No matter how good you think you are...

The following Brian De Palma anecdote from Quentin Tarantino, as caught by Jeff Wells at yesterday's "Directing on Directing" panel at Santa Barbara's Lobero theatre is a delightfully honest look at the rivalry filmmakers can share with each other, and how during those peak years of making movies - it's a great thing to have someone always raising the bar and being that one step above you. I've heard Tarantino mention he has one of these friendly rivalries going with Paul Thomas Anderson, and it's partly his viewing of There Will Be Blood that really kicked Tarantino up the backside into finishing his script for Inglourious Basterds, and getting that thing done in time for last year's Cannes Film Festival. This whole situation reminds me of an old saying - competition is the best thing for business.

That's why it's a blessing we have the Coens, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino, PTA, Chris Nolan, Terrence Malick and the like, pushing boundaries movie after movie, continously raising the bar. Speaking of Scorsese - Shutter Island opens in 11 days time, my No. 2 must see movie of 2010. I haven't heard any press screenings/previews yet, and no posters up where I live and I'm getting anxious. Paramount wouldn't bury this movie, would they?