Austin360 blogs > Austin Movie Blog > Archives > 2007 > July
July 2007
Funny men from ‘The Ten’
Anticipating the Aug. 3 release of the extremely funny comedy “The Ten,” SXSW’s Matt Dentler has posted an interview with the film’s makers, David Wain, Paul Rudd and Ken Marino, which was taped during this year’s SXSW.
Watch HERE.
Ticket, popcorn, dramamine
Margie, a reader, recently sent me this e-mail about the indie (and sometimes Hollywood — see “United 93”) vogue of jiggly hand-held camerawork and how it can beget that seasick sensation:
“Am I the only one who gets motion sickness when the camera person holds the camera is his/her hand and continually moves it? I have gone to many movies in the last couple of years that I know must have been excellent, but within 10 minutes I begin to feel very ‘seasick!’ When I went to see ‘Friday Night Lights’ … within 10 minutes I popped a dramamine (too late), yet still had to leave my eyes closed the rest of the film. I know the intention is to let the viewer know exactly the feel of the action but it was wasted on me. … Maybe there could be a ‘dramamine’ warning with the rating. I could then take it before I go and I would be fine!”
I sent her this reply:
This has been an ongoing phenomenon, which really got attention in the early 1990s, with Woody Allen’s “Husbands and Wives” and Lars Von Trier’s “Breaking the Waves.” I felt slightly dizzy at the latter, and had to leave the theater then sit on the floor at the former. … But I think in general audiences have been desensitized to the wobbly camera thing. I haven’t heard complaints in many years, and I know I don’t adversely react to it anymore.
Here’s where you come in. Send us your thoughts and experiences about the shaky-cam syndrome. Perhaps we can persuade filmmakers to buy tripods.
Local filmmakers bare their past
Mike Akel, Steve Collins, Scott Rice, Jeffrey Travis, David and Nathan Zellner … They weren’t always the polished, award-winning filmmakers we know today. At the Austin Film Festival’s event “Very Early Works,” these locals will showcase their fledgling efforts as “middle school auteurs.” The filmmakers will be on hand to discuss their work. The event happens at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Alamo Lake Creek. It’s free for AFF members and $4 for everyone else. For more info, visit austinfilmfestival.com.
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‘Grindhouse 2’?
So what’s been going on with those scene-stealing Babysitter Twins from “Grindhouse”? Electra and Elise Avellan dropped hints to bloody-digusting.com that their uncle Robert Rodriguez wants to do a second “Grindhouse” film. They told the Web site that the two films Rodriguez has in mind for the project are “Machete,” based on the faux trailer in the first “Grindhouse,” and a film built around the twins. (Found via Cinematical.)
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Going, going …
— If you’ve been meaning to catch “Introducing the Dwights” or “Eagle vs Shark,” hurry to the Arbor. Thursday is the last night for those films. Attention “Flight of the Conchords” fans: “Eagle” stars the show’s Jermaine Clement.
Meanwhile, “I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone” and “Sicko” wrap up their runs at the Dobie on Thursday.
— Three Austin theaters will be honored Thursday at the Fourth Annual Austin Access Awards. According to a news release, the honor is “a recognition of places of public accommodation that demonstrate commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act.” The theaters being recognized are the Alamo South, Galaxy Highland 10 and the Arbor. Read more here.
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Another film contest; this time it’s Fantastic
Young people like superheroes (some really doofusy old people do, too), making the latest local filmmaking contest itself sort of super.
For Reel Heroes: the Fantastic Fest Trailer Competition, say organizers, “youth filmmaking teams will embark on a mission to conceive, write, make the costumes, film and edit a short film featuring an original concept superhero. The film must explain the powers of the superhero and conclude with the aforementioned character turning to camera and saying ‘(Name of superhero) welcomes you to Fantastic Fest.’ “
Thrown by Fantastic Fest, AMD and the Austin School of Film, the competition is open to youths ages 16 and under. Go to www.fantasticfest.com for rules, deadlines, etc.
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Walnuts on your sno cone?
Tony Sirico — that’s “The Sopranos’” Paulie Walnuts to you — and television diva Morgan Fairchild are coming to Austin in September to shoot the indie comedy “The Sno Cone Stand, Inc.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie, written and directed by newcomer Travis Knapp, is “a Texas-based comedy about three stockbroker trainees who hate their jobs and self-absorbed boss Mr. Bob (Sirico) and try to get rich quick by launching a snow cone business. Fairchild will play Mr. Bob’s sales manager.”
The $1.5 million movie begins shooting Sept. 4. The film’s site is HERE.
His resume: ‘The Sopranos’
Her resume: ‘Mork & Mindy’
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Paris times huit
Trend or coincidence?
If it’s the former, expect a self-regarding “trend piece” in Film Comment or The New York Times about said trend that reveals more about the writer’s roots in the academy and reliance on received wisdom than the so-called subject at hand.
We think it’s a hearty coincidence, and because we absolutely adore Paris, a good one at that.
That would be the fact that eight current films are fully or partially set in, or at least feature, Paris. Some of the films have come and gone in Austin, others are still here. Most of them are worth a look on the screen or on DVD.
They are: “Avenue Montaigne,” “Ratatouille,” “La Vie en Rose,” “Paris J’Taime,” “My Best Friend,” “Broken English,” “Angel-A” and, in a slight stretch (remember the final shot?), “28 Weeks Later.”
Know of any we’re missing here?
Basking in the palatial splendor (and industrial A/C) of the Paramount Theatre is one of summer’s few pleasures. Last weekend’s Cary Grant double-feature was a happy example of how good it can get.
Without properly reviewing the movies, let’s just say Frank Capra’s insane farce “Arsenic & Old Lace” spurs Grant into a flurry of priceless double-takes and reaction shots and George Stevens’ somewhat stodgy “Talk of the Town” offers a more stolid Grant bouncing off the screwbally charms of the queerly attractive Jean Arthur.
Next up on the double-feature to-do list: sci-fi camp with “Them!” and Howard Hawks’ “The Thing from Another World” on July 30-31.
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You’re gonna miss her
Terrible, heart-crumbling news from the Alamo Drafthouse about smart, cool, brilliant movie programmer Kier-La Janisse, who’s abandoning Austin movie freaks for her home town. Read, weep:
After more than four years of helping us shape this theater into the home away from home it’s become for so many of us, the inimitable Kier-La Janisse recently decided that she’s going to pursue other opportunities in her Canadian homeland and leave us Texans high and dry. She will be sorely missed.
Now the good news, for opportunists who can only dream of filling Kier-La’s tattered Converse, or whatever the kids are wearing on their feet these days:
In her absence we’re realizing that we really, really need a good office manager around here. … Do you have what it takes to book films from distributors, manage guest travel, keep a calendar organized, yell at me for not finishing a task on time, and help us maintain good contact with the members of the press? … If you think you have what we’re looking for, please send your resume to our HR at constance@originalalamo.com.
Kier-La, dearly departing
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Wear your film love
The Paramount is selling T-shirts that let you show off your love of the theater’s summer film series. You can buy them at the theater during screenings or online here.
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Take the Alamo with you
Now here’s some good news: The Alamo now has a version of its Web site that’s optimized to be viewed on your mobile device. Read all about it here. Add it to your list of rationalizations of why you need an iPhone.
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Workin’ the workshops
The Austin Film Festival is bringing in screenwriter Dan Petrie Jr. (“Beverly Hills Cop,” “The Big Easy”) for the conversational workshop “Story and Structure: What to Think About Before You Write The Script,” 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Arboretum Courtyard Marriott (9409 Stonelake Blvd.).
A screening of “Beverly Hills Cop” follows at the Arbor theater.
Get all the info at Austin Film Festival.
And filmmaker Kat Candler’s doing more great workshops, like these:
Fall Script to Screen Workshop, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 11 through Dec. 15.
Fall Teen Filmmaking Workshop, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Sept. 8 through Dec. 15
They’re at The Austin Film School (906 E. 5th St., Suite 106).
Details at www.storieproductions.com.
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Celebrate with AGLIFF
The Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival is celebrating its 20th year with the July 20 for 20 event on Friday. Admission is — you guessed it — $20, but if you buy an AGLIFF membership that night, admission is free. The event includes snacks, drinks and a presentation on downtown living. It happens at Nest, 1009 W. Sixth St., from 6 to 8 p.m., and you can RSVP here.
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Sneak a peek at ‘Rescue Dawn’
If you missed Werner Herzog’s acclaimed new film “Rescue Dawn” at the Austin Film Festival in October, you can see it tonight, if you’re an Austin Film Society member. The film, which stars Christian Bale, screens tonight at 7 for AFS members at the Alamo South. It’s sold out, but you might score some unclaimed tickets by showing up 15 minutes early and getting on the waiting list. For more info, visit the AFS site.
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Harry Knowles gets hitched, with an all-star cast
Super movie-blogger (and so much more) Matt Dentler got the scoop because Harry likes him. But not just Dentler attended Mr. Ain’t It Cool News’ big day.
Here’s Dentler’s envy-inducing report from Sunday’s event:
It was the wedding of the year for the Austin film community. Aint It Cool News founder and head geek, Harry Knowles, married his girlfriend Patricia Jones in a beautiful ceremony at Green Pastures in South Austin on Sunday night.
It was a really nice evening, as they exchanged vows as the sun set, in front an audience of approximately 150 friends and family. Among the national film community in attendance: actor Elijah Wood, filmmakers Eli Roth (‘Hostel’) and Richard Kelly (‘Donnie Darko’), producers Jim Jacks and Rana Joy Glickman, TV writer Paul Dini, and many more.
Among the Austin film community in attendance: Alamo Drafthouse owners Tim and Karrie League, producer Elizabeth Avellan, filmmakers Ellen Spiro and Tim McCanlies, SXSW co-founder Louis Black, and a host of AICN writers/contributors.
Please visit Dentler’s always top-tier blog for more stuff and a wedding photo featuring a glob of celebs, right HERE.
Patricia and Harry (photo by Matt Dentler)
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Whatever happened to ‘Mandy Lane’?
— The horror film “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane,” starring Austin native Amber Heard has lost its Friday release date, Cinematical reports.
— Matt Dentler’s blog fulfills our need for “1-18-08” discussion.
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A ‘Monster’ memory at the Alamo
“The Monster Squad” director Fred Dekker gives a lusty shout-out to the Alamo Drafthouse in the new DVD’s liner notes. He explains how the cult power of the 1987 teen horror-comedy truly hit him at the Alamo Downtown, surely an epiphany shared by many cult directors about their own movies at the famed movie house.
An excerpt from Dekker’s note:
“Twenty years ago, ‘The Monster Squad’ was released to dismissive critical reaction and anemic box office. … Then something odd happened. I began to get inklings the movie was being ‘discovered’ on cable and home video. … There were punk bands and Web sites.
“April 2006: Thanks largely to Eric Vespe of Ain’t It Cool News, I was sitting in the lobby of the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, signing more autographs. Lots of them. Because there was a line of fans out the door and down the street, all of them there to see the movie on the big screen. That Night, ‘The Monster Squad’ played to two sold-out, screaming, cheering crowds.
“More screenings followed all over the country. Then conventions and personal appearances. … The movie did find its audience after all. It just took 20 years.”
(P.S.: After watching the “Monster Squad” DVD, I can only offer “dismissive critical reaction.”)
Speaking of the Alamo (when are we not?), the venue’s nationally beloved Rollling Roadshow — slogan: famous movies in famous places — hits the pavement again, with a stop in San Elizario, TX, on Wednesday for an inflatable-screening of “Fandango.”
Other stops include: “Friday” in South Central Los Angeles (Friday), “North By Northwest” at Mt. Rushmore (July 31) and “Deliverance” on the Chattooga River (Aug. 12). Get the rest and more at www.rollingroadshow.com.
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Winners and weirdness
The top 10 shorts from this year’s 48-Hour Film Project contest screen at 7 p.m. July 23 at the Arbor.
A panel of judges tapped the 10 from a final batch of 25 shorts (which would have been 27 shorts, but two teams missed the deadline). Films will vie for awards in 12 categories, from acting to costumes, and the best film will compete nationally.
How the contest, sponsored by Austin’s Reel Women, ran: Teams drew a genre and were given a character, prop and line of dialogue that had to be included in their film. They then had one weekend to finish the entire thing, scripting down to scoring.
Tix for this greatest-hits show are $10 and go on sale Wednesday at www.reelwomen.org. Also available at the door.
Fantastic Fest — that smash movie bash about all things sci-fi, horror, animation and fantasy — announces more crazy titles for its Sept. 20 through 27 run at the Alamo South:
A few:
“Exte: Hair Extensions” (bizarro Japanese horror with lots of hair)
“A Dirty Carnival” (Asian mob madness)
“End of the Line” (supernatural carnage in a subway tunnel; director Maurice Devereaux will be there to present)
“Finishing the Game” (Justin Lin’s spoof about finding Bruce Lee’s stand-in)
“Sex And Death 101” (Simon Baker, Winona Ryder and Patton Oswalt star in a sci-fi noir directed by Daniel Waters)
“Wrong Turn 2” (Director Joe Lynch is there to present the sequel to “Wrong Turn,” in which reality TV goes cannibal)
Get badges and all the films announced so far at www.fantasticfest.com.
Guess what movie this is …
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‘War on Internet Porn’ to screen
The documentary “Traffic Control: The People’s War on Internet Porn” will screen in Austin at 1:15 p.m. on July 22.
The free screening will come at the close of the Texas PTA Summer Leadership Seminar and will be Meeting Room 3 on the first floor of the Austin Convention Center (enter at Trinity and Second streets).
After the movie, there will be a Q&A with local Internet parenting expert John Carosella, vice president of content control at Blue Coat Systems.
More info on the film: www.trafficcontrolthemovie.com.
More info on Carosella: www.theinternetparent.blogspot.com
Back to (film) school
Cool local filmmaker Kat Candler has a couple of classes set to get under way this fall at the Austin Film School. “Teen Filmmaking Workshop” kicks off Sept. 8, and “Script to Screen Workshop” starts Sept. 10. For more information, visit storieproductions.com.
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‘Simpsons’ d’oh-liciousness
Thus spoke the Alamo Drafthouses South and Village:
The two venues “are planning a gigantic, fun-filled run of the SIMPSONS MOVIE starting July 27. The entire staff has put its love and alarmingly encyclopedic knowledge of the Simpsons to work to create the ultimate Simpson’s experience.”
What this means, Simpsonians:
A Squishy machine in the lobby opening weekend at South Lamar, with a costumed Homer and Bart greeting the arriving masses.
A dream menu of Simpson’s food and beverage specials at both theaters, including the Krusty Meal and the Ribwich. Gargantuan frosted pink donuts with sprinkles will also be available.
A 30-minute Simpsons pre-show, “a specially selected compilation of the greatest Simpson’s moments through the years, with some rarities
A Simpson’s Feast at 7 p.m. July 31 at the Village at 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at South Lamar:
Amuse Bouche: Chief Wiggum’s Chili, made with the merciless peppers of Quetzlzacatenango
First Course: Blinky (the three eyed radioactive fish) with Tomacco Sauce
Second Course: Pinchy in a bathtub broth; poached lobster in shellfish consomme
Third Course: A grilled bacon wrapped bone in pork chop in Marge’s special pork spice blend with a caramel dipped apple, Moe’s million dollar birthday fries and roast corn
Fourth Course: A Donut Casserole, thousands of donuts in a casserole, soaked in cream and pressed into one humongous D’oh-nut, topped with pink icing and sprinkles.
I feel ill just typing that.
Feast your eyes HERE.
Local filmmakers showing their stuff
Austinite Turk Pipkin’s lauded doc “Nobelity” teams up with Al Gore’s Oscar-winning “An Inconvenient Truth” for a powerhouse double feature about global issues Aug. 6 at the Paramount Theatre.
A Q-and-A with Pipkin and Mayor Will Wynn follows “Nobelity,” a collection of farflung interviews gleaning timely world wisdom from Nobel Prize-winning minds.
Tickets on sale day-of-show only at the Paramount (713 Congress).
‘Nobelity’
Busy Austin filmmaker Bob Ray is rippin’ up the fest circuit.
His Texas Roller Derby doc “Hell on Wheels” plays the Dallas Video Festival on a TBA date during the fest July 31 through Aug. 5. Get the latest at www.videofest.org.
And Ray’s animated short “Ape S*!” shows at the Animation Block Party 2007 Summerfest in New York on July 28. See more at the fest site.
“Summercamp!” is one of those true-to-life docs with hordes of smart kids who shake your heart and make you laugh, reminding you all the way of the easy joys and tough lessons of childhood.
Made by Sarah Price (“American Movie”) and Austin’s Bradley Beesley (“Fearless Freaks”), the movie is finally getting its due after fest runs, including SXSW 2006. It opens July 18 for a week run at the IFC Center in New York, then spreads to other cities. No word yet if Austin is on the list.
If not, grab a DVD of “Summercamp!” at www.summercampmovie.com.
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Pick and plot panels, people!
Here’s what SXSW wants to know right now: “Do You Have An Idea for a SXSW 2008 Film Panel?”
It asks because — and again we quote — “We’re starting to plan and plot the SXSW Film Panels for the 2008 Conference, and we wanna hear from you! … What topics and issues facing filmmakers and film audiences do you think we should cover at SXSW 2008? Besides the essentials (financing, distribution, etc.), what are some of the topics we may have missed over the years that you feel needs our attention?”
Email your ideas to film@sxsw.com.
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Thingies, gewgaws and stuff
“Apocalypse Now” writer John Milius takes this year’s Distinguished Screenwriter Award at the Austin Film Festival in mid-October. That means he will be there to screen one of his classic films. Will it be “Red Dawn”? “Conan the Barbarian”? “Big Wednesday”?
Read all about it and more HERE.
The ever-manly Milius.
Student Films Across America makes its Austin pitstop Sunday at the Dobie as part of its cross-country tour.
Says them: “The student-run festival will show the best films made by high school and college students from around the world in a two-hour show.”
UT student Chris McInroy’s short dark comedy ‘Recently Deceased’ plays the program.
Showtimes, tix, pix and trailers at the SFAA Web site.
As always, tons of great stuff going on at the Austin School of Film @ Motion Media Arts Center, from Apple certified classes and casting calls, to screenings and more. It’s time to check in again at www.austinfilmschool.org.
A fundraiser for the Austin School of Film Masters Class Project happens at 8 p.m. Sunday at The Green Muse Cafe (519 W. Oltorf St.), featuring live music, an art sale, food and a screening of the trailer for the in-progress feature “Picturebook.”
Proceeds go to the production of “Picturebook” — a whimsical fusion of live-action and animation — which is being made by 14 Austin teens solely with generous donations.
See the invite and lots more about “Picturebook” HERE.
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Spiro’s new film drawing big buzz
UT film prof and documentarian Ellen Spiro’s new movie about the Iraq war — co-directed by Phil Donahue — is making headlines in the trade papers, and we’re kind of excited.
From Variety:
Donahue’s ‘Body’ builds buzz
By STEVEN ZEITCHIK
One of the most buzzed-about docs in Gotham film and television circles comes from an unlikely source: Phil Donahue.
The talkshow icon has been entertaining a stream of acquisitions execs from specialty labels and broadcast and cable nets who’ve come one by one to his Upper East Side penthouse for private screenings.
The film he’s eager to show them — very eager, said several execs who’ve made the trip — is “Body of War,” an unashamedly partisan film arguing the folly of the Iraq campaign.
Donahue financed the movie out of his own pocket and co-directed it with Texas filmmaker Ellen Spiro. Donahue has also met in L.A. with West Coast execs.
Movie depicts one wounded soldier’s attempt to readjust to life in the U.S. as a handicapped veteran and paints an incriminating portrait of Democratic politicians such as Hillary Clinton, whom it shows not only approving the war but repeating White House talking points.
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) is depicted as the lone exception.
Donahue himself does not appear in the movie. Pic features the music of Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who penned and performed several songs for the film.
The movie has been accepted into a large fall festival, likely either Venice or Toronto, according to sources.
Several execs who watched the film said they envision a possible small theatrical run but mainly a television window.
However, the Film Sales Co.’s Andrew Herwitz,the sales agent repping “Body of War,” said he and Donahue are aiming for a wider theatrical run.
Phil
Ellen
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Pierson, piercingly
In full, fun gadfly mode, local indie mover/shaker/UT teacher and more John Pierson takes on Michael Moore in an open letter in IndieWire.
Pierson gets prickly, but it’s in a spirit of respect and constructive prodding. After all, Pierson is the man who got Moore’s “Roger & Me” a distribution deal back when.
The letter, and an avalanche of reader postings, is available HERE.
Here’s the lede, a taste:
FIRST PERSON | John Pierson: An Open Letter to Michael Moore
By John Pierson (June 29, 2007)
There is no percentage in me, or anyone for that matter, criticizing you. And since you’ve effectively become America’s conscience, it must be awfully hard to pause for a moment and examine your own. And I would never have become part of an attempt to make you do that if not for a classroom full of angry and disheartened college students.
With the hugely entertaining and highly effective “SiCKO” opening nationwide today, you probably think that dredging up and examining bits and pieces of your storied past is nothing but a petty, narrow-minded distraction. Since your op/ed piece (your post-documentary coinage) on the healthcare industry is a fantastic polemic and your best filmmaking by far, I almost agree with you. Almost.
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Whoa!-bosaurus
THIS is what played out at noon today in the parking lot of the Alamo South Lamar. And it’s what you can see — and hear — at 8 and 10 tonight at the same place.
See photos and video of today’s ROBOSAURUS demonstration HERE.
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Film clips
Movie news bits …
- Austinite Chris Eska’s “August Evening” has won the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Filmmakers Award For Best Narrative Feature and an award for Best Acting Ensemble, plus a $50,000 prize. The drama was partly funded by two Austin Film Society Texas Filmmakers Production Fund grants, awarded in 2005 and 2006. The frosting: “August Evening” was picked up for distribution by Maya Entertainment on Sunday. See a trailer HERE.
- Austin-made educational cartoon feature “Flatland” is out today on DVD. A math lesson disguised as a fun family flick, and based on the novel “Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions,” the movie features the voices of Martin Sheen, Kristen Bell and Michael York. See more and buy the DVD HERE.
Check out the Austin Film Festival’s hot new program Conversations in Film, “a year-round series of film seminars open to writers, filmmakers, and anyone interested in film,” sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The maiden seminar is July 10th, “Script to Screen: Making the Short Film,” with filmmakers Steve Collins, Jenn Garrison and Scott Rice. It’s at the Coldtowne Theater (4803 Airport Blvd., next to I Luv Video). Sign up HERE.
Take a peek at the 15 finalists picked for this year’s online shorts contest SXSWclick Festival. Three finalists from five categories will spend the month competing for prizes and a slot at the 2008 SXSW Film Festival. Look HERE.
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