#cineNOLA Weekly - Episode 2

On this, the second episode of #cineNOLA Weekly, I rundown some more film screenings and review one of the few movies to get New Orleans right, Flakes. The editorial segment will return next week.

If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to write one below. Be sure to follow the conversation on twitter using the hashtag #cineNOLA:

#cineNOLA Weekly - Episode 1

Just a few weeks ago, I attended a meeting of local New Orleans cinema presenters and aficionados. It was fun, getting to meet those I've interviewed in the past in person. Many ideas were suggested, but the one that has carried over onto an email chain has been the creation of a twitter hashtag - #cineNOLA.

We've been pushing it pretty aggressively, mostly on posts that promote film events in town. In an effort to continue the conversation beyond the 140 character twitter limit, I took it upon myself to produce a new podcast, debuting here on the blog.

This first episode features reviews of Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombie, Curio Shop: A Post Apocalyptic Acid Western, an editorial and a rundown of some events for the week. This is a work in progress - please leave a comment if you have any suggestions for future episodes. Thanks, and enjoy!




If you liked this podcast, feel free to visit patreon.com/neauxreelidea for information on how you can support my efforts!

Review: "Evil Dead"

It doesn’t take much to impress me, but it does take a lot to scare me - when it comes to movies, I mean. At my most recent outing, a colleague teased me a bit about my lack of interest in watching horror flicks. Then, just prior to the movie starting, a security woman yells at us all, “If we catch you with an electronic device, you WILL be escorted out by the police!” For me, real instances like this are much scarier than anything that flickers on a screen.

After being bombarded for years by trailers and DVD’s for movies that offer nothing but jump scares and familiar killers, I’m kinda lukewarm towards this genre. Reviewers like The Cine-Masochist make me feel a bit picky and unfair, but it’s just how I feel.

That being said, I should re-state that it doesn’t take much to impress me. All I need is something fairly clever, easy to follow and very fun to watch; if the cast and crew are having a blast, so am I (Troma is great at this).

And watching a demon vomit vibrant, non CGI blood on a woman, only to be chainsawed in half later on, is indeed “a blast” and “fun to watch”.

The new Evil Dead (based on the original Sam Raimi classic - a kind of remake/reinterpretation) begins with the quickest of expository sequences I’ve seen in a long time: Five friends go to a cabin from their youth to help one of them kick drugs, brother and sister have problems, friend and friend have problems and all sorts of groovy weapons are established. Got it? Good. This movie knows what the audience came to see, and is just as antsy to get there as we are.

The book of the dead is found, read aloud, and the drug addicted friend becomes possessed by a demon, setting off a chain of events that could lead to hell on Earth beyond the woods. In one scene, the two men in the group discuss how to end this nightmare. One of them suggests they kill the drug addicted one, as the book suggests to do. When asked if it’ll work, we get one of the best lines EVER, “I don’t know; this isn’t a science book!”

I haven’t watched the first two original Sam Raimi films, so I will just compare this to a movie that gave me equal feelings, Marvel’s The Avengers. Both had high expectations amongst fans, relatively unproven directors (Joss Whedon had only done TV and smaller scale flicks) and the perfect storm of elements to turn them into train wrecks.

Almost a miracle before my eyes, this movie rocked.  

Like with last summer’s superhero blockbuster, Evil Dead gets it all right. It’s a simple story, with enough character depth and conflict to break the first dimension. Smart cinematography and placement of objects in a shot gave weight to what could’ve been flat. The editing was smooth and aware of genre expectations, playing with the typical jump scare beats we’ve all gotten used to. And the effects - 99% practical - made the happenings much more vibrant and very unforgettable. I bet the producers had a tight grip on this one...

I also got the impression that the movie wasn’t just another part of a familiar franchise, but a statement on how modern horror can and should learn from past horror. There is an opening shot that might as well have been taken directly from The Shining - an upside down then right side up shot of a car driving down a long and remote road. Then, of course, there was all the blood. Remember that bleeding elevator sequence? How about a movie featuring fountains of crimson rain? There are not only great effects workers out there, but also genuine fans of thrills and chills, dying to make a movie like the ones they grew up on. Maybe Evil Dead will start a trend.

There was a little kid who, after the screening, stared at the poster for the movie with a huge smile on his face. “The Most Terrifying Film You Will Ever Experience.” it said. I wanted to take a photo with him in front of that, as we were both feeling the same thing; cinematic bliss. Though, the fact that his parents let him go see this shocked me more than the movie itself... Yep, I’m still not scared. But, I am impressed. Very.

5/5 *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.

Your Trailer Told Me You Suck

My parent's told me that when I was little, I would get more excited for the TV commercials than the TV shows. Now, at 26, I've traded in Bart Simpson with his Butterfingers for Liam Neeson fighting wolves. Of course, I'm at the theater for the feature presentation, but I get a real kick out of the previews; the short, two minute bursts of action that leave you laughing and frustrated or impressed and interested.

I say laughing and frustrated because, more often than not, I come upon a trailer that just rubs me the wrong way; a stupid line/line read, generic pacing, spoiler footage, etc. First impressions are very important, and most of the time, I'm shaking my head before the movie even gets released:

1. "Unknown"

I provided the tv spot for this movie as it includes one line that ruined the WHOLE film for me. A bad guy says to Liam Neeson "You really don't remember anything". Liam looks at him, and responds, "I remember how to kill you!". WTF IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?! Is the bad guy some sort of mutant that can only be destroyed by hitting it in the back of the head? Killing another human being is universal knowledge with plenty of viable methods. They just wrote that line so that Liam can be an action hero bad ass, without thinking that it makes him come off like a moron.

2. "Skyline"

Now, I've already written about why this movie sucks as a whole. But, believe it or not, I actually thought that the first trailer was pretty good: by showing us little real footage, and using actual news footage made the movie seem mysterious and intriguing. When the second trailer rolled around, I was pretty excited. Decent special effects, interesting alien invasion, Eric Balfour screaming and crying into the sky... THAT'S how you want to sell your movie? By showing a clip of a grown man acting like a girl scout? Our hero, ladies and gentlemen.

3. "Safe"

I first saw this trailer when I went to go see "Haywire". For starters, it ran after the trailer for "Safe House" - kind of an odd pairing. Then, we get a generic description of a criminal underworld, before the narrator tells us that the most wanted character in the story is...a little girl. The build up and pay off to all that made this seem like a comedy. And when we are introduced to Jason Statham - dressed like a hobo but is really the greatest ex cop ever - I KNOW it's a comedy. Problem is, it's not billed as an over the top, larger than life action film - it's all taken too seriously. Give me a Charles Bronson style ridiculous fest, and I just might buy a ticket. Try to be an action drama with a been there done that story, and I just might cough up my popcorn while cackling.

No matter how bad they can be, I always make sure I arrive in time for the trailers. Yes, I may roll my eyes before wanting to gouge them out, but, more often than not, I'm laughing. Maybe some previews are meant to be hilariously bad? Or maybe I'm giving too much credit.

Contributions Part 1

Along with this blog, I've also been contributing articles for Invade Nola. Below are previews of those articles:

3 Underrated Movies You Could Be Watching On Netflix

If the recent announcement of increased fees for Netflix users wanting both DVD and streaming services hasn’t pushed you into a boycott, chances are you’re a major movie nerd. As a fellow movie nerd, I enjoy giving people viewing recommendations, and appreciate some being given to me (as long as the words Michael Bay aren’t involved, of course). Recently, I watched three films that, in one way or another, could be considered “underrated”, and I would consider “entertaining”. So, if you are looking for something to watch that may be outside of your comfort zone, I have a few recommendations that you may want to add to your queue (if you still have one) Continue Reading

N.O. Dollar Theatres

I was recently reminded of an old local tv commercial I once saw. In this commercial, a man rummages his home for loose change; under and in the couch, behind the fridge, in the laundry, etc. By the end of his search, holding a few bucks in change, He announces, “We’re goin’ to the movies tonight”. After reminiscing on this, I wondered; when was the last time anybody in the New Orleans area was able to go to the movies with a handful of pocket change? Continue Reading

Give MoviePass A Chance

It's not an overstatement to say that movie theaters have taken a big hit from video on demand(VOD) services. With wireless internet becoming more accessible, VOD(online and cable) services more affordable and ticket prices more expensive, film exhibitors have reason to worry. Suing and preventing movie pirates, along with attaching 3D surcharges to assembly line schlock, hasn't been enough to open the wallets of or endear themselves to the frustrated and disillusioned moviegoers that NATO(National Association Of Theatre Owners) wants back. So, how can the movie industry as a whole get people to come and come again to the theater? Chris Dorr has a proposal, a company has a plan and I have a city to test it on.
Image via Wikipedia

Former film producer Chris Dorr recently wrote up an exciting article about how instead of fighting Netflix and other VOD, theaters should embrace the technology. What Mr. Dorr proposes is a more social network friendly variation to what UGC and CineWorld have done in Europe - an unlimited movie pass to any movie at any subscribed theater for a monthly fee.

The idea is truly exciting(much like the idea for Solar Roadways), and the details more so. It's a lot like being a member of a local film society; getting special screening preferences, discount prices, free passes, etc. And when a startup project called MoviePass announced a test run in San Francisco, I was ecstatic. The idea was looking to become reality; $50 a month for unlimited viewings(one movie a day), $30 limited, all from a mobile phone. Positive support for this was all over facebook and twitter, clearly showing an enthusiasm from the demographic this kind of program is aimed at.

But, faster than Marlon Brando asks for the butter(Last Tango in Paris (Uncut Version) [Blu-ray]), chain theaters like AMC refused to participate. It's been suggested that this happened due to the chains being unaware, or that the program might affect their own membership programs. I'm not sure if notification would've been all that necessary(maybe as a formality), since they were already affiliated with movietickets.com, and it's certainly possible for a program like MoviePass to sync up with a theater chain's membership program(much like twitter/facebook, or bank accounts/direct deposit), so I'm not really sure why the theaters in San Francisco were so apprehensive. In fact, filmmaker and Camera 7 exhibitor Alejandro Adams expressed his interest on Twitter:

"To those of you who asked me privately about MoviePass: first of all, congratulations on being smart enough to ask an exhibitor about it. And thanks for your patience. My marketing/promotions director has done all necessary research. It turns out the service operates through movietickets.com, so any theater affiliated with movietickets.com is automatically affiliated with MoviePass. The exhibitor is not directly offering a discount of any kind or endorsing the service in any way. MoviePass is creating a fund via which they broker ticket purchases on a member's behalf. The only way this impacts exhibitor revenue is if more people for to the movies. Let's hope so. #MoviePass"

Whatever the reason, MoviePass was denied an opportunity to prove itself, and moviegoers were denied a chance to help. The project is said to be on hiatus, until they get their bearings together and find a new place to beta test. Maybe a city with some independent cinemas. Maybe a city with a large group of bohemians and film majors. Maybe a city that has attracted many Hollywood productions in recent years. Maybe a city...like New Orleans.

 Image by Infrogmation via Flickr

Why New Orleans? Why not? New Orleans and it's metro area has about 9 theaters, 5 of which are partnered with movietickets.com(though 3 of those are AMC's). The independent theaters include The Prytania, Chalmette Movies, The Zeitgeist, and special events hosted by NOLA Drive-In and New Orleans Film Society. And, while not necessarily independently owned, Canal Place is an equally popular venue. I can't speak for any of these theaters/organizations personally, but if MoviePass were to, at least temporarily, partner with them for a trial run, I guarantee you that film buffs, UNO film majors, film crews from Hollywood South, and even families hungry for an outing will come, armed with their smart phones, from all over the area.

No doubt, innovation is sorely needed at the ticket window. But with short mindedness running rampant, how can a program like MoviePass thrive? New Orleans, a city that has helped produce some amazing films recently through it's tax breaks, could become the example that an unlimited movie pass program would need. If Netflix, Gamefly and Hulu can do it...