“Aint Them Bodies Saints”
The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met.
Incredibly moving trailer about this doomed couple. The trailer sets you up to sympathize with Casey Affleck’s character. I wonder if the movie will actually sway us in the opposite direction at some point. If you remember, this was one of my picks for films to see at Sundance 2013, but I didn’t end up getting into a screening. I did get to see Rooney Mara though at the Sundance photocall; she is such a poised woman. Love Ben Foster; I’m still waiting for people to see how great of an actor he is. Can’t wait to see this when he hits theaters August 16th. It has been getting great reviews especially from the ongoing Cannes film festival.
This is the last of it…
91. Smoking week for medicinal purposes is sociably acceptable… even in cinematic reality. Also, it’s so much easier to get your stoner best friend to tell off your horrible significant other for you. [50/50]
92.You just can’t trust doctors. [The Good Doctor]
93. It can be all too convenient to avoid emotional attachments but being connected to others only makes us better people. [Detachment]
94. Being the maid of honor for your frenemy while you’re in love with the groom is just… awkward. Oh, and resist the temptation to try on a wedding dress that’s not yours. [The Romantics]
95. Letting someone else into your relationship is just asking for trouble. [The Freebie]
96. Watch out for those who are trying to change who you are. [The Shape of Things]
97. As the saying goes, it is better to have loved and lost as to never to have loved at all; it changes you for the better. [Mercy]
98. Take responsibilities for your actions no matter how easy it would be to get away with it. [The High Cost of Living]
99. Our minds can play tricks on us to protect us. [Keane]
100. The unexplainable can terrorize, influence, and invoke us to question our perception of reality. [Take Shelter]
My list is done! You can see the whole 100 here.
It was a simple concept - one question (What is your secret?) and fifty people to answer it. What it created was a beautiful short film on the hopes, aspirations, fears, joys, and dreams. It’s alot of touching moments superimposed with humorous antedotes. I love everything about this, and its shot beautifully. That is why this short has been going around the internet now for three years. Enjoy.
Fifty People, One Question.
“Fruitvale Station”
[The true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.]
Fruitvale Station (formally Fruitvale, a name I actually prefer) did in fact make its debut at Sundance 2013, and I was there at the premiere among the brilliant cast, director (expecting great things from Ryan Cooglar in the future), press, and members of the Grant family as we witnessed something amazing on screen. I actually don’t think this trailer does the film justice; it is one of the most touching films I have ever seen and definitely will be on top of everyone’s mind come Oscar time. Here were my thoughts from Sundance after seeing the film:
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I’m introducing a new music feature on this blog where I sort of create my own soundtrack for different movies I have watched recently. I came up with the idea a couple of days ago when I was listening to some of my favorite songs on my iPod and it reminded me are certain dramatic situations I have seen play out on the big screen or perfectly described a character’s motivations, feelings, or desires. So in my first edition of ‘Music Complements’, I present some songs that came to mind when I took a look back on my experience watching Terrance Malick’s To The Wonder.
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Here is a list of mainstream but mostly independent releases that represent the films I most want to see and/or the films I would recommend to others. As always, check back in my Film Calendar section to see related blog posts on these films after I see them.
[May 10]
The Great Gatsby: The reimagining of the great F. Scott Fitzgerld American classic novel by the king of glitzy stylized film aesthetic Baz Luhrmann. One of the movies of 2013 I have been really waiting for. Anticipate this.
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First time getting a ticket package (well, worth it on opening weekend). A great friend that I shared the experience with. Some insight on how to mingle in with the photographers for some great photo opportunities. Tribeca 2013 was a great experience up there with all my film festing experiences. Here is a recap of the who, what, where, and why of it all…
The Unforgettable Moments
These are some of the things I will never forget…
Justin Long & Peter Dinklage. The hearing the two of them banter after the screening of A Case of You was a priceless experience. I hadn’t really seen Dinklage in anything nor see any interview with him up to this point. The guy is always cracking jokes. And yes, Justin calls him Pete.
Zoe Kazan up-close and personal. I was right behind the line of photographers and interviewers on the red carpet of the premiere of The Pretty One, so close in face that I hear her responses to one of the interviews. She comes off as such a sweetheart.
Novelist Mohsin Hamid speaks at The Reluctant Fundamentalist post-screening panel. The guys is kinda brilliant and he studied under some of the greats in contemporary literature (like Toni Morrison). Wish I would have read his book that the film is based on before seeing the movie. For what I have heard, it sets up the story with more mystery.
Cecile de France on filming love scenes with Jean Dujardin. In her words, “He’s very attentive and kind”, which was met with snickering from the audience. I bet. Lucky girl. Though I have to admit that all the steaminess of what the scene should have been did not translate to the screen.
The Missed Opportunities
I missed out on attending some of the special events around the festival including Tribeca Talks discussions. Next time. I can always watch the archived videos though (and you can, too):
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, and Richard Linklater talk Before Midnight and 18 years of collaboration.
Robert DeNiro, Jerry Lewis, and Martin Scorsese reflect on The Kings of Comedy.
Clint Eastwood and Darren Aronofsky discuss difficult actors and other topics.
The Films
Seven screenings in five days. There were good ones, there were bad ones. Here is a brief synopsis of my thoughts on each:
Sunlight Jr (Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon, Norman Reedus)
“It accomplished being both a standout look at relationships that challenge social norms and that draw intriguing parallels to each other and a film that could use some work conceptually.”
The Pretty One (Zoe Kazan, Jake Johnson)**
“The Pretty One stands as a bright, quirky, heart-warming thing of a film that would definitely satisfy on a first watch, a re-watch, and a gorge-watch.”
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Tribeca In Pictures (#2)
My experiences with the Tribeca Film Festival 2013 though my camera lens:
1. Sunday brunch at Southern Hospitality, a BBQ joint in Hell’s Kitchen co-owned by Justin Timberlake; 2. Sam Rockwell and his (odd) poses for the photogs before the premiere of A Case of You; 3. The cast of A Case of You at the post-screening discussion 4. Alice Eve and Neil LaBute discuss Some Velvet Morning; 5. Justin Long on the red carpet; 6. A glimpse at Kiefer Sutherland pre-screening of The Reluctant Fundamentalist; 7. Both Mira Nair (director) and Mohsin Hamid (novelist) discuss both mediums of The Reluctant Fundamentalist;; 8. Cast and director of The Reluctant Fundamentalist field questions from the audience; Kate Hudson looks great!
More of my photos from TFF 2013 -> Tribeca in Pictures (#1)
