All Posts Tagged With: "Screenings"
Comments on Frownland
I sadly missed the Sunday night Cinematexas screening of Frownland, so I can’t offer my own thoughts. But Chale Nafus, director of programming here at the Austin Film Society, offers a strong and intriguing response.
I didn’t stay for the Q&A. I was so full of rage at having all these negative feelings toward a cinematic character dredged up from inside me that had I stayed, all I could have told the director was, “I have just one comment. GODDAMN YOU!” He couldn’t have possibly understood that this was the highest compliment I could pay him for making a film that made me feel so much, even if nothing but horrifying rage. Instead, I left the Alamo Ritz and rushed out to 6th Street, intent on smashing the first stranger’s face I saw as a ridiculous attempt at catharsis. I am not normally violent, but FROWNLAND turned me into a dangerous beast. If a movie could “adopt” a movie, then FIGHT CLUB would use FROWNLAND as a recruitment film, after which I would have signed up instantly. Read the rest>>
Billy the Kid Opens Today in NYC
I hadn’t really planned on posting about the opening of Billy the Kid, though I love the film, I had posted about it a lot. But Karina Longworth over at Spout offers a perceptive overview of the current state of things, and thus my post:
Coming at similar themes from different corners, assaulting New York audiences on the same day, Juno and Billy the Kid uncommonly and uncannily illustrate the industry’s current, massive split between art and commerce. In this climate, a servicable teen sex com like Juno can show up in September and, with corporate marketing budget in hand leapfrog over a years worth of comers to become, in the day before its release, an all-but-certain sure thing at the Oscars and at the box office. Meanwhile, a film like Billy the Kid, which in one fell swoop all but changes the game of real teen representation, works the circuit for nine months collecting accolades, misses out on a much-needed Oscar boost and is now–like any true indie in this market–relying on first weekend gross to shape its distribution future. If you’re in New York and can only see one film over the next days, I promise you–Juno isn’t going anywhere. Billy needs you more.
I’m not sure many people go see films because the film needs them so I’d add that Billy the Kid is a good movie. Believe me, there is no guarantee that just because a film comes out of Hollywood (or in Juno’s case Indiewood - Fox Searchlight Pictures), that it will be good. Why not take a chance on something else? You might like it.
Killer Vaginas
Bits & Pieces:
- Feminsim is being knocked back a few years, as Teeth gets set to open wide in early December. Yeah, that’s right, vaginas that bite off penises. What are the chances of a woman becoming president? Are they better is her vagina is capable of maiming? Ugh. And for some totally inexplicable reason, you have to download the 47 Mb trailer to watch it.
- If you are a member of Doculink, you should have moved yourself to the new Yahoo Group. It seems like a lot of folks haven’t migrated over yet and that stinks. Topica was annoying and it’s worth the effort to move.
- IFP New York has a special membership offer going. If you join by Nov. 30, you get a DVD of “Making Your First Feature,” in addition to Filmmaker magazine and access to screenings, networking meetings, classes, etc. Also, member or not, be sure to check out MoMA’s Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You this weekend, including one of my favorites, Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa.
King Corn Opens in NYC Today!
The review in the Movie section of the NY Times is pretty lame, but here is a well-written article in the Dining & Wine section. The film opens today in NYC at Cinema Village, and multiple cities after that, including Austin, Nov. 2. It’s a truly eye-opening look at American food.
Kurt Cobain About a Son at the IFC Center
About a Son Opens today in New York at the IFC Center and October 5 in LA at the Landmark Nuart.
I'm really looking forward to this one and was excited to see the trailer posted, but it looks like the ...
Thanks for the feedback Mark, I'll keep that in mind :) 
Wow, that does look great!
More video, Agnes! I love when you post cool stuff like this! 
Right on! I thought the exact same thing when I read the times article. I think its also ...