Last Sunday was the second Sunday of the month, and that means the monthly meeting of Midnight Patrol tent of the Sons of the Desert at the Niles Essanay Film Museum for a Laurel and Hardy talkie matinee. And, as usual, it's really a couple of L&H flicks and a couple of Our Gang flicks. Although they also hinted they'll be adding Charley Chase to the lineup, which just thrills me!
SCHOOL'S OUT (1930): Our Gang loves their teach, Mrs. Crabtree. So much so that they'd hate to lose her if she gets married. So they do everything possible to sabotage her boyfriend...except discovering that the man they're dissuading is actually her brother, not her boyfriend. Meanwhile, one of the kids is selling answers to a test...except that he got those answers out of a joke book. Oh, wait...let's not be politically correct here, we watch these movies as they were shown at the time--the "joke book" I mentioned is actually a book on minstrel show (i.e., blackface) bits.
BUSY BODIES (1933): A nearly plotless Laurel and Hardy short--Stan and Ollie get a job in a sawmill, and mayhem ensues. Very, very funny.
Then a brief intermission, and the third half of the show.
THE FIRST ROUND-UP (1934): Our gang goes camping. The littlest kids, who weren't even invited along, get along better than the big kids. Then night falls and things get scary--scarily funny!
THICKER THAN WATER (1935): Laurel and Hardy's final short film (they did exclusively features after, except for a cameo appearance in Charley Chase's ON THE WRONG TREK) and they're at the top of their game. Stan is a boarder in Ollie's home, but a mix-up with furniture money used to pay the rent gets them both in trouble. There are several clever camera tricks, where Laurel or Hardy drag the screen across during a "wipe" effect. But the real treat is the final scene, where after a botched blood transfusion they switch roles, with Laurel doing a Hardy impersonation and vice-versa. Awesome!
Total Running Time: 71 minutes
My Total Minutes: 333,420
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Jason watches DESPICABLE ME 2
I actually secretly love DESPICABLE ME. I gave it kind of a lukewarm review at the time, but I've grown to like it more and more over time. It's essentially about the childlike innocence of pure evil. Not the incidental evil that comes from a love of money, power, fame, etc. It's pure evil--evil for the love of being evil. It's not evil so much as id, and so of course it gets along well with children.
The thing is, by the end of the first movie Gru (Steve Carell) isn't evil anymore. And he's still not evil at the beginning of this sequel. In fact, he's so not evil that his longtime assistant Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) leaves for a more evil job. Meanwhile, agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) of the AVL (Anti-Villain League) recruits him to help on an important case. Wait, the "despicable" title character starts out by helping to save the world? Whatever. There's a lot of great comic talent here, and for the most part the jokes are funny (especially the antics of the minions) and the story works. It's just missing that original spark of realizing the joy of pure evil.
Total Running Time: 98 minutes
My Total Minutes: 333,349
The thing is, by the end of the first movie Gru (Steve Carell) isn't evil anymore. And he's still not evil at the beginning of this sequel. In fact, he's so not evil that his longtime assistant Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) leaves for a more evil job. Meanwhile, agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) of the AVL (Anti-Villain League) recruits him to help on an important case. Wait, the "despicable" title character starts out by helping to save the world? Whatever. There's a lot of great comic talent here, and for the most part the jokes are funny (especially the antics of the minions) and the story works. It's just missing that original spark of realizing the joy of pure evil.
Total Running Time: 98 minutes
My Total Minutes: 333,349
Jason watches MAN OF STEEL
You will believe that pixels can fly!
Okay, let's get this out first. I'm not a comic book geek, I'm a movie geek. I don't know if this take on Superman (and yes, despite his name not being in the title he does get nicknamed Superman by the end) is faithful to one or more storylines in the comic, but for me my Superman reference is Christopher Reeve, and this is a very, very different take.
In short, I liked it, I didn't love it, and I have a nagging feeling that if it were about a different human-looking super-powerful alien hero I might have liked it more, but it's unfortunately weighted down by my own preconceived notions of Superman, Krypton, and how humans view him.
The bulk of the plot is dedicated to the idea that if people knew the truth about Clark Kent/Kal-el (Cooper Timberline and Dylan Sprayberry as a child, Henry Cavill as an adult,) they would fear and reject him. And that's an interesting take...but one I stumble over. Superman for me was always, unquestionably, universally seen as good. This take just seems...wrong. Especially in how it's a fear instilled in him by his adopted father Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner.) Without getting too spoiler-y, there's a critical flashback scene involving young Clak and his father that just bugged the crap out of me. Basically, he could have saved the day and witnesses could've attributed it to a combination of adrenaline and their faulty, confused senses. In any case, by the end everyone turns on a dime pretty quickly, abandons their fear of Kal-el, and embraces him as an ally.
Anyway, then there's the take on Lois Lane (Amy Adams.) She's good--very good--at her job. So good that (spoiler) she figures out that Clark Kent is a superpowered alien before they ever meet. Well, that changes their relationship quite a bit. Again, I'm bringing baggage from the Christopher Reeve/Margot Kidder movies with me, and actually I quite like Lois being a stronger character--more of a partner than damsel in distress.
Then there's Kryptonite...or rather, there isn't. Instead of rocks from his homeworld weakening him, it's something about the overall environment of Krypton. So being aboard a Krypton ship with a Krypton atmosphere would kill a human and weaken Superman (but not weaken other Kryptonians--it only weakens him because he grew up and adapted to Earth atmosphere.) So when Zod releases a "World Engine" to turn Earth into a new Krypton, being near that when it's in operation can also weaken him.
Ah, then there's Zod...and for that matter the whole Kryptonian plot. Michael Shannon plays him with excellent menace. I liked him as a villain. The rest of Krypton...whatever. Rather than the crystalline world of the Reeve (and for that matter, Brandon Routh) movies, Krypton is shown as a desolate, harsh world with a strictly regimented and controlled society. As fetuses in a gestation chamber, some are genetically engineered to be warriors (like Zod), some are engineered to be scientists (like Jor-el), some political leaders, and one--Kal-el--is born naturally, and granted the freedom to choose his own path in life. This...could be interesting and powerful if it wasn't handled so simplistically and perfunctorily.
And finally, there's the action. I have had some fun in the past hating on director Zack Snyder. But I will grant that he does action very well. So kudos for that.
So, to sum up, liked it, didn't love it, looking for more in the sequels.
Total Running Time: 143 minutes
My Total Minutes: 333,251
Okay, let's get this out first. I'm not a comic book geek, I'm a movie geek. I don't know if this take on Superman (and yes, despite his name not being in the title he does get nicknamed Superman by the end) is faithful to one or more storylines in the comic, but for me my Superman reference is Christopher Reeve, and this is a very, very different take.
In short, I liked it, I didn't love it, and I have a nagging feeling that if it were about a different human-looking super-powerful alien hero I might have liked it more, but it's unfortunately weighted down by my own preconceived notions of Superman, Krypton, and how humans view him.
The bulk of the plot is dedicated to the idea that if people knew the truth about Clark Kent/Kal-el (Cooper Timberline and Dylan Sprayberry as a child, Henry Cavill as an adult,) they would fear and reject him. And that's an interesting take...but one I stumble over. Superman for me was always, unquestionably, universally seen as good. This take just seems...wrong. Especially in how it's a fear instilled in him by his adopted father Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner.) Without getting too spoiler-y, there's a critical flashback scene involving young Clak and his father that just bugged the crap out of me. Basically, he could have saved the day and witnesses could've attributed it to a combination of adrenaline and their faulty, confused senses. In any case, by the end everyone turns on a dime pretty quickly, abandons their fear of Kal-el, and embraces him as an ally.
Anyway, then there's the take on Lois Lane (Amy Adams.) She's good--very good--at her job. So good that (spoiler) she figures out that Clark Kent is a superpowered alien before they ever meet. Well, that changes their relationship quite a bit. Again, I'm bringing baggage from the Christopher Reeve/Margot Kidder movies with me, and actually I quite like Lois being a stronger character--more of a partner than damsel in distress.
Then there's Kryptonite...or rather, there isn't. Instead of rocks from his homeworld weakening him, it's something about the overall environment of Krypton. So being aboard a Krypton ship with a Krypton atmosphere would kill a human and weaken Superman (but not weaken other Kryptonians--it only weakens him because he grew up and adapted to Earth atmosphere.) So when Zod releases a "World Engine" to turn Earth into a new Krypton, being near that when it's in operation can also weaken him.
Ah, then there's Zod...and for that matter the whole Kryptonian plot. Michael Shannon plays him with excellent menace. I liked him as a villain. The rest of Krypton...whatever. Rather than the crystalline world of the Reeve (and for that matter, Brandon Routh) movies, Krypton is shown as a desolate, harsh world with a strictly regimented and controlled society. As fetuses in a gestation chamber, some are genetically engineered to be warriors (like Zod), some are engineered to be scientists (like Jor-el), some political leaders, and one--Kal-el--is born naturally, and granted the freedom to choose his own path in life. This...could be interesting and powerful if it wasn't handled so simplistically and perfunctorily.
And finally, there's the action. I have had some fun in the past hating on director Zack Snyder. But I will grant that he does action very well. So kudos for that.
So, to sum up, liked it, didn't love it, looking for more in the sequels.
Total Running Time: 143 minutes
My Total Minutes: 333,251
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Jason goes to the Broncho Billy Film Festival--Sunday
So I skipped Saturday to drink all afternoon and then see my Quakes make an amazing comeback in the California Clasico at Stanford Stadium. So I was dragging a little bit, and mightily hungover, but I was back at Niles for the third and final day of their big weekend, the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival.
First, a walking tour of historic buildings in Niles (and shooting locations for BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET.) Then it was back to the Edison Theater at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum for a pair of movies and a panel discussion
The first film was actually a documentary and a talkie! STUNT LOVE (2011) tells the story of one of the original Hollywood couples. Helen Holmes, the great stunt actress, and her husband and director J. P. McGowan. They didn't just collaborate on one of the most popular series of the silent era (Hazards of Helen,) but they were trailblazers who pioneered stunt work that future generations still admire (like Zoe Bell, who shows up in the movie.)
Then we were treated to a STUNT COMPILATION REEL from Blackhawk Films. Lots of cool old silent film footage of jumps, riding, and train dodges. Very cool.
Then we had a panel discussion with Sprague Anderson, Diana Serra Cary (aka Baby Peggy), and Bob Birchard talking about the history of the stunt business. Of course, in Baby Peggy's time they didn't call it "stunts" they just called it "work," even when "work" meant finding your way out of a burning set when the "unfired" door did in fact catch on fire. A true professional, she found her way out without ruining the shot...and then the scene was left on the cutting room floor. Everybody had stories of stunt performers they knew (or knew of) and it may be a little morbid, but nearly every story involved someone dying in an accident. Very interesting.
Then a little break, and we finished with the final program of the festival.
First up, we enjoyed an encore presentation of the film produced by the museum, BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET (2013.) Still fun on a second viewing. Can't wait to see the final version with all the titles, credits, and balanced light levels.
CANINE SHERLOCK HOLMES (1912): Then we had a special unplanned treat. This comic short was added to the program. A very clever dog finds the robber's hideout and alerts the police.
SHERLOCK JR. (1924): And finally, we ended with this Buster Keaton classic. Keaton plays a projectionist (remember, the theme of the festival is movies about movies) but he dreams of--and is studying for--becoming a detective. He has a chance to put his skills to use when his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch is stolen. But his skills aren't that great--instead he gets framed. So he goes back--loveless--to his theater where he starts the movie, falls asleep, and walks right into the movie-within-the-movie. Pretty impressive special effects gags, as the scenes change but he stays the same. Eventually he (in the movie) becomes the famous detective Sherlock Jr. and solves the mystery. Very funny stuff.
And that was how the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival, 2013 edition, ended. And I finally got home and slept off my hangover.
Total Running Time: 143 minutes
My Total Minutes: 333,108
First, a walking tour of historic buildings in Niles (and shooting locations for BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET.) Then it was back to the Edison Theater at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum for a pair of movies and a panel discussion
The first film was actually a documentary and a talkie! STUNT LOVE (2011) tells the story of one of the original Hollywood couples. Helen Holmes, the great stunt actress, and her husband and director J. P. McGowan. They didn't just collaborate on one of the most popular series of the silent era (Hazards of Helen,) but they were trailblazers who pioneered stunt work that future generations still admire (like Zoe Bell, who shows up in the movie.)
Then we were treated to a STUNT COMPILATION REEL from Blackhawk Films. Lots of cool old silent film footage of jumps, riding, and train dodges. Very cool.
Then we had a panel discussion with Sprague Anderson, Diana Serra Cary (aka Baby Peggy), and Bob Birchard talking about the history of the stunt business. Of course, in Baby Peggy's time they didn't call it "stunts" they just called it "work," even when "work" meant finding your way out of a burning set when the "unfired" door did in fact catch on fire. A true professional, she found her way out without ruining the shot...and then the scene was left on the cutting room floor. Everybody had stories of stunt performers they knew (or knew of) and it may be a little morbid, but nearly every story involved someone dying in an accident. Very interesting.
Then a little break, and we finished with the final program of the festival.
First up, we enjoyed an encore presentation of the film produced by the museum, BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET (2013.) Still fun on a second viewing. Can't wait to see the final version with all the titles, credits, and balanced light levels.
CANINE SHERLOCK HOLMES (1912): Then we had a special unplanned treat. This comic short was added to the program. A very clever dog finds the robber's hideout and alerts the police.
SHERLOCK JR. (1924): And finally, we ended with this Buster Keaton classic. Keaton plays a projectionist (remember, the theme of the festival is movies about movies) but he dreams of--and is studying for--becoming a detective. He has a chance to put his skills to use when his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch is stolen. But his skills aren't that great--instead he gets framed. So he goes back--loveless--to his theater where he starts the movie, falls asleep, and walks right into the movie-within-the-movie. Pretty impressive special effects gags, as the scenes change but he stays the same. Eventually he (in the movie) becomes the famous detective Sherlock Jr. and solves the mystery. Very funny stuff.
And that was how the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival, 2013 edition, ended. And I finally got home and slept off my hangover.
Total Running Time: 143 minutes
My Total Minutes: 333,108
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Jason goes to the Broncho Billy Silent Film Fest--Friday night
Last weekend was the biggest weekend of the year at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, their 16th annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival (and yes, for those of you who can do simple math and know that the physical museum building was opened in 2005, the film festival does predate the museum theater.)
After a meet-and-greet and some snacks, we started the festivities with BILLY MCGRATH ON BROADWAY (1913): I might as well just copy and paste what I wrote when I saw it a few years ago:
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET (2013): Now this is the treat of the festival. A brand new silent film (formerly known as THE CANYON) produced by the museum, directed by our historian/projectionist David Kiehn using authentic ~100 year old cameras and genuine black-and-white 35 mm film. It was even edited by actually cutting and splicing film. This was actually a work print, the brightness hasn't been balanced on all the scenes (although they didn't really do that back in the day, so it's kind of more authentic this way) and they need a few more intertitles, but this was the mostly finished version (since everything is done in the camera, there are no special effects to add.)
The story starts--much as G. M. Anderson did before he was Broncho Billy--with a great train robbery. Broncho Billy (our own Bruce Cates) is on the train but instead of running away he pays careful attention to the robbers. Enough that he--along with his crew at the Essanay Studio--can assist the sheriff in catching the bad guys. Lots of adventure, and when it's all over Anderson has a great idea for a movie and it all ends with a proud Anderson and an embarrassed sheriff watching the movie-within-a-movie (that is actually an actual Broncho Billy movie.)
By the way, did I mention that the theme of the festival was "Movies About Movies?" Well...it was.
Okay, then an intermission and our feature film.
SHOW PEOPLE (1928): Continuing the theme of movies about movies, Marion Davies stars as Peggy Pepper, a young actress who was the toast of her small town in Georgia so she came out to Hollywood to become a star. More than that--a serious actress. But it turns out she has a knack for comedy and has a bit of success at Comet Studio and makes a friend in Billy Boone (William Haines.) But soon enough she catches the eye of the big High Art Studio and is in the big time. She's even set to marry into (I assume not quite legitimate) royalty. A solid story, but what makes this movie so much fun is the send-up of Hollywood pretentiousness itself, and the parade of celebrity cameos as themselves. A cool way to end the first night of the festival.
Total Running Time: 122 minutes
My Total Minutes: 332,843
After a meet-and-greet and some snacks, we started the festivities with BILLY MCGRATH ON BROADWAY (1913): I might as well just copy and paste what I wrote when I saw it a few years ago:
An Essanay production from the Chicago studio, Billy McGrathdecides to produce a Broadway play. Problem is, the actors walk out. No problem, the stage hands fill in, and wackiness ensues. Includes Augustus Carney, famous as Alkali Ike in Essanay westerns in Niles. He went to Chicago for a while but the tightly regimented schedule worked him too hard and he returned to Niles. Suck it, Chicago!That pretty much says it all. Especially the "Suck it, Chicago!" line.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET (2013): Now this is the treat of the festival. A brand new silent film (formerly known as THE CANYON) produced by the museum, directed by our historian/projectionist David Kiehn using authentic ~100 year old cameras and genuine black-and-white 35 mm film. It was even edited by actually cutting and splicing film. This was actually a work print, the brightness hasn't been balanced on all the scenes (although they didn't really do that back in the day, so it's kind of more authentic this way) and they need a few more intertitles, but this was the mostly finished version (since everything is done in the camera, there are no special effects to add.)
The story starts--much as G. M. Anderson did before he was Broncho Billy--with a great train robbery. Broncho Billy (our own Bruce Cates) is on the train but instead of running away he pays careful attention to the robbers. Enough that he--along with his crew at the Essanay Studio--can assist the sheriff in catching the bad guys. Lots of adventure, and when it's all over Anderson has a great idea for a movie and it all ends with a proud Anderson and an embarrassed sheriff watching the movie-within-a-movie (that is actually an actual Broncho Billy movie.)
By the way, did I mention that the theme of the festival was "Movies About Movies?" Well...it was.
Okay, then an intermission and our feature film.
SHOW PEOPLE (1928): Continuing the theme of movies about movies, Marion Davies stars as Peggy Pepper, a young actress who was the toast of her small town in Georgia so she came out to Hollywood to become a star. More than that--a serious actress. But it turns out she has a knack for comedy and has a bit of success at Comet Studio and makes a friend in Billy Boone (William Haines.) But soon enough she catches the eye of the big High Art Studio and is in the big time. She's even set to marry into (I assume not quite legitimate) royalty. A solid story, but what makes this movie so much fun is the send-up of Hollywood pretentiousness itself, and the parade of celebrity cameos as themselves. A cool way to end the first night of the festival.
Total Running Time: 122 minutes
My Total Minutes: 332,843
Jason slips into a Vortex and into THE FOG
Finally catching up on the blogging, and last Thursday I made it back to my favorite underground movie club, The Vortex Room. It had been too long, I missed nearly all of their Vortex Phenomena series--supernatural films. So I was jonesin' for a Vortini or three (the Vortini--or Vortex Martini--is a simple, classic gin-and-vermouth martini with an olive, but made with unparalleled excellence.) Then I settled in for the movie.
THE FOG is classic John Carpenter--small town (the fishing town of Antonio Bay, Near the California/Oregon border), creepy atmosphere, and an ancient curse. Every night the fog rolls in, and people die. Carpenter also reunites with his HALLOWEEN star Jamie Lee Curtis, and features her mother Janet Leigh. While this isn't the best remembered John Carpenter movie, it's a solid piece of atmospheric, serious supernatural horror. A good reminder of when Carpenter made honest-to-God scary movies, instead of the silly stuff he has put out recently.
Running Time: 89 minutes
My Total Minutes: 332,843
THE FOG is classic John Carpenter--small town (the fishing town of Antonio Bay, Near the California/Oregon border), creepy atmosphere, and an ancient curse. Every night the fog rolls in, and people die. Carpenter also reunites with his HALLOWEEN star Jamie Lee Curtis, and features her mother Janet Leigh. While this isn't the best remembered John Carpenter movie, it's a solid piece of atmospheric, serious supernatural horror. A good reminder of when Carpenter made honest-to-God scary movies, instead of the silly stuff he has put out recently.
Running Time: 89 minutes
My Total Minutes: 332,843
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Jason goes to Docfest--The End!
Finally, three days after closing night (and an extra week and a half later to write this,) it's really, really over. Four more movies a week ago Sunday in Santa Cruz. I'm so far behind on this blog, I apologize if my reviews will become very brief.
First up was GUT RENOVATION, Su Friedrich's personal take on the gentrification of the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn. She had lived there with her artist friends for decades, but now developers are coming in, declaring the neighborhood derelict, kicking the artists out, and building fancy condos and boring chain stores. At least, that's the premise, and while Friedrich gives a unique insider perspective that's closer to home movie than polished cinema, it's unlikely to convince anyone who isn't already convinced the developers are evil. An interesting perspective, but for a more polished, professional, and damning portrait (including political shenanigans) of developers destroying Brooklyn, check out BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN (from last year's Docfest.)
The next show started with the short THE KIDS OF 5114. The number 5114 refers to a donor number--sperm donor, to be precise. A bunch of half-siblings find each other on Facebook, and the reunion is funny and interesting.
That led into the feature, PERFECT STRANGERS, which was also about strangers meeting on line and medical procedures. But this time, it's kidney transplants. Ellie wants to give away her kidney. It's rare, but it does happen that people want to donate one of their spare organs to...whoever needs it. Most live organ donations are to family members, but she's willing to give it to anyone. And her first choice is Kathy, a woman on dialysis who might not have long to live without a transplant. The compatibility tests come back and...they're not a match. But they both stay in touch, they both (without giving too many spoilers away) complete their journey, and they were both there at the Q&A afterwards (I guess that's a bigger spoiler.) A fascinating and admirable story. I, for one, am more than happy to donate all my organs to medicine, science, ...cuisine (okay, not really,) or whatever after I die. Until then, call me selfish but I want to keep all the organs I'm using.
Next up was the shorts program Bold Docs. Think of "Bold" as "Experimental" or even "Artsy":
SKINNINGGROOVE: The title refers to a small English fishing village. Interesting people, mostly cut off from the outside world, and distrusting of strangers. But one photographer--Chris Killip--gained their trust and documented the town for years. This short film, starring Chris, showcases several of his unpublished photographs.
EVERY SPEED: Views of people getting around in different ways--with and without disabilities. Lots of scenes of wheelchairs.
ANIMATION HOTLINE: A very funny look at the results when an artist puts up a phone number where you can call him and leave a voicemail message that he will then animate. See them all (and find the voicemail number) here.
BUFFALO MUST DIE: Difficult to watch, but as a carnivore I felt I must. This movie shows ritual buffalo slaughters in Tana Toraja, Indonesia. Granted, I'm not from Indonesia and I don't eat (much) buffalo (that I know of) but still I feel like watching animals get butchered should be part of the carnivore experience.
UTC: A "found footage" look at Japan, through the lenses of many webcams.
NILE PERCH: Fisherman on Lake Victoria, Africa. Traditional life meets modernization and globalization, in meditative black-and-white 16 mm film.
And finally, speaking of fishing, I ended the night--and the festival--with THE LAST OCEAN. The Ross Sea in Antarctica is the closest thing on Earth that we have to a pristine marine environment. Basically the last place that humans haven't fucked up...yet. And the stunning cinematography used here really showcases its beauty. But the fishing boats are moving in, and the scientists and environmentalists are trying to fight back. And what could they possibly be fishing there? Well, it's the Antarctic Toothfish (a real ugly sucker!) And why would they fish that? Because they sell it as Chilean Sea Bass. So, long story short, our heroes are trying to get this fishing banned (or at least severely reduced through tougher regulations.) And in the meantime, don't buy/order Chilean Sea Bass unless you're sure it's sourced from waters other than the Ross Sea.
And that is all I wrote on Docfest 2013.
Total Running Time: 331 minutes
My Total Minutes: 332,754
First up was GUT RENOVATION, Su Friedrich's personal take on the gentrification of the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn. She had lived there with her artist friends for decades, but now developers are coming in, declaring the neighborhood derelict, kicking the artists out, and building fancy condos and boring chain stores. At least, that's the premise, and while Friedrich gives a unique insider perspective that's closer to home movie than polished cinema, it's unlikely to convince anyone who isn't already convinced the developers are evil. An interesting perspective, but for a more polished, professional, and damning portrait (including political shenanigans) of developers destroying Brooklyn, check out BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN (from last year's Docfest.)
The next show started with the short THE KIDS OF 5114. The number 5114 refers to a donor number--sperm donor, to be precise. A bunch of half-siblings find each other on Facebook, and the reunion is funny and interesting.
That led into the feature, PERFECT STRANGERS, which was also about strangers meeting on line and medical procedures. But this time, it's kidney transplants. Ellie wants to give away her kidney. It's rare, but it does happen that people want to donate one of their spare organs to...whoever needs it. Most live organ donations are to family members, but she's willing to give it to anyone. And her first choice is Kathy, a woman on dialysis who might not have long to live without a transplant. The compatibility tests come back and...they're not a match. But they both stay in touch, they both (without giving too many spoilers away) complete their journey, and they were both there at the Q&A afterwards (I guess that's a bigger spoiler.) A fascinating and admirable story. I, for one, am more than happy to donate all my organs to medicine, science, ...cuisine (okay, not really,) or whatever after I die. Until then, call me selfish but I want to keep all the organs I'm using.
Next up was the shorts program Bold Docs. Think of "Bold" as "Experimental" or even "Artsy":
SKINNINGGROOVE: The title refers to a small English fishing village. Interesting people, mostly cut off from the outside world, and distrusting of strangers. But one photographer--Chris Killip--gained their trust and documented the town for years. This short film, starring Chris, showcases several of his unpublished photographs.
EVERY SPEED: Views of people getting around in different ways--with and without disabilities. Lots of scenes of wheelchairs.
ANIMATION HOTLINE: A very funny look at the results when an artist puts up a phone number where you can call him and leave a voicemail message that he will then animate. See them all (and find the voicemail number) here.
BUFFALO MUST DIE: Difficult to watch, but as a carnivore I felt I must. This movie shows ritual buffalo slaughters in Tana Toraja, Indonesia. Granted, I'm not from Indonesia and I don't eat (much) buffalo (that I know of) but still I feel like watching animals get butchered should be part of the carnivore experience.
UTC: A "found footage" look at Japan, through the lenses of many webcams.
NILE PERCH: Fisherman on Lake Victoria, Africa. Traditional life meets modernization and globalization, in meditative black-and-white 16 mm film.
And finally, speaking of fishing, I ended the night--and the festival--with THE LAST OCEAN. The Ross Sea in Antarctica is the closest thing on Earth that we have to a pristine marine environment. Basically the last place that humans haven't fucked up...yet. And the stunning cinematography used here really showcases its beauty. But the fishing boats are moving in, and the scientists and environmentalists are trying to fight back. And what could they possibly be fishing there? Well, it's the Antarctic Toothfish (a real ugly sucker!) And why would they fish that? Because they sell it as Chilean Sea Bass. So, long story short, our heroes are trying to get this fishing banned (or at least severely reduced through tougher regulations.) And in the meantime, don't buy/order Chilean Sea Bass unless you're sure it's sourced from waters other than the Ross Sea.
And that is all I wrote on Docfest 2013.
Total Running Time: 331 minutes
My Total Minutes: 332,754
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