One of the SIFF Program Covers6-2-20 Today I finally made a post to my blog. The library opened for drop offs yesterday and I dropped off the two DVDs that I had borrowed before the Shelter in Place orders.
It was good to see that people are beginning to bring stuff back, but there is a 72 hour quarantine for items before they can be checked out again. I miss being able to go inside and see what was new on the shelf. Books, DVDs and music that I never heard of or always wanted to read, view or listen to and never had the opportunity.
It was good to see that I was not the only person in the parking lot using the wi fi. It had begun to drizzle, but then it stopped so I was able to complete everything.
Sunday evening my television went out. At first I thought it might have been the Blu Ray player as there was still sound. I tried a few things and then I just gave up on it. Yesterday I tried again, but I wasn't even getting any sound. Since I can't see the screen I probably selected something on the remote and there was no signal. Today I contacted the company and there was nothing they could do. Since the television wasn't mine, I'm not sure if it was ever registered and if the warranty on that particular part. He thought it might be the lights aftere we tried a few things. He came to the conclusion that it would cost more to repair than to buy a new TV. Of course I would definitely go with another brand, but I am not ready to buy a new tv at the moment.
So, this weeks films and movies are a tribute to SIFF, The Seattle International Film Festival. It was in 1993 that I took my first trip to Seattle. This was the 19th annual SIFF. It would be a yearly thing until 1999. It was a life changing experience. I've always been interested in film making from a very young age. I was going to Seattle to visit a friend and we timed it around the event. I have always been more out going than most of my friends. So when he told me about all the people he was meeting I asked if he was making connections and he said no. So I knew it would be up to me.
I arrived in Seattle on Friday May 28. always hit the ground running when I am on vacation. It all starts the minute I embark from the plane. So, we had to have gone straight to the theater based upon the show times. The first movie was around 7:15 PM Seattle time. The film was called Hammers on the Anvil and it starred Charlotte Rampling and an actor by the name of Russell Crowe. It turned out to be a double feature night as the second movie also starred Russell Crowe and Daniel Pollock both who are Austrailian actors. So after Romper Stomper, I remember Russell Crowe being there. The film was so disturbing for me that I wasn't interested in meeting him. In fact, Russell Crowe wasn't known in the U.S. at this point. Virtuosity hadn't been released yet. I didn't know the protocol for the festival as far as pictures and autographs, etc. I was observing and being introduced to people who were involved in the festival.
Man Bites Dog- This satirical film, shot in black and white about independent film making. The film crew goes around filling a guy that robs and kills people in order to fianance the movie. There are a few violent moments and racial shots are taken at everyone. It is quite interesting and each time I see it, I see something different. Note: This is only my second time watching the film. The film stars Benoit Poelvoorde, Remy Belvaux (He is also one of the cinematographers) and Andre Bonzel
Chain of Desire- This is another film that stars Linda Fiorentino, it was written a directed by Temistocles Lopez. Malcolm McDowell, Elias Koteas, Seymour Cassell, Asumpta Serna, Patrick Bauchau, Suzzanne Douglas, Dewey Weber, Tim Guinee, Grace Zabriskie, Jamie Harrold, York Bergin and Todd Bailey. What I liked about this film is the interconnection of the stories. I don't want to give anything away, but there were several films that I had seen in the 90's that were told in this fashion. Each character had a connection with the next and it came full circle. I had spoken briefly with Temi during the Q & A and after the film I was introduced to him by one of the founders of the festival, Daryl McDonald, to get an autograph. The music is interesting and there are some great moments in the night club. There are several scenes that are quite unique, but I don't want to give anything away.
Acting on Impulse- When you see a film or movie at a film festival, it can be different when it gets released into the theaters or when it makes its way to video or DVD. This movie took on a different name (Roses Are Dead) which is probably why I was never able to locate it. It stars Linda Fiorentino as a scream queen accused of murder. She takes a break from filming, befriends two sales people and has to deal with a stalker. I really enjoyed it when I saw it at the festival. Two years ago when I finally added it to my collection, I didn't feel the same way. This time I really enjoyed it. For me, mood does play a big part in my Film and movie watching. I prefer watching movies with subtitles or that are epic on a Sunday. It's a day of relaxation. Action movies are better at night and comedies midday. C. Thomas Howell, Nancy Allen, Paul Bartel, Adam Ant, Patrick Bauchau and Isaac Hayes star in this comedy/thriller.
Dazed and Confused- I always find it interesting when years lapse between the time I saw a film or movie. It's like watching it for the first time. Of course there are some things you remember, but there are some new things that pop up. I remembered Mathew McConaughey was in the movie as well as Rory Cochrane, but I didn't remember that Milla Jovovich, Jeremy London and Parker Posey also starred. The sound track to this movie was pretty good. It brings back memories. Of course there are similarities of life in high school, but each experience is different. I wasn't really familiar with Richard Linklater, but I had seen Slacker a few years prior. Cochrane and McConaughey have some of the better lines in the movie. If you haven't seen it, it is definitely one everyone should see.
Fortress- This was one of those movies that seemed appealing based on the Synopsis or we had nothing else planned on the schedule. The movie starred Christopher Lambert, Kurtwood Smith and Loryn Locklin. Set in 2013 a man and his wife are sent to a high tech prison for murdering a robot. The movie has its moments. Note: There was even a sequel Fortress 2 and the only reason I saw that was because Pam Grier became a part of the cast.
Thanks for stopping by; Keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.
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