The Journal

Breakdowns you can read.

Every reel, written out in full - the frame, the choice behind it, and what it does to you. Subscribe by RSS.

Endings

A title plate reading The Mentalist, season 6 episode 8, set in The Cinema Chair's house style on a dark ground. Endings The Mentalist taught you to look closely, then punished you for it For five seasons The Mentalist made you better at watching television. Then it revealed Red John and proved that none of the watching was ever going to help. / 7 min read

Framing

Mobius stands alone in a suburban street at golden hour, seen from behind, watching the houses of the ordinary life he chose. Framing Why the camera lets Mobius stand still The finale gives Loki a throne and Mobius a parked car on a quiet street - and shoots the second one wider than the first. / 4 min read