film

Vatche April 24, 2012 Leave a Comment

Short Film: A Look Through Our Eyes

Many years ago, I made a film that looked at the effects of the Armenian Genocide, on “third-generation survivors.” Young folks whose ancestors had been the victim of a genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire, an effort to systematically remove an entire group of people from Ottoman Turkey.

Lonelyreviewer.com is obviously not a political site, however, with April 24th being Armenian Genocide remembrance day, I can’t think of a better day to post my short film for the readers to check out. Feel free to read more about the film over at vatchearabian.com.

Filed Under: Feature, Front Page, Movies, Video of the Week Tagged: a look through our eyes, armenian genocide, armenian genocide remembrance, Documentary, film, genocide, short film, vatche arabian

Vatche April 23, 2012 Leave a Comment

IFFBoston ’12 Spotlight: Rubberneck

Rubberneck is an incredibly fascinating character-driven film about obsession and infatuation, directed by Alex Karpovsky, and written by Karpovsky and Garth Donovan.

Shot entirely in Massachusetts, it tells the story of Paul Harris, a research scientist who works on the outskirts of Boston. After a weekend tryst with a co-worker, his unreciprocated desires gradually turn into an infatuation.

The film keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, and is certainly one of the not-to-miss movies of the festival.

Rubberneck screens at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, Tuesday, May 1st, at 9:30pm at the Coolidge Corner Theater. Tickets are available at iffboston.org.

Filed Under: Feature, Front Page, IFFBoston, Movies, Previews Tagged: alex karpovsky, Boston, Festival, film, film fest, garth donavan, iffboston 12, iffboston 12 spotlight, iffboston 2012, independent film festival of boston 2012, paul harris, Preview, Thriller

Vatche April 20, 2012 Leave a Comment

IFFBoston ’12 Spotlight: Time Zero: The Last Year of Polaroid Film

Everyone remembers Polaroid cameras vividly. I remember as a kid being amazed at this strange technology that produces a printed picture magically in front of your eyes. But, the advent of digital cameras completely tore the company apart, rather than the instant gratification of a printed photo, you now have the instant gratification of a digital screen.

TIME ZERO: The Last Year of Polaroid Film premieres at the 2012 Independent Film Festival of Boston – a mere 3 miles from Polaroid’s former headquarters. The documentary chronicles the death, and rebirth, of Polaroid instant film. After documenting the day when Polaroid announced it would cease production of instant film, the film shares the stories of several photographers, including film maker John Waters as they recount hearing the news, and follows the efforts of a small team who tried to keep instant photography alive.

The film, directed by Grant Hamilton, looks incredibly nostalgic, and extremely fascinating.

The film screens at IFFBoston at the Somerville Theater, Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at 12:30pm. Tickets are available at iffboston.org.

Filed Under: Feature, Front Page, IFFBoston, Movies, Previews Tagged: Boston, film, film fest, Film Festival, grant hamilton, IFFBoston, iffboston 12, iffboston 12 spotlight, iffboston 2012, Independent Film Festival of Boston 2008, independent film festival of boston 2012, john waters, polaroid, time zero

Vatche April 18, 2012 Leave a Comment

IFFBoston ’12 Spotlight: Beauty is Embarrassing

Beauty is Embarrassing is a documentary about Wayne White, an artist, art director, illustrator, puppeteer. Known for his illustrations in the New York Times, and perhaps even more so for his designs in the iconic Pee Wee’s Playhouse, White has had an amazing career, that has continued today into paintings and other public works. Judging by the films trailer, I’m definitely interested in learning more about White and his body of unique and amazing work.

The film is directed by Neil Berkeley, and will be screening at the Somerville Theater, Monday, April 30th at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at iffboston.org.

Filed Under: Feature, Front Page, IFFBoston, Movies, Previews Tagged: artist, Documentary, Festival, film, IFFBoston, iffboston 12, iffboston 12 spotlight, iffboston 2012, Independent Film Festival of Boston 2008, neil berkley, New York Times, pee wee, pee wees playhouse, Preview, wayne white

Vatche April 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

IFFBoston ’12 Spotlight: Welcome to Pine Hill

A unique story of friendship, race, and self-discovery, Welcome to Pine Hill was born out of a chance encounter between filmmaker Keith Miller, and star Shannon Harper, who found themselves arguing over a lost dog one night in Brooklyn.

The film had its world premiere at Slamdance last January, and won the Grand Jury Prize, and will be screening at many film festivals across the country.

The film follows Shannon, a reformed drug dealer who now works as a claims adjuster by day, and bounced by night. He receives earth-shattering news that causes him to make peace with his past, and search for freedom beyond the concrete jungle of New York City. Going between the world of fact and fiction, Shannon Harper plays himself, and is supported by an eclectic cast of emerging talent, and real people.

The film is a collaboration with the Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective, the film is a 2011 Independent Filmmaker Lab participant, and Keith Miller’s debut feature film.

The film screens at IFFBoston, Sunday, April 29th at 8:00pm at the Somerville Theater. Tickets are available at IFFBoston.org.

Filed Under: Feature, Front Page, IFFBoston, Movies Tagged: film, IFFBoston, iffboston 12, iffboston 12 spotlight, iffboston 2012, Independent Film Festival of Boston 2008, keith miller, Preview, prize, shannon harper, slamdance, somerville tehater, spotlight, welcome to pine hill

Vatche April 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

IFFBoston ’12 Spotlight: Andrew Bird: Fever Year

Andrew Bird: Fever Year, winner of the Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Omaha Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the 20th Anniversary Noise Pop Film Festival will have its Boston Premiere at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, Thursday April 26th.

The film is a feature length concert documentary that follows Andrew Bird after a rigorous year of touring. After an onstage injury, Bird finds himself feverish and on crutches – asking himself, are these the hazards of chasing the ghost of inspiration, or the transformation into a different kind of animal.

Fever Year captures Andre Bird’s multi-instrumental looping technique, and features live performances at Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater. The film looks like an entertaining (and great sounding) music documentary. The film is directed by Xan Aranda

The screening is Thursday, April 26 at 7:45pm at the Somerville Theater. Tickets are available at IFFBoston.org.

Official Trailer (2:45) from Andrew Bird: Fever Year on Vimeo.

Filed Under: Feature, Front Page, IFFBoston, Movies Tagged: film, film pick, IFFBoston, iffboston 12 spotlight, iffboston 2012, Independent Film Festival of Boston 2008, spotlight, Xan Aranda

Vatche December 14, 2011 Leave a Comment

Video of the Week: The Spielberg Face

This great video essay from Fandor goes into the iconic way Spielberg uses shots of characters faces in pivotal emotional, terrifying, and fascinating scenes – and the way it captures the characters moments perfectly.

Check out the video below:

Filed Under: Feature, Movies, Video of the Week Tagged: ai, criticism, essay, Faces, film, haley joel osment, Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones, jaws, richard dryfus, Spielberg, Steven Spielberg, Video

Vatche September 26, 2011 Leave a Comment

Review: 50/50

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Jonathan Levine’s “50/50.” Judging on the trailers, there was a good chance it could have been mostly a comedy, or, it could have been depressing and sad. Despite its subject matter, this film really is the perfect balance of both.

50/50 is written by Will Reiser, loosely based on his own experiences with cancer. Directed by Jonathan Levine (The Wackness), the film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anna Kendrick, and sets out to take a realistic, yet humorous look at a young person suffering from cancer.

Adam (Gordon-Levitt) is 27-years old, and is a producer at a local public radio station where he works with his best friend Kyle (Rogen). His girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard) is an artist, and they share a somewhat trying relationship that is under constant criticism from Kyle.

Worried about strange pains in his back, Adam goes to the doctor, where he learns that he has cancer. The news is shocking, as Adam has lived his life as cautiously as possible.

The news of cancer is trying on his relationships, not just with Rachael, but with his at-times overbearing mother (Anjelica Huston), and his best friend, who seems to have his own motivations for his friends sickness.

So much of this film is incredibly relatable, whether you suffer your own ailments, or know someone who has fought or is fighting cancer. The relationships between Adam, his friends, and family feel incredibly real, thanks to the everyman nature of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s acting.

Gordon-Levitt has amazing chemistry with everyone he’s put next to. Whether its acting opposite scene stealing Seth Rogen, or the sweetheart rookie therapist played by Anna Kendrick, he has presence. Many people of late have complained that their tired of Seth Rogen, I am not one of those people. I’ve loved him since Freaks & Geeks, and I think his role in this film will appease even the haters. He’s used minimally, and when he is used, it fits perfectly.

The pacing of this film is incredible. In one scene you are laughing out loud, and two scenes later, you’re holding back tears. But none of it goes too far, it pulls at your heart strings, but there is nothing cheap or cheesy about what transpires.

I cannot recommend this movie enough, it is the first movie I’ve seen since ‘Blue Valentine’ that I left still thinking about days later. If you see one film this fall season, make it 50/50.

Filed Under: Front Page, Movies, Reviews Tagged: 50-50, Anna Kendrick, cancer, film, jonathan levine, joseph gordon-levvit, Review, Seth Rogen, The Wackness

Ben September 16, 2011 Leave a Comment

Preview Review: September 16, 2011

DRIVE

I don’t know what it is about this movie, but I really really want to see it! Maybe its the look of it, maybe its the old school feel of the trailer, fuck, maybe its the hot pink 80s cursive font of the title. I’m not exactly sure. All I know is that for some reason, I’m excited. I have high hopes for this one. Ryan Gosling is slowly working his way into my mind. I haven’t seen anything that has really stopped me in my tracks yet, but he has done some really solid work. Blue Valentine sold me on him being a serious actor, and Lars And The Real Girl was a great performance as well. I still have yet to see his Oscar nom’d role in Half Nelson, but I will get on that for sure. Drive looks like some sort of Miami Vice movie minus the goofiness or Jamie Foxx. Gosling plays an unnamed stunt driver who moonlights as a robbery getaway car driver. Such a simple, yet really cool plot. Check out the trailer, but I feel this might be one of the first good movies of the year!

PREDICTION: 3 1/2 stars

I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT

Annnnnnnd back to the toilet we go. Another Sarah Jessica Parker trying to cast a spell on the world into thinking she’s talented OR attractive, both of which are immensely false. Poor Ferris Bueller…having to wake up to her every morning. Jesus. I’d rather wake up to the face of Freddy Kruger. Anyway, let’s move past the main reason not to see this film, SJP, and move on to a few of the million other reasons to flush this dump. The plot is about some lady who has a busy life and everyone just keeps saying “I don’t know howwwwww she does it!!” Derp. Credits, film over, your wife or girlfriend is happy (unless they have a brain), you go home, have some dinner, watch tv, she goes to bed, you masturbate to porn on the computer with tears knowing what a failed life you lead compared to Sarah Jessica Parker. See? This movie will kill you faster than cancer.

PREDICTION: 1 star.

STRAW DOGS

I’ve said “why the fuck are they remaking that?” so many times to soooo many different movies, but this one is just as puzzling. The original Straw Dogs was hardcore with a powerful message…this one just looks like a remake of The Strangers, which came out a couple years ago. Yet another intelligent flick remade as some shitty action movie. I’m sure if Dustin Hoffman were dead, he would be spinning in his grave and I’m sure the late Sam Peckinpah is preparing the chains to haunt the shitty filmmakers of this shitty remake. If you have any integrity, you’ll check out the original. If you have any taste, you’ll enjoy the original, and if you have any sense, you’ll skip this piece of shit.

PREDICTION: 1 star.

Until next week beeyachtes!

Filed Under: Front Page, Movies, Previews Tagged: Drive, film, I don't know how she does it, Movies, Previews, reviews, ryan gosling, Sarah Jessica Parker

Vatche September 13, 2011 Leave a Comment

Short Film: ICE HOCKEY

A few months back we had a great interview with the filmmakers behind the short ‘Ice Hockey,’ a great film from Larry Cohen that had its debut at IFFBoston. To celebrate the completion of his next film, Cohen has released Ice Hockey to the internet!

His follow up is called Brothers. A film that looks at the modern difficulty of communicating with your family. The film was finished principal photography in August, and they have now launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for finishing the film! Each contributor get a digital download and a thank you in the end of the credits, with the rewards growing at each contribution level. Check out the campaign here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/larrycohen/brothers

I can’t wait to see what they come up with next, but for now enjoy ICE HOCKEY!

ICE HOCKEY from Larry Cohen on Vimeo.

Filed Under: Front Page, IFFBoston, Movies, News Tagged: Brothers, film, IFFBoston, Ken Daneyko, kickstarter, larry cohen, new jersey, short film