Tribeca 2009: Day 2 Recap

Day 2 started early yesterday morning with interviews for Black Dynamite. I had a one on one interview with Director Scott Sanders, who was a lot of fun to talk to. Hopefully I can get footage from that online soon. After the 1:1, I attended a roundtable discussion with Scott Sanders and the star of the film, Michael Jai White. I really enjoyed learning some more about Black Dynamite and I really hope that their ideas for a sequel pan out. It needs to get made.

After the interviews, and a $5 foot long for lunch, I watched my first film of the day. Moon received some huge reviews at Sundance and it will be released soon through Sony Picture Classics. I am a huge fan of Mr. Sam Rockwell. If you read my Most Anticipated Films of the Fest post, you also know that I love Kevin Spacey’s voice. So did I love Moon? Well, I think I’ll need to watch it again to tell you if I loved it but I certainly really enjoyed the film. I did love the story though. Rockwell gives an amazing performance and director Duncan Jones does a lot with a small budget. It is one of the best films at the festival so far.

Since an interview afterwards fell through, I headed to a screening of Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. It was my first public screening, since everything prior was for press & industry only. The theater was packed and there was a short Q & A following the film. I applaud the young cast and crew for making a film and getting it in Tribeca, but I really did not enjoy it. To me, it was essentially a mumblecore film with jazz music and the occasional musical number. Off topic, in the theater 2 seats in front of me was Debra Messing.

After Park Bench I walked over to the SVA theater for the Hysterical Psycho premiere. Walking was a terrible idea. The theater was way too far away, especially since I was carrying my camera and equipment.   Once I did get there, I settled in for what may have been the most fun movie at the festival. I think Hysterical Psycho and Black Dynamite would be a perfect double feature. Dan Fogler’s film was one of the best attempts at horror comedy I have seen. It definitely reminded me of Evil Dead. I loved it. I was so tired before the film and afterwards I felt wired. Unfortunately it didn’t last long because I fell asleep on the 90 minute bus ride home.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com