Festival Cinephilia Profile: the gal who rants

ESSENTIALS

Pallavi Dandamudi — Writer / Editor / Designer / Manager, the gal who rants

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FILMOTOMY SAYS

The gal who rants is a blog covering TV shows, movies and books so everyone is likely to find something of interest here. The site is clear to navigate and pleasant to view, I especially enjoyed the large images.

All the reviews are a mix of old and new films and TV shows, giving the blog a nice and relaxed feel; it’s not rushing to post the latest (and often a bit sloppy) review of whatever blockbuster that has just opened, but shining a light to films that deserve it. I found myself often disagreeing with the writer, but their arguments are well backed up and the tone is personal and light. Most reviews are written in first person, which I really enjoyed. — Maria Lattila

WANT TO KNOW MORE

Robin Write: How was your Website / Podcast Conceived?

Pallavi Dandamudi: My love for movies meant I couldn’t stop talking about them all the damn time. After watching any movie, I would read through numerous think pieces, articles, scroll through YouTube videos, all of which served to expand my knowledge base and enhance my understanding. With time, I realized as much as I was in love with movies, I was equally fascinated with the conversations they initiate and I wanted to be a part of these conversations, hence came about the name: the gal who rants about anything and everything.

Where do you see your Website / Podcast in the next 5 years?

I have never in my entire life planned that far ahead.

What are your Go-To Sites for Film?

Filmotomy
Cinemaholic
High on Films
Roger Ebert
Rolling Stone (for some older films)
YouTube: Pop Culture Detective, Lessons from the Screenplay and The Take by Screenprism

Classic Film you Shamefully haven’t seen?

The Godfather

A Film that still makes you Cry like a baby?

Good Will Hunting

A Film that still has you Pissing Your Pants Laughing?

Bird Cage

An Old film you would love to see on an IMAX screen?

2001: A Space Odyssey

What is your Favorite Film of 2019 so far?

Booksmart

Which Screenplay do you wish you had Written?

The Favourite or The Lobster (both of them blew me away completely, I really wish I could write like that)

Who would Play you in your Biopic?

Nope. No one. No biopics please, it’s not exactly my favourite genre.

Who should Host the Oscars next year?

Hasan Mhinaj or John Mulaney

Whose Zero Oscar wins or nominations hurts the most?

Zodiac (2007)

Who were your Movie Star crushes growing up?

Bradley Cooper
Tom Cruise
Ashton Kutcher

Pick 5 words that best describe going to the Cinema?

Better when you go alone.

Where do you stand on Streaming Services and their place in film?

Streaming services are a boon for someone like me. I live in India, which means, only a small portion of the best movies from across the world makes it to my local theatre, and if they do, it’s usually only for a day or two, and that too, only in the major cities. If I only watched the movies which released in my country, I wouldn’t have watched half as many films as I have, and it’s mainly because of streaming services, which provide me with ease of access. I don’t believe streaming services can replace the theatre experience, but I do believe they are crucial to expanding cinema’s reach beyond just a particular region or country.

What is your Honest Opinion on the entire Star Wars saga?

I don’t have one. Sorry, I haven’t watched a lot of Star Wars movies.

We really need a Film Twitter definition – what is yours?

Mean people, nice people, smart people, dumb people, all come together to passionately discuss movies which frankly, nobody else really seems to care about all that much.

Share one of your most Controversial movie world opinions?

Paul Thomas Anderson is kinda overrated. (Yeah, I said it, I mean, he is a good director, but seriously, he isn’t as exceptional as people make him out to be.)

Change one thing about a Masterpiece, and tell us why?

I would probably edit the last scene of The Shape of Water. The moment we see Eliza and the merman holding each other in the water, would be the closing scene, instead of adding on the revelation that the merman was somehow able to give Eliza gills. That ending spoiled an otherwise extremely strong film for me. I also did an article on this issue in my blog, just FYI.

Also, I would probably edit out some minor parts of Boyhood, I understand the film was shot over 12 years, but damn it tests your patience, on occasion.

What are some of the Film Quotes you use a lot in everyday life?

“You talkin’ to me?” – Taxi Driver
“Yippie ka yay mother – – – – – -” – Die Hard
My favourite quote, though I rarely use it in regular life, is from Before Sunset: “Memory is a wonderful thing if you don’t have to deal with the past.”

What is the Role of a Film Critic – and how important are they?

Film critics are extremely crucial to the art of cinema. While they may not control the box office collection for a movie, they are able to impact the way cinema is percieved, the way cinema is interpreted, and the way audiences connect with cinema, which essentially goes a long in enhancing the value of movies and adding a depth to the film viewing experience.

A Film Buff asks you for advice starting a Website / Podcast – what do you tell them?

I would tell them to be honest to themselves and their audience, to write in a way that reflects their passion for films. I would tell them to connect with people who will keep them motivated, so they can continue doing this for a long time, instead of fizzling out. People who keep you motivated can be extremely helpful, especially as a blogger, because this can at times feel like a stagnant and thankless job, and I would advise them, despite whatever their personal film preferences are, to not be a jerk to other people or critics on social media for the movies they like or don’t, basically, to respect people’s personal preferences.