What's Your Poison, Lindsay Lohan?

With Lindsay Lohan partying again and Georgia Rule surfacing (the movie on which she was famously reprimanded for her unprofessional behavior, i.e. too much partying / not enough acting) I thought it was time to look at the liquid evidence in Lindsay's movies. Does she drink? Does she drive others to drink? Let's take a brief illustrated journey through the filmic evidence...

The Parent Trap
Nine whole years ago in Lindsay's very first movie, director Nancy Meyers underscores one of Linds' first scenes with "Bad to the Bone" --I'm not making this up. In the scene Lindsay plays a sneaky game of cards at summer camp and the music is used for comic effect...though maybe Ms. Meyers was trying to tell us something. Turns out back home in California, miss thing's dad owns a winery.


Uh oh... I regret to inform that cute young Linds spends that entire movie surrounded by alcohol! This can't be good. In the still above she downs her morning mimosa. No, I kid ...it's orange juice. I realize it's a terrible thing to joke about... but the movie DOES joke about it. Check out this scene below. Her mom has given her a glass of wine. She comically passes out after one sip, staggering back up to her feet asking to be excused

It's actually but a sneaky ploy to leave the dinner table. And thats all the drinking that she does in The Parent Trap aside from one water bottle at camp, a sip of that orange juice. (For solids: one single bite of toast in the whole film) The bulk of the drinking is from the adults around her.

Here Lindsay reacts to screen mom Natasha Richardson who has definitely had one too many.


I'm not saying Lindsay rehearsed this scene with Dina Lohan ... but I'm not saying she didn't either.

Freaky Friday
La Lohan's second film was also a surprisingly good remake of an earlier hit. In this movie she switches bodies with an award-worthy Jamie Lee Curtis as her mom. Lindsay has even less of an appetite in this one. The only solid she consumes in the whole movie is a fortune cookie (the magical one that makes mom & daughter switch bodies --don't you hate when that happens?)


...oh and a few french fries, too. But it's really Jamie Lee Curtis eating the french fries since they've already switched places. Otherwise Lohan is not hungry for this whole movie. In detention troublemaker Linds gives up her sandwich and powerade to the supervising teacher. For liquids, she stays hydrated only with water at the House of Chiang (that's all they serve apparently --even to toast with!) and Lindsay never looks particularly happy about it.

'I really don't understand why this restaurant serves only water and fortune cookies.
They're ruining my life!'

Other Films
I'm skipping Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen because life is short. But know this: She spends the entire film trying to meet her idol, a rocker named Stu from her favorite band. He turns out to be a crushing disappointment: a big lush! Lindsay helps him sober up in time for the happily ever after finale. Clearly it's a fantasy film.

I love A Prairie Home Companion but there's not much to her role there aside from writing bad poetry and singing nervously. I haven't seen Bobby. I know you wanted a grand finale where I dissect her partying habits in Herbie Fully Loaded but I think the title covers it, don't you? In Just My Luck --couldn't sit through that again, not that much of a masochist -- she does in fact throw a wild party that gets her into mucho trouble. Art imitating life?

We'll conclude with Lindsay's best film, and the one most responsible for the goodwill that she hangs to now by a precarious thread...

Mean Girls
I thought about investigating all 97 minutes of Lindsay's best film for clues to her real/reel behavior but this one's easy...



A (moving) picture is worth a thousand words.
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tags: Lindsay Lohan
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Julianne and Cate: Fugged

Today's Must Read (OK not strictly today... I'm tardy): The Fug Girls take on our Julianne Moore at the Costume Institute Ball. Incidentally this is the same glitzy event from which those Cate Blanchett starvation rumors exploded. Cate was co-chair of the event. Between this and that Time 100 thing, Cate's publicist probably needs a vacation even more than she.

Song & Dance: Irving Berlin @ 119

Today is Irving Berlin's birthday. Well... if he had lived to be 119 years old. His songbook is just ---gah, gargantuan and awesome. The songs speak for themselves so here are four (random choices) to love today from some movies: "Cheek to Cheek", "Puttin' on the Ritz", "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "Heatwave"





and especially for ModFab here's a bonus to brighten your day: the one and only Shirley Bassey with a sensational version of "Let Me Sing, I'm Happy"

20:07 (Director For Hire)

Each morning a screenshot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie


A washed up director gets another chance...

Let me set your mind at ease. You don't have to worry about everything. Things are going to go very smoothy. This is -- This is a big shot for me.

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Headlinks

Cate Blanchett Is Going To Die Hollywood's starvation diet
Light, Ultra Light, Menthol the new MPAA ratings
Han Solo in Chocolate Bar what it sounds like...
Orlando's Blue Balls (not that kind!)
Defending Volta Rich loves Björk latest disc
Spider-Man 3 by Jeremy and Clint a FlickSkinny
Who's Hotter? Bale or Jackman?
Lindsay Lohan to Strip Down for I Know Who Killed Me

Character Posters: A Satisfying Trend

I don't recall exactly when the multiple character poster trend began. I want to say with The Lord of the Rings trilogy but it was probably much earlier. Now it's de rigeur for would be blockbusters: a variety of teaser posters must introduce the principal cast. Here's one from Hairspray for "Velma Von Tussle" (you can see the others here) . You know I chose this one because it reintroduces my personal goddess. Appropriately enough this posters tagline is "tease it up. " Pfeiffer is a tease too, you know, what with all the semi retirement and cancelled projects. This role was originated by Debbie Harry in the 1988 John Waters comedy (those who haven't seen it, do so might quick. You won't be disappointed) Hairspray has since been adapted into a Broadway musical and now makes the trek back to film. Wish it better luck than The Producers had with the same doubled adaptation process. Anyway... if anyone can own a role already superbly realized by another icon, it's La Pfeiffer. For all her skittishness about actually working, she's a fearless actor once the camera is on.

The Simpsons Movie is also coming out this summer and we keep hearing outrageous things. As if to say 'I told you so' here's Bart ---> (you can see the rest here). I did a double take when I saw it, it's so out there. That never happens looking at movie posters. Hilarious.

Most advertising trends get annoying through repetition but I love this particular fad. I only wish we could travel back in time and get posters for other movies that totally deserved the "introducing..." approach. The ones that came instantly to mind for me were Boogie Nights , The Breakfast Club and Clue --maybe one of the Christopher Guest mockumentaries. They would have totally lent themselves to this marketing routine.

Amber Waves "the foxiest bitch in the world"
Rollergirl "she never takes her skates off!"
etcetera

Think of the posters to frame or otherwise cherish. Your favorite movie character all by his or herself on your wall.

Fonda on Colbert (Literally)

How much do I love Jane Fonda? More than you know. She spent last night maximizing Georgia Rule's promo opportunity on The Colbert Report by sitting on Steven Colbert's lap and flirting outrageously. This, boring celebrities everywhere, is how it's done. You should be entertaining off screen as well. Because of an earlier episode in which she had unexpectedly kissed him, Colbert had put his Fonda fantasies "on notice" (hee) and he was visibly and adorably flustered at her forwardness on this return visit.

Jane Fonda is the coolest. So very glad that she's working again...
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5 People That Could Save Lindsay Lohan From Herself

It's Lindsay Lohan Week

This is not a gossip blog but there is something about Lindsay Lohan that pulls me continually back into that particular realm of madness. I've been able to let go of infatuations for many celebrities who have disappointed. I've come to realize that the reason I can't let go of Lindsay is because the love comes from my deep film geekery rather than my shallow amusement with celebrity. The Parent Trap (the first one) was my favorite movie as a toddler and I cursed the remake everyday until I saw it... and lo and behold: There in La Lohan was a child actor as gifted as the young Hayley Mills, as enchanting as the young Natalie Wood, as seemingly smart as the young Jodie Foster. All was forgiven. As recently as Mean Girls it looked like she would become a charismatic movie star for the long haul. But then we lost her... to clubbing, thinspiration, cocaine binges, and the stupid girl phenomenon that's been plaguing pop culture for too many years now.

In a previous blog entry I tossed off a possibly insensitive note that Lindsay might be better off without the influence of her fame-obsessed mother Dina Lohan --she's but the latest face of the hydra monster known as the stage parent: From Mama Rose to Daddy Culkin this monster never dies... just gets new faces. So I apologize in advance: Here comes a whole post filled with insensitivity. I'm flippant about this because if I don't laugh, I'll cry.

Lindsay Lohan needs rescuing. But who should do it? Who can?

Could They Save Lindsay?

05 Jude Law
In last week's sordid tabloid epic Lindsay reportedly exited the coke frenzy proclaiming "I'll f*** Jude Law tomorrow". Hey Jude, f*** some sense into her while you're at it. If Lindsay must remain a complete fool maybe Jude could teach her how to balance the chaotic and messy personal life with a consistently Oscar worthy professional life. He obviously knows how.

04 Winona Ryder performing a one woman theatrical reenactment of Scared Straight
If Noni were a man we'd be hearing about her ups and downs (mostly downs) in the way the media faithfully tracked every single step in the Robert Downey Jr evolution from gifted young actor to drug mess to addict in recovery to convict to working still-gifted actor to insureable at last (hello Iron Man). But Winona Ryder is a woman and therefore, once the novelty of "bad girl" status had worn itself out, everyone looked politely away. Nowadays when we see the once queen of Young Hollywood we register surprise. Oh yeah, Winona. Remember her? I'm not suggesting that Winona is in a place where she could help others but surely she is an example to be studied by young starlets who think they'll be employable, respected and beloved forever. Who else in the last two decades has fallen as quickly and irrevocably away from the dizzying heights of A list status.

03 Jesus
I love Jesus as much as anyone but I can't really recommend this as the safest recovery option. Those he saves seem to instantly forget and even disdain his peaceful 'live and let live' messaging in favor of war mongering and bigotry. So... Lindsay if you find Jesus be careful! He's awesome but he is not a substitute for rehab. Whitney Houston was, by her own admission, using him instead of seeking treatment and there's lots of filmic evidence that that wasn't a smart move. I think with Jesus you have to supplement. What's that saying? 'The Lord helps those who help themselves.' Also Lindsay was clearly meant for bigger things than Lisa Whelchel and Kirk Cameron.

02 Drew Barrymore
If we've ever seen an example of a wildchild starlet overcoming a turbulent descent with screen mojo firmly intact, it's Drew Barrymore. She's clearly an exception to every rule. May Lindsay get her on speed dial pronto.

01 Lindsay Lohan
That's right. In the end the only person who can save you is yourself. Here's to Lindsay taking a good long look in the mirror, forgiving herself, cleaning up and getting back to work.
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Bank

I'm half watching TV. Actually my back is turned and I occassionally swivel around to look. American Idol bores me silly and I don't know how so many bloggers work up the effort to recap it week after week (filler, filler, filler and the judges shtick hasn't changed in 6 years. zzz) But what is bugging me tonight is the repeated new commercial for Spider-Man 3 it's very short and there's virtually no dialogue. It's all flash cut imagery from the movie with congratulatory intertitles detailing the smashing of box office records on their opening weekend. Finally Gwen Stacey shouts "SPIDER-MAN!!!" to thunderous applause (from the keys to the city ceremony in the movie). I totally get this type of paid advertisement in Variety. In fact I think it's fun to look at. But that's an industry magazine about the biz for industry people. Are we all shareholders now? The audience is now industry. We've been assimilated into rejoicing other people's profit margins. Does no one mind the bragging?

Hump Day Hottie: Topher Grace

One of the maddening things about huge movies is that the blame (if people don't like it) and the credit (if they do) often goes to the wrong places. Disappointed patrons of Spider-Man 3 are already blaming easy target Kirsten Dunst for the whiny Mary Jane passages Ummmm, she didn't write the script: not her fault the movie decides she didn't have that arc in Spider-Man 2 where she gets dreamy/feisty @ the end ---"Go get 'em Tiger" and whatnot...

Speaking of tigers... Topher Grace rrrrrowrr. I'm sure as S3 continues to simultaneously pack them in and disappoint he'll be shouldering some of the blame for a somewhat unsatisfying rendition of "Venom". But the movie doesn't give him much to do. That's even more of a pity since he hasn't been doing many films since that busy year in 2004 when he was all over the place. Nevertheless I always appreciate what he does.

Lots of guys who aren't exactly typical leading men end up in the 'cocky/smarmy other guy' casting zone. Remember James Spader in the 80s? Yeah, that. Topher is one of the few who can play that type of part without the skeeviness. You can love to hate him without feeling icky spending time with him. He's too damn cute for skeevy.

He's also a good actor and when he gets a sweeter role, like the three he nailed in 2004: P.S., In Good Company, or Win a Date With Tad Hamilton! you want him to end up with the girl ...or at least a girl if he's with the wrong one.


Up next for Topher: The lead in the college dramedy Kids in America which should be out next year and, more promisingly (at least on paper) he is in talks to star with Terrence Howard (playing Thurgood Marshall) in the historical legal drama The Crusaders which is about the battle to end segregation.

related post: my thoughts on Spider-Man 3 (in case you're joining us late)

Linked & Loaded

Latino Review all kinds of wrong new pre-production rumors. Jessica Biel playing an Asian character. Whaaa? Rodriguez as director of The Jetsons. Shouldn't that go to someone like a Peyton Reed or something?
Bright Lights a quick thought on bad girls in the media & Blohan 2007
Lazy Eye Theater (stop the 3s) i love the very last line of this post --scary funny.
Matt Zoller Seitz spins an insightful review of Spider-Man 3
Just Jared Lindsay and mom at the Georgia Rule premiere. I really think if you take fame-whoring Dina Lohan outta the equation, Lindsay's recovery would be a helluva lot more likely.

I've also updated the 'soundtrack' jukebox in the sidebar with several tracks to get you thinking about that action heroine blog-a-thon coming atcha next month. Enjoy

20.07 ("you have to believe we are magic")

Each morning a screenshot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie

Kira: Sounds like you don't believe it.
Michael: Well, with all that's happened to me today, to tell you the truth I don't.
Kira: You're right. It's too coincidental. Someone must be setting us up

Every time I watch this movie I wish I could roller skate. Not that anyone does that anymore... but in retrospect, don'cha know. But, like Olivia herself, I was never much of a skater. I had to run into people or things to actually stop. The same is unfortunately true for my ice skating skills which is more of a shame because ice skating is classic.

related article: personal canon #96 Xanadu
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Leung & Kaneshiro. At the Same Time (Gasp)

Excuse me but how is it that no one told me about this movie?


Tony Leung AND Takeshi Kaneshiro are in the same movie (for the first time since Chungking Express and they weren't really together in that movie so it's the first time ever, sort of). It's called Confessions of Pain. Please deliver this movie to me now. Or within the hour. Hurry. Qi Shu who you'll remember from Three Times is the female lead.

National Teacher's Day

Today is National Teachers Day. Before I got sidetracked into the weird world of box office (earlier mentally unstable post) I was going to do a top ten list of movie teachers. But instead let's open it up to you...

Q: Who are your favorite movie teachers?
Which one occupies your mind most often? Do you dream of waxing on and waxing off with Mr. Miyagi? Want to be schooled by Miss Jean Brodie in her Prime? Maybe you hunger for candy bars thrown by Louanne Johnson? Tell all in the comments (Bonus points for actual teachers willing to comment on their screen counterparts)

P.S. I'm aware I've asked a version of this question before. But let's have a rowdy class. Let's hear from some lurkers. Don't be shy.

P.S. 2 And appropriate for the occassion: "Nice White Lady" from MadTV (thanks Glenn)

Tuesday Top Ten: Box Office Bizarre

for the list lover in you and the list maker in me

Since Spider-Man 3 ushered in summer movie season let's talk money (I'm too tired to swim against the current). Here are two lists of box office results. The first is real. And really depressing. The second is imaginary. I've tried to imagine the results in both cases.

10 Biggest Box Office Hits (so far) in 2007
dollar figures indicate millions of course

10 Disturbia $60
More Hitchcock ripoffs on their way. (same as it ever was). More Shia LaBeouf too, it's not all bad news.
09 Stomp the Yard $61
(I actually didn't realize this did so well)
08 Bridge to Terabithia $81
More fantasy adaptations are on the way (we knew this already)
07 Meet the Robinsons $91
More frantic CG animated comedies are on their way (same as it ever was). On a separate note: Did someone pass a law requiring all families to attend every CG Animated Comedy because doesn't it seem (no offense to the Robinsons) that it doesn't even matter what the film is?
06 Norbit $95
More fat suits are on their way. That joke just never gets old [/sarcasm]
05 Blades of Glory $111
Jon Heder is never going away, is he?
04 Ghost Rider $115
Nic Cage is never going away, is he? More C-List comic book characters are on their way. I personally can't wait for Ant Man, She Hulk and Moon Knight movies.
03 Spider-Man 3 $151
Bloated superhero movies are still hot (same as it ever was). Eventually this genre dies out. Most genres have some sort of sell by date for dominance. But when? The lazy entries don't seem to be weakening it much.


02 Wild Hogs $160
More ... no, I just can't talk about it.
01 300 $207
Possible negative side effects: More boneheaded racist and homophobic action films. Possible positive side effects: More action films striving for visual flair. More dudeity.

10 Biggest Bizarro World Box Office Hits of 2007
A "What If?" Proposal to Terrify Studio Executives
(with projected albeit exaggerated results)

What if audiences began acting like unpredictable challenge-seeking individuals for just one year. Imagine the creative chaos that would ensue. Imagine what the movies would be like in 2009.

10 Tears of the Black Tiger $61
All buzzy Asian titles that have been mistreated for years or left to languish in the vaults find their way to theaters or DVD. The Weinstein brothers are jailed for having horded so many without hope of release. Cinephiles rejoice.
09 Hot Fuzz $67
Clever spoofs greenlit. Brain dead spoofs like Date Movie sent to development hell.
08 INLAND EMPIRE $70
I have no idea what the world would be like with more David Lynch and less, say, Mark Steven Johnson... but let's find out.
07 Black Snake Moan $71
Christina Ricci gets a stack of interesting offers. Distinctive auteurs with one well received film find financing for their second an easy road.
06 The Lives of Others $89
American media starts following the foreign film Oscar race and I become a famous well paid expert having done so for several years already. Submitted films find instant suitors for international distribution.
05 Year of the Dog $94
Idiosyncratic films encouraged. Screenwriting workshops throw out formulas in favor of personal expression. (possible drawback: individual mopeyness becomes as trendy as mosaic miserabilism)
04 Grindhouse $146
Studios begin developing several new explorations of forgotten genres as audiences thank Hollywood for offering two crazy retro films for the price of one. All is not rosy however. Hollywood's new cash cow is chopped up anyway. More coin for Hollywood's hungry bank. Unfortunate side effect: Tarantino films become even longer and he loves himself even more.

03 Spider-Man 3 $151
The webslinger's success = impossible to unimagine.
02 Zodiac $155
All future Fincher projects fast-tracked. Jake Gyllenhaal proclaimed box office gold.
01 The Perverts Guide to the Cinema $243
(Hey, it was sold out when I tried to see it) Critical genius and madman philosopher Slavoj Zizek becomes a superstar. The talk show circuit beckons. Numbers crunching Hollywood executives quit en masse in total despair.

Will auteurs finally reign o'er Hollywood?

20:07 (House of Chiang)

each morning a screenshot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie (plus the dialogue if there is any)

And what I hear is that my special night means absolutely nothing to you!

Oh Jamie Lee. As if Lindsay ever thinks about someone else's needs. For real now... A smart woman like you. Let go with love.

People Will Talk

Cinematical Julie Delpy may bathe in blood for a new vampire flick
Coming Soon Rupert Everett is claiming Michelle Pfeiffer's Stardust performance is her best ever. I had no idea he had never seen The Fabulous Baker Boys, White Oleander, or Batman Returns among others... who knew?
Towleroad Apparently neither the rumored Johnny Depp nor Sacha Baron Cohen will play Freddie Mercury in the proposed biopic
QueerSighted pays tribute to activist actor John Glover and an 80s TV milestone An Early Frost
Defamer on Michelle 'I love penis!' Rodriguez' clumsy outting denials
ModFab predicts the TONY nominations in the half we get most excited about: the musicals. I'm rooting for Grey Gardens currently

20:07 (Carbs)

each morning a screenshot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie

Andie: So, none of the girls here eat anything?
Niles: Not since 2 become the new 4 and 0 become the new 2

this edition of 20:07 was sponsored by my guilt re: those cookies last night
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Third Times the Harm: Spider-Man 3

In order to cheer myself up after Spider-Man 3, the sequel to the best comic book film of all time, I've made a batch of cookies. It's probably dangerous to eat "Venom" but I'm gonna devour this whole plate.


I was film festivaling during the film's mammoth opening weekend but from the reviews I've glanced at post-screening today I don't think there's a strong reason to write another: the film's problems are obvious and familiar enough from other films that I figure even your average moviegoer can describe them with great accuracy (never mind the box office. That was a given). But I do have a couple of things I'd like to get off my chest before I put several of these into my belly.

As a huge supporter of this particular franchise and its inspired director, I'm inclined to disagree with the notion that the filmmaking team is entirely off their game or that the spirit has gone out of it. I think this film is pitched exactly the same as the others: it has the same unembarrassed beating heart and soapy broad strokes romance, the same visual flair and idiosyncratic comic beats... the same everything. What it's missing is the ability to turn itself off or add something new to justify the more! more! more! mode. The Watson / Parker romance, for instance, was so superbly handled in the first two that it needn't have been such a focus. We remember it well so there's no need to retread. Especially not when you've got so many new story threads to tell us about.

We've seen this before in sequels and would be blockbusters but in superhero films it's especially easy to spot the "more" problem. You can count the villains. If there's three or more you're almost always in trouble. Unless those three are essentially one (see: Superman 2). Batman Returns was an exceptional sequel in many ways but the movie got distracted enough with three Bat threats to forget its prize posession (Catwoman) for huge stretches at a time heading into the climax. Let's not even speak of the third X-Men film: so many characters that almost no one registered --and when your cast includes talent like Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Hugh Jackman that's not only a pity but a crying shame.

I should probably fess up to the fact that I've been nervous from the beginning but kept my mouth shut hoping for the best. Venom is a sensational looking villain but I've never been crazy of exploring duality issues with Spider-Man. That's Batman's bag, kids. Let Peter Parker do his own wonderful nerd/hero thing.

For what it's worth I'm confident that Spider-Man 3 will be more enjoyable in DVD form when you can watch little bits at a time. But as a stand-alone, it's very choppy and swings awkwardly from threat to threat and from crying jag to crying jag. It's so unwieldy they even have to throw in little inserts to remind you: Villain #? is still alive! Gwen Stacy is a complete dud but here she is again anyway! MJ is still sad!

My heart plummeted when I realized I was tired of the movie and Venom still hadn't appeared.

Still, as I bid goodbye to the series (I don't believe in the Spider-Man 4 rumors -especially not with this team) I want to say a warm but melancholy thank you to all involved: I love this huge colorful gift you gave us. I would've been thrilled had the finale topped or nearly matched the transcendent heights of the midsection but that rarely happens. For every Empire which strikes back, there seems to be a Jedi who returns.

Spider-Man 3 C+
(ftr: Spider-Man B+ and Spider-Man 2 A Both were on their respective years top ten lists: 2002 & 2004)
My Mood Right Now: D
These Cookies: B (pretty good but a little burnt at the edges --in the oven a bit too long)

soundtrack

updates to the jukebox in your sidebar... (refresh your screen)

Madonna "Buenos Aires" from Evita
On account of it's Eva Peron's birthday tomorrow. And it's always Madonna's day.
Scarlett Johansson "Summertime"
I haven't heard any updates lately about Scarjo's music plans but she was supposed to be recording a CD and Broadway is also courting her. If you haven't heard her voice, take a listen. Whaddya think?
Marilyn Manson "Heart Shaped Glasses"
I tried to keep the music movie oriented here so with this one it's just this: Having long since lost Rose McGowan, the rocker is still dating from the actress pool: this time tis the very talented and very young thespian Evan Rachel Wood (thirteen, Across the Universe). Bizarre but true.

20:07 (Publicity)

Each morning a screenshot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie


"Look at this Mama ... an editorial denouncing me in Redbook magazine."

IIFF #5: Jury Duty & Prizes

[note: This post was written on Friday afternoon --but I’ve been traveling]

It’s all over but the partying here at the Indy Fest. Yesterday we had our jury meeting. There were three sets of jurors for the different sections of competition. Yours truly was on the world cinema jury. Serving on the jury with me were a jovial local to Indy film and music critic and a delightful member of Film Movement. We watched. We judged. We determined prize worthiness.

A few people have asked me to describe how festival competition juries work. This is my first so I can’t speak for other festivals but I do imagine they’re similar. You come into the room (in our case a restaurant for lunch) with your beloved pets and you hope other people find those same movies loveable too. You talk things out if the feelings aren’t mutual. Large juries or organizations obviously have rounds of voting but when it’s a small pool of people you can simply talk it out. You argue… or not and that all depends on how much you’re invested in the outcome. If the communal #1 choice is your second choice and it was just barely your second choice, you might quickly concede since you loved that feature, too. If you hate the communal #1 you would certainly beg for a rethink of the communal #2, for example. Since we were but a trio we each compared our top few choices and worked from there.

The feature decision was reached with little compromise needed. We had strongly different opinions on all but two features, Das Fräulein and Thicker Than Water. Both of those were very well regarded by all. In the end after a discussion of their merits, we decided that the top prize belonged to Das Fräulein. For those eager to see it, it received a theatrical distribution deal during the week of the festival so it will be hitting major markets in August or September (that’s the plan I’m hearing at any rate. But you know how these things change). I’m also quite pleased that the other juries agreed with my assessment of the scalpel like precision of the performances within Thicker Than Water so we found a way to award that, too: a special jury prize for acting.

Though we agreed on the features, our feelings about the many shorts we screened were all over the place. I did like our eventual winner a lot but it wasn’t my favorite. It did have the strength of being the only short to appear in everyone’s top five. It’s called Eramos Pocos and it’s a painfully funny extended joke from director Borja Corbeaga (it was also an Oscar nominee earlier this year). It was the only short that we all were equally fond of. My personal top choice was The Patterns Trilogy but it didn’t garner enough support outside of me, myself, and I. I think the problem was that its true power was in trilogy form -- I got the sense that my fellow jurors didn’t want such an unlevel playing field, three films beating one as it were. It is true that as stand alones they’re less satisfying. At least that’s how I’m consoling myself with the loss. I am behind it in a big way. I’m dying to see it again. I hope to write more about it soon. I'm sure many readers here would love it if they had the chance to see it. [insert typical moaning about the lack of venues/distribution for short films here]

Here is the complete list of prizes from the 4th Annual Indianapolis Film Festival. If you missed my write-ups just click on the film festival label at the end of the post.

(Audience Awards)
Best Feature: [tie] Waitress (USA) and Speed Dating (Ireland)
Best Short: The Substitute (Italy)
Best Documentary: In the Shadow of the Moon

(American Spectrum)
Best Feature: Adrift in Manhattan
Best Short: Pop Foul
Jury Prize Cinematography: Disappearances
Jury Prize Comedy: Nevel is the Devil & Kidney Thieves

(Real Visions i.e. Documentary)
Best Feature: Rain in a Dry Land
Jury Prize Honorable Mention: Bridge Over the Wadi
Jury Prize Director Marie-Josee Sainte-Pierre for McLaren's Negatives
Best Short: Angel's Fire
Jury Prize Honorable Mention: Heavy Metal Jr.

(World Cinema) * My Section
Best Feature: Das Fräulein
Best Short: Eramos Pocos
Jury Prize Performance: The cast of Thicker Than Water
Jury Prize Music: Milk and Opium

Hope you enjoyed the coverage here. Now I’m off to the party to say goodbye to new friends and imbibe much alcohol. I now return you to normally scheduled programming here at the Film Experience.

20:07 (Jack & Faye)

Each morning a screenshot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie


Evelyn Mulwray: And since you agree with me that we've never met before, you must also agree with me that I've never hired you to do anything, certainly not to spy on my husband. I see you like publicity, Mr. Gittes. Well you're going to get it.

Jake Gittes: Now wait a minute, Mrs. Mulwray, I think there's been some misunderstanding here.

Linkings

Observations on Film Art sees comedic framing in the movies.
The Wicked Stage -That play Bugthat y'all have heard me rave about repeatedly, the one that has a movie version coming out...well, if you're in LA please do yourself the favor and see it on stage. It's a corker. (See also: Stale Popcorn -Glenn likes the poster)
WG/WBINYT says Hedwig and the Angry Inch is returning to Off Broadway. The Zipper is a pretty memorable space here in NYC but it's also not very "concert" shaped (for those who've only seen the movie, the play is performed on a single set as if you're attending Hedwig's concert) so it'll be interesting to see what they do with it. Do NOT miss it if you've only seen the movie.
Boing Boing says no gays in myspace. whaaa?
Defamer gives us a depressing but funny update on what's going on with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. OK I wasn't laughing so much as crying but it's good to at least hear the title again. I love the title so much. Watch that be whittled away as well...
Pfangirl likes what she's seeing in the new Iron Man photos

RIP
Gordon Scott the main Tarzan of the 1950s (I covered all of the lord of the jungles here) passed away.
Brad McGann, director of In My Father's Den has also died. He was only 43 and made only one feature. He's been suffering from cancer for years apparently. So sad.

Festival Fatigue

I've hit the wall. I don't feel like seeing another movie this week --though I hope to recover in time for maybe one more documentary and Spider-Man 3 post-fest. This happens (at least to me) at every film festival: they're one of a kind experiences and each is as individual as its possible to be whilst basically composed of the same activity... but they're exhausting. The IIFF closing party is tomorrow night: we pass out the awards, drink, make merry and then I'm outta here. Indy's festival runners have been very kind to me but boy am I missing New York. My city is like a drug and withdrawal has hit.

Nicole Kidman in Australia

Dear God(s of the Cinema)

Please let Nic's next epic romance performance be more of a Moulin Rouge! and less of a Cold Mountain. That is all. Also please bless Dustin for sending me this pic. Amen.

Nathaniel

20:07 (Corleone)

Each morning, a screenshot and dialogue from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie. Thanks to Nick for this weeks entries

Michael: Now, Johnny is my father's godson, and my father went to see this bandleader, and he offered him $10,000 to let Johnny go. But the bandleader said no. So, the next day, my father went to see him only this time with Luca Brasi. And within an hour, he signed a release for a certified check of $1,000.

Kay: How'd he do that?

Michael: My father made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

IIFF #4: Jesus, Frauleins and Sigourney

Tomorrow the jury meets and we pick our prizes. But here are some notes on films I've caught in the past two days ...

Son of Man is a retelling of the Jesus story by a South African theater/opera company named Dimpho Di Kopane (they also made U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha a couple of years back). I have to tell you: I am shocked that no studio has picked this up for distribution stateside. Everyone knows the story already. It has Roger Ebert as a passionate advocate. It could be marketed to music lovers, cinephiles (African film is starting to get more attention), and religious types --this last group might have a spot of trouble because they tend to like things literal...but surely some of them remember that Christ was a peaceful fellow rather than a hawk...and quite fond of the parables. The film is directed with bold energy and creativity by Mark Dornford-May and stars his wife Pauline Malefane as the Virgin Mary. This Mary has an amazing voice and potent screen presence. The film's musical numbers practically explode with feeling.

All of the "gospel greatest hits" are represented: the manger birth, the wise men, the apostles, the miracles, Judas betrayal, the pieta, the crucifixion but what surprised me watching this was how organic the treatment felt, placed as it was in Africa's chaotic violent slums. They weren't straining to make modern correlations (same as it ever was, you know) and they allowed themselves liberties which go along way to keeping it lively and relevant: the introduction of the apostles is a particularly refreshing sensible rethink. The movie isn't afraid to point fingers politically either. Son of Man isn't for everyone but given that Hollywood is obsessed with Africa right now it's disappointing that this creative film doesn't have the larger audiences that greet pedestrian storytelling efforts like Blood Diamond or even Hotel Rwanda.

Das Fräulein I must recommend. It's a film by Andrea Staka which concerns a young Bosnian refugee who rocks the boat when she begins working at a cafe in Switzerland. The owner is a stern woman who fled Yugoslavia three decades earlier. She's built herself a solitary and successful life and she likes it exactly the way it is. You can see where it's going: the young woman's reckless behavior (which has good and bad consequences) eventually begins to change the boss's life and other staff members too --one subplot involving an older Croatian immigrant pulled me in unexpectedly like a sad undertow. The title is surely a reference to the young Bosnian but what's particularly smart about the movie is how you see the youthful past rising up in the older women's memories, though they never vocalize as much. It's worth noting that Julie Christie's performance in Away From Her is not the only award worthy lead I saw here. Mirjana Karanovic who plays Ruza the owner is a tremendous actor. She also starred in the Bosnian Oscar submission Grbavica last year which I now officially must see.

The TV Set is not part of the festival but they had some print troubles with something I wanted to see so I had the spare time. I'm not quite sure what's wrong with this comedy about the television industry's pilot season in LA. The tone feels correctly insidery. It's usually interesting. But much of it feels flat and slack. I am however quite sure what's right with this comedy: Sigourney Weaver. She's aces as a shallow, controlling, nearly inhuman executive. Her speech about "perspective" is prime dark comedy and that's but one of her many highs through the course of the film. Weaver lovers must see this even if the rest of the world can safely wait.

Hump Day Hottie: Luca

Last night I saw A Casa Notra, an Italian ensemble drama of intersecting lives (yes, another one of those: it's the hot genre). Early in the film a character named Gerry is celebrating an anniversary with his wife when an attractive blond behind their table catches his eye and shamelessly flashes him her phone number with her hands. Looking at the actor playing Gerry (Luca Argentero) it's easy to assume this is a everyday occurence... minus the wife and the anniversary, we hope.

When I got home and looked up Luca Argentero on the internet I decided he had to be the hump day hottie. Anyone willing to shamelessly flaunt their hunkiness in a cheesy beefcake calendar should be celebrated I think.


A Casa Nostra's most recognizable star stateside is Valeria Golino who plays a tenacious financial officer named Rita investigating a criminally inclined very wealthy business man who Gerry becomes entangled with, too. The girl flashing her digits was the businessman's mistress. Oops, Gerry's bad. A Casa Nostra was fairly intriguing as cat and mouse / multiple character dramas go (the face off between Rita and her businessman prey is a major highlight and very well played by Gulino) In the end though I couldn't help feeling that I was missing something. It plays like one of those films where knowledge of political climate and homeland cultural hot buttons might greatly inform the viewing. Not knowing much about Italian life or corporate politics, I was at least content to watch the many beautiful thespians onboard do fine work with their volatile romances and business dramas within the story.

After I was done processing the movie and my mind started drifting away from Argentero, it got me to thinking about a friend I've long since lost touch with, Luca Calvani, who is also an Italian actor. I lost touch with Luca when he left NYC for LA but I use to marvel at his ability to turn heads everywhere (though to his credit he didn't seem to notice). Even in banal places like subways where people generally ignore each other it would happen. People couldn't help but stare. So... heres to Luca(s).

Are all men named Luca crazy beautiful?
While you ponder that question it's off to another screening with me.

20:07 (Off the Bus)

Each morning a screenshot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie
singing from soundtrack: "I want to go where the people dance, I want some ac-tion. I want to liiiive!"

Linky 500

Kiki turned 25 and yes, I missed that birthday too. Indiana is controlling me! Aaron celebrates the actress that everyone but me loves to hate and thinks she'll make an innersting Debbie Harry.
Charlies Angels Abridged have y'all heard of this "minisode" thing? That'd be no problem to do with today's reality shows that have about 6 minutes of actual story (the rest being mostly references to things we just barely saw or recaps of things we just barely saw or conjecturing about what we might next see... argh) but i don't know about old shows...
9 Minutes of Ratatouille because Pixar is (usually) awesome
Alexis Arquette doc hits Tribeca. It sounds like the film had something of a rough road to completion. As did Alexis herself. (For those who've wondered about Alexis pre-Surreal Life, please rent Wigstock immediately. She's terrific.)
Kidman To Marry A Millionaire -can she (or anyone) pull it off?

IIFF #3: A Doc, A Walk Out, A Tease

OK. I have just a short half hour (as opposed to a long one -what?) before my next screening. I must type fast. Just a few words on the movies this time.

Adrift in Manhattan belongs to my once beloved drama subgenre: strangers lives intersecting. I think I grew up loving the mosaic film because I think it's truthful in basic form and because I love Robert Altman. But unfortunately very very few filmmakers are good at it yet it's all the rage anyway (see: Crash, Babel, etc...) This movie, surveying a half dozen characters who live along NY's 1/9 subway line (very familiar to me) is a mixed bag. There's some great NY details: the apartments seem real for once and it does a fine job capturing the quietness of isolation within a bustling environment but like a lot of these mosaics it also forces its hand, particularly in its final stretch. Good performances from Elizabeth Pena, Heather Graham, Victor Rasuk (who we still know and love as Victor Vargas... though he's now Raised), and Dominic Chianese.
[Funny moment post-screening: One of the festival peeps was talking to me about how much he liked the movie and he said with great relief/surprise "Heather Graham was acting with her face!"]

Disappearances is my lone walkout so far. That happens at festivals when you're seeing dozens of things and short on time. It appeared to be a magical western of some sort about a strange family and whiskey running. The theater was freezing, I was hungry, and I was unable to cope with the first half hour's stilted tone. Genevieve Bujold was giving a performance that can only be described in one succinct adjective: weird. No other word. I wasn't feeling it.

Summercamp! by Bradley Beesley and Sarah Price fits neatly into the Spellbound documentary subgenre of 'kids say the darndest things'. There's a lot of cute moments, one very sad girl obsessed with chickadees and several intriguing characters. Though the movie touches on a lot of fascinating issues (childhood meds, how kids deal with grief, social development, overworked counsellors, and environmental specific friendships) it's more than a little unfocused --dropping a lot of the balls it tosses so enthusiastically up into the air. I think it needed to either zero in a few kids and stay there or not go there at all and concentrate on the communal portrait instead. It tries both. Still, fine stand alone moments and the subject matter make it a fun watch.

Away From Her. I was asked during the fundraiser last month to review this so I don't want to give it short shrift here. I'll say more when I return home. But everything you've heard about Julie Christie's performance is true. She's just... Ahhh. I can't speak coherently about it yet. She completely wrenched my heart out without any cheap over sentimentalized nonsense.

The rest of the movie is quite good, too.

TTT: Lesley Ann Warren

Since I don't have my normal access to time and photoshop, Tuesday Top Ten today is a pity party story of yours truly. I wasn't actually due @ Indianapolis until today but I flew in two days early because Lesley Ann Warren was going to be at this party for the 10th anniversary of Going All The Way (which also curiously marked my 10th anniversary of semi regular film festival attendance since I saw that feature at Sundance 10 whole years ago) So, yeah, flew in 48 hours early to meet Lesley Ann -- I'm that way when it comes to actresses. Anyhow... her being a celebrity she didn't show to the party. She didn't even show in Indianapolis. But perhaps it was for the best...

Ten Embarrassing Things Nathaniel Might Have Done Upon Meeting Lesley Ann Warren

awkward icebreakers

10 Told her about the festival volunteer who said "Who is Lesley Ann Warren?" in all sincerity when I expressed excitement about meeting her. Comfortable!

09 Waited impatiently for any anecdote from anyone at the party that included the line "too make a long story short..." so I could interrupting shout "TOO LATE!" like Lesley & I were reenacting Clue. Movie stars surely love to relive ancient movie jokes.

08 Confessed that I always play Miss Scarlett in "Clue". If some evil soul snatches her up first: I go with Green, White, Plum, Peacock, or Mustard...in that order.

07 Demanded to speak to her manager about her abundant "mom of...", cameos, and tv guest spots. Musicals are back --look into it. Get it together manager 'o' Lesley!

inappropriate & inebriated

06 Told her about the time my friend and I (parents safely asleep) tried to freeze frame a VHS copy of Choose Me to catch a glimpse of Keith Carradine's goodies. We were unsuccessful: maybe she can fill us in on what we missed?

05 Demanded a play by play of A Night in Heaven particulary the scene where Christopher Atkins (playing her student who just happens to be a local lusted after stripper and he's hot for teacher too -scandal!) shoves her hand down his pants. That was so not "simulated"...details, Lesley, details.

04 (Still drunk) Asked if she still gets mistaken for Susan Sarandon (an 80s problem) and for the charming follow up question: please rank your jealousy re: your divergent 90s careers on a scale of 1 to 10.

Descent into Victor/Victoria madness

03 Bombarded her with endless questions about Oscar night March 1983 despite our conversation taking place in April 2007. (Perhaps cried salty 40 proof tears when describing her loss. She so deserved it.)

02 Proclaimed in best Norma Cassady voice "Lesley--iiiIII'm Horny!"

01 Refused to leave her side until she agreed to call me "Pooky"

*

20:07 (They'll Always Be Bosom Buddies)

Each morning a screen shot from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie and the dialogue. (thanks to Nick for providing this week's entries while I'm at the festival)



Vera: Why'd that Oriental sandman let me sleep in my best Chanel?
Auntie Mame: He tried to get it off you but you bit him.

Michelle on Ellen -The Video

So thanks to my magical little elf AJ who always keeps me up to date with La Pfeiffer news. Here are clips of her interview with Ellen DeGeneres last Friday and a grocery competition, too (yes, Michelle was once a checkout chick)



Michelle has never been much of an interviewee. Her natural element is the screen and in character. But it's still fun to finally gaze on her magnificence again ~ le sigh