Review: 'Catching The Sun'
A startling boom coming from the Chevron refinery in Richmond, CA opens the film. This explosion of smoke and fire seems frightening, but to residents of the economically desperate Northern Californian town, this disaster is all too common due to the country's ongoing dependency on coal and oil.
Catching the Sun, executive produced by Entourage's Adrian Grenier, is a new documentary that uses this occurrence in Richmond to promote the larger, environmentally-friendly issue of using clean energy, both nationally and globally.
Just a short drive over the bridge from Richmond is Marin County, where organic food is abundant and a focus on green living is at the forefront. The subjects in this documentary are shown as just beginning to discover alternative energy, by way of enrolling in job training classes that focus on solar installation.
Unlike many social/environmental documentaries out there today, Catching the Sun does a good job of breaking down the issues and explaining in welcomed, simple terms, how solar energy works and benefits the average American.
This leads to a conversation about the benefits of solar energy and how switching to natural resources would result in less dependence on coal and big refineries. The bigger picture to this community means no more explosions and a better quality of life all around.
One of the spearheads of the movement, and our enthusiastic guide throughout the film, is civil rights activist and New York Times Bestseller Van Jones. Jones' non-profit organization, "Green For All," is located in Oakland and operates on the slogan of "The greenest solutions for the poorest people."
Unlike many social/environmental documentaries out there today, Catching the Sun does a good job of breaking down the issues and explaining in welcomed, simple terms, how solar energy works and benefits the average American. Footage of Van Jones and other companies explaining the theory behind clean energy to its trainees also educates the audience without random facts and numbers being thrown up on screen, making us interested and engaged the entire time.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker and activist Shalini Kantayya, Catching the Sun inspires the environmentalist in all of us; by teaching a group of people a skill that betters the community and the planet, everyone wins. The Beatles' ever-optimistic "Here Comes the Sun" plays us out, a very fitting and uplifting last note.
Catching the Sun is playing on June 15th at 3:15 PM during the LA Film Fest. Tickets here.
[youtube height="360" width="640"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FzqgS-M5Eo[/youtube]
THE 7 BEST THINGS HAPPENING AT LAFF 2015
74 feature films. 60 short films. 50+ new media works from 35 countries. This year's Los Angeles Film Festival is about to get real.
Dope. Courtesy of Open Road Films.
1. Dope.
Monday's pre-festival screening of Dope kicked off the Los Angeles Film Festival, setting the bar high for the rest of the week. The Rick Famuyiwa-directed, Shameik Moore-starring high school comedy not only continues to draw praise from the critics- it premiered at Sundance- but it also drew a large number of celebrity attendees. And despite what you've read on gossip sites, it was not all about Kylie Jenner.
Coffee Talks. Courtesy of Twitch Film.
2. Coffee Talks.
From actors such as Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World, The Help), Kathryn Hahn (We're the Millers, Afternoon Delight), David Koechner (Cheap Thrills, Anchorman), Mae Whitman (The Duff, The Perks of Being a Wallflower), and Alfre Woodard (12 Years a Slave, Passion Fish) to directors Anne Fletcher (Hot Pursuit, The Proposal), Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World, Safety Not Guaranteed), Paul Weitz (Grandma, About A Boy), screenwriters and composers, the Coffee Talks are always a highlight of the festival. Plus, who doesn't like free coffee?
3. LA Muse Category.
This is the second year this category has been included in the festival, and it continues to contain some of the most buzz-worthy new films. LA Muse films are those that capture the spirit of Los Angeles, focusing solely on the vibe of the city. Zoe Cassavettes' Day Out of Days is on our radar, about an aging Hollywood actress struggling to stay relevant.
The cast of Dope. Courtesy of Variety.
4. Red Carpet Fashion.
While this event does not require ladies to wear heels (a lá Cannes), there is no shortage of inspiration walking down the carpet. Shameik Moore donned a three piece suit, Pharrell arrived in an explosion of color while Seraya kept it classy with a subtle reptilian feature. With one red carpet over, we can't wait to see what the rest of the fest brings.
Courtesy of Daniel Rensch.
5. After Parties.
Ah yes, the after party. This is the time when filmmakers and actors and industry people alike drink and dance their stresses away. Mingling with peers and making new friends, we're looking forward to enjoying all of what LAFF has to offer. Wine and popcorn included.
Elvis Mitchell. Courtesy of Variety.
6. Elvis Mitchell.
The host of KCRW's "The Treatment" is curating this year's film roster as the artistic director of the LA Film Festival. He brings his unique eye and exquisite taste to the fest, and will even appear at various screenings during the week.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Courtesy of Drafthouse.
7. The Closing Night Live Read, Directed by Eli Roth.
This just in: For the first time in the history of the festival, Eli Roth will direct a live read of Fast Times at Ridgemont High to close the LA Film Fest. Apparently, Fast Times is one of his favorite films, and what a perfect film to represent the heart and spirit of Los Angeles!
To follow our LAFF adventures in real time, be sure to follow us on twitter (@cinemacyspeaks) and instagram @cinemacy!
Review: 'Heaven Knows What'
By now, you may have heard about Arielle Holmes and her unconventional rise to indie-darling fame in the Safdie brothers drama Heaven Knows What. For those who haven't, take a seat– things get interesting real quick. As a 19-year-old vagrant junkie, Holmes was spotted on the street by directors Josh and Benny Safdie in New York. Her unique beauty caught their attention, and her story of a failed suicide attempt, psych ward stay, abusive boyfriend, and all around dramatic life gave the brothers an idea. They convinced her to write a memoir of her life, and her writings are the basis for the film Heaven Knows What.
Holmes plays herself under the character Harley, reliving the most traumatic moments of her life. The film begins during a fight between Harley and her boyfriend Ilya (Caleb Landry Jones), where she threatens to slit her wrists to prove her love to him. He taunts her, egging her on to just do it. She gives in and, in graphic imagery, slits her wrist. Covered in dirt and blood, she screams in pain. After a hospital visit and temporary psych ward stay, she takes to the streets once again, falling into the same dysfunction she was in when we first met her.
Reminiscent of Larry Clark's Kids, watching Heaven Knows What will make you uncomfortable at times, but you welcome the discomfort and trust that the directors will guide you through the thick of it relatively unscathed. Unlike straightforward narratives, this film is a unique blend of fiction and raw cinema vérité that is graphic, gritty, and extremely real. Sean Price Williams’s cinematography is lofty and dreamlike, a beautiful juxtaposition to the actual bleak events taking place onscreen.
Reminiscent of Larry Clark's Kids, watching Heaven Knows What will make you uncomfortable at times, but you welcome the discomfort and trust that the directors will guide you through the thick of it relatively unscathed.
Holmes' lack of acting experience is a good thing in this case– her ability to conjure up raw emotions that powerful is one of the film's strongest qualities. The intensity that comes from her tiny frame and strong New Jersey accent has the ability to put you in a trance. Hands down, this is a strong breakout performance, but whether she has any future as an actor aside from playing a junkie remains to be seen.
Enlisting her street kid friends as the supporting cast, the Safdie brothers selected Caleb Landry Jones as the sole professional actor in the film. As Harley's boyfriend Ilya, Jones immerses himself into the life of a junkie with such a fierce portrayal, he is almost unrecognizable. His relationship with Harley is passionate and raw, a dysfunctional relationship if there ever was one. His previous credits include X-Men: First Class, Antiviral and Contraband, a far cry from his performance here.
My biggest criticism can be said in three words: no plot evolution. The film begins just the same as it ends, Harley has not grown as a person, no arch has been reached, and basically no development has happened. The most interesting part of the film is its backstory, not necessarily the film itself. This slow burn is most likely attributed to its vérité style, but that is no excuse for a dehydrated story. While it is easy to get caught up in the vibe of the film early on, it becomes clear halfway through that nothing has progressed and that lack of progression becomes annoying the second half of the film when the uniqueness spark starts to fade.
This is a film for the cool kids; its premiere in New York saw the likes of Chloe Sevigny, Robert Pattinson, Dree Hemingway, and Greta Gerwig grace the red carpet. It's one of those films you will feel cool saying you've seen, nodding along when the other hipsters in the room sing its praises, and whether or not you actually liked it is irrelevant. While I can't say I enjoyed the storyline, I was left impressed by Arielle Holmes, her performance and confidence the Safdie brothers had to create such an artistically satisfying film.
Heaven Knows What opens at the Arclight Hollywood this Friday, May 29th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxWMc7iHt8Q
Review: 'Club Life'
Jerry Ferrara, best known for his role as "Turtle" in HBO's Entourage, is back as another party-loving, girl-chasing dude in the drama Club Life. Ferrara takes the lead as "Johnny D" in this high-energy film; as a limo driver turned club promoter, his desire to make money to support his struggling family relies on his presence in the ever-growing Manhattan club scene. His relationships suffer as he becomes more entrenched in the nightlife, and he is faced with the realization that "club life" isn't all that glamorous, forcing him to make some tough, life-changing decisions.
For fans of The Wolf of Wall Street's Jordan Belfort's climb to the top of the social ladder, Club Life has the same underdog perseverance. Inspired by true events, Johnny D's story starts in New York City, 2008. While driving a client around in his limo, he gets a phone call about his father's sudden stroke. Barely getting by as it is, Johnny is forced to make some major cash and fast. While out at a club with his girlfriend Tanya (Jessica Szohr), he suddenly finds a mentor in club promoter Mark (Danny A. Abeckaser) and begins working side by side with him. And "working" means Johnny D is now responsible for bringing hot girls to the club, which can earn him up to $3,000 a night.
For fans of The Wolf of Wall Street's Jordan Belfort's climb to the top of the social ladder, Club Life has the same underdog perseverance.
From that point, it's easy to see where the film is going, and its conventional plot doesn't make for much of a surprise. For someone who is personally not "all about the club life," the film's tone can be rather laughable at times. Director Fabrizio Conte gives the impression that running a club is on par with competing in the Olympics, and while I don't doubt the realistic stresses of that kind of job, I rolled my eyes when Mark tells Johnny D, with true non-sarcasm, that bringing pretty girls to the club is not just a job, but a cultural movement.
While Conte's directorial debut is thematically hard to digest, it's worth noting that the performances really make the film watchable. Ferrara turns to his former Entourage swagger to give Johnny D the lovable wiseguy personality. As his girlfriend, Szhor's brief appearance in the film stands out and left me wishing she had more screen time. Abeckaser, who also co-wrote the film, plays Mark with the perfect balance of scummy nightclub lord and sweet-talking debonair, making his character my favorite to watch.
If bottle service and dirty dancing are your things, then you will probably enjoy this movie. At the end of the film, the credits roll next to a slideshow of New York City Night Life Legends, reminding the audience once again that this is based on a true story and people like Mark and Johnny D actually exist.
Club Life opens in theaters on May 29th, and on iTunes and VOD May 26th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTk6k9BEyrc
Review: 'Sunshine Superman'
Mankind may institute the laws of the land, but gravity is the law of the universe, and those are the only rules Carl Boenish abides by. The father of the BASE jumping movement, Boenish’s story and the extreme-sport culture at large is examined in the euphoric documentary, Sunshine Superman.
This film is so much more than watching people jump off mountains and buildings; director Marah Strauch finds a goldmine when talking to Carl’s family and friends as we discover just who this fearless man was. It will no doubt leave you with chills, and maybe a few tears.
Growing up in Hawthorne, CA (shout out to my hometown), Carl worked as an electrical engineer, amateur filmmaker, and skydiving enthusiast. The film takes us through his early years, his law-breaking shenanigans and meeting the love of his life, Jean, whom he later married. Everyone who knew him all said the same thing, Carl had “Peter Pan” syndrome and he was just a big child at heart who never really grew up.
The little things excited him, and his energy was contagious. His enthusiasm for life, exploration, and nature’s miracles knew no bounds. Perhaps that’s why it was seemingly so effortless for him to dangle 3,000 ft off of El Capitan mountain in Yosemite National Park on a bicycle seat while BASE jumpers lunged off cliffs to ensure the best aerial footage for his ever-growing video library.
This footage proves to be some of the film's most rewarding moments, the candidness of their relationship personifies not just a love story between an man and a woman, but also a man and nature.
The genesis of BASE jumping, which is actually an acronym for Building, Antenna, Span, and Earth, started with Carl in the 1970s. In order to call yourself a BASE jumper, one must have jumped off of each of the fixed objects. His obsession with the sport took him all over the world, and he was finally able to share his experience with someone special when he married Jean.
Well before the days of the Go-Pro camera, Carl and Jean strapped large cameras on their heads and documented all of their conquests. This footage proves to be some of the film’s most rewarding moments; the candidness of their relationship personifies not just a love story between a man and a woman, but also between man and nature.
Sunshine Superman is so uniquely powerful because its story is told through both Boenish’s old 16mm archive footage of his jumps, as well as Strauch’s vision for state-of-the-art aerial photography. The naturalness of weaving footage from past to present is effective in giving the story its euphoric vibe. Not that it needs any special effects, but I can’t even imagine what this film would look like in 3D.
It hits you about a quarter through the film that Carl is noticeably absent during interviews. Since this a historical documentary, there are no real spoilers here. In fact, the image above is the Norwegian “Troll Wall” mountain, the location where Carl and Jean jumped off of to claim the Guinness World Record in 1984 for the highest BASE jump, two days before his ultimate death.
As charming as Carl was, his naivetés to human limits was his critical downfall. Claiming the angel wings on his back (AKA his parachute) would always guide him to safety, Carl jumped from a cliff that was just days before deemed “suicidal.” Tests proved that no one could safely jump from that area of the mountain, but Carl liked a challenge, and ultimately that cliff claimed his life. This moment in the film is sobering, and will no doubt leave you with chills.
Jean knows her reaction to his death is weird, and the way she deals with the loss seems odd. But to Jean, a stoic woman who suppresses her feelings as opposed to wearing them on her sleeve, this is only natural. She goes to the spot where Carl took his last jump just a short time before. She jumps, and lands, only to be greeted by a throng of onlookers inspired by her bravery. “It’s what he would have wanted,” she says.
Sunshine Superman is more than just a documentary about the BASE jumping movement or Carl Boenish; it’s a testament to the human spirit and nature’s infinite beauty. Marah Strauch captures here not only arresting visuals, she effortlessly sums up emotions, and extremely inspiring ones at that.
Sunshine Superman opens in LA at The Landmark and in NY at the Sunshine Cinema 5 this Friday with a national rollout May 29th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CsJW3_NqJ4
Review: '(Dis)Honesty'
The human mind is a curious and complex thing, and in director Yael Melamede's documentary (Dis)Honesty, she enlists the knowledge of behavioral economist Dan Ariely to uncover the truth behind our lies, and the impact it has on society. Candid interviews from ordinary people whose lives have been ruined by dishonesty are sprinkled throughout the film, and their self-reflection and relatability adds a powerful element to the stories they tell. It's no secret that everyone tells a little white lie now and again, but after watching (Dis)Honesty, you may want to re-think how that little fib can easily lead to a bigger, more consequential lie down the road.
Dan Ariely orchestrates the film from the very beginning. A professor at Duke University, Ariely founded the Center for Advanced Hindsight and with three New York Times bestsellers on the subject, he is the man responsible for conducting hundreds of experiments to understand this human behavior. His journey began tragically when, as a teenager, Ariely suffered severe burns to over half of his body which left him hospital bound for three years. During this time, he noticed all of the irrationalities occurring in daily life and turned his tragedy into his life's mission to understand human behavior, specifically dishonesty.
The take away is that we all have the capacity to build a better and more honest world, and this film can help us get there.
(Dis)Honesty plays like a 90 minute TED Talk, Ariely gives his presentation to a group of curious minds on the subject of lies, as the film intercuts from his speech to the stories from eight different people. Athletes, scholars, stock traders and stay-at-home mothers make up the diverse cast of characters, and while their stories are all very different, they share a commonality in the deeply human experience of guilt, shame, and repentance.
One of the better-known stories comes from media strategist and writer Ryan Holiday. Holiday, pictured above, is responsible for orchestrating the Tucker Max media freak-out back in 2009. For those unfamiliar, Tucker Max started as a blog which famously morphed into the scandalous book, and later movie, I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell. To strum up publicity for the film, Holiday started a guerrilla marketing campaign to self-sabotage his own film, figuring that negative press would drive more people to the seats. He would deface the film's billboards, and then report it to various outlets, sparking interest and eventually starting a wide-spread movement lashing out against Beer In Hell. His story is one of the eight that are both engaging and entertaining. Side note- Holiday now works as the head PR at American Apparel.
Corporate scandals and political deception are obviously major no-no's, but what about the little lies that aren't seemingly so bad? Like telling a child about the existence of Santa Claus, for example. There is a gray area when it comes to how we view "lie telling," and Ariely does a fantastic job of explaining how people rationalize what is acceptable fibbing. (Dis)Honesty is a personal look at a taboo subject, and should be on the watch list of anyone with any interest in learning about the non-tangible and complex workings of the brain and lying. The takeaway is that we all have the capacity to build a better and more honest world, and this film can help us get there.
(Dis)Honesty opens at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena this Friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-dWRVS-vVg
Review: 'Noble'
There are few people in history that have lived up to their remarkable names; off the top of my head, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the perfect example. A true king of the people, he lead a civil rights movement that changed history forever. Christina Noble (Deirdre O’Kane) has a similar story and legacy. As a child, she was abused, raped, and left for dead. After a lifetime of fighting for her life and a state of well-being, she becomes obsessed with the war in Vietnam and dedicates her life towards focusing on the betterment of the lives of the people there. Noble tells Christina's remarkable journey, which also happens to be an incredible true story.
Christina's story begins in Ireland, 1955. As a young girl, she has the voice of an angel, singing for the community and anyone who will listen. Her Irish accent is fragile but beautiful. After the unexpected death of her mother, her drunken father is forced to care for her and her three siblings. Deeming them too much responsibility, he neglects the children, who are then court-ordered to alternative housing. Christina is given up to an orphanage run by nuns, and she passes the time singing, praying to God, and dreaming of the day she leaves her current surroundings.
She faces hardships while in Vietnam, but ultimately overcomes this struggle proving that nothing in life is easy or deserved, we must create our own path for the future.
However, she learns the hard way that the grass isn't greener outside of the orphanage. A sexual assault at 17-years-old leaves her pregnant, and ultimately powerless when her child is taken from her and adopted out without her knowledge. A workplace romance leads to spousal abuse and further misery. Her deadbeat father re-appears just to steal her money and disappoint her once again. It isn't until a news segment on television about the Vietnam war gives Christina a purpose in her life. She immediately heads to the poverty-stricken country to help in any way she can.
It is in Vietnam where Christina finds her calling, and this inspiring moment will stay with you for the duration of the film. She visits an orphanage full of children affected by Agent Orange, which is truly horrifying. These children are left to die and Christina uses her experience as an abused child to help other young children living in poverty. She faces hardships while in Vietnam, but ultimately overcomes this struggle proving that nothing in life is easy or deserved, we must create our own path for the future. Your destiny is up to you.
As far as biopics go, Noble is one of the better films I've seen. For a relatively unknown name, director Stephen Bradley humanizes Christina in a way that leaves everybody in the theater feeling connected to her. The way in which the film weaves through flashback narrative to linear story is artfully executed and quickly paced, focusing on only the important elements crucial in telling the story. This is not a fluff film, in fact, it is in the same vein as Steven Soderbergh's Erin Brockovich, where love and loss are constant themes, but the overall feeling of triumph and independence prevail.
The film ends with a picture of the real Christina, who is credited as providing protection, education, and healthcare to more than 700,000 children and families. To say that Noble is an inspiring film is an understatement. Extraordinary performances from the cast, especially Deirdre O’Kane, are both heartfelt and piercing. The takeaway from this film is powerful, as we can all learn a lesson from Christina Noble; true happiness comes from helping others.
Noble opens in theaters this Friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogoeU_59XEM
'The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared'
A grey-haired man mourns the death of his beloved cat, as its lifeless body lays stiff in the snow. The man goes back into his house and, in an attempt to lure the fox that killed his pet, sets up a dynamite-strapped hot dog treat. The bait is placed outside. The fox wanders towards the treat. The explosion booms. Cut to: Allan, the grey-haired man, locked up in a nursing home. And so begins Allan's journey as the 100-year-old man who, quite literally, climbed out of the window in his room and disappeared.
Based off of the 2009 book of the same name by Jonas Jonasson, director Felix Herngren brings to the screen this larger than life comedy of Allan Karlsson. Allan (Robert Gustafsson), who, on his 100th birthday decides to escape the old folks' home through the window, starts a new adventure by booking a one-way ticket to a small town with no destination in mind. A diagnosed pyromaniac following the deaths of his mother and father, he is a very independent man whose talent and genuine interest in the field of explosions has lead him down a windy and colorful road.
Not one to be far from trouble, Allan finds himself leaving behind a trail of chaos wherever he goes. After escaping the nursing home, Allan gets himself caught up in a drug ring, murder, and a suitcase carrying $50 million. And that's only the beginning. After accidentally intercepting the suitcase of cash, Allan gets an unfortunate following: the police from the nursing home try to track him down, as well as the intended receptors of the money, and so begins this "geriatric goose chase" that finds hilarity at every turn.
The cartoonish jokes are juxtaposed with dark humor, making for a very unpredictable yet engaging watch.
The humor comes from Allan's Mr. Magoo moments, even with his slow-moving mannerisms, he manages to avoid accidents by mere seconds. Allan's life is quite literally a series of happy accidents. The jobs he has held as a young man, the friends he meets along his journey, and even his health and well-being are completely determined by fate.
100-Year-Old Man is just shy of two hours and is every the bit engaging. Most of the film is in Swedish with English subtitles, but there are moments when a voice from the point of view of Allan narrates over the scene. Where this could easily come across as a cheap or tacky device, the voice-over is a necessary and enjoyable effort.
Almost every other scene is a flashback to Allan's life, giving the audience context to the character and chronicling his series of misfortunate events. The soundtrack is reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, and the filmmaking style is very similar as well. The cartoonish jokes are juxtaposed with dark humor, making for a very unpredictable yet engaging watch.
Actor Robert Gustafsson lives up to his description as "the funniest man in Sweden" with his portrayal of Allan. Gustafsson plays Allan both as a young and old man– the use of makeup and special effects is also something to take note of as he is almost unrecognizable as the two. His line delivery and relationships with the cast of characters he meets along the way are equally as witty and sentimental.
Even the title alone, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, should give audiences a good idea about what type of film this is.With a talented cast and a script full of geezer hijinks, this film is a very funny, heartwarming, suspenseful, and above all else, an entertaining watch. It left me wanting to read the book as well. In the words of Allan Karlsson, "Life is what it is, and does what it does," and nothing has ever been wiser or more clearly stated from a 100-year-old man.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared opens at Laemmle's Royal Theatre in West L.A., Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, Town Center 5 in Encino and in San Diego, Atlanta and New York City this Friday, followed by a national release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-7VM1QOrI0