Friedman - Who Do You Believe?

As far as documentaries go Hoop Dreams was by far the creme-de-la-creme; that was until Andrew Jareki thought he would make a film about party clowns in New York City. He never got to make that movie but what he stumbled on was, perhaps, the most unlikely of stories; and that story is riveting from open to close.
Jareki wanted to do a short film on what drives party clowns, what makes them tick you know. He set up interviews with dozens of New York's top clowns and came across the troubled David Friedman, who just happened to be New York's top party clown.
During these interviews David refused to talk about his childhood and left a lot of information about his family out. Well the truth finally fell out one day; his father and brother were convicted of child abuse, sex with minor children, sodomy, and multiple other charges.
And as one could imagine this ruined the Friedman household, as it would any one of us. What is so enthralling about the situation is that both Arnold Friedman (father) and Jesse Friedman (brother) claim nothing ever happened.
From that point on Jareki dropped the clown short film to focus on making a full feature documentary about what happened to the Friedmans; Capturing the Friedmans. After realizing that Jareki was going to make this film no matter what, David reluctantly gave Jareki around 100 hours of film he recorded during the arrest and trail of his father and brother inside the Friedman household.
The film from within the walls of the Friedman house is unequivablly the most raw and shaking material I have ever seen.
Ultimately Jareki presents both sides of the case and lets the viewer decide what really happened at 17 Piccadilly Ln, Great Neck, New York.
The special edition DVD has further evidence that promotes one side of the case due to the overwhelming evidence, or lack of evidence.
Sure this is a very troubling film to watch; it covers one of the most heinous crimes on earth in mass amounts. But what is intriguing and unforgettable about this film is the reality of it all- this really happened and it sucks, and we have a front row seat to this catastrophe.
Read up on the Friedmans and if the subject matter doesn't scare you away I recommend this film as highly as any other film I recommend. Absolutely riveting in every way.

The Militia Group Steals Another One

O.K. The Militia Group is now officially my favorite indie music label. Not only do they have Copeland (their Beneath Medicine Tree album is in my top 10 ever), Acceptance, Lovedrug, Brandtson, Anadivine, Blue Print Car Crash, Cartel, The Beautiful Mistake, Rufio, and about 10 other great bands; but now they have signed The Appleseed Cast (the second group they've signed from North Carolina's Deep Elm Records, Brandtson was the first.)
If they put out a compilation album I highly suggest you pick it up.
And oh by the way, Brandtson is the reigning winner of "Album you can only play by yourself or The Guilty Pleasure Award" with there 04 release Send Us a Signal.
Anberlin's Never Take Frienship Personal is the leading favorite for this years award, but we are still a few months away from The Smarty Awards.
If you decide to check out a few of these bands, here is how I rate them: Copeland, Lovedrug, Brandtson, Appleseed Cast, The Beautiful Mistake, Cartel, and Acceptance.
And if anyone can tell me what an Appleseed Cast is you win $25.00.

Prequel to the Prequel?

Foolish as I am, and anti-Hollywood as you all know I am I figured I would watch the studio-dumped prequel to The Exorcist, Dominion.
The scoop on this movie is that Morgan Creek Studios hired Paul Schrader to direct the long awaited horror film prequel. And this seemed a great choice until they saw his final version; a psychological horror that lacked blood, guts, and gore most studio execs and the financial backers wanted. They decided to fire Schrader and scrap the entire film; they then re-wrote the script and brought in Renny Harlin to direct the "new version" of the new version of the Exorcist.
Absolutely the worst start for any movie I've ever heard, aside from the fact that they were making a prequel- which in itself hurts a film before it gets started.
The studio then released Harlin's version with minimal financial success and eventually let Schrader show his film at a few festivals and then gave it a small theatrical release, mostly in other countries.
So to the actual movie, Schrader's version is titled Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist and was possibly the biggest waste of time in movie history (although I hear Harlin's version is worse). A slow pace, mediocre acting, horrible story-line, and oh by the way it wasn't scary were some of the reasons this movie failed.
Normally I'm against anything a studio does to hold down a movie, but this time I got it wrong, flat-out wrong. This film was horrible from the opening scene. Please don't waste your time.

Punching Drunk

I just watched Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights, Magnolia) brilliant film Punch-Drunk Love; starring an incredible Adam Sandler and a delightfully cute Emily Watson.
And let me say that this film is absolutely genius, I was blown away by 1) Sandler's acting, 2)Anderson's indie film-style and 3) the incredibly original story line.
Everything I want in a movie was abundantly available in Punch-Drunk Love- I highly recommend this film.
Sandler plays Barry Egan, a quirky, temperamental toiletry salesman who is hounded by his seven sisters because he is flat-out strange. He is lonely and seems to have some psychological problems that present themselves when his anger gets the best of him.
Emily Watson's character Lena Leonard sees a picture of Barry from one of his sisters and takes an initiative to meet him. What evolves is raw and moving and worth the whole 95 min. This movie will be in my dvd collection soon, and I advise everyone to see it.

My Name is...what, My Name is...who

Just a quick note about NBC's My Name is Earl, starring Jason Lee (of Chasing Amy, Mall Rats, and Dogma fame). This is one talented guy; former pro skateboarder, we activist, actor, and someone who firmly believes The Earth is Not A Cold Dead Place. Risen Magazine did a piece on him - it's really good, pick up a copy.
Now back to "Earl," it's a fun, cute little comedy; not the best thing going but something new. Check it out Tuesday @ 8:00.

It Really Isn't Millions

Danny Boyle, the director of Trainspotting, The Beach, and 28 Days Later has ventured away from what we have come to know him for with his latest movie Millions.
Forgive me if you think I'm aggrivated; but I honestly expected so much more from Boyle on this one. Of course we get new camera angles and crazy visual effects we always get from Boyle's films but the trailer absolutely ruined this movie for me. I went into this movie thinking I was going to see one thing and ended it having seen something else.
I'm tired of trailers ruining films for me; "Millions" isn't bad and it isn't great, it falls somewhere in the middle with really good camera shots, but it's a family film- yes a family film. I didn't think I was sitting down to share a heart to heart with two little kids, I thought I was getting Boyle's best movie yet.
I was watching it and Rone ty walked in and asked me how it was; "Good to look at most of the time, but the storyline won't hold you."
Rent it and see for yourself.

The Witch is Back

So I watched The Blair Witch Project last night with Mr. Twelve Inches himself. Just wanted to remind all you that this movie was very well done; especially when we think of the 35000.00 price tag they used to make it. An original, eventful, scary film. If you haven't done it yet, check it out.