Zooey Deschanel and Jordon Gordon-Levitt will charm your socks off in the unconventional romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer.

500 Days of Summer will be one of the top romantic movies for years to come. While it might not be starting off with the same buzz as popular romantic comedies like Amélie, Hitch, or The 40 Year Old Virgin, it seems more likely to become a well-referenced portrait of romance for young people during this era, much like Reality Bites and Singles were for Generation X in the 1990s.

While other recent films like Michel Gondry’s The Science of Sleep have also used creative means like humorous, artistic dreams to portray modern romance, 500 Days of Summer seems more accessible to both independent film lovers and mainstream audiences. So what’s so great about the movie?

Some viewers will call it a gimmick, but the film’s non-linear storytelling fits the subject matter well of what it’s like to fall in love, go through a bad break-up, and then reflect scatter shot back on the experience.  We see the film through the jumbled memories of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel) while working for a greeting card company. He is quickly smitten and falls deeply in love with her. Early on she tells him she doesn’t believe in love, and he challenges her to think such a tangible thing exists. We then get to see how this dynamic works itself out over the course of their time together.

The 500 days referenced in the movie’s title refers to the length of Tom’s relationship with Summer, and as each important moment in their relationship is introduced, we are told what day it is. Sometimes we see a glimpse of the relationship on the rocks, and then skip back to an earlier time when Tom and Summer’s interactions were fresh and alive with a youthful passion. Sometimes we see what seems to be an unimportant detail, that later makes sense in the greater context of their entire relationship. This coherence takes careful direction, and one of the most clever and effective scenes in the movie is a split screen where we see Tom’s expectations of what will happen at a party while simultaneously watching the reality of what actually happened.

If this sounds abrasive, it’s not. Almost always these cinematic departures from the norms of romantic comedies enhance our appreciation of the romance between Tom and Summer and draw us into the universality of what these kinds of passionate, youthful relationships feel like. If you thought The Break-Up took pains to underscore the suffering of a relationship dissolving, you will be impressed by how much more effectively and economically 500 Days of Summer accomplishes this task and leave us with a greater understanding of how romantic failures help us learn more about ourselves and learn how to do better the next time around.

So is 500 Days of Summer a perfect movie? Definitely not, but it’s pretty darn good. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are charismatic, convincing, and charming in rather layered lead roles. The supporting characters in the movie, however, are extremely lame. Tom has two male friends who really just seem like they are there to make jokes and fill time, and there is also a wise-cracking younger sister who provides him with the most helpful advice. The sister character is particularly lame, and really is utterly unconvincing. Luckily for us, these bothersome characters only show up occasionally and are not enough to sink the actors driving the movie.

Despite these relatively minor flaws, 500 Days of Summer is a great movie and worth seeing. Whether or not the film will launch its stars to higher-profile roles is still not clear, but it’s sure to be appreciated for a long time as a new classic in the rather worn and exhausted romantic comedy genre.

Wanna read an end-o-the-year list that has nothing to do with making, keeping, and/or inevitably breaking New Year’s resolutions? Well, my friend, you have found one…

We don’t have cable or satellite, so really the only TV we watch is movies from Netflix.  Much cheaper than cable, and you don’t have to sit through commercials!  I’ve compiled a list of the better ones we’ve seen.  What makes a movie “better?”  For me, if I wake up the next day and I am still thinking about the movie, it’s better.  Here’s a list of 20 (part 2 tomorrow!) of the memorable movies we watched this year, in no particular order…

1. “Who Killed The Electric Car?”- I often wondered to myself, hey self, since the technology exists for us to make cars that do not require gas to run, like electric cars, why isn’t everyone driving one?  Well, this movie answers that question.  It angered me to watch it.  Any movie that evokes strong emotion is a good one if you ask me.  Watch this movie and get angry, too!

2. “Into the Wild”- I love movies based on true stories, and this one was really well done.  Directed by Sean Penn, this flick is based on the last months of a young man’s life, who decided to give up all material things, including his car, and travel the country on his way to Alaska.  The soundtrack was done by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam fame, another reason to love the movie.  Watch it, and your wanderlust will awaken!

3. “Shut Up & Sing”- I’m no country fan, believe me, but I like and respect the Dixie Chicks.  Remember awhile back when they criticized President Bush overseas?  This documentary follows the band during and after that time, showing the backlash they endured for speaking their minds.  You don’t have to like country music or the Dixie Chicks or even agree with their politics to enjoy this movie about the freedom of speech.

4. “The Secret Life of Bees”- What a sweet movie starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson!  Based on a best-selling novel about a teenager trying to find herself after her mama dies.  Even the hubster liked this one!  And it made me want to be a beekeeper.

5. “US vs. John Lennon”- Documentary about John Lennon’s anti-war activism and the US government’s attempts to silence him.  A must see for those born after the 60s!

6. “Trade”- Holy crap!  If you saw “Taken” and don’t think that human trafficking goes on in the real world, watch this one.  Based on a New York Times Magazine story, this crime drama starring Kevin Kline delves into the world of international sex trafficking that leads from Mexico City to a New Jersey stash house.  Chilling story.

7. “Kite Runner”- Based on a novel mostly set in war-ravaged Afghanistan, this movie will make you grateful to live in the US (or wherever you live).  A heartwarming tale about an Afghan man who returns to his homeland to try to repay his debt to a loyal childhood friend. Excellent and inspiring.

8. “Saint Ralph”- Set in 1954, this film is about a teenage boy whose mom is in a coma.  He makes a “deal” with God that if he wins the Boston Marathon, God will save his mom.  Wonderful flick!

9.  “The Garden”- Why do I insist on watching these movies that piss me off, pardon my French?  I guess it’s good to get mad about issues that are important to you.  That’s what motivates people to take action to change things.  This Oscar-nominated documentary follows a group of low-income families struggling to protect a 14-acre urban farm in the middle of South Central Los Angeles from bureaucratic real estate developers.  Great film, and I love the cover art!

10. “God Grew Tired of Us”-   An award winner at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, this documentary is about Sundanese refugees  displaced by war who eventually end up in America in search of a better life.  Again, this one will make you mad that these injustices still occur in the world, and grateful for the life you have.

Stay tuned!  The rest of this list will appear in tomorrow’s post.  Be safe out there tonight…

When it rains it pours, and in April 1999 it rained hard at Jefferson High School.  The fictional stand in for Colorado’s Columbine High and the infamous tragedy that befell its students, faculty and their families is the subject, with a few alterations, of APRIL SHOWERS (2009) by Andrew  Robinson.  Because the scenes surrounding the massacre have such a fierce intensity (and they accost us almost from the beginning of the film) it is easy to praise the picture almost without taking a breath.  But when we do come up for air, we make some observations that color our interpretation of the viewing experience. 

There  are some sound problems, particularly in scenes taking place in a kitchen and on a middle class home’s staircase.  Sound, of course, is the bane of the low-budget filmmaker’s existence but Robinson and his crew do well with their resources overall.  Another problem with the film is an over ripe quality to some of the more melodramatic sequences.  There is the moment in a convenience store  where one student, plagued by guilt over his actions the day of the shooting, almost wigs out in a paranoid breakdown.  It is to say the least, a bit much.  Still other scenes, such as the same students suicide, seem terribly contrived.  Nevertheless, it is obvious that this is a pretty good film. 

This version of events, as told by director-writer Robinson, an actual Columbine survivor, focuses mainly on the relationship between Sean (Kelly Blatz) and April (Ellen Woglom).  It is Sean’s realization that April is one of those killed in the attack that provides most of the drama, and some scenes have a surreal quality for which Robinson deserves kudos.  Ironically, in a film with a few sound problems, the use of sound elsewhere is exemplary.  In the frantic moments after the assault, Robinson and his sound designer Craig Polding, have the sounds fade in and out, creating a touch reminiscent of the boxing scenes from RAGING BULL (1980).  It is as though the characters are losing contact with the outside world.  Near the end of the film is another fine touch.  Sean leaves the church following April’s funeral, photographed in long shot.  The cars are frozen in the middle of the street as if they have all been abandoned-a superb visual metaphor for Sean’s world coming to a stand still. 

The performances are just adequate, but Tom Arnold in a small roll as a beloved teacher, makes a moving impression.  Aaron Platt’s cinematography is at its best capturing images such as the sunset behind the crosses erected in memory of the dead, and elsewhere creates lasting memories. 

APRIL SHOWERS has been given the deluxe distribution treatment by indieflix, meaning it is not only available on the company’s website, but also can be found in video stores and other outlets and has been distributed to theatres.

Last Minutes with Oden: On Experiencing Grief and Loss

Last Minutes with Oden is an attractively engaging, but extremely heart-wrenching 6-minute short documentary directed and edited by Eliot Rausch, in association with PhosPictures.  The film tells a story about Jason Wood, an ex-convict saying a final farewell to his best friend, the man’s last minutes with his dog before he has to have it euthanized for health reasons. The documentary is a beautiful elegy that calls attention to certain heartbreaking moments most of us experience, and which is an incredibly powerful reminder of the importance of family and friendships in all our lives.

Last Minutes with Oden: On Experiencing Grief and Loss

Five Hours with Woody: Love is Everything

Last Minutes with Oden is accompanied here by another short documentary by Eliot Rausch, Five Hours with Woody.  The film follows Jason Wood going through a dark period of anguish and heartbreak, during the time he was trying to raise money for his dog suffering with cancer.  Thinking about his dog, which helped bring more love into his life than he could ever have possibly imagined, Woody wondered why all friends couldn’t be as loyal as his dog Oden had been.

Five Hours with Woody: Love is Everything

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This photo essay started with the idea that I would shoot hip-hop dancer, David Escoe during some of the classes that he teaches at Cherry Creek Dance Studio. I went to Escoe’s first class and loved what I saw. The kids really responded to his teaching style and everyone looked like they were having fun learning new hip-hop moves. Escoe was asked to teach some dance classes in Hong Kong soon after our first meeting and left to go abroad. As happy as I was for David, I knew that I didn’t have enough photos to create a complete photo essay.

I decided to use the photos from the Starz Denver Film Festival that I had taken between November 12 and 22, 2009 as a volunteer event photographer. I had a lot of fun meeting and shooting well-known stars and people in the Denver community. I attended and documented the Question & Answer sessions of independent films, the Forest Room 5 Music Lounge, and the Women & Film Reception held at the Governor’s Mansion.

I’m disappointed that the quarter didn’t leave more time to work with David or other dancers, but I’m happy with my final video. I felt very professional putting my photos together along with text, music, and voice-over.

Julie Chautin is an avid film viewer who programs films for the Murphy, N.C. Public Library and writes about them for local publications. She and her husband Jerry are longtime supporters of the High’s annual Latin American Film Festival.

Julie Chautin

Is there a film that changed your life?

I don’t know if it changed my life, but I nearly shouted out at a screen in a crowded theater when I saw Alfonso Cuaron’s film, A Little Princess.  Near the end of the story, the father returns from war and doesn’t recognize his daughter.  Thanks to Cuaron’s direction, I was so pulled into that film that I had to stop myself from yelling, “Look at her!  That’s your daughter.”  My reaction shocked me.

What’s more, I almost didn’t see it at all.  Eleanor Ringel wrote an item in the Atlanta Journal Constitution to go see A Little Princess before it left the local theaters. She added something like “You’ve trusted me before, haven’t you?”  It made me laugh, but trust builds up between a reader and a movie reviewer.  And they open doors you may not even see.

What’s the first movie you remember seeing?

My parents used to take my brothers and sister and me to the movies at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit.  And sometime in the 1950’s, Gone with the Wind was re-released. I remember sitting wide-eyed as Scarlet walked among the wounded soldiers.  I also loved old movies on television.  Marx Brothers movies like A Night at the Opera.  My sister and I would watch It Happened One Night whenever it came on.

How has programming films for audiences in Murphy, North Carolina, changed the way you view movie going?

It’s a lot of fun to program movies, and I do look at movies wondering if the Murphy audience might also enjoy them.  The weekly newspapers publish my movie reviews and that has made all the difference in getting the word out.

Film Movement, an indie film distributor has a special program for libraries.  Their film A Simple Curve used woodworking as the framework for a story.  Murphy is about ten miles away from the John C. Campbell Folk School where they teach arts and crafts.  So the film got a lot of attention.

A Simple Curve

Sometimes I’ve been able to add another dimension to the movie going experience.  When we showed Sideways I brought a bottle of Pinot Noir and everyone had a little taste.  My friend Nora King, a former Atlantan who now lives in Murphy, brought over a special snack when we showed Babette’s Feast: fried quail.  After watching Babette cook for two hours, we had a taste of what she had been serving.

In a small town library you often can get a sense of people’s own stories.  Recently for the 9/11 anniversary I showed The Guys, the film about a fire chief writing eulogies for his men lost in the Twin Towers.  A local fireman came with his daughter to see the movie and at some point he had to leave the room when his emotions got the best of him.

You’ve been part of the High’s Latin American Film Festival for many years. Would you share a favorite moment or memory of the festival?

Anyone who’s attended the Latin American Film Festival knows it’s full of great films.  The friendships that grow among the moviegoers are the added bonuses.

One of LAFF’s early films was Hello, Hemingway about a young girl in 1950’s Cuba.  She lived in the beach area where Earnest Hemingway had his house. After the film a man, a stranger, told me his family had emigrated from Cuba decades before.  And just like in the movie, they had lived down the road from Hemingway!   He was so excited to see his old neighborhood in that film.  His name is Marcus Maya and he comes every year to the festival.  He’s not a stranger anymore – he’s family.

Hello Hemingway

And, Linda, another of my favorite memories is opening night about ten years ago.  After you’d been studying Spanish awhile, you gave your welcoming speech in Spanish.  I thought the audience would clap.  I was wrong.  No one clapped.  They were too busy cheering!  They already appreciated the festival bringing cinema from their native countries to Atlanta.  And now you’re learning their language?  Everyone was touched.

Five movies that Films at the High audience members should see this year?

I loved The Visitor; The General with Buster Keaton.  Film Movement films, Arranged, A Simple Curve and Adam’s Apples.

Hello all, hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I sure did. It was lovely spending time with my family, although my sister-in-law and sister were both gone abroad this year.

Anyway, I’ve got a few exciting updates for you.

1) We had another mini-screening for QLN at the December Mitten Movie Project, organized by Connie Mangilin and Jeff White. QLN was shown with many other wonderful Michigan-made shorts, all audience choice winners from previous months, and I got to see some amazing pieces with my friend Grace Anne Rowan starring. The only award given out that night that I know of was for best short film, and that went to Chuck Grady’s The Point. Congratulations! It will air on Comcast’s Channel 52 Wow in the Troy area of Michigan for the next month.

2) My friend, Treasure Groh, a brilliant writer for Real Detroit, had decided to start a new series with her editor about, you guessed it, the film industry in Michigan!

Front page of Real Detroit--Cindy Chu

Knowing that I’m an aspiring actress, she interviewed me for the first piece. You can read it here, and if that’s stopped working, here’s the text of it:

Michigan’s Film Industry
By Treasure Groh
Dec 1, 2009, 12:55

Michigan’s Film Industry
A 101 Guide To Getting Started

Michigan may be the last place anyone expected to go Hollywood, but we have (minus the pretense). Now, studios, film classes and acting workshops are sprouting up all over metro-Detroit for people hoping to land film gigs. This ongoing series is designed to help you break into the business. We will examine the classes, the news, the politics, the tax incentive controversy and the films slated to be made right here in Michigan … and maybe, just maybe, help you get a job in the field.

Let’s start with the basics. Jobs are coming, slowly. The chances of nailing a big movie role by being discovered at a café are slim (even if you do nail the producer). You need to start with bit roles — roles as an extra.

But if your talent isn’t as “talent,” there are schools to help you gain knowledge as a grip or colorist — but we’ll tackle that topic in another issue.

What’s the cause of the newfound film enterprise of opportunity in our own backyards? It may be that 42 percent tax incentive that Governor Granholm granted the film institutions for producing product here (money is always the bottom line in Hollywood). Still, the very things that Detroit society has come to hate have also lured filmmakers in: burnt out and abandoned buildings with glorious architecture.

With so many movies being filmed here — some of which have included Whip It, Gran Torino and the HBO original TV series Hung — how does one break into this newly adapted form of employment? There are many different avenues to take, from Craigslist ads to agencies and everything in between. So if you find yourself itching to take a crack at the newly bustling Michigan film industry, read on.

Where to Start
If you haven’t had any previous acting or production experience, it’s best that you get out there and flash those pearly whites. And if they ain’t white, get them lasered. We’re serious. Get yourself out there and keep your name and image relevant. School productions aside, there’s an unending supply of acting seminars and workshops geared to meet your specific needs.

You can think unconventionally or follow the lead of others like you: “I took a one day seminar with Steve Blackwood (he was on Days of Our Lives) and an audition seminar with Marnie Saitta, who is the casting director with Days of Our Lives,” says Cindy Chu, an aspiring actress.

This seminar was brought to the public by the Michigan Actors Studio (michiganactorsstudio.com), which plays a big part in providing workshops to aspiring, as well as seasoned, actors. Though the seminars are not free, keep in mind that they often run weeks at a time, giving you more experience for a cheaper price than, say, Juilliard would.

While Chu admits that not all seminars are created equal, you should do what you can with what you have. Remember to check the site often, as classes are bound to fill up quickly.

Earning Your Chops
Now that you’ve learned a thing or two about the business, you’re ready for some roles, right? Wrong. Before you bother a casting director with your whimsical dreams of stardom, it’s best to get a few headshots. At this point, portfolios aren’t necessary because you don’t have any experience (yet). But once you have that pretty little card with your face on it, you can finally start looking for casting calls.

It can be a daunting task searching through all the pages that Craigslist has to offer, but it’s not in vain. “Any time it says ‘extras wanted’ or ‘actresses wanted’ and then it’ll talk about the Internet and partial nudity, I never pursue any of those,” Chu says with a laugh. The Michigan Film Office (michiganfilmoffice.org) is another great resource when looking for jobs, workshops, college class listings and other news about productions coming this way.

Though it shows drive and ambition to find your own jobs, you may also opt for an extras casting site. “You go in and give them your stats, so whenever a film is coming in and they’re looking for extras they’ll look and see if you fit the descriptions for background work and stuff,” Chu advises.

A good extras casting site is Real Style (realstyleonline.com). For a small, one-time $15 fee, Real Style will hook you up with a profile — you’ll go in and take a picture; and they’ll keep you in their database when casting directors are on the prowl for fresh talent.

Another road you may take is a talent agency. When you have enough material for your reel, you can start submitting to such agencies in the hopes of being signed and getting an agent. Doubly exciting, being signed to an agency means that you are good enough to have an agent and you’ll also get help from said agent in booking auditions.

Don’t just take the high road and expect to be cast in a movie right away. Take some time and scour local theaters for stage productions as well. “If someone wants to get into it I would say audition for your local theater groups and participate in Student films,” says Chu.

Working on a student film, as Chu did for the film Qing Lou Nu, may be tricky, but the experience will pay off in the end. As for stage productions, even if you don’t get the part don’t get discouraged — you now have an audition under your belt and may be better able to spot your strengths and weaknesses.

If you find that booking films is a little harder than anticipated, try another avenue. Working on a local crew does wonders for your networking capabilities and allows you to work closely with the people of production so that they will better recognize your face the next time they’re in need.

“When you work with someone and have good chemistry with them on the set and you’re a team player, they’ll definitely remember that in the future and wanna help you out,” says Chu, who was a wardrobe intern for the film Whip It.

Where to Go From Here
After you’ve soaked up all the skills needed to begin a career in film, it’s important to realize that you won’t always get paid. While Chu states that you should get paid, she admits that, oftentimes, it does not happen.

“A lot of people are upset because some of the films haven’t followed through but have asked for free extras or say that they’ll do a raffle for a prize and then they don’t end up dong the raffle,” Chu says. If you’re booked through a site such as Real Style, you will get paid for all of the work you do. If you approach a project on your own, be prepared for the unfortunate situation of potentially leaving with empty pockets.

From here, continue to use the knowledge and experience you’ve acquired. Even if you’re not working, take seminars and workshops during your dry spell so you don’t get rusty. Take advantage of every opportunity the blossoming Michigan film industry is offering you. Continue to hone your craft and be the best among your peers.

Who knows … some day you might just find yourself acting in an airport with George Clooney.  | RDW

And the best update of all for the year, I think:

3) Last Thursday I received a call from Pound & Mooney Casting about a gig with Red Dawn, directed by Dan Bradley. They needed a Chinese female actress for an extra role with a “99.9% chance of being upgraded”. I immediately said I would do it, at which Cathy Mooney told me that the extras casting from the film would be in contact with me about going in for a fitting. I ended up getting a phone call from Ryan Hill, the head of the RD extras department, and we made an appointment for me to go in to their production offices that evening for a fitting and to sign some initial paperwork. Later on, I got my call time for the next day. Friday morning, Janet Pound called me to tell me she had seen my short film at the Mitten Movie Project and loved it, so when the call went out for this potential role, she made sure I was resubmitted from my earlier audition with them for the part of “Checkpoint Soldier”. That felt great, to know that the one huge role I’ve had so far was quite instrumental in this turnaround of events. I had given up hope of ever being in Red Dawn after hearing they were almost wrapped and there hadn’t been many roles for Asian women in it. Well, eventually on Friday, I was called to set with my co-star, Dwight Sora, an Asian actor from Chicago, and I figured I was at best a featured extra. I don’t want to say what I did in the scene here, since I don’t know how much I’m allowed to elaborate, but when we wrapped that night, I was told I’d probably be needed back Monday and they would let us know. Sunday I got notice that I probably wouldn’t be needed but they wanted me on hold in case things changed. Monday, I got a call saying I’d been upgraded to a supporting role and would have to fill out some contracts when I went back to set. Tuesday I was on hold again. Finally, Wednesday, I went back for my second scene, and was excited to see that there was a trailer on the honeywagon with my name on it! It was shared, but still! My first trailer! And inside my trailer, my paperwork awaited. I signed my first Taft-Hartley, and I believe that it means I’m now SAG-eligible. Yay! It was a great day on set, lots of “fire in the hole”, tons of action, and it was much warmer in the buildings than it had been on Friday. My first SAG feature film role…and in the biggest action flick shot of the year, I do believe!

Cindy Chu and Red Dawn trailer

All in all, 2009 has been a great year for me, and I think I’ve made some very satisfactory progress in my goal of becoming a professional actress/ film professional. Not bad for under a year and a half of actually actively pursuing this career. This last role has afforded me the financial capability to take some classes in 2010, and that will include a film acting class, and perhaps also some sort of martial arts course. After speaking with one of the professional stunt men on Red Dawn, I think it only makes sense to at least learn the basics, being a Chinese-American actress and all. At best, it will be the deciding factor in me getting some role over another actress, and it’s a great skill to have in terms of self-defense and also my constant pursuit of learning new things.

Currently, I am also doing the P90X workout program. I’m just starting week 2 and already feel some physical changes inside. I feel that I’ve been making better choices in my diet, and like I have more energy. The first week, though, wow! I was sore every day! The workouts can be pretty challenging, but I’ve already improved my endurance and coordination in the past 9 days, and can’t wait to see what kind of changes it’ll bring for me physically. I’d like to drop a size by my birthday in February! For the most part, though, I just want to know that I’m well-conditioned, and to be healthier and have better stamina overall. No hibernating for me this winter, I’ve got roles to land and a lot of work ahead of me.

I look forward to 2010 with nothing but hope.

Thank you for reading,

Cindy

Short but useful writeup from the always-useful Wired how-to wiki.

Okay… first of all… WOW…

Chris and I went to Blockbuster about a week ago when we first found this movie. We did the usual “hold onto it until you find another movie you’d like to see” but ultimately, based off of our mood, we decided to go with Adventureland, thinking it would be funny… we were in the mood to laugh, and since we’d never even heard of Ink before, we thought we’d be safe. But we made the mental note of making sure to come back for it, eventually. For the record, I wish we had gone with Ink in the first place after watching Adventureland, but that’s another story all in itself.

But alas, tonight, we returned to Blockbuster and, holding true to our word, we decided to rent Ink. I am so glad we did.

This. Movie. Was. Amazing.

The summary, according to imdb.com says:

As the light fades and the city goes to sleep, two forces emerge. They are invisible except for the power they exert over us in our sleep, battling for our souls through dreams. One force delivers hope and strength through good dreams; the other infuses the subconscious with desperation through nightmares. John (Chris Kelly) and Emma (Quinn Hunchar), Father and Daughter are wrenched into this fantastical dream world battle, forced to fight for John’s soul and to save Emma from an eternal nightmare. Separate in their journey, they encounter unusual characters that exist only in their subconscious. Or do they? Ink is a high-concept visual thriller that weaves seamlessly between the conscious and the subconscious. Ink has been hailed as the new “it” movie and compared to cult classics Brazil, Donnie Darko, The Matrix, Dark City and Pan’s Labyrinth. (imdb.com)

But it was so much more than that. There is a spiritual undertone throughout the entire film. There are the “Storytellers” who come in your sleep to give you good dreams and the “Incubus” who come to give you nightmares (aka Angels and Demons). There are several scenes that paint quite the visual comparison of the spiritual battle that goes on in all of our lives on a day to day basis. The main Storyteller by the name of Liev has an uncanny allegorical resemblance to Jesus Christ.

There are characters you simply fall in love with such as Emma, the blonde, well-versed daughter, Jacob, the blind, counting Pathfinder who lives by the rhythm of the world (“1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4…”), Liev, the redemptive storyteller, and even Ink, himself.

This movie’s story shows that “no matter how safe you feel, evil may find you. But no matter how far you’ve fallen, redemption is possible.” (imdb.com)

Not only is the storyline unique, but every element of this film is all encompassing. Visually, this film is a must-see. High contrast, diffused glows, and distinct characters take over the screen. The sound throughout the entire film holds to its own integrity. Kiowa K. Winans, the executive producer as well as the sound director commented, “Every scene has probably 30-80 sound layers in it” (Ink Director’s Commentary). Every element flows together harmoniously.  Needless to say, I was thoroughly impressed.

Ink is rated R for the following:

• Sex & Nudity- The mentioning of “Wandering Hands”.
• Violence & Gore- Several hand-to-hand combat sequences resulting in minor cuts and scratches. Menace toward a child. A child is forced to ingest a potentially fatal device. A suicide is shown and discussed. Several nightmare flashes involving drowning and suffocation. A woman is threatened with a knife to her throat. The stabbing death of a woman. A man is stabbed and threatened with a knife. A woman suffering fatal injuries from a car crash is shown bloody and suffering.
• Profanity- Several instances of profanity, including the f-word.
• Alcohol & Drugs- A brief flash of drug use is seen and it is mentioned verbally. Alcohol is consumed and alcoholism is implied.
• Frightening & Intense Scenes- A child is kidnapped from her home. A child lays unconscious in a hospital. A sudden, unexpected and violent car crash is shown from the perspective of a passenger. A man sits with his dying wife in an ambulance after a different car crash. A child is brought as a sacrifice into an assembly of bad characters.

(Information provided by imdb.com)

Ultimately, Ink is a love story. Love of a husband to a wife, love of a father to a child, love of your weaknesses (pride, greed, vanity), and love of redemption. I would highly recommend this film to anyone wanting to see something refreshing and intelligent. If you’re in the mood for something simple and boring, this isn’t for you.

If you see this film because of this review, please come back and post a comment about it! I want to know what you though. Enjoy!

d.

“Suddenly we ride into a tunnel. There is no wind nor rain. The yellow light makes me feel so warm.

Even though I know that the tunnel is not the end of my journey, and I’lll be back in the rain soon,

but I’m still grateful for the passing warmth.”

About Love (2005)

I love it when I stumble upon gems of wisdom, like the quote above. It’s from a Japanese movie called ‘About Love’, about how each and everyone of us are on a journey which (lets face it) sucks really bad at times. We cry, we think things through, we go on doing our everyday things trying to make sense of it all.

Then inevitably, we meet people who makes things better. Who kinda lifts our heart a little bit while we are weathering the storm. The movie isn’t about love – it’s about how a small encounter can be that turning point when things start to get better. About how seemingly insignificant spontaneous gestures can actually make a difference.

i LOVE independent films. they are so real.

The reality is that life is seldom dramatic, nor injected with random sad music at those moments when things go wrong in our lives…..

and i love how independent films embody that.

Just got back from a jammed packed three days of meeting with decision makers (commissioning editors and acquisitions) to talk about our two documentary projects: Slum Girl Soccer (Goals for Girls) and Man vs. Meteorite. There were over 20 reps from TV channels and funding organizations from all over the world and about 100 local and international filmmakers with doc projects at DocBsAs 2009. Response was very positive, and we came out of it with 5 meetings for the next month! We´re timing the release of Slum Girl Soccer with the Womens´ Soccer World Cup in June 2011, which adds to the appeal, and everyone loved the strong characters that we are following. Also, what surprised me is that a lot of the more commercial channels were very interested, not just the art house ones.

So what are doc buyers looking for? The same thing that is prized in fiction storytelling: strong characters, story arch that has a clear conflict, and about a topic that has an interest for the audience (for example, Finnish audiences love tango while it is not so popular in Spain). If it is about a country or custom not well-known outside of that place, it needs to be well explained. Also, a lot of buyers are attracted to humorous stories.

We also met a lot of great local filmmakers who are interested in working together on future projects, which was a great bonus.

The reality is that in today’s world, if you want to be an independent filmmaker you have to embrace the idea of DIY distribution.

Even if you are able  to secure a traditional deal for some or all of the rights, the filmmaker has to become part of the distribution and marketing of his or her film in order for the film to be successful.   Using the examples of perhaps the two recently most successful  indies,  ”Paranormal Activity” and “Precious”  in both cases, the filmmakers have been instrumental in getting the word out to the audiences even though the films are being released by traditional distributors.

Of course, if I am not able to sell some or all of the rights to “Claustrophobia”, it becomes my job to be the distributor in fact.   At the moment, it is unclear what path the film will follow (traditional, DIY, or a hybrid of both.)

In any case,  I will be putting the word out soon through various social networks and a widening circle of friends and follows to help me reach “Claustrophobia’s” audiences.    I’ll talk more about this later.

And the Big Winner is…Gibraltar’s Indie Film “Wanted: Border”

By Rhea B. Peñaflor

Indeed, it is more than overwhelming that of the five digital movie finalists from the original 200 entries during the 5th Cinema One Originals Digital Movie Festival held in Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN on November 15, 2009, Ilonggo writer-director Rey Defante Gibraltar’s dark comedy “Wanted: Border” emerges as the big winner when this indie film bagged 7 Trophies.

Wanted: Border lead starrer Rosanna Roces won the Best Actress award while writer-director Ray Defante Gibraltar won the Best Director award. Experimental film Wanted: Border also won the Best Film, Best Screenplay( Ray Defante Gibraltar & John Iremil Teodoro), Best Production Design (ALF Alacapa), Best Musical Score (Malek Lopez and ErWIN Romulo), and Best Cinematography (Ogi Sugatan) awards.

The other entries are Maximus & Minimus, a sweet comedy starring Carissa “Cai” Cortez, Baron Geisler, Mikel Campos, Liza Lorena and Malou Crisologo, and directed by Nap Jamir; Bala Bala, a mystery-fantasy starring Micah Munoz, Angel Jacob, Richard Quan, Jao Mapa and Glenda Resurreccion, and directed by Melvin Brito; Paano Ko Sasabihin, a romantic comedy starring Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee, and directed by Richard Legaspi; and Si Maymay, Si Baning at Ang Asong Si Bobo, a children’s film starring Rio Locsin, Simon Ibarra and Gene Karley Largueza, and directed by Rommel Tolentino. Produced and mounted by Cinema One and the Creative Programs, Inc., through the annual Cinema One Originals project since 2005, the five-day digital film fest coincides with the 15th anniversary celebration of Cinema One.

Gibraltar shares during the press conference held in Red Steakhouse in Iloilo City this September that the biggest challenge which he had for this film is the production design since they can only work within the budget of P1M grant from Cinema One. He is thankful though for the tremendous support of the Ilonggos as well as his friends in Manila for indeed, Wanted: Border proves to be the BIG WINNER.

Movie Poster 27x40

Seed of Chucky (also known as Child’s Play 5: Seed Of Chucky, Child’s Play 5 or SOC) is a 2004 American horror film, which is the fifth entry in the popular Child’s Play series. Seed of Chucky follows the events of Bride of Chucky and stars Jennifer Tilly (who plays herself and also voices Tiffany), Billy Boyd (as the voice of Glen/Glenda), and Brad Dourif (as Chucky). The film features rapper Redman, director John Waters and S Club star Hannah Spearritt. It was written and directed by Don Mancini, who created Child’s Play and has written all sequels to date. With this entry, Mancini marked his directorial debut.

The film, shot in Romania, continues the series’ evolution from the pure-horror genre of the first movie to a hybrid horror-comedy. Besides spoofing other horror movies, the film references domestic dramas and tabloid television. This film also counts as the first film in the series to contain nudity.

Buy this title only $9.99

Jennifer Tilly

Trivia:

• The script was originally offered to Universal in 1998, who turned it down. Focus Features (a division of Universal Studios) finally picked up the movie in 2003.
• Filmed on the largest soundstage in Romania and the second-largest soundstange in Europe where Cold Mountain (2003) was also shot.
• Because Focus Features has a reputation for yielding eloquent, “artsy” independent films, Rogue Pictures was created as an off-shoot to release this movie.
• Jennifer Tilly wanted to lose weight to play herself in the movie, but she and Don Mancini inserted “fat jokes” into the script in case she didn’t make it.
• The TV spots for this movie displays an unusual disclaimer: Britney Spears Does Not Appear In This Movie. This disclaimer was inserted into TV spots because Britney’s management was concerned that people might be lead to believe that Britney actually appears in the movie. It is not her in the movie; but a look-alike.
• The wife of the man Tiffany calls to apologize to is the widow of the cop she killed at the beginning of Bride of Chucky (1998).
• The gender confused child of Chucky and Tiffany is named either Glen or Glenda by his parents. Glen or Glenda (1953) was Edward D. Wood Jr.’s film in which Wood himself portrayed the transvestite known as Glen or Glenda.
• When the floor manager at the beginning of the film shouts “Hey, Tiffany’s left arm is loose again” and then the arm grabs his crotch, this is an in-joke as revealed on the DVD commentary for Bride of Chucky (1998). Jennifer Tilly explains that Chucky’s left arm kept grabbing her breasts during shoots.
• The First film to be made by Rogue Pictures.
• As revealed on the DVD’s commentary the directors and producer had difficulty agreeing on the look of Glen. The director wanted to give him his own look and style but the producer felt that he should have features similar to Chucky because after all Glen is his son. As a result Glen was given blue eyes, red hair, and freckles like Chucky. Glen’s blue eyes and red hair however are a different shade than Chucky’s.
• As revealed on the DVD commentary because of the low budget the crew were unable to shoot the much bigger Chucky vs Glen fight that was in the shooting script.
• Chris Sarandon was approached to reprise his role as Det. Mike Norris from the first film, but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Be one of the first to see For My Father for free at your library! This award winning film from Israel and Germany has just been released to theaters and through our special partnership with the Film Movement we have it too!

Tarek, a Palestinian forced on a suicide mission in Tel Aviv to redeem his father’s honor, is given a second chance when the fuse on his explosive vest fails to detonate. Forced to spend the weekend in Tel Aviv awaiting its repair, Tarek must live amongst the people he was planning to kill. To his surprise he connects with several Israelis on the outskirts of society, including the beautiful Keren, who has cut off contact with her Orthodox family and upbringing. With nothing to lose, Tarek and Keren open up to one another, and an unlikely love blooms between two isolated and damaged individuals raised to be enemies.

However, with the deadly load of explosives still strapped to him, he must spend 48 hours in the city, caught between the men that sent him—who can blow up his bomb remotely–, the Israeli police patrolling the streets and his new-found companions. Spending this time with Keren and his new friends, Tarek discovers the spark of life returning to fill his soul, and when the weekend ends, Tarek must make the decision of his life.

Check out the trailer here!

Join us on Saturday, November 21st at 10:00 a.m. for this film experience.

The new movie Precious based on the book ”Push” by Sapphire although playing on only 18 screens nationwide manage to just not set but shatter a box office record over the weekend. Found out what record that was by using the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html