Room 237

    I was anticipating this film and it certainly did not disappoint. Lucky enough to have the director, Rodney Ascher, introduce the film at the screening I attended, he started by saying "I hope you like The Shinning." and that's as true as it'll ever ring because if you kinda like it or really don't then you wont enjoy the film. Interviewing five people concerning their deeper thoughts and conclusions about Stanley Kubrick's The  Shinning Ascher manages to weave quite a report.
    Some are calling this film more of an essay than a documentary and I would agree but that doesn't at all diminish it's quality in execution and overall meditation on the film. We never see the interviewees but their theories on The Shinning range from denouncing the genocide of the Native Americans to Kubrick giving an apology for staging the fake footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In my opinion some seem to be stretching their conclusions about the film a bit much but what I thought would be the more far fetched of the bunch like Kubrick giving an apology for staging the moon landing footage aren't and seem rather plausible. It's amazing just how these people have dissected the film even going so far as to map out the entire set and provide shot by shot analysis of the film.
    Overall this film is further documentation on how amazing The Shining is and furthermore how it'll be rare we'll see a filmmaker like Stanley Kubrick in this industry ever again. Definitely worth your attention, Room 237 will hopefully allow Ascher the opportunity to make more films. I look forward to seeing them when he does.

Check it out where you can, here is the film's official screening schedule, or you can check it online on your iTunes or Amazon accounts. You can even inquire about setting up a screening of your own here.

Happy moviegoing folks!

Holy Motors: The Faculty of Film

With the Oscar's happening this Sunday and my disappointment that Holy Motors was not recognized at this gathering I feel it's about time I write about this glorious film.

It is, for me, a true love letter to the art of filmmaking. It allows the viewer to take a long ride with Monsieur Oscar, driving into many forms of cinema and the very act of honesty and authenticity in film today. All the while breaking every rule and paying due homage to all the wonder and magic that is film.

There are moments that require mentioning, because I feel like these attributed to why this film spoke to me in the fashion it did. There is a point where a man visits M. Oscar and says "it looks like you're getting tired...if your performance continues to disappoint, maybe you should stop..." Oscar replies he wont until he is dead..."it is the beauty of the act." How perfect is this? why tired? why would that matter? poor performance? why is this even contested? how can one even think to dispute the beauty of the act?

Another is when Oscar talks about the "machines" once being bigger than himself and now they're smaller than our heads.  It's mentioned more then once that "these machines" aren't wanted anymore as if to question why. The very performance of Denis Lavant is heart breaking because it's as if he represents pure truth in the act itself. Why he hasn't got extensive praise for his performance is beyond me and it just goes to show how rare acting like that is in today's cinema. As if to say most audiences today can't even comprehend such an ability.

The film itself begins in a theatre, whilst a child is present, as are the hounds as they prowl through the audience threatening to snatch them all. Overall this film captivated me, it ensnared my thoughts about film and filmmaking, and transfigured every notion I had about contemporary cinema's path. Forget ideas of narrative, because unfortunately our thoughts about it only condition us to assume it must be undeviating and straight as an arrow by today's standards. However remember your heart and open it up to the grandeur of the act.   Film is not dead my friends, it is only hiding, as if in a safe house, you just have to go find it.

Happy moviegoing folks!

Keep an Eye Out For: Room 237 pt. 3

Finally a US release date has happened. The film will be showing in select theaters March 29th 2013 my friends and if you're close to your iTunes, Xbox, or Amazon Instant accounts then I would check those venues out as well. Hope you all get a chance to see it and if you're in Los Angeles also check out the Kubrick retrospective at LACMA it's very fun.

Here is one more trailer for you...just to make sure you're listening:


Again it wont give away too much which is mounting my anticipation for this film. However fan of Kubrick or not, this will be a, sure to please, documentary about passion, insight and the power of observation, and subjectivity.

Happy movie going folks!

Keep an Eye Out For: Room 237 pt. 2

I have written about film Room 237 before....Stanley Kubrick genius mix with fan skepticism and lore......oh this shall be one to watch....oh yes it will. So now you really must keep an eye out for when this movie comes to a theatre near you because the trailer has just dropped. Just take a look...



It doesn't give much away and it shouldn't, but if this doesn't entice you to watch this flick, then I'm not sure what would. That disclaimer....HA! this shall be a site, that's for sure. There is said to be a release next year from IFC. Are you ready to return to Room 237? I know I am. Please keep an eye out and support some creative filmmaking. Happy moviegoing!

Managing to Amaze Beyond the Grave, a True Artist: Stanley Kubrick

/Film just posted this really amazing animated video of Kubrick's filmography (see below) and it reminded me of something I must recall. I only graduated about a month ago from a film production program.  And one day in my final course my teacher said to an innocent film student passer by and in the most mater of fact fashion "Hey! Do you want to watch one of the greatest movies ever made?" He was of course referring to Kurbrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey,  which we watched in one the purest of forms, 35mm, and with the volume up nice and high! Sure to say this made my entire day and I watched 2001 in the happiest mood I've ever screened it in. 

To honor such feeling only Kubrick can instill. I am posting this little beve of photos that were sent to me that I'd yet to figure out how to present, until now. These were taken in 1949, in Chicago, by Kurbrick on an assignment from Look Magazine. Marvel. Just Marvel. Here are just a select few:

 Full post is here. The assignment was called. "Chicago City of Contrasts." How this man amazes me and it isn't even from old thrills from his past flicks, but from shit I've never seen before. Just can't help but smile. Always a good day when Kubrick is involved.


Here's the video:

Stanley Kubrick - a filmography - from mwoutisseth on Vimeo.


Happy moviegoing folks!

Keep an Eye Out For: Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

A project that originated during my years in high school, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades is what I like to call a passion piece for me. It's a war drama, about a Soldier faced with life or death as a sharp shoot guns him down across the way. The question is raised, How do we consider the fate of someone based on their actions? And over and above that how do we deem someones actions right or wrong when in a situation of life or death? Do we condemn or acquit the behavior based on circumstance?

I'm posting to spread the good word and let all of you know we have a Kickstarter for helping to raise funds for the production. YOU CAN SEE IT HERE!

We're working really hard and we need as much of your support as possible. Help a great cause with an outstanding team! I'll be keeping a tally of our progress on the right sidebar until our goals are reached. Just got to get the widget up and running now! Fingers crossed and thanks to all who spread the word!

Happy moviegoing!

What the F***? Iranian Flmmaker Jafar Panahi is jailed for trying to make a movie.

I cannot even believe this. Is the world really still in the barbaric mode? It's the holiday's!

I was reading David Bordwell's blog yesterday and saw this: "One of the finest of Iranian filmmakers, has been sentenced to six years in prison." What???? I said aloud...just what? Filmmaker Jafar Panahi is apparently being imprisoned for preparing a film. The Iranian government believes that he's making an anti-government peice and even though he was filming in his home they seized all the footage and equipment and jailed him and his colleague Rasoulof. This is so sad to hear. Censorship is still alive an well folks and we should really do something about it!  Check out the full Bordwell post here!

R.I.P. Irvin Kershner

It is a sad day indeed. At 87 that man who was handpicked by George Lucas to direct The Empire Strikes Back has passed away. Take a moment and watch it if you can....thoughts to his loved ones. 

Observations on Film Art: One of the Best Film Blogs on the Net

I subscribe to a lot of blogs. Some photo, some journal, some funny, some film. One of my favorite film blogs, though it is written mainly by David Bordwell and Kristen Thompson, is David Bordwell's Observations on film art. These two glorious people were the folk that wrote Film Art: An Introduction, which was my intro to film bible in my first year of Cinema Studies. This morning I came to the newest post, written by Bordwell, named Seduced by structure, and the beginning read:


"If you’re hungry to learn about the ways films can tell stories, a festival provides a feast.  A huge array of narrative strategies is spread out for your delectation. You won’t like every movie you see, but thinking about the mechanics of each one can deepen your experience of it, as well as your appreciation for just how wide cinema’s resources can be. You also get to see how more unusual approaches to storytelling are often imaginative revisions of more traditional strategies." 


*sigh* Sometimes I miss writing papers and doing research. This minor portion of the full post is just so reminiscent of when my days were filled with film theories, discussions and all things wonderfully scholarly about film. I just hope that you have read the above and this has incited your imagination enough to click this link and understand just why David Bordwell's Observations on film art is a must see for any film lover. Definitely one of the happiest moviegoing blogs out there. Check it out here!


Happy moviegoing!

Check it out! Films From the South

On October 10th this year Film From the South, which is celebrating 20 years, is Northern Europe’s leading festival dedicated exclusively to film from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The Festival runs from 7-17 October, 2010. This year they will be honoring The World Cinema Foundation, which Martin Scorsese founded, with a World Premiere of 1931 film Limite by Mario Peixoto's with live accompaniment. They will also be honoring 12 of the World Cinema Foundation's restored film all at the same time! 

They festival's release states that:

Established by Martin Scorsese, the Foundation supports and encourages preservation efforts to save the worldwide patrimony of films, ensuring that they are preserved, seen and shared. Its goal is to defend the body and spirit of cinema in the belief that preserving works of the past can encourage future generations to treat film as a universal form of expression. 


How marvelous no? It's nice to see people around the globe supporting other national cinema's and above all the preservation of those cinemas and their masterpieces. 


Check out what Variety had to say!


If you're in Oslo, Norway. I say get your ass over to this festival pronto!


Happy moviegoing! 

For more information, press inquiries and hi res photos, contact:

In Norway: Alexis Matos, alexis@filmfrasor.no; +47.47.83.44.59

In U.S.: Gary Springer, gary@springerassociatespr.com; +1.212.354.4660

My Birthday Gift

Since it's coming out on July 9th. I'm considering it my birthday gift from the industry. 

Thank you!

Happy moviegoing!

There's been a lull...I know.

So crazy around here. But please stay tuned for some new posts coming soon!

Few Things of Note

So today, while I was compiling an extensive list of screenwriters for my boss, I came across some titles for the near future that I think are of note.

A. They're gonna make a Forest Gump 2, and they want to call it Gump & Co.
B. There is a movie out there called We Gotta Get Buscemi
C. A film is in the works based on the novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.

So firstly let us address A.... WHAT THE HELL?! Is the bulk of my reaction. Despite that it is written by the same screenwriter. Can anyone think this will be any good? Or comparable to the first for that matter. I wanna know how they plan on getting Tom Hanks to come back. I would also like to know how they're convincing someone to fork over cash for this. I would also like to know if they plan on getting Zemeckis. Too many question arise, but overall why? why oh why must you do such things?

Let's get away from this gray cloud and move onwards. B. We Gotta Get Buscemi. There isn't even a synopsis on IMDBPro. But for some reason I feel like this could be pretty stellar if the Buscemi they speak of is him name Steve who starred in classics like Reservoir Dogs, Ghost World and other wonders. So my hopes are set. Not high, but not low. Looks interesting nonetheless.

C. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. This book was purchased for me on accident and it turned out to be wonderful. I am excited to see the screenwriters are seasoned professional, who have worked on things like Dangerous Liaisons, and Atonement, to pictures like Gosford Park. Keep an eye out for this one folks!

Happy moivegoing!

Oh yes! How magic is this?

Tim Burton's TV spot for his exhibit at MOMA.

Look who's talking...Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters

/Film just reported about Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. Click here to see the post. Click here to see the post I did a while back about it. Looks like this thing is actually under way. I'm excited!

Happy moviegoing!

Mary and Max

This stuff just gets me going. I love it. From award winning director and writer of Harvey Krumpet, Adam Elliot, Mary and Max, tells the tale of two pen pals. Voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette, Mary and Max form an unlikely friendship from across the world. Max, a forty-four-year old, obese man, with Asperger Syndrome hailing from New York and Mary, an eight-year old living in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. The film is being praised for its "genuine celebration of the value of difference." It opened up the Sundance Film Festival. Being one of the only, if not the only, animation film to ever open the festival since it's beginning. I am super excited to see this and I don't think it can disappoint. Trailer is below. Enjoy! Happy moviegoing!

Metropia

Proof that the field of animation is the most exciting and innovative mediums out there today. This is beyond impressive and I can't wait to watch it.



Happy Moviegoing!

John Woo's Red Cliff

All I can say to this is, simply, Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters

Oh yes! You heard me correctly. Hansel and Gretel kicking witch ass. ImdbPro says this:

"Catching up with Hansel and Gretel 15 years after their incident involving a gingerbread house, the siblings have evolved into bounty hunters who hunt witches."

Paramount is backing this and Will Ferrel is listed as one of the producers. The director, Tommy Wirkola's, last film was about Nazi Zombies in the middle of a Student Ski Trip. Sounds like a good time to me.

So naturally I am kinda, really, excited about this. It'll most likely be an animated feature so there's lot running through my brain, resulting in just more excitement. Nonetheless this looks like this has the potential to be really awesome and I am intrigued to see how this goes. We'll see. Keep your eyes and ears open.

Happy moviegoing!

Lets just assess for a second....

Be excited. Be very excited...
Yes Jeff Bridges with a braid!
Yes Kevin Spacey is back!
OH YES PEOPLE!
OH YES!

This looks magic! Why I am only hearing about it now? Not sure, but I am glad I stumbled upon it nonetheless.

Happy moviegoing!