December 18, 2008

2008 Toronto, Dallas-Ft Worth, Houston, Chicago Film Critics Awards Winners

Get out your scorecard. The Toronto Film Critics Association, Dallas-Fort Worth Critics Association, Houston Film Critics Association, and Chicago Film Critics Association have weighed in with their choices for 2008.

Add these to the list of previously announced (and posted here) National Board of Review, Gotham, Los Angeles, New York Film Critics Circle, New York Film Critics Online, Boston, Satellite, Austin, San Diego, and San Francisco Critics Awards winners and you have a pretty good indication of what to expect at the 2009 Critics Choice, Spirit, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards (only the latter has yet to announce their nominations).

2008 TORONTO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS WINNERS
2008 DALLAS-FORT WORTH CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS WINNERS
2008 HOUSTON FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS WINNERS
2008 CHICAGO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS WINNERS

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Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations

The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards nominations were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center’s Silver Screen Theater in West Hollywood. Like the Golden Globes, separate awards are given for movies and television. Garnering the most nominations are Doubt, Milk, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The awards will be simulcast live nationally on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT, and 6 p.m. MT from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center.

Here are the motion picture nominees:

Actor -
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Actress -
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

Supporting Actor -
Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire

Supporting Actress -
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Kate Winslet - The Reader

Ensemble Cast -
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Stunt Ensemble -
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Wanted

COMPLETE LIST OF 2009 SAG AWARDS NOMINATIONS

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December 17, 2008

2009 SXSW Film Festival announces Opening Night film

As 2008 comes to a close, it becomes immediately apparent that the 16th edition of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference & Festival is just 12 weeks away. As readers of this blog know, of the many I attend each year, few film festivals can beat SXSW for sheer enjoyment, both in the quality of the program as well as the kickass rock 'n roll setting in which it takes place.

The festival has now announced its Opening Night film. Kicking off SXSW 2009 at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas on March 13 will be the DreamWorks Pictures film I Love You, Man, co-written and directed by John Hamburg (Along Came Polly, co-writer of Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, and Zoolander) and starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segel and Rashida Jones.

"We are thrilled to have I Love You, Man kick off the 2009 festival. The film is the perfect representation of the kind of smart and unconventional humor that SXSW audiences flock to," said Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson, "and we are happy to welcome back SXSW Alumni Paul Rudd and Jason Segel."

The South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival runs March 13-21, 2009 in Austin, Texas.

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December 16, 2008

2008 Austin, San Diego, San Francisco Film Critics Awards Winners

Don't relax just yet -- there are plenty of awards still being announced. The Austin Film Critics Association, San Diego Film Critics Society, and San Francisco Film Critics Circle have just weighed in with their selections for 2008. Milk and Slumdog Millionaire continue to haul them in, The Dark Knight gets some well-deserved recognition, and Sweden's Let The Right One In, one of my Top 10 Picks from Tribeca, sweeps all three lists for Best Foreign Film.

2008 Austin Film Critics Association Awards Winners

Top 10 Films

The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
Synecdoche, New York
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Wrestler
WALL-E
Frost/Nixon
Let the Right One In
Gran Torino

Best Picture - The Dark Knight
Best Director - Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Best Actor - Sean Penn, Milk
Best Actress - Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Best Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Best Supporting Actress - Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Original Screenplay - Charlie Kaufman, Synecdoche, New York
Best Adapted Screenplay - The Dark Knight, Jonathan Nolan & Christopher Nolan
Best Cinematography - The Fall, Colin Watkinson
Best Original Score - The Dark Knight, James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmerman
Best Foreign Language Film - Let the Right One In (Sweden)
Best Documentary Film - Man on Wire
Best Animated Feature - WALL-E
Breakthrough Artist Award - Danny McBride, Pineapple Express/The Foot Fist Way/Tropic Thunder
Best First Film - Nacho Vigalondo, Timecrimes (Los Cronocrimenes)
Best Austin Film - Crawford

2008 San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards Winners

Best Picture - Milk
Best Director - Gus Van Sant, Milk
Best Original Screenplay - Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Best Adapted Screenplay - Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Best Actor - TIE: Sean Penn, Milk - Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Best Actress - Sally Hawkins, Happy Go Lucky
Best Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Best Supporting Actress - Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Best Foreign Language Film - Let the Right One In
Best Documentary - My Winnipeg
Best Cinematography - Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight
Marlon Riggs Award for courage & vision in the Bay Area film community - Rob Nilsson, filmmaker, in recognition of his 9@NIGHT series of films

2008 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Winners

Best Film - Slumdog Millionaire
Runner-up - The Dark Knight
Best Foreign Language Film - Let the Right One In
Best Documentary - Man on Wire
Best Animated Film - WALL-E
Best Director - Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actress - Kate Winslet, The Reader
Best Actor - Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Best Supporting Actress - Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Best Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Best Original Screenplay - Tom McCarthy, The Visitor
Best Adapted Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Cinematography - Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Production Design - Donald Graham Burt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Editing - Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Score - A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Ensemble Performance - Frost/Nixon
Body of Work for 2008 - Richard Jenkins for The Visitor, Burn After Reading, Step Brothers, and The Tale of Desperaux
Kyle Counts Award - the film program at the San Diego Central Library "for its outstanding contribution to film education and its commitment to eclectic and excellent free public film programs"

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December 15, 2008

AFI Awards Top 10 Movies of 2008

The AFI's mission:

AFI was created to protect and preserve the legacy of the moving image art form so that future generations will have a greater understanding and appreciation for the proud heritage reflected in the realities of a new modern day.

Each year, AFI AWARDS honors excellence in the moving image arts within the context of a Year in Review. This is the next chapter in AFI's national mandate -- specifically, the creation of an annual almanac that records and preserves the evolution of the moving image arts in the 21st century.

AFI AWARDS adds a volume to the history of American film and television each year by documenting the collective opinion of the moving image communities, recognizing the year's significant moments and honoring the individuals and creative ensembles who have created the year's outstanding achievements.

AFI's TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2008

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

FROST/NIXON

FROZEN RIVER

GRAN TORINO

IRON MAN

MILK

WALL-E

WENDY AND LUCY

THE WRESTLER

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2008 NY Critics Online, Boston Critics, and Satellite Awards Winners

Awards season rolls on with the The Boston Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Online, and International Press Academy all announcing their selections over the weekend.

A look back through the previous posts on this blog will reveal a trend emerging among this year's lists so far -- Slumdog Millionaire and Milk consistently top the narrative features while Man on Wire nabs best documentary kudos. Among foreign films, the wonderful Swedish coming-of-age film Let The Right One In is being honored by many groups. It was one of my Top 10 Picks from this year's Tribeca Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.

2008 BOSTON SOCIETY OF FILM CRITICS AWARDS WINNERS
2008 NY FILM CRITICS ONLINE AWARDS WINNERS
2008 INTERNATIONAL PRESS ACADEMY'S SATELLITE AWARDS WINNERS

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December 13, 2008

Is it worth going to the Sundance Film Festival?

Is it worth going to the Sundance Film Festival? The short answer is, "it depends." It depends on what you're looking for. The focus of the festival has changed over the years. What was once the premiere showcase of cutting-edge, independent film has become more of a glitz and glamour Hollywood studio production replete with stars and the paparazzi that inevitably follow them. Although it's "gained luster" for much of the public, it has also lost the edge it was known for, and other festivals now fill that void. However, being smartly aware of how their reputation within the film community has changed, the programmers have tried to shift the focus back to what it was at the outset.

The first time I attended, I waited for the schedule to come out in mid-December before deciding whether or not to go. Then I selected just a few films. I didn't "do the festival," so to speak. But as the year went on I found myself regretting that decision as more and more films began to show up on my radar which had premiered there. I vowed then that I'd do it up the next time around.

Since then I've gone the whole hog, making the travel arrangements long before the lineup is revealed and seeing as many films as I can. On the one hand, part of me wants to wait for the selections to be announced before deciding if it will be worth my while. On the other hand, the experienced festivalgoer in me knows that there will be many gems among the typically unfamiliar names on that list and a little faith is all that's needed.

I've learned that part of the excitement of a festival is picking a film which I might not otherwise have chosen to see, and feeling as if I've discovered something special. Of course, the festival programmers are the ones who really have to do the picking and choosing, and as filmgoers we have to put our trust in them.

So, as I said at the outset, it depends on what you're looking for. If you are the type who wants to know what you're getting into ahead of time, demanding that the two hours spent in the theater (plus up to an hour waiting in line) be worth the time and money, then it might not be for you. But if you are the kind of film fan who has a broad range of tastes and is humble enough to enter a theater with an open mind, it's definitely worth it.

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December 12, 2008

Exclusive behind-the-scenes video from "Rough Hustle"

As we first announced here back in October, Michael Welch, currently being seen as Mike Newton in the blockbuster smash hit Twilight, will soon be appearing in a gritty independent film titled Rough Hustle.

The project is well underway with weeks of shooting completed on location in Mesquite, Nevada and Las Vegas. The town of Mesquite welcomed the crew with open arms and the local media reported on the excitement. "It's been fantastic, better than we expected," said Executive Producer Brendan Davis. "Until you get to a place, you just don't know. We're really pinching ourselves at how well it's going."

Movieset.com has some exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the Rough Hustle shoot. You'll also find a wealth of information about the production as well as interviews with cast and crew.

Check out the film's official site and look for Rough Hustle to hit theaters in 2009.

VIDEO

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December 11, 2008

2009 Golden Globes Nominations announced

The Golden Globe nominations were announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association early this morning. The awards will be handed out on January 11 and are widely considered to be a good indicator of Oscar potential. While the numerous critics nominations and awards revealed over the past week can often be even more reliable in predicting who will win the Academy Awards, it's the Golden Globes which have the highest public visibility and are said to signal the traditional "start of Oscar season."

The glitzy Globes were canceled last year after celebrities said they would boycott the show in honor of a strike by the Writers Guild of America. Winners were announced at a hasty news conference instead. Hollywood faces labor strife again with a potential strike by the Screen Actors Guild. But a strike-authorization vote early next month would come too late to affect the Globes this time.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is a group of about 85 critics and reporters for overseas outlets. The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards will to be telecast Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 8-11 PM Eastern live from The Beverly Hilton on NBC.

FILM

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA

* The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Frost/Nixon
* The Reader
* Revolutionary Road
* Slumdog Millionaire

BEST MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY

* Burn After Reading
* Happy-Go-Lucky
* In Bruges
* Mamma Mia!
* Vicky Cristina Barcelona

ACTOR, DRAMA

* Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
* Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
* Sean Penn, Milk
* Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

ACTRESS, DRAMA

* Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
* Angelina Jolie, Changeling
* Meryl Streep, Doubt
* Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
* Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

* Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* Colin Farrell, In Bruges
* James Franco, Pineapple Express
* Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
* Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

* Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
* Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
* Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!
* Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

SUPPORTING ACTOR

* Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
* Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
* Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
* Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
* Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

* Amy Adams, Doubt
* Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* Viola Davis, Doubt
* Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
* Kate Winslet, The Reader

DIRECTOR

* Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
* Stephen Daldry, The Reader
* David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
* Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

SCREENPLAY

* Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
* David Hare, The Reader
* Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
* Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* John Patrick Shanley, Doubt

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

* The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
* Everlasting Moments (Sweden)
* Gomorrah (Italy)
* I've Loved You So Long (France)
* Waltz With Bashir (Israel)

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

* Bolt
* Kung Fu Panda
* WALL-E

ORIGINAL SCORE

* Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
* Clint Eastwood, Changeling
* James Newton Howard, Defiance
* A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
* Hans Zimmer, Frost/Nixon

ORIGINAL SONG

* "Down to Earth," WALL-E; music by Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman; lyrics by Peter Gabriel
* "Gran Torino," Gran Torino; music by Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens; lyrics by Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
* "I Thought I Lost You," Bolt; music & lyrics by Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele
* "Once in a Lifetime," Cadillac Records; music & lyrics by Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street
* "The Wrestler," The Wrestler; music & lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

TELEVISION

TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

* Dexter
* House
* In Treatment
* Mad Men
* True Blood

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

* Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
* Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
* January Jones, Mad Men
* Anna Paquin, True Blood
* Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

* Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
* Michael C. Hall, Dexter
* Jon Hamm, Mad Men
* Hugh Laurie, House
* Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors

TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

* 30 Rock
* Californication
* Entourage
* The Office
* Weeds

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

* Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
* America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
* Tina Fey, 30 Rock
* Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
* Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

* Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
* Steve Carell, The Office
* Kevin Connolly, Entourage
* David Duchovny, Californication
* Tony Shalhoub, Monk

MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

* A Raisin in the Sun
* Bernard and Doris
* Cranford
* John Adams
* Recount

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

* Judi Dench, Cranford
* Catherine Keener, An American Crime
* Laura Linney, John Adams
* Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel
* Susan Sarandon, Bernard and Doris

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

* Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris
* Paul Giamatti, John Adams
* Kevin Spacey, Recount
* Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Redemption
* Tom Wilkinson, Recount

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

* Eileen Atkins, Cranford
* Laura Dern, Recount
* Melissa George, In Treatment
* Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
* Dianne Wiest, In Treatment

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

* Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
* Denis Leary, Recount
* Jeremy Piven, Entourage
* Blair Underwood, In Treatment
* Tom Wilkinson, John Adams

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December 10, 2008

2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards Winners

The New York Film Critics Circle has weighed in with their picks of the 2008 year in cinema. "It's a mark of a healthy culture that people want to read and engage in the debate on movies on a serious level," Entertainment Weekly critic Lisa Schwarzbaum told indieWIRE. The chair of the New York Film Critics Circle this year, she noted that the awards were spread among a number of films. "Earlier in the year people were saying it's no a strong year, but there is such a variety this year."

The winners of the 2008 New York Film Critics Circle Awards are:

Film: Milk
Director: Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Actress: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin, Milk
Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Screenplay: Jenny Lumet, Rachel Getting Married
First Film: Courtney Hunt, Frozen River
Foreign Film: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Animated Film: Wall-E
Documentary: Man on Wire
Cinematographer: Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire

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SXSW Film Festival shorts will qualify for Oscars

The South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival (SXSW) has announced that the winning short films featured at the festival will qualify for consideration in the Short Films category of the Annual Academy Awards without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy Rules.

The final deadline to submit a film for the 2009 SXSW Film Festival is this Friday, December 12. Filmmakers are invited to submit their new projects in the Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Music Video, and Shorts categories. Submissions can only be entered via the official SXSW Website where you can find complete submission rules and regulations.

The festival will announce its complete film lineup in early February 2009.

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December 09, 2008

2009 Film Independent's Spirit Awards Nominations

The Film Independent's Spirit Awards are very close to my heart, as they're essentially the Oscars for indies, and often foretell some of those awards as well. Last year many of the films which were nominated for (and eventually won) Spirit Awards went on to dominate many Academy Awards categories.

The 2009 Film Independent's Spirit Awards ceremony will take place in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica and will air uncut, uncensored, and commercial-free on IFC (Independent Film Channel) at 5 PM Eastern and Pacific Time on Saturday, February 21, 2009. An edited re-broadcast will air later that night on AMC.

Film Independent is an open enrollment and non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.

2009 SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINATIONS

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2008 Critics Choice Awards Nominations

The Critics Choice Awards are well-known to the public not just for the fact that they are broadcast on national television (January 8 on VH1) but also because they are considered among the most reliable indicators for the Oscars. "Since the Critics' Choice began announcing nominees in 2005 (instead of just winners, as it had previously), every Academy Award winner in a major category has been nominated for a Critics' Choice," according to a report in indieWIRE. "Last year, all five eventual best picture Oscar nominees were listed in the BFCA's top ten, and No Country For Old Men went on to sweep the winners, including best picture, director and supporting actor Javier Bardem."

The Broadcast Film Critics Association is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing 199 television, radio and online critics. The very first opinion a moviegoer hears about new releases at the multiplex or the art house often comes from one of their members.

2008 CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS NOMINATIONS

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2008 Gotham Awards and LA Film Critics Awards Winners

The calendar has turned to the major film awards. The big ones are the Golden Globes, sponsored by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and the Oscars, of course, sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. But there are a few other significant groups as well.

We posted the National Board of Review (NBR) Awards winners earlier. Last week IFP's 18th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards took place in New York on the same day that Film Independent's Spirit Award nominations were handed out. And today, for the first time in their 33 year history, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association has awarded its highest honor to an animated film.

2008 GOTHAM AWARDS WINNERS
2008 LA FILM CRITICS AWARDS WINNERS

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2008 National Board of Review Awards Winners

The National Board of Review (NBR) Awards are significant in being the first of the major critics' awards to be handed out over the next few months. They are often a bellwether for the year's Academy Award-nominated selections. This year the NBR screened over 330 films, including 209 narratives, 63 documentaries, 53 foreign language films, and 10 animated films.

"2008 was a very special year for film with diverse and wonderful storytelling and we are proud to honor these achievements. Several of the films from our Top 10 list, along with our Best Film of the Year, share the universal message about the resilience and the strength of the human spirit. Slumdog Millionaire, with brilliant direction by Danny Boyle and incredible performances, shares a passionate story about one man's courage and determination for the woman he loves," said NBR President Annie Schulhof. "The NBR is so thrilled to launch our Centennial celebration with a gala hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. We are looking forward to celebrating with all our honorees."

The annual awards gala will be held on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

COMPLETE LIST OF 2008 NBR AWARDS WINNERS

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2009 Slamdance Film Festival Feature Lineup

It's been a big week for awards and festival selection announcements. The 15th Slamdance Film Festival takes place January 15-23 on Main Street in Park City, Utah. Yes, that's the same time and location for the Sundance Film Festival, and that's the idea. Slamdance was conceived as a sort of anti-Sundance, although it's come into its own as a standout independent film festival in its own right.

Slamdance 2009 will screen 29 feature-length movies, including 20 U.S. films, four from Canada, three from the UK, and two from Europe. 31% of Slamdance's feature directors this year are female. There are a host of specific interest films, ranging from Spanish language/Latino interest, African American content, Asian focus, gay oriented, urban themed, animation and youth-based, among others.

"The films we watch every year continually surprise and impress us with their skill, vision, creativity, and artistry," said Sam Roberts, Slamdance’s Director of Film Competitions/Chair of Documentary and Shorts Programming. "This year we are more excited than ever to showcase a slate of feature films we believe truly reflects the diversity of independent voices and content, and shows the best work from emerging and first time filmmakers. Independent films cover a wealth of subjects, styles, formats, genres, and purposes, and this year's submissions had more genuinely great films of every description than I have ever seen."

COMPLETE LIST OF 2009 SLAMDANCE FEATURE FILMS

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2009 Sundance Film Festival Feature Lineup

The march towards the 2009 Sundance Film Festival has taken another giant step with the announcement of the lineups for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition sections of Premieres, Spectrum, New Frontier, and Park City at Midnight.

The numbers are impressive. According to the Sundance Institute, 118 feature-length films were selected including 89 World Premieres, 17 North American premieres, and four U.S. Premieres. Together they represent 21 countries with 42 first-time filmmakers, including 28 in competition. These films were selected from 3,661 feature-length film submissions composed of 1,905 U.S. and 1,756 international feature-length films.

"This year's films are not narrowly defined. Instead we have a blurring of genres, a crossing of boundaries: geographic, generational, socio-economic and the lik," said Festival Director Geoffrey Gilmore. "The result is both an exhilarating and emotive festival in which traditional mythologies are suspended, discoveries are made, and creative storytelling is embraced."

The 2009 Sundance Film Festival takes place from January 15-25 in Park City, Utah.

COMPLETE LIST OF 2009 COMPETITION FILMS
COMPLETE LIST OF 2009 OUT-OF-COMPETITION FILMS

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December 01, 2008

It's time for Spirit Awards, Sundance, and more

December has begun, which means it's time for independent film fans to turn their attention to the many awards, nominations, and festival selections being rolled out on almost a daily basis. There is certainly no shortage of awards ceremonies but there is only one major event, Film Independent's Spirit Awards, which focuses solely on indies in America. Nominations will be announced tomorrow and can be seen live at SpiritAwards.com. I'll be posting them here as soon as they become available.

Elsewhere, the British Independent Film Awards were handed out last night at London's Old Billingsgate Market. Slumdog Millionaire took picture and director honors. The 2008 Hammer to Nail awards, honoring theatrical releases made for under one million dollars, were also announced over the weekend. And nominations for the International Animated Film Society's Annie award have just been released.

Over at indieWIRE, editor-in-chief Eugene Hernandez and assistant editor Peter Knegt had an instant messaging conversation about the upcoming Gotham Independent Film Awards and the box office performances of Milk and Slumdog Millionaire.

In the festival world, the announcements of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival program, along with Off Screen events including Conversations and Panels, Music Cafe, Opening and Closing Weekend celebrations, and information on all the theatres and venues will take place over the next few weeks. The 2009 festival will be held from January 15-25 in Park City, Utah. The Slamdance Film Festival, a smaller and spunkier event which takes place on Main Street during Sundance, will also be announcing its lineup soon.

Overlapping with Sundance, from January 22-February 1, is the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. It is one of only four events each year which I always attend sight unseen -- that is, regardless of what the lineup is (the others are SXSW, Toronto, and Tribeca). So you can rest assured I'll be eagerly awaiting their film lineup.

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November 24, 2008

Some thoughts about "Twilight" (no spoilers, not a review)

It should be stated at the outset that I'm not unbiased. As anyone who has followed this blog knows, I have been very pro-Twilight. Yet, despite that, all my expectations going in were actually pretty low. Although I've been excited about the film for close to a year since I first began writing about it, I still thought it might turn out to be a bit dull. Based on what I knew, I simply did not expect it to be very good.

Similarly, I did not anticipate positive reviews. Let's talk about that first. As the reviews started rolling in, I was stunned. Not because there were so many bad ones, as I'd expected, but that there were so many good ones. True, the negative have outweighed the positive but one needs to look at where the positive reviews are coming from.

Major, prestigious media outlets and well-respected critics liked the film: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Screen International, Village Voice, The New York Times, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Daily News, Wall Street Journal, E! Online, Cinemablend, CBS Radio, Movie City News, Washington Post, Seattle Times, Toronto Star, Entertainment Weekly, San Francisco Chronicle, Rolling Stone, B-D. com, Cinematical, Philadelphia Daily News, and Reelzchannel to name a few. All good or mostly positive reviews. I was shocked.

You see, the conventional wisdom was that all the hype and fangirl frenzy would be just so much bluster and the film would not live up to anyone's expectations. In fact, most reviewers write much of their reviews ahead of time. I know this for a fact. I won't name names. But they do, and I have no doubt that most of the critics for the outlets above went in fully expecting to write negative reviews. I have no doubt that their mindset was, "well, there's no way this film will be as good as the hype so I'm not going to like it." Critics love hating films that the public embraces, especially the tween girl set that this was supposedly going to appeal to. Well, guess what? While a lot of critics did stick to their original plans and weren't going to like it no matter what, many went in expecting to write negative reviews and were thrown for a loop. They liked it. They really really liked it (a Sally Field reference for those old enough to remember). They actually thought it was good. Some even had to go back and miss deadlines because they had to rewrite reviews they had done ahead of time. Now, as I stated, there is little doubt that the film would have done well regardless of its quality. But the fact is that it is a good film, and the positive reviews testify to that. That's why there are so many good reviews from well-respected critics and major media outlets. More than anyone expected.

That said, I put myself into the same category as those critics I mentioned above. As I stated earlier, I also went in expecting to be disappointed. But...it was not to be. I enjoyed it. I thought that director Catherine Hardwicke did an excellent job (they doubted her on Lords of Dogtown, too), the acting was not as wooden as I'd expected, production values were higher than I'd anticipated, the pacing was perfect, the story was compelling, and I was very impressed by what this relatively inexperienced cast and crew were able to pull off on a modest budget.

Like many of the reviewers who are normally extremely critical, I went in expecting something ordinary. I walked out having seen a fine piece of work. I thought I'd hate it. I was wrong.

By now everyone knows the numbers. Final box office figures put the total at just under $70 million. It was certainly enough to greenlight the next film in the series, New Moon. Most likely, that film will be shot back-to-back with Eclipse, book number three. I think the franchise will retain its audience. In fact, the Harry Potter books/films were even more heavily pre-teen and tween than this one if only because the lead characters themselves were pre-teens and tweens -- it wasn't until several films into the series that they finally made it into high school. Twilight begins there. So if the pre-teen and tween fans of Potter didn't move on, and it had staying power, then they are even more likely to stay with Twilight if they are already on board, because as they get older they will actually be aging into the characters, not along with them. And much of the Twilight audience are adults who will likely stay and see it through. Not to mention the new fans that are and will be hopping on board.

That should include me, I suppose. I never got into Potter myself. Personally I thought it was more of a kids' thing. I find, as an adult, that it's quite difficult reading stories about children and being able to relate to them in any way. Young adults are another story. I'm not too far removed from that (I hope).

Some criticism online said that adults cannot relate to the relationship between Bella and Edward because it's unrealistiic and only driven by "lust and teenage hormones," not "true love." To which I reply, "duh." Because as far as love vs. lust and teenage hormones are concerned, some would argue that the two are mutually exclusive. To many, by definition, no story about mid-teens can ever really be about "love." So any romantic story involving teens or younger can only be about "lust and hormones." And what's wrong with that? Look at Romeo and Juliet. So it's not necessarily a problem with the story or the script -- it's a problem with the entire genre of young "love." Although "problem" wouldn't be my word of choice. Personally, I think it defines the experience. Twilight is a classic coming-of-age story. And it's got bite (sorry, I had to say it).

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November 12, 2008

Exclusive pictures of Twilight's Michael Welch & THE SOCKS

As readers of this blog know, I've been following the exploding career of young actor Michael Welch for several years here. In February, PROnetworks was the first online to announce that he had been cast in the role of Mike Newton in Twilight, the highly anticipated Summit Pictures release of the film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel. Twilight is due in theaters on November 21.

As excitement about the film, and Welch's role in it, began to grow, an odd episode that can only be called "the socks affair" began to unfold. Allow me to explain.

On March 12, 2008 Twilight Lexicon, the unofficial internet authority on all things Twilight, came up with a seemingly simple proposal.

Now on to something fun, frivolous, and...well...just plain goofy. In our recent interview with Mike Welch, the actor who will be playing Mike Newton in Twilight, he mentions packing and not being able to find any socks. Now, for those of you who read the interview, pretty much one of the first things you notice is the off-beat sense of humor Mike has. So, we had an idea. Why not have the fans send him socks so hes never without?

So, if you would like to participate, drop Mike a note and pair of socks. You can order socks through our Amazon shop.. OK, things I never anticipated, Ive been asked his sock size. YIKES! I have no idea. Hes 5 10 so Im thinking he probably doesnt have small feet.

Several weeks later, on April 2, Michael wrote on his MySpace blog:

I love you guys. "Ha ha ha!" Did you really send me socks? That's incredible. For those of you who dont know what Im talking about, let me briefly explain. A little while ago, before I began my road trip up to Portland, I mentioned that I was low on socks. I picked up a 12 pack in Berkeley and figured that that would be the end of it. Then Twilight Lexicon tells its readers: "Hey! Lets send Mike socks! Itll be funny!" And they did!!! Not only did the twi-hards dig the idea, they followed through with it. One complete joke from idea to conception, THATS fan commitment. I have so many socks now its ridiculous. You guys are beautiful. I appreciate the gesture very much.

Thanks again for the socks you crazy beautiful people!

That same day Twilight Lexicon responded:

When we read Mike Welchs blog today and he spoke about receiving the socks spurred on by this post, of course we wanted to know how many socks he got. So we contacted his management who told us 25 or 30 pairs of socks. Which we thought was pretty cool, but somehow we thought more fans than that had responded.

Well the next thing you know we get a phone call from Mikes mom...yes, his mom( *waves to Mike's mom!*). It seems that they had the number only partially right. They have received 25 BOXES of socks such as:

* baby booties (Mikes mom is saving those for when Mike has kids of his own.)
* tube socks
* dress socks
* Twilight themed socks
* hand-knit socks
* socks with individual toe holders.

Mike hasn't seen them yet since hes been filming, he's only been told about them and the notes attached to them.

As time went on, dozens of articles referencing "the socks affair" appeared at Twilight Lexicon and elsewhere, including MTV and many other Twilight fansites. Michael's MySpace continued to be bombarded with comments and messages.

So, naturally, when I headed out to cover the Opening Night of Michael's play Speech & Debate at The Blank Theatre in West Hollywood a couple of months ago, I felt it my journalistic duty to examine and verify the receipt of said socks. After the performance, I shot some pictures backstage and at the afterparty. Then I proceeded to a secret location where I would rendezvous with Michael.

What I discovered when I arrived was quite a spectacle. There was Michael, visible only from the neck up, literally buried in a mountain of socks, stockings, and booties of all shapes, colors, and sizes. I whipped out my camera and went to work, documenting the moment for posterity.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

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November 03, 2008

It's time to vote, and I don't mean the Oscars

There haven't been very many awe-inspiring movies opening this fall and certainly not much news to report in the independent film world lately. Perhaps it's because, in contrast, last year's fall festival season was so rich with creativity, I decided to pass up on many of the events I'd normally attend at this time of year, focusing instead on keeping track of the progress (or not) of the films I saw at this year's festivals which have not yet been picked up or are awaiting release. Unfortunately, there have been very few of those either.

Rather than the Toronto Film Festival being the start of something big this year, it seems as if my return from that wonderful trip brought me home to a void. For those reasons, primarily, this blog has been unusually quiet. That's the bad news. The good news is that it has freed me up to focus on my other passion, the presidential election.

I don't write about politics on this blog but there is another forum on the PROnetworks website where I do. I've also been a volunteer in presidential elections going back (ahem) years and have been making phone calls and knocking on doors this fall as well. It will all be over after tomorrow, of course, and it won't be long before we'll be perusing the Sundance and Santa Barbara lineups for January. Film Independent's Spirit awards are approaching as well, and I'm looking forward to getting my ballot in the mail and screening the films I haven't had the chance to see.

But tomorrow we have the chance to change the direction of this country, and I urge all my fellow film fans to get out and vote. Find your polling place, bring a friend, and, most of all, bring a good book. Maybe even a portable DVD player and watch a good movie. Because, as we've heard, there is a chance the lines will be long and the wait interminable. The law states that anyone in line at the time the polls close must still be allowed to vote. But get there early. Participate. Be a part of what our ancestors fought for. Have a voice in our government. Nothing is more important for a citizen of our great country to do than vote. So do it.

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October 28, 2008

Michael Welch of "Twilight" in his 4th Grade Talent Show

Long before he was cast as Mike Newton in Twilight, the highly anticipated Summit Pictures release of the film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel (out November 21), Michael Welch was enjoying the spotlight. "When I was nine years old I did this routine in our fourth grade talent show," Welch told me. "I guess you could say this is when I caught the acting bug!"

The video speaks for itself.

You can also download the clip in mp4 or wmv format at michaelwelchmedia.com.

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October 16, 2008

"Twilight's" Michael Welch to star in "Rough Hustle"

I've been following the exploding career of young actor Michael Welch for several years on this blog. In February, PROnetworks was the first online to announce that he had been cast in the role of Mike Newton in Twilight, the highly anticipated Summit Pictures release of the film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel. Twilight is due in theaters on November 21.

Now I've been given the honor of announcing that Welch's newest project is an independent film titled Rough Hustle. Writer/director Delaney Dragon has given us this exclusive first look at the synopsis, along with some artwork featuring Welch.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

Michael Welch has seven other films just released or coming out shortly, as well as a number of television projects. He will soon be seen in All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (scheduled to be released within a few months) and Lost Dream (in post-production). He has also completed An American Crime, Remember the Daze, and Day of the Dead (all recently released on DVD), The Thacker Case (currently playing the festival circuit), American Son (soon to debut on Starz), and four episodes of the FX series The Riches. He is currently appearing onstage in Speech and Debate at The Blank Theater in West Hollywood.

He has both an official site at michaelwelchonline.com/ as well as an official MySpace at myspace.com/officialmichaelwelch.

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October 14, 2008

"Lymelife" picked up for US distribution by Screen Media

Following each film festival I attend, after posting my pictures, reviews, and list of Top Picks, I keep a watch on acquisition news. Some of the films that play festivals have distribution deals already in place but the overwhelming majority are screened specifically for this purpose, to get noticed by distributors and acquired for theatrical release.

Ideally, all the films I've selected as favorites will get picked up for distribution and the non-festivalgoing public will have the opportunity to see these wonderful films in theaters. But so far the post-Toronto distribution news has been spotty, and there's been precious little to report.

Today we got some good news. I am thrilled to report that Lymelife has been acquired for U.S. distribution by Screen Media Films. "This is the kind of film we are most interested in releasing," said Robert Baruc, President of Screen Media. "Lymelife" is a beautifully shot film, with extraordinary performances and a powerful story that is moving, as well as intriguing." A dark comedy set in suburban Long Island, New York, Lymelife features stunning performances from Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin, Jill Hennessey, Timothy Hutton, Cynthia Nixon, and Emma Roberts. It's a slightly less dark Snow Angels.

Derick Martini's Lymelife was one of my Top Picks from this year's Toronto International Film Festival. Earlier I posted pictures I shot at the Q&A following the screening. The film won the prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery.

I'll be sure to post release news here as it is announced, and will continue to follow the progress of the other gems from this year's festival.

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October 13, 2008

Pictures from Obama rally in Philadelphia (& how I met him)

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama made his first appearance within the city limits of Philadelphia this past Saturday. In fact, he held four rallies on the same day in the same city -- an unprecedented occurrence. Pennsylvania is a battleground state and, historically, voter turnout in the Philadelphia area determines the vote in the rest of the state. The region has over five million people, which is 40% of the total population of the state. Pennsylvania has 12.5 million people. The Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, ranking behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

The logistics must have been challenging. These were events in close quarters where there are apartment buildings all around. They are literally small commercial and residential areas in the middle of a big city. Only two were in what I'd call "open areas." The others were right in the middle of narrow streets. There had never been rallies like this before for such a major candidate. Fortunately, these were neighborhoods which are quite favorable to him. They're also relatively close to each other -- maybe 20 minutes at the most, especially since they clear the roads for his motorcade. The rally I attended took place in front of the Mayfair Diner on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia's Mayfair-Homesburg section.

This wasn't the first time I'd met a Presidential candidate. I actually had breakfast with Bill Clinton at the Mayfair Diner the morning before he became President in 1992. His campaign was bookended here. He began his campaign in Philly and started his last day before the election here. It was a crucial battleground state then also and he was counting on Philadelphia to deliver the state to him (which it did).

It was not announced until about an hour beforehand, and only about 20 people were to be chosen to sit with him inside. Thousands gathered in the parking lot. It's a long story but I ended up being one of the lucky ones. Everyone had been chosen and I was initially passed up. I began to walk away when they suddenly realized they needed one more young white male and they grabbed me and threw me in. It was really more like a movie or TV set inside. It had been closed to the public and was filled with TV lights and cameras and press. The people were carefully selected to represent a cross-section of ages, races, and colors and placed in specific areas inside the diner.

When I got to meet Clinton, I was struck by how large and imposing he was. He looked me in the eye and shook my hand firmly. I said, "can I call you Mr. President?" And he chuckled, in that patented gravelly voice, and said "not yet, Larry, not yet." Hillary was there as well. I didn't have a camera at the time. I did get his autograph on a paper plate, though.

The Obama rally this past Saturday turned out to be another "right place right time" event. There were thousands of people waiting to get in but only about 15 people were allowed to stand against the railing facing the stage and I was fortunate to be one of them. I was the third person through the security line, so I had a spot directly in front of the podium. Behind us was an aisle of police, then a yellow tape behind which was the rest of the crowd. I was about 20 feet from Obama. It was a very small stage, relatively low to the ground, with only about 10 feet in the pit area between the barricade and the stage. When it was over he made his way around the inside of the barricade and shook hands with the people leaning against it. There were no more than about 50 people who were able to gather around the barricade to meet him.

I was very surprised at how much attention he paid to each person he met. I was expecting the typical rope line -- grab hand, slap hand, move on, no eye contact, touch as many people as possible. But I reached up to grasp his hand and he just held it as he talked to people next to and behind me. It was a little odd -- I was expecting him to let go and he didn't. He gripped my hand and wouldn't let go. It was almost like I was falling out of a boat and he was grabbing on to pull me in. Not at all like your typical polite but distant handshake. I said, "good luck Mr. President." He looked down (he's a big guy), looked me straight in the eye and smiled, and said, "thanks -- thank you very very much." I thanked him for coming to my little neighborhood and he smiled back. He was in no hurry to leave. Then again, he wasn't going to meet 100 people -- there were really only a few dozen of us, so he gave us each a bit of time. He even signed autographs for anyone who wanted, although he would only sign copies of his book (which almost everyone had anyway) and only if the people gave them to the Secret Service ahead of time, to be returned later. They didn't want any pens sticking out.

It was oddly exciting. I've met, literally, hundreds of rock stars and movie stars and am never starstruck by celebrities -- many of my best friends are "famous" -- but there is something different about meeting someone who may become President. It transcends everything else and makes the entertainment industry look trivial in comparison. After all, our President is arguably the most powerful individual in the world. That's heady.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) setting up metal detectors for security screenings in the morning. Yes, these are the same people who do airports. Cameras and phones had to be turned on so they could see they're real, all metal out of pockets, wands, patdowns when necessary, etc. Everyone had to go through this.

Philadelphia Police SWAT teams on the roofs. They were on all the buildings surrounding the area, with binoculars and high-powered rifles.

(L) For some perspective -- this was about three hours before the event. That is the barricade I was leaning on. Those two women came in with me and we grabbed spots dead center. To the left you can see the pit which surrounded the stage, which is out of site on the left. A total of about 15 people stood along that barricade where we were. That big stage with "Change" on it is not the stage. That's a set of bleachers for VIPs.
(R) This is to give you an idea of where we were. I am leaning on the barricade. Between the barricade and the stage is a narrow pit for press -- that woman is a photographer. There were about 10 feet between me and the stage. Pretty close. Pretty exciting.

(L) Here he is one person to my right. It's my turn to meet him next.
(R) And this is one person to my left, right after he'd met me.

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October 06, 2008

Video #2 of Michael Welch of "Twilight" for Kids With A Cause

Two weeks ago, we posted a video featuring actor Michael Welch (Twilight) on ways to save the environment. He has been involved with the charitable organization Kids With A Cause since 1999 and created a public service announcement to help show kids how they can help better their world. That video became an overnight sensation so he has sent us a followup.

Each year Kids With A Cause determines recipient youth organizations that will benefit from their programs and tries, when possible, to extend their support beyond the Los Angeles area. "We are always willing and ready to lend a hand to children in need anywhere, if travel arrangements can be sponsored," founder Linda Finnegan told us. "Kids With A Cause creates the program, brings the necessary supplies and materials and delivers positive and influential messages from our celebrity youth Members & Ambassadors."

So here is another exclusive video of actor Michael Welch showing kids some ways they can play a part in helping to save the world around them.

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September 28, 2008

Woodstock, Ft Lauderdale, Hamptons, New Hampshire, Williamstown Film Festival lineups

With Toronto wrapped up, fall film festival season is underway with some of the biggest and best releasing their lineups this past week. Most include films which are among the ones I saw at festivals earlier this year, including some of my Top Picks.

Of the East Coast festivals I've attended in autumns past, these five are my favorites.

This year's Woodstock Film Festival runs from this coming Wednesday through Sunday, October 1-5, in Woodstock, New York. The lineup includes four films which I highly recommend. Explicit Ills was one of my Top Picks from this year's SXSW Film Festival. Explicit Ills also won that festival's awards for Best Cinematography and Best Narrative Feature. Let The Right One In was one of my Top Picks from the Tribeca Film Festival, where it won Best Narrative Feature. I also saw Secret of the Grain at Tribeca, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno brought down the house at Toronto last month. Both are certainly worth seeing.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival takes place from October 13-November 12 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year's lineup includes Newcastle, another one of my Top Picks from this year's Tribeca Film Festival. This Australian film is winning raves at every festival it plays and will be opening in theaters downunder shortly.

Always bringing out the New York area film lovers community, the Hamptons International Film Festival takes place from October 15-19 on Long Island, New York.

The New Hampshire Film Festival also occupies the weekend of October 16-19 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Finally, the quaint Williamstown Film Festival takes place from October 17-26 in Williamstown, Massachusetts. This year's lineup includes Bart Got A Room, another audience-pleaser which I saw at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.

If you're a film lover and are looking for a sure thing this fall, try to take in any of the above festivals. And bring a camera. Nothing beats the breathtaking colors of autumn as the leaves turn in the Northeast.

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September 26, 2008

Pictures from "Speech & Debate" Opening Night

Three of America's most talented young indie film actors, Michael Welch (Twilight), Aaron Himelstein (Fast Food Nation), and Mae Whitman (Hope Floats), are appearing onstage in Stephen Karam's controversial play Speech & Debate. Under the direction of Daniel Henning, the actors perform Thursdays through Sundays at The Blank Theatre in West Hollywood. I was present at Opening Night, Thursday, September 18, and returned the following evening for an encore.

Besides being a hilarious and exciting night of theater, this is an exceptional opportunity to see these budding movie stars together in a live setting. The three grew up as friends. Welch and Himelstein have worked many times before, including the CBS-TV hit Joan of Arcadia and the recent All the Boys Love Mandy Lane and Remember the Daze. Welch first worked with Whitman at the age of 11 as a Buddhist monk on CBS' Chicago Hope.

The play has been very well-received. "The performances are uniformly strong (all three actors have extensive television and film resumes), but the standout is Michael Welch as Howie (an openly gay student). His expressions and tone are pitch perfect and underplayed. As a result, his character comes off as genuine and engaging rather than stereotypical," said Ariana Mufson on CurtainUp.com. "Mae Whitman is a powerful presence as Diwata, especially when she blogs online through her video cam with musical musings...Aaron Himelstein rounds out the cast as Solomon, and some of the best scenes are between him and Welch, with overlapping dialogue and an easy rapport that makes them fun to watch."

I highly recommend taking advantage of this rare opportunity while you can. Fortunately, for those unable to make the trip (or for those who have and enjoyed it as much as I did), all of America will have the chance to see this play soon, albeit in a slightly different form. I was told after the Opening Night show that Overture Films has picked up the rights to turn Speech & Debate into a movie. Here are some pictures I shot at the Opening Night afterparty.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

Michael Welch and friend Ryanne

Aaron Himelstein & Mae Whitman

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September 21, 2008

Video of Michael Welch of "Twilight" on the environment for Kids With A Cause

Actor Michael Welch (Twilight) has been involved with the charitable organization Kids With A Cause since 1999.

"The members behind Kids With A Cause are young performers in the entertainment industry who recognize, even at young ages, that it is never too early or too late to give back to the children in their communities and to the children of the world," said founder Linda Finnegan.

"Kids With A Cause was founded by in September 1999 to teach the principles and practices of philanthropy to today's youth," according to the organization's website. "Through unique and interactive programs, Kids With A Cause inspires children and teens to become caring and compassionate individuals and encourages them to continue their philanthropic efforts into their adult years."

Here, in his own unique, funny way, actor Michael Welch shows kids some ways they can chip in to help save the environment.

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September 16, 2008

Pics of Rory & Kieran Culkin from "Lymelife" Premiere

On Tuesday, September 9, I attended the World Premiere of Lymelife at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. I chose the film as one of my Top Picks from this year's festival. Lymelife also won the prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery.

Here are some pictures I shot at the exciting Q&A after the screening, which was truly a family affair with the brothers Martini and Culkin in attendance. Derick Martini directed the film, which he and his brother Steven wrote and edited together. Steven also composed the music and produced. They were joined by cast members Rory and Kieran Culkin.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

(L to R) Rory Culkin, Kieran Culkin, Steven Martini, and Derick Martini

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The troubles with "Fifty Dead Men Walking"

The Toronto International Film Festival hosted the World Premiere of Fifty Dead Men Walking on Wednesday, September 10 in a glitzy gala screening at the glamorous Roy Thomson Hall. Directed by Kari Skogland, with an all-star cast featuring Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess, Kevin Zegers, Nathalie Press, and Rose McGowan, the highly anticipated and very controversial film is based on the true story of IRA infiltrator Martin McGartland during "the Troubles" which plagued Northern Ireland in the 1980s. Unfortunately, it was not as pleasant an experience as I'd hoped. There were three major problems, all involving the sound in the hall and on the screen.

First, the venue itself was not a movie theater. It's a 2800-seat concert hall and was not set up properly for a film. There was a great deal of echo, and the bass of the soundtrack and dialogue often canceled each other out.

To add to that, the sound mix on the film itself left a lot to be desired. I love music and great soundtracks as much if not more than most people, but it was so loud at times that the audience couldn't hear much dialogue at all. I don't know if it was just because of the venue acoustics or the film's sound mix itself or both, but there were entire segments of the film where the dialogue was completely drowned out by the soundtrack.

Finally, when one could hear the dialogue, the accents were so thick and heavy that it was extremely difficult to understand. Between the acoustics, the sound mix, the dialects, and the slang I could barely make out about a third of the dialogue. For approximately the first hour I couldn't follow one complete conversation, combining the three elements I just mentioned. Now, I attend many films and have seen plenty of movies with thick Irish accents but this one went far beyond any I've seen. Subtitles are definitely needed.

Certainly I'm not alone in my opinions. Variety's review is only 475 words and almost half is about the plot itself -- a bit too much, in my opinion. Only about 250 words make up the actual review of the film. I'm not used to reviewing reviews, but I generally dislike Variety's because they usually reveal too much. That said, although this one has a few spoilers, as usual, it may help in this case since the film is so confusing at first. Some audience members near me went through most of the film not knowing who was on which side, and the review does point that out. They also do acknowledge the language challenges.

The ScreenDaily review devotes even less time to talking about the film and more about the plot. But they also comment on the heavy use of music. I do agree with both reviews, though, for the most part.

I don't know how many people walked out but in my section there were dozens. I've also been told that a reporter for Entertainment Weekly left the hall (for the reasons I mentioned). Fifty Dead Men Walking Out seems more appropriate. I've never walked out on a film, ever. I've seen over 500 films just since the start of 2006 at about 30 festivals, and have seen some pretty bad ones, but this was the first time I wanted to leave. I resisted the urge, though, and am glad I did because the exciting second hour of the film was definitely worth waiting for, and the action becomes more important than the dialogue at that point anyway.

I'm fairly certain Fifty Dead Men Walking will find a US distributor if it hasn't already. Sources close to the film told me that a deal may be announced soon. It definitely deserves a wide release but only if it's subtitled. Otherwise I cannot recommend seeing it except for diehard fans of the cast members, those who know the story well, or those who have the ability to understand the thickest Irish accents.

I just wish I could have understood more of it. Between the physical setup of the venue, the mix on the film itself, and the dialect, it was quite hard to understand most of the dialogue. Hopefully I'll be able to see it again and give it a positive review but, for now, I simply cannot write about this film properly because I just missed too much to judge it fairly. As much as I love the body of work of these actors, unfortunately, I could not select it as one of my Top Picks from the festival. I might have if I could hear what they were saying.

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Pics of Atom Egoyan & Devon Bostick at "Adoration" Premiere

On Tuesday, September 9, I attended the North American Premiere of Adoration at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. This is classic filmmaking at its best. What we see onscreen vs. what is in our heads -- the spaces we fill with our own thoughts -- are artfully juggled by Egoyan and the result is simply a masterpiece. The moment the credits began to roll I wanted to see the film again.

Earlier, I posted my review.

The screening was followed by a lengthy, in-depth Q&A with writer/director/co-producer Atom Egoyan. I caught up with star Devon Bostick later that evening.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

Writer/director/co-producer Atom Egoyan

Lead actor Devon Bostick

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September 15, 2008

My review of "Adoration"

Adoration is, at its heart, a coming-of-age story. It's about that time of self-discovery when the question "who am I?" becomes an obsession. But what makes this film so startlingly refreshing is that it also has a classic structure rarely seen in contemporary cinema. The viewer is never quite sure whether or not the images onscreen are real or imagined. Think of a chess game where each move prompts you to replay the entire game in your head. Such is the experience of watching Adoration, brilliantly conceived and executed by writer/director/co-producer Atom Egoyan.

Egoyan is a legend in his adopted country of Canada with dozens of awards and nominations to his credit (1997's The Sweet Hereafter earned him Oscar noms for writing and directing). The mere mention of his name widens the eyes of citizens north of the border, as I learned here at the Toronto International Film Festival, where I attended the film's North American Premiere (it debuted at Cannes, where it was nominated for the prestigious Palm D'Or). Locals hold him to a very high standard. For me, I prefer going in cold, knowing as little as possible about a film. Similarly, I won't reveal much about the story here -- I abhor spoilers.

After losing his parents under questionable circumstances, Simon (Devon Bostick) is reluctantly being raised by his Uncle Tom (Scott Speedman). Simon's memories of his mother Rachel (Rachel Blanchard), an accomplished violinist, and father Sami (Noam Jenkins) are shrouded in mystery. Enter Simon's teacher Sabine (Arsinée Khanjian), who might be able to help Simon unlock the secrets that are the key to his youthful confusion. What follows is a brain teaser which takes great concentration. The wheels are always turning, and the viewer is constantly challenged to figure out exactly what is real or perceived, and by whom.

The look of the film enhances the mystery inherent in the story. The use of single-point lighting allows shadows to fall upon already-obscure settings. Music is essential to the plot and, as such, Rachel's violin virtuosity is extended to a string soundtrack that is as haunting as the film itself. Paul Sarossy's cinematography is cleverly integrated with composer Mychael Danna's soundtrack, with tracking shots set to music as a visual ballet. Editor Susan Shipton had a tall order working with Egoyan to craft a virtual puzzle in which nothing is at it seems.

Speedman ably plays the father figure who isn't quite ready to take on the task of raising a teen but does so out of loyalty to his late sister. Khanjian's Sabine is simply chilling and central to the power of the film. Blanchard is a joy to watch -- simply an angel onscreen (and shot that way, to boot) -- and Jenkins successfully remains an enigmatic personality throughout. But, most of all, this is Bostick's film to carry on his young shoulders. Appearing in almost every scene, it's his curiosity and angst which drive Adoration, and it's our empathy for him (weren't we all Simon once?) that gives the film its heart and soul. Bostick is one of Canada's most prolific young actors (he co-starred in Citizen Duane, one of my Top Picks from the 2006 festival) and will hopefully be introduced to a wider audience if this film gets the distribution it deserves.

The moment the credits began to roll I wanted to see Adoration again. If there were back-to-back screenings I would have remained in my seat. This is the first film in recent memory which has had that effect on me. There's nothing more exciting and intriguing than a film that plays with space and time, where perception matters more than anything else. What we see onscreen vs. what is in our heads -- the spaces we fill with our own thoughts -- are artfully juggled by Egoyan and the result is simply a masterpiece.

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September 14, 2008

Pics of Lynn Collins & Joseph Gordon-Levitt at "Uncertainty" World Premiere

On Monday, September 8, I attended the World Premiere of Uncertainty at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.

Scott McGehee and David Siegel, who co-directed, wrote, and produced the film, were joined by cast members Lynn Collins (Kate) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Bobby) for an in-depth Q&A following the screening. Here are some pictures I shot.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

Collins, Gordon-Levitt, & McGehee (L)
Gordon-Levitt, McGehee, & Siegel (R)

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2008 Toronto International Film Festival -- My Top Picks

The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival has come to an exciting conclusion and I've returned home to take stock of my experience there. As in previous years, and as I do following every film festival (30 since the start of 2006), this wrapup will conclude with my list of Top Picks.

This year I attended a total of 25 screenings. Only 10 were American (including one US/UK co-production). The other 15 films were from outside the US, including nine with subtitles. The other six represented other English-speaking countries -- two from host country Canada, one from the UK, one Canada/UK co-production, one from Australia, and one Ireland/Sweden co-production. The one from Canada/UK, Fifty Dead Men Walking, wasn't subtitled but should have been. There was one documentary -- It Might Get Loud.

Please keep in mind that there were a lot of enjoyable films -- only a few were disappointing. Most I'd recommend and some I'd even see again. But these are the best of the best -- the films that I'd not only recommend, but also see again and buy the DVD. I chose eight, listed below.

I also give a qualified recommendation to It Might Get Loud (USA), the documentary featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White. If you don't know who these people are, skip to the next section. If you do know these names, and the sound of their music excites you, this film is a must-see.

Here is my list of Top Picks from the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. Countries of origin are listed in parentheses.

(in alphabetical order)

Acolytes (Australia)
Adoration (Canada)
The Country Teacher (Czech Republic/Germany//France)
Krabat (Germany)
Lymelife (USA)
Patrik, Age 1.5 (Sweden)
Pride and Glory (USA)
Winds of September (Taiwan)

There were two films on my list which went on to win jury awards. Lymelife won the prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery. In the City of Toronto-Citytv Award for Best Canadian Feature Film category, Adoration received a Special Citation.

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Pics of Sophia Bush & Kevin Zegers at "The Narrows" World Premiere at Toronto

On Monday, September 8, I attended the World Premiere of The Narrows at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. It's a very intriguing and captivating film about brotherhood, family, and loyalty. Sophia Bush and Kevin Zegers drive the narrative, while Vincent D'Onofrio steals every scene he's in and provides most of the lighthearted moments in an otherwise violent, tension-filled story.

The gritty setting of Brooklyn, New York is another character in itself. Since Zegers plays a photographer, and a lot of the movie focuses on that, it has a great look. There are some exciting visuals such as the use of black & white stills, freeze-frame, and fast motion. The highlight is the third act, filled with twists and turns that are totally unexpected, and some stunning reveals that made the audience gasp.

The screening was followed by a lengthy, in-depth Q&A with cast members Sophia Bush (Kathy Popovich) and Kevin Zegers (Mike Manadoro). Star Vincent D'Onofrio could not attend, but director François Velle read a text message he sent to the audience.

Here are some pictures I shot of Kevin Zegers and Sophia Bush.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

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September 13, 2008

Pics from "Middle of Nowhere" World Premiere at Toronto

On Saturday, September 6, I attended the World Premiere of Middle of Nowhere at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.

Here are some pictures I shot at the exciting Q&A which followed the screening, at which director John Stockwell was joined by cast members Susan Sarandon (Rhonda Berry), Anton Yelchin (Dorian Spitz), Eva Amurri (Grace), Willa Holland (Taylor), and Justin Chatwin (Ben Pretzler).

Click thumbnails to enlarge

(L to R) Cast members Anton Yelchin, Eva Amurri, Susan Sarandon, Justin Chatwin, and Willa Holland

Director John Stockwell

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Video of Jimmy Page, The Edge, & Jack White at Toronto Film Festival

On Friday, September 5, I attended the World Premiere of It Might Get Loud at the Toronto International Film Festival. The event took place at the Ryerson Auditorium.

A Q&A session followed the screening. Participating were (L to R) Jack White, Jimmy Page, The Edge, producers Thomas Tull and Lesley Chilcott, and director Davis Guggenheim.

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Back home from the Toronto Film Festival

The 33rd edition of the Toronto International Film Festival officially comes to a close today and I've just returned back home in Philadelphia. Impressive films among the final five I saw following my last article included a wonderful coming-of-age film from Taiwan, Winds of September, and the World Premiere of the highly anticipated and very controversial Fifty Dead Men Walking, based on the true story of IRA infiltrator Martin McGartland during "the Troubles" which plagued Northern Ireland in the 1980s.

Overall, the experience ended on a positive note. The first few days were a bit disappointing, as I awaited those "wow" films which make these festivals worth the trip. There wasn't much to (literally) write home about. That all changed midweek when, as I reported earlier, I began seeing one great film after another. By the end of the festival I came away feeling that a few gems will emerge from Toronto 2008 and stand among the best I've seen in the past few years.

While I had precious little time to blog while in Toronto, let alone post the hundreds of pictures and videos I shot, rest assured that in the coming days I'll be selecting and reviewing my Top Picks as well as the aforementioned visual material. First priority is to upload the entire six-minute Q&A with Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White following the World Premiere of It Might Get Loud. Stand by for that.

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September 10, 2008

The 2008 Toronto Film Festival kicks into high gear

4:35 PM

My experience here at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival kicked into high gear the past couple of days. The last time we chatted I was on my way to see Dioses. That was Sunday night. Since then I caught four films on Monday, Tuesday was another five-film day, and I just returned from the first of three films today -- that makes 21 and means there are just four films to go before I head back home.

Up until Monday, the experience had been slightly disappointing. I was waiting for some fives. You see, I have a rough five point scale which helps me track which films I'll eventually choose as Top Picks for which I'll write reviews. A five means I can't wait to buy the DVD, four means I'd see it again, three means I'd recommend it to others, two means I was disappointed and really don't recommend it, and one means you should stay away from this movie at all costs.

Fortunately there haven't been any ones, and Burn After Reading, which I wrote about earlier, has been the only film I rated a two. There have been several threes and fours. But it's the fives that excite me, and they're finally showing up.

I actually just saw three films in a row which I gave top ratings to: Pride and Glory, Lymelife, and Adoration. Also looking good are Acolytes, Patrik, Age 1.5 (one of the big audience favorites so far), and a couple of films I mentioned earlier. Until I get a chance to write about them in depth, please check the links for synopses, casts, directors, and other details.

Most of these films don't have distribution yet -- these were almost all World Premieres and had never been seen before -- but a few do. The rest will get picked up here or after the festival, I'm sure, and it's likely you'll be able to see all these films at a theater near you in the next year or so. In the meantime, they'll likely show up at other festivals and some of you may have the opportunity to enjoy them as much as I have. Still a bunch more to see, though...

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September 07, 2008

9 down, 16 to go here at the Toronto Film Festival

7:14 PM

I've seen seven more films since we last spoke early yesterday morning, so you can imagine why there's been a slight gap on this blog. Five yesterday, two so far today, and another in about an hour so I haven't had nearly as much time as I'd hoped to report on the goings-on here. Needless to say, Toronto 2008 is shaping up to be another winner.

There was at least one big disappointment yesterday. While I never expected Burn After Reading to equal the Coen Brothers' No Country For Old Men, which debuted here last year, I certainly had high hopes for it. It was definitely one of this festival's hottest tickets. But if Focus Features was hoping for a bounce for the film's Friday theatrical opening based on buzz out of Toronto I'm not sure they're going to get it. But, heck, how could any film live up to the hype that comes with being the defending Academy Award winners' next film? I wouldn't call it Oscar-worthy but the starpower will certainly get butts into the seats. It's a nice popcorn movie.

John Stockwell's Middle of Nowhere and Deadgirl, billed as "this year's Mandy Lane," definitely lived up to my expectations. I'll have more to say about those films as time allows.

But the one thing I live for (at festivals, at any rate) is a film which exceeds my expectations. And I already had pretty high ones going into Krabat as it is, being the latest from German director Marco Kreutzpaintner. He helmed Trade, one of my favorite festival films of the past two years, so this one was eagerly anticipated. This was a true epic -- think Harry Potter done by Hitchcock. Krabat wowed me, and even though this was the World Premiere, it's one of the few films here which already has distribution -- with 20th Century Fox of Germany. Yup, they own the US rights...go figure. So you can expect to be able to see it sometime soon.

Nine down, 16 to go. Gotta jet.

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September 06, 2008

On the scene at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival

3:35 PM

Hello from Toronto! I'm actually sitting on the Toronto Express shuttle taking me from the airport to my hotel. They actually have power outlets at each seat so that I can blog a bit, bumps and potholes willing. I'll try to report live whenever I can this year as I'll have my laptop with me at all times, as opposed to hoping I have time in my room at the end of the day to sit and write a more formal article.

This is the first year I flew -- I've driven previously. I didn't mind the 10 hour drive that much. But with gas prices being what they are I decided to (literally) wing it. Let's see -- 50 minutes vs. 10 hours. Hmmm...

The flight was actually early arriving in Toronto. Breezed through Customs, got my bag, made the bus in seconds flat.

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12:16 AM

Before I was rudely interrupted by a dead battery due to a non-functioning power outlet, I was on the bus headed to my hotel. Been there done that. Checked in, literally threw some stuff on the bed and ran right back out so I could pick up my festival materials at the new Festival Office at Toronto Life Square. The good news is, it's within walking distance -- a couple blocks south. The better news, my first film is at the Ryerson Auditorium exactly halfway between here and there. The bad news is, there are long lines snaking around the block at both locations. I ran the risk of missing my first film.

Thanks to the overwhelming kindness and generosity of the Festival Staff, all was accomplished, albeit with much sweat and breathlessness. So...on to the show and my reason for being here.

I just returned from seeing my first two films, both at the Ryerson Auditorium, both World Premieres. Me and Orson Welles is the latest from Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Fast Food Nation). Linklater led a Q&A afterward with stars Claire Danes, Zac Efron, and Christian McKay. Danes had a few My So-Called Life fans in the audience ("wow, I was only 13," Danes protested) and even the staid film festival crowd was broken up by squeals at the sight of mega-teen-idol Efron. I shot the Q&A and hope to post those pictures as soon as I can. The film is a brilliantly original period piece set in 1937, based on true events in the life of the legendary artist Orson Welles and his brief association with a 15-year-old (17 in the film) aspiring actor.

That was followed up by Davis Guggenheim's It Might Get Loud, a documentary featuring legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, U2's The Edge, and Jack White of White Stripes fame. All were present for a lengthy Q&A -- I caught some of it on video.

It's quite rare for any film to receive a standing ovation at a festival, let alone this vaunted one here in Toronto. The audience cheered as though at a rock concert, which was quite appropriate as they were applauding the careers and onscreen performances of Page, The Edge, and White as much as the film itself. More on both films to follow.

Tomorrow is my first full day here, and full it is -- five films, beginning at the historic Elgin Theatre with Burn After Reading. This is one of those Oscar hopefuls which is opening in theatres soon anyway (this Friday, in fact) but many of the cast and crew are expected to attend, including directors Joel and Ethan Coen, along with cast members George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, and Brad Pitt.

Hopefully there will be a break between films to blog. If not, pray for me. It's gonna be a long day.

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September 04, 2008

More selections from my Toronto Film Festival list

As I mentioned yesterday, many of the films I'll be seeing here at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival will undoubtedly be unexpected surprises from which my Top Picks may emerge. That's been my experience in past years. Just because one recognizes the director or cast or the film has Hollywood hype and Oscar buzz surrounding it doesn't necessarily mean it's a gem, and vice versa. Here are five more hopefuls to add to my list of confirmed films I posted yesterday.

Links take you to the official site, where you can read as much or as little as you like about them. I don't like to post spoilers, and prefer to write about them afterward.

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Deadgirl -- Directed by Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel, starring Shiloh Fernandez, Noah Segan, Michael Bowen, Candice Accola. Screening in the "Midnight Madness" section, said to be this year's All the Boys Love Mandy Lane. Segan is one of the stars of Still Green, one of my Top Picks of the past few years. Check my blog for pictures of him from the film's screening at the 2007 Fort Lauderdale Film Festival.

Dioses -- Directed by Josué Méndez, starring Maricielo Effio, Sergio Gjurinovic, Anahí de Cárdenas, Edgar Saba, Cristina Salleses. A Peru/Argentina/France/Germany co-production set in Peru. International cinema always makes up a big part of my schedule. Lists of my Top Picks from previous festivals have often been dominated by foreign films. They've been some of my favorites over the past few years.

Uncertainty -- Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lynn Collins, Assumpta Serna, Olivia Thirlby. Gordon-Levitt attended the 2007 SXSW Film Festival for the World Premiere of his film The Lookout. In addition to my review and pictures from the Q&A, afterparty, and press conference, a short video I put up on YouTube has close to 20,000 views. Olivia Thirlby has been ubiquitous at recent festivals -- she was present for the World Premiere of Snow Angels at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, again at another screening of the same film in Brooklyn, New York in May, 2007, and then at the World Premiere of Juno at last year's Toronto Film Festival. Reviews of these films and pictures of this fantastic actress are also posted elsewhere on this blog. For indie fans, Gordon-Levitt and Thirlby are icons.

Adoration -- Directed by Atom Egoyan, starring Arsinée Khanjian, Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard, Noam Jenkins, Devon Bostick. One of many Canadian entries on my list. Bostick attended the 2006 festival for the World Premiere of Citizen Duane, one of my Top Picks from that year. He's one of the most prolific young actors in Canada.

Linha de Passe -- Directed by Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas, starring Sandra Corveloni, Vinícius de Oliveira, Joião Baldasserini, José Geraldo Rodrigues, Kaíque de Jesus Santos. From Brazil, in Portuguese. Salles also directed 2004's The Motorcycle Diaries.

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September 01, 2008

Some of my Toronto Film Festival film list highlights

The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival officially kicks off tomorrow. As usual, the excitement level could not possible be amped up any more than it is, as this is the event at which all the major Hollywood studios trot out their Oscar hopefuls. In fact, Toronto has become the de facto kickoff of Academy Awards season.

For this reporter, though, it's not about that at all. As readers of this blog know, my interest is almost exclusively in independent and foreign films and, while I always see a few of the "big name" movies in Toronto, my schedule is mostly filled with those little gems from outside Hollywood that might emerge from the pack (as Juno did last year, for example).

In 2006 and 2007 I saw over 50 films. While many are chosen ahead of time, about 2/3 of the films I end up seeing are always last minute additions or simply chosen from a list of available titles to fill gaps in my schedule. Yet, each year, a good deal of my Top Picks once the festival is over come from that group of unplanned surprises.

As of today I have a list of 25 confirmed films for which I have high hopes. Here are 10 of them, keeping in mind that there's a very good chance some of my Top Picks from this year's festival won't come from this group at all.

Links will take you to the film's details and synopsis at the official festival site, which say much more than I ever could not having seen these films. I'd rather write about them afterward than predict what I might see. A number of these I've written about extensively here on this blog over the past couple of years from casting through filming and post-production.

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Pride and Glory -- Directed by Gavin O'Connor, starring Colin Farrell, Edward Norton, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich, Jennifer Ehle.

Fifty Dead Men Walking -- Directed by Kari Skogland, starring Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess, Kevin Zegers, Nathalie Press, Rose McGowan.

Easy Virtue -- Directed by Stephan Elliott, starring Jessica Biel, Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Barnes, Kimberly Nixon, Katherine Parkinson.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno -- Directed by Kevin Smith, starring Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes, Traci Lords.

Burn After Reading -- Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, starring George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, Brad Pitt.

Me and Orson Welles -- Directed by Richard Linklater, starring Ben Chaplin, Claire Danes, Zac Efron, Zoe Kazan, Christian McKay.

Middle of Nowhere -- Directed by John Stockwell, starring Susan Sarandon, Eva Amurri, Anton Yelchin, Justin Chatwin, Willa Holland.

Lymelife -- Directed by Derick Martini, starring Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin, Jill Hennessy, Timothy Hutton, Cynthia Nixon, Emma Roberts.

It Might Get Loud -- Directed by Davis Guggenheim, starring The Edge, Jimmy Page, Jack White.

The Narrows -- Directed by Francois A. Veelle, starring Kevin Zegers, Vincent D'Onofrio, Sophia Bush, Eddie Cahill, Titus Welliver, Monica Keena.

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That's just the tip of the iceberg, of course. I'll post more as time allows. I'm not sure if I'll see over 25 films again but it's a good start.

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August 30, 2008

"All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" distribution news (maybe)

This is one of those "industry items" that usually goes unnoticed by the mainstream press and generally affects nobody in the real world.

Item: Mark Urman has left ThinkFilm to become head of distribution at Senator Entertainment.

Why does this matter to independent film fans? Well, word is that one of his first major tasks will be to get All the Boys Love Mandy Lane out of limbo and get this film into the 1000+ theaters that Senator originally promised when they bought the film from the Weinsteins over a year ago following an auspicious debut at the 2006 Toronto International Film festival (no, that's not a typo -- 2006). One needs only to look back on this blog to see why this is such a "big deal" and why it matters to this reporter.

The journalist in me says, "just sayin'." Reporting the facts, ma'am.

The cynic in me says that dog don't hunt no mo'.

The optimist in me says this could be the news that fans of this movie have been waiting for.

We shall see.

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August 26, 2008

2008 Toronto Film Festival complete schedule

The Toronto International Film Festival has now released the complete list of screening dates, times, and locations for all 312 titles (from 64 countries).

Now available online:

Complete list of films

Calendar view

List view

List by Program

Gala screening schedule

Visa Screening Room schedule

Complete list of expected guests (over 500 in all)

The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 4-13 and is considered to be the premiere film festival in the Western Hemisphere, second in the world only to Cannes.

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August 24, 2008

"Local Color" RELEASE DATE, TRAILER, POSTER, CLIPS

We've been following the progress of George Gallo's Local Color since attending the World Premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. The film stars the legendary Armin Mueller-Stahl and Trevor Morgan.

I saw the film twice more after that: at a screening in Nyack, New York, presented by the Rivertown Film Society in conjunction with an exhibition of writer/director George Gallo's paintings at the Hopper Arts Center gallery there and at the Sedona Film Festival in early 2007. It's one of my favorite (so far unreleased) films of the past few years.

News about the film is sprinkled throughout this blog. The story of the filmmakers' personal odyssey to get this film made and privately distributed is heartening. Against all odds, without a distribution deal in place, the filmmakers got Local Color into festivals and theaters across the country for short runs. But the film seemed destined to disappear into the indie ether.

Enter Empire Film Group, who have acquired the film and set a date for the proper theatrical distribution this film deserves. Look for Local Color on November 7 in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas-Ft.Worth, Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, San Diego, San Antonio, Washington, D.C., Kansas City and N.W. Arkansas. Empire plans to expand the release to additional markets throughout November and December.

OFFICIAL TRAILER 640x400 -- 25.2Mb

CLIPS (QuickTime)

"Sizzle Reel" -- 95.4Mb

"Paying A Visit" -- 12.1Mb

"First Lesson" -- 11.0Mb

"I Love My Adopted County" -- 9.0Mb

"The Art Fair" -- 19.3Mb

Click thumbnail to enlarge

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August 19, 2008

2008 Toronto Film Festival complete list of films and guests

Today was the final big day for 2008 Toronto International Film Festival announcements. The last of the 312 titles (from 64 countries) were revealed, including 249 feature-length films, 76 per cent of which are World, International, or North American Premieres, and 61 of which are feature directorial debuts. The complete list is now available online.

While the full schedule won't be unveiled until next week, some dates and times were announced today. The Gala schedule at Roy Thomson Hall was revealed as well as Visa Screening Room presentations at the Elgin Theatre.

In addition, the complete list of expected guests is now available, over 500 in all.

The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 4-13 and is considered to be the premiere film festival in the Western Hemisphere, second in the world only to Cannes.

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August 15, 2008

"Man in the Chair" DVD RELEASE DATE

Michael Schroeder's Man in the Chair is one of those brilliant independent films which I've written about extensively on this blog. It was my #1 Top Pick from the 2007 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and one of my Top Picks of the 2006-07 festival year. The film went on to play numerous festivals, picking up awards at almost every one, and has been critically acclaimed wherever it's been screened.

Man in the Chair had a limited theatrical release and can now be seen On Demand via the IFC Festival Direct series, now through September 2. It's available on most major cable systems -- call your local provider if it's not.

Best of all, I've just been informed that IFC will be releasing Man in the Chair on DVD September 2. The film was written and directed by Michael Schroeder and stars Michael Angarano and the legendary Christopher Plummer. Angarano fans have a lot to celebrate next month. He will have three films hitting store shelves: Man in the Chair on September 2, The Forbidden Kingdom on September 9, and Snow Angels on September 16.

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August 13, 2008

More Toronto Film Festival titles announced

This year's Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 4-13 and is considered to be the premiere film festival in the Western Hemisphere, second in the world only to Cannes. Although the complete lineup won't be made available until next Tuesday, they've added a number of new titles to the most recent list we posted.

The Official Closing Night Film will be the North American Premiere of Stone of Destiny, written and directed by Charles Martin Smith.

In addition, 20 more titles have been announced for the Special Presentations section. They include films from critically acclaimed filmmakers Steven Soderbergh, Claire Denis, Darren Aronofsky, Michael Winterbottom, Kevin Smith, Danny Boyle, Barbet Schroeder, Charlie Kaufman and Max Färberböck. Some of the stars, many of whom are expected to be present, include Jennifer Aniston, Greg Kinnear, Mickey Rourke, Adrien Brody, Isabelle Huppert, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Steve Zahn, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Evan Rachel Wood, Zac Efron, and Lauren Graham.

The following three sections have been announced in their entirety:

Midnight Madness

Sprockets Family Zone

Wavelengths

Previously announced titles are included in the following press releases:

2008 Festival To Open With World Premiere Of Paul Gross’s Passchendaele

TIFF Brings Home Best Of The Festival Circuit For Toronto Audiences

TIFF Announces High Profile Special Presentations From Around The World

TIFF Adds International Titles To Masters And Contemporary World Cinema

Gala And Special Presentations Added To The Festival Lineup

Canadian Titles Announced In Contemporary World Cinema

New Works By Homegrown Talent Are Celebrated In Canada First!

Edgy Canadian Films And Documentaries Announced To Screen In Vanguard And Real To Reel

Canadian Favourites Return With Gala And Special Presentations

Premieres From United Kingdom, France And Usa Among Titles Added To TIFF08 Gala And Special Presentations Lineup

TIFF Documentaries Explore Worlds Of Youssou Ndour, Valentino, Lebron James, Jimmy Page, Agnès Varda, Eco-Warriors, ‘68 Rebels, Swingers And More!

Spanish-Language Films Shine At This Year’s Festival

Asian Titles Join Lineup For 33rd Toronto International Film Festival

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August 05, 2008

"Dance of the Dead" deserves a theatrical release

Grassroots campaigns are nothing new in the entertainment world. Sometimes they succeed in getting an "on-the-bubble" television show renewed for one more season despite less-than-stellar ratings (e.g., Gossip Girl). Internet bloggers were even responsible for getting a line added to the script of the film Snakes on a Plane ("I've had it with these m/f snakes on this m/f plane").

Enter Dance of the Dead, the horror/comedy slated to go straight to DVD on October 14 via Lionsgate and Ghost House Underground in a package along with seven other genre titles. Readers know of my fondness for this film. Dance of the Dead was my #1 Top Pick from this year's SXSW Film Festival. Earlier on this blog you can find my review, pictures from the Q&A following the screening, a video interview with lead actor Jared Kusnitz, and an interview with Kusnitz and co-star Greyson Chadwick.

Following a series of positive reviews from many of the major names in the film world, a murmur has grown into an outcry which has grown into a full-blown campaign to convince Lionsgate to give the film a theatrical shot. "Dance of the Dead is a whole lot better than just another "DVD drop" flick -- and it sure as hell doesn't deserve to be released buried next to seven other titles," writes Scott Weinberg of Cinematical. "The flick's all but guaranteed to earn a cult following in only a few years time (trust me, it will) --- so why shouldn't Lionsgate get the ball rolling now and give it some sort of miniature theatrical push?" Many other online reviewers have added to the blogosphere chorus. Needless to say, I couldn't agree more and gladly raise my hand in support of the effort.

"Every once in awhile a film comes along which breaks new ground," I wrote in my review on March 15. "Dance of the Dead truly blew me away. It's a groundbreaking combination of high school mayhem and zombies -- think John Hughes meets John Carpenter meets George Romero. This is why I attend film festivals and sit through hundreds of screenings -- somewhere among them is an undiscovered gem, and Dance of the Dead shimmers."

Doesn't that describe a film that deserves to be seen on the big screen, where it can be a shared experience as exciting as the ones where the film has screened so far? I certainly think so. If Lionsgate knew what potential a theatrical release would have for Dance of the Dead, they wouldn't hesitate in scheduling it ASAP. Maybe if enough people point it out to them they'll get the message.

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"Explicit Ills" at Downbeach Film Festival, Paul Dano gets Young Icon Award

The World Premiere of Explicit Ills took place in March at the 2008 SXSW Film Festival. Shortly afterwards, I posted my review. After seeing 20 films, I chose Explicit Ills as one of my 3 Top Picks of this year's festival. My interview with lead actors Frankie Shaw and Lou Taylor Pucci and my interview with writer/director/producer Mark Webber can be found earlier on this blog.

The East Coast Premiere of Explicit Ills will take place at the inaugural Downbeach Film Festival in Margate, New Jersey (next to Atlantic City), where it has been chosen as the official Closing Night Film. Attending the screening will be writer/director/producer Mark Webber, Executive Producer Jim Jarmusch, producers Liz Destro and Sol Tryon, and cast members Paul Dano, Lou Taylor Pucci, and Frankie Shaw. Other local cast and crew members are also expected to be present (the film was shot in Philadelphia, not far from the festival location). The screening will take place on Sunday, August 10 at 4 PM at the Margate Performing Arts Center.

Paul Dano will also receive the Young Icon Award at the Awards Gala from 7-8:30 PM that night at the Resorts Screening Room in Atlantic City.

Explicit Ills is simply a masterpiece. I sat with stunned silence as the film ended, both in wonderment at what director Mark Webber has been able to achieve as well as in deep thought about what my own role has been in the betterment of society. Explicit Ills will definitely make you think. Whether or not it will lead you to act on your thoughts is up to you.

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August 01, 2008

"Snow Angels" DVD RELEASE DATE

David Gordon Green's Snow Angels was one of my 25 Top Picks of 2007. I loved the film when I caught the World Premiere at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival (and again at Sundance at BAM in the spring) and have been following its progress ever since. Starring Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, Michael Angarano, Olivia Thirlby, Amy Sedaris, and Connor Paolo, Snow Angels had a successful limited theatrical run this past spring.

Warner Home Video has now announced that Snow Angels will be available to own on September 16, and should retail at around $27.95. The disc will include both anamorphic widescreen and full screen presentations, along with English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround tracks.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

Here are some of my previous posts about Snow Angels:

MY REVIEW
SOME MORE THOUGHTS
PICTURES FROM SUNDANCE Q&A
VIDEO FROM SUNDANCE Q&A
REPORT FROM BAM SCREENING Q&A

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July 31, 2008

"Choose Connor" acquired by Strand Releasing

Good news about one of the films we've been following on this blog for over a year. Choose Connor has been acquired for North American distribution by Strand Releasing.

The film had its World Premiere at CineVegas in May, 2007. I attended the East Coast Premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival in October. I saw it a second time this past April at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

Choose Connor is a singular achievement and the vision of one man, Luke Eberl, who wrote, directed, produced and edited this film at the age of 19.

The cast is filled with industry pros as well as relative newcomers -- no doubt you'll recognize many faces. Veteran Steven Weber (Wings, Brothers & Sisters) stars as Congressman Lawrence Connor. But most of all this is Alex Linz's (Max Keeble's Big Move) film. Linz, 17 at the time, plays a bright but vulnerable campaign volunteer and is onscreen virtually from opening to closing credits. Other favorites include Escher Holloway (The Tillamook Treasure) as the congressman's nephew and Chris Marquette (The Girl Next Door, Alpha Dog) in one moving, emotional scene which is one of the most pivotal and important moments in the film.

Strand Releasing is a major theatrical distributor of foreign and domestic independent films. Their home entertainment division is known primarily as the premiere brand for LGBT-themed titles.

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July 27, 2008

2008 Toronto Film Festival announces some titles

I've attended 29 film festivals since the start of 2006, but none as prestigious or breathtaking in scope than the Toronto International Film Festival. At the last two festivals combined I saw over 50 films there, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past couple of years (of over 300 films in total) came out of those lineups.

This year's festival runs from September 4-13 and is considered the premiere film festival in the Western Hemisphere, second in the world only to Cannes. Many films have their World or North American Premieres there.

The complete film list will be revealed on August 19. In the meantime, the following three sections have been announced in their entirety:

Midnight Madness

Sprockets Family Zone

Wavelengths

Other titles have been rolled out in various press releases over the past couple of months:

2008 Festival To Open With World Premiere Of Paul Gross’s Passchendaele

TIFF Brings Home Best Of The Festival Circuit For Toronto Audiences

TIFF Announces High Profile Special Presentations From Around The World

TIFF Adds International Titles To Masters And Contemporary World Cinema

Gala And Special Presentations Added To The Festival Lineup

Canadian Titles Announced In Contemporary World Cinema

New Works By Homegrown Talent Are Celebrated In Canada First!

Edgy Canadian Films And Documentaries Announced To Screen In Vanguard And Real To Reel

Canadian Favourites Return With Gala And Special Presentations

Premieres From United Kingdom, France And Usa Among Titles Added To TIFF08 Gala And Special Presentations Lineup

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July 25, 2008

Happy 21st Birthday Michael Welch

We've been following the exploding career of young actor Michael Welch for several years on this blog. He turns 21 today and we'd like to wish him a very Happy Birthday! Michael has an official MySpace at myspace.com/officialmichaelwelch. He'd like all his fans and friends to stop by his birthday blog and post their greetings.

Also, in honor of his birthday, Twilight fan site BellaAndEdward.com has posted a new interview. He also has an official site at michaelwelchonline.com/ where regular updates are posted. Fan site http://michael-welch.com/ had a server crash from all the attention he's been getting. They hope to be back up soon.

It's been an amazing year for the (now) 21-year-old. In February, PROnetworks was the first online to announce that he had been cast in the role of Mike Newton in Twilight, the highly anticipated Summit Pictures release of the film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel. Twilight is due in theaters on December 12.

In addition, Michael has seven films just released or coming out before the end of the year, as well as a number of television and even theater projects. He starred in several of my favorite films of 2006 and 2007: All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (scheduled to be released within a few months), An American Crime (currently airing on Showtime), and Lost Dream (in post-production). He has also completed Remember the Daze and Day of the Dead (both recently released on DVD), The Thacker Case, American Son (soon to debut on Starz), and four episodes of the FX series The Riches. This fall he will be appearing onstage in Los Angeles...details to be announced.

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July 20, 2008

"Dance of the Dead" DVD RELEASE DATE

As we first reported here two months ago, Dance of the Dead will be released by Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Ghost House Underground as part of an inaugural series of horror films on DVD.

The first collection in the series is an eight film boxed set which will also include Brotherhood of Blood, Dark Floors, Last House in the Woods, No Man's Land: The Rise of the Reeker, Room 205, Substitute, and Trackman.

All eight films will also be available as individual discs.

The DVD boxed set and individual discs will hit store shelves on October 14.

Dance of the Dead was my #1 Top Pick from this year's SXSW Film Festival. This is a film that has so much to like it's bound to cross genres and please audiences of all types. Earlier on this blog you can find my review, pictures from the Q&A following the screening, a video interview with lead actor Jared Kusnitz, and an interview with Kusnitz and co-star Greyson Chadwick.

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July 16, 2008

My review of "The Dark Knight"

I attended a screening of The Dark Knight last night. This won't be my typical review per se because this is essentially an indie film blog and, at $150 million+, this Warner Brothers movie is about as Hollywood as it gets. But it's impossible not to discuss this film, especially in the light of the untimely passing of one of our most gifted actors. The Joker was Heath Ledger's final role.

Pluses: Action, action, action, and more action. Did I say action? Good Lord. Guns, bombs, explosions, knives, fistfights, various other weapons, car chases, more explosions, more bombs, and more car chases.

You know how in most action movies there's one great bomb/explosion scene? Something big is blown up towards the end? Well, in director/co-writer Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight it happens time and time again, all throughout the film. Not only do you not have to wait until the third act to see something huge blown to smithereens but, every time you think, "ah, that's the big explosion of the movie," there's another. And another.

Best of all, though, are the chases. This movie has some of the best chase scenes I've ever seen. And there's not just one. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even helicopters are involved in some fantastic action sequences. Crashes galore. And, just like with the explosions, just when you think you've seen "the" big chase scene, there's another. And another.

The action is relentless.

There's even a love story thrown in for the ladies. And not one F-bomb. Not even an S-word. No sex. No skin. The kids will love it. Men, women, teens, all will find something to like here.

Minuses: The storyline is a bit confusing. I'm not giving anything away here, of course -- there's Batman/Bruce Wayne, the Joker, the district attorney, police commissioner, mayor, the Hong Kong businessman, the Mafia, and various other public officials and thugs. All play a role in the plot at some point, more or less, and it's hard to tell the players without a scorecard.

Someone said to me, "a comic book story and it's hard to follow?" Well, frankly, yes. I actually wished it was a bit more mindless so that I could focus on the action. I would have preferred to use my brain less in this case, to tell you the truth. But it didn't lessen the film's impact.

Christian Bale is a capable Batman. But The Dark Knight is, most of all, a tribute to Heath Ledger. His Joker and intense, maniacal portrait of him is, supposedly, what drove him to his death. As the story goes, he couldn't leave the character at the set. It haunted him day and night. It's not hard to see why. His performance is so chilling that it was hard to see him onscreen and not imagine what it must have been like for him when he went home at the end of the day. Ideally, one is not supposed to be taken out of a movie -- the audience should never think about the actor instead of the character. But it was hard not to, knowing that this was the final role of his life, and one which may have contributed to ending it. That made it even more frightening.

The curiosity factor will probably get people into the theaters who might not otherwise have gone. But it's just as well. It will be his legacy, or part of it, and must be seen to be believed.

Is The Dark Knight the best film of the year? I don't think so. Will it make a gazillion dollars and turn out to be the #1 movie of the year? I wouldn't be surprised. Is it worth seeing? Yes, I'd recommend it to just about anyone. Does Heath Ledger deserve an Oscar? I'd say yes. His performance IS all that the hype has led you to believe it is.

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My review of "The Rocker"

The Rocker doesn't quite fit the mold of the indies I generally see and review. It's distributed by 20th Century Fox or, more specifically, Fox Atomic -- the new youth-oriented distribution arm created by this Hollywood studio to tap into the MySpace market (literally). In fact, the social networking site holds a prominent place in the film as well as in its marketing -- MySpace and Fox are both owned by Rupert Murdoch. That said, having spent most of my adult life in the music industry, with it still being my first love, any film with rock & roll at its core is of special interest to me.

Robert 'Fish" Fishman (Rainn Wilson), drummer for 80s big-hair rock group Vesuvius, is unceremoniously kicked out of the band just as they're about to begin their volcanic rise to fame and immortality. This forces Fish to put his dreams on the shelf. Enter his nephew Matt (Josh Gadd) who, 20 years later, is in need of a drummer for ADD, the band he's formed with classmates Amelia (Emma Stone) and Curtis (Teddy Geiger). And so begins Fish's journey to redeem himself, avenge his wrong, and fulfill his dream.

The Rocker is schizophrenic. Director Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty) made two movies here. One stars Rainn Wilson channeling Jack Black and is a comedy heavy with farce and sight gags. His dialogue is a nonstop jokefest and the audience loved it. The other is an Almost Famous/That Thing You Do drama about a high school band's rise to fame, starring Teddy Geiger as their frontman. He hardly has one funny line in the script, nor do several other bandmates and family members. And that was fine by me. That movie was story- and character-driven with poignancy and heart.

I loved the ADD story (as in Attention Deficit Disorder, which might describe this movie's script). As a singer-turned-actor, Geiger carried that film on his shoulders with heart and soul. Robert "Fish" Fishman's (Rainn Wilson) story is a cute skit that felt shoehorned into an otherwise authentic musical biopic. I get the sense that co-writers Maya Forbes (The Larry Sanders Show) and Wally Wolodarsky (The Simpsons) submitted two separate scripts and the producers couldn't decide which one to go with, so they flipped 'em like a deck of cards and played the hand that came up.

Fortunately, the best thing about The Rocker is, indeed, the music. While the soundtrack does include your standard classic 80s rock and hair band tunes (Kiss, Foreigner) it's the original music which made this movie work for me. Just as one could listen to That Thing You Do over and over and over (which was exactly what writer/director Tom Hanks was aiming for in his film of the same name), the songs by Chad Fischer are good enough that I could have closed my eyes and still enjoyed the movie. Not only that, but the "star" of the film, Teddy Geiger, (Rainn Wilson aside) is a bonafide singer/songwriter who actually does do all the singing himself. As Wilson pointed out in the Q&A following the screening I attended, having authentic music performed by a real band was a priority, and Fischer's songs along with Geiger's artistry fit the bill.

Take out Fischer's original soundtrack and Geiger's performance and what's left is a tolerable 90 minute film that I wouldn't even be writing about right now. As it is, at one hour forty-two minutes, I couldn't wait for the credits to roll so I could go out and buy the soundtrack.

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July 09, 2008

Pictures from "American Son" Hollywood Premiere

On Friday, June 27, I attended the Hollywood Premiere of American Son at the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival. The film tells the story of a young Marine (Nick Cannon), fresh from Camp Pendleton, who is forced to confront the complexities of adulthood and a volatile home life during a four-day Thanksgiving leave prior to shipping out to Iraq.

American Son wowed audiences at its 2007 Sundance Film Festival debut. It was acquired for distribution by Starz Home Entertainment, who will be premiering it on their cable channel soon.

Director/co-writer Neil Abramson attended along with Nick Cannon (Drumline, Weapons, Day of the Dead), Melonie Diaz (Lords of Dogtown, Remember the Daze, Be Kind Rewind), Michael Welch (Joan of Arcadia, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, Twilight), Matt O'Leary (Spy Kids 2, Spy Kids 3D, Brick), Jay Hernandez (World Trade Center, Hostel Part II), Erika Ringor (Love & Basketball), April Grace (Playing by Heart, Constantine, Choose Connor), Erica Gluck (The Game), and Ray Santiago (Meet the Fockers, Accepted).

Click thumbnails to enlarge

(Clockwise) Neil Abramson, Nick Cannon, & Erica Gluck

Erika Ringor

Erika Ringor & Jay Hernandez

Jay Hernandez & Erica Gluck

Michael Welch

Ray Santiago & Melonie Diaz

Erica Gluck, Jay Hernandez, & Neil Abramson

Michael Welch

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July 06, 2008

Some thoughts on trailers, SAG, IMDb, "Get Smart," and "Teeth"

Rants are not my style, especially outside of a small circle of friends. There are several topics, however, which dominated some recent conversations which I thought might be worth mentioning in passing -- trailers, the threat of an actors' strike, the IMDb message boards, Get Smart, and Teeth. While any or all might be worthy of its own 1000-word post, some random thoughts should suffice.

Trailers are immensely popular. Articles and posts with links to clips are among the most viewed on the internet. But, personally, I don't like them and try to avoid watching them. Why? Because they are all about spoilers and deception. For example, a comedy trailer usually:

A) Makes the film appear funnier than it is
AND
B) Places all the funniest jokes within the trailer
OR
C) Makes the film appear not to be a comedy at all (a slasher film or coming-of-age drama, for example) or vice-versa

To wit, as lacking in wit as Love Guru was, there were a few genuinely funny gags -- none of which was a surprise since I'd seen them all in the trailer. The idea, of course, is to get butts in the seats. To the extent that they do, trailers are successful and will continue to do what they do as they do it. I just prefer not to watch.

================

Having just returned from a week at the LA Film Festival, where I stayed at the house of some friends in the business, I spent quite a bit of time having meals with actors, writers, and producers (when not seeing movies). Needless to say, the threat of a strike was the number one topic of conversation.

The prevailing feeling is that there is no way SAG will strike given all that would be lost. The town never recovered from the writers' strike and even the threat of an actors' strike has already curtailed or shut down production on projects which were scheduled to begin this summer. It would be devastating.

Having spent close to half my life in a performers' union (AFTRA) I certainly sympathize and side with unions almost without question. In this case, however, one has to wonder whether or not a strike would do so much long-term damage to the membership itself that any gains won would already have been lost. I pray for a quick settlement and no work stoppage.

===============

The IMDb message boards are like the Wild Wild West. Anything goes and posting there is not for the faint of heart. Others avoid them at all costs. But I don't. I have something of an obligation to post there because it's usually the first (and sometimes only) source for information about independent films prior to release. Fans of the film or the actors in it will look there for links to reviews, photos, articles, etc. so it's essential for me to post links to my articles and news there. Unfortunately, it's both a resource for valuable information as well as a soapbox for anyone with an axe to grind. I just try to stay out of the arguments. Maybe it actually helps, in a reverse psychology kind of way. Haters tend to bring out the rabid fans in equal or greater numbers.

==============

Get Smart received mixed reviews although it has done quite well at the box office. I'm one of those (ahem) Baby Boomers for whom the television show was a big part of their childhoods. We watched it religiously and, obviously, the appeal here for us is in the remaking of the characters and dialogue we know so well. "Would you believe..." and "missed it by that much" were parts of our vocabulary just as "is that your final answer" was for another generation.

To the extent that the film pays homage to the original series it's fun. Not only did they reprise all the famous lines, they brought back as many of the original actors as they could for cameos. There was also the theme and both the beginning and ending sequences which mimicked the TV series.

Interestingly, the audience I saw the film with were way too young to have known the original (most didn't even know it was based on a TV series) but they laughed anyway and enjoyed what, for me, had two meanings where, for them, it had one. I enjoyed it and found it to be a nonstop action comedy that kept me engaged from start to finish. It's worth it if you need a couple of hours to kill. But the DVD? Not on my list.

=================

Teeth came out on DVD two months ago following a dismal domestic theatrical run which took in less than $345,000. It was a low budget film but nowhere near that figure. It opened at #7 in its UK release two weeks ago.

I attended the World Premiere of Teeth at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It was originally scheduled as a midnight movie (reserved for horror films) but was moved into prime time because of its subject matter (sex, which always fills the seats). It was one of the few films (Hounddog was another, also about girls and sex) for which it was almost impossible to get a ticket. Of course, that also made it one of the few films to get picked up for distribution almost immediately.

It was one of my Top Picks from that festival but didn't make my Top 25 of the year. I took some pics at the Q&A and the actors were very nice but I could not for the life of me figure out why it was picked up so quickly, other than the fact that it had sex and nudity in it. It's salacious but there's not much else there. But if one approaches it as a B movie horror/comedy it can be a lot of fun. Think Deep Throat meets American Pie. Plus blood.

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"Man in the Chair" on IFC On Demand, DVD to follow

If there's one single thing I wish more than anything it's that independent films reach a wider audience than they do today. Any attempt to turn what are now undiscovered gems into discovered ones is a worthy pursuit as far as I'm concerned, and that's why I was excited when IFC Festival Direct debuted back in January.

IFC already had a decent track record with video-on-demand (VOD) offerings, which currently number about 25 a year. Adding a new channel for the purpose of exposing indies to the cable TV audience is a win-win for everyone involved. I see so many films at festivals that never see the light of day.

One of those films, which I've written about extensively on this blog for over two years, is Michael Schoeder's Man in the Chair. It was my #1 Top Pick from the 2007 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and one of my Top Picks of the 2006-07 festival year. The film did have a limited theatrical release but was in danger of fading away into the indie ether.

So it's with great excitement that I'm able to report that Man in the Chair can now be seen On Demand via the IFC Festival Direct series, now through September 2. It's available on most major cable systems -- call your local provider if it's not.

Sometime after the Festival Direct On Demand run concludes in September, IFC will be releasing Man in the Chair on DVD.

This is one of those rare independent films that was in danger of being "one that got away." Fortunately, thanks to IFC, it's been reeled in.

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July 03, 2008

Looking back on the LA Film Festival

Los Angeles can be a fun town if you know where to go, what to do, and who to do it with. That said, I had a wonderful time at the LA Film Festival -- not because of the lineup of films there but in spite of it. There were far fewer screenings than at most festivals I've attended, most starting at 1 PM or later, and timed in such a fashion that it was difficult to see more than two or three on any given day. Keep in mind that being able to see four or five a day is easy to do at other festivals. There were also times during which only one film was being shown, as opposed to having a choice of as many as 10 during any given block of time at other festivals. The result is that I only saw one or two films a day, except for last Saturday when I saw three. But I made the best of it, and found joy outside the theaters instead.

The good news is, I have so many friends and colleagues in Los Angeles that the meals, meetings, and parties more than made up for the lack of moviegoing. The films I actually did get to see weren't all that impressive either, so I'll be hard pressed to come up with a meaningful list of Top Picks. It will be much easier to list a few "highlights of the week" instead. And, ironically, neither of the two most exciting events I attended involved seeing a new independent film.

One was the Hollywood Premiere of American Son. This film wowed audiences when it premiered at Sundance and was immediately picked up for distribution (it will debut on the Starz premium movie channel). It was screened again at the Brooklyn Academy of Music during their Sundance at BAM series (where I saw it). This was its debut on the West Coast and garnered a lot of media attention due to the fact, for what it's worth, that the star of the film is married to Mariah Carey. She didn't show up for the red carpet but hubby Nick Cannon did, as well as cast members Michael Welch (Twilight), Melonie Diaz (Be Kind Rewind), Matt O'Leary (Brick), Jay Hernandez (World Trade Center), and writer/director Neil Abramson.

I took a great deal of pictures on the red carpet as well as during the Q&A following the screening, which I'll be posting as soon as I can.

The other fun event, although listed as part of the LA Film Festival, wasn't actually run by them at all. It was the World Premiere of Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D, and Warner Brothers was in charge of the festivities. It's ironic that I avoid Hollywood studio movies in favor of independent films shown at festivals, and here I am at a festival sponsored by Film Independent, the folks behind the Spirit Awards, and the most exciting screening is a studio-sponsored big budget blockbuster that spent two years in post-production. Go figure.

It was like the Oscars -- nobody could even approach the theater without an invitation-only ticket, and the public was cordoned off behind barricades on the opposite side of street, facing the rear of the red carpet backdrop. The venue was the magnificent Mann Village Theatre, originally part of the Fox chain, built in 1930 and virtually unchanged to this day. The 1400-seat house was packed to capacity, and WB sprung for free popcorn and sodas.

I passed up the ridiculously packed paparazzi pens on the red carpet before the film for the privilege of actually seeing the movie (most photographers don't) and shadowing a couple of the actors after the screening as they posed for pictures and signed autographs.

Some special personal thanks to all the friends and colleagues who showed me that even a week in LA is too short.

(in alphabetical order)

Josh Hutcherson (Journey to the Center of the Earth)
Doug Lloyd (Still Green producer/editor)
Rocky Marquette (1968 Tunnel Rats)
Georgia Menides (Still Green writer/producer/editor)
and especially Michael Welch (Twilight)

...plus Jill, George, Jack, those friends and family who shall remain nameless along with those who couldn't make it, but did their best.

Next up: some capsule reviews of a few "okay" films.

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2008 Toronto Film Festival list of important dates

As we celebrate the Fourth of July it's also worth noting that the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival is exactly two months away. I've attended 30 film festivals since the start of 2006, but none as prestigious or breathtaking in scope as this one. I saw over 50 films there in 2006 and 2007, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past few years (of over 300 in total) came from the Toronto lineup.

This year's festival runs from September 4-13 and is considered the top film festival in the Western Hemisphere, second in the world only to Cannes. Many films have their World or North American premieres there. Almost every major Academy Award winning film debuted at this festival. The total number of films typically totals over 350.

The excitement is building once again. The official site is up and running, and the following dates should be noted:

July 7
Box Office opens for Ticket Package purchases at 10:00am, Visa only.

July 14
Ticket Packages available for purchase by Visa, debit and cash.

July 15
Canadian film program information announced at 3:00pm.

July 23
Program information announced for Midnight Madness, Sprockets Family Zone, Wavelengths at 3:00pm.

August 19

* Complete film list by title available online as of 3:00pm.
* Gala and Visa Screening Room schedule available online at 3:00pm.

August 23
Premium tickets (Galas at Roy Thomson Hall, Visa Screening Room presentations at the Elgin Theatre) available as of 10:00am by Visa, debit and cash.

August 26

* Festival Box Office at Toronto Life Square opens; Program Book and Official Film Schedule available at 9:00am.
* Schedule information available online at 10:00am.

September 3

* All tickets onsale as of 7:00am.
* Festival Box Office at Roy Thomson Hall opens at 7:00am.

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June 22, 2008

Los Angeles Film Festival Lineup

This week I'll be back on the West Coast covering the Los Angeles Film Festival. By my count, this will be the 30th festival I've attended since the start of 2006. Opening Night was Thursday and screenings will continue through Sunday, June 29th, mostly in and around the Westwood Village area surrounding the campus of UCLA.

One of the things which makes this festival unique is that it's sponsored by Film Independent, the same organization responsible for the "Oscars" for indies -- the Spirit Awards (known officially as Film Independent's Spirit Awards). As someone whose life revolves around indies and the festivals which showcase them, it's truly exciting to be attending a festival which is run by the same folks who put on the Spirit Awards every year, as it should have a schedule second-to-none for fans of independent films.

As usual, I'll be covering the red carpets, the screenings, the Q&As, the panel discussions, the press conferences, and just about anything else I can fit into my schedule. And, as usual, you can expect photos, interviews, and reviews of my Top Picks during and after the festival. I'll be posting reports whenever possible. The quantity and timing of the articles will, of course, depend on local conditions and every festival presents different challenges. There should be guests galore as the event is within a stone's throw of Hollywood.

The complete schedule is available online in list format (title, director, screenwriter, or country) and in calendar format.

COMPLETE 2008 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP
CALENDAR & SCHEDULE

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June 21, 2008

My review of "The Pack" at Hoboken Film Festival

The Pack, directed by Alyssa Rallo Bennett and written by Alyssa and Gary O. Bennett, is a no-holds barred, stark look at the horrors of tobacco use and nicotine addiction. Compelling and frightening, The Pack is inspired by true events and dares to ask questions which remain unanswered to this day. Few films deserve the label "important," and this is one of them.

At its center is a portrait of a family torn apart by cancer. Nonsmoker Jack Jordan Sr. (Scott Bryce) has died of lung cancer at the age of 47, presumably brought on by 30 years of breathing his wife Eleanor's (Lucie Arnaz) secondhand smoke. An ambitious Assistant District Attorney (Carlos Leon) brings her to trial on murder charges, and 24-year-old son Jack Jr. (Ryan Homchick) is caught in the middle. The subsequent trial, the role young Jack plays in the proceedings, and the jury deliberations revolve around the questions of who knew what and when did they know it. Unspoken are the obvious political ramifications of the answers.

Arnaz gives a tour-de-force performance as the wife and mother whose only crime was that she was blissfully ignorant (or perhaps not) of the consequences of her actions. Homchick's Jack Jr. is like a puppy constantly on edge from having been beaten by one too many newspapers. The ensemble cast which makes up the jury, veterans as well as newcomers, inhabit their characters seamlessly. To single anyone out is a difficult task. Watch for Adam Ferrara as the maniacal Cassidy, who will not let go of his pro-tobacco stance, and Zach Galligan as Anson, a wide-eyed open book who can play the fool with ease.

The Pack cuts back and forth between the flashbacks of the family's past, the trial, and the jury deliberations. If told in linear fashion the film would likely have plodded along at an interminably slow pace. Instead, smart editing decisions placed each jump in time at precisely the right moment, while maintaining just enough consistency to avoid confusion. A careful balance needed to be struck, and kudos to editor Jeff Turboff for pulling it off masterfully. During the deliberation room scenes, cinematographer George Lyon cleverly used slow pans around the table to create a sense of movement where there was none. Occasional jump cuts sliced out the inevitable dead spots. The result puts still life into action -- no small feat.

The look of the film ironically contrasts the carefree days of the family's past with the sad reality of the present. Flashbacks are presented through the use of old home movies, bright and colorful and reflective of the myth we all bought into that secondhand tobacco smoke was benign. Scenes which take place in the present day are filled with blues and grays and give a dull, washed-out appearance, as though the air itself is affected by the cancer which struck down Jack Jordan Sr. The courthouse sets, particularly the jury deliberation room, are as cold and stark as can be.

A bit Silkwood, The Insider, and 12 Angry Men all rolled into one, The Pack poses the question, "what if your behavior was legally accepted for dozens of years and all of a sudden it came into question?" The answer is not likely to change many viewers' minds about the dangers of smoking but, perhaps, it will.

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Hoboken International Film Festival screening

Pictured, L to R: Assistant editor/colorist Mark Dershowitz, actors Jennifer McCabe and Suzanne Froix, writer/director/producer Alyssa Rallo Bennett, actors Ryan Homchick and Angela Pietropinto, Sterling Worldwide Entertainment Rep Kira Baskerville, and editor Jeffrey Turboff

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June 19, 2008

"The Forbidden Kingdom" R1 DVD RELEASE DATE

Here is the official announcement:

Lionsgate Home Entertainment has announced The Forbidden Kingdom which stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The 2-disc release will be available to own from the 9th September, and should retail at around $27.95. Extras will include a commentary by director Rob Minkoff and writer John Fusco, deleted scenes with commentary, featurettes (The Kung Fu Dream Team, Dangerous Beauty, Discovering China, Filming in Chinawood, Monkey King and the Eight Immortals), a Previsualization featurette with commentary by Rob Minkoff, and a blooper reel.

A digital copy of the film will also be included. A Blu-ray release with a high-definition presentation and 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio will also be available for $39.95.

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June 12, 2008

EXCLUSIVE new pictures of "Twilight" star Michael Welch

We've been following the exploding career of young actor Michael Welch for several years on this blog.

In February, PROnetworks was the first online to announce that he had been cast in the role of Mike Newton in Twilight, the highly anticipated Summit Pictures release of the film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel. Twilight is due in theaters on December 12.

In addition, Michael has seven films just released or coming out before the end of the year, as well as a number of television projects. He starred in several of my favorite films of 2006 and 2007: All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (scheduled to be released within a few months), An American Crime (currently airing on Showtime), and Lost Dream (in post-production). He has also completed Remember the Daze and Day of the Dead (both just released on DVD), The Thacker Case, American Son (soon to debut on Starz), and four episodes of the FX series The Riches.

Michael has both an official site at michaelwelchonline.com/ as well as an official MySpace at myspace.com/officialmichaelwelch.

Michael has granted us this exclusive first look at his newest photoshoot. Thanks Michael!

Click thumbnails to enlarge

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June 04, 2008

The Making of "Still Green" web series now online

Still Green was one of my Top Picks of the 2007 festival year. I attended and reported on the film's screenings at both the New Hampshire Film Festival in October as well as the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival a month later. We've been following the film's progress here on this blog ever since.

The official trailer can be seen at the film's official site. You can also view a high quality version there.

The roller coaster ride that was the making of Still Green was captured by Real Life Media documentarian Steven Petty. He was on location during production and followed the filmmakers' harrowing ride for a feature documentary about the making of the film. Now Petty has created a 13-week web series for our friends at Film Threat. Webisodes will appear as the top story on the site's home page every Wednesday. Film Threat will also be hosting production blogs from writer Georgia Menides which will correspond to the weekly webisodes.

"This is going to be a fresh look into what really goes on behind the scenes of a film shoot, without the candy coating," the producers told us. "We are hoping the series is a hit. So If you start watching and get sucked in, please tell your friends. Please tell your friend's friends, please post comments, and please show your support!"

Episode 1 went online today. The production team for Still Green heads to Naples, Florida and all appears well. That is, if you don't count Hurricane Cindy and some bank account issues...

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June 03, 2008

"The Air I Breathe," "Remember the Daze" on DVD

The Air I Breathe was one of my Top Picks of 2007. It was the talk of the Tribeca Film Festival and I've been following its progress on this blog ever since.

Following a limited theatrical run, the DVD has now hit store shelves and movie sites. Director Jieho Lee, who wrote the film with Bob DeRosa, are thrilled that their provocative film is now available to be seen by a wider audience. The DVD offers tasty extras, of course. "You can hear a commentary track with me, Jieho [Lee], Walt [Lloyd] (our DP) and Robert [Hoffman] (our editor)," co-writer Bob DeRosa told me. "There are some fun outtakes and a few deleted scenes, including my fave, the check-up scene between Kevin [Bacon] and Julie [Delpy]."

Just one week into its home video distribution, rentals and sales of The Air I Breathe are already brisk.

Remember the Daze, from first time writer-director Jess Manafort, is out today on DVD. A talented group of up-and-coming young actors portrays the graduating class of 1999 as they make their way through the last day of high school in the teenage wasteland of suburbia. The cast of indie darlings includes Amber Heard, Alexa Vega, Leighton Meister, Melonie Diaz, Douglas Smith, John Robinson, Chris Marquette, and Michael Welch.

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June 02, 2008

My review of "1968 Tunnel Rats"

1968 Tunnel Rats makes a brutal statement about the horrors of war and pulls no punches. Unlike many Hollywood epics which purport to teach their lessons through clever manipulations of the heart, this is no coming-of-age film or family drama couched in a setting of battle. Writer/director Uwe Boll has created a film which is very simply about the futility of war, in this case, set in the jungles of Vietnam.

North Vietnamese fighters dug tunnels, sometimes hundreds of miles long, in which they hid, lived, and carried out surprise missions against the Americans. After an ambush of several members of his squad, Sergeant Vic Hollowborn (Michael Pare) returns to the area with a ragtag group of Army soldiers to avenge their deaths. These young men, some barely out of high school, walk blindly into a world they've never known.

The ensemble cast does what they need to do -- this is not as much of a character-driven piece as other films of this genre, and the improvised dialogue isn't Hollywood war movie fluff. I've never been in battle but I hope the soldiers in the film are realistically depicted. They certainly aren't romanticized a la Apocalypse Now. Pare's Sergeant Hollowborn is an effective leader, a man who makes his own rules and expects his men to follow them. Other standouts include Nate Parker as Private Jim Lidford, who thinks his urban roots make him tough enough to breeze through this assignment, and Rocky Marquette as Private Terence Verano, the sweet baby-faced kid who exemplifies what made this particular war so intolerable for American mothers -- he clearly doesn't belong here (not that anybody does). Lidford ought to be back on the basketball court on the corner and Verano ought to be back on the beaches of Lake Michigan. Among the North Vietnamese "enemies," watch for Jane Le as young mother Vo Mai. Her heartwrenching performance will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The look is stark and the action unrelenting. The lighting is subdued -- dark and dirty, much like the jungle landscape and tunnels themselves. Opening credits are accompanied by the Zager & Evans' classic In the Year 2525, which had me deceptively smiling from the start. Jessica de Rooij's score turns ominous after that and was one of the highlights of the movie. But what stood out the most for me was the camerawork of Mathias Neumann. From the copious use of crane shots, as if we are hiding up in the trees ready to pounce, to the handheld closeups in the tunnel sequences, there is no relief. Visual effects are topnotch and breathtaking. But with few exceptions, 1968 Tunnel Rats does not rely on sweeping vistas and long shots of masses of soldiers readying for battle. And it doesn't need to. This is about hand-to-hand combat, literally, and the claustrophobic setting is palpable.

Shot on location in South Africa, Boll put all the actors through a boot camp with actual mercenaries prior to filming. This wasn't a "Hollywood" boot camp, referring to the usual type of training actors go through before a war movie. No, they were trained by men who literally had been out killing just a few days beforehand. Filmmakers, cast, and crew all took this project seriously and it shows.

This film may be difficult to watch but it's too compelling to turn away. There isn't a lot to laugh at, although the characters are well-developed enough that we get to know their hopes and fears. It's also definitely a war movie in the true sense of the genre, with heavy political undertones. But It doesn't try to be all things to all people. 1968 Tunnel Rats is dark and dirty and about as serious as a film can get. If writer/director Uwe Boll is trying send a message, it comes through loud and clear.

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May 18, 2008

"Dance of the Dead" DVD RELEASE NEWS

Dance of the Dead was my #1 Top Pick from this year's SXSW Film Festival. We attended the World Premiere on March 9 and have been covering the progress of the film ever since. I've described Dance of the Dead as a groundbreaking combination of high school mayhem and zombies -- think John Hughes meets John Carpenter meets George Romero.

Bleiberg Entertainment, whose Ehud Bleiberg produced the film along with writer/director Gregg Bishop through Compound B, brought the film to the Marche du Film (Cannes Film Market) in hopes of getting distribution. It didn't take long. Several major players teamed up for the deal. First, Ghost House Pictures, led by a team including legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi, joined with Grindstone, a leader in direct-to-video, to form Ghost House Underground. This new venture then teamed up with indie king Lionsgate to distribute 12-20 genre titles annually through their home entertainment division. The inaugural slate of films, scheduled to be released in North America this fall, will feature Bishop's Dance of the Dead.

"Between Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert at Ghost House, the experience of Barry and Stan at Grindstone, and Lionsgate, who is the king of genre marketing and distribution...Dance of the Dead has found the perfect home," said director Gregg Bishop. "I am thrilled to be working with them both and I know they will do a fantastic job bringing the movie to audiences everywhere."

"It will be a major US DVD release through Lionsgate and Ghost House," according to production designer James Jarrett. When asked if he was disappointed that the film won't make it to movie houses, Jarrett noted, "I am just glad we have a release and with a name like Sam Raimi attached, that poses a very bright future indeed! I am quite satisfied with this news personally. It is encouraging based on who noticed and that it will be released as part of a fall lineup."

I can only echo their remarks. This is a film that has so much to like it's bound to cross genres and please audiences of all types. Earlier on this blog you can find my review, pictures from the Q&A following the screening, a video interview with lead actor Jared Kusnitz, and an interview with Kusnitz and co-star Greyson Chadwick.

Look for Dance of the Dead to hit store shelves this October.

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May 14, 2008

My review of "Somers Town" at Tribeca Film Festival

Somers Town is one of the sweetest little films of any festival this year. Shane Meadows (This Is England), directing from a strikingly authentic Paul Fraser script, has crafted a winner with so much to like that it's hard to know where to begin.

The film takes its name from a town just outside London where the landscape is dominated by monstrous natural gas tanks and the construction of a station for a Channel Tunnel rail link. Marek (Piotr Jagiello) lives in the shadow of the humongous structure and spends his days shooting photographs of the area and trying to stay occupied as his father toils away at the construction site. Like many in the town, they are Polish immigrants who came looking for work and stayed. One day Tomo (Thomas Turgoose) appears out of nowhere, a boy Marek's age who is little more than a street urchin from the East Midlands to the locals. A fortuitous meeting between the two boys forges an unlikely friendship. Tomo is a tough punk (or thinks he is) and Marek is introspective and sensitive -- it's the basis for a character arc which is classic in the coming-of-age genre. We know where they're going -- how they get there is at the heart of Somers Town.

The outstanding supporting cast includes a sweetly understated Elisa Lasowski as Maria, the local girl who they both fall for, and the hilarious Perry Benson as Graham, who provides much of the film's comic relief (not that it needs any more than the boys already provide) as an eccentric neighbor who is literally indescribable. But it's the onscreen chemistry between the boys which makes Somers Town the gem that it is. In a wise casting move, Turgoose and Jagiello, both 15, are the same age as their characters. In one scene where the two party a little too hearty, Meadows simply directed them to have fun and let the cameras roll. The result is one of the best scenes in any film I saw here this year.

Somers Town surprises at every turn. The film is shot completely in black and white save for the final sequence. It's a rarely used technique which, although unfamiliar at first, quickly falls away as the viewer focuses on the budding relationship between Tomo and Marek. After awhile we don't even notice the absence of color, for the story itself provides a rainbow of feelings. This device also makes lighting somewhat irrelevant, which allows a focus more on the characters rather than the look of the film. The soundtrack is simply a perfect match, with a playlist of tender acoustic songs that seems tailor-made for the narrative.

Everything about this film says "gentle and tender," from the friendship between the two boys -- what could almost be described as a platonic love story, to the longing the two have for Maria -- the object of affection who is always just out of reach, if only by age and maturity, and even to the father's tentative but loving relationship to his son -- in stark contrast to typical American films where the two would be constantly butting heads.

More than anything, though, there is no doubt that Turgoose and Jagiello carry this film on their young shoulders. Never have two young teens needed each other at this point in their lives as much as Tomo and Marek, and their relationship is so incredibly funny and touching that it had audiences in stitches and had me smiling from ear to ear from start to finish. It's no wonder that Turgoose and Jagiello each received the jury award for Best Actor here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, where Somers Town had its North American Premiere. Somers Town is a charming and funny gem with a heart of gold.

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May 13, 2008

My review of "57,000 Kilometers Between Us" at Tribeca Film Festival

Our lives are ruled by technology. Particularly for the generation of young people who came of age in a world of webcams, instant messaging, and multiplayer online gaming, the lines between virtuality and reality have become blurred. Where does the computer screen leave off and flesh and blood begin? That's the question posed by first-time writer/director Delphine Kreuter in 57,000 Kilometers Between Us, which had its North American Premiere here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Themes of loneliness, alienation, and connecting with others are classic subjects for film, and they are elegantly updated here in the context of life in a cyberworld.

14-year-old Nat lives in a home which doubles as a set for an online reality show starring her parents. She reluctantly tolerates this intrusion of strangers into her life while, at the same time, existing in her own computer-based world where her only companions are identified by the names with which they log on. The only boy she knows, Adrien, bonds with her electronically from his hospital bed. The adults in their lives are similarly disconnected and disaffected.

An ensemble cast of teenagers, transsexuals, exhibitionists, and fetishists all turn in frighteningly real performances. None are more affecting, though, than Marie Burgun and Hadrien Bouvier as Nat and Adrien, and it is their friendship which is at the heart of 57,000 Kilometers Between Us. Their "onscreen" relationship (literally) is spent in the world of webcams and online gaming. It's almost surreal to accept the notion that cyberspace might be a better place to live, yet the viewer may entertain that thought as family and personal secrets are revealed. But what would happen if these two young would-be lovers actually met face-to-face?

The look, feel, and sound of 57,000 Kilometers Between Us are perfectly appropriate for a film that's all about the conflict between participation and voyeurism, and succeeding confluence of same -- the use of mostly natural and single-point lighting, along with shaky handheld camera almost exclusively, puts the viewer just inches away from the film's subjects. We also see the characters through the lenses of the webcams with which they view each other. The result gives the film a home video, cinema verite look. There is no soundtrack whatsoever with the exception of a heartbreaking Dolly Parton cover of the 1971 classic If by Bread.

57,000 Kilometers Between Us takes a bit of patience on the part of the viewer. Much like today's multitasking teen, there's a lot going on at first. I couldn't wait for the film to jump to the next reel. But the way in which the seemingly disconnected fragments of narrative come together at the film's conclusion is hauntingly beautiful. By the time the credits rolled, I didn't want it to end.

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My review of "Let the Right One In" at Tribeca Film Festival

Let the Right One In is, at its heart, a sweet coming-of-age story which is so unique and different that it simply defies categorization. In this Swedish film, adapted from John Ajvide Lindqvist's bestselling book, director Tomas Alfredson dares to mix pleasure and pain in a way that is both horrifying and tender.

Let the Right One In has a storyline which, although it reveals some secrets early on, is best left as a surprise. So this will necessarily be one of those rare reviews in which the less said about the plot the better. 12-year-olds Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) and Eli (Lina Leandersson) meet one snowy afternoon at a jungle gym in the courtyard of Oskar's housing complex outside Stockholm. Their young, tender attraction for each other is apparent right from the start and we think we know where their relationship is headed. But there is a deep dark secret to be discovered here and when it's revealed the audience is both repulsed and curiously fascinated at the same time, in a similar fashion as when yellow crime scene tape brings us closer rather than warning us away.

The supporting cast is completely beholden to the narrative as it revolves around the adorable young couple, whose performances rival the best I've ever seen for actors of that age. The innocence and vulnerability of Hedebrant's Oskar is simply a tour-de-force and he admirably carries the film on his little shoulders. Leandersson matches him scene by scene, line by line, and the result literally gave me chills.

Production values are stellar, with all technical aspects -- lighting, original music by Johan Soderqvist, and Hoyte Van Hoytema's cinematography -- combining in perfect synchronization to produce a Hitchockian tale that somehow brings love and light into what could have been the darkest drama imaginable.

Let the Right One In was the overwhelming choice for Best Narrative Feature after its North American Premiere here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. It is a truly well-deserved honor. Tomas Alfredson has crafted a brilliant work of art that left me shaking my head with wonder.

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My review of "The 27 Club" at Tribeca Film Festival

One advantage (or disadvantage, as the case may be) of attending film festivals is that trends become readily apparent. Within one 24-hour period here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival I saw three road films -- all involving two guys and a girl. Within that same 24-hour period I also saw three films with suicide as a central plot point -- two in a row, in fact. One was The 27 Club, and it combines both -- it's a road movie, with two guys and a girl, with suicide at its core. And even that's not totally original. In fact, one of my Top Picks of the past couple of years was Wristcutters: A Love Story, which was -- you guessed it -- a road movie with suicide as a central theme. Yet The 27 Club is a moving, poignant film which stands out among the rest.

The 27 Club takes its title from a quip by Kurt Cobain's mother after his death in 1994, noting that, in addition to her son, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, and a host of other musicians had all taken their own lives at the age of 27. The film opens with one half of the fictional band The Finns, 27-year-old Tom Wallace (played admirably by James Forgey, mostly in flashbacks, of course), dying by his own hand. The bandmate he left behind, Elliot Kerrigan (Joe Anderson), sets out on the road with a grocery bag boy as his enlisted driver (David Emrich) along with Irish student Stella (Bono's daughter Eve Hewson) as a travel companion. The purpose of the trip and ultimate goal involve several mysteries, enough to keep the viewer guessing along the way.

While the three are certainly unlikely travel mates, always making for good drama, The 27 Club is really a one-man show with lead actor Joe Anderson (Becoming Jane, Across the Universe) carrying the film from start to finish. His tortured soul of a rock star is frighteningly brilliant and totally believable. Still, The 27 Club is mainly story-driven and writer/director Erica Dunton has penned a clever script with just enough gallows humor to keep the movie from becoming too depressing. After all, how do you laugh when someone has just offed themselves? Through the use of flashbacks, the film often reverts to a non-linear narrative. Rather than confuse the viewer, though, it actually gives the film a heightened sense of urgency which only deepens the mysteries at the heart of the film.

Cinematographer Stephen Thompson elegantly captures the beauty and lush landscape of the American west, with its sweeping vistas and stunning sunsets. The 27 Club has a true indie feel, with copious use of natural lighting and an original rock soundtrack that adds and connects to the film like few others do -- the songs are actually written and performed by The Finns, the fictional band featured in the story itself. This apparent contradiction is resolved when one learns that the movie itself created the musical act, as life truly imitates art.

If The 27 Club seems heavy, well, it can be depending on one's own experience. The obvious caveat to anyone who has suffered a loss, especially to suicide: the film may either salt old wounds or be cathartic, depending on the individual. There are messages here but they are muted, not in-your-face with words of wisdom spouting forth from scene to scene. Despite its familiar themes, the story is ultimately unpredictable, with surprising payoffs at every turn. The 27 Club has enough originality and heart to make it worth the trip.

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May 12, 2008

My review of "Katyn" at the Tribeca Film Festival

Poland has the unique distinction of being situated between two powerful nations: Russia to the east and Germany to the west. When the Soviets and Nazis began to converge in 1939, 15,000 men in Poland's officer corps mysteriously disappeared. Who was responsible for their deaths and how this crime was allowed to take place is the mystery at the heart of Katyn. Famed Polish director Andrzej Wajda was determined to bring that story to the world, which remained a secret until the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Katyn is an emotionally moving experience which left me stunned in silent disbelief.

Told through the use of actual diaries and letters, the film focuses on four officers and their families in order to tell the larger tale. A frighteningly brilliant ensemble cast brings the story to life (and death). Individual performances are just understated enough that it is the reality of what took place which stays in the mind of the viewer long after the end credits have rolled. The settings and costumes, along with Pawel Edelman's stark cinematography, were lovingly recreated by a generation of Poles aching to let the world know about the tragedies which took place and how, and why, they were hushed up and unknown to most of the world until recently.

Movies based on actual events have been some of the most dramatic and powerful of all time. The term "truth is stranger than fiction" applies here, and nothing is quite as chilling as a horrific story that's never been told or is known to so few. Such is the case with Katyn which, like Schindler's List and Sophie's Choice before it, reveals some of the heartwrenching internal conflicts with which families wrestled when faced with the unspeakable horrors of the Second World War. The result is simply a remarkable work which is worthy of the label "important."

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My review of "Tennessee" at Tribeca Film Festival

Let it be said right from the start. Yes, Tennessee is a road movie with two guys and a girl. It's been done many times before. In fact, it was the third such film I saw in a 24-hour period here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, where Tennessee had its World Premiere. And, yes, the girl is superstar diva Mariah Carey. But there's a big difference between what the film appears to be and what it actually is, which is a surprisingly sweet film that was totally satisfying.

Aaron Woodley's Tennessee, directing from a Russell Schaumberg script, is one of those films with a plot that's difficult to even briefly summarize without revealing spoilers. Due to a tragic turn of events, brothers Carter (Adam Rothenberg) and Ellis Armstrong (Ethan Peck) embark on a journey from their trailer home outside Albuquerque, New Mexico to their hometown in Tennessee. In so doing, they must face a past they'd rather avoid. Along the way they meet up with a young would-be singer-songwriter (Carey) whose own dreams need some inspiration and support. The Tribeca Film Festival has a comprehensive synopsis at their official site.

Although three people dominate the film, it's the young men who are the focus of the story, not the Mariah Carey character, a fact which will likely be lost on many who see the cast of the film without giving it a chance. Adam Rothenberg and Ethan Peck are the actors who carry this film with their powerful personalities. Carter (Rothenberg) is gruff, rough, tough, and downright dirty. He drinks and swears up a storm. In perfect contrast, younger brother Ellis (Ethan) is soft, sensitive, sweet, and tender, with his creativity demonstrated in his love for photography. It's hard to imagine anyone with a sibling, or even a close friend, who won't be able to relate to one or the other (or both).

The landscape of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Tennessee is so stunning that even the most inexperienced cinematographer would have had a hard time avoiding the beautiful vistas which help give the film its lush look. Here, in the hands of David Greene, Tennessee becomes a true travelogue, filled with jaw-dropping sunsets and breathtaking peaks. Of course, the fact that the film's protagonist is a photographer makes the visual style that much more appropriate. Natural and single-point lighting give the film a soft appearance. What Mariah Carey adds most to the storyline is her music, and the country soundtrack is perfectly in tune with the towns through which they travel.

The biggest surprise for me was that Tennessee is not as comedic as many films with even darker themes. The recent trend towards gallows humor, provoking nervous laughter in similar stories, isn't apparent here. There are more tears than laughter, and even when the film is trying to be light the result is more often a smile than a chuckle. It's touching nonetheless and not as depressing as the storyline would indicate.

It's a road movie that's poignant and touching with overplaying the genre to the point of sugary sweetness, as many do. There are enough twists and turns along the way to retain viewer interest even beyond the initial concept. The setup comes early but surprises abound. Tennessee is that sweet little American indie which is the elusive holy grail of film festivals.

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May 10, 2008

2008 Tribeca Film Festival -- My Top Picks

The 2008 Tribeca Film Festival has come to an end and it's time to take stock of the experience.

I attended a total of 50 screenings, including 47 feature films, one shorts program, and two special screenings. 27 films, more than half, were from outside the U.S. Of the 47, there were 20 World Premieres, four International Premieres (first time seen outside their country of origin), 15 North American Premieres, two U.S. Premieres, and six New York Premieres.

As I do following every film festival (25 since the start of 2006), I'll wrap up by selecting my favorites. Since there were so many to choose from, I picked ten.

Here is my list of Top Picks from the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Titles are linked to their respective reviews. Countries of origin are listed in parentheses.

(in alphabetical order)

The 27 Club (USA)
57,000 Kilometers Between Us (France)
Boy A (UK)
Charly (France)
From Within (USA)
Katyn (Poland)
Let the Right One In (Sweden)
Newcastle (Australia)
Somers Town (UK)
Tennessee (USA)

There were two films on my list which went on to win jury awards. Let the Right One In was chosen as Best Narrative Feature and the Best Actor Award went to both Thomas Turgoose and Piotr Jagiello of Somers Town.

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My reviews of "War Child" and "Baghdad High" at Tribeca Film Festival

War Child

In War Child we meet Emmanuel Jal, a successful hip-hop artist in his 20s whose music tells the story of a young life in exile from the ravages of civil war. First-time filmmaker C. Karim Chrobog's documentary is both frightening and inspiring at the same time.

To many Americans, for whom names like Darfur and Sudan are mere locations in Africa with tragedies attached to them, War Child is a history lesson quite profound. I sat in stunned silence as the origins of the humanitarian crisis there were made real through the words in Jal's songs as well as the recounting of his childhood in the Sudan, subsequent escape, and return 18 years later to be reunited with the family he left behind. We travel with him on this journey, literally, and the emotions flow forth. War Child is, on one hand, a music documentary for lovers of hip-hop. But, more than anything, it is a history lesson which will leave you with a new sense of what the crisis in Darfur and Sudan are all about.

War Child went on to win the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival's Cadillac Audience Award, the only prize voted on by the moviegoers themselves.

Baghdad High

Four high school students are handed digital cameras with which they will record their senior year of high school. This documentary sounds pretty familiar, on the face of it. It's been done many times before. The twist here is that the high school is in Baghdad, one of the most violent and war-ravaged cities in the world, and the four (all boys) would appear to be enemies to the outside world -- they and their classmates are Muslims, Christians, Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. What they have in common, though, is that they are all teenagers, and we know where this is going right from the start -- the message here is that kids are the same all over the world.

The premise of Baghdad High is not a novel idea by any means. In fact, I saw two similar films at the previous festival I attended. The challenge here is to make it work in an original way, not just to pick four cool kids who can make the viewer laugh and cry, but to touch the heart by showing the adult world just how immune "ordinary" teens can be in the face of war. They have the same desires, hopes, and dreams as high school kids everywhere -- they just want to get good grades and have fun. The difference here is that they might be blown up by a roadside bomb on the way home from school.

One of the biggest surprises of Baghdad High is that the boys are more curiously endearing and their friendships much sweeter than similar documentaries shot in U.S. high schools. Their displays of affection for each other and absence of talk about girls and sex is probably a bit more accurate than what American teenage boys would like others to believe about themselves, especially when cameras are pointed at them. There is little of the typical bravado and macho posturing we see with teens in America.

Another surprise is how little discussion of politics takes place in these homes (or in the film itself). Even then, the kids never mention it at all. When the subject is brought up, it's the parents who are asked how they feel about the U.S. presence there. With a shrug, they actually blame both governments. They don't even take sides. They just want the violence to end.

Baghdad High debuts August 4 on HBO.

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2008 Tribeca Film Festival wrapup -- the narratives

Narrative features make up the majority of the lineup at all film festivals. Tribeca is no exception. While I saw nine documentaries at this year's festival, documented earlier, the number of narratives I saw total 38. These scripted, fictional films (although some are based on true stories) form the bulk of the independent films around which my life revolves.

The 2008 Tribeca Film Festival was jam-packed with World Premieres, including the following 18 films I saw. All were US films except the four indicated (links connect to previously posted reviews):

The Auteur
The Caller
Idiots and Angels
Newcastle (Australia)
The Wild Man of the Navidad
Trucker
The Objective
Bart Got a Room
Love, Pain, & Vice Versa (Mexico)
Ramchand Pakistani (Pakistan)
From Within
Lake City
Tennessee
The 27 Club
Life in Flight
Speed Racer
Killer Movie
Bitter & Twisted (Australia)

One, Idiots and Angels, was animated. The Caller went on to win the "Made in N.Y." Award.

The remaining 20 narrative features I saw were all International Premieres (first time seen outside their country of origin), North American Premieres, US Premieres, or New York Premieres. Only two were from the United States. Countries of origin are indicated in parentheses:

Let the Right One In (Sweden)
Katyn (Poland)
Toby Dammit (France, Italy)
My Winnipeg Canada)
Sita Sings the Blues (USA)
Fermat's Room (Spain)
Seven Days Sunday (Germany)
57,000 km Between Us (France)
The Secret of the Grain (France)
Elite Squad (Brazil)
Somers Town (UK)
Charly (France)
Strangers (Israel)
Lost Indulgence (China)
Eden (Ireland)
Baghead (USA)
Worlds Apart (Denmark)
Boy A (UK)
Days in Sintra (Brazil)
The Cottage (UK)

One, Sita Sings the Blues, was animated. Toby Dammit was a newly restored 1968 film. There were several films on my list which went on to win jury awards. Let the Right One In was chosen as Best Narrative Feature, the Best Actor Award went to both Thomas Turgoose and Piotr Jagiello of Somers Town, and Eileen Walsh of Eden was awarded Best Actress.

I'll continue to post reviews of my Top Picks from among the 38 narrative features I saw during the festival (several are already published).

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May 09, 2008

2008 Tribeca Film Festival wrapup -- the documentaries

While I attend film festivals primarily for narrative features, works of fiction, I'm certainly not averse to seeking out quality documentaries. In fact, docs have often shown up on my lists of Top Picks from the various festivals I've attended. The U.S. vs. John Lennon, Billy the Kid, and Nanking all wowed me in the past couple of years and were among my 5 Top Picks from Toronto 2006, SXSW 2007, and Tribeca 2007, respectively. At this year's SXSW Film Festival, Body of War, FrontRunners, andThe Wrecking Crew all impressed me so much that I had to split my Top Picks into three narratives and three docs.

Among the 50 films I saw at the just-completed Tribeca Film Festival were nine documentaries. There was also at least one "pseudo-doc," that is, a film which would appear to be a doc but is actually a fictional, scripted narrative. Of course, being listed in the festival's program guide under "narrative features" and not "documentaries" should be a tipoff to the viewer but folks are still fooled. For that reason, I won't reveal them here.

Of the nine documentaries I saw, two were World Premieres:

A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy (USA)
Squeezebox (USA)

The others were all International Premieres (first time seen outside their country of origin), North American Premieres, or New York Premieres. Those films were:

Warchild (USA)
Baghdad High (UK, Iraq)
Man on Wire (UK)
A Portrait of Diego: The Revolutionary Gaze (Mexico)
Old Man Bebo (Spain)
Head Wind (Iran)
Lou Reed's Berlin (USA)

Warchild went on to win the festival's Cadillac Audience Award. Director Carlos Carcas of Old Man Bebo won the jury award for Best New Documentary Filmmaker.

I'll be posting capsule reviews of these documentaries as I continue to post full-length reviews of my Top Picks from among the 38 narrative features I saw during the festival.

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May 08, 2008

Pics from "Speed Racer" World Premiere at Tribeca

On Saturday, May 3, I attended the World Premiere of Speed Racer at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. It's a nonstop thrill ride from opening title to closing credits.

Earlier, I posted my review.

Producer Joel Silver introduced the screening along with cast members Kick Gurry (Sparky), Christian Oliver (Snake Oiler), Paulie Litt (Spritle), John Goodman (Pops Racer), Susan Sarandon (Mom), Christina Ricci (Trixie), and Emile Hirsch (Speed Racer).

Click thumbnails to enlarge

(L to R) Cast members Kick Gurry, Christian Oliver, Paulie Litt, Producer Joel Silver, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Christina Ricci, and Emile Hirsch

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My review of "Speed Racer" at Tribeca Film Festival

The official Closing Night Gala of the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival was the World Premiere of Speed Racer, brothers Larry and Andy Wachowski's long-awaited big screen adaptation of the classic 60s cartoon. Directing from their own script, The Wachowski Brothers (as they are officially credited) have crafted a mind-numbing, stomach-turning experience which rivals those of the best theme parks in the world.

Emile Hirsch (Alpha Dog, Into the Wild) takes on the title role of the iconic bad boy behind the wheel. Speed Racer's life has been shaped by the legacy of his older brother Rex and the guiding hand of his parents (John Goodman and Susan Sarandon). Pops runs a racing business and it's the only life Speed has ever known. Following in his brother's footsteps, making a name for himself, and fighting corruption in the business all bring Speed to a final showdown which will turn the racing world upside down, literally. With girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), brother Spritle (Paulie Litt), and Spritle's trusted chimp Chim Chim by his side, he will cross paths with rival Racer X (Matthew Fox) and the diabolically twisted corporate mogul Royalton (Roger Allam) in ways he never imagined.

Shot almost entirely using green screen, the performers rarely saw the settings in which they were acting and often didn't even interact with the other actors in their own scenes. That's quite daunting and all are to be saluted for rising to the challenge.

Emile Hirsch is unsurpassed in all his work but almost seems out of place here. There is something jarring about a moving dramatic performance surrounded by cartoonish characters and settings. Still, the story, such as it is, would not be nearly as effective without his infusion of life into Speed. Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox likewise give it all they've got. Litt steals the show with every scene he's in and was an audience favorite -- the kids will absolutely adore him. Allam also surprises here, turning in a deliciously decadent Austin Powers-like performance which was perfectly in tune with the tone of the film. But the acting, however on point, is secondary to the action here.

Production values, lighting, cinematography, and other technical aspects are somewhat moot as the film is really a CGI-based animated adventure more than a filmed narrative. There is no lighting or camerawork to speak of, per se. The apparent look, however, is lush and vibrant with bright pre-school colors and virtually continuous motion.

Despite it's star-studded cast, Speed Racer might as well be an animated film which happens to have live people in the picture. But it is a nonstop thrill ride from opening title to closing credits. Rarely have I seen a film with such continuous action -- it literally leaves the viewer breathless at times. It's often difficult to follow that action, however, as it's mostly animated with such a rapid-fire pace and sense of relentless motion that the onscreen images simply become a blur. But it's a true family-oriented film that both adults and kids will enjoy, and not a bad way to spend two hours on a weekend afternoon. Just be careful driving out of the parking lot.

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May 07, 2008

My review of "Charly" at Tribeca Film Festival

Discovering sweet little gems is what makes film festivals so exciting to attend. Unfortunately, they are few and far between. Here, at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, I found one from France in Isild De Besco's Charly.

Nicolas is a listless, awkward 14-year-old whose life is a totally blank canvas. There's simply nothing there. After embarking on a journey to an island he's only seen on a postcard, he runs into Charly, a young woman who lives in a trailer, working at night and spending her days performing obsessive-compulsive homemaking rituals. The two forge a most unlikely friendship, although it takes quite some time for Nicolas to wake up from his stupor. When he finally smiles the audience breathes a sigh of relief -- yes, there is life after all.

Nicolas and Charly are not just at the heart of the film -- they are the film. It exists solely for the relationship between these two unlikely roommates and the ability of Kolia Litscher and Julie-Marie Parmentier to make them believable. One or both are onscreen from start to finish and very few characters appear at any other time. So it is theirs to make or break, and their performances feel so real it's hard to imagine that Charly is scripted at all.

That said, although the film is titled Charly, it would much more accurately be titled Nicolas, as it's ultimately the boy whose journey dominates the film from opening title to closing credits. Charly enters the film after the first act but, while she may brighten his life and give it a sense of purpose, it is Nicolas' coming-of-age which is truly the focus of the film and makes it so heartwarming. The film succeeds, more than anything, because Litscher's Nicolas is so innocent, vulnerable, and endearing. He is a joy to watch.

Cinematographer Jowan Le Besco uses available light almost exclusively along with organic sound. Handheld camera dominates with numerous closeups. The result is a cinema verite look that turns the viewer into more of a voyeur than moviegoer. Charly has the feel of a Gus Vant Sant film with its young, attractive characters, long takes with little or no dialogue, and copious use of tracking shots. It also felt a bit like Bertolucci's The Dreamers without the explicit sex and nudity, although there is a fleeting bit of that as well.

While it takes quite some time for the story to gel, and although we never know where it's going, we don't really care because their relationship is just so odd and tender. There is so little action onscreen but so much inside these characters which oozes out. Look up "sweet little film" in the dictionary and you just might see Charly as a definition.

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May 06, 2008

My review of "Boy A" at Tribeca Film Festival

Few films wowed audiences at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival as much as John Crowley's Boy A. Scripted by Mark O'Rowe from a Jonathan Trigell novel, Boy A is a story-driven mystery which is carried on the shoulders of newcomer Andrew Garfield, in a tour de force performance that dominates the film from opening title to closing credits.

Jack Burridge is leaving prison after a 14-year sentence for a crime he committed as a child. His mentor Terry has been working to gain his release and help him transition into the new world in which he'll live and work under a new identity. It's up to Jack to determine who he wants to be, but it's up to those around him to determine whether or not he will be allowed to do so. It's that challenge which is at the heart of Boy A.

Andrew Garfield (Doctor Who, Lions for Lambs) is frighteningly brilliant as Jack. It's his movie to make or break, and this role is sure to be singled out as the launching pad for what is destined to be a notable career. The viewer sees a sweet, sensitive, puppy dog of a young man while his secret past indicates something completely different. We wrestle with that concept as he does himself, and it's an emotional, moving piece of work. As his counselor Terry, Peter Mullan (Trainspotting, Children of Men) is the father figure who provides a foundation for Terry's wandering existence. His attempts to keep Jack alive and well are both heartening and heartbreaking.

Boy A is visually stunning. The interplay of light and shadow through the use of diffusion filters and silhouette gave me chills. The dramatic manipulation of white light is a seemingly simple device but cuts to the bone. Cinematographer Rob Hardy demonstrates true artistry with camerawork that is often a character in itself. A recurring visual theme using tunnels, alleyways, hallways, and bridges stands out even to the untrained eye. Paddy Cunneen's score makes it clear that this is, at its heart, a tale of intrigue.

Told in flashback, the secrets of Boy A are revealed in bits and pieces. The reality of who Jack is becomes more powerful and painful as the film progresses. Garfield is so charismatic, and his Jack so incredibly sympathetic, that this film easily rises to the top of those screened at this year's festival. John Crowley's Boy A is a master class in the art of filmmaking.

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My review of "Irish Twins" at Tribeca Film Festival

There are a number of shorts programs here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, and one, titled Cold Feet, was a standout mainly due to the stunning Irish Twins. Rider Strong (Cabin Fever, Borderland) and his brother Shiloh (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Mirror) wrote, directed, and star in this brilliant tale of familial loss and revenge.

Brothers Michael Sullivan (Rider) and Seamus Sullivan (Shiloh) are planted firmly on their barstools, contemplating what to do with their father's ashes and recounting past wrongs. "Irish Twins" is a generally pejorative term which refers to brothers born less than a year apart -- you do the math. How each brother views the label and to what extent they embrace it is at the heart of their fractured relationship. Told through flashbacks, the story takes shape slowly at first, winding up with a shocker ending that is totally unexpected.

The film clearly depends on the performances of the two young men and, as brothers in real life, it's obvious from the start that the Strongs are certainly up to the task. Irish Twins looks like a labor of love from the opening title to closing credits, with emotions that jump out of the screen and grab the viewer by the throat.

One of the the biggest surprises is that Irish Twins, if not for its short length, has the technical quality of a major motion picture. The widescreen format and cinematography are second to none. Stunning visuals wowed me from the start, with glowing neon and angelic white lights surrounding the lead characters. Watch for the long take in the first bar scene -- it took my breath away.

The smart script is filled with clever quips. Seamus' weak attempt at an Irish accent is described as more of an "autistic pirate" by brother Michael. The Strongs prove that actors can not only direct but they can write, too. Irish Twins is an auspicious directorial debut and calling card for Rider and Shiloh Strong which leaves the audience nodding their heads with appreciation for work well done.

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My review of "From Within" at Tribeca Film Festival

Imagine if the award-winning cinematographer of the 2007 epic 3:10 to Yuma decided to direct his own film. With over 40 titles under his belt, Phedon Papamichael is one of the industry's icons. Well, imagine no more. In the Brad Keene-penned From Within, which had its World Premiere here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, Papamichael takes his considerable expertise behind the camera and crafts an auspicious directorial debut in the Hitchcock tradition.

Something is amiss in Grovetown. The suicide in the opening scene triggers a mystery which will bring teenagers Lindsay (Elizabeth Rice) and Aiden (Thomas Dekker) together in a quest for the truth, both about the occurrences which plague the town as well as about themselves. To say much more would reveal spoilers -- a synopsis is posted at the Tribeca Film Festival website.

The performances of Thomas Dekker (Heroes, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and Elizabeth Rice (Mad Men) are at the heart of the movie and it's their believability which makes this film so emotional and poignant. Dekker's frightening gaze and enigmatic demeanor never lets up, in perfect contrast to Rice's innocence and vulnerability. Veteran Adam Goldberg (Roy), Rumer Willis (Natalie), and Kelly Blatz (Dylan) are also standouts.

From Within is technically brilliant. The use of single-point lighting and color palette of blues and grays in interior scenes are especially effective in enhancing the shadowy nature of the story, with sunset shots that would likely have been scuttled in a typical Hollywood movie. Here, the dim light works to the film's advantage. The sound effects, along with the Jason Cooper and Oliver Kraus score, also play a particularly distinct role here and are a major plus. As in any film of this genre, visual effects are key and they are top-notch. Most of all, though, the camerawork is simply breathtaking. Shot in widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the chilling locations and copious use of POV shots enhance the Hitchcockian feel of From Within -- no surprise given the director's background.

Although the film's first act leans toward horror, it soon becomes apparent that From Within is a story-driven psychological thriller more than anything and doesn't need to rely on blood and gore, although there's enough to please fans of the genre. The film's many twists and turns will hold audiences' interest right up to the closing credits. A creepy tale with a strong message about religious extremism and tolerance make From Within more than just another gorefest. From Within is a solid thriller with enough suspense to keep the viewer guessing until the end.

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May 05, 2008

Final Tribeca tally: 50 films seen by yours truly

Your intrepid film festival and indie reporter has emerged bleary-eyed but unscathed from the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Not all film festivals are created equal, and Tribeca is one where it helps to have significant lung capacity. There weren't many opportunities to come up for air and file reports as I'd been able to do elsewhere.

Santa Barbara was a blast and I was able to file reports each night with capsule reviews of all the films I'd seen that day. It's a much lighter schedule and all events were within walking distance of each other, with films starting late and ending early, allowing me to be in constant contact from my room just a five minute walk from the theater where most films were screened. At SXSW I wasn't able to post every day but the trip was a mere five days and I was able to write 16 reviews in the week following my return. But the Tribeca Film Festival is in a whole other league. I attended screenings from morning to night, literally, for close to two weeks with several hours of travel time each day. So, the bad news is, I was in the belly of the beast and unable to post (save for one review) over the past couple of weeks in New York. The good news is, I saw 50 films and am very excited to begin talking about them.

Over the next several days I hope to post as many capsule reviews as I can, choose my Top Picks, and write more extensive reviews or those films. Of course, as always, there will be some exciting pictures from the red carpet, intros to films, and Q&As which took place afterward. Stay tuned!

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April 26, 2008

My review of "Newcastle" at Tribeca Film Festival

Once in a while a film comes along which tries to be bold, daring, and provocative while still retaining enough "warm and fuzzy" to appeal to American audiences. The result is usually a self-indulgent train wreck that smacks of too many engineers in the locomotive. First time writer/director Dan Castle attempts it in Newcastle, and the result will leave audiences wide-eyed with amazement.

The setting is a section of Australia flanked by the sound of heavy industry on one side and the crash of some of the best waves in the world on the other. It is here that a complex family drama is played out, with three brothers caught in a struggle for individual freedom and respect from each other. Older brother Victor has seen his championship surfing days come and go, so it's no wonder he harbors some resentment towards his 17-year-old brother Jesse, on the rise to becoming a champion himself. Jesse's twin brother Fergus throws everyone for a loop with his ever-changing hair color and enigmatic personality. Dad tries to hold it all together but, like any working class parent, struggles to find the time to even be present enough to make a difference. An assortment of surfer guys and gals adds even more peer pressure, and what starts out as a beach outing becomes a defining moment for everyone.

That said, Newcastle is anything but a film about surfing. Yes, it was a requirement that the actors be able to surf, but most young Australians do anyway. So casting was not a problem. And it's this brilliant ensemble cast that makes the multi-layered narrative work so well. Themes of parental responsibility, sibling rivalry, and unspoken sexuality revolve around a gritty coming-of-age story which, ultimately, is really more about brotherly love than anything else.

The story's true focus is on the relationships among the young men, specifically the two younger brothers and their feelings towards each other, their parents, their mates, and their girls, or guys, as the case may be. It's always hard to single anyone out in an ensemble cast but this film touches the heart more than anything by the performances of Lachlan Buchanan and Xavier Samuel as Jesse and Fergus. Their relationship is both heartening and heartbreaking in turn, and it only works because the onscreen chemistry is so palpable. Their commanding presence says that these guys have a bright future in cinema. Reshad Strik is riveting as the tortured older brother and Shane Jacobson shines as the father who is the antithesis of the typical American movie's working class brute of a dad - this guy has the heart of an ox. Kirk Jenkins (Andy), Ben Milliken (Nathan), and Israel Cannan (Scotty) are the core of the surfer mates - Cannan provides much of the film's comic relief (and contributes several songs to the soundtrack). All add nuances and layers to their characters which surface when one least expects it.

Production values belie the film's modest budget, with the polished look of a Hollywood movie from the first to last breaking wave. The soundtrack is killer, an absolute requirement for any film featuring competitive sports. Most of all, though, the cinematography is breathtaking. Richard Michalak's shots of surfers riding the waves, with his camera looking up from the ocean floor, had me shaking my head with wonder. It was like nothing I'd ever seen. I avoid spoilers at any cost but I feel confident in saying that there are several scenes which will bring tears to your eyes. Newcastle sets a new standard for underwater photography.

Various elements in the film, taken individually, aren't necessarily anything we haven't seen before. But it's the way Castle integrates them and the lengths to which he is willing to take them which makes Newcastle so refreshing. There is some content which may be too uncomfortable for theatergoers who have issues with male nudity and sexuality. Some scenes will likely have young guys squirming in their seats. But that didn't happen here at the Tribeca Film Festival screening, and perhaps America has progressed to the point that we can appreciate a film which dares to be different.

With Newcastle, Dan Castle pushes the boundaries of the typical American coming-of-age slash sports competition film (in this case, surfing). Perhaps he can do it because it is not, in fact, an American film at all but hails from Australia. Perhaps he can get away with it because it wasn't churned out by a Hollywood studio and didn't have the hand of the usual producers and distributors whose financing would undoubtedly come with strings attached. Or perhaps it's just because he had a vision and the tenacity to surround himself with others who wouldn't compromise. In the end, nothing is as it seems at first glance. Newcastle is a totally unexpected film at a time when there are far too few.

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April 22, 2008

2008 Tribeca Film Festival gets underway

Just in case you're wondering why there's been a paucity of posts on this blog recently (I hope you've noticed), allow me to explain.

The 2008 Tribeca Film Festival officially kicks off tomorrow morning with a press conference hosted by festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, New York State Governor David Paterson, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and director/producer Doug Liman (Bourne Ultimatum). The day ends with red carpets and bright lights as the official Opening Night Film takes over the Ziegfeld Theater with Baby Mama, featuring the pairing of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Thursday begins 11 days of the best in world cinema, including a heavy dose of the American independent narrative films which are the focus of this blog. We can also expect to be treated with powerful documentaries and provocative foreign films, many of which have been Top Picks of previous festivals we've attended along with those indies.

Many more activities will take place both in and out of the spotlight, with a range of panels, parties, and special events on tap, as well as numerous media events which I've been invited to cover such as director roundtables and press conferences.

In previous years I've tried to attend and cover as much as I could, focusing on attending as many films as possible. This year will be no exception.

Which brings me back to the question posed at the outset. There have already been activities behind the scenes which have occupied a good deal of my time over the past couple of weeks, which should, hopefully, explain my absence from this blog as of late. It's not that I'm AWOL -- on the contrary. I have, in fact, seen 16 films in the last week alone as press screenings actually got underway over two weeks ago. It's been a sort of festival under wraps, as it were, with screenings of films that haven't yet premiered to the public for which reviews cannot be published yet. So...you're there and I'm here and my lips are sealed. Or my pen. Keyboard. Well, you get the idea.

I'm hoping to get a break enough to post some film recommendations, as I've seen some gems which are sure to be festival hits. Many public screenings are already sold out, although last minute "rush tickets" are usually available.

When I get a chance I'll post a bit more about how different my reporting will be this year as opposed to last, and especially from the last few festivals I attended this year during which I was able to post daily reports with capsule reviews of every film I saw. I won't be able to do that over the next couple of weeks but we'll figure out together what I can do. No matter what, it will be fun and exciting.

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April 15, 2008

"The Wackness" TEASER TRAILER

The Wackness, writer/director Jonathan Levine's followup to the highly anticipated (and still on the shelf) All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, will hit theaters on July 3. I caught a screening of the film last month during the SXSW Film Festival (although it was not officially part of it) and posted my review at the time.

Now we have the first official teaser trailer for The Wackness. Check it out. It's wack (sorry, couldn't resist).