If you haven’t heard of the the 48 Hour Film Project it’s an international filmmaking competition that challenges filmmakers to put together a short film within a matter of 48 Hours. It’s exciting, enabling, and exhausting. But it’s definitely worth it, it’s always fun to see what people come up with in the short span of a weekend.
The first official 2010 48 Hour Film Project event kicks off this Thursday! If you live in the San Diego area you have a chance to attend the World Premiere of the 2009 Best of 48HFP Films. These are the top films out of 3000+ films shot during the 2009 48HFP season and are not to be missed! Meet this year’s 48HFP producers and previous year’s filmmakers after the screening and learn how to shoot your own 48HFP film.
There will also be a meet and greet event at the next-door DoubleTree Hotel after the screening.
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2010
Time: 7:00pm – 10:30pm
Location: UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center
Street: 7510 Hazard Center Drive
I have a confession. Upon reading the synopsis of the film Barry Munday, I decided I didn’t want to watch it. I had already made up my mind that it was going to be a bad film, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I can’t remember the last time I have seen such a surprising, and truly touching film, as this. The film stars Patrick Wilson as Barry Munday, who just like the film itself surprises the audience. Known mainly for his dramatic roles, the actor brings the perfect blend of sensibility and ignorance. Though as great as his lead performance is, it can’t hurt to mention that he’s supported by fantastic performances from Judy Greer, Chloe Sevigny, and Malcolm McDowell.
Barry Munday is about the title character with the same name, a guy that is pathetic, obnoxious, and sexist. You look at him in disgust while laughing at the same time. Barry’s whole life takes a change when a sudden act of violence occurs and he deservedly loses his testicles. His manhood that he once latched onto is now gone, and his life is a whirlwind from there. The film is ludicrous and hilarious, and suprisingly uplifting at times.
Although the premise is a bit ridiculous, please believe me when I say, it goes far beyond what you’d expect and becomes a film that should truly not be missed. I got to speak to writer/director Chris D’Arienzo after the screening and tell him not only how fantastic his film was but also how I was able to actually relate to it. With a smile on his face, D’Arienzo shook my hand and thanked me for my kind words, he realized what he had done. While I had written his film off before I had even seen it, the synopsis (however bad I may have thought it to be) somehow got my butt in that seat, and I not only enjoyed the film but absolutely loved it.
Writing movie reviews is a task I cherish, but the best part about it is recommending an unknown film and admitting the power it holds. For we truly know the effect a film holds when we find familiarity in the unfamiliar. It’s when the filmmaker transcends past the general enjoyment of a film and takes us somewhere we’ve never been, yet makes it feel like home.
Do yourself a favor and don’t write this film of like I did initially. It’s unfortunate that a film like this is being shopped around to no avail, a lot of it I’m sure is due to the economy, but this little gem deserves a chance. Hold off on your prejudgements, forget all your preconceptions, and see Barry Munday as soon as you can.
You can view theBarry Munday trailer here. Currently the film has no distribution or offcial release dates.
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“Live from New York its…” We all know how the rest of that famous line goes, but with James Franco’s new film, Saturday Night, we now know a little more of what happens after that line is spoken.
In this behind-the-scenes documentary Franco explores the ins and outs of how a single episode is created on the iconic show “Saturday Night Live”. What initially started as a 5 minute interview thesis project with one of its cast members, Bill Hader, was soon after (with an invitation from the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels) turned into something entirely new. From that short interview Franco had started for his graduate program at NYU, Michaels saw more potential and, for the first time ever, gave a documentary crew complete access to what goes on behind the curtains at SNL.
Started in 1975, both a lot and a little is known on how SNL is actually ran from start to finish. We’ve had glimpses of the production of it all, we’ve seen the anniversary specials, and listened to past cast members reminisce, but never have we seen what goes into the writing process and how they put the whole thing together in just one week. Not until now, that is. The film does a good job documenting the hastiness that is SNL, from the very first pitch meeting at the beginning of the week all the way until the curtain comes up and announcer Don Pardo begins to speak. With perspectives ranging from seasoned writers to brand new cast members, we are truly given an authentic look into the hard work that goes into such an elaborate production.
Saturday Night documents the December 6th, 2008 episode hosted by John Malkovich, with T.I. as the musical guest. The episode made for a good one to document, as Malkovich is a very talented actor and seems pretty much up for anything. It’s interesting to see some of the more unconventional skits make it to the end, while some of the skits that did well in test readings get cut last minute, for various reasons.
When I watched this film, I became so involved with these actors, and writers, and their incredibly extensive process that it felt almost as if I was in the live audience myself. I actually had the chance to visit the studio a couple years ago and was hoping I could see a little of what went on when the cameras cut, but was saddened when I learned that the best seat in the house, is actually the one from your own living room. The way the stage is set up and positioned makes it so that audience rarely gets to see both what is filmed and what is not.
With a film like this on the other hand, we are brought into this hidden world of sleepless days and an almost thankless job. We see how and where these pioneers of comedy, both past and present, learn to hone their craft while also learning how to deal with rejection. Through this film we understand this struggle and begin to relate to the joy of what it must feel like to get it right, to make a joke, or skit, work and hear the people laugh.
The film is pretty much shot all hand-held and often cuts to grainy black and white. It gives it a natural feel and with Franco having hosted with this particular cast before, it feels even more organic. For a project that was practically dropped on his lap, I do believe Mr. Franco did a fine job at giving us an inside look into a world always presented from the outside. I truly hope people will see this film, or at the very least, that Franco got an “A” on his thesis, I think it would be well-deserved.
There are no official release dates for Saturday Night as of yet,
but you can check out the IMDB page for further updates.
Watch the hilarious “Calculator” sketch below, which is featured in the documentary, Saturday Night.
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“CYRUS“. A simple title that describes a film which offers a whole lot more than expected. Also, a film that presents an important step for it’s directors Jay and Mark Duplass, as well as it’s lead actor, Jonah Hill.
The Duplass brothers have been known for being at the forefront of the now defunct “Mumblecore” movement, as well as positive figures in the independent cinema world. The two brothers went to film school in Texas and have now returned to SXSW to premiere their latest, and most expensive film, Cyrus. They have shown their films at SXSW before, but this is the first time they’ve had major stars in their film and studio backing. Some might wonder if this is the start of something bigger and better for these two hometown heroes while others might see it as the beginning of the end. Fortunately, I can safely say that after screening this film, it’s definitely not the latter.
The same can be said for it’s star, Jonah Hill, who takes a surprising turn in this tale of longing and regret. It revolves around it’s titular character Cyrus (Hill) and his struggle to deal with his mom’s new boyfriend played by John C. Reilly. Now while the screen is shared greatly by Reilly, being a seasoned actor this is a return to form for him, but holds something entirely different for Hill.
The film still conveys the beautifully simplistic and often poignant touch of the Duplass brothers even though they’re working with a bigger budget here, and an all-star cast. Each actor in this film completely and utterly gives themselves to represent a common thread of what it truly means to let go. Thrust in the center of this theme is our character Cyrus.
Hill steps into this role with complete ease and comfort, and by doing so lets the audience feel something we can both laugh at and, at the same time, relate to. I myself found the dialogue to be both engaging and subtle with just the right touch of intensity. While that may sound like a bad mixture, it’s that type of contrast that truly makes this film so interesting.
The film itself never lets us become sure of what will happen, for right when we feel we know something will happen, it usually doesn’t and then right when we feel as if we have a grasp on what these characters won’t do, they once again surprise us. It’s almost as if this film wants us to presume we can be comfortable with an awkward subject and then without warning will turn the whole situation on it’s head.
This is a film that I really hope won’t be overlooked this year. After the screening, Mark Duplass had this to say, “We didn’t know people would hold such interest in the problems of the middle class until we made a film about it”. The film is a comedy, but it’s also pretty true to life, and has some dramatic and heartfelt moments. Cyrus won’t leave you feeling a heavy sense of reflection, but it will leave with you with a great big smile, and concerning what this film could have given us instead, I don’t think you could ask for more.
I will be honest with you, going into the documentary “Lemmy” I had no idea who Lemmy was. Now don’t freak out, I knew he is the lead singer of the legendary band “Motorhead”, and have seen interviews with him before, but to say I knew the man would be a gross overstatement; until I saw this film.
Born in 1945 as Ian Fraser Kilmister, Lemmy has paved the way for countless bands and even entire rock genres. Though I’m almost betting if you mentioned his name to a common stranger they wouldn’t know who you were talking about. This film was not only made to educate the masses of everything this man is and represents, but I believe at the same time honor someone truly influential.
The film begins in Lemmy’s house, he is playing XBOX shirtless amongst a sea of garbage and right from the very start he comes off as someone you don’t know of, but have probably met before. From that moment we see Lemmy wear his signature cowboy hat, black attire, and custom made leather boots for most of the film almost like a suit of armor. Though even with a mysterious and protective sense to him, we soon begin to learn the story behind this mythical creature.
Featuring numerous interviews from all different members of Lemmy’s life including musicians, family, and a legion of fans. What becomes most interesting about all of these accounts is that they all seem to be valid and present in Lemmy’s life still to this day. The man that stands before us on the silver screen is the same man that receives an abundant amount of praise from everyone who seems to know him. Lemmy is almost something unbelievable, and yet as much as you want to doubt what you both see and hear, it’s impossibly undeniable.
Whether the film takes you to a rock show or radio show, this man’s demeanor of kindness and sincerity is never questioned. He constantly gives the fans, his friends, and especially the live audience everything they want. We grow with this character as the documentary chronicles from his early beginnings to current state and I couldn’t get enough of it.
This film must be seen, either as a fan of documentaries, film, or simply of Lemmy himself. To miss this film would be like skipping a part of history, because that’s what this film and this incredible man represent; a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history.
death2themovies Do D-Wade & Lebron dress each other? And isn't it odd that every b-ball player wears glasses now but none of them wear goggles on the court?
death2themovies I think Americans have officially adopted "no worries" I'm sorry Aussies, it's ours now. Don't worry though, we will never take "g'day mate"
