Pursruant to an enquiry from Adam Hart of the NWFF about getting info for a film that is to be shown at NWFF (but not as a part of SIFF) up here, I have given Adam a login and created a new category, "Plugs," for listings of film events created and posted by folks affiliated with the screening entity. Generally speaking, I don't visualize this being open to every programmer in town, just the folks on the art-house circuit. Anyone out there from the Grand Illusion reading?
The Cinerama's special events would be eligible, I suppose, and so would the Paramount's Silent Movie Mondays. If Hokum Hall still runs silents, them too. who else am I missing? Help me out, you guys know tons more about this than I do!
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Rock School Jam
The Rock School Jam that took place after the screening of Rock School I saw was WELL worth the money paid...despite my having to endure an encounter with some annoyingly loud guys we had stood in front of in line, who stopped me when I walked by them at the bar with exclamations of "Dude. We were TOTALLY DISSED", and when I looked at them quizzically, they exclaimed I had "missed their compliment". Their compliment being - and I wish I were making this up:
"My friend said there are a lot of honeys* here tonight, and then I turned and looked at YOU"...Um. Yeah. So basically their compliment was that I was one of a couple hundred ladies they deemed attractive. Sweet. Can't see how I passed those guys up.
Back to the jam: Those kids kicked ass. They rocked through a ton of old-school rock tunes, the best of which (in my opinion) were Barracuda, during which Miss Ann Wilson came on stage to sing vocals, the Van Halen version of You Really Got Me, and I Wanna Be Sedated, sung with Eddie Vedder. They also totally owned Rock Lobster, which is one of my favorite songs. I thought it was great that the "special guest stars" didn't overshadow the kids; they really got that it was all about the Rock School and didn't hog the stage.
During the show I became enamored with Louis Graff (and yes, I know he's dangerously underage) who rocked the guitar as hard as CJ and whose stage presence I loved -- so much so that I felt compelled to go over after the show and shake his hand, just to tell him that he ROCKED. And yes, I've washed the hand since. Really! Sometimes I can be a fangirl, but I'm not that much of a fangirl.
*PS: I'm still a little horrified that someone used the term honeys to describe girls in real life.
"My friend said there are a lot of honeys* here tonight, and then I turned and looked at YOU"...Um. Yeah. So basically their compliment was that I was one of a couple hundred ladies they deemed attractive. Sweet. Can't see how I passed those guys up.
Back to the jam: Those kids kicked ass. They rocked through a ton of old-school rock tunes, the best of which (in my opinion) were Barracuda, during which Miss Ann Wilson came on stage to sing vocals, the Van Halen version of You Really Got Me, and I Wanna Be Sedated, sung with Eddie Vedder. They also totally owned Rock Lobster, which is one of my favorite songs. I thought it was great that the "special guest stars" didn't overshadow the kids; they really got that it was all about the Rock School and didn't hog the stage.
During the show I became enamored with Louis Graff (and yes, I know he's dangerously underage) who rocked the guitar as hard as CJ and whose stage presence I loved -- so much so that I felt compelled to go over after the show and shake his hand, just to tell him that he ROCKED. And yes, I've washed the hand since. Really! Sometimes I can be a fangirl, but I'm not that much of a fangirl.
*PS: I'm still a little horrified that someone used the term honeys to describe girls in real life.
Rock School
Paul Green's School of Rock seems to be a combination of misfits and artistically talented kids (which is pretty much a label that you could apply to any group of teenagers) that really learn how to rock.
You might find Paul's methods of getting the kids to learn abrasive or just plain wrong (he frequently uses curse words and treats them as they treat him), but as he says, "He gets results". Boy howdy, does he get results. I was particularly pleased to see that Paul doesn't coddle the kids. If they're not getting it, he'll tell them to practice more - if they're still not getting it; he will suggest they try something else.
Particular standouts in the film are Madi, a girl whose voice sounds WAY older her scant teenage years, Eric, who bangs the drums harder than anyone I've ever seen, and CJ, a 12 year old who WAILS on his guitar, perfectly mastering Hendrix, Van Halen, Zappa, you name it, he can play it. And of course, the angelic twin boys who like to rock out to Ozzie on drums and guitar win the "awwww" award for their cuteness and enthusiasm.
Another standout in the film is Will, who despite his musical shortcomings won my heart with his Eeyore-like teenage musings. Even though Will doesn't continue in Rock School, you can sense that just being there for a short time really helped him. That's pretty rare, and pretty cool.
Say what you will about Paul Green, it's apparent that sometimes he does more than just teach kids how to be rock stars. What else can I say? I was impressed, and I absolutely wish I could have gone to rock school when I was a kid.
You might find Paul's methods of getting the kids to learn abrasive or just plain wrong (he frequently uses curse words and treats them as they treat him), but as he says, "He gets results". Boy howdy, does he get results. I was particularly pleased to see that Paul doesn't coddle the kids. If they're not getting it, he'll tell them to practice more - if they're still not getting it; he will suggest they try something else.
Particular standouts in the film are Madi, a girl whose voice sounds WAY older her scant teenage years, Eric, who bangs the drums harder than anyone I've ever seen, and CJ, a 12 year old who WAILS on his guitar, perfectly mastering Hendrix, Van Halen, Zappa, you name it, he can play it. And of course, the angelic twin boys who like to rock out to Ozzie on drums and guitar win the "awwww" award for their cuteness and enthusiasm.
Another standout in the film is Will, who despite his musical shortcomings won my heart with his Eeyore-like teenage musings. Even though Will doesn't continue in Rock School, you can sense that just being there for a short time really helped him. That's pretty rare, and pretty cool.
Say what you will about Paul Green, it's apparent that sometimes he does more than just teach kids how to be rock stars. What else can I say? I was impressed, and I absolutely wish I could have gone to rock school when I was a kid.
Michael McGowan's Feel-Good Drama Saint Ralph with Campbell Scott and Jennifer Tilly
(Michael McGowan, 2004, Canada, 98 minutes)
Normally I would hate something as sugary-sweet and predictably "feel-good" as Saint Ralph, dismissing it as Hallmark-esque schlock. But call me crazy, I got all teared up a few times during this coming-of-age-'50s-era-Catholic-school drama.
Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) just can't seem to do anything right...and he has special troubles with the not committing any sins part. With his father dead and his mother in the hospital (for a mysterious brain illness that's never clarified), he lives on his own by faking the fact that his grandparents are alive. When his mother's condition worsens to a coma, Ralph gets the bright idea to stage a miracle to bring her out of it--the miracle being that he'll win the Boston Marathon (since he's been forced to join the track team as punishment for one of his many transgressions).
And really, with a plucky Jennifer Tilly (his mom's nurse), and the wise ex-marathon runner/current priest (Campbell Scott, looking terribly out of place in his priest robe) behind him, how can he lose? Throw in a love interest, and you've got gold--or vomit, I guess, depending on how you process a story designed to be so very "uplifting".
It's got all the terrible caricatures you'd expect, but somehow it seemed to come together. If you disagree, I'm fully willing to blame my acceptance of this film on the state of my girly hormones the night I saw it.
Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) just can't seem to do anything right...and he has special troubles with the not committing any sins part. With his father dead and his mother in the hospital (for a mysterious brain illness that's never clarified), he lives on his own by faking the fact that his grandparents are alive. When his mother's condition worsens to a coma, Ralph gets the bright idea to stage a miracle to bring her out of it--the miracle being that he'll win the Boston Marathon (since he's been forced to join the track team as punishment for one of his many transgressions).
And really, with a plucky Jennifer Tilly (his mom's nurse), and the wise ex-marathon runner/current priest (Campbell Scott, looking terribly out of place in his priest robe) behind him, how can he lose? Throw in a love interest, and you've got gold--or vomit, I guess, depending on how you process a story designed to be so very "uplifting".
It's got all the terrible caricatures you'd expect, but somehow it seemed to come together. If you disagree, I'm fully willing to blame my acceptance of this film on the state of my girly hormones the night I saw it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Vert Seen: GreenCine, The Stranger, and More
While I'm on the subject of links, I should note that Andy Spletzer took note of the doins' hereabouts in a recent issue of The Stranger, although I have yet to dig the piece up online. Thanks, bearded one!
Last but not least, Robin Slick, a proud parent of some of the kids seen in Rock School noted GGG's piece on the show here in town at the Crocodile. Persons who attended that show might be interested in Ms. Slick's photo-heavy three-part coverage of the show.
Other contributors, especially those new to blogging: by all means, feel free to post links such as these or other links of interest to your own experience of SIFF. The web is watching, and it knows you are here!
Rock School image from the IMDb. Alas, GreenCine is no more.-ed
Rice Rhapsody
Rice Rhapsody made me laugh and cry, sometimes via very typical comedy/family situations, but it still worked.
Jen (Sylvia Chang), a mother with 3 boys, is running a restaurant in Singapore famous for the specialty dish: Hainan Chicken Rice. Since her 2 oldest sons are gay, her primary concern is making sure her youngest, Leo (LePham Tan), turns out straight -- which she tries to help along by hosting a beautiful female French exchange student named Sabine (Melanie Laurent) -- while also avoiding the affections of a long-time family friend who runs another restaurant down the street. While Jen thinks she is in control of everything, it turns out she actually has a lot to learn about life, love and happiness, which she does from Sabine (who honestly, I couldn't quit staring at, and totally bought as someone who'd be able to seduce anyone she met, even if they didn't initially like her).
There were a lot of genuinely funny and touching moments in this film, and while that may sound cliche, it's true. Most of the audience was laughing right along with me, particularly when they showed skinned chickens and ducks with their heads still on (which I guess is something I didn't think was that hilarious - "Hey! Look! Dead animals with heads on!). There was quite a bit of applause at the end, so it seems like it was appreciated all around.
My enjoyment of this film was such that it wasn't even ruined by the late-entering guy next to me, whose constant commentary included such gems as, "She's French! And she's eating French toast...ha-ha!".
Jen (Sylvia Chang), a mother with 3 boys, is running a restaurant in Singapore famous for the specialty dish: Hainan Chicken Rice. Since her 2 oldest sons are gay, her primary concern is making sure her youngest, Leo (LePham Tan), turns out straight -- which she tries to help along by hosting a beautiful female French exchange student named Sabine (Melanie Laurent) -- while also avoiding the affections of a long-time family friend who runs another restaurant down the street. While Jen thinks she is in control of everything, it turns out she actually has a lot to learn about life, love and happiness, which she does from Sabine (who honestly, I couldn't quit staring at, and totally bought as someone who'd be able to seduce anyone she met, even if they didn't initially like her).
There were a lot of genuinely funny and touching moments in this film, and while that may sound cliche, it's true. Most of the audience was laughing right along with me, particularly when they showed skinned chickens and ducks with their heads still on (which I guess is something I didn't think was that hilarious - "Hey! Look! Dead animals with heads on!). There was quite a bit of applause at the end, so it seems like it was appreciated all around.
My enjoyment of this film was such that it wasn't even ruined by the late-entering guy next to me, whose constant commentary included such gems as, "She's French! And she's eating French toast...ha-ha!".
Amie Simon: Bio
Amie is a land-based creature who sometimes retreats to cool water when the heat of the city is too much to handle. She has been attending the Seattle International Film Festival for about 10 years -- starting off by splitting a 6 pack with a friend and seeing only 3 movies at a time, then gradually increasing to 20-packs as funds would allow. She dreams of the day she can afford a Full-Series pass, which she will covet for the length of the festival and then bronze to keep forever and ever.
Sometimes she likes to write movie reviews in her blog and pretend she's some kind of professional. She doesn't believe in being a "film snob" and thinks that big studio movies deserve as much of a chance as Indies, but she does have strong opinions about directors she favors or dislikes.
She's very excited about sharing her SIFF opinions and experiences with others via SiffBlog, which will further the illusion that people actually read what she writes.
Sometimes she likes to write movie reviews in her blog and pretend she's some kind of professional. She doesn't believe in being a "film snob" and thinks that big studio movies deserve as much of a chance as Indies, but she does have strong opinions about directors she favors or dislikes.
She's very excited about sharing her SIFF opinions and experiences with others via SiffBlog, which will further the illusion that people actually read what she writes.
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