The Filmcake

June 22nd – June 28th

Hard Candy – See previous post.

Milan, Aquarium, D.I.Y., My Grandmother Ironed the King’s Shirts – From the IFC Short Film Showcase for June. I need to try and catch these more often. Short films are wonderful. These four certainly were. You can get so much creativity in a small package. And if it just doesn’t work or it’s just flat-out bad, you don’t have to wait too long for it to be over.

The Day After – A disaster movie classic. There should be more disaster movies like this one. Less emphasis on spectacular effects and more on tone.

Repo!: The Genetic Opera – Not as good as I hoped it would be. Frankly, I didn’t think the songs were good enough. The story was fine. And, the graphic novel-styled interludes only made me wish I were experiencing it in that form.

Brick – After hearing the Filmspottingguys gush over Brick and its director Rian Johnson, I finally got around to seeing it. I don’t love it like Adam and Matty do. The film noir genre just isn’t one of my favorites. I think you can lose too much when stylized language trumps comprehension. Or maybe you can’t really appreciate a movie like this unless you watch it multiple times (just typing that makes me want to revisit it). That being said, it was an inventive take on the genre. Certainly Johnson has a tremendous amount of talent. And based on the strength of this film, I’ll surely check out The Brothers Bloom and whatever comes next.

Tornado! – A truly bad disaster movie obviously made to capitalize on the buzz of Twister. A jumbled story with lots of contradictions and potholes to point and laugh at. And, dammit, we’ve got to do something about global warming or we’ll all have to live with the horrific consequences (like this movie).

Deep Impact – Another disaster movie to round out the day. I have a fondness for this one. Sure, it has plenty of cheesy stuff. But it’s sure a lot of fun.

Hard Candy – The only thing for which I am certain about this film is that I am not certain about anything. It can be easy to make judgments about the two lead characters in the film (magnificently played by Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page), but the assumptions underlying those judgments are almost entirely speculative. Arguments, I feel, could be made in any and all directions. Insinuations abound, but real evidence is lacking. Perhaps Hard Candy is just a cinematic Rorschach test. It also invokes the role and effectiveness of torture. You may only get the answers you want, not necessarily any truth. At any rate, its ambiguity is a real strength for which writer Brian Nelson and director David Slade deserve full credit. Additionally, the lighting and coloring effects were a nice touch. I think I’d have to watch through the movie a few more time before I could ascertain whether or not those effects revealed any “truth” or simply belied it.

June 15th – June 21st

Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead – The only bad thing I have to say about this Lloyd Kaufman directed film is that I’m angry that I missed the deadCENTER screening. The experience of seeing this one with a crowd (and with the legendary Kaufman in attendance, no less) is the only thing that could’ve possibly made it more enjoyable. At least I did get to see him at one of the deadCENTER panels. Maybe I’ll run into him sometime in the future…

As Sarah suggested, this would make a great double feature with Richard Linklater’s take on Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation. FFN is a great book and really important to me. While I do appreciate Linklater’s film version, Poultrygeist was a truly brilliant interpretation of Schlosser’s book. The Troma people do a remarkable job of living up to what truly is gory subject matter. And the movie just also happens to be fun as hell.

I particularly liked the two leads, Jason Yachanin and Kate Graham. They brought a goofy boy and girl-next-door feel to the film that looked all the better once they were covered in all manners of horrific ooze. They brought a charisma to the movie that I honestly wasn’t expecting. I enjoyed the musical numbers quite a bit and would have welcomed a little more development on that front. And, of course, the low-budget special effects were absolutely wonderful.

Although now I do feel a strong desire to incorporate a penis monster, some manner of dismemberment and/or a car flipping & exploding into all future home movies. Those Troma touches, whether they’re knowing gestures or money-savers, really make the movie.

And while Poultrygeist is offensive, it’s certainly not mean. The distinction is an important one to be made. It’s why “clean” comedy doesn’t ultimately work (at least with a sophisticated adult audience). You kind of have to be offensive. It’s also why political conservatives aren’t funny. They don’t know how to be offensive without being mean.

I loved this one so much that I had to watch the Director’s Commentary the next day. While the commentary was both hilarious and insightful (and, at time, wonderfully bitchy), the thing that struck me the most was learning that Lloyd Kaufman’s wife, Pat Swinney Kaufman, was the executive director of the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development. Wow. And besides the Troma gig, which he’s been at for 35 years, Lloyd also chairs IFTA (Independent Film and Television Alliance). They both obviously share a strong passion for this thing called film and they’re both very much doing something about it. They are truly an inspiration.

For more, check out recent podcast interviews with Lloyd Kaufman by Elvis Mitchell on The Treatment and Aaron Hillis at GreenCine Daily (which includes a shout-out to the deadCENTER gynos).

Colossus: The Forbin Project – Sentient computers are scary. Especially when said sentient computers join forces with Soviet sentient computers during the Cold War. They’re even scary when they promise to end all wars and ultimately save humanity.

This film, I think, has a lot to say about nationalism and the consequences of a globally connected world. Perhaps man is intent on destroying itself no matter the extent of technology. It seems to be our shared destiny.

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2009 deadCENTER Film Festival:

Screenplay:  Laura Looks Up by Keri Schreiner, Los Angeles, CA
Narrative Feature: Weather Girl directed by Blayne Weaver, Los Angeles, CA
Documentary Feature: Official Rejection directed by Paul Osborne, Los Angeles, CA
Narrative Short: Gaining Ground directed by Marc Brummen, Germany
Documentary Short: Forced into ‘Comfort’, Fighting for Apology directed by Theo Lipfert, Bozeman, MT
Animation: I’m So Proud Of You directed by Don Herzfeld, Santa Barbara, CA
Student Film: Science Fair directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp, Brooklyn, NY
Oklahoma Feature: Barking Water directed by Sterlin Harjo, Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma Short: Starvation Doctrine directed by Zac Davis, OKC, OK
Grand Jury Narrative Feature: Yvette, directed by Rogelio Almeida, Duncan, OK
Grand Jury Narrative Documentary:  The Day After Peace directed by Jeremy Gilley, London, UK

Honorable Mention Awards (i.e. movies I really liked that didn’t take home awards) go to:

Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo
The SPAM Job
Miracle Investigators
Whore
Money Please!
Hit Boys II Men
Bean

This was a really great festival. The best one yet. Great films and great fun. Great job Cacky, Melissa, Kim, and Ian!

Be sure and check out the deadCENTER recaps from Two-Headed Blog and SuburbanKitsch.

Finally now that my internal organs have stopped doing horrible impressions of Marlon Brando, I bring you the final recap of the 2009 deadCENTER Film Festival:

Saturday morning, we caught the Short Femmes program. It was a very strong block of films. Aside from Three, which just creeped me out, they were all quite good. Forced into ‘Comfort,’ Fighting for Apology, which won best Documentary Short, was eye-opening and moving. But my favorite of the group had to be Bean. I thought it was a very strong performance from Arron Fenton in the title role.

After that, we swung by Visual Image for the pre-Awards Cocktail Party. Or, the Don’t You Wish Your Office Looked Like This Instead of a Soviet Era Cubicle Farm Cocktail Party.

Then it was onto the Peace, Love and Wavy Gravy party for the Awards Ceremony and Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie. To be honest, I went into Saturday not knowing a thing about Wavy Gravy (aside from the fact that he makes a yummy ice cream flavor). Needless to say, the documentary about his very interesting life was enjoyable indeed.

Next there was some mingling at the Skirvin. Then blurry memories of a rooftop and a Bobo’s wing. Then a couple hours of sleep. Brunch. And The Best of Fest (where I was really happy to catch Science Fair as well as the final installment of the Hard Justice promos).

I cannot wait to get back to my normal routine. But, I miss you already deadCENTER. I caught the end of Bradley Beesley and Sarah Price’s Summercamp! on the Sundance Channel yesterday afternoon. The campers were getting ready to leave and everything was bittersweet. They had met great new people and had ridiculous amounts of fun. They didn’t want to leave. But they also just wanted to go home. Such is with deadCENTER. My summer camp.

Friday started out quite nicely with the documentary Official Rejection. It’s clear that filmmakers, even after production has wrapped, put so much of themselves into trying to get their films seen. Expectations vary greatly…as does quality…but regardless, you certainly have to admire the effort. This nicely edited documentary sort of captured filmmakers struggles. To be clear, trying to get your movie into a festival isn’t one of life’s great obstacles, but it does make for a compelling little film.

The panel afterwards–The Life and Times of Independent Film–was just as entertaining and informative. The moderator was good, the questions from the audience were good, and the panelists were insightful. I could have sat in on panels all day…based on some of the content. Lloyd Kaufman with a microphone would have kept me entertained for some time. And there certainly could have been a panel based solely on the question of one audience member who questioned the male-centric aspect of filmmaking. Maybe next year…

Official Rejection Panel

After that, we stopped in at the Oklahoma Film and Music Office Reception for a drink (Stella, of course) and a bite to eat. The place was packed. It was nice to see all of the interaction…even if from a wallflower vantage point.

Oklahoma Music & Film Office Reception

Then, we stopped in for the Okie Shorts. We didn’t stay for the whole program, but we did manage to catch the two we had been anticipating–Safe and Hit Boys II Men. Both exceeded expectations. In all honesty, I really look forward to what all these guys do next. Good stuff. Right here in Oklahoma.

After sneaking a couple of beers in at the Red Piano, we headed over to Untitled [Artspace] for the Horror and Midnight shorts. I was a little  disappointed that the Frolic wasn’t a bit closer to Untitled, but I managed nevertheless. Plus, it gave us time to unapologetically get our pictures taken with the Alba shark and then check out some of the art inside.

The Horror Shorts were good, but I was REALLY impressed with the Midnight Shorts. For one, they replayed Miracle Investigators. I love that one. Misadventures of Moon Kitty pleasantly lived up to my expectations. It was like a tripping LOLcat or something. Weirdly nice. I also really, really liked Whore. Well acted, well written, and well shot. Very good. And Money Please! was funny but also surprisingly relevant.

Today, we’re going to try to at least catch the Short Femmes before settling in for some Peace, Love, and Wavy Gravy.

Just a brief post before I head back out for Day 3 of deadCENTER. Sarah has a more coherent recap over at Two-Headed Blog.

The rooftop party at the OKCMOA started the day off rather nicely. I love our Museum of Art…such a great place. I really need to get over there more often, especially for Cocktails on the Skyline.

Next it was off to Uptown United for Comedy Shorts and the Canadian zombie film Yesterday (paired with a hilarious drinking game). My favorites of the night were definitely The SPAM Job and Miracle Investigators. Finally, it was over to Nonna’s for a couple of cookies and a beer. Not a bad way to end the night.

As for today, it’s back to the museum for Official Rejection followed by The Life and Times of Independent Film panel (featuring Lloyd Kaufman). Later, it’s off to Kerr Auditorium for the Okie Shorts. I’m looking forward to Hit Boys II Men and Safe. Then, the night should end with some Friday Night Frolicking and the Horror and Midnight Shorts (always a festival favorite).

Check out the deadCenter Live Blog at their site or on my sidebar. Check back here and at Two-Headed Blog for additional coverage. Follow The Filmcake on Twitter.

Last night was a blast. What a great way to kick-off the festival. A great movie sandwiched between two parties attended by lots of great people. It doesn’t get much better. Well played, indeed.

Outdoor Screening on Film Row

Bradley Beesley’s The Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo screened outside on Film Row to an ample audience. The film looked really good. The deadCENTER people did a great job presenting the film. Even from the back, the projection looked great for an outside screening (and the sound was terrific too). But Beesley deserves a bunch of credit for delivering a nicely shot documentary. Like in his previous films, Beesley wasn’t interested in lifting these people (in this case, female inmates of the OK Penitentiary) up as heroes or degrading them as villains. Instead, he presents them as unique, often complicated, individuals that just about everybody should be able to relate to. At the same time, he subtly asks us to reexamine our justice system and the war on drugs. Nice work, Beesley.

If you missed the screening last night, it will screen once more on Friday at 5:30pm at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Or check it out later when it heads to HBO.

Kick-Off Party on Film Row

But, alas, let us not forget about the parties. Lots of Stella Artois. Delicious cupcakes courtesy of Cuppies & Joe. Lots of filmmakers and fellow film fans. A beautiful thing indeed. And that was just the first party.

Cuppies!

The second party at Maker’s Cigar was more of the same. Talked some more with an interesting brother & sister duo we ran into at the first party. Puffed on a cigar. Sipped on a beer. I could seriously get used to this.

Amidst a haze of cigar smoke, we firmed up our plans for Day 2. While The Triangle of Death starts at 5pm and the Don’t HateShorts program starts at 5:30, it looks like for me Day 2 of deadCENTER is going to start with the Opening Night Party at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

And while I would like to see both Ecstasy of Gold and The Twenty, it looks like I’m gonna have to go with the Comedy Shorts program followed by Yesterday over at Uptown United. I hear Canadian zombies and alcohol make a wonderful combination. Ian, the Supreme Allied Overlord of Internet Promotion, thoroughly sold me on this one. 

After that, it’s on to The Purple Bar at Nonna’s for the Opening Night After Party to celebrate the end of another wonderful evening of awesome.

Check out the deadCenter Live Blog at their site or on my sidebar. Check back here and at Two-Headed Blog for additional coverage. Follow The Filmcake on Twitter.

The deadCenter Film Festival kicks off on Film Row this evening with Bradley Beesley’s The Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo. Beesley has a knack for sympathetically capturing the freaks, the unhappy campers, and the flat-out strange. In his hands, oddity seems but a reflection of the human condition. Beesley allows us all to be unapologetic freaks. In his capable hands, the female inmates of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary get their chance to take the stage. I can’t wait.

But of course it wouldn’t be deadCENTER without the parties. The Kick-Off Party starts on Film Row at 7:30pm, followed by the screening of The Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo at 9:00pm. Then Day 1 concludes with a Kick-Off After Party over at Maker’s in Bricktown beginning at 11:00pm.

The weather WILL cooperate. It must be so.

Check out the deadCenter Live Blog at their site or on my sidebar. Check back here and at Two-Headed Blog for additional coverage. Follow The Filmcake on Twitter.

June 1st – June 7th

Martyrs – I am troubled by this one. I didn’t enjoy it, but I think I quite liked it. Thankfully, I watched it first without seeing the director’s introduction where he basically apologizes to the viewer in advance for what they are about to see. In many ways, it seemed a messier take on violence/voyeurism in the manner of Haneke’s Funny Games.

The movie, like Funny Games, sort of hinges on whether or not the viewer is willing to play along to the end. The first 45-minutes are high-thrill horror. But then the film shifts into a test of endurance. This either works for you or it doesn’t. I thought it worked, but I could certainly understand the contrary. It is surely divisive. Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, film is manipulative. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it…aside from never pressing play (and life’s too short for that).

Paris, Je T’Aime – A nice set of short films with the city of Paris at its center. In high-def on Blu Ray, the city looks absolutely gorgeous (I especially like the films by the Coens, Cuaron, Tykwer, and Payne). Unfortunately, I neither speak nor understand French so I had to rely on the English subtitles. But for some idiotic reason, First Look Studios did not include proper subtitles on the disc. Instead, they included the English SDH subtitles (for the deaf and hard-of-hearing). The SDH subtitles were too large, obstructive, and what I could only assume to be poorly translated (or at least translated for someone at a 5th grade reading level). In the first segment, the subtitles indicate the main character calling a passerby a “buttface.” Really? The subtitles also included non-dialog audio and character identification, which is annoying at best and absolutely horrendous when mimes end up subtitled.

Magnolia – I still love this one SO much. Inspired by some new friends who also love it, I (finally) revisited it over the weekend. In the very near future, I plan on writing up a longer piece analyzing the movie (especially concerning the frogs) from my perspective.

Up – Pixar didn’t top Wall-E with this one for me. I really, really liked it though. The Carl and Ellie segment was as about as good as it gets (it got a little dusty in there). And the translating dog collars were genius (not quite as awesome as Pullman’s daemons when it comes to anthropomorphizing animals…but pretty close). Pixar’s up may very well have inspired me to renew my own spirit of adventure. And, I guess I should get around to actually seeing Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and Toy Story at some point (now that I’ve been given ample evidence that Pixar isn’t just making mindless kid flicks).