Very Brief Notes (A “Getting Up to Speed Again” Edition)
Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ May calendar is now available online. It is the bearer of some bad news (I missed two Philip Carli events), but it is, as usual, mostly a reason to smile. Highlights for me: a new 35mm print of one of my very favorite films, Contempt (1963), and a chance to see what the deal is with this “modern day musical” Love Songs (2007). Also possibly of interest: a screening of Sideways (2004) accompanied by a wine tasting on May 28. $30 is a bit steep, but I am a big fan of the “movie plus _____”.
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Also now online: a schedule for Moonlit Matinees VI at the Oaks Theater in Oakmont. Highlights for me: Xanadu (1980) on July 12 and 13 (I’ve never seen it, but I’ve always been intrigued), Strangers on a Train (1951) on August 2 and 3 (I’ve been meaning to revisit this film for awhile), and the “Pennsylvania Theatrical Premiere” of Gregg Araki’s Smiley Face (2007) on August 16 and 17. Oakmont can be difficult to get to for those of us who don’t drive, but it’s a beautiful theater that’s worth the trip.
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There’s a whole bunch of information about the latest edition of the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project available at their website. Key dates:
Wednesday, May 14: Meet and Greet
Friday, June 6: Kickoff
Sunday, June 8: Dropoff
Tuesday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 18: Screenings
Friday, June 20: Best Of Screening, After Party/Awards Ceremony
I was mostly impressed with the first Pgh 48HFP, and there’s no reason to believe this second one won’t be even better.
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Do any New Yorkers still read this site? If so, dig this: Jefferson Presents, my favorite monthly avant-garde/experimental film showcase, is going on the road to the Museum of Modern Art. This Saturday, May 17 (8pm) screening will feature some of my favorite Pittsburgh filmmakers. Highly recommended.
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Last but not least, my tentative viewing schedule for the Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival:
Saturday, May 10: Takva (2006) at 6pm at Regent and Amal (2007) at 8pm at Regent
Sunday, May 11: The Edge of Heaven (2007) at 8pm at Regent
Friday, May 16: A Colt is My Passport (1967) at 7:30 at the Warhol and Plains Wanderer (1960) at 9pm at the Warhol
Saturday, May 17: Tuya’s Marriage (2006) at 4pm at the Harris and Half Moon (2006) at 6:30pm at the Melwood
Sunday, May 18: Chop Shop (2006) at 6pm at the Harris
Wednesday 07 May 2008 | andyhorbal | Film, Upcoming
Did you make it to AMAL? I did. I didn’t hate it, but it was too constrained by convention.
I did! That was an impressive crowd . . . .
I definitely see what you’re saying, but the story was morally complex enough to keep me engaged throughout anyway. I’m still thinking the film through (in preparation for a brief post about it, along with Takva and The Edge of Heaven), but I think I’m going to give the filmmakers a pass. They did convention pretty well, and they used it to say something worthwhile.
The Q&A and the energy of this screening added a lot to the experience for me.
I can’t really disagree with what you’ve said. The scenes with Amal and his mother, the woman and the injured girl are all fantastic. Those scenes of the wayward son gambling, groveling and killing were what didn’t do it for me. I see that Barry Paris liked it a lot: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08129/879846-120.stm
I’m going to do everything I can to make it to “The Edge of Heaven” tomorrow night.
Let me know what you think! I like talking about it, but I’m not in a hurry to write about it, especially when so much has already been said!
The new FILM COMMENT just came in the mail, and there’s a piece about the film in there, also.