Picked up The Photo Atlas record and it kicks ass. Just as much as I hoped. Please do yourself a favor and pick this up. Next record to look forward to, is the latest from the Panthers coming at ya on April 10th. Listen to some new cuts now. Good stuff.

So the film festival ended with a bang. Here is the rest of my recap:

Invisible Waves

I think you all know by now, I love this film. First time catching it on the big screen and what an incredible sight. The cast, cinematography and direction are all first rate. Amazing!

Punks Not Dead
Man, what a great doc. So many documentaries cover the early punk movement during the era of Sex Pistols, The Ramones, etc. Been done before. This baby, covers the time after that. I was highly entertained throughout. Very well done film is you are just simply a fan of music. Interesting stuff. It even takes a few swings at recent crap punk. And come on how fun is that!

Paprika

Not too big of a anime fan, but man is this film killer. Very smart and definitely for the thinking man. Animation is creative and impressive.

SeveranceThis started off our final day (and the festivals final day) and man what a start. Highly original horror comedy at its best. This film is probably the most original thing I have seen in a while from the genre. Everyone must see this.

The Ten

So if you have read the last few posts or have known me for a while, you know how big of a fan of The State I am. Anything they do I am there (although sadly I have yet to see the Reno 911 film). I will say it now. This is some funny shit. But, you definitely have to be a fan of The State-esque humor to truly enjoy the entire film. Not unlike David's last directorial venture Wet Hot American Summer , there is stuff in here that is just complete left of center. However, that is what makes it so damn funny, i think. Great stuff. Chiaki even got David to sign her ticket. Yep, we are nerds.

Sway

Last film of the festival (literally). I highly enjoyed it. Quite a downer to go out on but was extremely well done and is the best work I have seen from actor Jo Odagiri.

Over all, it was one hell of a year at this year's CIFF. Can't wait until next year. I am off to watch Big Dreams Little Tokyo, a film I really wanted to catch at the fest but was unable to. The director and his publicist was nice enough to send me a copy however which I will review for the fine pages of KFC Cinema. I also plan on interviewing director David Boyle. I will be back in a few to let you know how it is.

Art rock is back with a vengeance. Imagine if At The Drive In was still around instead of becoming the disappointing jam band that is Mars Volta (and Sparta for that matter). If they were still rockin' they would be Photo Atlas. Man, are these guys killer. I have only heard a handful of songs but I already love them. I think I might go out and buy the record tomorrow. I think you should too. Check out some tunes right now. Especially "Red Orange Yellow," what an awesome track!

Found the Cold Prey trailer online today. Please do yourself a favor and watch it now.

Catching Invisible Waves tomorrow in theaters and man am I stoked. Also just found out that Fay Grim will be out on dvd on May 22nd. I totally forgot it was put out by HDNet and Magnolia under the same program as Steven Soderbergh's Bubble, which is simultaneous releases on both dvd and in theaters. Man, that makes me so happy. Bubble was a disaster in theaters but honestly who cares. Everyone knows the biggest business in dvd sales. Let's hope it makes them some cash that way. It deserves to.

Well that is all for now. I am off to watch I Heart Huckabees on IFC. Mark Wahlberg is brilliant in this. Man, I love that film!

As promised I am back with a recap of the Cleveland International Film Festival thus far:

Transylvania

This was the first film out of the gates and, man, did I love it. A trippy road movie starring the amazing Asia Argento. This is by far the most extraordinary and real performance I have seen from her. One of my favorites of the festival.

First Snow

A cool little indie film from the writer of last year's Children of Men. While I was a tad bit disappointed with the film overall, it is still a worthwhile film full of mystery and an excellent performance from the always great Guy Pearce.

Liquid Vinyl

A well made documentary about the world famous DJs of the underground dance scene. The film does a good job of showing where the music scene began and where it's headed to.


Angosto Definitely the sleeper of the festival. An extremely well made thriller told from 6 different points of view. Each segment adds more and more backstory and structure to the over all plot.
An awe-inspiring film.


The Old Garden

Not unlike that of Angosto, this film does an exceptional job with it's non-linear plot structure. The Old Garden flashes from the 80s in a time of protest, to the present day as the main character makes his way out of jail nearly 20 years later. Great film.

Red Road

While the film was nothing like what I expected it, I did believe it holds together quite well based solely on its outstanding performance. I may need a second viewing to fully appreciate it.


Cold Prey I loved this film! Is it something new? Of course not. Does it follow every horror cliche in the book? Check. But honestly, who cares. There are so many things this film had going for it. Great performances from highly likable characters, visually attractive cinematography, and even a few great scares. What I loved most about this film is that is followed the book page for page but it did it so damn well! By far the best horror film I have seen since Hostel and The Devil's Rejects. Highly Recommended!

Taking Father Home

A little film that tries so hard to be more than it actually turns out to be. While not by all means one of the festival's highlights, it does contain enough humor and emotion to make it a pretty likable film.

Fay Grim One of my favorites by a long shot. Not really exposed to much Hal Hartley I had no idea what I was getting myself into. While the reviews were not so hot, I was still anticipating the flick due to Parker Posey's presence. Man is this film insane. Dry dry humor, off the wall (yet smart) dialogue, and the most ridiculous plot in film history makes for one hell of a ride. Parker Posey shines in this film. Highly recommend for fans of truly quirky films!


Opera Jawa
By far the biggest surprise of the fest. I really didn't know what to expect of a musical from Indonesia but I was dying to find out. This film fascinating from start to finish. filled with an insane amount of symbolism and hidden meaning I am still in mystery of more than half of what took place in this film. While some will over look this film as an utter bore, I was left wanting to discuss the film with others directly after viewing. I honestly believe this is a film that any diehard film fan of international cinema should see.

And there we have it. 10 films so far with 7 more to go. Great festival so far, can't wait to see what else it has in store for me. I will return in a day or two with more to wet your appetite.

So I had my Cleveland International Film Festival recap thus far all set ready to be published and what happens? My damn laptop overheats and shuts all. So I refuse to retype it tonight, which means you all will have to wait until tomorrow. Look at it this way, at least I will have one more film to add to the list.

Until tomorrow...

So I have thought this over hard and I have decided to run some films I saw on imported dvd last year and move them to this year releases.

It's only fair, right. Films like Linda, Linda, Linda and Invisible Waves will have a second chance at life in 2007 where they will get limited runs in US theaters, hence more suitable for Top Films of 2007 list.

Speaking of Invisible Waves, I will be catching it this coming Thursday at the already in progress Cleveland International Film Festival. So far I have caught 9 films with another 8 yet to come. I will do a quick run down in a little bit but I will say it has been a pretty damn good festival this year. I can't wait to catch Invisible Waves on the big screen in a few days.

Before I dive into my festival festivities I want to drop a thing or two about a few other films. The Fine folks over at Criterion Collection have released their June schedule and it's a doozy.

For starters, two sets I have been dying to get into my collection, If.... and La Jetee:

If.... is a Malcolm McDowell classic from the late 60s that I have been trying to get my hands on for years but have been unsuccessful. Can't wait for that one. The other is a set by Chris Marker which includes both La Jetee and a later work of his entitled Sans Soleil. If you are not too familiar, La Jetee is a short film told entirely (except for one moving image) through still photographs. The film was the basis for the Terry Gilliam film Twelve Monkeys.

Two other releases are schedule for June which I have also been quite curiously to see:

Both films are from the 70s and were directed by Yugoslavian filmmaker Dušan Makavejev. I have hear a fair amount of good things about WR: Mysteries of the Organism and would be willing to bet Sweet Movie is also worth a watch. I may have to also pic one of these up sight unseen simply out of curiosity.

I will leave you with some footage from Hostel: Part 2. All you naysayers can keep on hatin' but in my opinion Hostel was the best horror film since The Devil's Rejects. The sequel looks headed in the right direction with the plot leaning more towards what would drive someone to do this and how they get involved in these activities. Say what you will, but I can't wait for June 6th to come around.

Well, I am off but I will be back either tonight or tomorrow with a film festival update.

Apparently Hollywood loves child molesters. Victor Salva, the madman behind such trash as Powder, the Jeepers Creepers films, and twelve year old boys....er, Clownhouse....is back with Peaceful Warrior.

Shame on you Hollywood for letting this man run free.

And shame on you Nick Nolte for doing this crap. I am highly disappointed.

Thank god, Nolte has Quelques Jours en Septembre (A Few Days in September) to fall back on.

Do yourself a favor and check out the trailer for the film to wash the bad taste of Peaceful Warrior out.

So 8 days isn't to bad of procrastinating is it. I have done worse I suppose.

Speaking of days and the number 8 (wait a minute maybe I can make a film about this..oh wait, never mind), I only have one more day, yes 8 hours left and then I have 10 days off in a row for the wonder that is the Cleveland International Film Festival. I can't wait.

One of the films that is playing at the festival is a great film from Norway entitled The Bothersome Man. it quite sensational actually. I originally thought I wouldn't be able to make the screening but I may still have time. It definitely worth a theatrical viewing or two. The kind folks at Film Movement were nice enough to supply me with a screener copy and I must first of all give them some major props for picking the flick up.


The Bothersome Man is truly remarkable from the pitch perfect humor to the extraordinarily colorful cinematography, the film is sure to be loved by many.

After a run in with a subway train, our fearless leader Andreas (played with precise perfection by Trond Fausa Aurvag) finds himself in an unfamiliar place yet doing the same familiar things.

Life seems to perfect. Why is it so easy to find the right woman? Why is his new job so easy? Why does everyone agree with him? Why can't he get drunk? Why doesn't anyone notice things are a bit off key around here?

One man's heaven is another man's hell and this newfound 'life on repeat' leads him to find search deeper and farther way from his mundane existence. Will the music creeping out a bricks in the wall give him the answers he wants?

The Bothersome Man is a stylistically beautiful piece of filmmaking that is well deserving of it's praises.


Now through June, subscribers to Film Movement will be able to pick up their own copy of The Bothersome Man, exclusively on dvd (it will not be able to any retailers until June 26th). Are you in the area and want to check it out on the big screen, well then make your way over to the Cleveland International Film Festival where it will screen on both March 22nd at 11:45am and March 23rd at 9:45am.

Well enough said about that. Get of your damn ass and find a way to see the film. It already have it in mind for my Top films of '07 but that is quite a while from now, so on to other news.

I picked up some other things in the last week or so and even managed to fit in a film or two. Zodiac was seen over last weekend and it is definitely a film that I would recommend to all. Don't whine about its almost three hour running time. Honestly, you won't even notice just go and catch the damn thing.

Also pick up the new record from my boy, RJD2:


Go pick this bastard up too. It's well worth it. Hell, if you are a cheap bastard make your way over to Best Buy before Saturday and get your hands on it for $7.99. You can't be that, seriously. RJ does all the instruments, including the singing on this baby. Don't believe me how damn good it is then check this out, beeeaattcch. Personally, I think "You Never Had It" is the best joint on the record, but that's just me. Man, '07 is already turning out as a great year for music and film and its only March. I can't freakin' wait for what else is in store for us all.

I know there is so much more to say but I can't remember so I guess I will shut the hell up for now. I will be back tonight or tomorrow for a little bit more, my friends.

So I caught Inland Empire this week and at first I didn't even know what to think of it. My friend Aaron and I were just kind of awe struck by the film that we just couldn't simply form an opinion. So to be fear to Lynch (who oddly enough I am not a huge fan of, although I found Mulholland Drive to be riveting) I decided to read reviews both good and bad to form a final opinion. The negative reviews were of no help and we on the same page of bewilderment as I was after the viewing. Then I turned to the positive reviews. While they themselves were lost as far as analysing or explaining any type of plot, they did bring a few things to mind that I found very true of the film.

For starters, Laura Dern nothing short of brilliant in this film. She takes on the complications of three roles with ease. It's really something I overlooked when reminiscing after the film. Most actress when thrown into such chaos honestly could not come out alive. Dern, however, always held your attention.

Another great thing I realized after reading some positivity of the film was a statement made by a writer of Film Threat, which definitely sums up the experiment known as Inland Empire perfectly and to a 'T' :

"While I did enjoy the ride I took with the film, after the lights came up I was just thrilled Lynch was allowed to create such a journey for us to go on. Imagine what the cinema world would be like if more great directors threw caution to the wind and followed their artistic vision. It’s a world I’d like to see and I hope Lynch continues to pave the way."

I mean, it doesn't get much better than that. To tell you the truth, the film is a mess. But, its supposed to be. It's like a nightmare or a dream. It should be applauded for what Lynch got away with by making this film. And for these two reasons, I highly recommend this film. Not to any ol' Joe Schmoe, but to all those honest-to-god film fans. I do recommend that you let go when watch the film. Don't expect anything and do judge the film on the merit of it's story. Its much more than that for the world of film, its more of a true experiment in filmmaking. A trip everyone who loves film, and I mean really honestly loves film and its many faces, should take.

Yo, bitches. I am back as promised. Alot been going on in the last few weeks. The almighty Cleveland International Film Festival announced it's schedule and it's pretty damn badass. I weaseled myself a press pass this year (I am going to write a story about the fest for KFC Cinema) so I am going to catch a record 17 films this year. Crazy, huh. I can't wait. Who knows I may catch more. Like last year, I am going to take the week off of work So I will pretty much have free reign to see whatever. I am even dragging Chiaki to 7 films. Can you believe it? Here is breakdown of the flicks I plan on catching.

From around the globe:
Transylvania - France
The Old Garden - South Korea
Paprika - Japan
Severance - United Kingdom
Cold Prey - Norway
Angosto - Spain
Taking Father Home - China
Invisible Waves - Thailand
Opera Jawa - Indonesia
Sway - Japan
Angel-A - France
Red Road - United Kingdom

A few from the US:
Fay Grim
First Snow
The Ten

And some documentaries:
Punk's Not Dead
Liquid Vinyl

Some others are tentative and still up in the air so we will see what happens. Man, I can't wait. I am probably post pumped for The Ten the latest from David Wain, one of the man geniuses from The State, and the co-writer/director of Wet Hot American Summer. This time around David wrote the script with Ken "I'm going to dip my balls in it, Louie" Marino. Its gotta be some good stuff. Check out the teaser trailer. If you are a fan of The State, the trailer may make you chuckle, if not sorry for waste 56 seconds of your time. Moving On.

I told you all before I would say a few words about The Aura, so here it goes. Do what you can to see this damn film. It's amazing. I fell in love with this flick. It's so original and caught me completely off guard. A true wonder to watch. I don't want to spend the time explaining the plot cause it honestly won't do the film justice. Seriously, would you go see a film about a daydreaming taxidermist. No, of course you wouldn't so please just watch it. You can dig up a Spanish dvd version of it online by now and even download a illegal torrent the film if that's your thing. Its about in April in the US, so if you want to wait, be my guest. It is definitely worth it. Lead actor, Ricardo Darín is spellbinding. I true wonder to watch. It is a damn shame that director Fabian Bielinsky died last year after only making two films (his first being the excellent Nine Queens).

Speaking of extraordinary lead actors, Chiaki and I had the privilege of seeing The Lives of Others, yesterday. It is the German film that took home the surprise win for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Academy Awards. I must say it was well deserving (even though you all know I truly adore Pan's Labyrinth). Not to sound overly cheesy but actor Ulrich Mühe is a heaven send. They guys is exceptional in this film. He has become one of my new favorite actors just from is performance in this film. I can't wait to watch some of his earlier stuff, which includes a few older Michael Haneke films, the director behind one of my favorite films from last year, Cache. Anyways, The Lives of Others was top rated. Aside from the from a handful of Rainer Werner Fassibinder and Haneke films, I had never really seen any German films, but I must say it was a absolute pleasure to watch. Please, do yourself a favor and check it out when you get a chance.

So as I talked about from time to time in the past, I am attempting to get my own international film website off the crowd. My friend, Jeff and I talk about it from time to time and we are pretty serious about getting it off the ground in the next couple months if all goes well. In the meantime I have been in contact with a few companies who have been kind enough to send me a few films to review until the site gets off the ground.

So I have decided to welcome you guys with some lengthy reviews in the coming months of some great new upcoming dvd releases. The find folks at Film Movement has sent me a copy of their March film The Bothersome Man, a film from Norway which will also being screening at the Cleveland International Film Festival. I also plan on review First Run Features release of The Bridesmaid, the latest film released on US shores from French legend Claude Chabrol. Expect me reviews of these films in the new few weeks.

I hope you all are excited as I am...

So I will return with a nice little post in a day or two. So much to talk about the Cleveland International Film Festival, The Lives of Others and The Aura just to name a few things. I will be back. Promise. But now I am a little tired and I am going to catch get some rest. Until then feast on one of my new favorite actors...