The LCH Film Fest is the first in the world to showcase films for nonprofits and cause-driven organizations. Last year, they screened a film about this organization that very nearly prompted me to hop on a plane to Kenya to teach girls math. (Note, I am horrible at math. And have also never been to Africa. This might tell you something about those films' heart strings pullage.)
LCH Film Fest kicks off tonight, and while a good number of the screenings are devoted to shorts -- like this Adopt a Cat video from Best Friends Animal Society, that I must watch over and over again with a stupid grin on my face -- there is a particularly buzzy feature film that spotlights religious abuse.
It's called Paradise Recovered, and it played at the Austin Film Festival last year. It looks FASCINATING.
See what I mean? Doesn't it look interesting?
For Austinites, what's equally intriguing as the story itself is the amount of Austin in it. The film was partially shot here, stars Austinites as the lead characters, was directed by a graduate of The University of Texas (Storme Wood), and was written by a graduate of the Austin Graduate School of Theology (Andie Redwine. Coolest last name ever).
Paradise Recovered has already won a slew of indie film fest awards, and its profits are going to provide mental health services for survivors of religious abuse. Andie, a former member of the Worldwide Church of God (she left at 18), wrote this film over a period of two years while she tried to figure out fundamentalism in Christianity, cult history, and mind control. She even interviewed 100 survivors from 18 aberrant church groups for her research!
Andie still considers herself a follower of Jesus' teachings, but used this film to, in part, explore how one's faith could be reframed outside of a rigid, oppressive culture.
I'm just enthralled. While I was never a member of a "high demand" church myself, I definitely did attend a church for a while, and eventually left because I couldn't relate to church culture. Or rather, my church's culture. I didn't write off spirituality, and think that many faiths (including Christianity) have wisdom to offer, but ... when my pastor started telling the congregation who to vote for, I thought: "Ruh roh! Time to mosey!"
Anyway. Paradise Recovered plays tonight during the Lights. Camera. Help. Film Festival's kick-off screening at RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service (2311 Red River), starting at 7pm. A three-day event, you may purchase single-day passes for the LCH Film Fest at $13.00 each.
Please let me know if you attend! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this film.
Before this year, I never really knew how SXSW Film "worked."
In years past, people would ask if I was excited about all the movie screenings during SXSW. "Yeah totally," I would say.
Lies. I didn't know what was playing.
Except for TUB last year: A movie about a guy that jerks off in the shower and impregnates his bathtub. That one I was quite excited about.
However, this year, I am turning over a new leaf. I am actually going to see movies. I have a badge, so why not use it?
Because I find the internet highly confusing / overstimulating, I opened up my March 4 issue of The Austin Chronicle and circled my film selections there. I would now like to share them with you.
How about that photo quality, huh? It's probably blowing your mind.
*My Three Top Picks for SXSW Film 2011*
# 1: Hesher
Starring: Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rainn Wilson
Hello, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I don't care if he has dirty long hair. I don't mind if he sits around in tighty whities. I don't care if he draws on himself. If Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in a movie, that's basically good enough for me.
My question is, Natalie Portman. What? This has got to be like the 18th movie she made last year. If I were her, I would now hibernate with my pregnant self for a very long time. It's time to kick your feet up, Natalie. Take out the Bon-Bons. Select from carton. Insert in mouth. You deserve it.
Right, so -- the plot. Here's what The Chronicle says: "Loud music. Pornography. Burning shit down. And it's just this kind of anarchy that's needed to shake the burdens of sorrow from a boy and his father." But this could have said: "Cereal. Cardboard box. Grocery shopping. Together at last" and I would still go see it. Why? Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
I'm catching it Tuesday March 15, 9:30pm at Arbor Cinema.
#2: The Future
Starring: Miranda July, Hamish Linklater
This movie involves two of my favorite things, cats and Miranda July.Details and trailers are somewhat spare.
As is the promotional art.
However! Like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, if Miranda July is involved in, well ... anything, I'm pretty sure it's great. From The Chronicle:
"The story of a couple who, upon deciding to adopt a cat, change their perspective on life, literally altering the course of time and testing their faith in each other and themselves."
Ross and I could essentially be this couple. We got together shortly after he and Claudia got together, and look! Now we are married. Me and Ross, not me and Claudia.
You just don't know what you're missing, dog people.
I'm seeing it Wednesday March 16, 9:30pm at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz.
#3: Win Win
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor
Haha, I almost typed "Wine Wine." Probably because Paul Giamatti is in this one, reminding me of one of my favorite (wine) movies of all time, Sideways. Yay.
Now doesn't that look sweet? Maybe a teeny-weeny bit corny. That's ok. Sometimes you just want a small town tale of family and small, but meaningful, triumphs. Amiright?
In truth I probably won't get to see Win Win until after SXSW. It screens just once, Monday March 14, 7:15pm at The Paramount, which is approximately the time I'm going to be prepping for this fashion show at The Mohawk. I would tell you more but I don't know much. Only that I will be modeling as something solidly orange. That's right, orange. When people ask me to do this kind of stuff, I've learned it's best not to ask too many questions.
Yesterday, The Onion's A.V. Club ran a brief about forthcoming Terence Malick film Tree of Life, shot just outside Austin in Smithville, Texas. That headline you see above is theirs, not mine, but it was so good I couldn't resist using it. (And furthermore, our very own Sean O'Neal -- editor of A.V. Club Austin -- authored said piece and presumably, headline).
Watching this trailer is a little like watching NOVA in the beginning, and then Brad Pitt, and then the 1950s, and then Sean Penn? I'm not 100% sure what it's about. But it looks Oscar baity.
Fun facts about Tree of Life's filming in Smithville:
It's also where that Sandra Bullock movie, Hope Floats, was filmed.
I will probably see Tree of Life. But I don't know. Sometimes I lack patience for movies that, from the outset, look like they're trying to teach you something about life, about this crazy world of ours, that forcefeed you some kind of larger lesson. Movies like Crash.
What movies do you guys want to see right now? For me, it's Blue Valentine all the way. Thanks for the recommendation, Lauren.
(Psst, update. Frank Rivera! You are the ticket winner. Congrats, friend!)
Ok, so. This past summer, I saw a preview for this film right before watching I Am Love. Have you seen that one, by the way? Tilda Swinton, hot, Italian-speaking, and sultry? I know. Tilda Swinton, embodying all of those adjectives. Believe it.
Anyway, when Lebanon flashed on the screen, I felt that awful, anticipatory pang. You know, the kind on television, when the abusive husband is softly touching his wife's face, and you know he's about to hit her. It's going to hurt - both her, and you, too - but you can't not watch. You want to be there with her, support her somehow, even though she's fictional, and you can't reach through the screen and still the husband's palm. All you can offer is your sustained gaze, because - while she may not be real - it's these small demonstrations of empathy that, you know, keeps you human.
I've read a few reviews of Lebanon since that preview. It is about a war, a war that happened the same year I was born. A 20-year-old gunner inside one of the tanks that first crossed the border into Lebanon, during Israel's invasion, cannot shoot when ordered to, and then, he can. Actually, he discovers he can kill many people.
The gunner tells his story from the crosshairs of his tank, and that's the view we see as the audience, too. Three decades later, that gunner grew up and made a movie about what he saw. And that movie is Lebanon.
“There is a metamorphosis, first physical, when you lose your sense of taste, you don’t need to eat, you suddenly hear and see everything sharp and clear. When you fall into such an extreme situation, when the basic rules of life are not there, you can’t continue thinking with the logic of normal life.
At the end you don’t fight for your country or your kids, you’re fighting for your life.”
Those are quotes the director, Samuel Maoz, gave The New York Times in a story this summer. It is his very first feature film.
Sometimes I don't think I have the stomach for war films, but then I saw The Hurt Locker. And loved it of course. The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien? Only one of my favorite college reads, ever. I think "war films" or "war books" as genres are victims of being washed over in very broad strokes, the subtext being: "dude stuff."
But we both know that's just not true. Ladies like intelligent war films, too. Sometimes we are in the mood for The Kids Are Alright, sometimes we can take on Lebanon.
SO! Ladies, and dudes. After a slightly rambling opener, I actually have a pair of tickets to Lebanon to give away. They come courtesy of the Austin Jewish Film Festival, who graciously offered to supply an Austin Eavesdropper reader with passes. It opens at Regal Arbor Cinema on Friday, September 24, and will be showing at 12:20, 2:50, 5:20, 7:50 and 10:15 that day and every day the week following.
To enter, simply leave a comment answering this question: what is the best movie you've seen lately?
I'll pick a winner on Friday, by 11am CT. Remember to leave your email address so I can notify you, por favor.
PS. I know this film/post has been heavy, but no judging if you loved Sex and the City 2 or something. Hell. I cued up Despicable Me the other day.
Of course you know David. He's probably the most well-connected person I know here in Austin, and possibly, the world.
I call David my Networking Genie! That's because at least once a month, I receive an email from him that says, "YOU TWO SHOULD MEET," with an important person CC'd. He is a master connector with a crazy Twitter following, a social media trainer to non-profits, and on top of all that, a co-host for a local TV show about ghosthunting in Austin. Facebook like button, meet my finger.
So when David wrote me a few days ago to ask if I'd get the word out about his organization's upcoming film festival, I said: No.
Just kidding, I said yes, a thousand times yes, David. Because who could say no to that face? NO ONE, that's who.
It helps that I really like the film festival.
David and his buddies run Lights. Camera. Help., a non-profit that teaches other non-profits how to use film and video. Last year, they launched the Lights. Camera. Help. Film Festival, the world's first fest dedicated entirely to cause-driven films. This year, it has expanded from one day to three days, 20 finalists to 35. ALL proceeds from tickets ($12 for one-day pass, $30 for all three days) will be donated to the organizations featured in the winning films.
Now, a word on those films. I didn't know what a "cause-driven" film was, so I looked at the line-up. We've got:
-Children reading in Queens
-A goat being rescued
-Gay people getting married!
-People with cerebral palsy being included in their families' lives
-Hungry people eating
-I'm not very good at describing these
I know! Let's look at some trailers. The first is produced by EcoViva, an organization that promotes sustainable development in El Salvador; the second is for Daraja Academy, a girls' school in Kenya. I LOVE that one.
Do you see what I mean? Those girls' smiling faces pull at le heartstrings, non?
If the goal of this film festival is to inspire viewers, then it worked, because I immediately hopped onto Daraja Academy's website the first time I watched that trailer. "I wonder how feasible it would be to fly to Africa and teach girls MATH?" I thought. And I don't even like math.
That's why this is a genius film festival.
Lights. Camera. Help. Film Festival kicks off tomorrow, and runs through Saturday. To buy tickets, click here.
I have two words on this Saturday afternoon: Annette Bening.
I absolutely, 100%, with conviction and purpose, WORSHIP Annette Bening.
There are many mysteries we encounter in this life. For example:
What makes Austin so magical?
Are fish sentient creatures?
Duckbill platypuses? (Seriously - what happened there)?
But one of the biggest mysteries, to me, is why Annette Bening does not have an Oscar yet.
Before we talk about her though, is it just me, or did the ho-hum summer movie line-up suddenly get jerked right out of its How to Train Your Dragon-is-the-freaking-box-office-highlight rut?
Are you ready? Because we're going to discuss this.
Now, the way they cut this trailer is a little cutesy. And it does not NEARLY do the film justice.
But as my friend Megan can attest, I could hardly drive home from the Drafthouse last night after seeing it.
I was still swimming in this movie.
The premise: A married, midlife, lesbian couple (Annette Bening - SWOON! - and Julianne Moore) have two teenage kids. Those kids decide to contact their sperm donor. Paul - an early 40s, groovy, motorcycle-riding, organic restaurant-owning, "it's all good!" zen, very sexy kinda guy - is played by Mark Ruffalo. Let's stop right there.
J'adore this sweet face!
Mark Ruffalo is appealing to me in that real-person kind of way. It's like Jeff Bridges versus Tom Cruise. With all due respect to my 12-year-old crush - Maverick in Top Gun - I would take Bridges over Cruise, an Efron, a Gossip Girl cast AND a whole truckload of rippling ab, glassy-eyed Twilight dorks combined.
Just sayin'.
And Ruffalo goes in the Bridges Camp.
Anyway, where were we? Ah yes. Paul, Ruffalo's character. Hot as all get-out.
Well, the kids love him of course. As do most of his restaurant employees, auxiliary characters fainting in his wake, and us, the viewers.
But one half of the lesbian couple is suspicious of Paul. Or rather, the way Paul's sudden appearance draws some repressed family dynamics to the pleasant, suburban surface of things. And one half of the couple ... well. That half is curious.
And this is where I will leave you, because you really must go see it.
Also? I feel like I should warn you, my fellow Austinites. Because this movie is lifestyle porn. Aside from the impeccable casting and performances, the script WRITING, and the crazy good reviews The Kids Are All Right is getting, the film is visually luscious. Too luscious.
No, I'm not talking about the actors. Obviously they are. What I'm talking about is the CAMEO ROLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PLAY IN THIS MOVIE!
Heh. Forgive me - don't know why I felt the need to all-caps (and exclamation point) that last, apparently very important, detail?
But suffice it to say, you'll want to grow your own garden, and eat out of it, after watching. Which is another reason this movie will probably get a lot of awards. Because we're all going to go local and eat sauteed green bell peppers for a week upon viewing.
Speaking of which, food is also the reason you should go watch The Kids are All Right at Alamo Drafthouse. As a dessert special, they offer fresh Strawberry Rhubarb pie during the movie.
And if you're extra lucky, they'll play my absolute favorite "Don't Talk" Drafthouse video beforehand, like they did last night.
UPDATED: My dad just pointed out to me that Annette Bening's last name is spelled with TWO n's, not three. Sorry Annette! I know you read this blog all the time!
Can we please make this screening happen at the Drafthouse? I personally think it's begging for the Master Pancake treatment. It's like La Bomba, Car Wash, Fame, and Center Stage all rolled into one:
Once upon a time though, San Jose was a roach motel. It was originally built in the 1930s, an ultra-modern motor court. But as Austin grew up, and South Congress - for a time - became known as the dodgy part of town, San Jose fell into disrepair. It was the Miss Havisham of South Congress.
That was the '90s. In 1997, Liz Lambert purchased San Jose, befriended the community that inhabited it, and eventually turned it into the upscale, Zen-like San Jose that we know today. Its interesting transformation has been turned into a documentary, being screened tonight (for free!) at the hotel, at 7:00pm.
Immediately following the screening, there will be an after party catered by La Condesa (mmm), and a performance by Amy Cook.
Hotel San Jose is located at 1316 South Congress Ave.
Afterward - if you geek out over SXSWi stuff like me - check out Mashable's Mash Bash going on tonight at 10:00pm. RSVP here, and go meet interwebs superstars!
You guys, I am SO excited. Tomorrow, I'm going to an early screening for The Runaways - that Joan Jett movie with Kristen Stewart. AND Dakota Fanning.
Dear God I love you, Kristen Stewart. I like how whenever she gets photographed, she looks vaguely uncomfortable and not all hard-core pose-y. You know what I mean? Like, she's showing up because it's her job, and that's that.
Anyway, I'm going with my buddy Emily from Girls Rock Camp, and I am wondering if Emily would be freaked out if I dressed to theme. Ideas:
The screening is at 11....am.
Here's what I've got so far:
A good start, but unfortunately I lack pants. Am trying to think of what Joan Jett would do in such a situation. Am thinking she'd probably just skip them?
So, lacking both appropriate pantwear and the moxie to simply go without at tomorrow (morning)'s screening, I am learning toward either tights with shorts, a trend I am currently wearing to death, or, a ridiculous black leather skirt I scored at Buffalo Exchange about a year ago for $7 and have never, ever worn. It was one of those days where I was like, "you know what every self-respecting woman needs? A SKIN-TIGHT BLACK LEATHER SKIRT. WITH A BROKEN ZIPPER."
I know. I've never heard of that fashion rule for women, either. I'm just as confused as you are.
UPDATE: Here's what I went with!
I know I know. Shorts with tights. I can't stop! Also, this picture is hard to make out. Which is why I made a special effort to get close-up shots of the metal-y, Joan Jett-like wristwear, with increasing degrees of toughness.
Scary
Scarier
Scariest!
I'm not sure what that face is saying, but I believe it's something along the lines of: "DON'T F-K WITH THE BABYSITTER." Either that or "I'm really really constipated!"
Hooray! Just as I was thinking to myself, "man, I have been a lazy, lazy blogger this week," GARY! went and turned things around! He sent over this great post, and now you are about to read it. I'll give you the skinny: Oscar Party and drag queens. Gays, do I have your attention?
Anyway, while the SXSW madness rises to a fever pitch - a pitch that makes us want to freak dance - GARY! took a moment to recognize a really cool benefit that's happening this weekend at the Driskill. It involves the 82nd Academy Awards, and in my mind, there's really only one question:
James Cameron or Kathryn Bigelow?
This one is really hard to call. Especially since there are some awesome underdogs this year for Best Picture: An Education (French, sexy), Inglorious Basterds (violent, funny), Precious (I am a bad person because I haven't seen this yet!)
But. The ex-husband and ex-wife, James and Kathryn. Friends, that's a competition made of Hollywood gold, you know it and I know it. My money's on Kathryn, even though I loved Avatar, the way a little kid loves Schlitterbahn. But The Hurt Locker...Jesus. Have you seen it? If so, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Anyhoo - onto GARY! Here he is:
So I figured it was about time I got back on the wagon... I've been a little MIA lately, and for that I apologize. This weekend promises to be another one of those uniquely Austin weekends where there is literally something for everyone. So I think Im going to go a little backwards here and start with Sunday evening.
Why you ask?
Well, Sunday is Oscar's "coming out party" (sorry, the pun IS intended), and what better place to welcome that stunning, statuesque figurine back into our lives then at the AGLIFF Oscar Party at the Driskill Hotel?
Not to toot our own horn, but if you've ever been to a great party, chances are a gay person had a hand in it. Seriously, have you ever been to a gay man's Super Bowl party? They don't JUST have dip, they have EIGHT LAYER DIP (think seven layer dip, but with an extra layer of fabulousness). Kidding aside, the real reason I'm telling you about this particular Oscar party is that the proceeds help fund one of the oldest and largest gay/lesbian film fests in the Southwestern United States (the Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival), as well as the Paul Kirby Emergency Fund at AIDS Services of Austin. Both organizations provide services to Austin that help make this the city we all love. So if you have an itch to throw on your Sunday best and hang out in a sea of awesome, hit the link and grab a ticket here.
Side note: The $100 dinner tickets have already sold out, so that only leaves the $30 GA tickets, which include Tito's cocktails, all the fun and entertainment, as well as truffled popcorn and other twists on movie concessions.
The rest of the details are below, or you can view the actual press release here.
The aGLIFF Oscar Party General Information:
$30 general admission (includes a few Tito's cocktails and truffled popcorn)
6pm: Doors open and Red Carpet celebrations with gratis Titos refreshments
Raffles for great prizes like a night at the Driskill, AFF passes and aGLIFF memberships will run throughout the night.
The Oscar Pool winner will be announced at the end of the Oscars. You do not have to be present to win...but it will be a lot more fun if you are!
Silent Auction will close at 9:15 - 9:30pm
Attire: Glam it up! We would like for you to come dressed for the Red Carpet, but we are NOT requiring that you dress formal. Many individuals, however, have told us that they are looking forward to wearing suits, tuxes and gowns. Others are making costumes from their favorite movies. This is Austin; be yourself...but know that you have to make it past ol' Rebecca Havemeyer and there will be gifts awarded for best dressed!
Ok. This is not the kind of thing GARY! and I normally discuss on Austin Eavesdropper, being far too busy thinking about dance parties and clothes and stuff to fill our heads with weighty matters like gender stereotypes. But, seriously. I want these - and by "these" I mean reductive, uncreative depictions of the Typical Man and Typical Woman - to stop.
Alright. The advertising brains behind this Super Bowl Dodge Charger ad knew it would piss women off, and the feminist response has been said and said well. The commentators include my delightful editor Andrea Grimes at Heartless Doll, and I recommend you reading her post.
The bottom line: women are oppressive nags, men attached to them are neutered drones; women like vampires, men like fast cars. For the thoughtful lady (and gentleman), this commercial is...boring. No woman wants a man like that, and I'm not sure he exists either, except perhaps in the imaginations of people who create Super Bowl commercials. Moving on.
The trailer for Valentine's Day is a smidge more subtle, and yet, it makes me angrier. Angry because I know woman friends of mine, whom I adore and who are smart, sharp, and sane, will pay money to see this movie.
Watching this trailer, I am reminded of the first time I heard "Your Body is a Wonderland" by John Mayer. Even though I am not the ballsiest or certainly the most articulate feminist that ever walked, something feminist indeed pricked up inside me when I heard that song. Something called suspicion. Suspicion for any guy who has ever called my skin "porcelain" and my mouth "candy lips" just so he could get in my pants. And ladies, that is what that song is: an I-will-be-getting-in-your-pants-because-I-am-sensitive song.
Now with the upcoming release of Valentine's Day, that small, suspicious voice is piping up again. I think she's saying: "You about to get played, sucka."
And ladies? We ARE being played. No one cares whether you are single on Valentine's Day. This is a made-up fret.
I should probably stop right here and say I am not patently against girly movies. Love Actually? LOVE IT. I'll watch it again and again, cry every time, and replay the scene where Hugh Grant dances to The Pointer Sisters roughly eight times upon each viewing. I will eat every Jane Austen remake up with a big British spoon, quote Clueless 'til I'm blue in the face, and if Colin Firth stars in anything I'm pretty much sold.
But I won't watch a movie that makes me feel like it has been focus grouped to death. A movie that was made with a very talented, charismatic, and good-looking cast to be sure, but by placing this cast in t-i-r-e-d roles. Queen Latifah is the sassy black friend? You don't say! Ashton Kutcher is aw-shucks boyish yet tender dreamboat? SHOCKING.
Also, and this is a spoiler alert so stop reading if you plan to see this movie. Bradley Cooper gets with a dude in the movie. Did you know that? Watch the trailer again. Doesn't it look like he's got eyes only for Julia? Friends, those come-hither gazes are for Eric Dane, but the marketing team of Valentine's Day carefully excised that detail. Maybe this is so they could save one surprise among a set of storylines we can pretty much figure out ourselves (sorry), but I can think of a few cooler surprises. (Like Kathy Bates getting with Jessical Biel). Warner Bros! Yay for featuring two gay male characters; now step up to the plate and own it!
One last thing to say about all this. I have been trying to figure out why I adored Love Actually, yet met Valentine's Day - and last year, its 2009 doppelganger He's Just Not That Into You - with a hard eye roll. A tough question. But I think the answer is this: while appealing to my estrogen, Love Actually didn't feel oh-so-carefully calibrated to monetize a made-up point of female insecurity. I know I know - I'm married, so I cannot speak for single women here. But I am willing to bet actual single ladies don't greet Valentine's Day with impending disaster. I bet they don't beat up pinatas. I bet they don't drink the pain away. When I was single, my friends and I drank...but not for pain. For chocolate. Because red wine and chocolate are delicious together. You know it, and I know it.
(Ok I lied; I have ONE more thing to say and then I promise I'm through. I'm mad Valentine's Day co-opted my beloved Phoenix and Mika. Grumble harumph grumble!)
Thoughts?
EDITOR'S NOTE, 2/14/10: I received an insightful, wise email from Rose at Pink Sun Drops after I posted this, and asked her if I could share part of it with y'all.
Rose and I were discussing exactly which message Valentine's Day, the movie, is trying to peddle about Valentine's Day, the holiday. Reading her email helped me realize how quickly I latched onto the reductive parts of the film's marketing, and didn't stop to consider the fact that there may be a more subtle, non-couple love lesson squirreled away inside the story itself. On that note, here is Rose:
"Valentine's Day has always symbolized love for me, whether that be with a significant other, your family, or your friends. My Dad said he didn't celebrate Valentine's Day, but would always go out the day after and have teddy bears, chocolates, and balloons delivered to my school for my sister and I. I love that memory. Recently I've become aware that there are indeed women who hate Valentine's Day, though, so I don't mind seeing that take on it either. That being said, I am generally wary of all star casts in movies as they seem to bomb the most often. But I always keep hoping for another Love Actually. I guess in the end I'm hoping this movie emphasizes, as Emma Grace puts it the production notes from the movie, "It doesn't have to be a couples' thing; it can be just about family and friends... as long as you're with people you love."
--Thank you for your gentle words, Rose. If I was a better journalist, I would actually go see the movie, and report back! Sadly, I am not, but if you go see it, I will be intrigued by your reaction. Please share if you do, yes?
But. Before you blaze off into the weekend, why not let Austin Eavesdropper's better half give you the inside scoop? Below, GARY! reveals his weekend agenda, and invites you to share your plans in the comments section below. GARY!, take it away:
Well Reader, we made it. One more work week has passed us by and we have survived to live work another day. My intention in writing to you today isn’t to get you down on the fact that in 48 hours we will once again pass go, collect our $200, maybe buy some real estate, and possibly (for some) end up in jail. Now I know what you are thinking: Did Gary just do a Monopoly™ metaphor for life? Yes. Yes I did. You see today is Friday. That means for the next 48 hours we all get to be our own bosses. We get to do what we want, when we want. So this begs the question, “What are YOU going to do with YOUR 48 hours?”
Now it’s sometimes nice to have one of those quiet weekends where you get centered, but this friend, is NOT one of those weekends. Why you say? Well for starters have you seen the weather forecast? This is the kind of weekend to get out there and actually LIVE IN AUSTIN. And yes I know you already live here, but how often do you experience everything that makes this one of the damn sexiest cities in the US? I want you to use Austin. I want you to take advantage of her (yes I’ve decided that Austin is a girl. Deal with it). Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty.
The following takes place between Friday 5:00pm and Sunday 12:00am. The events occur in real time.
Friday: A Town Called Panic & The Learning Secrets Birthday Blowout
8:00pm
Now I'm going to mount the old soapbox here for a second to give you some advice. It’s no secret that I have mad LOVE for the Alamo Drafthouse. Without a doubt it is definitely one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. When people from outside of Austin hear about it they rarely understand how anyone could love a movie theater this much. They say things like, well yeah it’s cool that they serve beer and food, but it’s just a movie theater. When I hear that phrase, I just want to load a tube sock up with a bunch of quarters and starting swinging it over my head like Lucy Lawless in Xena: The Warrior Princess. JUST A MOVIE THEATER? How dare you!
What makes the Drafthouse more than your average AMC/Cinemark are the people behind the scenes. People like Tim League, Henri Mazza, Lars Nilsen, and Zack Carlson who program some of the coolest things most people outside of LA and NY never get a chance to see. So when you see them recommend something, you should heed their advice and buy a ticket. This is exactly what I did when I heard they were bringing A Town Called Panicto Austin. This film that won the Fantastic Fest Audience Award, and if you visited the Drafthouse in the past two months, then you have surely seen the bizarre stop motion animation trailer featuring a mischievous Cowboy, his friend Indian, and a Talking Horse.
According to their website, Panic was never even supposed to play in Austin, and is currently only scheduled for a one week run at the Alamo Ritz. Not sure how long this one is going to be playing, so if you’re interested I would probably go sooner than later. (Tickets here.) Oh and if you are interested in following the Alamo crew on Twitter, you can find them all here.
9:30pm
After the movie it is a short jaunt down the street to Beauty Bar (location location location!) to meet up with those purveyors of fun, Learning Secrets. Tolly did a post on this party last week that you can find here. There should still be time to RSVP, but if you are coming, hurry up and get on it. We ain’t got no time for jibba jabba!
Saturday: Bike Rides, Greenbelts, Beer, and Hip Hop
11:00am
If the forecast is to be believed, it is going to be freaking nice this outside. Next to Portland we probably have one of the best cities for outdoor activities, so make sure you get out there and take full advantage of the awesomeness by going for a bike ride, a run around Town Lake, or hit up the Greenbelt. Check out these pics of Cambell’s Hole I took last weekend, and tell me you don’t want to go adventuring on the Greenbelt.
7:00pm
But Gary, what happens when the sun goes down? I’m glad you asked, because hip hop happens, that’s what. We have 2 shows to choose from on Saturday. Aesop Rock is playing at Mohawk. I love this guy and this is where I will be for sure. The last time I checked tickets were still available for $20, but I'm told that it is very close to selling out.
The second show is actually a local act called BetaPlayer. Show starts at 9:45 over at The Independent, and you can find more info on that show over at Do512.
Sunday: The Lord’s Day
1:00pm
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Simply put, find the best damn patio that serves brunch and park yourself there until they kick you out. Brunch is THE sacred meal. It is the meal where Jesus turns water into mimosas, and is basically the equivalent of eating a communion wafer that’s been dipped in queso and salsa. YUMMO! The thing I love about brunch is that depending on the weekend you had, it also serves as a quasi therapy session. It’s when you and your friends get together over some food and drinks to reassemble the puzzle pieces of the last 48 hours.
After brunch, it’s up to you because after all, you’re still your own boss for another 12 hours or so.
Hit us up in the comments to let us know what you’ve got up your sleeves this weekend. After all, I showed you mine, so it’s only right to show us yours. As they said in the Legend of Billie Jean, Fair is Fair!” Gosh I really do love Pat Benatar.
Did you have a childhood crush when you were a preteen? Of course you did. When I was a little girl, right on the cusp of puberty but not quite there yet, the most crushable boys for my age group were:
-Joey from New Kids on the Block,
-Fred Savage from The Wonder Years,
-Jonathan Taylor-Thomas from Home Improvement,
-Jonathan Brandis (RIP) from such cinema classics as Ladybugs and The Never-Ending Story II: The Next Chapter.
We thought they were sooooooo cute! And to indulge us, at least one of these young man's faces would be gracing the covers of Bop and/or Tiger Beat any given month. By the time we girls graduated to YM and Seventeen, we were beginning to get the picture that Johnny Depp was proper crush material, too.
But let's pretend you were only mildly intrigued by the likes of Joey, Fred, Jonathan Taylor, Jonathan B. and even Johnny Depp. Let's say, hypothetically, that as an 11 year-old, your tastes veered toward the older. The more mature. The men, not the boys. A man who could sing, and a man who sure as hell could dance.
Let's just say you loved this guy.
Now stay with me here, people. I know John Travolta is a Scientologist. I know he played Edna in the Hairspray remake, officially rendering him the ugliest, least attractive drag queen alive. I know that with each word I type, you're rolling your eyes and thinking: honestly, Tolly. John Travolta?
But. None of that changes the fact that I watched Grease roughly 26 times between the ages of 11 and 13, memorizing all the words and the songs (and possibly hand motions) and downright begged my summer camp counselors to let me play Sandy in our end-of-session "Watershow Spectactular" (a "musical," performed for parents, around a pool. Still my finest thespian accomplishment).
I did it all for Danny Zuko.
I'm sorry, but this is a beautiful man. Look at him here, on the cover of his own album!
I had no idea John recorded "Let Her In" (haha. That title. A title I took the liberty of YouTubing). It apparently broke the U.S. Top Ten, even without my 11-year-old allowance available to make an adoring contribution.
As a child, I hated Kirstie Alley in Look Who's Talking! (though that didn't stop me from seeing it in the theater - likely opening weekend - and later the sequel Look Who's Talking Too! as well as Look Who's Talking Now!, where they cleverly substituted talking pets for talking babies), and as the years progressed, I also took advantage of Nick at Nite's brief Welcome Back, Kotter offering.
After roughly the 17th viewing of Grease, which I insisted on subjecting my friends to during each and every slumber party, my mother could see this crush was serious. Upon her suggestion, I rented both Saturday Night Fever and Staying Alive from Blockbuster.
....And watched each 5-6 times apiece.
Trivia: Did you know Staying Alive was directed by Sylvester Stallone? One look at that movie still above, though, and we're not all that surprised, are we?
But my favorite John was always Danny, and for a significant portion of my childhood and early adolescence, Danny and his wisecraking band of greasers outshone ANY New Kid on the Block. A Cadillac to a Pinto, a diamond to a Bedazzler, a filet mignon to a McDonald's Happy Meal.
I've always wondered whether I share this celebrity crush with anyone. Each time I tell somebody about my childhood obsession, I usually get a quizzical, "um, good for you?" in response. And this shocks me! Those dimples, ladies. Those dimples, and those dance moves, are you kidding me?
Maybe it's too much jaw. You could sell real estate on that jaw. He and Jay Leno could have a Jaw-Off, and it'd be an extremely close call.
But, let's not think of such things. Jaw or no, Xenu or no, I love you, '70s era John Travolta. And I always will.
This trailer leaves much to the imagination. Oh, the staples are all there: shot of Carrie's closet, shot of Big in limo, shot of Samantha exchanging looks with young chap in cougar-like fashion. And then - cut to camels and the desert?
The girls are headed to Iraq!
.....or Dubai, but that's a wild guess. However, a few things are certain. Miranda's hair and make-up get better every day. Charlotte likes to make cupcakes. Head wraps are IN.
Now I do my best to scour the local interwebs for really cool and unusual events happening around Austin, but occasionally things sneak by.
That’s why here at AE we like to surround ourselves with people like Frank Rivera. Frank is kinda awesome (and I’m only saying kinda because his head is just about the right size without us going and inflating it. I mean what if he wants to wear a fantastic little hat for Christmas?). So my point is that yesterday I invited Frank to a little event that the Alamo Drafthouse is doing this Sunday called Santa vs. Satan, and Frank being the kind person he is, fired a response back that asked me if I had heard that Mortified would be performing a show at the Drafthouse Ritz tonight at 7pm.
Now I have no idea how this snuck past me, but after reading the description I realized that I was actually familiar with Mortified. I had come across a segment 2 years ago that This American Life had done where they used a performance from a woman named Sascha Rothchild. You see, Mortified takes those old diaries, love letters, and photos that we all have from our angst-riddled youth and gives people a stage to share them on. So imagine that you are now 27, and you find that old shoebox you kept all of those dramatic middle school love letters in. How ridiculous would they sound if you were to read them aloud today? My guess would be VERY…
Now this brings us back to Sascha Rothchild. Sascha was one of the original performers and contributors when Mortified was officially created in 2002, and to give you a better idea of what Mortified is, I thought I’d share the clip that I originally saw on This American Life. A little background: She’s a white Jewish girl that grew up in Miami Beach, where she kept a meticulous diary that chronicled the 13th year of her life. Fast forward 17 years later, and she is now a published author and a writer for LA Weekly. The clip below features her reading portions that diary to a room full of strangers… to hilarious effect.
If this sounds like an awesome time, then I recommend you get on over to the Ritz’s website and nab yourself a ticket ASAP. Last time I checked they were still available for $12 and can be purchased here.
I should also note that it is my understanding that tonight’s performances will mostly be by local Austinites.
That’s all I got…
g.
Don’t just take our word for it, look at what all these fancy people are saying:
"A Cultural Phenomenon!" (Newsweek) "Unbearably intimate… completely funny!" (The Onion AV Club) "Enlightening!" (Esquire) "Hilarious and Humiliating!" (Glamour) "Embarrassing, hilarious and just plain wrong!" (Bust Magazine) "Riveting!" (Jane Magazine) "Never laughed so hard!" (Los Angeles Confidential) "Some of the juiciest real life tragedies." (TimeOut NY) "Self-deprecation taken to a whole new level!" (New York Press) "Heartbreakingly hilarious tales of personal woe & social catastrophe!" (Flavorpill) …As heard on NPR's "This American Life"
Tonight is the 7th Annual Film & Food Party, hosted by the Austin Film Festival, which runs October 22-29. It is happening at the Driskill, so you know it is fancy!
Austin Eavesdropper has never been to the Food & Film Party before, but she just may attend this tonight. There are several reasons:
A) It is altruistic. The Food & Film Party benefits the Young Filmmakers Program, a year-round outreach that helps kids turn their stories into films.
B) It is ridiculous. (In a good way). You can eat Eddie V's. You can eat Parkside. You can eat Moonshine. I am counting over 15, possibly 20 restaurants at this soiree, and they are pulling out all the stops. And you can bid on things like signed X-Men and LOST scripts. (Wouldn't it be funny if LOST was signed in blood or something).
C) It is, for all intents and purposes, the best way to eat. When Gary and I were hobnobbing at La Dolce Vita last week, trying very hard to look like discerning oenophiles ("you are out of the 2007 vintage Syrah? Well, I guess Merlot will - SIGH - have to do"), it occurred to me that eating-on-foot is, if entirely all too American, quite the pragmatic thing to do. The hands put lamb and creamed polenta into the mouth...the feet burn off calories as you move from one station to the next...the wine samples make you believe that, truly, you are exercising.
Food & Film Party - I commend you for embracing this brilliant culinary model!
Tickets to the event are $85 (or $70 for AFF members), and may be purchased by calling 512-478-4795.
My very first foray into the world of social media was pre-blog. Sometime around 2002, I stumbled onto the message boards at Get Crafty. Message boards were still kind of a novelty back then, and I was totally fascinated by them. This one didn't even have avatars yet - just words. And, like many not-quite-20-year-olds, I hadn't quite figured out my own game yet and was an early adopter of that irritating liberal-arts-college-kid-I-know-everything stance. "Sorry guys, I can't watch The Bachelortonight, I no longer subscribe to oppressive and socially-constructed heteronormative gender roles, but have fun!" Isn't it amazing I had any friends?
But message boards....ah, message boards were anonymous. I could be as opinionated as I want, on subjects ranging from feminism to decoupage. I even got my first freelance writing assignment through Get Crafty, from my then-editor Jean Railla - author of Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec. (And PS, it is both entertaining and EXTREMELY humbling to go back and read your first actual piece of feature writing.)
So when Austin's crafty ladies mentioned Handmade Nation going on this weekend, I was immediately excited to tell you guys about it.
This is a documentary by director Faythe Levine about DIY and craft culture, which has enjoyed a resurgence indeed in the early 21st century. Several Austinites appear in it too, like Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. While the film will premiere Sunday at the Alamo Drafthouse (South Lamar), there are a TON of events happening around it so I'm going to paste this fantastic poster and list, courtesy of Jennifer Perkins at Naughty Secretary Club:
(Sorry the image is so tiny.)
SATURDAY SEPT 4, 2009 Swap and Sew + Sweets 12-6pm Space 12 Bring your old fabric and craft supplies plus a sewing machine if you have one and let the Austin Craft Mafia help you whip up something new and fresh. Don’t forget to snag a sweet or bring a canned good for free sweets!
Handmade Nation book signing party (yep, it's a book too!) 7-9pm, Domy Books Faythe Levine will be signing books alongside artists featured in the book (Whitney Lee, Jennifer Perkins, Magda Sayeg, and Kathie Sever) Sounds by DJ Bullet, free beer from Live Oak brewing, and an awesome raffle, packed with prizes from artists and local businesses. Free.
SUNDAY SEPT 5, 2009 Handmade Nation Screenings 1:30pm and 4:10pm, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar The film's Austin premiere! Q & A to follow with director, Faythe Levine, and several of the films' subjects.
Craft Bazaar noon-6pm, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar Craft fair featuring some of Austin's most talented up and coming artists, craft demos and giveaways, and stuff for the kiddos. Take a look at a list of vendors right here. Free.
Austin Handmade Post Screening Shabang 6:30pm-9pm Austin Handmade Austin Handmade is hosting an after party at their new location - more crafty goods, free drinks by Treaty Oak Rum, snacks by Nada Moo and a DJ. Free.
So there you have it: craftivities galore this Labor Day weekend!
Speaking of DIY, I am excited because R. and I are going to take our first cooking class together tonight. I haven't even told him yet. It's going to be at Central Market, and the name of the class is Food & Music of Africa: Guinea. The instructors prepare African food in front of you AND play music from their homeland (although I don't think simultaneously. But how cool would that be.)
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