Documentary Short "The Bowler"

The Bowler is Sean Dunne's 15 minute documentary short telling the story of bowling hustler Rocky Salemmo. Salemmo is often loud and antsy, two qualities that I don't associate with documentaries. Yet Dunne handles him with skillful edits and beautiful ambient shots.

Visit www.veryapeproductions.com to view the film

"In The Heat of the Night" (1967)-Rated R

In The Heat of the Night is a moral lesson in equality told to us in a who dunnit. Starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, it tells us a compelling story of life in a small town, circa 1960’s America. But, not just any part of America. The deep south America where the Civil War is called The War Between the States and where non-whites know their place.


It is both shocking and a healthy reminder to revisit these old attitudes. Though I’m 37 years old and was exposed to a few years of life in a racist town in the Mid-West, I was surprised at how different life is today versus even just 25 years ago. What Heat shows us about our past bolsters the understanding that we really have come a long way in dealing with hate. A fact that is too easily forgotten.



Heat is both fascinating and a hard watch at the same time. Which is what filmmaker Norman Jewison wanted. Throw on top of that that he made this film in 1966 for contemporary audiences, and you have to have a sense of pride knowing that a bunch of white people made a movie to show white people how they expect blacks to live. It was at times enormously un-comfortable to watch with the “N” this and “N” that. And if that isn’t enough, add to all this anti-social behavior the plot turn of statutory rape.

Wow, and I am recommending this? YES. Because the film is intensely entertaining. Remember, it’s a who dunnit. A story propellant that keeps us pushing forward. Waiting breathlessly to see what will happen next. With a police force that seems to solve cases the way I did as a child playing the board game Clue. It’s a wonder that the town’s minister didn’t get arrested.

Sidney Poitier plays Virgil Tibbs and delivers one of the most memorable lines in all of American cinema, “THEY CALL ME, ‘MISTER TIBBS’” he bites at the police chief. (That line later became the title of the movie’s sequel) Tibbs, an off duty homicide detective from Philadelphia, is passing through the small town of fictitious Sparta, MS. When he is discovered waiting in the town’s train station, he’s falsely arrested and taken to meet the chief.

On the phone with his own chief back in Philly to prove his innocence, Tibbs is instructed that he is to offer his services to the police of Sparta. Then the fun really begins. Helping out a town that hates blacks to solve a murder of a very important white man. While being so much smarted than the rest, Tibbs has to be thinking that life can’t get any worse.


Rod Steiger plays Police Chief Gillespie. Though it is not pointed out overtly, it’s apparent that he is a relatively recent arrival in Sparta himself. And, while no one will ever confuse him for a civil rights worker, it is also just below the surface that Gillespie is probably more annoyed by blacks than having any visceral hate for them. Still, he gives Tibbs a hard time of things while being pragmatic enough to want Tibbs’ help.

Made for a mere $2.6 million, Heat has a few minor errors that viewers would be well served to ignore and instead follow the story. The biggest error was one that is out of the control of every filmmaker, mother nature. Once the budget and other coordinations dictate where a film will be made, filmmakers do their best to fool our eyes into believing that the action is where we are told it is. Though Heat was filmed in Sparta, it was Sparta, IL and not Mississippi. And it was autumn.

The problem of course is the deciduous trees that lose their leaves after they turn various shades of fall. That occurs from cold temperatures at night. So, we’ll ignore that aspect and remember that it’s a heat wave down south in September. Focus on figuring out who killed and why. Remember how ugly our past is and be grateful that we have chosen differently.

"Changed"- a working title

Well, it's been way too long since my last posting. I have many movies that I want to recommend, but all in due time.

I have been very busy the last three months with my "9 to 5" that's anything but. That's alright because the overtime pay is helpful.

Also, I have been working on a short film. We will be shooting this August. It's thriller with a "Twight Zone" feel. I'll update with more info a bit later this week.

My Viewing Journal- Week 10, 2010

Films

Gentlemen Broncos (2009)
Up In The Air (2009)
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (1999)


TV
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards Show
Two and a Half Men
The Big Bang Theory
Paranormal State
The Middle
Modern Family
The Office
Parenthood (I think this is the best new show)
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
The Mentalist
Medium
Ghost Adventures

My Viewing Journal-Week 9, 2010

Film

The Damned United
Belly (1998)
The Station Agent (2003)

TV

Amazing Race
Two and a Half Men
The Big Bang Theory
The Middle
Modern Family
Survivor: Heroes vs Villains
The Office
The Mentalist
Medium

March Promotion

For the month of March, comment on any posting to have a chance to win one of two $20 i-tunes card. Here's what you do:

1)leave a comment as you like on any post

2)email me the post title and a subject line that you commented on

3)watch your email as the winners will be notified by April 4th

So, comment then email me at ideasmeetaction@gmail.com


(This promotion is not affiliated with i-tunes)

And the Oscar goes to...

Okay. I don't know who is going to win. But, neither does anyone else. Here is a list of who I WANT to win on Sunday night. Not that they necessarily WILL win. And just to be honest, my picks rarely do.

Best Actress:
Meryl Streep-"Julie and Julia"

Best Animated Feature:
"Coraline"

Art Direction:
"Avatar"

Costume:
"Coco Before Chanel"

Director:
Jason Reitman-"Up in the Air"

Editing:
Julian Clarke-"District 9"

Best Picture:
"An Education"

Visual Effects:
"Avatar"

Best Original Screenplay:
"Inglourious Basterds"

Make sure you tune in to ABC on March 7th at 5:00 pm Pacific.

"Keith" (2008)

Natalie (Elisabeth Harnois) is a beautiful over-achiever, set to graduate high school and attend Duke on a tennis scholarship. She thinks she knows exactly what she wants in life.

Raff (Ignacio Serricchio) is the new student who captures Natalie's attention in the first act. It appears that it's more than a crush. He's traveled abroad, comes from a well-to-do family, and is handsome. He has to be all this so the audience will believe that the girl who knows what she is doing could be taken by him so quickly.

Keith (Jesse McCartney) is quirky. Sticks out a bit in his yellow truck. Headstrong in all his interactions and projects a confidence that in high school usually belongs to the jocks. Oh...and good looking. He has to be in order for him to come between Natalie and Raff. But, there's a lot more to the Natalie/Keith storyline than meets the eye.

The slow evolution of Natalie and the influence that Keith has in that change is what "Keith" is all about. Her awakening from linear thinking and goal-minded/singular path to appreciating relaxed moments and silly adventures. Or, repairing a yellow truck.

The chemistry between Jesse McCartney and Elisabeth Harnois is a big part of why this movie is so good. Early in the film Natalie confronts Keith asking him, "Who the hell do you think you are?" He retorts with a smile, "Who the hell do you think I am?" It was in this exchange that I was hooked.

The writing is strong. But, with the wrong casting, it would have lost a lot of value. I was much surprised to learn the little blond singer was one and the same as the actor, now with dark hair and a talent in front of the camera beyond his now rugged good looks and seriously interesting face.

One of the things I appreciated most about "Keith" was that the language used was true to life teen verbiage. Too often, films (particularly those about teens) use frequent coarse language. For me, it gets in the way of the story telling. Here, writers David Zabel and Todd Kessler (who also directed) allow them normal cursing and used only one "F" bomb. Most importantly was that there was a purpose to it's use. Poignantly placed at a time that they wanted us to be deeply bothered.

Well played movie with the cast rounded out by Michael O'keefe ("Caddyshack", "Roseanne") who has a small, important role.

My Viewing Journal- Week 8, 2010

Film

Public Enemies (2009)
The Final Destination (2009)
Keith (2008)



TV

Paranormal State
60 Minutes
Amazing Race
Weeds (Season 5 on DVD)
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
The Winter Olympics (some)


About the kindest thing I can write about the Olympics this year is that it will end tonight with the Gold Medal hockey game between USA and Canada. GO USA (Visa-Suck It!) Now, the networks can go back to first run programming instead of repeats.

Film Shorts

"The Convincer" is still casting, but I'm anxious to see this film. Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Billy Crudup, Lea Thompson, Michelle Artur, Bob Balaban and David Harbour are signed on. It's about a desperate Midwest insurance salesman scheming to get a rare violin. This brings about unforeseen consequences. Since "As Good As It Gets" has Kinnear put out a bad film? Can't wait! I'll update as warranted.

My Viewing Journal, Week 6 of 2010

Film

We Own The Night (2007)
The Final Season (2007)
Julie and Julia (2009)
Red Dawn (1984)
Transsiberian (2008)



TV

Two and a Half Men
Paranormal State
Survivor, Heroes vs. Villains
Medium

"Amexicano"

In the course of viewing low budget indie films, we are often subjected to one or all of: poor editing, poor sound quality, poor picture resolution, and a lack of substance in story. "Amexicano" gives relief to the tiresome indie experience. I was grateful to watch talented actors be the characters they are supposed to be. Furthermore, that Actor/Writer Carmine Famiglietti wrote the story without a political axe to grind.

When one is accustomed to brash, coarse, hard edge films, "Amexicano" feels too soft. But, when I relaxed into the pace of the movie I learned the point of his story. That even in tough economic times one can find joy. The joy that these characters find is friendship.

Amexicano is a term coined by Ignacio (Raul Castillo) when Bruno (Carmine Famiglietti) joins the day laborers on a street corner in Queens New York. Out of work yet again, Bruno takes odd jobs with his new friend and finds a place to belong with Ignacio and his "wife."

The story takes a few turns, but no leaps of fantasy. When you want to be entertained by story rather than over-the-top excitement, find "Amexicano" and pay to rent either on-line or on DVD.

Idea Put Into Action: IFC

Jim Hamilton loved indie films so much, that he started an independent film club. Showing films in his living room in October, 2009. As of February 4th, he has 80 members! With a group that size, you'd have to have a big living room. Or, contract with a local theater to accommodate your group.

That's exactly what Jim did. So, starting Feb 21st, a theater in Oceanside, CA is showing indie films that the group has selected. One doesn't have to be a member to attend a viewing. But membership has it's privileges, and so members get a discount opportunity.

Jim and his North County Film Club are hoping that this will give indie films more attention and encourage theaters other than downtown art houses to show true indie films.

If you do not live in the So. Cal. take a page from Jim and start your own indie film club. From time to time, you'll good indie films reviewed here for suggestions. A good one to start with would be "The Lookout" starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels posted in January, 2010.

My Viewing Journal, Week 5 of 2010

Film

"Our Very Own" (2005)
"Ghost World" (2001)
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" (1997)



TV

"The Office"
"The Middle"
"Modern Family"
"Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains"
"Two And A-Half Men"
"Paranormal State"
"Ghost Adventures"
"The Mentalist"

"Freaks and Geeks" (2000)

Long before Judd Apatow was "knocking-up" Hollywood. Before James Franco was sharing the big screen with Tobey McGwire. Before Linda Cardellini was running through "E.R." stat! Before Jason Segel gave us all something to forget about in "...Sarah Marshall." Before Seth Rogen was pumping out movie after movie, Busy Phillips was prowling "Cougar Town", and John Francis Daly was recurring on "Bones" and then hired to co-write New Line's updated version of the "Vacation" series of movies. They all had one thing in common. NBC's "Freaks and Geeks."

F&G was the best show ever canceled by the network. I don't think they gave it much of a chance. They moved from nights week to week, making it difficult for even the most rabid fan to find. Airing 16 of the 18 episodes taped. Yes, I'm still very bitter. This was truly a great show.


F&G was creator Paul Feig's semi-auto bio show about a group of geeks and a separate group of burn-outs growing up in 1980 small town Michigan. Feig said that growing up a geek, he was often teased with the pajorative "fag". So, he gave the character who would most closely resemble his experience the name Sam Weir (rhymes with queer). He intended this slur to be a runner to torment Sam through the series. NBC stopped it after one use. Guess it was too real.

Sam (John Francis Daly) was a 14 year old freshman geek with best friends Neil (Samm Levine) and Bill (Martin Star). The three clung together with their common interest of: "Star Wars"; "Star Trek"; Bill Murray; Steve Martin; girls and how to interact with them; and how to stay safe from bully "Allan"

Lots of kids are teased as freshman and freshman geeks get the worse. Sam had it from all sides, except from his older sister Lindsay (Linda Cardellini). In the pilot, Lindsay began a cross over from straight "A" student and mathlete to a freak. Wearing her father's drab Army jacket, doubting the existence of God, and pulled away from everyone that once was in her confidence.


The burn-outs of Daniel (Franco), Kim (Phillips), Neil (Segel), and Ken (Rogan) each had their own baggage in life that seemed to point to their apathy for school and a need for escapism.

F&G could have easily of gone 100 episodes without breaking a sweat. Story lines were rich in subtext, characters real depth with back story. These people were so relatable that you either were them or knew them growing up.

Superbly casted. Allison Jones(casting) was hired to cast "The Office" by EP Greg Daniels because, as he said, "I thought Freaks and Geeks was the best casted show ever." Seeing all the success that almost all the players have had since F&G, who could disagree?

This dramedy was as touching a show as TV could ever make. One can not help but to love the kids even when they are being selfish punks. When NBC canceled F&G they deprived us of something really special. You can however still get it on DVD. Or rent it legally online.

"Sex Drive"

Rarely will I recommend a goofy sex crazed romp. And rare is now. "Sex Drive" is yet another tormented-teen, trying to lose his virginity, cookie-cut-out movie. And I'm recommending that you see the unrated version.

So many times we have heard DVDs advertised "Get the unrated version with scenes we couldn't show you in theaters." You watch it only to find out that the unrated scenes were edited by producers because they suck. Not by censors because they were too racy. "Sex Drive,Unrated" is filled with nudity more for broad comedy, less for sex appeal.

Ian (Josh Zuckerman) is an 18 year old virgin getting girl advise from his very experienced best friend Lance (Clark Duke). Lance tells Ian to be a jerk because people always want what they can't have. Ian practices the advice via the Internet since he's not comfortable doing it for real. Lying about his looks and hobbies, Ian finds a girl that tells him her parents are out of town and if he travels the many miles to her town, they can "go all the way." So Ian, Lance and their friend Felicia (Amanda Crew) steal Ian's brother's car for the trip.

As is typical in this genre, the trip is the most eventful part and many laughs and problems occur. Including finding Ezekiel (Seth Greene), an Amish guy who seems to know everything there is to know about cars. Just a little something he picked up during Rumspringa. David Koechner is a funny and a touch psychotic hitchhiker. Everything comes to a head in the city of the appointed hook-up.

The casting is probably the second most critical choice when making a film, and I think they got it right at every turn. Clark Duke is an against type choice for the "player" role of Lance, which plays along with the theme of the character. Also, Charlie McDermott and Mark L. Young (both auditioned for "Ian" and wisely not given the role in that they would simply be too cool) stole the scenes they were in. "Andy" and "Randy" are these two uber confident teens whose only problem is, "They can't close." These two will have a long career in entertainment, should they choose.

"Sex Drive, Unrated" is a very funny DVD, with a few blunders left in for us to laugh at. If you are in the mood, this will be a good time.

TV Bits

NBC is filming a pilot for new comedy show "Outsourced." The show picks with a recently demoted manager of a novelties company is shipped off to India to manage a group of customer service representatives.

Ken Kwapis (Freak and Geeks; The Office) will Executive Produce and that gives me a lot of reason to expect great things from "Outsourced."



HBO is working again with the team that gave us "Entourage." Mark Walhberg, Stephen Levinson, and "Entourage" creator Doug Ellin will Executive Produce a show currently being written by Ben Schwerin about a young political aide and his relationship with the former President of the United States. Walhberg has EP'd a few made for cable shows now, and all have been expectational. I have no reason to think this will be different.

Check back for updates on these shows as they come.

Film Shorts

Have you heard of musunahi.com? I hadn't until I read in Film News Briefs that DreamWorks has made a deal with the Museum of SuperNatural History blog site. hollywoodreporter.com reported that they are still in the script phase and trying to figure out how to write about the "lunatic-fringe material." In any case, I think this will be fun. Check back for updates as they develop.

Showtime's, "The United States of Tara"

Every now and then, I 'm a late arrival for a really good show. "The United States of Tara" is one such case. Already in it's second season, I recently watched season one of Showtime's program on DVD in about a day.

This is Diablo Cody's (Juno; Jennifer's Body) brilliant creation about Tara, a wife and mother of two dealing with Dissociative Identity Disorder (short explanation, think of multiple personalty disorder).

In the Pilot, Tara (played by Toni Collette- Little Miss Sunshine; The Sixth Sense) has gone off her medication that helps to prevent transitions into other personalities. A decision that will cost both her children some pride and each a relationship. The problem with this approach is the chaos that the alters T, Alice and Chuck bring to their home. Max (John Corbett) is Tara's husband is placed in a typical male quandary of, "How do I help fix this?" Meanwhile, being told not to try. The US of Tara is funny, clever, and a heartache. I both hate what Tara is doing to her family and love watching it.

In the same vein of Juno, Diablo Cody created teenage characters that are more sophisticated than their ages suggest. Daughter Kate (Brie Larson) is devious in her poor attempts at coping and occasionally acts out sexually. Son Marshall (Keir Gilchrist) is a bookish old soul who listens to Billie Holiday, wears a neck tie to school and full pajamas to bed, and happens to be gay. One of the more interesting choices producers made was how to write about this aspect of Marshall.

Not the typical "coming out" story or the marching and protesting for equal rights they way every other story would. Instead Cody gave layers to Marshall and allowed the show to hit the ground running with his family already knowing and treating him for who he is. Among other things, a kid who cooks and loves movies.

Of all that is good with the series, it does have it's problems. All the episodes are filled with cursing and that's a bit hard on my ears. My biggest beef is the lack of boundaries, even among the sane. It's hard for me to watch such rough language between parent and child and the crudeness in which they talk about sex. For me, it cheapens the human relations down to two dogs humping on the front lawn and no one having the decency to turn on a hose. Still, every episode has a eye widening surprise. And not all good surprises.

I have not yet watched any of the second season. But, that's not for a lack of want. "The United States of Tara" is funny, then nerve racking, then funny again. "Always leave them wanting more" is an adage clearly understood by Cody and company (which includes EP Steven Spielberg) and it's skillfully applied.

ABC's "The Middle"

"The Middle" is Patricia Heaton's most recent and best shot at replicating the "Everybody Loves Raymond" success. This time, as the star. She plays Frankie, an everyday, working mom with a husband and three kids. Frankie faces typical struggles of tight finances in a bad economy, school projects, caring for elderly relatives, work, household chores, etc. etc. etc. Her schedule is full and familiar. What's different is how the producers decided to portray her husband Mike and the odd to oddest kids.

Mike (Neil Flynn) is not like typical TV dads. He is in touch, present, and a hard worker. He wants to have a unified front with Frankie both in child rearing and in life. Like real husbands, he just doesn't always understand what to do to support Frankie.

Charlie Mcdermott (Frozen River) is the brave actor who plays their oldest child Axl, usually wearing only boxer shorts. A lot of girls will find him interesting to watch. If they take the time to look up from his torso to his face, they will notice an actor who has a grasp on the difficult task of communicating with speaking. Charlie's facial reactions add a great deal to the way he plays this silly teen.


Sometimes it takes a pretty girl to play plain and ABC has done it again with the casting of the easy on the eyes Eden Sher as teen aged Sue. Eden sharply plays the accident prone, metal-mouth, who just can't win. Repeatedly trying out for various clubs and teams, trying to be noticed by boys she likes, or just be noticed in general. When she finally does get a boyfriend, it is a guy who is "as queer as a three dollar bill" and everyone knows it. Except her....and her boyfriend.

Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is in elementary school and is the oddest duck of the three. He'd rather read books than play. He whispers words aloud to himself in a way that the other characters can hear and be made throat clearing-ly uncomfortable.

Chris Kattan (Saturday Night Live) is Bob, Frankie's work buddy with his own baggage of oddity. He brings more laughter and talent to a show that already has plenty of both.

The Middle airs Wednesday nights on ABC.

TV Shorts

Film News Briefs reported last week that ABC has greenlit a new mockumentary show. "187Detroit" will star stage actor John Michael Hill. Hill has played in "Hairspray" and "The Boy from Oz." His character on the new show will be a rookie homicide detective. I like A&E's "The First 48" will follows real life detectives working real life homicide cases. I anxiously await this scripted version which will be able to offer satisfying endings. Check back for updates on this show.

The Lookout (2007)

When you carry around a driver license size card that starts with, "My name is Chris Pratt. I have had a serious head injury," you might be tempted to use that as an excuse in life. But, Chris doesn't want pats on the head. He doesn't want his roommate to leave dinner out waiting for him to come home. Instead, he wants to go into management training for the bank where he works as the night janitor in a small farm town. He wants to be viewed as normal, get laid, and more than anything else, forgive himself for the horrible crash that caused his injury, took the left leg of his then girlfriend, and the took the lives of two friends. Striking out for independence, Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) becomes "THE LOOKOUT".

The movie begins with a beautiful scene of the four friends driving in the country. Chris wants Rachel to see all the fireflies near the road, so he drives with the headlights off. It's a shot that could inspire a musician named for a bird and an urban setting to write a song. But the beauty is short lived. Fast forward to present day, Chris is at Independent Living Skills class writing about his life in an exercise to help improve his short term memory.

This is Academy Award nominated Scott Frank's screenplay and first try at directing. It's a trilling heist story that also deals with the aftermath of trauma in a respectful and believable way. Most writers would have gone down the pity path to make us like Chris. Scott wisely allows us to think what we will.

My feelings towards Chris was sympathetic. Maybe because I grew up around handicap people of varying degrees. Or, maybe because Joseph Gordon-Levitt played it so well. Joseph was thoughtful and at ease with the character in which he played fully immersed. Because movies are visual, it helps that he is quite handsome and paired well with Isla Fisher (Definitely, Maybe/The Wedding Crashers) who is simply stunning. Particularly in a shot in front of a red barn. You'll know it when you see it.

Matthew Goode (Match Point) skillfully plays Gary, who slips into Chris' life. Introducing him to Luvlee (Isla's role) and by treating Chris as a serious guy. Then, gets him to join a group to rob the very bank Chris wants to learn to manage. It's unsettling how well Gary gets into Chris' head and you know that this friendship will not go well.

Finally, the great Jeff Daniels (who has played in many fantastic movies) plays Lewis, Chris' blind roommate. Lew seems to be able to survive on his own. He works, is a good cook, and does appear to be a good judge of character. I think it's fair to say he loves Chris like a brother, but he mothers him too much. Jeff is convincing in all his work, but I especially liked what he did in The Lookout. When not wearing sun glasses, he would role his eyes around the way the blind do. It must have been uncomfortable, but it's better than the actors who stare to one spot the way the blind DO NOT.

The movie foreshadows well with almost no, "I know what will happen next," moments. Scott Frank gave so much depth to each character that their back stories would be fun to explore. Strongly written, beautifully shot (DP Alar Kivilo), and a directorial debut that rivals Scott's contemporaries. The Lookout is a very good film.