartpress.com Cover design by Yours truly
Launching on January 21st, 2027 bit.ly/TonyStellaBook
Sign up to be the first to get notified of updates, early birds and exclusive limited editions.
Jacob Calta retweeted
As part of my October Retrospective series where I detail the production of each of my short films, here’s an excerpt from my recounting of production for THE EVIL OF CHAPEL LAKE (2021)
Read on Letterboxd:
boxd.it/gBQFs1
The Evil of Chapel Lake:
youtu.be/yK--TqgqWiI?is=y8QH…
Even money this is part of @Det_Wolfman's loadout lol
