@NOFS Review: "The Innkeepers"

The Innkeepers (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever been tricked into watching an internet video that scares you out of your seat? You know the kind; the description suggests a shocking event (girl gets kidnapped, a car accident, something supernatural, etc), but when played, you get a quiet and somewhat boring setting. Then…BAM! A monster or ghost bursts into the frame, screeching something horrific that almost pops your ear drums. This practical joke just about works every time.

“The Innkeepers” plays this scenario out in its first few minutes. The joke is played on Claire, a young front desk clerk at an old hotel, by her coworker Luke. The pair are working the hotel’s final weekend before closing, and are bored as all hell – though it’s suggested that they’re bored even under normal circumstances. They perform the daily tasks with a sigh, just waiting to get back to the only interesting thing about work; finding evidence of the ghost that is rumored to haunt the hotel.

The two leads remind me very much of Dante and Randal from “Clerks”. No, they’re not as vulgar, but they are equally stuck in life. While Luke seems a bit content with his position (much like Randal), Claire begins to realize that she has no aspirations outside of the hotel – what will she do with herself after the place shuts down in a few days?

Almost as a way to find the answers to her own existence, Claire seeks out the ghost that too is stuck in the hotel. She doesn’t really have a goal in terms of freeing the spirit or anything like that; I think she just wants to know it’s there. Maybe to reassure herself that she’s not alone? Maybe to just have a cool story to tell? 

Much like the video that tricked Claire, the movie is more fun and whimsical than scary and creepy. Yes, there are a few scare moments, but, in the end, you’re left with a smile instead of a nightmare.

It’s funny to me how two thirds of “The Innkeepers” reminds me of a movie like “Waiting…” minus the toilet humor, but one thirds feels like the more suspenseful moments of “Shutter Island”. I can’t say this is a horror film, but it does have it’s moments – the real terror isn’t that there IS a ghost, but that there MIGHT be a ghost. That, and is working a dead end job better than working amongst the dead?

"The Innkeepers", presented by the New Orleans Film Society, will be playing at Chalmette Movies from March 25th to March 27th.  

3/5 *'s

@NOFS Review: "A Por Por Funeral for Ashirifie"

My grandfather’s name was Willie Laurendine, but we called him Paw Paw. He was a bus driver for the city of New Orleans. In Ghana, there is a style of music played by a union of bus and truck drivers known as Por Por, which is pronounced Paw Paw. This music is only performed by them at the funerals of fellow workers – funerals that share similarities with the jazz funerals of New Orleans.

Despite this almost Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon style connection I had with “A Por Por Funeral for Ashirifie”, there was little else for me to latch on to.

It’s not the fault of the subject matter – a variation of a jazz funeral, performed with antique car horns and played exclusively by an African driver’s union – which I was excited to learn more about; it was the presentation. There is no attempt to tell the audience about the history of this music, its importance in the area, or even who Nelson Ashirifie Mensah (this was his funeral) was as a person. We are only treated to what has to be at least 45 minutes of nonstop horn honking and street dancing (the movie is just under an hour) and a few title cards that describe the upcoming action. That’s it. Were they just dead set on making this almost feature length?

I know it’s easy to just point your one camera and shoot, but if you’re making a documentary about a little known subject, you HAVE to give the audience some information outside of a few words on a screen; interviews, historical archive materials, narration and editing are all helpful tools. Most audiences aren’t interested in the raw footage of a trip you once took.

The Por Por music reminded me of the wonderful intrusiveness of the whistle tip craze (google it); both are loud and proud. When a member of this union dies, the whole town knows, and – at least for the rest of the day – the noise will not let anyone forget. That I like.

The filmmakers are coming to New Orleans on March 23 to screen the film, and will be accompanied by a live demonstration and panel discussion. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about this unique culture. I guarantee it’ll be more informative than the movie itself.

1/5 *'s

Help Kickstart Movies To Geaux

Image via Wikipedia

I'm old enough to remember what going to a drive in movie was like. It was similar to watching a Fourth of July fireworks display; lots of people, lots of cars, lawn chairs, and snacks under a starry night.

You would think that watching a movie in a quiet setting and more enclosed environment would be preferable, but outdoor cinema provides an excellent communal / party like atmosphere, perfect for socializing.

Unfortunately, the State of Louisiana no longer has any operating drive in theaters. Can outdoor cinema make a comeback and thrive in the Pelican State? The New Orleans Film Society certainly hopes so:

"For the first time, in 2011, NOFS decided to offer movies al fresco and hosted the largest outdoor film events the city had ever seen (nearly 1,000 people gathered for our first event at NOMA's Besthoff Sculpture Garden!). In 2012, we're expanding in this arena and are eager to purchase equipment so we can essentially be "on the geaux" with our very own mobile cinema system. We want to bring together audiences for exciting free and low-cost film events in neighborhoods around the city. We see the potential to show a wide range of films as part of Movies To Geaux: classics, cult films, Louisiana favorites and more."

This is excellent news. Maybe it's not a "classic" drive in, but it is able to bring movies to any/every park, rooftop, neighborhood and side of building in the area, providing moviegoers with an extremely one of a kind event. Imagine a horror double feature in the abandoned Six Flags site, or watching a classic like "All The Kings Men" in Duncan Plaza (across from City Hall). Maybe "Steamboat Bill, Jr." by the lake? These are the type of events that NOFS can bring to life.

And outdoor cinema easily trumps 3D, in my opinion. Sure, in Southeast Louisiana, you'd be trading in air condition for humidity and maybe mosquitoes, but any film fan can live with that; watching Hal 9000 plot murder under a crystal clear night while discussing the movie with friends easily beats watching Nicolas Cage throwing an axe at the screen of a corporate multiplex while remaining absolutely quiet.   

To fund this project, NOFS need to raise $4,500 in 28 days (as of this posting). A modest investment would go a great way to providing a more social movie going experience for the NOLA community. Why not chip in?

Yes You CAN Work With MoviePass

The last time I blogged about MoviePass, an opportunity to beta test had been thwarted by certain chain theaters. Since then, the program partnered with a certificate service and began testing on an invitation only basis. Theaters across the country - like NOLA theaters The Prytania, Chalmette Movies and Canal Place - are currently participating, and based on Facebook comments and tweets, people are backing the service with enthusiasm. Does this mean that more exhibitors will open their arms?

Earlier today, news came across twitter that Arclight and Regal Cinemas were denying the service. Why? No official word as of posting, but it's probably similar to the reason given by AMC - "does not integrate well into our programs and could create significant guest experience issues." - and just as disappointing. Sigh. 

There is no reason as to why MoviePass can't work with theater rewards programs. It's as simple as processing both the certificate and rewards card at the time of arrival; the patron hands over their rewards card, card gets swiped, certificate is given as payment, and payment is processed into points. Done. 

And things get easier when the MoviePass App rolls out; enter your rewards card(s) info into your app profile, select which theater and showtime you want, and points get processed automatically. Data, like what movies you watch and which theaters you attend, can be sent to exhibitors / distributors / studios, in an effort to study moviegoing trends. Social networking can also be added for more direct contact with the audience:

Our goal is to make movie going an even more social and interactive event. We've barely scratched the surface #supportmoviepass

— MoviePass (@MoviePass) February 23, 2012

AMC, Arclight, Regal Cinemas - you want more moviegoers? Let MoviePass help; there is no reason to say no.

The Joy Is Back! Let's Book A Movie...

Since posting my previous entry on The Joy, the theatre has re-opened and played host to musical acts and stage productions. It's great to know that the venue is up and running again, but one thing concerns me; no movie screenings have been scheduled.

With its' history as one of THE premiere movie palaces on Canal St., it surprises me that a screening hasn't at least been booked. It can't be a lack of interest from the local film community, can it? Whatever the reason, I have a few ideas for possible movie events at the revamped Joy: 

Movie Pitchers Revival

I never had the opportunity to visit when it was in operation, but from the stories I've listened to and read, Movie Pitchers was a house with character. From Mike Miley Online:

"Yes, Movie Pitchers was a complete dump, but it was a film lover’s dump. For $5, you could see all the foreign and arty indie films that didn’t play anywhere else in town other than the overpriced Canal Place in the French Quarter … and you could drink while you were there. Magnolia, The Big Lebowski, Deconstructing Harry,Hands on a Hardbody - I saw them all at least twice at Movie Pitchers. Plus, they showed Disco Dolls in Hot Skin, which, if you don’t know, is a 3-D porno starring John Holmes (remember what I said about the couches?). It was disappointing, but it has one of the most messed-up flashback structures ever put on film. How could a film lover not live at a place like this?"

Unfortunately, the theatre was demolished in the early 00's.

So, what am I proposing? Let Movie Pitchers take over The Joy for a night! Call it a revival of sorts; the original owners/fans, programming a series of films they used to show. Original ticket prices, original drink brands/prices (The Joy has a bar), maybe even decorate the screening room with original furniture (a longshot), all for one night of nostalgia. Currently, there is a Facebook group, set up by dedicated fans, calling for their return - they might have some ideas...

Film Festivals

The New Orleans Film Society presents, every fall, the New Orleans Film Festival, and books screenings at theatres across the city. Maybe this year, The Joy can play host to the opening/closing night events? 

Taking place soon after is the NOLA Horror Film Fest. To screen on Canal St. would bring plenty of attention to this young fest.

And, of course, there is this:

Our Worst Film Festival (which also played at Movie Pitchers) was revived a few years ago, and has since existed as gatherings held throughout the year. Why not give it a bigger venue? Maybe it could become a regular thing; showing bad movies once a month. People show up to Prytania's midnight movies, why not come to The Joy for notoriously bad/incredibly obscure films? And maybe this could merge with B Fest; 24 hours of bad movie programming. Consider that ticket bought.

Hollywood South Premieres 

New Orleans has seen many major film productions, but very few film premieres. Let's fix that. I call on all producers and distributors to world premiere your NOLA shot films IN NOLA. You did a red carpet type event for Sandra Bullock at The Prytania, you can do the same for Sylvester Stallone at The Joy.

However it happens, I'm sure a movie will eventually screen at The Joy. When it does, I'll be there. Unless it stars Dane Cook.