Tag: saint louis

SLIFF 2010 Review: GOD’S OFFICES

Review by Dane Marti

I guess I should admit right off that this was a film that I certainly didn’t necessarily want to review. Its not that it didn’t sound interesting (it didn’t) but that I think the best person to write a review of an abortion clinic. I was partially wrong, as I am on many subjects. I think this is an important film for any man to see, especially since many men often think of sex as something pleasurable, the women ‘ho’ and the problems associated with the choice something to put out of mind until much later. The serious issues that go beyond intercourse and/or love are the major reason to watch this film. If nothing else, it could spur after-film conversation.

Directed by Claire Simon, this is a fascinating film that pulls a viewer into its reality using a potent, quasi-documentary feel. In that respect, it is perfect. Filmed in a sterile, Cinema Verite style which keeps a documentary feel through it’s panning, one-take shots, I had to keep reminding myself that it was not a documentary. However, as we all know, even actual documentaries are constructed and edited – they have a definite p.o.v. And frankly, cannot be considered real or the truth. Here, it is easy for the viewer to become lost in the reality of what he or she is actually viewing, so realistic is the film’s acting, writing and overall look.

For just a little while, I had to ask myself why the filmmakers hadn’t actually done a documentary on the serious subject. Then I realized: “Lunkhead! It’s because most women would rather not be interviewed or partake in a documentary on this subject” This way of proceeding with a film is also a convenient way for the director and writer to get all their pertinent information, their ideas within the proper structure, including the emotions of the young (and occasionally older) women who come to the clinic looking for either answers, questions or a solution to a serious problem that torments them:

Whether it is young women wanting to get on ‘the pill,’ proper usage of condoms, the intricacies of family and relationship conflict or the big one: An Abortion, the film utilizes an armada of actresses and actors to highlight and delineate the frustrations, the pain and the confusions of both the people who come to the clinic as well as the completely human therapists and doctors.

GOD’S OFFICE will play during the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival on Friday, November 12th at 4:15 pm and Monday, November 15th at 9:15 pm at Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

SLIFF 2010 Review: THE END

Review by Dane Marti

THE END  is a poignant, jewel of a film that explores how elderly people react to one another and the world around them. After all, they realize that ‘the end’ of life is arriving not too far down the road. However, while this sweet and slightly antiquated couple definitely need to rekindle their love, the film cleverly captures the reactions of many young people populating the story who have made up their mind about the elderly folks; Unfortunately, these young, beautiful people are more than ready to push old fogies into a symbolic nursing home.

Gabor Rohynyi is a subtle, yet exacting filmmaker who can entertain while still getting his message across. All the filmmakers involved with this tale make good use of their low budget style, making a film that might have been depressing into an honest, entertaining romp. Why?  well because it isn’t just a documentary on the sad realities of life, but a crime film, a black-humor misadventure that contains just enough pathos, irony and wit to keep it moving along. Reminiscent of films such as, ‘Going in Style’, the film will probably hit a chord with octanagerians and people who dig independent films alike.

The film explores why a person (whatever their background or age) would be driven to a life of crime, but on a deeper level, it is simply about the age-old conflicts, and a couples’ deep love… a love that permeates in many old, weatherproof and good relationships.

The basic story: An old couple has had ‘a bond’, a connection to each other that has lasted through past dark times. This is shown through flashbacks that show the innocence of the old couple back when they meant, but is a little hard to follow, having something to do with Communism. This isn’t explored in the film to any serious degree, just back-story. A pair of earrings plays a part in the bond.

What is essential is the old couple:  quietly, often silently dedicated to one another. As they do not have many years left, money is still a problem. The film slyly demonstrates another reason why frustrated folks go “on the lam.”  It also pokes fun at the conventions of the crime film — including Spielberg’s SUGARLAND EXPRESS,’ Arthur Penn’s BONNIE AND CLYDE and even Ridley Scott’s THELMA AND LOUISE.  There is a special bond between all of these ‘criminals’ garnering the love and affection of the downtrodden on the outskirts of society.

The acting of the elderly couple never seems forced or unconvincing. Shadowing them are a young couple who recently broke up due in major part to the fact that he had been with a voluptuous stripper during raucous party. Their love for each other, like the old couple, is still evident beneath the eyes and the unspoken glances that they give each other. This is compounded in the story by the fact that they are both police officers, forced to work together and find the silver-haired bandits.

The old couple are simply pensioners with little money, going into the autumn of life—and wanting to do it with a little finesse: they want dignity and purpose. As far as their outlandish turn to robbery, it also gives the pair the added bonus of a new lease on life. Like ‘Natural Born Killers without the gore and cinematic excess, these ‘criminals’ demonstrate the basic idea that love can take many forms, that it can, in fact, still be passionate and real whatever a person’s age. The ending has a clever surprise that many people might see coming a mile away. I did not. However, I appreciated the films easygoing style that — while entertaining — never degenerates into slapstick and keeps the suspension of disbelief going with touches of realism.

THE END will play during the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival on Friday, November 12th at 2:00 pm and Thursday, November 18th at 9:30 pm at Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

SLIFF 2010 Review: SENSO

Review by Dane Marti

Having seen Visconti’s THE LEOPARD, I certainly was not expecting a lot of kinetic action from SENSO (1954). Going in, I did realize that it would undoubtedly be beautifully filmed, a motion picture of poetic images. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Although this is a film made years ago – a completely different age in which movies ordinarily told a story at a slower pace – a smart viewer, with a little patience, would definitely enjoy watching this dramatic story enfold. With a new, restored print from the Film Foundation, its epic beauty should entrance film-goers everywhere. Okay, it is slow and there are no characters dodging the obligatory fireballs. The film proceeds with the relaxed tranquility of an elephant on Quaaludes. Still, within this slow buildup, the film entraps the viewer in the passion and immorality of an Italian Countess doing something ‘shocking’, at least shocking during the historic period that the film takes place in War and the Austrian retreat from Italy in 1866. Setting the story within this dramatic era is a perfect way to highlight the film’s tragic and often melodramatic elements: it’s a cinematic morality tale. The film reminds one of GONE WITH THE WIND but unlike that masterpiece, with all of its wonderful Technicolor bluster, SENSO hits a perfect balance between reality and melodrama. The War scenes, as Austria retreats over the Italian countryside, are beautifully wrought; the environment of Venice in 1866 has potent realism.

As the film begins, Alida Valli (the haunted, beautiful woman in The Third Man) plays an Italian Countess who is married to an overbearing, buffoonish older man. She’s miserable and the actress’s portrayal is spot-on: she drips dignity while still oozing romantic notions of life, desiring the life she feels entitled to, the one, she imagines, destiny has promised her. She meets a young Lieutenant played with casual insouciance by Farley Granger, who acts dignified, narcissistic and yet playful. Within his blank, smiling face, a viewer can tell that he knows that he’s good looking, but also understands that his youthful handsomeness is simply skin-deep. The war, or his notion of what life is all about, has made him cynical. An objective film viewer is perhaps able to see sides of his personality that Valli doesn’t allow herself to see due to her own illusions. Granger is the best reason to see this movie.

There are many interesting qualities in Senso and among the best is a performance that seems unique to me: the neurotic acting by Farley Granger (Hitchcock’s STRANGERS ON A TRAIN) is excellent and multi-faceted. At first he seemed to hardly be acting, and I was about to write him off as a typical Hollywood pretty-boy, but by the climax of this film, he seemed to have been channeling Monty Cliff via Raintree County. I had no idea that he was fluent in speaking the Italian language. He also benefited greatly from the brilliant direction of Visconti. The production design is never ostentatious or over-the-top, the direction is clever and simple – completely in keeping with the theme of the story. Another highlight is the cinematography. It should definitely be viewed on the big screen. There were moments that had the grimy, period look of Goya’s war paintings. Outside of Granger’s acting, what impressed me the most was how realistic and understated this Epic, period film was.

SENSO will play during the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival on Thursday, November 11th at 7:30 pm and Friday, November 12th at 7:00 pm at the Winifred Moore Auditorium on the Webster University campus.

Cinema St. Louis honors Kathleen Turner with a Lifetime Achievement Award

Cinema St. Louis honors Kathleen Turner with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Tribute Program on Oct. 24

What: Tribute to Kathleen Turner, including clip reel of career highlights, presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award, career-spanning interview with KMOX’s Mark Reardon, and screening of “The War of the Roses”

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24
Where: Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave.
How much: $20

More info: www.cinemastlouis.org or 314-289-4153; tickets are available in advance beginning Oct. 1 during normal theater hours at the Hi-Pointe box office or by phone from Cinema St. Louis at 314-289-4153.

Cinema St. Louis honors Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a tribute program at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave.

Turner, who will be starring in the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ production of “High” from Oct. 13-Nov. 7, made a memorable first impression on the moviegoing public with her sexy turn as the femme fatale in “Body Heat” (1981). She quickly established herself as a major star with roles in such films as “Romancing the Stone” (1984), “Prizzi’s Honor” (1985), “Peggy Sue Got Married” (1986) (which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress), “The Accidental Tourist” (1987), and “The War of the Roses” (1989). She also lent her seductive voice to Jessica Rabbit in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988). Subsequent films include “V.I. Warshawski,” “Serial Mom,” “The Virgin Suicides,” and “Marley & Me.”

Turner has alternated her film work with significant theatrical roles, including Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate,” Maggie in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and Martha in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” She’s also had recurring television roles on “Friends,” “King of the Hill,” and “Californication.”

The tribute program will feature Turner’s personally selected “The War of the Roses,” Danny DeVito’s hilarious, black-comic portrait of a disintegrating marriage, which co-stars Michael Douglas. The evening will include a tribute reel that surveys Turner’s impressive body of work and a career-spanning interview conducted by KMOX’s Mark Reardon.

Tickets for the event are $20. They can be purchased in advance beginning Friday, Oct. 1, during normal theater hours at the Hi-Pointe box office. They’re also available by phone from Cinema St. Louis at 314-289-4153. Tickets will also be available at the box office on the day of the show.

For more information, visit www.cinemastlouis.org

WAMG Exclusive: New SHADOWLAND Poster and More News!

Very nice! Saint Louis’ own SHADOWLAND, directed by Wyatt Weed, has a wicked awesome new poster… just in time for the film’s appearance at this year’s Chicago Comic Con Wizard World Convention, which runs August 19-22 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont). SHADOWLAND will be playing on Saturday night at 8pm CST at the Convention Center. Director Wyatt Weed — as well as stars Caitlin McIntosh, Jason Contini, and Carlos Antonio León — will be in attendance on Saturday.

Synopsis:

An old church in a modern North American city is undergoing a renovation. Construction equipment and piles of debris cover the grounds. A deep pit has been dug for new sewer pipes.

Night falls. A woman crawls from the pit. She is weak and covered with mud, her face beaten, her throat cut. She is unable to speak, remember who she is, or how she got there. This is Laura.

Hungry, thirsty, she ventures out into the city, stealing food and warm clothes to survive. As she wanders the streets, she begins to see things that jar her memory: a picture on a wall, a historical marker, a map. Slowly, she starts to put the pieces together – the Old River Front, a house and family, a lover and a jealous suitor. She embarks on a trek across the city, trying to blend in and adjust to a modern world she has never seen before.

Julian, a mysterious young man employed by the church, is sent out to find her. He seems to know more about her than she does, tracking her, quickly deducing that she is headed home, to the place where she used to live – more than a hundred years ago.

Is Laura reincarnated? Resurrected and risen from the grave? Or is she just the unfortunate victim of a horrible crime, buried in the mud and left for dead? Is Julian really trying to help her, as he claims, or is he part of a conspiracy, a plot to kill her? Soon Laura is in a race for her life, trying to reach her home and her memories before Julian, the police, and the church can find her.

SHADOWLAND is a thrilling throwback to the classic vampire lore, with an original story and incredible special effects. This independent phenom has been rocking the house across the world at film festivals, so don’t miss this opportunity to see the film and meet the cast and director in Chicago!

Who Wants to See INCEPTION With the Movie Geeks?

With a track record like Christopher Nolan’s directorial career, anytime he comes out with a new movie it’s sure to be an event. Having made some seriously devout followers with MEMENTO (2000) followed by reinventing the franchise in 2005 with BATMAN BEGINS, followed by 2006’s THE PRESTIGE and the immensely successful Batman sequel THE DARK KNIGHT, I do not hesitate in calling Christopher Nolan one of the greatest new directors out there!

INCEPTION looks to be an exciting sc-fi/thriller filled with eye-popping, mind-boggling special effects. INCEPTION is an original story, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, and features a massive knock-out cast including Leonardo Dicaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen page, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, Marion Cotillard, Tom Berenger, Pete Postlethwait, Lukas Haas and Kan Watanabe.

Synopsis: In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a single idea within one’s mind can be the most dangerous weapon or the most valuable asset.

The Contest:

WAMG has a limited number of free passes to an advanced Saint Louis screening of INCEPTION, being held at on Tuesday, July 13th (7:00pm) at the historic Tivoli Theatre on Delmar Blvd. We will be giving these passes away to some lucky WAMG readers, IF these contestants can accomplish the following movie trivia mission…

Here’s How To Win:

  1. First and foremost, this is a Saint Louis screening, so if you’re not going to be in Saint Louis on Tuesday, July 13th, please do not enter to win this contest!
  2. Answer this: What is the title of Christopher Nolan’s first “feature length film” and what is the running time (in minutes) of that film?
  3. Locate our Top 100 Tuesday: 100 Best Movies of the Decade article on the site and tell us where MEMENTO ranked on that list.
  4. Tell us your which movie about “dreams” is your favorite.

Send me your answers in an email to travisk @ wearemoviegeeks . com with “INCEPTION” in the subject line and you’ll be entered automatically into the drawing! This contest ends on Thursday, July 8th and winners will be announced by midnight on Friday, July 9th.

Even if you don’t win free passes to this advanced screening, be sure to check out INCEPTION when it opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, July 16th, 2010.

TWILIGHT NIGHT – St. Louis Turns Out Big Crowd

TWILIGHT NIGHT in Saint Louis had a huge turnout, setting the bar for the massive record-breaking crowds that turned out for the opening of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE.

From Variety: “TWILIGHT: ECLIPSE, descended on the fanatical masses at midnight, as it debuted with an estimated $30 million and topped the highest grossing midnight movie of all-time.”

The event had plenty for fans to enjoy, including Nordstrom Team Edward and Team Jacob make-overs, photo opportunities, lots of great free TWILIGHT giveaways, a fantastic cover band and an evening outdoor screening of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON… and much more.

The icing on the cake for the fans was a guest appearance by TWILIGHT star Jack Huston, who plays Royce King in ECLIPSE. While many had an opportunity to see him in person, a select few fans won VIP Meet and Greet access to the star, complete with autographs and photo opportunities.

Some of the lucky TWILIGHT NIGHT VIP Meet and Greet Fans:

‘Twilight Night’ Giveaway Celebrates ECLIPSE Opening

Attention WAMG readers… have we got a special ECLIPSE giveaway for all you TWILIGHT fans!

The Contest:

We’ll pick at random two lucky winners (and 2 guests) who will have the rare chance to be part of an extraordinary “V.I.P. Meet and Greet” with a cast appearance from THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE on Saturday, June 26th from 7:15 – 8:15pm at Union Station.

This is how you win:

  1. As always, this is a St. Louis event, so if you’re not planning on being in St. Louis on Saturday, June 26th… don’t bother playing the game. However, I imagine many will travel great distances for a chance like this.
  2. Which Team Are YOU On? Enter your name and email, along with your favorite Twilight Saga character, below in the comments section. Wait, there’s more… you’ve got to tell us why you’re on that team. Be specific, creative… sell us on why you think that character is the best. Be sure to include your email, otherwise we don’t know who you are and you won’t get this great prize.
  3. While the “VIP Meet and Greet” event begins at 7:15pm, potential winners should try to plan on being at Union Station between 6-7:15pm to acquire your precious wristbands.

If you don’t win, here’s more info on the TWILIGHT NIGHT:

SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATES THE LUNAR ECLIPSE WITH “TWILIGHT NIGHT” AT ST. LOUIS UNION STATION ON JUNE 26th

TWILIGHT NIGHT at St. Louis Union Station to Provide Families, Friends and Fans the Opportunity to See the Twilight Saga: New Moon Under the Stars with special cast appearances!

In celebration of the lunar eclipse on the evening of June 26th, Summit Entertainment is inviting St. Louis to TWILIGHT NIGHT, a free event at St. Louis Union Station in the South Plaza which will include special cast appearances from Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Doors will open at 6pm with an outdoor screening of New Moon to begin at 9pm (event will be moved indoors if there is inclement weather). Prior to the film, fans can engage in Twilight-filled fun with a Cullen Make-Up Booth, Twilight Tarot Card Readings, Twilight Henna Tattoos and live Twilight-inspired songs by local band Bitter Pill. Along with the special booths fans can capture their memories with the special TWILIGHT NIGHT Red Carpet and Photo Booth, both provided by Moviefone.

TWILIGHT NIGHT is a 12-city event including outdoor screenings of THE TWIILGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. The family and community-oriented events are the perfect chance for those new to the film franchise as well as moviegoers in general to immerse themselves in THE TWILIGHT SAGA phenomenon just in time for the highly anticipated theatrical release of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third installment of Summit Entertainment’s TWILIGHT SAGA film franchise, on June 30th.

* Cities, venues and times are subject to change. Visit EclipseTheMovie.com for the most current information.

  • THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON is rated PG-13 for some violence and action.
  • THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some sensuality.

BLACK DYNAMITE Comes to Saint Louis

BLACK DYNAMITE premieres in Saint Louis at the Hi-Pointe, ONE WEEK ONLY!

If you’ve not had a chance to see Scott Sanders’ ode to blaxploitation films BLACK DYNAMITE, starring the incredible Michael Jai White, then you’re simply missing out! If you’ll be anywhere even remotely close to Saint Louis during this limited one week engagement, you owe it to yourself to make seeing BLACK DYNAMITE a priority.

Friday, January 29 – Thursday, February 4

Shown Nightly through Thursday 2/4 @ 9:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday at (2:30) and 9:30 pm

Check out the reviews for BLACK DYNAMITE below:

Scott’s Sundance Review
Kirk’s CineVegas Review
Jerry’s Tribeca Review

SLIFF 2009 Review: THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN

sliff_onlygoodindian

If there’s one movie I’ve seen this year that has started with a great premise but has suffered from a failed execution, it would have to be THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN. Written by Thomas L. Carmody and directed by Kevin Willmott (CSA: The Confederate States of America), this fictional pseudo-western tells the tale of a teen-aged Native American boy with the given white man name of Charlie (played by Winter Fox Frank).

Taking place in Kansas during the early 1900’s, the movie follows Charlie’s story, one of many Native American youths that were forcibly removed from their homes and placed into re-education schools that feel more like prison camps. Students are scolded, or even beaten into submission, and punished for speaking their native tongues. These scenes of the school master and the teacher forcing their ways onto these young Native Americans with the idea they are benefiting them are difficult to watch, but illustrate an unfortunate and unspoken chapter in our country’s history.

Seen by the white men as worthless savages, the school attempts to teach the Native American youths their “civilized” ways, how to dress, how to speak, how to live their lives and worship their God. Charlie wants none of this. He resists where his peers have all but given in and submitted to what they feel is a losing battle. In retaliation, Charlie escapes the school, only to be tracked down and captured by Sam Franklin (Wes Studi), a Native American man who has bought fully into the idea of being like the white man.

Sam is a self-made private investigator with hopes of becoming Pinkerton Agency’s first Native American detective. He holds Charlie and proceeds to deliver him for a bounty, lecturing Charlie the whole time about how his insistence on maintaining his indian ways is an outdated and hopeless battle. Sam is proud of his perceived status and acquired material goods, which includes a motor bike and outfit purchased from Lord & Taylors in Kansas City.

During Sam and Charlie’s journey, they end up teaching each other valuable lessons. This relationship between Sam and Charlie is the best part of THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN, developing naturally and with a tangible sense of honesty. After a deadly encounter with three white bounty hunters, Sam and Charlie find themselves being hunted by Sheriff Henry McCoy, a legend amidst white folk for his alleged heroism in battles against the Native Americans.

McCoy (J. Kenneth Campbell) is a tough-as-nails, cold-hearted man with a deeply-ingrained hatred for the Native American man. He repeatedly points out that his entire life has been devoted to killing the indians, but finds himself even more disgusted by the re-education schools, sending McCoy into a crazed and delusional internal struggle over his actions in life. Campbell’s performance is forced and unrefined, but the essence of his character is delivered well enough for the message to be received loud and clear.

THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN ultimately becomes as much a tale of redemption for Sam as it is a powerful story of historical events neglected by our history books, told through Charlie’s experience. Winter Fox Frank gives a promising debut performance as Charlie. While this film carries a powerful message and a great story, the overall pace of the film is slow and tedious. The impact of the story is lessened by the various flaws from certain performances and inadequacies in production, but if the audience can stay awake for the 114-minute running time they’ll find THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN to be a movie worth the effort, despite it’s flaws.

THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN will screen at the Tivoli on Friday, November 20th at 7:00pm during the 18th Annual Whitaker Saint Louis International Film Festival.