Mel Killingsworth
@mehlsbells.bsky.social
lover of cinema, sport, siphon coffee, sundries
🌈 make and write about TV and movies 🌈
half of [at] ShotZero
linktr.ee/mehlsbells
🌈 make and write about TV and movies 🌈
half of [at] ShotZero
linktr.ee/mehlsbells
Pinned
Mel Killingsworth
@mehlsbells.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Hello it is me, a person who reads physical books on public transport!
Well, not busses (because I get carsick), but trams and trains!
Well, trams if I am facing forwards (see above)!
THE POINT IS ya'll listen to this wise man and get at me . . .
Well, not busses (because I get carsick), but trams and trains!
Well, trams if I am facing forwards (see above)!
THE POINT IS ya'll listen to this wise man and get at me . . .
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Yesterday Stu examined how #PortraitofaLadyonFire is a ghost story, but the film’s thoughtful use of visuals don’t stop at metaphor and mythology. This transition from the cold open cleverly show we’ve entered a flashback.
When the scene cuts, it’s from Marianne to Marianne . . .
1/4
When the scene cuts, it’s from Marianne to Marianne . . .
1/4
October 27, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Yesterday Stu examined how #PortraitofaLadyonFire is a ghost story, but the film’s thoughtful use of visuals don’t stop at metaphor and mythology. This transition from the cold open cleverly show we’ve entered a flashback.
When the scene cuts, it’s from Marianne to Marianne . . .
1/4
When the scene cuts, it’s from Marianne to Marianne . . .
1/4
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Rob Reiner was one of the perennials, a force in TV and then film and then politics and Los Angeles life for decades and decades. He was the quintessence of Bleeding Heart Liberal Hollywood in the best sense of every word.
May his memory be a blessing.
May his memory be a blessing.
December 15, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Rob Reiner was one of the perennials, a force in TV and then film and then politics and Los Angeles life for decades and decades. He was the quintessence of Bleeding Heart Liberal Hollywood in the best sense of every word.
May his memory be a blessing.
May his memory be a blessing.
The Discourse has reached the point where the youtube algorithm is pushing Paul Dano's episode of Hot Ones
so good things do still come of the internet
so good things do still come of the internet
December 15, 2025 at 5:54 AM
The Discourse has reached the point where the youtube algorithm is pushing Paul Dano's episode of Hot Ones
so good things do still come of the internet
so good things do still come of the internet
Question:
if I am talking about multiple movies of the Kevin McCallister franchise together, so referring to them in the plural
is it "Homes Alone", like "Attorneys General" ?
if I am talking about multiple movies of the Kevin McCallister franchise together, so referring to them in the plural
is it "Homes Alone", like "Attorneys General" ?
December 14, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Question:
if I am talking about multiple movies of the Kevin McCallister franchise together, so referring to them in the plural
is it "Homes Alone", like "Attorneys General" ?
if I am talking about multiple movies of the Kevin McCallister franchise together, so referring to them in the plural
is it "Homes Alone", like "Attorneys General" ?
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
In this scene from All That Heaven Allows, characters moving a prop and operator(s) moving the camera coincide to frame Cary (Jane Wyman) in the TV screen as the bow blocks her daughter Kay out.
1/2
1/2
December 13, 2025 at 11:01 PM
In this scene from All That Heaven Allows, characters moving a prop and operator(s) moving the camera coincide to frame Cary (Jane Wyman) in the TV screen as the bow blocks her daughter Kay out.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
#Pluribus 2/2
As Carol pours, the shot switches angles 90° to a medium shot, with the stream of water in the same screen area, but then Carol moves the bottle and glass into shot - the cut has 'moved' her to the bar.
It’s a nice touch that she’s also changed from a green glass to a clear one.
As Carol pours, the shot switches angles 90° to a medium shot, with the stream of water in the same screen area, but then Carol moves the bottle and glass into shot - the cut has 'moved' her to the bar.
It’s a nice touch that she’s also changed from a green glass to a clear one.
December 12, 2025 at 11:01 PM
#Pluribus 2/2
As Carol pours, the shot switches angles 90° to a medium shot, with the stream of water in the same screen area, but then Carol moves the bottle and glass into shot - the cut has 'moved' her to the bar.
It’s a nice touch that she’s also changed from a green glass to a clear one.
As Carol pours, the shot switches angles 90° to a medium shot, with the stream of water in the same screen area, but then Carol moves the bottle and glass into shot - the cut has 'moved' her to the bar.
It’s a nice touch that she’s also changed from a green glass to a clear one.
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
In #Pluribus 1.03 “Grenade” all it takes is a neat bit of framing and editing for Carol (Rhea Seehorn) to turn water into vodka.
After Carol considering taking her medication with tap water, she begins pouring out the water . . .
1/2
After Carol considering taking her medication with tap water, she begins pouring out the water . . .
1/2
December 12, 2025 at 11:01 PM
In #Pluribus 1.03 “Grenade” all it takes is a neat bit of framing and editing for Carol (Rhea Seehorn) to turn water into vodka.
After Carol considering taking her medication with tap water, she begins pouring out the water . . .
1/2
After Carol considering taking her medication with tap water, she begins pouring out the water . . .
1/2
"Spielberg uses his film language to target a deeper level of consumerist exploitation [which intentionally turns] one of Spielberg’s best set pieces into [a] supercharged proof-of-concept for a marketing strategy . . . "
Great piece on one of Spielberg's best.
letterboxd.com/journal/mino...
Great piece on one of Spielberg's best.
letterboxd.com/journal/mino...
Through a Glass Darkly: The punishing digitopia of Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
With Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report out now on 4K UHD Blu-ray, Brendan Hodges looks back on the brain-teasing cyberpunk thriller that exposes a world dominated by the hyperreal allure of screens.
letterboxd.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:11 AM
"Spielberg uses his film language to target a deeper level of consumerist exploitation [which intentionally turns] one of Spielberg’s best set pieces into [a] supercharged proof-of-concept for a marketing strategy . . . "
Great piece on one of Spielberg's best.
letterboxd.com/journal/mino...
Great piece on one of Spielberg's best.
letterboxd.com/journal/mino...
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
#Andor scene transition 2/2
As a nice little touch, the spacecraft is coming exactly from where Bix was looking in the transition frame, like so:
For more on this episode, see our deep dive open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
As a nice little touch, the spacecraft is coming exactly from where Bix was looking in the transition frame, like so:
For more on this episode, see our deep dive open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
December 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
#Andor scene transition 2/2
As a nice little touch, the spacecraft is coming exactly from where Bix was looking in the transition frame, like so:
For more on this episode, see our deep dive open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
As a nice little touch, the spacecraft is coming exactly from where Bix was looking in the transition frame, like so:
For more on this episode, see our deep dive open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
what a time to be alive
never been so glad to own Casablanca on both DVD and BluRay
never been so glad to own Casablanca on both DVD and BluRay
December 9, 2025 at 1:46 AM
what a time to be alive
never been so glad to own Casablanca on both DVD and BluRay
never been so glad to own Casablanca on both DVD and BluRay
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
#Andor 1.08 "Narkina 5" makes the most of motion, blocking, and symmetry - we look at how each is so effective, especially in culmative use!
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
December 7, 2025 at 11:01 PM
#Andor 1.08 "Narkina 5" makes the most of motion, blocking, and symmetry - we look at how each is so effective, especially in culmative use!
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
open.substack.com/pub/shotzero...
VERY weird coincidence I decided to watch these two back to back . . .
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
![movie posters for FRESH KILL and METROPOLITAN next to each other
[link in skeet explains the connection]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:r3rydgyi7ynczlii2tg2qj5y/bafkreiboxaw75fhwxvi3auroovy6sfsd26krdajdgkn4bou4ptvy3kyujm@jpeg)
December 6, 2025 at 12:03 PM
VERY weird coincidence I decided to watch these two back to back . . .
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
as someone who used to buy this stuff ten at a time for a buck a pop from the shop five minutes away, I don't know what to be more horrified at
- the cost
- the per customer limit
- the fact its ONLY location is two hours from me
THE FACT EVEN WITH ALL THAT IT IS SOLD OUT
- the cost
- the per customer limit
- the fact its ONLY location is two hours from me
THE FACT EVEN WITH ALL THAT IT IS SOLD OUT
December 5, 2025 at 6:21 AM
as someone who used to buy this stuff ten at a time for a buck a pop from the shop five minutes away, I don't know what to be more horrified at
- the cost
- the per customer limit
- the fact its ONLY location is two hours from me
THE FACT EVEN WITH ALL THAT IT IS SOLD OUT
- the cost
- the per customer limit
- the fact its ONLY location is two hours from me
THE FACT EVEN WITH ALL THAT IT IS SOLD OUT
All week on @shotzero.bsky.social we're looking at how to dramatize phone calls on screen.
The focus pull, ‘opposite sides’ framing, stark colour difference between locations - these 45 seconds (only 30 actually spent talking) SHOWS us how these people feel, and how strongly they oppose each other.
see today's substack for a deeper look at this #MichaelClayton scene
see today's substack for a deeper look at this #MichaelClayton scene
December 4, 2025 at 10:07 AM
All week on @shotzero.bsky.social we're looking at how to dramatize phone calls on screen.
Five Shots: HEATWAVE
just what it says on the fire index sign
shotzero.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:03 PM
short to long, classic to neo, old favorites and new loves, I saw 56 films this #noirvember (and reviewed them all)
Bring on the Christmas movies
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/t...
Bring on the Christmas movies
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/t...
All films tagged ‘noirvember-2025’ by Mel Killingsworth
All films tagged ‘noirvember-2025’ by Mel Killingsworth
letterboxd.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:37 PM
short to long, classic to neo, old favorites and new loves, I saw 56 films this #noirvember (and reviewed them all)
Bring on the Christmas movies
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/t...
Bring on the Christmas movies
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/t...
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
#Noirvember is for Chase Scenes part2, from what else: THE CHASE!
This scene uses eye movements, very particularly modulated pacing, and stark light/shadows, to drive the tension and keep us guessing.
shotzero.substack.com/p/art-of-the...
This scene uses eye movements, very particularly modulated pacing, and stark light/shadows, to drive the tension and keep us guessing.
shotzero.substack.com/p/art-of-the...
Art of the Chase: THE CHASE
These tense scenes from The Chase (1946) shows Scotty (Robert Cummings) framed for the murder, and trapped by dirty cops seeking mob justice.
shotzero.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:26 PM
#Noirvember is for Chase Scenes part2, from what else: THE CHASE!
This scene uses eye movements, very particularly modulated pacing, and stark light/shadows, to drive the tension and keep us guessing.
shotzero.substack.com/p/art-of-the...
This scene uses eye movements, very particularly modulated pacing, and stark light/shadows, to drive the tension and keep us guessing.
shotzero.substack.com/p/art-of-the...
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Shot-Reverse-Shot, but also make it a double reverse in a mirror!
As #Noirvember draws to a close, we take a closer look at how this scene from #WhiteHeat has fun with mirrors.
shotzero.substack.com/p/shot-rever...
As #Noirvember draws to a close, we take a closer look at how this scene from #WhiteHeat has fun with mirrors.
shotzero.substack.com/p/shot-rever...
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Shot-Reverse-Shot, but also make it a double reverse in a mirror!
As #Noirvember draws to a close, we take a closer look at how this scene from #WhiteHeat has fun with mirrors.
shotzero.substack.com/p/shot-rever...
As #Noirvember draws to a close, we take a closer look at how this scene from #WhiteHeat has fun with mirrors.
shotzero.substack.com/p/shot-rever...
people think noir isn't funny . . . that bit with the cigar is simply HILARIOUS
Like yesterday's scene from Guilty Bystander, everything here relies entirely on blocking and camera/actor movement in and out of lights and shadows.
Such fun!
Such fun!
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM
people think noir isn't funny . . . that bit with the cigar is simply HILARIOUS
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
If you’re going to be one of the most iconic femme fatales in history, you really gotta know how to make an entrance . . .
shotzero.substack.com/p/character-...
shotzero.substack.com/p/character-...
Character Introductions 004: Phyllis Dietrichson
Double Indemnity opens with Fred MacMurray’s Walter Neff stumbling into his office, drenched in sweat and guilt.
shotzero.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 AM
If you’re going to be one of the most iconic femme fatales in history, you really gotta know how to make an entrance . . .
shotzero.substack.com/p/character-...
shotzero.substack.com/p/character-...
it only took 30 years and one nasty concussion during college which changed the way I wrote cursive forever
but I finally think I like my handwriting now
but I finally think I like my handwriting now
November 25, 2025 at 5:25 AM
it only took 30 years and one nasty concussion during college which changed the way I wrote cursive forever
but I finally think I like my handwriting now
but I finally think I like my handwriting now
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Some of the tension in this wordless scene comes from just waiting to see if Max Thursday (Zachary Scott) exactly hits the beam of light with his eyes as he moves . . . and he always does!
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Some of the tension in this wordless scene comes from just waiting to see if Max Thursday (Zachary Scott) exactly hits the beam of light with his eyes as he moves . . . and he always does!
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Today we look at five of our favourite shots from neo-noir #GetMillieBlack.
shotzero.substack.com/p/five-shots...
shotzero.substack.com/p/five-shots...
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Today we look at five of our favourite shots from neo-noir #GetMillieBlack.
shotzero.substack.com/p/five-shots...
shotzero.substack.com/p/five-shots...
AFL refuse to let W teams all play each other during a season; bork the grounds / game timings; don't care if they play finals in 35 degree heat
yet we still get games like #AFLWNorthDees
These players are marvelous, deserve the world
yet we still get games like #AFLWNorthDees
These players are marvelous, deserve the world
November 22, 2025 at 5:52 AM
AFL refuse to let W teams all play each other during a season; bork the grounds / game timings; don't care if they play finals in 35 degree heat
yet we still get games like #AFLWNorthDees
These players are marvelous, deserve the world
yet we still get games like #AFLWNorthDees
These players are marvelous, deserve the world