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What's in a Scene?

@whatsinascene.bsky.social

100 followers 220 following 117 posts

A weekly newsletter exploring the greatest scenes in cinema history. whatsinascene.substack.com

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Released as part of @thirdwindowfilms.com The Director's Company collection, Banmei Takahashi's Door is a thrilling home invasion film. Yet, rather than be a simple thriller, it has a lot to say about isolation, even in a society that watches and monitors us closely. #FilmSky #MovieSky

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How thin these walls are

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

What was meant to be a star turn for Cynthia Rothrock, China O'Brien becomes a victim of mismanagement. 'Despite a strong start, in which O’Brien almost single-handedly takes out a gang, by the time the next big fight scenes come around, the camera barely gives her a glance.' #FilmSky #MovieSky

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CHINA O’BRIEN

How not to develop a forceful protagonist

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

The Bitter Tears of Petra van Kant feels theatrical, but by utilising cinematic language, the director is able to intrude on the characters' personal space and create something far more intimate. Hit the link below to read this, and sign up for weekly film essays #FilmSky #MovieSky

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THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VAN KANT

Intruding on the personal

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Remastered and released through the BFI, The Appointment is a bizarre, slow-building horror film that uses dream logic for an impactful conclusion. Hit the link below to read this and sign up for weekly film essays. #FilmSky #MovieSky

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THE APPOINTMENT

Dream logic as puzzle pieces

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

As we ramp up towards the long-awaited 28 Years Later, we look back over Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's pivotal horror film, 28 Days Later. What stands out about the film is how quickly it shows vulnerability of modern life. Hit the link below to read this. #FilmSky #MovieSky

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The end is very f**king nigh

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

In a bonus article, JV looks at the different versions of A Star is Born; a story that transcends different mediums with its explorations of fame and ego. Hit the link below to read this, and sign up for weekly film essays. #FilmSky #MovieSky

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REMAKING SCENES: A STAR IS BORN

A journey through culture

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Our latest newsletter explores the visual humour and child's perspective of Zazie dans le Métro. 'It’s fitting that a film which revels in its own falseness. A film obsessed with its Dadaist imagery would make a point of how images can deceive.' #FilmSky #MovieSky

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ZAZIE DANS LE MÉTRO

Surrealism through a child’s eyes

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Our latest newsletter looks at Akira Kurosawa's wonderful Yojimbo, which sees the influence between western and samurai films come full circle. Hit the link below to read more, and sign up for weekly film essays. #FilmSky #MovieSky

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Bringing a gun to a swordfight

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

X: The Man with X-ray Eyes features a satisfying thematic throughline. It follows Dr James Xavier (Ray Milland) who strives to develop a way to see beyond what he calls ‘the narrow band of visible light’. This essay explores the urge to become Godlike in this sci-fi thriller. #FilmSky #MovieSky

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X: THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

In Mike Nichols' directorial debut, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton play a deeply unhappy, middle-aged couple who come close to destroying each other through a shared delusion. Hit the link below to read this, and sign up for weekly film essays. #FilmSky #MovieSky

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WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Our recent film essay explored Ann Hui's horror comedy, Visible Secret, available on Blu-ray from @filmsradiance.bsky.social While playing with its supernatural themes, Hui integrates the feeling of uncertainty that came from Hong Kong's changeover to Chinese control. #FilmSky

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Haunted by the future

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Our latest newsletter looks at Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives; a magical realist piece that explores Thailand's history, as much as it does the lead character's. Hit the link below to read this and sign up for weekly film essays #Filmsky

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UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES

How we compartmentalise guilt

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Our latest newsletter explores the second feature from French experimental novelist and filmmaker, Alain Robbe-Grillet. Throughout the film, we cut back and forth between the filmmakers and the characters, with the narrative being shifted to try and maintain a structure. #FilmSky

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TRANS-EUROP-EXPRESS

Losing control of the narrative

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Part of the sixth-generation of Chinese filmmakers, Lou Ye’s 2000 neo-noir Suzhou River uses the landscape of Shanghai's waterfront to tell his winding narrative, which harkens back to China's industrialisation and the subsequent displacement and poverty many suffered. #FilmSky

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Informed by the past

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Weston Razooli's debut, distributed by Yellow Veil Pictures and Vinegar Syndrome, is a callback to the coming-of-age stories. But it's also fantastical, with a too-tidy ending that suggests the story might be a collection of memories, rather than a straightforward narrative. #FilmSky

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Building a story from memory

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

This week, we dig into the @indicator.bsky.social boxset from underseen British filmmaker Michael J Murphy. In Quälen (released as The Hereafter in America), Murphy remakes an earlier film, Secrets, and plays with both the slasher and haunted house genres. #FilmSky

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QUÄLEN (THE HEREAFTER)

Uncanny on a microbudget

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Our latest essay looks at how rewatching Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things, away from the grandeur of the cinema, reveals how flimsy the film's gender politics are. Hit the link below to read this, and sign up for more film essays. #FilmSky

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Style over substance

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Our latest essay looks at Joachim Trier's Oslo, August 31st; a powerful examination of the difficulties in starting over. It follows Anders (Anders Danielsen Lie), a recovering addict who is given leave from rehab. However, it becomes clear that he has no intention of returning. #FilmSky

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OSLO, AUGUST 31ST

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Kōji Shiraishi's found footage horror film Noroi: The Curse grounds its outlandish finale in the real world. 'We buy into the finale because everything else in the film has indicated that this could really happen, providing logical explanations for many of the events of the film.' #FilmSky

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NOROI: THE CURSE

Grounding the supernatural

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Mulholland Drive's Club Silencio scene is a turning point in the film. It starts with a magician telling the audience that everything is fake. 'He sets us up to discount the subsequent events. This isn’t a detriment to the film; in fact, it helps us look beyond the surface level...' #FilmSky

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MULHOLLAND DRIVE

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Glass is the underwhelming finale to M Night Shyalaman's Unbreakable trilogy, which drops a clanger of an ending that damages the two films before it. Still, there are the building blocks for a fitting endpoint for the Unbreakable trilogy, and a few tweaks could improve Glass greatly. #FilmSky

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FIXING SCENES: GLASS

Retouching the ending

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Where Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, has suffered over time, his second film, The Last Movie, has grown in stature. It isn't perfect, but it stands out as a daring attack on both imperialism and the capitalistic nature of Hollywood, perfectly captured in its characterisation of Maria. #FilmSky

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Examining imperialistic damage

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Our latest newsletter explores John Cassavetes' deconstruction of the gangster film, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. The film is packed with Cassavetes' feelings about himself and the fiercely independent filmmaking he was known for, with the character of Cosmo acting as a conduit. #FilmSky

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THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE

Putting yourself on screen

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Aki Kaurismäki's silent adaption of Juhani Aho's novel Juha brings the characters into the late 20th century, and by doing so creates a moral quandary. Hit the link below to read our latest newsletter, and sign up for more weekly content. #FilmSky whatsinascene.substack.com/p/juha

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No good options

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist. Once a cobra bit Chuck Norris' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died. This week, we look at Invasion U.S.A., an unashamedly silly action film. #Filmsky

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INVASION U.S.A.

Chuck Norris Fact: Chuck Norris does not wear a watch, he decides what time it is

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Our second attempt to fix a much-maligned film goes back to Rocky V; an unneeded addition to the franchise that never quite understands what made the first four films so successful. Hit the link below to find out how Matt Tilt attempts to course-correct the film. #FilmSky

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FIXING SCENES: ROCKY V

Passing the torch

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Some 80s action ridiculousness coming up in our next newsletter... #FilmSky

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Aleksei German's posthumous epic, Hard to Be a God. A film that took six years to film, and was still in post-production nearly a decade later. Based on the novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, its themes link directly to the Stalinist purges. #FilmSky

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HARD TO BE A GOD

Pulling meaning from the chaos

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at the controversial, critically panned film Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff. Despite a strong central performance from Anne Heywood, this is a sordid, rather mean-spirited melodrama, that struggles to make a coherent point about its important themes. #FilmSky

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GOOD LUCK, MISS WYCKOFF

Missing the point

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Jean Rollin's subversive tale of vampirism, Fascination. While Rollin has no issues using female leads for titillation, the story subverts male and female roles. The eroticism of Elizabeth (Franca Maï) and Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) is used to give them power. #FilmSky

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Empowerment and eroticism

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

media.tenor.com

a man wearing a shirt that says how are you

ALT: a man wearing a shirt that says how are you

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

media.tenor.com

Kikuchiyo Seven Samurai GIF

ALT: Kikuchiyo Seven Samurai GIF

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at the most influential martial arts films of all time, and one of the most successful films ever made. Matt Tilt explores the fight scene in Enter the Dragon between Lee and Bob Wall which marks a shift in the film and builds to its famously violent climax. #FilmSky

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ENTER THE DRAGON

Justifying the first kill

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 07/11/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Stanley Kubrick's classic satire, Dr Strangelove. While the political aspects of the story are widely discussed, there are many illusions about the characters' virality, or lack of it. Hit the link below to read this, and sign up for more film content. #FilmSky

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DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB

The impotence of war

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 07/11/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Stanley Kubrick's classic satire, Dr Strangelove. While the political aspects of the story are widely discussed, there are many illusions about the characters' virality, or lack of it. Hit the link below to read this, and sign up for more film content. #FilmSky

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DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB

The impotence of war

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 04/11/2024

In a new series on What's in a Scene?, we're exploring the changes that could be implemented to improve disappointing films, and pitching new ideas for films we'd like to see. In this article, Matt Tilt suggests that Halloween Kills would have benefitted from hiding Micheal Myers away. #FilmSky

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FIXING SCENES: HALLOWEEN KILLS

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Claude Chabrol's Cop au Vin; a playful little thriller that doesn't make a whole lot of sense but which neatly portrays its lead character in the process of growing up. Hit the link below to read this, and sign up for more weekly film content. #Filmsky

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COP AU VIN (POULET AU VINAIGRE)

An ode to growing up

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at one of the most influential films of the late 90s; Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale. Working with the dichotomy of the violence on screen and the ages, and therefore the perceived innocence of the characters, Fukasaku creates images of horror throughout. #FilmSky

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A loss of innocence in real time

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at one of the most influential films of the late 90s; Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale. Working with the dichotomy of the violence on screen and the ages, and therefore the perceived innocence of the characters, Fukasaku creates images of horror throughout. #FilmSky

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A loss of innocence in real time

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 16/10/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Werner Herzog’s incredible Aguirre, the Wrath of God. Avoiding accuracy to tell a story about the dangers and folly of imperialism, Herzog brings it to a close on one of the most iconic set pieces ever put to film. Hit the link below to read this. #FilmSky

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AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD

Allusions in the New World

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 09/10/2024

The morality of Westerns goes under the microscope in Henry Hathaway's workmanlike 5 Card Stud, which is only elevated by the morally grey character work by Robert Mitchum. Hit the link in our bio to read this, and sign up for more weekly film content. #FilmSky

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Unvindicated justice

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 09/10/2024

The morality of Westerns goes under the microscope in Henry Hathaway's workmanlike 5 Card Stud, which is only elevated by the morally grey character work by Robert Mitchum. Hit the link in our bio to read this, and sign up for more weekly film content. #FilmSky

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Unvindicated justice

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 02/10/2024

It’s officially spooky season and we’re kicking off with one of the most incredible scenes in horror history. While Lucio Fulci wasn’t keen on a zombie grappling with a shark, the scene was shot without his knowledge and has become a talking point for genre fans. #FilmSky

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ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS (ZOMBI 2)

Zombie vs. Shark

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 29/09/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Lynne Ramsey's stunning thriller You Were Never Really Here, and how the protagonist's trauma informs nearly every part of the film. Specifically, we look at three scenes, which escalate the tension throughout the film and explore the themes of violence. #Filmsky

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YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE

Three scenes of trauma

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 04/09/2024

In Robert Aldrich's 1962 cult classic film, Bette Davis's near-hysterical portrayal of Jane Hudson drips with villainy, yet there are key points where the negative impact of her experiences is highlighted. To read the rest of this article, use the link below.

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WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?

The tragedy of performance

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 04/09/2024

In Robert Aldrich's 1962 cult classic film, Bette Davis's near-hysterical portrayal of Jane Hudson drips with villainy, yet there are key points where the negative impact of her experiences is highlighted. To read the rest of this article, use the link below.

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WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?

The tragedy of performance

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 29/08/2024

This week's newsletter looks at Takeshi Kitano’s Violent Cop. 'The film occupies a grey area, where it neither glorifies nor demonises violence. The abusive nature of the police force is explicitly stated to be a necessary, if unsavoury, response to a wave of violence on the streets.' #FilmSky

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Escalation to escalation

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 14/08/2024

With M. Night Shyamalan's latest film Trap out in cinemas, we go back to 2000 and one of the director's most celebrated films. Unbreakable remains one of the most successful examples of superhero subversion, while still retaining much of the classic storytelling. #filmsky

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Questioning the morality of a superhero

What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 07/08/2024

Our latest newsletter explores how the camera movements throughout György Fehér’s Twilight (Szürkület) create an all-knowing observer. 'It’s one of the clearest moments of plot development in the film and cinematographer Miklós Gurbán navigates the tight room with subtle movements.' #filmsky

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TWILIGHT (SZÜRKÜLET)

Moving around the static

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What's in a Scene? @whatsinascene.bsky.social · 30/07/2024

Our latest newsletter looks at Ted Kotcheff's 1982 adaption of First Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo. What's interesting about the first film in the franchise is how Rambo is essentially a pacifist. Pushed to breaking point, he exacts non-lethal revenge on his pursuers. #Filmsky

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RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD

Pacifism from America’s super soldier

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