Screening Notes

Last night's discussion with filmmaker Matt Pizzolo was great. The New York writer/director joined us at the Grand for a Q&A on his new film THREAT. It was an excellent discussion, covering the shooting schedule of the film, the dedication of actors and crew (after 48 hours of shooting without rest at one point, he looked around the set at all the sleeping forms scattered here and there, wondering if the cameraman leaning on the tripod was asleep; knowing the actors on set were asleep, just waiting for him to say 'Action' where they would promptly wake up and jump right into their lines), as well as an insightful look into modern film distribution.

If you didn't make it to this screening/discussion, stay tuned for future such events. It's a great way to learn about the real current state of independent filmmaking from a perspective deeper (and more personal) than just reading about it. Not that reading is bad - you're doing it right now!!

Special thanks to Matt for making Tacoma the most northern part of his west coast tour.

THREAT SCREENING TONIGHT

Tonight is a very special screening of the independent film THREAT. The film's director, Matt Pizzolo, will be joining us for a Q&A discussion after the screening. This is a great opportunity to learn more about independent filmmaking, for filmmakers and indie film enthusiasts alike.

More info on the film at www.threatmovie.com

THREAT plays tonight only (4/26) at 7pm.
At the Grand Cinema

Temporada de patos and Neil Young

"Temporada de patos" (Duck Season) from Mexico is not only a foreign film, but is in black and white!! (I don't know about you, but I'm a huge b+w fan). This is an interesting film, in which a couple of fourteen year old friends spend what promised to be a placid Sunday in a very different way than they thought. Several interruptions conspire to reveal deeper issues which the boys are facing as they grow up.

And for fans of Neil Young and good music in general, we have "Neil Young: Heart of Gold." This is a 'concert movie' and while I usually don't like these kinds of films, this one is excellent. That's why I said 'good music in general' because even if you don't own several Neil Young records, you may be as surprised as I was at just how many of his songs you know all the lyrics to.

Have a great weekend, and see you at the movies...

shawn

Don't Come Knocking

Right now I'm sitting in a Seattle cafe, shaking my head and mumbling to myself, hoping I'm not getting too many glances, wondering just how it is that I am to write about the film I just saw. Because, what I just saw, was brilliant. Sometimes I forget just how good it can get.

Wim Wenders has done it once again. 'Don't Come Knocking' is a masterpiece of subtle writing, acting on the highest degree, and that Wenders touch I have come to equate with what a true art film really is. 'Don't Come Knocking' is my personal favorite film of 2006 so far.

Ok, I've had another cup of joe, and think I can say a few words on the film. Sam Shepard wrote the film with Wenders, and also stars as the lead role, of an aging actor who realizes one day while on set that his life has just sort of slipped away from him, and the booze, drugs, the fame, the girls, just mean nothing anymore, and never did. "It was never me who did those things!" he cries to someone at one point, revealing (to himself) that he doesn't even know who he is, or how so much time has gone by. He finds out that he has a child, created somewhere along the way in his turbulent life, and it dawns on him that this is his last chance to make some kind of sense out of his life. He has left the set without a word and finds himself in Butte Montana, trying to put together the threads of the family he never had. Shepard is amazing, as is Eva Marie Saint. Remember her? Wow she looks good! Watching her onscreen is like going to an actor's workshop, and I wanted to clap after every time she spoke. She certainly lives up to the legend she has created for herself. Tim Roth is perfect for his role, and Jessica Lange, Gabriel Mann and Sarah Polley are also quite brilliant here. Overall, the acting is the best I've seen in a while.

Now, I know this film hasn't gotten the best reviews by the critics. And it actually didn't do so well in Seattle theaters the last few weeks. But each year I like to 'champion' a film in a way - to find a film that is maybe a little odd, or perhaps has been overlooked or misunderstood by the majority of filmgoers. Sometimes it's a little independent film no one knows about, or maybe a new director's first go at filmmaking. Last year it was 'Earthling,' a brilliant documentary, and 'You and Me and Everyone We Know.' Well, this year's first film I am willing to go out on a limb for is 'Don't Come Knocking.' I don't care what the critics say, and I don't care that it hasn't done so hot at the box office. And I hope neither do you. I'm doing my best to arrange the schedule such that we can play this film at the Grand.

On a Clear Day - a clear winner

This is quite simply an excellent film, which I recommend for anyone. Especially anyone who wants to see an uplifting, ‘fight back against the odds’ kind of story. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a mushy feel good movie – although I felt pretty good afterwards. Without giving it all away, it’s the story of Frank, a 55-year-old shipbuilder who loses his job, and much of his self-confidence along with it. He seems to be bordering on a nervous breakdown, too proud to ask for help from anyone, and almost on a whim he decides to swim the English Channel. It’s like an impossible feat that by the act of training for it and giving it a go, he is building back his lost sense of pride and self. His friends rally around him and train with him for months, and the whole process changes him and everyone around him too.

Every so often there comes along a film, which is impossible to really explain in words, that you just have to see to really get it. Otherwise it would just be a book or a radio show. I was very impressed by the script and direction of the film, from newcomers Alex Rose and Gaby Dellal. Shot entirely on location in Glasgow, the Isle of Man and Dover, you feel like you’re right there with them in the story. While the film has that very British feel to it, there is something new about it as well, which I am finding difficult to pin down just what it is. Maybe it’s the voice of the new filmmakers, or perhaps the excellent acting by Peter Mullan in the lead role and two-time Academy Award nominee Brenda Blethyn as his supportive wife who is going through a life-change of her own.

In the end, Frank is literally and figuratively swimming through a transformation, and even though at the final scene you kind of know what’s going to happen between him and his somewhat estranged son, and everyone else for that matter, it’s still great to see it happen, and you’ll want to cheer for Frank as he swims against the clock, desperately trying to beat the tide and hypothermia as he nears the coast of France. I kept wanting to yell, “Go Frank!!” - actually, I think I did a few times. It makes you wonder if you’d be willing to go to such lengths to save your life, and you know you would.