Tanning Projection Booth

A couple of thoughts were running through my head as I watched the just-posted trailer for Richard Linklater's Me and Orson Welles. The first was, "damn, a lot of people have played Orson Welles the character." The second was...since when did everything set in...I was going to say the 20s and 30s, but it's really anything that takes place in a city/town before World War II is required be shot and designed (as in production and costume) in sepia. Is everyone just taking their cues from Chinatown? But it certainly is the case now...The Illusionist, King Kong, Public Enemies, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, a fair chunk of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Honeydripper, The Black Dahlia (okay, that was the 40s, but still)...I know there are more. But it's gotten to the point where it's not a creative decision, just sort of an unmotivated default.

Of course I'll see it; it's the new Linklater movie! If I can stick with Bad News Bears and Fast Food Nation, Lord knows I can handle a little sepia with a side of Efron.