Wonder Watchlist

It’s another month, March slowly approached but is quickly passing by. While we are nearing the end of the month, it marks the third entry into More Than Movies! The enthusiasm for this series has been wonderful to see. I add new potential features regularly. As long as you continue to show this love, I’ll continue to highlight movie lovers that make the film space worth engaging with.

I’ve known Dave Giannini for a few years now, and movies are what brought the connection. He is someone who loves film and equally loves talking about it through thoughtful reviews. As an editor, he leaves kind notes celebrating when you do something well. He offers writers of all skill levels a place for their work. If you’ve ever read one of his reviews or listened to his podcasts, you know that he is knowledgeable and passionate about having honest conversations that dig into film beyond their runtime.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Dave through his answers below, and find as much to admire about him as I do.

Megan Loucks: “We talk almost every day, but for those who might not be familiar with you and your work, can you give us some insight into what got you into critically analyzing movies? And what keeps you motivated to do as much review writing as you do?”

Dave Giannini: “You know, the older I get, the harder this question is to answer. The person I am now is so different from the person who first became infatuated with movies back in the 1990s. I have written about it before, but going to the movies saved my life so it is hard to separate that feeling.

That being said, the critical analysis came much later. There is a point when any burgeoning critic moves from “movies are cool” to “hey, why is this movie cool in comparison and in conversation with all of these other movies.” For me, that process started with Twitter, of all things. Like most movie obsessives, I started a podcast and that really launched me into a world of new opinions and ways to think about movies. Technically, I have been producing podcasts for well over a decade at this point. Those connections led me to a now defunct site called Audiences Everywhere which gave me quite the education in thinking critically and reading constantly. After that, I eventually branched out to other sites, including Insession Film, Geek Vibes Nation, Awards Watch, Next Best Picture, and Loud and Clear Reviews!

In terms of what keeps me motivated, it is the same thing that keeps me motivated to keep watching movies. You just never know. Genius and motivation can strike at any moment. There are times when I feel like I have said all I can manage about movies. But then, all of a sudden, it changes. I wish I had a reason or a way to find it. But it simply is about remaining open. This is not mathematics or science, it is art. We find ourselves within it, and that is where its power lies.“

ML: “Do you remember the first review you wrote? If so, what was it, and what is something that stands out to you about your evolution as a writer? What would you tell the person who wrote that as someone who is now more seasoned in their work?”

DG: “I sure do! The first published review was for The Zookeeper’s Wife, way back in 2017. What really stands out for me is my misunderstanding of the art form of critique. It has some of the bad habits that I try to get my own writers to stop! Mostly, it is easy to just start listing what you like and what you don’t.  That’s all fine, but like, who cares? Tell me how those likes and dislikes affect the art form, your view of the film as a whole. Nothing irks me more than reviews that break down a film categorically with scores. 

I would probably tell them (me) that there is promise in your writing. The mindset is correct, but the way you are going about it can use a whole lot of help. Anyone can have an opinion, save that for your tweets. If people are going to read your work, you have to offer something beyond a letter grade and a summary. I can’t tell you how to do that, but I would recommend you start reading a whole lot more critics. Don’t just stick to those you agree with, find critics who have a different way of looking at the world. You just might find your own voice and some tips about what gives a reader an emotional reaction. Both read and watch from outside your perspective. Read women critics, read queer critics, read critics of color.  Stretch yourself.”

ML: “There are many aspects about you that I admire, one being how you work as an editor. It can’t be an easy job, but you still find a way to be positive, leaving kind comments of praise on edits and not just notes to change something. What is the most rewarding aspect for you as an editor?”

DG: “Oh boy. Yeah, it is not an easy job. But I appreciate the kind words! So here’s the thing. As you are (likely) painfully aware, the site that I edit for does not pay its writers. And that provides its share of challenges, both for writers and editors. It can be sad, but my goal is to make all of my writers so excellent that they leave for paid work. This has happened in the past, and it leaves a hole in our staff, but it makes me endlessly proud. Editing is a weird beast all on its own. The goal is to improve the writing, but not make it like my own. The other rewarding aspect is to let these writers find their voice and not simply sound like everyone else. If your personality isn’t coming through, then you’re not there yet!“

ML: “Everyone has their staple genres they gravitate towards. What are your favorite genres of film? What makes them your favorites? Are there any directors, writers, or actors that you’d like to see tackle those genres?”

DG: “Wow, this is so hard to narrow down. I think that despite this year’s awards season, horror is still a genre that gets denigrated far too much. So, I will always have a soft spot for that one. I also love a good old-fashioned action movie. And honestly, throw whatever genre you want at me and I am probably a fan. Movies, man, just the best. But I like genre fare because it is not beholden to the traditional limitations of the standard film. It doesn’t have to adhere to the logic that a film steeped in realism must. 

As far as particular creatives go, after rewatching The Aviator (particularly the crash sequence), I found myself desperately wanting a pure action movie from Martin Scorsese. He has certainly done it all, but I think that would be a whole lot of fun. Ryan Coogler, after watching more of his freaky side in Sinners, could write (and direct) a hell of a pure romance. And after having caught up on The Diplomat, I would nearly kill to see Keri Russell in a rom-com.  This is really just a start, ask me on a different day, and I might have totally different ideas.”

ML: “We both talk a lot about being movie lovers in areas that often don’t get movies as soon as they are released, or the studios skip right over us. But tell us about a time when you wanted to see a movie so badly that distance didn’t matter to you. What was the film, and what was the experience like?”

DG: “I am going to date myself here but, The Dark Knight. At the time, I was living in Northern California, and it was opening 3 weeks early in Los Angeles. For those not in the know, that is about a 6 hour drive. So, I called a friend who lived in LA, made plans, and drove all the way down there for a Midnight showing. The experience was incredible. People in costume, fans super excited for what we assumed would be an amazing take on The Joker. And boy, did we get it. Walking out of that theater felt like a high I have rarely experienced. I know that The Dark Knight is a “film bro” standard at this point, but some of us were there from the beginning!“

ML: “Do you remember your first movie theater experience? What was the film, and how did that impact your interest in film?”

DG: “Well, this is where my age comes in. I definitely do not remember my first theater experience. But I will tell you about one memorable theater experience from my childhood. I remember watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit? At probably too young of an age, complete with the Baby Herman cartoon before the film. Even if I didn’t realize it, this was a seminal moment for me as a movie watcher. Sure, there are the standard cartoon moments, but this film also includes clashing genres, a look at addiction, political machinations, and even some version of sex (patty cake?) that was both confusing and just the coolest thing ever. Looking back, it definitely had an impact: the limitations we place on film are placed only by us, there are new routes that we haven’t even conceived of yet.”

ML: “The film community online is at times an intense place, with lots of differing opinions at any given time. Some in good faith, some in bad faith. However, I would love to hear about some of the best experiences you’ve had online with your work. Was there a review you wrote, or a podcast you recorded that resonated with its intended audience? If so, what was it, and how did that recognition feel from the community?”

DG: “Yeah, that online world is both wonderful and terrible. I have met some of my best friends in that space. But it can also really impact people in a negative way. As we have discussed, at length, there is a desire to be noticed and it is mostly not a great time. But then, as you say, it is the best (only?) place to get our work noticed, so here we go back to another day in the tweet mines. 

Like most writers, I usually have the experience where my best writing gets the least traction. But there is one exception. I have already mentioned Scorsese, but that is the ultimate “my guy.” As an Italian-American who loves film as a medium, it would be hard to be any more predictable, but here we are. When Killers of the Flower Moon was coming out, that was easily my most anticipated movie of the year. So much so, that I did something I almost never do, I claimed a review for Insession for myself. There is a certain nerve wracking aspect when seeing a new film by your favorites. What if it ends up being terrible, or worse, just middling? Luckily, I did not have that experience! I wrote the review, published, and posted and didn’t think anything of it. 

I came back hours later to not only a bunch of interactions, but also discussions about the movie and even people quoting my piece. I am still immensely proud of that particular review and I wouldn’t change a word.”

ML: “You run a podcast called Pop Culture Case Study, with your co-host Will Bjarnar, which I was lucky enough to join you on. What is the story behind the podcast, and is there an episode that stands out as one you are particularly proud of?”

DG: “It is so tough to pick and choose with my podcast, as I have something like 350 episodes. That being said, there are a few that definitely stand out. 

In terms of recent episodes, we had an episode on Milk in which I talked about my own experience as a queer person from the Bay Area and I feel like we were able to tackle a difficult film from a new angle.

In the backlog, there was an episode on A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night that challenged me in terms of how I talk about movies.

Also, you should listen to the episodes that Meg was on!

ML: “What sparked your love of film, and did you think that this spark would turn into the passion you have today?”

DG: “Man, this is a really tough question. I think if you mean the original spark, it would be watching movies with my dad. He had quite a collection of VHS tapes and stuff he had taped off of television broadcasts. My strongest memories of this are watching movies like Frankenstein and The Ten Commandments. I may not have fully understood them then, but they definitely had an impact. 

There are other sparks along the way, of course. The boom in independent filmmaking in the 1990s, focusing more on female filmmakers, becoming a film critic. All of these things continue the passion that started as a kid. It is different, but that common feeling is still there. There is no better feeling in the world than sitting down in a movie theater, because you just might see something you never even dreamed about.”

ML: “If you had to describe your taste in films in just 5 movies, what would they be, and why?”

DG: “I want you to know that this is a very mean question and I saved it until the end. 

• Lawrence of Arabia – Simply the greatest film (and possibly performance) ever recorded. It has just about everything you could want in a movie, even if it is solely a male film. It is an epic film and yeah, it’s long, but if anything, I wanted even more.

• Pan’s Labyrinth – Guillermo del Toro is another one of my guys.  I love almost every film he has ever made (we do not speak of Mimic), but this is like a perfect distillation of him. As someone who loves both horror and fairy tales, this is like the platonic ideal of a movie for me. Also, it kick-started my interest in international film.

• Raging Bull – Yeah, yeah, Marty’s back. This could be his best, and is certainly his most difficult. Every character is despicable and yet, they are all inherently watchable. Sure it helps when you have DeNiro, Pesci, and Moriarty, but there is no way this should work. This is another film style that I find myself drawn to, the problematic protagonist. It takes a special movie to make this work, but when it does, it is one for the ages.

• Malcolm X – There was a period in high school and college when I was genuinely obsessed with Spike Lee. You could pick any one of about 7 movies that he has made and I could include it here. Yes, Do The Right Thing may be the common pick here, but Malcolm X is Lee working at his absolute height. It also proves that yes, I sometimes do enjoy biopics. Any genre can be done well, and this one is way beyond that.

• Portrait of a Lady on Fire – I have been (gently) mocked for this, but I am a sucker for a movie about longing. There is no better movie about this than Portrait of a Lady on Fire. What is not said, and is communicated through look and tone, that sets this apart from most films. It also makes it absolutely for me. I rarely have reactions like this, but when I saw it, I immediately knew that I was watching one of the best films I had ever seen. I still feel that way and am grateful I live in a world where it exists.”

ML: “Someone approaches you to do a movie based on your life, from the best moments to the worst. Who would you choose to direct that project, and why?”

DG: “I bet you are thinking I will say Scorsese or del Toro. I wouldn’t say no, but I would go with Greta Gerwig. I am not sure there is a director working today who can switch tones as effortlessly as she manages. In my life, sure there are dramatics (please see my Twitter for more), but there are moments full of love and humor, as well. Gerwig gets the balance, whether she is focusing on reality or fantasy.”

ML: “I believe that movies are much more than just entertainment. They can change us and bring us closer together. If you had to describe what movies mean to you, what would you say?”

DG: “Oh, wow. This is a big question. Movies are, indeed, so much more than entertainment. The world of film allows us to view life from as many perspectives as we have time to view them in. They make our worlds bigger, they force us to think, to feel, to connect with the universe. Even if we are watching a movie alone, we are connected, not only to the filmmakers, but to everyone who has experienced it before. We view things differently now, but I adore the fact that the first time I watch a movie, I am having a similar experience to everyone else. When those lights go down, we are all the same.“

Want to connect with Dave? Find his work here, along with his socials!

Thanks for reading another installment of More Than Movies. I can’t wait to bring all of you another great feature next month!