more club 3D

New Orleans based band, Club of the Sons, recently had to cancel their fall tour dates due to unforeseen events. Here is more 3D video from their last live performance at One Eyed Jacks in July.

Hollywood Adventureland

Just finished piecing together a new live video for Club of the Sons. There were “technical” difficulties with the video for their cd release show so improvisation was required. I scrounged for older clips and youtube snips to create the patchwork below.

Recent viewings of note…

love a good sunset

District 9 ****1/2 One of the best original films I’ve seen all year, and definitely one of the best sci-fi films of the past five years, Distric 9 grabbed me in the first five minutes and tightened it’s fingers throughout the 112 minutes. Filmed on a shoestring budget considering size and scope, and with a relatively unknown cast stateside; this film is a must see for lovers of thought-provoking science fiction.

"aren't you that chick from twilight?"

Adventureland ****1/2 Surprised and shocked to find myself thoroughly enjoying this film that was not even on my radar due to the horrific advertising campaign labeling it another gross-out, goofball comedy. This film is a fantastic coming-of-age tale with real performances and genuine humor. Please do seek out.

"for the last time, there are no zombies here."

A Perfect Getaway *** A favorite genre director of mine, David Twohy, returns with this seemingly by the numbers thriller that starts off clunkily, but offers up a twist midway through the thrills that turns everything on end. Nice performances from some familiar faces including Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, and Timothy Olyphant.

Down with Kenny and Terry

I am excited to be working with some of my very talented former students in creating a new web series that is scheduled to premiere on Aug. 30. Here’s the 2nd promo.

Also of note, I just watched this fantastic trailer for Terry Gilliam’s (one of my favorite directors) latest, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which also happens to be the final performance of Heath Ledger who passed before his role was completed. Enter Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law who offered their services so the film could be finished.

That looks like old-school Gilliam and I for one am excited.

(57) days of summer

and just like that my summer vacation is over. School kicks up again on the 10th of August, but I’ll be there most of this week preparing for the young ones’ arrival.

I edited lots of video this summer but most intriguing were the 3D videos I had the opportunity to produce for Club of the Sons, for their CD release show in July.

I watched several films throughout the hot season and rather than attempt a review of each I’ll just drop a line or two.

Marion Cotillard in P. E.

Public Enemies **** – Johnny Depp as John Dillinger directed by Michael Mann. This one nears greatness, but not quite .

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen *1/2 – right now I’m thinking the worst big-budget film ever made, but there’s a lot of movies I haven’t seen so that statement may not be entirely true.

J. G. L. and Z. D. as Sid and Nancy

(500) Days of Summer ****1/2 – one of the best movies I’ve seen all year and actually regains a lot of ground for the “chick flick” genre. I take that back, technically it’s not a chick flick at all.

The Hangover ***1/2 – funny movie.

The Proposal **1/2 – too cliched and predictable to be considered a good movie, but the actors are fun to watch.

Terminator: Salvation ** – Christian Bale couldn’t save this poorly plotted excuse for a Terminator film.

[REC] ***1/2 – the original Spanish film that was remade as Quarantine here in the states. This version is better.

Fast and Furious ** – still not as good as the first one, which isn’t saying much.

Valkyrie ***1/2 – solid film, but not particularly memorable.

Waltz with Bashir **** – impressive and moving animated documentary

Rachel Getting Married **** – bravo Anne Hathaway

Push ** – sucked

?

Synecdoche, New York ****1/2 – didn’t suck, and was refreshingly original all the while being slightly depressing.

Revolutionary Road ***1/2 – Jack and Rose got married and then their life together was one giant pit of despair. Enjoy!  (seriously the performances are great here, but oh the despair!)

The above list is not conclusive, but that’s all I have time for now.

until…

Tenn. eleven, twelve…

I and my new Sony HDR-FX1000 had the opportunity to attend the EP release show for one, Crystal Thomas, in Nashville on April 16. A tripod and an extra master shot would’ve helped my footage which alternated between hand-held and resting on a table top, but the performance speaks for itself.

Also in Nashville I caught I Love You Man ***1/2, the starring vehicle for Paul Rudd, who proves that being socially awkward is fun for everyone (except young children of course – this one is rated R).

Finally watched the Peter Sellers’ classic Being There (Netflix probably thought I ran off with the thing) and it was quite an experience. Sellers performance is one for the ages and the final shot is utterly inspiring.

Another little gem I happened upon thanks to Harry Knowles over at AICN was the low-budget time thriller Timecrimes. Using the time travel theory made popular in the Back to the Future films this one tells a simply intricate tale.

One month of school left and then what promises to be a busy summer…