Friday 5/15
Set Fire To The Stars
7:00pm Uptown
Stark black and white, self-destructive poets, Elijah Wood. At best, this will be a biopic full of personal demons, cars with shiny chrome, and beatnik jazz. Worst case is something something road not taken something.
Stark black and white, self-destructive poets, Elijah Wood. At best, this will be a biopic full of personal demons, cars with shiny chrome, and beatnik jazz. Worst case is something something road not taken something.
Goodnight Mommy
9:30pm The Egyptian
“Twin boys blur the line between nightmare and reality…” That’s pretty much a given for all boys everywhere, whether twins or not. Add cornfields, facial bandages, existential angst, and well, its still pretty much par for the course. I haven’t read up on the plot, but I’m thinkin’ it’s gonna be somethin’ like like Elliot and Beverly Mantle from Dead Ringers somehow grew up in the Von Trapp family, and I’m totally down with that.
“Twin boys blur the line between nightmare and reality…” That’s pretty much a given for all boys everywhere, whether twins or not. Add cornfields, facial bandages, existential angst, and well, its still pretty much par for the course. I haven’t read up on the plot, but I’m thinkin’ it’s gonna be somethin’ like like Elliot and Beverly Mantle from Dead Ringers somehow grew up in the Von Trapp family, and I’m totally down with that.
Saturday 5/16
Tab Hunter Confidential
Tab Hunter Confidential
11:00am Harvard Exit
Due to its imminent demise, I’m going to see as many films at the Exit as possible, starting with this documentary about Tab Hunter. Tab Hunter Confidential is based on the 2006 book of the same name written by Hunter (with the help of film historian Eddie Muller). Of all the soft spots I have for Hollywood’s dark past; Mr Hunter’s closet is one of my favorite fontanelles.
Due to its imminent demise, I’m going to see as many films at the Exit as possible, starting with this documentary about Tab Hunter. Tab Hunter Confidential is based on the 2006 book of the same name written by Hunter (with the help of film historian Eddie Muller). Of all the soft spots I have for Hollywood’s dark past; Mr Hunter’s closet is one of my favorite fontanelles.
Gemma Bovery/Guidance
3:00pm The Egyptian/ 3:00pm Uptown
I’m not quite sure which of these is gonna make the cut, but odds are it’ll be Guidance, simply because it’s a quick-ish trip on the D-line rather than a cross-town bustravaganza. Both of these look to be quirky-ish films about adults making bad decisions, and I can totally get behind that. Gemma Bovery is based on Flaubert’s Madam Bovary, while Guidance just miiiiiiight be based on director Pat Mills’ life (former child actor, kind of a lush - the film’s website says so; I ain’t tellin’ tales).
Beyond Zero: 1914-1918
6:00 pm Film Center Theater
You know that scene in Saving Private Ryan where an entire city is in lain to rubble and yet somehow an Edith Piaf’ ‘Tu Es Partout’ spins out loud and clear? This collection of archival footage from World War 1 looks to be a whole lot like that – an amazing, and harrowing, collection of historic 35mm nitrate footage jammed up against a soundtrack based upon anti-war music and art of the time.
The New Girlfriend
3:00pm The Egyptian/ 3:00pm Uptown
I’m not quite sure which of these is gonna make the cut, but odds are it’ll be Guidance, simply because it’s a quick-ish trip on the D-line rather than a cross-town bustravaganza. Both of these look to be quirky-ish films about adults making bad decisions, and I can totally get behind that. Gemma Bovery is based on Flaubert’s Madam Bovary, while Guidance just miiiiiiight be based on director Pat Mills’ life (former child actor, kind of a lush - the film’s website says so; I ain’t tellin’ tales).
Beyond Zero: 1914-1918
6:00 pm Film Center Theater
You know that scene in Saving Private Ryan where an entire city is in lain to rubble and yet somehow an Edith Piaf’ ‘Tu Es Partout’ spins out loud and clear? This collection of archival footage from World War 1 looks to be a whole lot like that – an amazing, and harrowing, collection of historic 35mm nitrate footage jammed up against a soundtrack based upon anti-war music and art of the time.
The New Girlfriend
9:30 pm The Egyptian
They say that this is a “Hitchcockian psychosexual drama,” and those words are music to my ears. This French take on the genre adds a hint of crossdressertation and a dash of back-waxery. Very Much relevant to my interests.
The Hallow
11:55pm The Egyptian
Look, I have never been able to tell the difference between an Irish fairy tale and a monster movie. And that’s the way I like it. I also like when nature fights back; when sidewalks get gnarled to bits by tree trunks, my heart grows 3 sizes. I also like Bojana Novakovic. That makes three thumbs up.
They say that this is a “Hitchcockian psychosexual drama,” and those words are music to my ears. This French take on the genre adds a hint of crossdressertation and a dash of back-waxery. Very Much relevant to my interests.
The Hallow
11:55pm The Egyptian
Look, I have never been able to tell the difference between an Irish fairy tale and a monster movie. And that’s the way I like it. I also like when nature fights back; when sidewalks get gnarled to bits by tree trunks, my heart grows 3 sizes. I also like Bojana Novakovic. That makes three thumbs up.
Sunday 5/17
Manson Family Vacation
Manson Family Vacation
4:30pm Harvard Exit
Addams Family Values meets Wisconsin Death Trip? Maybe? Please? Made on a micro-budget, with the assistance of a herd of Kickstarters, Manson Family vacation looks to be a darkly comedic coming-of-age tale of brotherly love.
Accused
7:00pm Harvard Exit
My favorite Dutch movie ever is Ya Zuster, Nee Zuster (Yes Nurse, No Nurse), a lighthearted musical comedy-romance, which is quite probably the exact opposite of this film. Accused is a thriller based on the story of Lucia de Berk, “The Angel of Death,” an intensive care nurse present at a few too many questionable deaths. Even though I don’t know a thing about the Dutch judicial system, or maybe because of that, I’m very much intrigued.
Addams Family Values meets Wisconsin Death Trip? Maybe? Please? Made on a micro-budget, with the assistance of a herd of Kickstarters, Manson Family vacation looks to be a darkly comedic coming-of-age tale of brotherly love.
Accused
7:00pm Harvard Exit
My favorite Dutch movie ever is Ya Zuster, Nee Zuster (Yes Nurse, No Nurse), a lighthearted musical comedy-romance, which is quite probably the exact opposite of this film. Accused is a thriller based on the story of Lucia de Berk, “The Angel of Death,” an intensive care nurse present at a few too many questionable deaths. Even though I don’t know a thing about the Dutch judicial system, or maybe because of that, I’m very much intrigued.
Monday 5/18
Taking the night off! Already! Because I have a hot date with an oak bar and an Old Fashioned and nothing but nothing is going to make me break it, not even The Old Dark House (7:00 pm The Egyptian), a gothic thriller from 1932 starring Boris Karloff, Gloria Stewart, and the always riveting Charles Laughton.
Tuesday 5/19
Son of the Sheik
Taking the night off! Already! Because I have a hot date with an oak bar and an Old Fashioned and nothing but nothing is going to make me break it, not even The Old Dark House (7:00 pm The Egyptian), a gothic thriller from 1932 starring Boris Karloff, Gloria Stewart, and the always riveting Charles Laughton.
Tuesday 5/19
Son of the Sheik
7:00 pm Uptown
Rudolph Valentino is the swashbuckliest! Granted, there are some pretty good arguments to be made for Errol Flynn or either of the Fairbankses, but Valentino had those eyes… those eyes that cut just as deep as any sabre. HNNG.
Even if you don’t care about things like action, escapades, romance, or betrayal, you’ll love The Sheik because it’s just so much dang fun. It’s an adventurer’s adventure.
Rudolph Valentino is the swashbuckliest! Granted, there are some pretty good arguments to be made for Errol Flynn or either of the Fairbankses, but Valentino had those eyes… those eyes that cut just as deep as any sabre. HNNG.
Even if you don’t care about things like action, escapades, romance, or betrayal, you’ll love The Sheik because it’s just so much dang fun. It’s an adventurer’s adventure.
As a bonus, the score will be performed live by Alloy
Orchestra.
And as a double-bonus, Valentino plays a dual role – TWICE THOSE EYES!
Paris of the North
9:00 PM Uptown
An Icelandic comedy about a recovering alcoholic and a tumultuous father-son relationship – that’s gonna hit some buttons. Remind me to fill my flask with Brennivin. I mean, you know, for when I’m standing outside the theater, down the block, maybe in a shadowy alley, before the show begins… Nothing to see here, move along.
And as a double-bonus, Valentino plays a dual role – TWICE THOSE EYES!
Paris of the North
9:00 PM Uptown
An Icelandic comedy about a recovering alcoholic and a tumultuous father-son relationship – that’s gonna hit some buttons. Remind me to fill my flask with Brennivin. I mean, you know, for when I’m standing outside the theater, down the block, maybe in a shadowy alley, before the show begins… Nothing to see here, move along.
Wednesday 5/20
The Color of the Pomegranates
7:00 pm Harvard Exit
Honestly, I don’t know much about this film, but I’ve heard the name tossed around in hushed and reverential tones by smart people. People who know things. And that alone puts it on the must-see list. The chance to see archival, historic, and important stiff like this all newly restored and on the big screen is one of the treats that makes SIFF a truly amazing festival.
Blind
9:00 pm Harvard Exit
Eskil Vogt’s first feature film, Blind has a pretty hefty bag of festival awards attached to it already, so that’s a good thing. Near as I can tell, it’s the story of creativity and ownership of one’s perceptions, as told by a newly blind author. Maybe some amazing things are happening? Maybe they’re imagined? How necessary are the stories we tell ourselves? Did Leonard Nimoy really sing “Sunny?” Who said that was OK?
A Hard Day
9:30pm The Egyptian
Yup, I realize that this overlaps with Blind, but I’m not yet sure which I’m going to go see. Whereas Blind is chock full of pop culture meta-references, A Hard Day is being touted as pure Hitchcockian suspense, and I am such a sucker for that genre. And it’s also supposed to be darkly slapstick, which, oh man… they may as well have called it “Hey, Lorien, It’s Your New Favorite Movie.”
Yup, looks I’ve made up my mind.
9:00 pm Harvard Exit
Eskil Vogt’s first feature film, Blind has a pretty hefty bag of festival awards attached to it already, so that’s a good thing. Near as I can tell, it’s the story of creativity and ownership of one’s perceptions, as told by a newly blind author. Maybe some amazing things are happening? Maybe they’re imagined? How necessary are the stories we tell ourselves? Did Leonard Nimoy really sing “Sunny?” Who said that was OK?
A Hard Day
9:30pm The Egyptian
Yup, I realize that this overlaps with Blind, but I’m not yet sure which I’m going to go see. Whereas Blind is chock full of pop culture meta-references, A Hard Day is being touted as pure Hitchcockian suspense, and I am such a sucker for that genre. And it’s also supposed to be darkly slapstick, which, oh man… they may as well have called it “Hey, Lorien, It’s Your New Favorite Movie.”
Yup, looks I’ve made up my mind.
Thursday 5/21
Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana
9:30pm The Egyptian
Just one film tonight – but it’s a doozy! Semi-pro wrestling used to be one of those wacky things that a handful of Seattle funsters did for kicks. You know, like roller derby, burlesque, pencil fighting, etc… Only things got a little bit too real and “cabaret entertainment” became “regulated sport” and you’ll just have to watch the film to find out how it all ends up.
Friday 5/22
Dreams Rewired
8:30pm Uptown
Even more archival goodness to round out the week!
Dreams Rewired uses film clips, newsreels, and other early media to show the origins of our modern gizmos, our phones and tvs and all, and posits that “the social convulsions of today’s hyper-mediated world were already prefigured over 100 years ago.”
One of my major concentrations in college was social
surveillance, the how’s and where’s and why’s of it, and how technology got all
up in the mix and made things better – or worse, depending – for the everyone
involved. Its pretty fascinating stuff, and I’m looking forward to seeing if
and how this assemblage compliments that train of thought. Plus, Tilda Swinton.
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