Opening at the Oriental Theatre today is the film The Kids are Alright, starring Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, and Wisconsin’s own Mark Ruffalo. The film centers around the content existence of a “modern family” (Moore and Bening play a lesbian couple with two kids) whose foundation is challenged when the kids contact and befriend their biological father (Ruffalo). Directed by Lisa Cholodenko (High Art, Laurel Canyon), the film looks fun and comfortable, easily portraying a real family with all the emotional complexities and unspoken bonds that come with having the same last name. Bening, Moore, and Ruffalo are all perfectly cast and have a great awkward chemistry. The kids (played by Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska, who you might recognize from the 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival short I Love Sarah Jane) thankfully both seem like fully realized characters instead of teen film stereotypes. All in all, I would highly recommend this film to anyone who likes to watch other families deal with more complicated problems then your own.
The AMAZING stop-motion animated french film A Town Called Panic was released on DVD this Tuesday. Given this news, I’m actually fairly surprised that it is raining today because no one in there right mind (not even Midwest weather patterns) can be sad and gloomy after watching this film from writing/directing duo Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar. Clocking in at a delightful 76 minutes, the film’s inciting action centers around Cowboy and Indian trying to get the perfect birthday present for their housemate, Horse. After that, it’s just one panicked-filled ridiculous situation after another. If you missed this film at the 2010 Milwaukee Film Festival – Winter Edition back in March, first of all shame on you. But most importantly, you are now blessed with a second chance. And I would suggest you jump on this DVD, for the sake of your eternal happiness. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Ry also recently completed a three episode web-series for Paper Magazine that follows the formation of an overtly gay pop band. Watch the first episode here: Muscle Top – Episode 1
That’s what he said. Tony Shalhoub interview while shooting Feed the Fishin Door County last year. See the Milwaukee premiere at the film festival Sept. 23-Oct. 3!
Open to all filmmakers and film production companies, professional and amateur of the five-county greater Milwaukee area who are at least 18 years-old, Filmmakers: Our Daily Wants YOU invites you to create a 30-second commercial for Wisconsin’s largest newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This is your chance to win $1,000 and have your work viewed by tens of thousands of moviegoers before every digital screening at the 2010 Milwaukee Film Festival.
TREATMENT FORM
CONTEST RULES, REGULATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY
To enter, create a treatment (using the form downloadable above) for telling a story through the commercial about how the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has affected a conversation, in print and/or online.Submit your treatment by the NEW deadline: Monday, 7/26/2010. Four treatments will be selected and notified by 8/2/2010 to create commercials. The final commercials are due on 9/1/2010. Of the four submissions, one grand-prize winner will be chosen by a panel of judges from Milwaukee Film and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and notified by 9/14/2010. The winning entry will be screened before every digital movie shown during the 2010 Milwaukee Film Festival; the filmmaker(s) will receive a $1,000 cash prize, $2,500 in advertising in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, an all-access Filmmaker Pass to the 2010 Milwaukee Film Festival, as well as general promotion in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and on www.JSOnline.com and www.milwauke-film.org where the commercial will also be shown.
Your Mission:
To produce a 30 second commercial for Wisconsin’s largest newspaper, telling a story about how the Journal Sentinel has affected a conversation, in print and/or online.
Reward for the Winner:
Winning commercial plays before EVERY digital screening at the 2010 Milwaukee Film Festival
$1,000 in unmarked, non-sequential $100 bills
All-Access Filmmaker Pass to the 2010 Milwaukee Film Festival (September 23 – October 3)
$2,500 in ad space in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
I honestly don’t think I had a choice of what film to recommend in today’s blog post. The hand of God was silently pushing me to write about INCEPTION (I use capital letters to convey that I’m shouting, and I’m shouting because I’m excited to see this film). Well, maybe ‘excited’ is an understatement. Filled with anticipatory joy, perhaps?
Inception is the newest film from writer/director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Night, The Prestige, Batman Begins, Memento) and potentially marks yet another box office success to add to his illustrious career. I almost can’t list the cast of this film because it’s making me salivate: Leo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, (here is where I take a break because I’m out of breath), Marion Cotillard, Pete Postlethwaite, and Michael Caine. And original music by Hans Zimmer (film score soundtrack nerds, unite!). The film’s basic plot centers on DiCaprio’s character and the team he has put together to enter into people’s dreams to stop crimes or steal secrets or something. I’ve watched the trailer many times and I’m still a little vague on the exact details of the plot. It is making me very appreciative of my new LCD flat screen TV though, all the better to see the amazing special effects that make Inception one of the most anticipated blockbuster films of the summer and a must-see on the big screen.
It’s a great day for female filmmakers in Milwaukee! Two of Milwaukee Film biggest supporters, Susan Kerns and Kara Mulrooney, have started their own production company, Gal Friday Films! Along with planning on producing some of the most kick-ass local films, the two have a goal of achieving gender balance on film crews, which as you can imagine is slightly skewed male. (Really? You don’t say.) They have a great vision and an exciting plan for their business (which you can read about HERE on Third Coast Digest), starting with a fundraiser tonight for their first short film.
There will be a DJ, there will be drink specials, there will be a raffle and silent auction with items from many of your fav local businesses. Most importantly, people, there will be a CAKE WALK. You heard me. A cake walk. Now you have no reason not to go. Details HERE.
So some Canuck’s think they can pick the 100 greatest films of all time, wait, actually it is a pretty damn good list, certainly better than any the American Film Institute has ever given us.
