Showing posts with label 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival. Show all posts
The 2014 edition of the Milwaukee Film Festival is coming to a close - but it is NOT OVER YET...you still have chances to get out and enjoy a couple days of the fest. and there are some big events for the last 3 nights of the fest!
Tonight - features Point and Shoot a documentary by Marshall Curry (he'll be in attendance too!)
Point and Shoot is a poignant, heartbreaking, yet inspirational tale of Matthew VanDyke. VanDyke was on a journey across Africa on a motorcycle to "find" himself and ... purpose in general, all under the guise of filming a travel video.
On that journey he met a man in Libya and fell in love with the country and the Libyan people. So when revolution swept the area, he knew there was only one thing to do. Head to Libya with his friend and fight.
This amazing documentary will give you VanDyke's actual war footage. Footage like nothing you have seen before.
You'll hear the bullets. You'll feel the pain. You'll experience a war, close up and unfiltered. You will realize the emotions involved with Matthew, his girlfriend Loren and his many friends on the ground in Libya.
Director Marshall Curry weaves VanDyke's amazing footage together to not only tell the story of the war and the fighting, but to also capture the unique growth of an individual. An individual that struggles with many things in his personal life. An individual that is not perfect, but wants nothing less than to become his own person.
It doesn't matter if you are pro-war or anti-war. It doesn't matter if you believe in the Libyan revolution or can't find Libya on a map. Point and Shoot captures so much more than the war that it is filming. It will make you experience life/growth/death/war/happiness and may just allow you to grow a bit too. A truly special film.
(And if you miss it tonight - catch it on Thursday afternoon before the fest ends ... also at the Oriental.)
After this special film....stick around to check out A Year in Burgundy -- you fans of Somm from last year's fest...a nice relaxing movie featuring wine...tastes great!
Tomorrow features the annual "Secret Screening" for MKE Film members ... I have a sneaking suspsicion I have a hunch what it is...and if I'm right it would be a saintly night at the Oriental on Wednesday.
Finally - Closing night.... Thursday. Director Gil Cates Jr. and Star Sean Astin are in town for the film shot on Lake Michigan (among other locations)....Surface
More on that later...for now...enjoy the festival while you can, you get a chance to still check out films at the Oriental, Downer, Fox Bay and Times Cinema.
READ MORE
Tonight - features Point and Shoot a documentary by Marshall Curry (he'll be in attendance too!)
Point and Shoot is a poignant, heartbreaking, yet inspirational tale of Matthew VanDyke. VanDyke was on a journey across Africa on a motorcycle to "find" himself and ... purpose in general, all under the guise of filming a travel video.
On that journey he met a man in Libya and fell in love with the country and the Libyan people. So when revolution swept the area, he knew there was only one thing to do. Head to Libya with his friend and fight.
This amazing documentary will give you VanDyke's actual war footage. Footage like nothing you have seen before.
You'll hear the bullets. You'll feel the pain. You'll experience a war, close up and unfiltered. You will realize the emotions involved with Matthew, his girlfriend Loren and his many friends on the ground in Libya.
Director Marshall Curry weaves VanDyke's amazing footage together to not only tell the story of the war and the fighting, but to also capture the unique growth of an individual. An individual that struggles with many things in his personal life. An individual that is not perfect, but wants nothing less than to become his own person.
It doesn't matter if you are pro-war or anti-war. It doesn't matter if you believe in the Libyan revolution or can't find Libya on a map. Point and Shoot captures so much more than the war that it is filming. It will make you experience life/growth/death/war/happiness and may just allow you to grow a bit too. A truly special film.
(And if you miss it tonight - catch it on Thursday afternoon before the fest ends ... also at the Oriental.)
After this special film....stick around to check out A Year in Burgundy -- you fans of Somm from last year's fest...a nice relaxing movie featuring wine...tastes great!
Tomorrow features the annual "Secret Screening" for MKE Film members ... I have a sneaking suspsicion I have a hunch what it is...and if I'm right it would be a saintly night at the Oriental on Wednesday.
Finally - Closing night.... Thursday. Director Gil Cates Jr. and Star Sean Astin are in town for the film shot on Lake Michigan (among other locations)....Surface
More on that later...for now...enjoy the festival while you can, you get a chance to still check out films at the Oriental, Downer, Fox Bay and Times Cinema.
This is the part I'm most disappointed in being behind on...
The festival has begun it's second week of screenings and boy has it been exciting.
They have had the intriguing documentary 1971 kick off the festival and followed that up with a slew of interesting titles and appearances.
The Opening Saturday featured Stray Dog from the Academy Award-nominated director and
co-writer of the Jennifer Lawrence breakout film, Winter's Bone (also screened earlier the same day) Debra Granik. It didn't hurt that Ron "Stray Dog" Hall (no relation) was a Harley rider in a Harley town. Excellent programming choice if I do say so.
Saturday featured the enormous Sing-A-Long showing of Mary Poppins. Yep ... that was something special to be at, but I ... well I got sick... ARGH and bed/couch had its grip on me.
The weekend featured many appearances by Directors, Writers, Actors and more...this despite the fact that the craziness in Chicago at the air traffic control tower caused many travelers to not make it in for their appearances. The sellouts kept coming though and there are so many films already on rush through the end of the festival, that if you were thinking of going get your tickets now. (Check out what they have on rush AND what's selling quickly and buy your tickets in advance).
But the fun didn't stop for this year's turn with the Milwaukee Film Festival once the new week started.
Monday saw the Patels - the stars of Meet the Patels in town for their film and The Milwaukee Show I (always a crowd favorite with local flavor).
We saw big screenings of Man With a Movie Camera and This Is Spinal Tap on Tuesday.
Wednesday made me jealous of my colleague Gino Salomone as he sat down with Jim Abrahms and Jerry Zucker before that nights' special presentation of Top Secret! Sorry Gino - I stole this photo from your Facebook page...I love it! Catch Gino daily on Studio A on FOX 6 and well...with every celebrity under the sun!
Thursday was a slow night - let's face it...everyone was watching the Packer game - except of course myself who got called to Mayfair for a last minute look at Gone Girl before it's release on Friday.
And then....We get ready for another weekend.
What am I looking forward to as time goes on the next couple days here...
Well tonight ... legend Robert Townsend is in town for a screening of his hit Hollywood Shuffle at the Oriental, John Axford (formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers and now Pittsburgh Pirate) had an opening he'd rather not have with the Pirates elimination from the playoffs but will be doing his second favorite thing...seeing Dr. Strangelove at the Oriental and saying hi to his friends from Milwaukee Film. The Ax man is still a contributing sponsor to the festival and loves movies period! I still think it would be fun to do a review show titled, "Common Guy and The Stache" with him...but I digress.
Saturday features something I would love to see... Jimi: All Is By My Side from Mequon native John
Ridley. Ridley will be in town courtesy of Chris Abele to present the film in front of a hometown crowd that has long been on rush to see this. If you want a chance to get in...get you to that rush line as soon as you can before the 7PM show at the Oriental. And if that's not enough...that night will also feature a screening of the classic music film Stop Making Sense with Jerry Harrison schedule for the house.
Sunday features the film on rush that is truly garnering Oscar Buzz coming out of Toronto - It will take getting in line early on this Packer Free Sunday to get a chance at a seat to The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Toronto film fest going critics LOVED IT and many of the the experts at Goldderby.com have it in their list of possible Top 10 Best Picture candidates - as well as Benedict being at the top of many lists in the Best Actor race.
Click each of the links for the full list - a great chance to see a true favorite EARLY!!!
So that will take you through the weekend, yes there is more...but I have to stop at some point here...
Thanks Milwaukee Film for another Great Run - Folks ... you have one week left (including today) to get out and enjoy some great films! Do it now!!!
My apologies for the less indepth coverage...but now that I'm kicking this illness - we will get in as much as we can before I have to get back to the rest of my life...
Save me a Seat!
READ MORE
The festival has begun it's second week of screenings and boy has it been exciting.
They have had the intriguing documentary 1971 kick off the festival and followed that up with a slew of interesting titles and appearances.The Opening Saturday featured Stray Dog from the Academy Award-nominated director and
co-writer of the Jennifer Lawrence breakout film, Winter's Bone (also screened earlier the same day) Debra Granik. It didn't hurt that Ron "Stray Dog" Hall (no relation) was a Harley rider in a Harley town. Excellent programming choice if I do say so.
Saturday featured the enormous Sing-A-Long showing of Mary Poppins. Yep ... that was something special to be at, but I ... well I got sick... ARGH and bed/couch had its grip on me.
The weekend featured many appearances by Directors, Writers, Actors and more...this despite the fact that the craziness in Chicago at the air traffic control tower caused many travelers to not make it in for their appearances. The sellouts kept coming though and there are so many films already on rush through the end of the festival, that if you were thinking of going get your tickets now. (Check out what they have on rush AND what's selling quickly and buy your tickets in advance).
But the fun didn't stop for this year's turn with the Milwaukee Film Festival once the new week started.
Monday saw the Patels - the stars of Meet the Patels in town for their film and The Milwaukee Show I (always a crowd favorite with local flavor).
We saw big screenings of Man With a Movie Camera and This Is Spinal Tap on Tuesday.
Wednesday made me jealous of my colleague Gino Salomone as he sat down with Jim Abrahms and Jerry Zucker before that nights' special presentation of Top Secret! Sorry Gino - I stole this photo from your Facebook page...I love it! Catch Gino daily on Studio A on FOX 6 and well...with every celebrity under the sun!
Thursday was a slow night - let's face it...everyone was watching the Packer game - except of course myself who got called to Mayfair for a last minute look at Gone Girl before it's release on Friday.
And then....We get ready for another weekend.
What am I looking forward to as time goes on the next couple days here...
Well tonight ... legend Robert Townsend is in town for a screening of his hit Hollywood Shuffle at the Oriental, John Axford (formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers and now Pittsburgh Pirate) had an opening he'd rather not have with the Pirates elimination from the playoffs but will be doing his second favorite thing...seeing Dr. Strangelove at the Oriental and saying hi to his friends from Milwaukee Film. The Ax man is still a contributing sponsor to the festival and loves movies period! I still think it would be fun to do a review show titled, "Common Guy and The Stache" with him...but I digress.
Saturday features something I would love to see... Jimi: All Is By My Side from Mequon native John
Ridley. Ridley will be in town courtesy of Chris Abele to present the film in front of a hometown crowd that has long been on rush to see this. If you want a chance to get in...get you to that rush line as soon as you can before the 7PM show at the Oriental. And if that's not enough...that night will also feature a screening of the classic music film Stop Making Sense with Jerry Harrison schedule for the house.
Sunday features the film on rush that is truly garnering Oscar Buzz coming out of Toronto - It will take getting in line early on this Packer Free Sunday to get a chance at a seat to The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Toronto film fest going critics LOVED IT and many of the the experts at Goldderby.com have it in their list of possible Top 10 Best Picture candidates - as well as Benedict being at the top of many lists in the Best Actor race.
Click each of the links for the full list - a great chance to see a true favorite EARLY!!!
So that will take you through the weekend, yes there is more...but I have to stop at some point here...
Thanks Milwaukee Film for another Great Run - Folks ... you have one week left (including today) to get out and enjoy some great films! Do it now!!!
My apologies for the less indepth coverage...but now that I'm kicking this illness - we will get in as much as we can before I have to get back to the rest of my life...
Save me a Seat!
 |
| Loved this photo by the MKE Film crew! Credit: MKE FILM |
With the dawning of the day, it is time to get things started for the 2014 edition of the Milwaukee
Film Festival.
Film Festival.
Opening Night brings with it a documentary this year, one of my favorite things to check out during the festival. This film is 1971 and it is your only pick on opening night (well there is the big shindig after the film, but I’m only talking about the movies here.)
Here’s your breakdown for tonight.
FEATURED TITLE
1971
7PM Oriental Theatre (SOLD OUT - RUSH TIX MAY BE AVAILABLE)
The story of the 1971 break-in at the FBI office in Media, PA and the subsequent release of the confidential documents to the media came before Snowden, before Wikileaks and before Watergate. It is the first time that some of the individuals that carried out the brazen break-in had their story come out.
The story from director Johanna Hamiltion (Scheduled to appear for questions) turns into a skillfully crafted thriller.
There is a combination of interview footage (and some good stuff here), archival footage and reenactments to tell the story.
The journey comes from the protest backgrounds of the individuals through the break-in and on to the investigation.
In light of all that is going on in society today, it is interesting to see this look inside the entire process of what must have gone on with many a case through the year.
A fascinating and riveting film that shows one of the reasons I LOVE documentaries!
Get out and see it.
Welcome Johanna to our incredible city and welcome back Milwaukee Film Festival 2014 – We’ve missed you!
OTHER SHOWINGS
Saturday 9/27 – 1:45PM Oriental Theatre
Saturday 9/27 – 1:45PM Oriental Theatre
Check out the 1971 Trailer, below!
Look...
Sometimes doing what I do, you get caught up in everything and you just miss things when you first find out about them - my pile of DVD's to catch up on is a testament to that. So today I decided YOU NEED TO BE CAUGHT UP on what is happening with Milwaukee Film.
Today they made their latest announcement...their Sound Vision lineup for this year's festival.
Always a favorite for me...this is the series that always will have you tapping your toes in the aisles, remembering some of your favorite acts, and learning about other special musical visionaries that you may never have known about.
From the Milwaukee Film Release...
 |
| Stop Making Sense |
Blyth Meier, Marketing Director for Milwaukee Film and programmer for Sound Vision is ecstatic about this year’s riveting lineup:
“20,000 Days on Earth–about the enigmatic musician, writer and poet Nick Cave–is one I’m incredibly excited to bring to Milwaukee. The timing on this is fantastic as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds recently performed here and left us all in awe. What makes it even more special to me on a personal level is that the first time I watched 20,000 Dayswas at Sundance, sitting across from Cave himself. It was surreal,” shares Blyth. On why she programmed The Talking Heads documentary for the second year in a row, Blyth explains, “Last year's screening of Stop Making Sense became a gigantic dance party–how could we not show it again this year for its 30th anniversary?”
And Blyth has been someone I trust!
The program is sponsored this year by WMSE 91.7FM and The Pabst Theater
See the full list on the Milwaukee Film website - Sound Vision Lineup
along with Trailers and More!
But they haven't just announced Sound Vision recently...also they announce a REALLY Cool food related program.
Let's face it food at the box office has produced some totally memorable films this year. From the recently released The Hundred-Foot Journey to the inspired Chef ... food on the bigscreen has been truly appetizing.
So it makes PERFECT sense that the place where I was introduced to the magical film about wine (SOMM) and the indepth and emotional film about the love with food in all types of restaurants (Spinning Plates).
From the Milwaukee Film Release
 |
| Starfish Throwers |
“We have such a strong food heritage in Milwaukee thanks to the diverse communities that settled here–it only seems fitting to introduce Film Feast to the Festival. The films screening as part of the program are as much about the food itself–the preparation and consumption–as they are about the incredible life and culture around them. We’re acknowledging both with an incredible range of films that go beyond standard food documentaries,” shares Jonathan Jackson, Artistic and Executive Director for Milwaukee Film.
The program is presented by The Bartlotta Restaurants and the Media Sponsor is OnMilwaukee.com
That's just the last two announcements from Milwaukee Film. I love the festival, but know that by the time it hits, since we missed summer here, it will be on the way to cooler days....and I don't want to let summer go. But if I have to...there's nothing better than to get me in the theater with a great festival.
The 6th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival will be held September 25-October 9, 2014.