Review: "Skyfall"

Cross posted from the MoviePass blog:

In my closet, I proudly store several boxes of VHS tapes. Some are pro wrestling pay per views and tv shows and some are movies I watched repeatedly as a kid. Of course, VCR's don't replay the tape - they just rewind and shut down themselves. But, I would always make sure to pop the cassette back in, and watch again. "Singin' in the Rain", "Casablanca" and, of course, "Moonraker" make up the collection.

Yes, "Moonraker". And I type that proudly.

The idea of sending a popular character into space has been used in many criticisms of hack filmmakers, used when a franchise has reached its peak, and is running thin on gimmicks (cough "Jason X" cough). Yes, James Bond was shot into space. But is he out of gimmicks? No. Has he reached his peak? Some of his friends and foes seem to think so.

In his latest adventure "Skyfall", Daniel Craig's Bond kicks things off with an exhilarating chase, then getting shot off a train. He reappears in M's house, classically in the shadows. When she turns the light on, he is weathered as hell; unshaven and weak. He struggles to get back into agent mode - at one point leading to the accidental death of a henchman - and is asked, at every turn, if he has "lost a step". We might be 3 movies in, but this new series has now acknowledged its own staying power.

I read somewhere that you can judge a Bond film on the strength of the villain. Javier Bardem's Silva is strong and creepy. Really creepy. Characters speak of him with a sense of fear. When we are finally introduced to him, the camera stays in one place, making Silva slowly walk to us. It's as if the lens is afraid to get too close.

I also have heard that Bond stories are best when completely ridiculous, jet packs and space ships included. "Skyfall" has action, but it's all pretty practical. "Skyfall" has style, but it's not overdone. This movie might be the most mature and level headed spy flick I've ever seen. Sure, it's fun when our hero fights a mad scientist with plans to blow up the planet, or uses an Adam West style weapon (shark repellant) to get out of a sticky situation, but that stuff is for the kids.

I just recently bought a blu ray player. It sits on top of my VCR. My videos stay in my closet, collecting dust and waiting to be recycled. Sometimes, you have to move forward and realize you've grown up. Sometimes, you prefer a traditional tracking radio to a high tech pair of glasses with GPS and spring loaded tranquilizer darts. Sometimes, you want more "Skyfall" and less "Moonraker". There is something bittersweet about being an adult...       

4/5 *'s

Review: "Cloud Atlas"

Cross posted from MoviePass:

During the AMC Theatres presentation of "The Dark Knight Trilogy", my friends and I took a quick trip to the nearest gas station, as my head was killing me and I needed some tylenol. In the car, one of them asked a pretty random question, regarding my relationship with god. I could've made a joke about him getting ready to kidnap us, but I decided to answer honestly; "I'm not christian, I'm just Bill."

Who are we, where are we going and what is the point of it all? Boiled down, my belief (I prefer idea) is that we have barely scratched the surface with understanding THIS reality - how can we possibly understand OTHER ones? Honestly, I feel more comfortable explaining myself in movie form. If you care to, check out "Groundhog Day", "Defending Your Life" and, now playing across the country, "Cloud Atlas".

Not sure about watching that last one? Think of it as "Magnolia" - one large story made up of multiple tales - but on an epic scale. Think of it as several different movies (a comedy, a sci fi thriller, a period piece, a drama, etc) told forward and sideways, bleeding into one another and making one massive film. Think of it as having the ambition of a D.W. Griffith or Abel Gance picture. Think of it as maybe...well, having to think afterwards. You still want to shell out money for that Rob Cohen "movie"?

It's amazing to me that such a chance could be taken on such an incredible story. Hollywood didn't have much faith in it, so the filmmakers had to go and raise the funds themselves! Making a movie in this manner, based on a book deemed unfilmmable, is either a sign of madness or courage. Perhaps both.

Some of the madness does show up on screen. We see Hugh Grant in warrior paint as some future scape headhunter, Tom Hanks as a bald British gangster/author and an Asian Hugo Weaving. At some point during production, I bet hesitation was felt by the producers.

But, all of the courage shows up as well. We get a wonderfully heartbreaking romance between two young men, a woman in the role of a messiah, a new language spoken, a lengthy duration and, most important, questions planted into the minds of the audience. At some point during production, I bet a sense of pride was felt by the crew.

Some people are dubbing this as some kind of a bomb, having cost so much, and making so little thus far. Some people are dubbing this as pretentious rubbish, and the worst thing everyone involved could've been part of. I will respond with one quote from the film:

When told that there is an order to the world, and that any attempts to shake it would just be a drop in an ocean, a character responds "What is an ocean but a multitude of drops?" This was probably made knowing that it wouldn't make much money, and with the hope that it will give pause to people who watch it.

The friend who asked me about god is an atheist. I'm still just Bill. To me, the universe is one long movie, made up of smaller storylines, leading to one big finish. It might not be presented in the most consumable of ways, it might shift in tone and it might be ridiculous at times, but trust me; it's all important, and it'll all make sense in the end.

5/5 *'s

@NOFS Review: "Herman's House"

Cross posted from MoviePass:

A good friend of mine and I have had many a late night discussion about scripts involving characters in prison. This is mostly because of our deviant interest in HBO's OZ and our willingness to write characters who live tortured lives. The one thing that always comes up in our talks is the idea of redemption. Is it possible for an ex con to live a normal life in public AND be accepted by others?

Usually, there is a stigma attached to former prisoners (especially sexual offenders) that prevents them from gaining employment, making friends and even enjoying their freedom. And, in some cases, they go right back behind bars because of a community's inability to let them move on. Can any one prisoner - current or former - change people's minds?

Artist Jackie Sumell began a pen pal kind of relationship with Herman Wallace, an inmate at Angola Prison in Louisiana, after learning about his solitary confinement. A 30 some odd YEAR solitary confinement. For a crime he and others say he didn't do. In an effort to help spread the word about his plight - and to help him mentally/emotionally - she asked him "What kind of house does a man who has lived in a six-foot-by-nine-foot cell for over 30 years dream of?”. Thus began an intriguing art installation setup, and a noble community home project.

"Herman's House" is wonderful in how it paints its central figure, Herman, without ever showing his face. He is heard through phone conversations and seen in old, faded pictures. You would think that a documentary crew would be granted some one on one time with this man... But this only further illustrates not only how cut off Herman is from society, but how he perseveres despite this lack of contact.

Mr. Wallace is extremely articulate, compassionate and inspiring. A young former inmate beams with energy when talking about meeting this man, and how he changed his life. A fellow black panther gladly represents him on the outside. And a lawyer is stunned when Herman offers evidence for a case he is working on; one that would cause Herman's family much grief. When asked why he would be willing to do this against the wishes of his kin, he said "Because it's the right thing to do."

Much of the movie involves Jackie and her efforts to make Herman's House a real home for local NOLA children a reality. She faces roadblock after roadblock, much to the detriment of her own well being. However, she doesn't see it that way. She may be in debt, making little to no money and have a lack of support for this campaign, but she moves on anyways. She believes in Herman, and will continue to fight for him "because it's the right thing to do".

For one man to be such a beacon of inspiration while living under horrendous conditions is amazing. In my opinion, people like Herman Wallace - reformed ex cons, social workers, activist parents - ought to be in the spotlight more often. THEY are fighting the battles that REALLY matter. Sure, they may not be on tv, throwing out zingers at political opponents, but that's only because it would be a waste of time. They are leading strikes, forming community projects and changing minds. Because it is the right thing to do. I'd be willing to bet that most regular people would agree.

4/5 *'s

"Herman's House" will be screening at this years New Orleans Film Festival on October 14th and 15th (filmmaker in attendance on the 14th). Get your tickets here.

@NOFS Review: "True Family"

Cross posted from the MoviePass blog:

When you think of New Orleans, what comes to mind? Food for some. Hurricanes for others. Movies for me. And, of course, no thought about the city should be without the most obvious answer - music. You don't even have to leave your stoop to hear a juicy tune playing. Without that element, this city wouldn't be as alive as it is.

And which performer best represents this?

Meschiya Lake is a sort of revivalist style jazz singer, belting out wonderful notes on street corners for tourists and city dwellers alike. She has a background in circus acts, a plethora of tattoos and looks/sounds dynamite. She bikes around town, joyfully training her voice for the next song. She is strong, fun and very talented. Alive is the perfect word to describe her.

Before watching "True Family", I had never heard of Meschiya (I ought to be shot). I knew of bands like Tuba Skinny (who were nice enough to let me use their music for my #TeamNOLAFilm podcast), but that was about it. Knowing what I know now, I'm hit with a wave of sadness that there was a whole musical community in the area that I was unaware of - This was followed by absolute happiness when I discovered her album on Spotify. But what really impresses me here is how, through this singer, we are given a novel glimpse of a thriving young creative crew.

You see, this is really more a profile on an artistic circle - one that works with one another. Musicians help each other out, floating from band to band, getting the word out and improving the culture. Others like dancers and designers get in on the act, contributing their talents not so much for the money (the little that is available), but for the joy of expression. This look at the New Orleans music culture makes my heart flutter. 

Recently, there was a tiny spat that spilled onto social networks between two local film organizations, with one accusing the other of monopolizing venues. Ironically, both groups encourage teamwork from everyone involved in the movie community, from directors to critics. Can we call the NOLA film community a true family? Well, sometimes families do argue...

3/5 *'s

"True Family" will be showing at this years New Orleans Film Festival on October 15th. Buy your tickets here.

@NOFS Review: "Dead Man's Burden"

Cross posted from MoviePass:

For most of New Orleans, Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" will be THE western film event of the year. While I don't doubt that it will be an event, to call it a western is way too simple. I think it's obvious that Tarantino's works - especially since "Kill Bill" - have been beyond traditional notions of genre, and fit more under the term remix. I will most certainly be in line for that movie, but what flick should local (or any) western fans catch? What would I pick as a must see?

I would not only recommend "Dead Man's Burden" - which will be playing at this years New Orleans Film Festival - as a great western, but also as one of the best films of 2012. I'm not sure where it would be ranked exactly, but I would bet it'd be in my top 5.

The story is about a young married couple. The wife has just buried her father, and is ready to sell the land she lives on to an opportunistic mining company rep. Just before finishing business, her long thought dead brother shows up, wanting to catch up on time lost. Secrets are unearthed, justice is had and bonds dissolve. A real American tragedy unfolds.

There were two scenes in this movie that represent for me why this was extraordinary. In the first example, the mining company rep appears as the only person in the shot. No score, just the man. Suddenly, the brother moves from into the shot, and the score kicks in. I paused this moment and recorded the timecode - 00:49:50. While this bit might seem too silly (and maybe lame) as an example of a movie's great attributes, I assure you it is THAT GOOD, and just ONE OF MANY similar shots/edits. It's wonderful how a modern first time feature filmmaker has a knowledge and execution mastery of such filmmaking techniques. Too often will I see independent films that are just the screenplay on camera. Use ALL THE TOOLS at your disposal, and you will amaze!

The second example shows the level of tension. In the scene, the wife, husband and mining company rep are about to enjoy a drink and make their deal official. Before a drink could be enjoyed, the brother comes into the room, and drops a bullet into the reps drink. While he doesn't say it, we know - and the characters know - that he dug it out of his father's corpse(!). The mood is thick here. This is western storytelling at it's most hardcore. Emotions run as high as the heat in New Mexico...

"Django Unchained" comes out just before the year ends, but "Dead Man's Burden" is already making the festival rounds. The jury is still out on Tarantino's latest, but Director Jared Moshe's first is an expertly crafted cut of cinema. It is what I would pick as a must see.

5/5 *'s

@NOFS Review: "Now, Forager"

Cross posted from MoviePass:

There is a scene in the independent film “Now, Forager” that deserved not only some more time, but its own movie. It features a meeting of sorts between one of our protagonists and two Eastern European men. The two foreigners rob our main character with a machete and some vague dialogue. The loot? A bundle of mushrooms.

Yes, you read that correctly – this is a movie that has mushroom bandits in it. Well, briefly has them in it, as they are only on screen for a few minutes, and never return. Had those two thieves been in this more, my enjoyment would’ve been greater.

We follow Lucien and Regina, a married couple who live off of selling exotic mushrooms they find in the wilderness. They sell these items to New York restaurants, but barely make enough income to put gas in their car. Lucien would rather continue what they are doing, as it makes him happy, but Regina wants more stability; she wants to make cooking a career. Their individual passions lead both of them on different paths, which will ultimately test the strength of their relationship.

It’s hard to pick a side with this couple. You got Lucien, who is easily annoyed by people and is deliciously passive aggressive – scenes between him and an upperclass woman write themselves – and Regina, who is warm and a bit naive. I suppose both have personalities to agree with, but in the end, they are too idealistic to last with each other, and with others – namely the audience.

Now, I’m not saying that the main characters are unlikable, but I am saying that there isn’t much to like. They’re smart and their job is interesting, but that’s about it. The majority of the story, they talk about food and mumble about their relationship. This would’ve worked much better as a short.

Wouldn’t a sequel starring the mushroom bandits be amazing? Two thieves who’ve decided to ONLY rob mushroom foragers; something interesting has GOT to be found in that somewhere. Well, as long as they don’t spend their screen time wasting my time.

2/5 *'s

You can follow the movie @NowForager and catch a screening of it at the New Orleans Film Festival on October 13th and again on the 18th. Get your tickets here and follow @NOFS for more festival info.

Review: "Looper"

What I'm about to describe is one of the creepiest scenes I've witnessed at the movies this year:

In order to bring a man from the future out of hiding, a mafia syndicate captures his present self, and slowly tortures him. First, a message appears carved into the future man's arm, telling him to meet at a specific place and time. Then, fingers go missing. Soon, his tongue is gone. His feet next. Eventually, he is crawling to the location, where he is then executed. The present self is on a hospital bed, with blood everywhere.

For me, it isn't the fact that the future self wasted away in moments that I find frightening; it's that the present self must still live his life - dismembered and broken - for these events to happen.

Time travel as a weapon. Did you really think we'd use it for anything else?

"Looper" may not officially be a horror film, but it features some scary sequences and themes, as good sci fi should. It is mostly set in 2042 Kansas, where it appears that gangland violence and poverty have only gotten worse - at least we finally get hovering motorcycles. We follow Joe, a gangster known as a looper; someone who eliminates targets sent from the mob of the future, to his present. When his newest target - his future self - escapes, Joe gets in trouble with his boss, and must hunt himself to make things right. But, is it as simple as that?

With time travel, nothing is "simple". You see, there's the "12 Monkeys" (time cannot be changed) way of presenting time travel, and the "Back to the Future" (time can be changed, and multiple possibilities exist) method. "Looper" kind of has a variation closer to - believe it or not - "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure". In that movie, characters will tell themselves to go back in time and grab an object, and BOOM - the object appears in their hand, negating the need to go back in time. While that scenario doesn't play out in our story, similar paradoxical situations are offered. If you're not careful, your egg could fry like a brain.

The arc(s) of Joe (both of them) and how it is presented may be the best aspect of the story. There's a beautiful symmetry of personality happening here, as the two versions of the same man occupy the same space and time, and a wonderful irony when we see how the conflicts change both the present and future selves. A nomination for best screenplay is not out of the question, I say. 

If given the opportunity, would you kill child Hitler in order to prevent atrocities? What if you fail, and end up being the reason for the creation of the monster you tried to destroy? Could you live with that? Could you stop that? Can the chain be broken and the loop cut? I thought about this on the ride home after the screening.

It's chaotic, it's dark, and it's what I want out of sci fi. Characters are forced to make impossible choices in an almost impossible to grasp universe. The consequences of these choices reverberate backwards and forwards in time. Through such a nightmarish landscape, errors will be corrected and humanity will be revealed.

Great story, great acting, great effects, really great music and a perfect atmosphere make for one of the best films of the year. Go see it; your future self will thank you.

5/5 *'s

Review: "0s & 1s"

Cross posted from InvadeNOLA and MoviePass:

When I was making the transition from elementary to middle school, my family had just gotten AOL - which, at the time, was a major IP. Before this, we had only used the computer as a video game system and word processor. Now, we can chat with users in other countries!  Incredible!

Almost two decades later, the technology has improved; from dial up to DSL, from by the minute to by the month, from chat room to social network, and from computer to phone/tablet/tv. Everyone is now reachable at just the click of a button. Any button.

But, almost two decades later, has the technology improved or worsened our social skills? Is so much access overkill?

James Pongo is about to learn something about himself. He enjoys a wired lifestyle that allows him to stay connected to old friends and keep enough physical distance from the ones he dislikes. But, when his laptop goes missing, James is forced to *gasp* confront people in an effort to get back his all important tool.

"0s & 1s" is the story not only of a generation, but of where we are at right now. There is a relatable anxiety going on here. I'll admit that it's easier for me to send an email or a tweet than to meet the actual person in a real world setting. There is something now uncomfortable and almost unfamiliar about communicating face to face. Whenever I leave the house, I hook my phone on my holster (yes, a holster). When I get home, I check my inbox, my facebook newsfeed and my twitter stream. I keep my browser up for days on end. I'm so attentive to all of this, I even get annoyed when an email isn't responded to quickly enough. Social etiquette? Is that a thing?

The film doesn't just express this problem through the story itself, but through the visuals as well. When the movie begins, and James wakes, a computer boots up, and a desktop appears. His real life is then represented by various digital components - chat room conversations, social network profiles, video games, DVR platforms, texting, viruses, etc. Screens and windows are everywhere. It's so oversaturated, but oh so familiar and comfortable. This IS where we are at.

During Hurricane Isaac, we lost power for two days. I used up my macbook and mp3 player battery power pretty fast. I was almost lost without my online self. But, at my low point, I reached up and picked a book. Then, I opened it, and read a few chapters. I may have lost one connection, but I still had another one; a more important one. But man, was I glad when the lights on my router came back on.

5/5 *'s

>>>> This film will be making its New Orleans debut on Sept. 27th at The Alamo Underground... but only if we can secure at least 10 tickets. Go to Local Screen right now and make this happen!

Review: "Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then"

I've never read Don Quixote. A downloaded version of the classic sits inside a folder in my computer, but I have yet to double click on the icon; I just keep putting it off. Of course, I've already spoiled the story for myself thanks to wikipedia, but still... What am I waiting for? Why do I leave it there?

Maybe I ought to delete it.

When Leonard Woods' wife Mary became ill, he began to build her a house. Not just for them to live in, but to serve as a healing machine for her. Oblong shapes, numbered stairs, unconventional ceiling heights and floor levels would, in his mind, be the cure; a way to reach the heavens and invoke a miracle. She died despite this. And he continued to build, despite that.

Does prayer work? "Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then" really made me ask that question seriously. I was raised Roman Catholic, but was always told by my parents that there were other possibilities out there. At this moment, I don't follow any religion, and subscribe more to Arthur C. Clarke than King James.

When I was in therapy for OCD, I was told that positive thinking could help me in getting through certain anxiety ridden scenarios. I now look at the act of prayer as a form of this. And, while thinking positively did indeed help, I realize now that I was in control. Why should I have to communicate to someone I've never met or seen when I can just accomplish what I need to myself? Talk about tilting at windmills. 

Maybe I ought to read the damn thing already.

Through this hopelessly romantic tale, director Brent Green is put in the duel role of both director and narrator/viewer. He ponders about religion, blind faith and even the nature of pondering. His voice goes from steady to uneasy. His thoughts go from his own to those of Leonard. His own philosophy - how he interprets the real life story the movie is based on and how he relates with Leonard despite their differing beliefs - is actually the second story here. And, in a way, the attempt at understanding how a house can cure someone is just as silly as, well, building a house that can cure someone. Talk about tilting at windmills.

This film acts as a loving, essayic, musical poem. The stop motion live action evokes both the feel of a silent movie and of an alternate world, an alternate mindset. The music, performed live and in front of the screen, provides such wonderful emotion - it may be the best score to any movie you'll see this year. These elements combined make up one of the most imaginative and moving performances I've ever seen in a motion picture.

The main characters' actions may be both futile and foolish, but they are also admirable and beautiful; can you say that you loved someone as much as Leonard loved his wife? Can you say you have been so fascinated by a person as Brent Green is by Leonard?

In the end, I guess practicing and trying to understand religion are both just quixotic acts. The director even states, "Our nets are just not big enough" to comprehend it all. I think I relate more to Sancho Panza than Quixote himself. I'm the guy that acknowledges the reality, but will ride along with the person who sees only the fantasy. Does that make me more foolish? Maybe I should read the book this weekend.

5/5 *'s

Solo Thoughts Episode 4

Yes, I liked "Clerks 2". Yes, I liked "Synecdoche, New York". And yes, I survived Hurricane Isaac. Hear me talk about all three!

Review: "Land of Opportunity"

My Aunt Earline was one of the many New Orleanians to have their homes damaged by the floods during Katrina. I have lots of fond childhood memories of the bar in the downstairs room, the piano that was rarely used, the Charles Chips tins that littered the floor and the ecosystem that was the backyard pool.

The water ruined family pictures, home movies, furniture, etc. The home still stood - what was left, anyways.

"Land of Opportunity" starts from this point - the damage after the storm - and moves forward about 5 years. The politicians and pundits have had their say for long enough, but what about those on the ground, affected and dealing directly with the recovery? LOP is most concerned with them. This is no Michael Moore documentary, where the narrator is the central character - community activists, engineers, students, homeowners and undocumented workers are front and center here. And really, that's how it should be for this story.  

Land of Opportunity - Trailer from Land of Opportunity on Vimeo.

Of most interest to me was the fight for the right of displaced residents to return to their homes. Lead by concerned citizens like the great Sharon Jasper, I saw the beginnings of what would become the #Occupy movement. Told that the St. Bernard projects would be torn down to make way for a new neighborhood design, Sharon and other protesters broke down the barriers and literally took back their homes! The engineer tasked with changing the area up even agreed that the buildings could and ought to be reused. It really shows how ass backwards some officials are, when they pick difficult/costly over simpler/effective.

The buildings are eventually taken down. A sign reading "Housing is a human right" marks a fence while a wall is demolished in the background. After visiting a neighborhood in the Atlanta area that's being used as a template for the new construction, Sharon appears to like what she sees. But, she makes it clear that as long as displaced residents are held back from returning, she will keep fighting. I love her.

The movie tries to be a bit optimistic about the future; even Barack Obama (then Senator) shows up to discuss what he would do, and how enthusiastic he was about doing it. But, if anything is highlighted here, it's the snails pace of change. Why is it taking so long to recover when able bodied men and women are ready to help? The key word here is F R U S T R A T I N G.

My Aunt was able to return to her home, thanks to the generosity of the community. People came together, and donated their time and money to help her out. Sure, she lost the swamp like pool in the backyard, but at least there is a backyard to enjoy. The home is livable again, thanks to her neighbors.

There are people that love this city, and are willing to do what they can to restore and reform it. Why hold them back? Why not let them at it?

I linked to the films' website above. Currently, they are creating an interactive web player that will help viewers take the plunge and learn more. If you can, show your support by either donating or spreading the word!

4/5 *'s

Top 10 Movies of ALL TIME (that I've seen)

In the latest episode of the #TeamNOLAFilm podcast, we discussed the recent change to the Sight & Sound Best Movies list, where "Citizen Kane" got bumped from number 1 by "Vertigo" - skip to 26:20:
During the discussion, we revealed our thoughts for best/favorite films ever. And, just a day or so ago, Sound on Sight asked its staff (including myself) to come up with individual Top 10 lists to be tallied for a comprehensive site list (coming soon).

So, with these two incidents happening side by side, I decided to just go ahead and post my slightly thought out and relatively pointless list of...

The 10 Best Movies of ALL TIME (that I've seen)!

1.(tie) "Apocalypse Now" and  Orson Welles' "The Trial"
- Yes, maybe it's a cop out coming up with a tie decision for the number 1 slot, but it is what it is. One may be the greatest war film made and the other may be the most absurd/hilarious comedy to be a depressing headache. Seek out both, and you will be automatically better for it.

3. Buster Keaton's "The General"
- Considering how far special effects and stunt work have come, this is truly amazing to watch. Back then, you had to do it FOR REAL. See where Jackie Chan draws his inspiration from.

4. "Once Upon a Time in America"
- You think Sergio Leone was only about the western? Pfft. If "The Godfather" is about family, then this is about memory, regret and friendship. Could've easily been at the top.

5. The Original "King Kong"
- One of the few movies to make me choked up in the end. You really end up caring about poor Kong. Another special effects wonder.

6. The Original "Metropolis"
- Not only has a wonderful message, but is dazzling and quite epic. It's a miracle that most of the missing scenes were found.

7. David Lynch's "Inland Empire"
- Lynch comes full circle from where he started with "Eraserhead". A 3 hour unofficial reinvention of "Alice in Wonderland", I like to think.

8. Abel Gance's "Napoleon"
- The only film on this list that I've NEVER FULLY SEEN. I read the book on the making of it, and knew it was among the best. Check out my earlier post on my optimism about its BluRay/DVD release.

9. "F for Fake"
- What? Another Orson Welles pick? Indeed. His final work (until "The Other Side of the Wind gets completed) is years ahead of its time. You can see where Oliver Stone got some of his techniques for "Natural Born Killers" (which almost made this list).

10. "Roman Holiday"
- I used to have a big crush on Audrey Hepburn, so I had to put this one on here. I love it when romantic comedies don't pick the easy way out, and go for bittersweet instead.

This is NOT meant to be permanent by any means, and even if it was, does it really matter? After all, these lists are really just meant to encourage discussion... So, with that in mind, please leave a comment!

Review: "YERT"

At this moment (of writing), I am drinking some sugar free mix out of a used Powerade bottle. Normally, I would just dump the bottle into the recycling can and wait until the 2nd or 4th Saturday of the month to bring it to the local recycling center. But tonight, I have cut out the middle man and recycled something myself.

"YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip" features three individuals who put shame to my Earth saving attempt. See, they spent a year on the road, going through all 50 states of this country, documenting people and organizations dedicated to ecological progress and anything/everything green. Along the way, they cut down on their personal trash, gauged electricity use and lived out of a hybrid - man do I feel lazy.

The trio's road trip is very enlightening, and at times emotional. At one point, they visit a man who has lost his family and friends due to his unwillingness to allow coal companies to work on his land. If they were to do so, the results would be quite drastic; removal of soil that prevents forests from coming back, black drinking water, cancer and other illnesses for residents, etc. The C in coal stands for "clean"? Doesn't look like it. For this man to continue living on his land is a last stand and a statement that far too FEW of us are making.

But, luckily, there are MANY in this country that are showing us a future worth fighting for. Like the guy who makes products out of trash. Or the company that builds Earth Ships - life supporting, carbon zero housing. How about the Solar Roadways project, that looks to change the electrical grid by making roads that collect solar energy? And community currencies like Berk Shares and Ithaca Hours?  These are but a few of the exciting things going on RIGHT NOW in America. "YERT" is at its best when covering these little known gems.

So, should I feel bad that I've only contributed little while this trio has done and exposed so much? Probably not. "YERT" is not looking to shame you, but rather to inspire you. If that inspiration leads you to reusing plastic bottles, wasting less water or riding your bike more often, then all the better. No need to become a hippie overnight. Now, with your permission, I'd like to finish my drink.

4/5 *'s

Bonus Talk on #TDKTrilogy

Sometimes, when editing, you have to leave out some good parts. The second episode of MovieBoozer's The Big Pitcher was cut from 50 minutes to around 20 minutes. For those interested in hearing some more of the Batman conversation with OogieRah, enjoy these excised moments:

Solo Thoughts Episode 3

Watched "Batman Forever" and "Iron Sky" yesterday. Didn't care for either of them.

Review: "The Unspeakable Act"

Earlier this year, I was asked to watch "Mirror Mirror". There was a scene in that movie where Armie Hammer's character is given a puppy love potion, which turns him into a devoted and even obsessive love slave for the queen. When separated from her, all he does is cry and demand to be near her again. Snow White is able to break the spell with a kiss, and all becomes well again.

Jackie Kimball's situation involves no potions, but she is certainly under a spell. In "The Unspeakable Act", we witness a very difficult period of time for her. See, she's in love with her brother Matthew. Now, he doesn't share her feelings, but remains close to her anyways. Most family members would probably be uncomfortable with this knowledge, but Matthew seems to understand that it's all rather harmless.

She meets his girlfriend with a smile and a friendly conversation, but dismisses her as soon as Matthew breaks the relationship off. She sometimes smokes, but when Matthew recommends they quit, she obeys immediately (though she does smoke a little pot later). She accepts answers and advice from him with little to no counter. She even picks his college as her first choice for higher education.

Now, this dependence is a bit unhealthy, but is it really any different than most first love's for teenage girls? The belief that the first love is the only love, that you can't live without the other, etc. She even glows in certain scenes when with her brother. When her therapist asks Jackie is she shares similar feelings for her other brother, she dismisses that idea as disgusting. In her mind, Matthew is more of a lifelong friend than a sibling.

These therapy sessions may provide some answers as to why she acts the way she does, but the movie isn't really concerned with this, and neither am I; WHO is Jackie is more important than WHY is Jackie. She is a very powerful character with a personality that is both naive and wise; always analyzing herself and others, but still stubbornly holding on to her own hangup. She's my favorite teenage girl in a movie since the lead in "Juno".

In the end, this is no fairy tale; a kiss won't break the magic that possesses her. This case of puppy love may never quite be understood (even by her) or even something that she fully gets over - who forgets their first love? - but I have a feeling that she'll be ok. There are lots of fish in the sea, and lots of seas in the world; once she moves out, she'll understand.

4/5 *'s

Review: "Southland Tales"

[The original script] was more about making fun of Hollywood. But now it's about, I hope, creating a piece of science fiction that's about a really important problem we're facing, about civil liberties and homeland security and needing to sustain both those things and balance them.

a tapestry of ideas all related to some of the biggest issues that I think we're facing right now . . . alternative fuel or the increasing obsession with celebrity and how celebrity now intertwines with politics.

[Southland Tales] will only be a musical in a post-modern sense of the word in that it is a hybrid of several genres. There will be some dancing and singing, but it will be incorporated into the story in very logical scenarios as well as fantasy dream environments.

                                                                                               - Richard Kelly

The director of "Donnie Darko" certainly can't be called someone with a lack of vision. But, what exactly are his eyes trained on? And, is he seeing the world through a kaleidoscope?

Southland Tales (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I first read the synopsis for "Southland Tales", I got really excited with what could've potentially been the best comedy since "Dr. Strangelove". Basically, the epicenter of the end of days is Hollywood and our hero is an amnesiac action star trying to get a screenplay that he co wrote with a porn star made. This could've been SO much fun.

Instead, what I (and the studio) got was the equivalent of witnessing a first year film student burning money in a trashcan for over 2 hours.

I should note that even though I own this movie on DVD, I am not re watching it for this review. Instead, I'll be going on memory - sad, frustrated, disappointed memory:

A few years after a nuclear attack on Texas, the U.S. has become a full blown police state, keeping it's citizens under constant surveillance. Yet, this invasion of privacy is unable to track the most famous movie star in the world (who walks around in broad daylight), who has been shacked up with a porn star, who has ties with an underground organization bent on overthrowing the government, who also has vague ties with a mad scientist that has created a new energy, which may also be responsible for a rip in the fabric of space time, which threatens to...

...convolute everything. Man, was it hard to sit through this. Kelly crafted such an awesome story in "Donnie Darko", I thought he could pull it off in his second time out. That film - though with a smaller budget - similarly dealt with very unique personalities part of a larger story. Both stories are about mysterious situations and how the characters weave in and out of them. But, where DD succeeded, ST failed miserably. It lacked a certain focus, and seemed to confuse ambiguity with brilliance.

You know the phrase "your eyes are bigger than your stomach" in reference to a kid who can't finish his meal? That sums up this production. The ambitions are grand - taking on such political and even religious themes - but it's handled as if it'll just work itself out in the end. With a budget under $20 million and some higher profile stars to deal with, I suspect that Kelly was too busy carrying everything on his shoulders, that he let some important things fall to the wayside. What a shame.

This is the only explanation that makes sense to me. His feature after this one was "The Box", which was pretty entertaining and weird. And "Domino" - which he only wrote - was constructed very well despite it's big story. So, Kelly is certainly capable of excellent work, he just was in over his head a bit.

I've read in interviews that he's quite proud of "Southland Tales". No, for real. Hopefully, it's because he learned something from the experience. If not, then he's just lying to us and himself.

This review was requested by a friend on my blog's facebook page (look to the right of this page). If you have anything you'd like me to watch and criticize, feel free to suggest something. And if Richard Kelly happens to be reading this, please take no offense - I honestly can't wait for your next movie.

1/5 *'s

Review: "Wrecked"

Wrecked (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you remember the end of the movie "Snake Eyes", and the condition of Nicolas Cage's character? He was limping, bruised, bleeding and a bit hysterical (of course). Wasn't that cool? Now, imagine that a near unknown independent feature comes along, with little to no dialogue, just one main setting, and an actor that has to START the movie from where Cage ended the one listed above. Oh, and the actor is Adrien Brody. How much would that rock?

Luckily, someone already imagined it. In "Wrecked", Adrien Brody plays a man with no name, who wakes up in a crashed car in a forest. A few dead bodies surround the area, making him the only known survivor. His leg is broken and trapped, his face is cut up and heavily bruised and he is scared shitless. Remember, this is the beginning of the film.

Throughout the next 90 minutes, we witness Brody (who I explained in an earlier post is a sex symbol) cry, piss on himself, hallucinate, crawl through the woods and make friends with a dog. Slowly, through flashbacks and some evidence on the ground, we get the idea that he was somehow involved in a bank robbery - but he has more pressing matters to deal with; finding help and staying sane.

As an oscar winner, Brody ought to be choosing cushy roles - the kind that guarantee large paydays and maybe critical acclaim. Instead, he fucks a genetic hybrid ("Splice"), kills alien hunters ("Predators"), portrays Salvador Dali ("Midnight in Paris") and stars as Psycho Ed ("High School"). When he picks a role, it must be because it sounds fun.

And, you know what, watching Brody grunt for an entire movie IS fun.

Holding this movie back are the flashbacks and the ending. It would've been much better to have seen Adrien not remember ANYTHING, and just watch his character struggle with a broken/infected leg, trying to survive another day. Instead, we find out exactly how he ended up in the accident, what the hallucinations meant and that it was all some weird PSA for seat belts.

What was the point of all of this? *Spoilers* Brody was a hostage who caused the accident to get away from the robbers, and the hallucination was his wife, who we thought was a representation of guilt or something (which he shoots at one point). Was this just about survival? A guy loots the car at one point, and is later found dead in a cave - what happened and what did that mean?

I think this was all just an excuse to watch Adrien Brody do a mix of "127 Hours" and "Cast Away", minus the dialogue and hope. A new genre called Brody-sploitation has been created, and for that, I thank the filmmakers. Oh, and Adrien Brody, of course.

3/5 *'s

Solo Thoughts Episode 2

Adrien Brody, bruised and bleeding, pees on himself? I HAVE to stop the movie to talk about it...

A full written review to follow.

He Said, I Said Review: "The Dark Knight Rises"

 

The first images we see are of the bat symbol being formed out of cracks in ice. No, it's not a hint at a Mr. Freeze appearance, but a summation of the story to come; about people on 'thin ice', falling through, but ready to rise to the surface. And, if anybody can rise when needed, it's Batman.

Yes, I very much liked "The Dark Knight Rises". Let's see what fellow #TeamNOLAFilm guest Mike Scott thinks:

By the time the film finally gets down to business in its soaring third act, it does, indeed, rise to the occasion, as Nolan crafts a fitting and exhilarating ending to what will be remembered as one of the best trilogies in Hollywood history.

For the most part, I agree. I didn't get to see this in IMAX, but I suspect I would've been blown away by the final 30 minutes of footage. I'm not sure how this stacks up with a Trilogy like, for instance, The Original "Star Wars" Trilogy, but this series is certainly up there.

For much of the bloated two hours that precede that final act, however, this "Dark Knight" doesn't rise as much as it flounders and frustrates, in what would appear to be a case of a filmmaker prioritizing ego over efficiency, and engaging in generally muddled storytelling.

...you mean you DIDN'T FULLY LIKE IT!?

No worries. After my first viewing, I too felt that the first act was paced wrong, and featured more characters and details than needed, which kinda pulled me out of the story. But, come the second viewing, everything cleared up. Not exactly sure why, but issues like editing choices, pacing and even amount of characters seemed to fit better and didn't bother me at all. I suggest giving it another shot.

That should by no means be seen as an indictment of the rich emotional layers Nolan has woven into the story since embarking on it with 2005's "Batman Begins." In his hands, this trilogy has become far more than your standard summertime blockbuster. This is Batman as metaphor, with Nolan elevating superhero myth-building to an art form rather than using it as a cheesy, breezy vehicle for, say, a tights-wearing Adam West or a nipplesuit-wearing George Clooney.

Indeed. For me, whatever negative the film has are vastly outweighed by the positives, which would be the characters and their conflicts. We get to see - and more importantly feel - the emotional turmoil facing Bruce and those around him. What I love about this movie in particular is how the turmoil brought upon Gotham by Bane can be partially blamed on Bruce and Commissioner Gordon; what started as a tragic lie to protect the city became the foundation for it's near demise. Their actions from the previous film have major consequences, and it's great to see them acknowledge and deal with it head on. 

Aint nothing wrong with good old' Adam West, btw.

As successful and bar-raising as "Dark Knight" was, and as hot a property as Nolan has become, I would suspect few people have earned the right to bluntly inform him during production when they thought he might be approaching that fine line separating art and self-indulgence.

Back to the ego thing, huh?

The big action sequences and grand scope was what helped this film differentiate itself from the previous movie, and the shadow of Heath Ledger's Joker; how do you top that? By putting a major city under siege. By giving us something rarely seen in a big Hollywood Superhero flick. Nolan is no Michael "Hey - let's put an explosion here and a racist joke here, and repeat for an hour" Bay, but perhaps it's a good thing that his series is over now. Maybe the reboot will be a smaller story involving Batman just fighting a crime syndicate, or something. Because the only way to top "The Dark Knight Rises" would be for Batman to fight Predator (which would be cool, I have to admit).

Nolan is a visionary filmmaker, and his smart, stylish and brooding treatment of the comics-inspired tale -- particularly in the film's third-act payoff -- transcends the genre.
The preceding two-thirds of the film feel bloated and often self-indulgent.

The final chapter in the Nolanverse Batman series is a thrilling, emotional and even thought provoking spectacle. Don't miss the forest for the trees by letting the small problems hinder your experience.

5/5 *'s

Only the 2nd on these reviews, and I'm really starting to like it. Maybe one day, Mike and I could do one for NOLA.com :)

Solo Thoughts Episode 1

Some late night thoughts on "The Dark Knight Rises". Hey - be glad I chose not to do a videocast...

Expect more episodes on a regular basis. Feel free to leave me some thoughts/comments either here or on twitter.

Review: "I Need A Hero"

 "There are no gay characters in the Marvel Universe." - Jim Shooter

The above quote punctuates a story about one of the first appearances of gay characters in a major comic; two stereotypical gay men raping Bruce Banner in a YMCA. Such a statement would be enough to make anyone go green with rage.

"I Need A Hero" - a short documentary now touring the festival circuit - offers a glimpse into the culture of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi sexual and transgender) comics and its representation in popular issues. When I say (or write) glimpse, I really mean just that. Clocking in at under 14 minutes, the short is made up mostly of interviews with comic book writers, featuring amusing anecdotes, interesting stories and frustrations about releasing "queer comics". While it's been a while since I bought a comic, these guys show an enthusiasm for their work that makes me want to read again. Though, I can't say that I was ever an Archie fan...

There are breaks in the documentary that feature super hero quotes that, in the context of the subject, are quite inspiring, and work as a rallying cry for progression within the industry. This is where the short shines; showing us the irony of forward thinking characters that are published and exploited by stubborn organizations.

The only thing holding this back is the length. So much to cover, with not enough time. And what it does cover is stuck in modern times - not much info about past comics. But, it does work really well as a teaser for a future feature length doc, which, if I understand correctly, is the goal. That will be something to catch once completed.

I'd like to think that America has moved forward when it comes to representing LGBT themes and characters in pop culture, but I know that there's still an uphill battle in fighting ignorance and horrible stereotypes (same when it comes to people with disabilities). We could certainly use a hero to help out. Good thing for us, the (Marvel) Universe is an awfully big place. Right, Mr. Shooter?

3/5 *'s

He Said, I Said Review: "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"

Part of my blog's new design and new domain name is also a new commitment to posting more content on a weekly, then perhaps daily, basis. To do this, I have to come up with new things to write about, and in interesting ways.

In June, I finally got to meet the Times Picayune film critic Mike Scott during the recording of the first #TeamNOLAFilm podcast. He's a real cool guy, with his own take on movies. A few weeks ago, he posted a fairly negative review of "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" - a movie which I actually kinda enjoyed.

The following review will be the first in a series called 'He Said, I Said', where I take quotes from another criticism, and offer a counter (or similar) opinion. Yes, this does mean that I will be somewhat defending a story about an axe wielding, vampire killing American President. Enjoy:

This is a movie that re-imagines our 16th president as a secret, ax-wielding slayer of bloodsuckers. It isn't meant to be a documentary. It's not intended to be scholarly... Rather, it's meant to be bloody, butt-kicking fun, as the Great Emancipator becomes the Great Decapitator.

I couldn't agree more. AL:VH is supposed to be historical revisionism at its most fun. And, with a title so ridiculous, it HAS to deliver on what it advertises. Much like "Snakes on a Plane" before it, this film is, indeed, about what its title says - Abraham Lincoln killing vampires. Nuff said.

But here's the thing about movies rooted in such a fantastical premise as this one: While it's OK for a filmmaker to ask that we suspend our disbelief, that filmmaker has to help us do it. In "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," Bekmambetov doesn't come even close to keeping up his end of the bargain.

 Could you give an example?

In a later scene, a particularly nasty vampire -- being pursued by Walker's Lincoln, who has been hell-bent on ridding the world of bloodsuckers since his mother was killed by one when he was but a boy -- throws a horse at the future president. Lincoln catches it. And then rides it.

Thanks. Well, yes, that sequence was pretty hard to swallow. To be fair, the color, lighting and cg made it hard to tell what was going on in the first place... Lincoln showing agile super powers outside of swinging an axe was definitely a misstep, but not that big of one. In the grand scheme of this movie, it was more of a nitpicky oversight; like the use of parsecs in "Star Wars: A New Hope" (though, AL:VH is no SW). My disbelief - and keep in mind that I too can be easily annoyed - was suspended from the opening titles. All notions of reality were thrown out a moving car.

That said (or written), there are some problems with the film, like the pace. Abe learns to kill with an axe in ONE SCENE! He swings, hits a tree a few times, and is able to destroy it moments later. In "Kill Bill Volume 2", when The Bride is training to punch a hole through a block of wood. We see her struggling to accomplish this over an extended montage, before finally doing it in the present time. Lincoln gets maybe a minute before he heads out for the hunt. Let us see his training! Let us get to know him better! We go from angry young man to idealist to President in no time.

Another casualty, and an unforgivable one, is the central metaphor from the Seth Grahame-Smith book on which it's based, in which Lincoln's fight against the parasitism of vampires is equated with his fight against the parasitism of slavery...

...those who had read the book knew that - aside from the whole vampire-hunting thing - it was a surprisingly well-researched Lincoln biography. You could revel in the guilty-pleasure aspect of it, but you could also learn a thing or two about our 16th president. That added a satisfying weight to Grahame-Smith's yarn. For Bekmambetov -- who co-wrote the screenplay with Grahame-Smith -- all that goes out the window.

This is the second main problem. We do get historical figures in cameo wink wink appearances, and, with the revisionist tone, major events in Lincolns life are closely tied to vampires (like the death of his son). But, for me at least, a certain amount of weight was missing. For example, the civil war battles. We see Union soldiers violently stabbing Confederates and vampires (one even gets a knife crowned on the top of his head) with Lincoln giving a speech in a voice over. This made me chuckle, when it shouldn't have. The schlocky nature of the story suddenly turned against itself.

Ridiculous is OK -- but this is beyond ridiculous. Rather, it is a schlocky, poorly made, B-movie mess.

Beyond ridiculous is just as good, if not better at times. Problems acknowledged, this still works as a fun goof of a film. Just be sure you at least use wikipedia in your essay on the Civil War.

3/5 *'s

Feel free to offer suggestions and comments regarding this new series.

Review: "Hot Cakes"

Cross posted from InvadeNola, where this will be appearing on June 16:

On the first episode of the #TeamNOLAFilmpodcast, we discussed the need for a real investment in local filmmakers and their projects. We have so many out of town productions coming IN to the area which is great, but not enough local projects coming OUT. Do producers need a good example of what New Orleans talent can make?

"I have been waiting all morning for a man with half a heart."

Marty, fresh out of prison, visits his regular post jail release diner.  His body language says he's yearning for a calmer future, but the scars on his face suggest something different; something deeper. Two other ex cons see this as well, and soon the three men are conversing over plates of pancakes. But there is more to their encounter than just short stacks...

Described as a sort of neo noir / urban western, "Hot Cakes" has a surreal nature to it; at times like Lynch, other times like Aronofsky. The appropriately timed music, the cryptic at times dialogue, the interesting framing (there is a Knight suit behind Marty in some shots) and even the setting - which comes off like a purgatory type meeting place for these characters - all makes the audience ask "what's this all leading to?" and "what does this all mean?".

Well, what DOES it all mean? What IS it leading to? A fortune teller in the diner is drawn to Marty, and makes a startling prediction for him; will it turn out to be correct? Will Marty be forced into a compromising position? His new friends certainly wish to pull him back into his harsh past. Will they succeed? The film's aesthetic gives everything - including eating breakfast - a sense of impending doom. And by the time the end credits roll, this sense still lingers; things just don't look good for Marty, in OR out of the diner. Is he in trouble no matter what? I absolutely loved this.

"No one should ever come here. I had teeth when I came here."

My only complaint is that it ended. I would like to see what the director Jo Custer could do with a feature length script. She's an example of the kind of local talent who deserve a shot. For Hollywood South to move forward, out of town producers bringing projects to the area need to make a meaningful investment in local filmmakers. Is an example of good local work needed? I just provided one.

4/5 *'s

Contributions Part 2

Hello! My Name is Bill...

On May 10th the first ever Tugg event was held in New Orleans. Hosted by The Theatres at Canal Place, the screening was a sold out blast featuring a Sergio Leone classic and fellow film enthusiasts.

Man, I wish I knew any of them. Read more...

Fleur De Flicks - June 2012

Tired of watching “The Avengers” these past few weeks? Don’t worry; with a new month, comes a new slate of movies. These are some of  my ticket buying suggestions for June. Read more...

A Spaghetti Superhero Flick?

After seeing The Avengers I wondered if we’ve seen the best that comic book movies have to offer. To clarify, I think that comic book movies are different from superhero movies. This is just my opinion, and I could be wrong, but it has to do with how the movie treats the subject. For example; Spiderman 2 is a superhero movie, Captain America: The First Avenger is a comic book movie. One deals more with the main characters’ plight and conflict, while the other is just about telling a fun story. I’m not trying to suggest that one is better than the other – it’s just how I feel.

So, let me change my original question up; have we seen the best that superhero movies have to offer? Read more...

Trailer: 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Being Mr. Obvious over here, I say that high school sucks. But, what sucks even more is finding a good high school movie. Read more...

Review: 'The Avengers'

I used to collect comic books. Yes, I admit it. I got swept up in the fantasy of characters with unique abilities beyond those of normal people, fighting over exaggerated villains in an effort to save their hometown, and in some cases, the world. I mostly focused on the Superman comics – during the period of time when he became pure energy (I was probably one of the few that liked that story arc) – but I certainly hadn’t chosen a side in the DC vs. Marvel fight. Why pigeonhole yourself to just one brand? Read more...

NOLA's First Tugg Event

Read more about the event

 Movie buff wants to give The Joy a Tugg

After registering with the site, I was asked by a representative what theater in my area I was interested in. I thought of a few: The Prytania, Chalmette Movies, Zeitgeist, even The Alamo Underground. I feel pretty confident that any of these venues could play host. Shortly after responding to the rep, however, I realized I had forgotten one very important location – The Joy. Read more...

#TeamNOLAFilm Podcast - Episode 1

Hosted by local bloggers (myself and Chris Henson), local filmmakers (Chris Brown and Ashley Charbonnet), local crewmen (Casey Moore), local critics (Mike Scott), and open to any/all others who are involved in local film, this project has one main goal; to provide insight into the Hollywood South community FROM the Hollywood South community. Any suggestions, questions, comments or concerns are greatly appreciated. Feel free to embed and share this. And, if you download or listen to this, you too are part of #TeamNOLAFilm:

 Music courtesy of Tuba Skinny.

Still No Such Thing As Too Many Critics

In a previous post, I expressed my desire to become a professional film critic; a desire I've had since childhood. Since then, some progress towards that goal has been made - more reviews, more article contributions, more tweets and more contact with different people and places.

But, I could still be doing more.

Later this week, I have a job interview. Nothing guaranteed, but I might be doing some light filing and data entry pretty soon. Part time. My mother seemed a bit concerned by the news; "I don't want you to stop your writing". Of course I won't stop, but I do need some income (that's everybody's story). I know I can make this into a career. There has to be an opportunity out there somewhere. Maybe at Nola.com?

I was gonna hold off on writing this entry for a few more weeks, but I chose now to coincide with some interesting developments.

Recently, Nola.com - the Times Picayune's website - underwent a redesign. Colors were changed, sections were reorganized and some dead spots were consolidated. I assume (and hope) it's not the final version, as it could use some more local personality and be more user friendly. Despite the site issues (there are good online examples to follow), the change up shows a positive interest in internet distribution. And, even more recently (like a few hours ago), a rumor hit twitter that a big shakeup at the paper was being planned. Could all of this mean an opening for staff bloggers?

Perhaps. The big shakeup hasn't been officially announced, but it's believed that it will involve more reliance on the website to provide content, and less on printed papers - which would lead to days without a paper being printed.

More and more, people are getting their news off the internet. Sure, some still buy papers on Friday and Sunday, but, in the case of my mom at least, it's mostly for the coupons and ads. Whatever articles get printed in the paper now appear on a site as well. And, now with social networking, anybody connected can be informed of a new article as soon as it's posted, as opposed to waiting the next day for it to be delivered.

As someone who blogs about movies - usually involving the New Orleans area - and gets his news online, I find this concentration on website content very exciting. To be able to reach more people AND connect with them is all any blogger wants.

Losing a couple of daily papers is a bit rash, especially considering that portions of the area lack proper internet access; how will people get the news if there's fewer prints and not enough broadband? Maybe the answer - for now - lies in catering to the online readers and traditional audience separately. Creating a whole new department for a blogging team wouldn't be too difficult; local writers are already providing content for free, and would be more than happy to come on board for such a project. And we wouldn't even need a physical newsroom; a laptop and a coffee shop will suffice.

TP currently only has one critic (a fine one at that). As an area that is BOOMING with film productions - so much that it's now being called Hollywood South - we could use more pro movie writers. Nola is more than just a food and music town; it's a movie town, too. So many productions, screenings and events can spread any single critic thin. Pair that critic up with another? You've got some more coverage.  Pair that critic up with a blogger - someone who is constantly connected online (bordering on obsession) - you've got the whole area covered.

Considering the redesign, the possible shakeup and Hollywood South as it is - why not do what other papers (like LATimes) are doing? Why not put a movie blogger on the staff?

Perhaps not. Now, it's thought that some staffers may lose their jobs if the rumors are true. Longtime writers could be pushed aside in an effort to save money. If this happens, the likelihood of staff bloggers becomes slim. This seems to be what some papers across the country are doing, but it's a bit misguided if you ask me.

If anything, a paper should hire MORE staff writers, not LESS. I don't know much about the business end of things, but I do know that people are still reading - sometimes on paper and sometimes online - and they still depend on local news organizations and local writers for local information. You may think you can't afford your current staff, but you really can't afford not to have them. Adding a few more members, if only on a freelance basis, would be a benefit.

No matter what happens - if the shakeup rumors are true or not - I still think New Orleans area publications - like Nola.com - should invest in more movie bloggers, and I still think I can make a career out of doing what I love to do, despite the state of the economy. In the meantime, I've got some pants and a shirt to iron; gotta look nice for the job interview.

@NOFS Review: "Scrappers"

Full disclosure - I am currently one of the many Americans without a job. Like others who are gainfully unemployed, I applied at many different places; data entry facilities, customer service groups, hospitals, department stores and even a few fast food joints. No bite. I have sense attempted to go a different route - stop trying to find an opening, and make myself one. I'm still not where I want to be, but this plan is at least producing better results.

"Scrappers" tells the story of two men who, kind of like me, are making their job opening, albeit in a different field. See, they scour their local area for scrap metal - aluminum, iron, copper, etc. - and sell them to a junkyard for a profit. Well, hopefully for a profit; like what I'm currently doing, money isn't always guaranteed. These guys are taking a lot of risk; police tickets, sharp metals, heavy lifting, car breakdowns, fights - all for a small reward.

But, for Otis and Oscar - a senior and an undocumented immigrant - it's not all about the reward. Both men take much pride in what they do, and feel that they are providing a necessary service for their community. This is like the feeling most people have by default of being employed - the feeling that they are doing something with themselves. The feeling that they are contributing, as opposed to "taking a handout" from others. You show me a Republican who believes some people "just don't want to work", and I'll show them this movie.

Even when the economy took a hit in 2008, putting many scrappers out of work (the price of metals fell), Otis and Oscar took on jack of all trades type positions (painting, garage sales, etc). No matter what happens, no matter how hard they get hit, they WILL find work, dammit. And they WILL survive. I may be more fortunate than these men, but I could learn a thing or two from their story. Blogging aint the only job I can do, after all...

This documentary will be screened, for free, on Thursday May 17 at The Green Project Warehouse in New Orleans at 7pm, to be followed by a Skype Q&A with the filmmakers. Be there.

4/5 *'s

NOLA Could Use A Tugg

I used to operate a group called the SLU Film Critic's Association. Our function was to screen a variety of films on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University for the benefit of all students. Sometimes, when a previously scheduled room was unavailable, we would improvise and just take another. We kind of liked doing those renegade events, but if showing our own choice of flick in a real theatre - without paying a rental fee - had been an option...

If only Tugg had been around in the groups' prime. Through this service, anybody who registers with the site can choose a movie from its collection, pick a local theatre they want to see it at, promote the event, and, if enough people agree to show up, it happens! Giving this kind of control to the audience is not only a great way of bringing classics and independents to the big screen, but an excellent way to get people back into the cinema!

If you scroll through this blog, you'll find a post where I recommend that MoviePass be given a chance in New Orleans. Well, of course, I suggest the same for Tugg. I recently had a facebook conversation with the operator of Chalmette Movies, where I asked if his theatre was participating with the service. He was unaware of it at the time, but hopefully he'll find it just as cool as I do. His theatre has great programming month to month; it makes sense to add another incentive for the audience. In the area, you have scores of film students and cast/crew members who are just itching to curate.

Why shouldn't a theatre partner with Tugg? I don't think there is an appropriate answer to that, as it only helps that theatres bottom line to promote an audience created event. If an exhibitor promotes Tugg, this increases the likelihood of a ticket buyer to create an event. If that same exhibitor promotes that event, more people will find out about it and reserve tickets. If that event happens, that exhibitor will have GUARANTEED customers coming in, probably wanting to buy some snacks as well. More moviegoers for you, more screenings for moviegoers to attend, more attendance for a movie - everybody wins.

And the city could see it's first Tugg screening next week. A local moviegoer is trying to setup a showing of Sergio Leone's "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" at Canal Place. So far, 11 people have signed up - 39 more are needed to make this happen. We have just under 5 days...

<Update: With just a little over an hour before the deadline, the event reached the required number of audience members! 10 seats are still available...>

<Update 2: The event has now SOLD OUT! Fret not; go and register on Tugg, and start your own screening.>

Tugg only has 14 pages worth of movies to choose from, but, the more people show up to local events, the more other movies will become available, which will lead to more events. Maybe my old group should setup a revival event at The Prytania. I know there's an audience out there. 

Review: "Steve Chong Finds Out That Suicide Is A Bad Idea"

An existential crisis always makes for some good drama. We've all been there, I think; Why am I here? What's the point? What do I do now? Sometimes, this kind of deep thinking can lead to an even deeper sadness (especially if you realize how insignificant most of this is), which inevitably leads to a final question - Why shouldn't I end it all?

Steve Chong is asking that final question. With a string of bad luck (from dropping a plate of lasagna to getting fired) and a rather flat and distant attitude towards most people, suicide seems to make some sense to him. But, at the last minute, he decides to hold off for at least one more weekend - a hangout with his three pals at a lake house - to maybe find the answer he's been looking for.

I can relate a bit to Steve's problems. No, I've never considered suicide (nor do I strangely own a gun) but I am pretty shy and have suffered from depression. Medicine helps, but I've learned that the best way to break out of your shell is to act - to go out and do what you're too timid to do (exposure therapy, it's called). Steve's three friends, who discover his intentions during a night of drinking, slowly try to break down his wall and get him to live a bit.

But, what I can't relate to is Steve's attitude towards changing. He wants a reason not to kill himself, but doesn't seem willing to change. For example, when presented with an opportunity to loosen up with a girl he likes - a situation set up by his friends - he essentially blows off her attempts at a deep conversation. Someone once asked me if I enjoyed being depressed and stressed out. I don't, but maybe Steve just can't help it - maybe this is who he is, and he's just frustrated, when he should just accept himself. His friends already have.

Currently a work in progress, this is a nice little independent film. I really liked how, unlike some other indy films I've seen, this one doesn't overly rely on obnoxious humor or the word "fuck" - everybody in it acts, talks and feels like real people. Real people, real problems - that's all I ever wanted from a movie.

More about the strengths of friendship than suicide itself, I recommend this be viewed once it hits the road.

3/5 *'s

* I noticed on the movie's IMDB page that one of the assigned keywords for it was "long title". This made me chuckle, as the title is pretty long and a bit spoiler-ish. Maybe shorten it a bit? Just something to consider.