The Chutry Experiment posts about Bunker Hill's ACLU screening - and has some good things to say; also, David Henderson weighs in with some praise on his blog.
Thanks to Laura Kirk for providing the links.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
June 'Happenings'
Well, the big plaything for the month has been rediscovering Facebook - and watching others discover it too.
the following is from the blog The Savage Art - if you've been following the recent verbal smackfights between Clint Eastwood/Spike Lee and Herzog/Ferrara, you'll find it amusing.
Not much going on, other than the usual movie watching and general life around the house - although I will be working on a short film this weekend. More on that next time.
AIR screens at Liberty Hall in Lawrence this Monday, June 16. If you haven't seen it yet, it's a good opportunity. If you need convincing... well, Jon Niccum's article might help - or maybe this interview with director/co-writer Jeremy Osbern; or maybe these recommendations in ink and The Pitch might help in your decision.
Look for new posts over on the sister blog, Music-Snob, soon.
Well, the big plaything for the month has been rediscovering Facebook - and watching others discover it too.
the following is from the blog The Savage Art - if you've been following the recent verbal smackfights between Clint Eastwood/Spike Lee and Herzog/Ferrara, you'll find it amusing.
Not much going on, other than the usual movie watching and general life around the house - although I will be working on a short film this weekend. More on that next time.
AIR screens at Liberty Hall in Lawrence this Monday, June 16. If you haven't seen it yet, it's a good opportunity. If you need convincing... well, Jon Niccum's article might help - or maybe this interview with director/co-writer Jeremy Osbern; or maybe these recommendations in ink and The Pitch might help in your decision.
Look for new posts over on the sister blog, Music-Snob, soon.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Local Film news
Things are a happenin' with some recent films I had some involvement in...
First off, BUNKER HILL:
ACLU OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA
TO HOST WASHINGTON, DC SCREENING OF
KEVIN WILLMOTT’S NEW FEATURE FILM
“BUNKER HILL”
6:30PM, THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AUDITORIUM
KANSAS GOVERNOR KATHLEEN SEBELIUS TO INTRODUCE THE FILM
PANEL DISCUSSION ON CIVIL LIBERTIES IN POST-9/11 AMERICA TO FOLLOW
WASHINGTON, DC -- Bunker Hill, the new, politically-charged independent feature film from director Kevin Willmott (CSA: Confederate States of America) will have an exclusive screening at the University of the District of Columbia’s Main Auditorium on Thursday, June 12, 2008, hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of the National Capital Area. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will appear, and a panel discussion on Civil Liberties in Post-9/11 America will follow the screening.
The film stars Emmy and Peabody Award winner James McDaniel (NYPD Blue, Sunshine State); Saeed Jaffrey the legendary actor from India who has starred in more than 150 films including Gandhi, Passage to India, My Beautiful Launderette and The Man Who Would Be King; and Laura Kirk, star and co-writer of the acclaimed feature film Lisa Picard is Famous, which premiered at The Cannes Film Festival.
Bunker Hill is the story of a former Wall Street executive who leaves prison and heads for the small town of Bunker Hill, Kansas, where his ex-wife and their children have started a new life. Soon after he arrives, an apparent massive terrorist attack against America darkens the town. Cut off from the world, the town’s militant past is reawakened and forces coalesce to protect citizens from an unseen enemy. The town’s fear leads to the creation of a posse of gunmen, resulting in torture, illegal searches and eventually, murder.
"The America we live in today is very different from the America we lived in on September 11, 2001. The differences I speak of are the things Americans are doing to themselves, not the terrible things done by those wanting to do harm to this Country. We can rebuild the icons of democracy --- the Twin Towers are being reconstructed; the Pentagon has been restored; the grass on the side of that Hill in Pennsylvania has grown back --- yet, democracy itself is far more fragile. It is not easily rebuilt and restored. Democracy and freedom must not become casualties in the War on Terror. This great film reminds us of that," said Johnny Barnes, executive director of the ACLU of the National Capital Area.
“When writing fiction, you always hope that you’re on to something that reflects what is actually going on in the world,” says Willmott. “Bunker Hill tells a pretty wild story that is amazingly close to what has really happened to us since 9/11, right up to the current presidential election campaign.”
Also appearing in the film are: Broadway, television and film star Kevin Geer (American Gangster); Blake Robbins, from the HBO series Oz; Scott Allegrucci, (Chicago Hope, The Feud), singer / songwriter Kelley Hunt; Ranjit Arab; and Christopher Wheatley. Kelley Hunt co-wrote the film’s musical score with Nathan Towns and performs the original song “Mountain To Move.” The soundtrack also includes music by Pat Metheny.
After returning to Kansas from NYU Film School, Kevin Willmott began writing, first for the stage, and then for television and film. His film CSA: Confederate States Of America premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Presented by Spike Lee and IFC Films, the movie generated critical acclaim during its theatrical runs in the US and Europe. Willmott’s screenplays have been commissioned by Oliver Stone, 20th Century Fox and others. He co-wrote the NBC mini-series The 70’s with Mitch Brian. Ninth Street, a feature film starring Martin Sheen and Isaac Hayes, co-starred and was written, produced and co-directed by Willmott. He is currently in post production on a new feature, The Only Good Indian, written by Thomas L. Carmody and starring Wes Studi (Avatar, Last of the Mohicans).
Willmott directed Bunker Hill from a script he wrote with Greg Hurd. Matt Jacobson (CSA, Bukowski: Born To This) is the Director of Photography. Willmott also produced the film, along with Matt Cullen, Greg Hurd and Scott Richardson. Thomas L. Carmody is the Executive Producer.
For information on the screening:
http://www.aclu-nca.org/boxSub.asp?id=163
Free admission, but seating is limited. To confirm a ticket:
Johnny.Barnes@ACLU-NCA.org or Beverly@ACLU-NCA.org
202-457-0800
For information about the film:
ScottRichardson@Sunflower.com
785-865-3439
or GregHurd@Sunflower.com
785-550-3605
www.BunkerHillTheFilm.com
SUPSENSION should be in stores now and is available online.
Some recent press:
EVibe.com
KCUR interview with actor Scott Cordes
Suite101.com
FilmGecko.com
Hartford Courant
Fox 4 'Screening Room' segment
AIR will screen in Lawrence, KS on Monday, June 16
Recent press:
Rogue Cinema
the Newton Kansan
Wichita Eagle
Things are a happenin' with some recent films I had some involvement in...
First off, BUNKER HILL:
ACLU OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA
TO HOST WASHINGTON, DC SCREENING OF
KEVIN WILLMOTT’S NEW FEATURE FILM
“BUNKER HILL”
6:30PM, THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AUDITORIUM
KANSAS GOVERNOR KATHLEEN SEBELIUS TO INTRODUCE THE FILM
PANEL DISCUSSION ON CIVIL LIBERTIES IN POST-9/11 AMERICA TO FOLLOW
WASHINGTON, DC -- Bunker Hill, the new, politically-charged independent feature film from director Kevin Willmott (CSA: Confederate States of America) will have an exclusive screening at the University of the District of Columbia’s Main Auditorium on Thursday, June 12, 2008, hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of the National Capital Area. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will appear, and a panel discussion on Civil Liberties in Post-9/11 America will follow the screening.
The film stars Emmy and Peabody Award winner James McDaniel (NYPD Blue, Sunshine State); Saeed Jaffrey the legendary actor from India who has starred in more than 150 films including Gandhi, Passage to India, My Beautiful Launderette and The Man Who Would Be King; and Laura Kirk, star and co-writer of the acclaimed feature film Lisa Picard is Famous, which premiered at The Cannes Film Festival.
Bunker Hill is the story of a former Wall Street executive who leaves prison and heads for the small town of Bunker Hill, Kansas, where his ex-wife and their children have started a new life. Soon after he arrives, an apparent massive terrorist attack against America darkens the town. Cut off from the world, the town’s militant past is reawakened and forces coalesce to protect citizens from an unseen enemy. The town’s fear leads to the creation of a posse of gunmen, resulting in torture, illegal searches and eventually, murder.
"The America we live in today is very different from the America we lived in on September 11, 2001. The differences I speak of are the things Americans are doing to themselves, not the terrible things done by those wanting to do harm to this Country. We can rebuild the icons of democracy --- the Twin Towers are being reconstructed; the Pentagon has been restored; the grass on the side of that Hill in Pennsylvania has grown back --- yet, democracy itself is far more fragile. It is not easily rebuilt and restored. Democracy and freedom must not become casualties in the War on Terror. This great film reminds us of that," said Johnny Barnes, executive director of the ACLU of the National Capital Area.
“When writing fiction, you always hope that you’re on to something that reflects what is actually going on in the world,” says Willmott. “Bunker Hill tells a pretty wild story that is amazingly close to what has really happened to us since 9/11, right up to the current presidential election campaign.”
Also appearing in the film are: Broadway, television and film star Kevin Geer (American Gangster); Blake Robbins, from the HBO series Oz; Scott Allegrucci, (Chicago Hope, The Feud), singer / songwriter Kelley Hunt; Ranjit Arab; and Christopher Wheatley. Kelley Hunt co-wrote the film’s musical score with Nathan Towns and performs the original song “Mountain To Move.” The soundtrack also includes music by Pat Metheny.
After returning to Kansas from NYU Film School, Kevin Willmott began writing, first for the stage, and then for television and film. His film CSA: Confederate States Of America premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Presented by Spike Lee and IFC Films, the movie generated critical acclaim during its theatrical runs in the US and Europe. Willmott’s screenplays have been commissioned by Oliver Stone, 20th Century Fox and others. He co-wrote the NBC mini-series The 70’s with Mitch Brian. Ninth Street, a feature film starring Martin Sheen and Isaac Hayes, co-starred and was written, produced and co-directed by Willmott. He is currently in post production on a new feature, The Only Good Indian, written by Thomas L. Carmody and starring Wes Studi (Avatar, Last of the Mohicans).
Willmott directed Bunker Hill from a script he wrote with Greg Hurd. Matt Jacobson (CSA, Bukowski: Born To This) is the Director of Photography. Willmott also produced the film, along with Matt Cullen, Greg Hurd and Scott Richardson. Thomas L. Carmody is the Executive Producer.
For information on the screening:
http://www.aclu-nca.org/boxSub.asp?id=163
Free admission, but seating is limited. To confirm a ticket:
Johnny.Barnes@ACLU-NCA.org or Beverly@ACLU-NCA.org
202-457-0800
For information about the film:
ScottRichardson@Sunflower.com
785-865-3439
or GregHurd@Sunflower.com
785-550-3605
www.BunkerHillTheFilm.com
SUPSENSION should be in stores now and is available online.
Some recent press:
EVibe.com
KCUR interview with actor Scott Cordes
Suite101.com
FilmGecko.com
Hartford Courant
Fox 4 'Screening Room' segment
AIR will screen in Lawrence, KS on Monday, June 16
Recent press:
Rogue Cinema
the Newton Kansan
Wichita Eagle
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Happy Memorial Day
Hope that you enjoyed the holiday...
Not much going on - the website for THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN has finally gone live with content; and the BUNKER HILL site has some minor tweaks added.
The summer movie season has started - and ironically, I have very little interest in the films being released. I'm sure at some point, they'll be viewed, but as far as rushing out with the crowds to see them - meh. I'm tired of remakes and comic adapts (although I'll hold out for the WATCHMAN movie); and I frankly don't give a damn about seeing Indiana Jones twenty years later.
Finally got my hands on the Bava Box Vol. 2 and have been spending the last week and a half going through that set. I've also been gearing up for a serious examination of the works of Ken Russell and Andrej Zulawski.
I guess one qualifies as 'geezer' when watching good movies encourages you to stay home rather than venture out into the theatre. Come to think of it, the last time that I was involved in regular gatherings of like-minded film watchers was during college - there was very little arthouse cinema at Carbondale, IL at the time (mid-1980's), save for one semester where the SAC did eclectic programming interspersed with horror films like TEXAS CHAINSAW, DAWN OF THE DEAD -- where it was promptly discontinued the following semester due to not drawing in enough revenue.
Now, when most anyone with a DVD player can program their own repertory selection, I guess it makes interesting experiments like the late A/V CLUB -- SCREENLAND FREAKSHOW almost quaint. Added to the fact that there were - and are - few within my ever shrinking circle of acquaintances, who even register that there's entire worlds of film to explore. While some may enjoy gathering around the monitor to enjoy the work of Adam Sandler and who hate to tire themselves out reading subtitles, I don't count myself among their ranks.
Don't I sound just 'too cool for the room'? It's my curse...
Hope that you enjoyed the holiday...
Not much going on - the website for THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN has finally gone live with content; and the BUNKER HILL site has some minor tweaks added.
The summer movie season has started - and ironically, I have very little interest in the films being released. I'm sure at some point, they'll be viewed, but as far as rushing out with the crowds to see them - meh. I'm tired of remakes and comic adapts (although I'll hold out for the WATCHMAN movie); and I frankly don't give a damn about seeing Indiana Jones twenty years later.
Finally got my hands on the Bava Box Vol. 2 and have been spending the last week and a half going through that set. I've also been gearing up for a serious examination of the works of Ken Russell and Andrej Zulawski.
I guess one qualifies as 'geezer' when watching good movies encourages you to stay home rather than venture out into the theatre. Come to think of it, the last time that I was involved in regular gatherings of like-minded film watchers was during college - there was very little arthouse cinema at Carbondale, IL at the time (mid-1980's), save for one semester where the SAC did eclectic programming interspersed with horror films like TEXAS CHAINSAW, DAWN OF THE DEAD -- where it was promptly discontinued the following semester due to not drawing in enough revenue.
Now, when most anyone with a DVD player can program their own repertory selection, I guess it makes interesting experiments like the late A/V CLUB -- SCREENLAND FREAKSHOW almost quaint. Added to the fact that there were - and are - few within my ever shrinking circle of acquaintances, who even register that there's entire worlds of film to explore. While some may enjoy gathering around the monitor to enjoy the work of Adam Sandler and who hate to tire themselves out reading subtitles, I don't count myself among their ranks.
Don't I sound just 'too cool for the room'? It's my curse...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What. The. Fuck. BAD LIEUTENANT REMAKE
Thought I'd slipped through time, and had gone back to April 1st. BUT IT'S NO JOKE.
Nic Cage to star in 'Bad Lieutenant' Werner Herzog directing updated version of filmBy DAVE MCNARY, PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
Nicolas Cage will star in an updated version of 1992's "Bad Lieutenant" with Werner Herzog directing, Edward R. Pressman producing and Avi Lerner's Nu Image/Millennium Films financing.
Project, also called "Bad Lieutenant," is due to be announced at Cannes. Production will start in late summer.
The original pic, produced by Pressman, starred Harvey Keitel and was directed by Abel Ferrara from a screenplay by Ferrara and Zoe Lund.
Story followed the depraved New York police officer of the title, who was heavily involved in drugs, gambling, sex and stealing; the pic received an NC-17 rating.
The new script's penned by Billy Finkelstein, a TV writer with credits on "Murder One," "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue." Stephen Belafonte, who brought Finkelstein to the project, is also producing, while development was financed by producers Alan and Gabe Polsky.
Along with Lerner, Nu Image/Millennium's Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short and Boaz Davidson will exec produce with Elliot Rosenblatt and Alessandro Camon. Randall Emmett and Cage's Saturn Films are also producing.
Cage is filming "Knowing" in Australia for director Alex Proyas. Herzog's expected to follow "Bad Lieutenant" with Focus' "The Piano Tuner" late this year.
I dunno... it's totally crazy - crazy enough to work? Who knows? Checking out the video above (DEFINITELY NOT WORK SAFE), and trying to picture Nic Cage in the role...
Maybe they can hire Schooly-D to do a rap about bees. This could be a total train wreck or the mind roasting film of the year.
Monday, May 05, 2008
'Air' in Kansas
The guys over at ThroughAGlass Productions, Chris Blunk & Jeremy Osbern, have screenings of their feature length musical, "AIR", coming up this month:
They'll have more news about more screenings, and how to obtain your own copy of AIR, over at their site. If you have the chance to see it, I highly recommend doing so.
The guys over at ThroughAGlass Productions, Chris Blunk & Jeremy Osbern, have screenings of their feature length musical, "AIR", coming up this month:
The Fox Theatre, Newton, KS - Saturday, May 10
The Wichita Orpheum, Wichita, KS - Saturday, May 31
They'll have more news about more screenings, and how to obtain your own copy of AIR, over at their site. If you have the chance to see it, I highly recommend doing so.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)