Blog 2: Electric Boogaloo

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Audience, State Theatre, TCFF 2013In prep for moderating Saturday’s run Propaganda was early on my sched. The film was an experience that left me conflicted and uneasy, both of which were acknowledged as intentional results during the Q/A with Slavko Martinov, director, and Michael Moore. I say conflicted, because it was a rail on Western culture that highlighted all its bleakest parts, crammed with an overwhelming number of shameful facts to support them. It was powerfully visualized by a mix of crushing images, generally casualties of the most vulnerable: children. Manipulative montage. Not a criticism, Martinov might agree that it makes his point. If you’re ever in need for examples of the strength of the Kuleshov effect – Martinov and his editor – masters. The reaction of the audience was mixed, a divide between those who felt they “got it” those who felt that the barrage of brutal images were unexpected or too much or both. Whatever your opinion, it is a new twist on cinema. Read more

TCFF 2013: Day 4 – Elaine Stritch Wows Audience at Doc Screening

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Elaine Stritch Michael Moore

Broadway legend Elaine Stritch, at a Q&A following the screening of “Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me”

Day four of the 9th Annual Traverse City Film Festival was all about Elaine Stritch, the octogenarian Broadway legend who received a standing ovation when she appeared for a Q&A after the screening of the documentary “Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me.”

The doc is an all-access look into the life of this feisty, no-holds barred superstar who is not afraid to tell anyone anything at any time. The film follows the 89-year-old Stritch as she dominates the stage in her one woman cabaret act, tortures Alec Baldwin on “30 Rock,” offers her blunt take on aging, and takes us into her struggles with alcohol and diabetes.

In stolen moments from her corner room at the Carlyle, and on breaks from her tour and work, reflections on her life are punctuated with rare archival footage, words from friends like Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones and John Turturro, and photos from her personal collection.

Read more

TCFF Photos from Thursday, August 1st

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Here’s a slew of photos from Day 3 of the 2013 Traverse City Film Festival!

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TCFF 2013: Day 3 – ‘Fruitvale Station,’ ‘Propaganda’ and ‘The East’

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Fruitvale StationMy brain is like a big wet sponge absorbing all the amazing films I saw today. First up was “Fruitvale Station” at Milliken Auditorium.

Sometimes you know right away when a film will do well during awards season. Opening night’s “Blue Jasmine” is one of those films. So is “Fruitvale Station.”

‘Fruitvale’ isn’t even what you’d call an explosive film – at least, not until you get to the end. It’s a quiet, thoughtful film about people just living their lives, doing what people do – getting together for family gatherings, eating good food, praying together, struggling to keep the rent paid, trying to be better people. And yet somehow, all of that leads to tragedy in this particular case.

“Fruitvale Station” is based on the real-life story of Oscar Grant (a terrific Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 determined to make a better life for himself and his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz) and 4-year-old daughter Tatiana (Ariana Neal).

As the day progresses, we learn there’s more to Oscar than his recent prison stint and loss of his job at a grocery store. He’s kind to strangers and animals, makes a bold decision not to sell drugs (even though he needs the cash), and celebrates his mom’s (Octavia Spencer) birthday. But his final encounter of the day, with police officers at the Fruitvale BART station, shake the Bay Area – and the nation – to its core.

“Fruitvale Station” isn’t a movie that yells at you. It’s a movie that takes you on a pensive journey of one person who’s at the mercy of his past, the color of his skin, and the unfortunate circumstances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s such a well made film and, again, I expect it to do well during the upcoming awards season. Read more

Father Fred Foundation to Raffle Off Tickets to Sedona International Film Festival!

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Father Fred and TCFF want to send you to Sedona!

One lucky winner will be enjoying a seven-day, six-night getaway for two with VIP access to the 2014 Sedona International Film Festival next February – the grand prize of a raffle drawing to benefit The Father Fred Foundation.

The Sedona Film Festival has been recognized as one of the top film festivals in the nation and named the “Fest to Impress” by MovieMaker Magazine.
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The Prize:

The complete prize includes:

-Two “Platinum” access passes to the 2014 Sedona Film Festival (February 22- March 2, 2014)
-Round-trip airfare for two from Traverse City (or voucher)
-Rental car
-Six nights of lodging
-Dinner for two
-Two spa treatments
-Prize is transferable

Tickets:

Tickets are $500 and can be purchased here at Traverse City Film Festival Box Office at 128 S. Union St. in downtown Traverse City, above 7 Monks Taproom. Only 200 tickers will be sold. (If 50 tickets are not sold, the prize will revert to a $5,000 cash prize.)

Tickets will be on sale through 5:30 pm on Saturday, November 30, 2013, or until 200 tickets are sold (whichever comes first).

Drawing date/location:
Saturday, November 30 at 101. N Park St. in Traverse City. Need not be present to win.

Proceeds:
All proceeds from the raffle will go to The Father Fred Foundation to help families in need within the five-county community.

Good luck, TCFF filmgoers!

 
MI Raffle License #R22256

Traverse City Film Festival Asks: What Great Movie Changed You?

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TCFF Photos from Wednesday, July 31st

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Here are photos from Day 2 of the 2013 Traverse City Film Festival taken by our amazing team of volunteer photographers! See more on our Flickr and share your own on the TCFF Facebook.

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Festival Diary: Late Night Movie Bender Edition

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World Premiere of Waiting for Mamu by Director Thomas Morgan with special guest Pushpa Basnet at the Bijou by the Bay.

World Premiere of Waiting for Mamu by Director Thomas Morgan w/ special guest Pushpa Basnet

July 30

You’ll forgive this first entry because the TCFF movie bender that I’m on is mixed with the on-call responsibility of middle of the night wake-ups to rock my 11 month old son back to sleep without falling asleep myself. Midnight is my new 3am.

The Fest Day 1

The Blue Jasmine Opener was the Woody Allen that I’ve come to seek/enjoy almost as much as early work like Take the Money and Run and Bananas. Jasmine was a mix of comedy and edged social commentary starring a mix incomparable actors like Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin with rare talents that Allen seems to be able to sock away for the perfect part based on a type with supporting roles by Andrew Dyce Clay and Max Casella (Doogie Howser’s best friend/co-star). Blanchett’s flip flop between various stages of nervous breakdown and recovery was phenomenal. Read more

TCFF 2013: Day 2 – Killer Whales, Bordeaux, Whistleblowers and ‘The Girl on the Train’

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The Girl on the Train

Henry Ian Cusick and Nicki Aycox of “The Girl on the Train,” produced by local filmmakers Rebecca Reynolds and Jim Carpenter | 8180 Films

Today’s journey through cinematic awesomeness took me from the vineyards of France (and China) to the horrors of theme park whales to a movie about a life-changing train ride. Let’s take a look.

I started off the day with “The Girl on the Train,” directed by TCFF regular Larry Brand and produced by Leland residents Rebecca Reynolds and Jim Carpenter.

I must stop here and explain that Rebecca is my “real friend.” We met for coffee recently and I couldn’t contain my excitement at meeting someone in person, face-to-face, talking like real people used to talk rather than online, which is where so much of my life is these days. So now whenever I see Rebecca, we’re all like, “Hey, it’s my real friend!” Read more

Mario Batali at the Grand Debut of the Bijou by the Bay

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We had a chance to talk to noted chef and summer resident Mario Batali about the new Bijou by the Bay and the great film that changed him.