'The Crow': A classic that will never be forgotten

My name is Joe Cianciotto, and I’ve been a movie buff for as long as I can remember. Like many of you, I love a well-made superhero movie. As we know, not all films based on comic books are made equal. Some are just better than others. And one movie that in my mind, stands out from the rest is 1994’s "The Crow."

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Based on James O’Barr’s exquisitely dark graphic novel, "The Crow" has become one of the biggest cult phenomena in film history. And director Alex Proyas deserves a standing ovation for bringing the dark world of O’Barr’s masterpiece to life.

However, a huge part of the success of "The Crow" belongs to the late great Brandon Lee who like his father, the legendary Bruce Lee, lost his life way too soon. In Brandon’s case however, he was killed while shooting a scene from "The Crow" from a bullet in a gun that wasn’t supposed to be there.

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Lee’s death only served to deepen the lore of the film and create an aura of darkness and tragedy which a huge part of the film’s appeal is built upon.

Add to that a soundtrack filled with rising angst and fading hope, and you have one of the, if not the most iconic, unforgettable, and heart-wrenching comic book movie of all-time. It surely has the Joe Cianciotto seal of approval.

Joe Cianciotto is an architect based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Aside from architecture, Joe loves movies. Read more about his passion on this page.

Salute: Remembering 'Band of Brothers'

My name is Joe Cianciotto. I’m a movie fanatic, but I also love a well-made TV show. Probably, the most well-made single-season TV show I’ve seen is "Band of Brothers."

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Steven Spielberg’s "Saving Private Ryan" is my number one war movie of all-time, and "Band of Brothers" complements it and adds so much more.

Produced by both Spielberg and Tom Hanks and released by HBO in 2001, "Band of Brothers" takes us all on the journey of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. At times harrowing, sometimes introspective, this brilliant and stunning series has left me in tears more than times than I can imagine watching a series.

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The episodes take us through the training, and afterwards a number of the most important operations of Easy Company. They conduct recons and raids and hold their ground against all odds in the rain and the murdering winter cold. They gain ground but lose scores of their brothers while fighting for the Allies in the greatest war humanity has ever known.

I don’t personally know a WWII veteran, but I feel now like I do. Because of the series, I’ve gained a different insight into what it means to be a soldier, fighting for what you believe is right, and what it means to have brothers who are in no way related to you by blood.

Do you like "Band of Brothers" too? Message me, Joe Cianciotto, on the comment section below and let’s discuss more epic TV series.

Joe Cianciotto is an architect based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Aside from architecture, Joe loves movies. More musings from him here.

The 10 greatest action movies of the ‘80s

I’m Joe Cianciotto and I love movies. I believe every era offers a general treatment unique to the times. One of my favorite eras is the ‘80s. I’ve already written blogs about fantasy films of the decade. Now, here are my top ten action movies from the ‘80s (in no particular order)

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Aliens (1986): James Cameron’s finest in my opinion, and the best of the franchise (sorry, Ridley Scott).

Die Hard (1988): My favorite Christmas movie ever, “Die Hard” is one of the best action vehicles, ever.

Top Gun (1986): This is the film responsible for catapulting Tom Cruise into superstardom. And what about that soundtrack.

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Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back (1980): The decade of film opened with a bang with the greatest film of the Star Wars saga. Definitely a Joe Cianciotto favorite.

Lethal Weapon (1987): The gold standard in buddy-cop films. I’ll never be too old for this.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): Spielberg and Lucas create magic with an exhilarating adventure.

Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (1989): Spielberg and Lucas create magic once again, on an even larger scale.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986): A cult classic from horror master, John Carpenter.

Blade Runner (1982): Ridley Scott’s stunning, unsurpassed vision of the future.

Predator (1987): Pure testosterone versus the most ruthless hunter you’ll ever come across.

Joe Cianciotto is a San Francisco Bay Area-based architect. He is a movie buff and enjoys a diverse selection of genres, including superhero films, independent science fiction, mumblecore, and Golden-age dramas and epics. Read more on this page.

A look at some of the best set design in film

My name is Joe Cianciotto, and I’m an architect. During my spare time, I love watching movies. Because of my background, I can’t help but marvel at some of the set designs I see.

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Take for example the HBO series, “Game of Thrones.” Sure, some of the parts of the set may be CGI, but that hardly dampens the magnificence of its architectural accomplishments. In fact, many of the fantasy feature films and TV shows have set design that blows my mind.


In “The Lord of the Rings,” Peter Jackson had several locations converted into structures from Middle Earth. The results were breathtaking, especially when caught with the right camera angle. They can all still be seen in New Zealand. The Shire alone evokes so many emotions of warmth and merriment.


Harry Potter’s Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry also has several magical sets in the main structure that viewers actually feel both the magic and ominous overture of He Who Must Not Be Named.

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Not to be outdone, science-fiction films have also gone that extra mile in set design. Films such as “Blade Runner” and “Aliens” have made full use of the creativity of set designers, much to the audience’s awe.


What film has your favorite set design? Message me, Joe Cianciotto, in the comments section below and share your favorites.


Joe Cianciotto is a San Francisco Bay Area-based architect. He is a movie buff and enjoys a diverse selection of genres, including superhero films, independent science fiction, mumblecore, and Golden-age dramas and epics. For similar posts, visit this page.

Japanese horror: A genre unlike any other

If there’s one genre in film I want to explore, but I’m hesitant too because it’s simply too creepy – it’s Japanese horror. I’ve seen a few J-Horror films and I have to say, they are exquisitely uncomfortable to watch, which is a good thing.

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Here are three examples.

Ringu (1998)

The pinnacle of J-Horror, “Ringu” kept me awake for a week. I rented the DVD with a couple of friends before the American remake came out and we had a blast watching it. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife. For those who haven’t seen it, it’s about a videotape that’s cursed. The tape kills anyone who watches it after seven days.

Image source: Wikipedia.org

Audition (1999)

Takashi Miike is by no means, a simpleton. This Japanese director has a brilliant vision, which he oftentimes mixes in with his own twisted fantasies. The most well-known of his works is 1999’s “Audition” (“O-dition”). The first half of the film is akin to a romantic drama. But the second half spirals down into hell so fast that you want have time to adjust. The visuals alone will leave you catatonic for a bit.

Ju-On: The Grudge (2000)

“The Grudge” as it is known by Western viewers is a fun, dark ride in the vein of “Ringu.” Though this is another curse-based plot, “The Grudge” pours more of itself into horror than creepiness. Another must-watch.

Hi, the name’s Joe Cianciotto and I’m a San Francisco Bay Area-based architect. I like to write about buildings, new gadgets, and movie blockbusters. Follow me on Twitter for similar updates.

Architecture and design trends you can look forward to in 2019

The year 2019 is fast approaching. Experts in the field of architecture and design are expecting new directions that will influence projects in the coming months. If you're curious of what the future of the industry looks like, here are some of the trends we're looking forward to:

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Rethinking open space designs

In the past years, open space designs have been gaining popularity in commercial and residential spaces. This year, instead of just designing without dividers and barriers, experts are seeing a shift with how people conceptualize open spaces. This year, even without walls and dividers, designers will be more creative with differentiating the various parts in a home or an office. Instead of the usual plain design, the pros will start to incorporate artistic elements and features to better organize a place.

Widespread use of sustainable materials

Experiencing the effects of climate change has led to the use of sustainable and environment-friendly materials in construction projects. When it comes to commercial structures, acquiring certifications from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) have been a requirement in recent years. Even in residential spaces, more people are choosing these cost-effective recycled and sustainable materials.

Image source: Usnews.com

Integrating technology in the structure

The arrival of IoT and other innovations have made it possible to integrate technology into a home's design. From appliances to entertainment devices, having a "connected" home is now possible. While it's easier to obtain the technology these days, architects and designers are still mastering ways on customizing spaces for these additions.

With these trends, we can look forward to modern designs that will prioritize comfort and safety.

Joe Cianciotto here. Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I work as an architect and enjoy classic, superhero blockbuster, and indie mumblecore movies. Visit this page for similar reads.

How 'Empire Records' rocked its way into cult status

In 1995, in the midst of the teen movie revival of the decade, a small production made it to theaters to minimal fanfare. The film was “Empire Records.” It was by no means a blockbuster hit, and after its run, it was found that even the soundtrack of the movie did better in terms of overall sales.

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But as the years went by, “Empire Records” started to get a cult following, perhaps started by the fans that were there during its original release.

The plot was mind-numbingly simple as the film takes us through a day in the record store manned by a group of ridiculously quirky but painfully flawed teens and their no-nonsense manager. They each have issues, making the film an anthology of sorts, not unlike a collection of short stories all happening in a day.

While the performances were nothing to write your mom about, it was how the film was treated, with all its colors and characters blending seamlessly with its oddball humor and a superb soundtrack that make it incredibly easy to watch and enjoy.

Image source: mentalfloss.com

And speaking of the soundtrack, it stood out in an era of amazing soundtracks, with many of the songs still being played by radio DJs and club bands today.

Hi, the name’s Joe Cianciotto, and I’m a San Francisco Bay Area-based architect. I like to write about buildings, new gadgets, and movie blockbusters. Follow me on Twitter for similar updates.