THEM

 

THEM

 A musician friend that invited me over for a jam session.

When I finally got the Internet at the house, I was able to get Amazon Prime, someone had given me a gift card that I hadn't used. 

So about two weeks ago I had been seeing THEM pop up as a free series that I could watch. I had added it to my watch list. I wasn't so sure about it and I have to be in a certain mood to watch certain progams. So before I began watching THEM I decided to watch Tom Clancy's Without Remorse starring Michael B. Jordan. I have seen many of Michael B. Jordan's performances and I have made interesting observations. I really enjoyed Fruitvale Station. I had reservations about Creed, and Fahrenheit 451, but his performances opposite male actors have a better delivery than those with female actresses. Maybe it's the maturity of the stars he is on screen with such as Chadwick Boseman, Sylvester Stallone or Michael Shannon. He's working his way more into action movies. Without Remorse has moments and if you are a fan of Michael B. Jordan I don't think you will be disappointed.

Now on to THEM. I decided to just watch an episode one night. I wasn't sleepy and there wasn't anything else I needed to do. I had my assumptions, but I wanted to get that idea out of my head and watch it with fresh eyes with no expectations. The opening reminded me of a Tim Burton film, all of the bright colors of the suburb. The series is set in 1950, but the opening song was Patti Labelle's version of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'. So, hearing this I already had a bad feeling about the first episode. I know artist take creative license, but sometimes you have to be careful in doing that. There was a song by Judy Garland that played next, 'Get Happy'. The series was created by Little Marvin. THEM is about a black family that moves into a white neighborhood where they discover they are not wanted and that they will literally have to fight to stay alive. THEM is part social commentary, part supernatural and part suspense and thriller.

I didn't recognize any of the actors in the first episode, but after I made the decision to see what was going to happen I saw a few familiar faces. The names are not well known, but I recognized the faces. Type casting is real for many actors. I noticed that these actors had played characters that were racists or sought revenge on other programs. 

I didn't recall with the first episode of any type of disclaimer about the contact of the episode, but later I began to see that flash on the screen. The "N" word was used once and then started to progress. There is also a character in black face that appears in several episodes.

There are some very intense and cringe worthy moments that show up as the series progresses. As I mentioned at the beginning, I have to be in a certain mood to watch certain things and THEM was no exception. Because of all that is happening in our world now there are many similarities that some people of color may be feeling. There are some people of color that may want to avoid watching the series. When I see things like this I think of people that it may anger and the ideas it could put in the minds of people that are somewhat unstable. As an artist/writer myself I don't want to be one of those people that feels art is to blame. I do worry about that because of some of the things that I write about. The conclusion I have come to is that people already have ideas. Sometimes a film, movie or series can help them lay out the plan. The artist has no way of knowing what the audience will take away from what they see or read. This will be one of those conundrums like what came first...

As an artist there are some great performances in THEM. The experiences are real to some, but this is not a series for everyone.

Use caution if you decide to watch it. The ending series song is Young, Gifted and Black. I don't know if I had ever head this song before, but I have had a title in my head for a poem Black, Gifted and Young for over 10 years. I know I have heard the phrase, I'm just not sure where I heard it that it would stay with me. I keep working on the poem until I get it just right

When it comes to differences we can all see the other as THEM.

Thanks for stopping by and do come back to see how things play out. Keep an open mind.

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www.psychedmaster.org

Thanks for stopping by; keep and open mind and do stop by again.

The 93rd Oscars

 Open Your Mind

It was last Sunday and I didn't know what to expect. I have only missed watching the Oscars on a handful of occasions in my life. But I decided I would watch just because the promos promised it would be different.

When Regina King went strutting down the hall I thought this is going to be great and then it just wasn't keeping my attention. I wasn't sure I would last the entire evening.

The 93rd Oscars- Everyone is recalling the film or movie that made them want to be a part of the medium.

I don't know what my first movie was, but I do recall seeing Rosemary's Baby when I was really really young. What  I remember most is the eyes at the end of the film. Then there was Two Women with Sophia Loren. Of course I was too young to understand what rape was, but there was something about seeing Sophia Loren on the screen. Perhaps she reminded me of my mother, I am not sure. I know when I got older and watched the film again I knew I wanted to go to Italy.

Movies have been an escape as well as an education. I learned how to dress, act, speak, tell jokes and so much more. I had aspirations of being an actor, but that all changed when I the opportunity presented itself. I had danced and acted on stage in school plays, but the film industry is different. 

My cousins were a big part of my movie making as a kid. My father had bought me an 8mm camera and projector. I used to charge the kids in the neighborhood to come and watch silent movies because that's all there was at the time. Technology was moving fast and by the time you could get a sound projector, I had moved on to something else.

It has always been of interest and still is. I started being more in the background because that made it easier to not be recognized. Although there are still times people come up to me and wonder if I am so and so. They'll also say I look familiar. I wonder if they had seen an old commercial, maybe they saw me on a set or at an event, but who knows. It happens. Sometimes it starts a conversation and sometimes I just ignore the attention.

The father won best adaptation of a screenplay.

Laura Dern anounced the winner Another Round won international feature film.

I'm happy that Lakeith Stansfield was nominated for an Oscar.

She also announced the best supporting actor, Daniel Kaluuya for Judas and the Black Massiah.

Don Cheadle presented Makeup and Hair styling, Ma Rainy's Black Bottom was the winner.

He also presented Costume design and the winner was Ann Roth for Ma Rainy's Black Bottom.

Bryan Cranston presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which went to the Motion Picture and Television Fund. It's the first time the award has gone to an organization.

Bon Jun Ho the director of Parasite presented the award for best director in a foreign language film from Seoul. The winner was Chole' Zhao for Nomadland.

Riz Ahmed presented the award for Sound and the winner was Sound of Metal. Riz Ahmed is the star of the film.

Best live action short film Two Distant Strangers was the winner.

Reese Whitherspoon presented the animated short film If Anything should happen was the winner. She also announced the animated feature film winner which was Soul.

Documentary short subject was presented by Marlee Matlin and the winner was Colette.

She also presented the documentary feature and the winner was My Octopus Teacher.

Steven Yeun presented the award for Visual Effects and the winner was Tenet.

Brad Pitt presented Best Supporting Actress and the winner was Yuh Jung Youn for Marini.

Halle Berry presented Production Design the winner was Mank. She also presented Cinematography and the winner was Erik Messerschmidt for Mank.

Harrison Ford presented the award for Film Editing and the winner was Sound of Metal Mikkel E. G. Nielson.

Viola Davis presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian award to Tyler Perry. He gave a great speech, very inspiring to refuse to hate. I know we don't all see eye to eye, but don't make it a race issue. 

Zendaya presented the award for Original Score the winner was Soul, Trent Reznor, Jon Baptiste, Atticus Ross. She also presented best song and the winner was Her for Fight For You from Judas and the Black Massiah.

Glenn Close did Da Butt and made the night for me.

Angela Bassett presented the memoriam - Cicely Tyson, Ian Holm, Cloris Leachman, Yaphet Kotto, Paula Kelly, George Segal, Wilfred Brimley, Fred Willard, Carl Reiner, Alan Parker, Brian Dennehy, Diana Rigg, Conchita Farrell, Janet Dubois, Sean Connery & Chadwick Boseman.

Rita Moreno presented the Best Picture award. She won her Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in Westside Story. Which I cringed when I saw they are remaking it. It does look interesting...

The winner was Nomadland. 

Frances McDormand won for best Actress in Nomadland.

Jaquin Phoenix presented actor in a leading role, the winner was Anthony Hopkins for The Father.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.

Amazon Prime

 

(This was taken at the Umlauf Sculpture garden)

Recently I posted on facebook about a movie I saw on Amazon called One Night in Miami. It's about Cassius Clay aka Muhammed Ali, Sam Cooke, Malcolm X and Football great turned actor, Jim Brown. When I started watching, I kept thinking, this would make a great stage play. I then saw that it was based on the stage play and it's directed by Oscar winning actress, Regina King. It's really an interesting piece of work as the four characters come together after Cassisus Clay wins and fight and they celebrate in a hotel room. There is no big party as Malcolm X is trying to convert the men into becoming Muslims. Cassius Clay has already decided he will convert, but Sam Cooke and Jim Brown are not willing to make the change. There are a lot of issues that come up and Malcolm X tries to lay a guilt trip on them. He uses all tactics, but each man stands his ground. Eli Goree plays Cassius Clay, Kingsley Ben-Adir plays Malcolm X. He gives an incredile performance and looks a little like the iconic activist. Leslie Odom, Jr. plays crooner Sam Cooke and Aldis Hodge as Football legend Jim Brown. One of my favorite lines in the movie is by Leslie Odom, Jr. as Sam Cooke, "I don't want a piece of the pie, I want the whole pie, I want the receipe."

There are a few other movies I plan to watch, Sylvie's Love and the Sound of Metal are on my watchlist.

In my collection I watched Dreamgirls and The Temptations over the weekend. I was supposed to be watching movies that had black actors in them. So far I've been able to do that even with the stuff I am watching on Amazon. I'm still watching Season 1 of The Wilds. I want to see it through. I did see a very good series called The Fall with Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan and Ben Peel. It's a series about control from a serial killer to the female detective out to catch him. The invasion of a person's space. It's slow moving, but I found it very interesting. There were 3 seasons.

Another series that I watched was called Sneaky Pete with Giavanni Ribisi. It should have been called Sneaky People. Everyone is trying to run a hustle of some sort. It has some funny moments, but I prefer the first season. It's a bit more serious, but it's worth a look. Margo Martindale is also excellent as the mother who works as a bail bondsman.

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www.psychedmaster.org

Thanks for stopping by; keep and open mind and do stop by again.

Movies, movies and more movies 2020

 I spend emost of my time watching movies and the pandemic has put it in hyper drive. A few weeks ago I had to get internet so I could do my job searches and that opened up a new world. I had gotten Amazon and there is a catalog of movies I had never heard of and some from the 80's that I enjoyed, but not enough to add to my collection.

I believed the first thing I watched was the series American Playboy- the story of Hugh Heffner, playboy, activist and entrepreneur. I enjoyed the story, but I think it would have been better if it were just a documentary or just a series instead of incorporating both.

Low Winter Sun is another series I just finished watching that was very interesting. It stars Mark Strong and Lennie James from The Walking Dead series. They play detectives trying to cover up several secrets that just seem to snowball one after the other. I really enjoyed watching this.

There were a few quirky movies that I watched, Slice which featured Chance the Rapper as a pizza delivery guy. I guess it was somewhat entertaining. I can't remember if I laughed or not as it is part horror, part comedy.

One Eyed Monster was another silly part horror, part comedy, part porn movie that starred the iconic porn stars Ron Jeremy and Veronica Hart. It's a funny look at the porn industry with a sci fi twist.

I was still watching movies and films from my own collection, Dirty Pictures with James Woods and Diana Scarwid about the Cincinnati case involving the controversial Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit of his photographs. I've seen is several times before, but its always good to take a look at things that changed the way we look at certain types of art. Sometimes we move forward and sometimes we take steps back.

I have a double Blu ray called The Wave/The Quake set in Oslo. I really like these films and I have seen them a few times since I purchased them. Last week I started watching The Wave and then when I went to watch The Quake it wouldn't play. I wiped down the disc, but the movie won't play. All of the special features and previews will play and I can't figure out why I can't get it to play. It's weird. I will keep trying.

A few years ago I had a conversation with a couple of people about the possible remake of Lord of the Flies with a female cast. I couldn't believe it. First of all it would be a very different movie. I remember when I read the book how much of an impact it had on me. Then I saw the 1950's film. It was in black and white and it captured the characters as I have envisioned them. In the 90's there was another remake and I didn't have a real issue with it. It starred Balthazar Getty. I remembered seeing him in Versace ads and because I was familiar with the book I decided to check it out. It had a more modern take and the students were American.

So, I was checking out Amazon and I saw an ad for something called The Wilds. I wondered if this is what became of the project. Hollywood has a way of changing things up. It's a series about a group of girls. They are much older than the boys in the book and there aren't as many. They do go down in the plane and now they are having to survive. Each girl is from a different background, but the story is told from the perspective of each girl in flashback which I am not a big fan of this type of story telling. First of all, when the girls aren't together 24/7 how do they know what someone else is doing on the other side of the island. I'm still watching it so I'll see how it pulls itself together. It does have some good moments.

There are many other movies I've watched and I have created a playlist of others. I'll try to cover some of them next time.

Thanks for stopping by and do keep an open mind. Come back again.

Virtual Turkey Day

 

(Roderick Sanford, Judy Arnold and Kenny Williams perform outdoors at the Motown Grooves concert on the front stairs of ZACH's Topfer Theatre)

For some people, with Co-Vid in the background, you aren't really focused on Thanksgiving or any other holiday, but for those that are be safe. Think about how you want to schedule the day. In most families it all starts the night before. I remember when I was younger helping out in the kitchen, chopping okra with the mandolin, careful not to cut my fingers. Peeling potatoes or eggs for the potato salad. When I got older I began preparing certain dishes. Everyone in the family had their signature dish. Eventually I mastered the potato salad that my sister said was something everyone could eat. Just the right amount of everything. Whenever I would go to NOLA she wouldn't let me leave without making some potato salad.

It seems despite the CDC asking people to stay home, people want to be with their families and will risk their health to get there. Politicians often say that they don't want to say something to cause a panic, but there are a lot of people who are afraid. The future has an uncertainty. It's always been that way, but this virus makes it all the more realistic.

I purchased two cornish hens. I am not planning to have anyone over, but we'll see what happens. I bought what I needed to make gumbo. I couldn't find the gumbo base so I had to get the mix. I am hoping the shrimp will go on sale Wednesday and I will get a pound or two of fresh shrimp, but if not I have some frozen shrimp already peeled. I use the heads on the fresh shrimp to make my roux for the gumbo. Thanksgiving in 2007 was when I first made gumbo. My mother would always make the gumbo, but I never really made it while she was alive. I had to think back and my sister and nephew came to visit and we got into the kitchen and peeled shrimp and put our heads together to make it the way mother used to make it.

I was looking at a photograph and it seems the last time I was in NOLA was in 2015. I thought it had been longer. Time has a way of getting away from you.

This week I have to start doing a job search in order for me to continue to collect benefits. It seems strange, but I will do whatever is necessary. I just hope things come together and the government helps people out to start off the new year. There may be companies hiring, but how long will that last? Jobs can only hire so many people. I'll see what happens. I am trying to come up with a plan to see if there is something I can do online.

I watched a movie that I had not seen in a very long time. It was a studio copy of the film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. It starred Michael Rooker who most people may remember from The Walking Dead and The Bone Collector. I believe I originally saw the film at the Prytania, but I can't be sure. I don't even know how I ended up with the studio copy. I don't recall meeting any of the producers or actors. 

(Note: A studio copy is what they send out to be screened when a film or movie is first released. During award season they send them out to SAG members to vote.) At the time the film had a profound effect on me. Human behavior has always been something of interest. The mind of a person that wants to harm other people or animals. Sometimes it stems from childhood traumas, but sometimes it is something in the brain that still amazes doctors.

I need to take my vehicle in for an inspection so I can get my new tag for next year. I took the earliest appointment available. I hope everything goes smoothly.

11-22-20 I went to my first gathering today at ZACH. It was an outdoor concert called Motown Grooves. The day before I decided to drive over just to see what things looked like. Despite Covid, there is still a lot of construction going on and streets were blocked off so I am glad I went so I knew how to plan my driving time. Normally it only takes me about 15 minutes to get to ZACH. I wanted to see what parking would be like and the set up in the area. 

ZACH has done a few of these concerts and they seem to be doing well. This one was brought back because of its popularity. I was skeptical about going at first, but as it got closer I knew ZACH would take every precaution in keeping people safe. Before Covid ZACH went above and beyond to accommodate and protect patrons and staff. Making sure those with disabilities could enjoy performances. Having a variety of price points to fit certain budgets, and making people feel welcomed.

A cold front was supposed to come through and there was the mention of rain. So I packed my backpack and I was prepared for whatever came. I had my large bandana which created several layers, but when I arrived the volunteers said I had to wear a mask. I followed the protocol since there weren't a lot of people around me and I didn't have to wear the mask while seated. The show started a little past 2:30 PM my time, but it wasn't too warm with the sun out and I got a chance to mingle with some people I had not seen since before the layoffs started. Most of the box office staff was able to work from home and I would go in to man the phones.

Everyone seems to be getting along and their spirits were high. There are people I miss seeing and the conversations we used to have, but we'll catch up when we can.

Judy Arnold, with her powerhouse of a voice performed along with the great voices of Roderick Sanford and Kenny Williams. I remember them all being in the show The Gospel at Colonous. I had seen them around before that, but I didn't really get to know them until they performed in Gospel which had been done at ZACH many years prior.

Before the performance began they sound system was playing some music and one of the songs was the O'Jays, Money, money, money and all I could think of was Roderick singing the song in David Steakley's version of A Christmas Carol. This had become a tradition at ZACH and I would see this show every year Christmas night. I wonder if ZACH could sell the show and stream it?

The dark clouds had started to move in and Kenny and Judy sang a gospel song and it all just seemed to pass right over ZACH. Miracles do happen.

Roderick acted as the Emcee of the show and they all got their solo moments to showcase their great voices. The trio has known each other for many years. They all sang in church and have worked together on many occaisions at ZACH.

It was a very pleasant afternoon. It was definitely something that I didn't know I needed. After the show I caught up with another employee who I hadn't seen since March. We had a good conversation and then I headed home. I could see it had been raining, but it never made its way to ZACH.

Poetry

Kicking and Screaming

(c) Dlonzo 2020

There is a poison

seeping through 

the veins of society.

If you fill the air

with lies,

no one will believe 

the truth.

Although no one likes 

to lose,

there comes a time

when you have to accept

defeat.

A demi god

can take over the weak

they want to drink 

the kool-aid.

They will take the leap,

off of that bridge.

They only know,

how to follow.

They can't think,

not for themselves.

When once a winner,

becomes a loser,

one has to be dragged,

kicking and screaming.

It's fake, it's rigged,

it's not over, the fight continues.

I sent out texts to just about everyone in my phone. There are some people that don't texts and some that I plan on calling. I prefer the face to face or hearing the voice, but for some texting is the easier way. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. I had a few text conversations and that can really pass the time away. The holidays make you reflect on what you have, what you miss and the great times. There are lots of great memories of all of the holidays. I am truly thankful for all that I have. It's not something I take for granted.

(Next up: Back Inside my bubble)

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www.psychedmaster.org

Thanks for stopping by; keep and open mind and do stop by again.

The Artist and Movies

 

I've been watching the series Treme. Each week I try to create a theme in my film and movie viewing. Last week was all about films and movies that were shot in NOLA. Either in their entirety or partially. I was supposed to start with Dracula 2000, but I seemed to have misplaced it. I started with Double Jeopardy, starring Ashley Judd, Tommy Lee Jones and Bruce Greenwood. It's one of those movies that's entertaining. It's called a revenge movie, about a woman accused of killing her husband only to find out it faked his own death. There are certain things I didn't like. They had a meeting in the cemetery which I know the cemeteries in NOLA are unique, but people don't go there for meetings. Then there is a scene in the French Quarter where it rains and everyone just happens to have an umbrella. That would never happen. I know it was for effect, but it just rubs me the wrong way. 

Red was the next movie I decided to watch. It was also partially filmed in NOLA. It's a funny movie and I needed a good laugh. It stars Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary Louise Parker, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman.

Candy Man Farewell to the Flesh has an interesting storyline. Since it is sort of a horror film I'll let certain things slide. They tried to incorporate Mardi Gras into the storyline and it didn't really work for me. You have to live and breath Mardi Gras to get it down on paper. Tony Todd returns as the Candy Man.

 Interview with the Vampire. The reason I saw the movie was because of all of the controversy surrounding it. Anne Rice supposedly was not happy with the end results. I tried to read several of Anne Rice's books, but I just couldn't get into her style of writing. Kirsten Dunst stole every scene she was in. She really made the movie for me. River Phoenix was to play the interviewer, but he took his own life and the role went to Christian Slater. Brad Pitt was okay and I felt Tom Cruise came across as a caricature. The movie does have its moments.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film brings CGI to a new level as we see Brad Pitt age from an old baby into a young boy. Taraji P. Henson and Oscar winner Mahershala Ali who was using his full name for this movie appears. Hurricane Katrina is incorporated as a subplot. It's a film I've not seen in a long time. It was like watching it for the first time.

Finally, I ran across Dracula 2000 and I was able to watch it. What can I say? It's filled with a lot of familiar faces. Christopher Plummer, Jennifer Esposito, Johnny Lee Miller, Omarr Epps, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Girard Butler as Dracula. The movie was filmed in NOLA and tries to incorporate Mardi Gras as the back drop and one again it just doesn't work for me. It's a good way to get some T & A into the movie and to fill up time.

Mr. 3000 starred Bernie Mac as a baseball player who discovers his record of hitting 3000 balls is off by 3. The movie was filmed in NOLA and Milwaukee. It stars Paul Sorvino and Angela Bassett.

I ended the tribute to New Orleans with the movie Angel Heart. It is based on the book Fallen Angel. The movie stars Mickey Rourke, Lisa Bonnet and Robert DeNiro. This movie was the first thriller directed by Alan Parker. It deal with race and voodoo. The cinematography is excellent. Bill Cosby had advised Lisa Bonnet not to do this movie. I'm guessing because of the subject matter and all of the nudity. I do feel the movie hurt her career. She pops up from time to time in small roles, but nothing to show that she can carry a movie.

As I am getting older, keeping up with the four different blogs is becoming a challenge with not having access to the internet on a daily basis, etc. I will be making the same posts on all of the blogs incorporating a little of everything. This way if you come back here you won't be missing anything. I will try to make a post at least once a month and more often depending on the time and what is going on.

(Next up: Nexx Fazz )

Thanks for stopping by; Keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.

www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

www.artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com

www.filmlover4pg@blogspot.com

www.psychedmaster.org

Remembering SIFF 1993

 One of the SIFF Program Covers

6-2-20 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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