Exhibitor of the Week: Warner Home Video

Warner Brothers has long been a household name. Originally the family distribution and production outfit entertained only those audiences paying to sit in a theater. Now, as part of the Warner Bros. Entertainment empire and the Time Warner family, Warner Home Video (WHV) brings cinematic entertainment right to a movie lover’s front door. As the world’s largest global video distributor, WHV offers 7,000 features, 40,000 television titles and more than 14,000 animated movies to its consumers--many under the Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video, New Line Home Video and MGM brand names.

Starting with James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart and running all the way to Leonardo DiCaprio (both Blood Diamond and The Departed are Warner Home Video releases) and Robert Downey Jr. (A Scanner Darkly), for those looking for a movie to watch in the comfort of home, chances are it will be from Warner Home Video. And that’s something that will remain true for many years to come, with the Harry Potter series already a WHV staple and box office hits Happy Feet and 300 just itching for a release date.

Sound Off: When Warner Bros. Entertainment began, directors like Howard Hawks and Darryl Zanuck were on the payroll. Today’s studios work differently—optioning works from directors of varied acclaim and character. It’s part of the reason why Warner Home Video can bring the works of both independent and blockbuster moviemakers alike to anyone with a working DVD player. The newer system benefits the viewer, but what does it do for the moviemaker? Send us your feedback in our “Comments” section.

--Mallory Potosky

March 19th, 2007 | Category: Exhibitor of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 10

Harvey Weinstein

One half of the infamous behemoth brother producing team, Harvey Weinstein was born on this day in 1952. While at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the Flushing, Queens native produced concerts with his brother, Bob. It was with the profits from this venture that the boys began Miramax Studios in 1979. Through persistence and bravado, the company went on to become one of the earliest driving forces behind the independent film movement.

Sometimes referred to as “Harvey Scissorhands” because of his willingness to cut, discard or reconfigure the work under Miramax’s umbrella, the looming figure has nonetheless earned the respect of the industry’s top talent. Alone, Weinstein has been nominated for two Academy Awards, but for the features he has produced has earned 220 nominations, three Best Picture Oscars and a total of 53 statues. Over the years, the producing giant has had a keen eye, gathering up such films as The English Patient, Good Will Hunting, sex, lies, and videotape, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Fahrenheit 9/11 and the upcoming The Nanny Diaries.

Factoid: With Bob acting as the man behind the curtain, Harvey has had a chance to shine, forming connections with (and in some cases, careers for) Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Kevin Smith, Renee Zellweger and directors of the new Grindhouse feature, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.

March 18th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

In Theaters Now

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
directed by Scott Glosserman
Slasher films are a dime a dozen, but this inventive take on the genre blends Man Bites Dog and Scream to create a movie that stands out from the heap of horror remakes. A documentary crew follows Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel) as he climbs the ranks of unstoppable serial killer, a la Jason Voorhees. We see him work out, put on face paint and masks and prepare for his hunts. He plans elaborate traps for victims, ensnaring a crop of teenagers, as well as the documentarians--and viewers--in his blood-soaked plans to rise to the top of the slasher killer mountain. Also starring Robert Englund, Zelda Rubinstein, Scott Wilson and Angela Goethals.

Dead Silence
directed by James Wan
Ventriloquist dummies are inherently creepy, but their capacity to freak out audiences might be trumped by how horrifically clunky Dead Silence is. Equal parts The Blair Witch Project and Puppetmaster, an eccentric old ventriloquist, Mary Shaw (Judith Roberts), is accused of killing a young boy. She’s hunted down by vengeful townsfolk, who cut out her tongue and kill her. When she’s buried, she’s laid to rest with her dolls, which she called her “children.” Of course she can’t stay dead, and her “kids” sneak out of her grave, going on a killing spree--cutting out tongues, naturally. By the end, viewers might be begging for a removal of their eyes. Also starring Leigh Whannell, Amber Valletta, Ryan Kwanten, Donnie Wahlberg and Christina Cox.

I Think I Love My Wife
directed by Chris Rock
Richard Cooper (Chris Rock) is your typical, successful, suburban businessman. He’s got a good job and strong family. Problem is, he’s bored with his wife, Brenda (Gina Torres). But when an old friend, the free-spirited Nikki (Kerry Washington), shows up at his office door, Richard starts to wonder why, if he loves his wife, he’s so drawn to Nikki. I think Chris Rock used to be a funny, cutting-edge comedian. And I think I saw this movie when it was called The Last Kiss. Also starring Steve Buscemi, Cassandra Freeman and Samantha Ivers.

Premonition
directed by Mennan Yapo
Sandra Bullock is becoming the queen of weirdo time travel movies. First there was The Lake House, an across-time romantic dramedy. Now there’s Premonition, a time-bending drama where she wakes up one day and her husband’s alive, she wakes up the next day and he’s dead, the next day things are slightly different, the next day he’s dead again. Repeat for 110 minutes. Sounds like The Butterfly Effect for grown-ups. Also starring Julian McMahon, Mark Famiglietti, Kate Nelligan and Nia Long.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley
directed by Ken Loach
This latest offering from Ken Loach, winner of the 2006 Palme d’Or at Cannes, focuses on two brothers, Damien (Cillian Murphy) and Teddy (Padraic Delaney), as they get pulled into the 1919 Irish Civil War. Questions of loyalty and nationalism take center stage in Loach’s epic about the Irish struggle for independence from oppressive British imperialist forces. Think Loach might be waxing allegorically in this film? Also starring Liam Cunningham, Gerard Kearney and William Ruane.

March 15th, 2007 | Category: In Theaters Now | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Isabelle Huppert

Parisian actress Isabelle Huppert was born on this day in 1953. Her English-language debut came in 1974 with a notable role in Otto Preminger’s Rosebud, but this thespian was working her way to the top long before then. By the age of 21 she had acted in over 15 respectable films and can now count nearly 100 credits to her name. Some of Huppert’s most famous and controversial work includes Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate, Jean-Luc Godard’s Passion, 8 Femmes with Catherine Deneuve and 2001’s The Piano Teacher. Her international appeal still reigns supreme, however, and you can still catch her in the occasional English-language indie (see David O. Russell’s I Heart Huckabees).

Factoid: To date, Isabelle Huppert has received 12 nominations and one win (for La Cérémonie) from the César Awards in France. Other honors bestowed upon the French actress include the Best Newcomer award from BAFTA in 1978 and two Best Actress awards at the Cannes Film Festival (for Violette and The Piano Teacher).

March 15th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

Circle of Friends

Seasoned Broadway performer Alan Cumming was brought to life on-screen for the first time as Sean Walsh in Circle of Friends, released on this day in 1995. The movie also stars a slightly awkward, deliberately dowdy Minnie Driver and an Irish-accented Chris O’Donnell. The movie, based on Maeve Binchy’s novel of the same name, never really received much in the way of popular acclaim but critics found the romantic comedy darling. Not only did it bring about a new audience for the movie’s protagonists, but for Englishman Colin Firth, who found international acclaim shortly thereafter with his roles in the BBC miniseries “Pride & Prejudice” and Anthony Minghella’s epic love story, The English Patient.

Quotable: “You mustn’t mess me about. I know I may look like a rhinoceros, but I’ve got quite a thin skin really.”--Minnie Driver as Bernadette ‘Benny’ Hogan, who, in the film’s 100-plus minutes, deals greatly with, and attempts to overcome, issues of image and self-worth.

March 14th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 3

Love Jones

After premiering earlier that same year at the Sundance Film Festival, Theodore Witcher’s Love Jones was released on this day in 1997. It ultimately left the renowned Park City festival with the Dramatic Audience Award and a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize. The movie was the first for writer-director Witcher, who went on to write the little-seen Body Count starring Forest Whitaker. Larenz Tate lent his acting chops to this movie’s talented cast (including Nia Long and Isaiah Washington), deftly moving through the urban streets of the Chicago poetry scene and the tribulations of love. With characters all at once general and race-specific, Love Jones made an impact on the future of black cinema.

Factoid: Larenz Tate won notice for his portrayal of Darius Lovehall in this small-scale dramedy about love—quite different from his previous roles as a Vietnam vet in 1995’s Dead Presidents and troubled O-Dog in Menace II Society. For his turn as the lovelorn poet, the actor received a nomination from the Acapulco Black Film Festival, but lost to veteran scene-stealer Samuel L. Jackson. It only took one year for the award to catch up with him though: Tate won the same award the following year for Why Do Fools Fall in Love.

March 14th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 4

Emile Hirsch

It was on this day in 1985 that young, burgeoning actor Emile Hirsch came into the world, or, more specifically, Topanga Canyon, California. His early career involved series television, including recurring roles on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Third Rock From the Sun.” Fans of the Olsen twins might also remember him from the sitcom “Two of a Kind.” Thankfully, he soon left his teeny-bopper side behind and took off with head-turning, provocative roles in The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, The Emperor’s Club, Imaginary Heroes, The Mudge Boy and Alpha Dog. Look for him to shine next in the Sean Penn-penned (and directed) drama Into the Wild, alongside Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden.

Connections: Emile Hirsch was approached by the producers of the now-defunct Matt Damon/Ben Affleck television series, “Project Greenlight,” to star in its second independent production, The Battle of Shaker Heights. Hirsch ultimately turned the role down, paving the way for fellow budding actor Shia LaBeouf to take it.

March 12th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham finally arrived in the United States on this day in 2002. Written and directed by Indian sensation Gurinder Chadha, the movie covers the lives of two separate London girls looking to buck their family’s ideas and ideals in creating their own identities. Popularity among audiences young and old gave the movie steam and lead to a wide release in August of the following year. The soccer movie (its title a reference to popular then-Londoner David Beckham) stars Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley, in her first major film role, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers before he too became a recognizable face in films such as Woody Allen’s Match Point.

Factoid: Since starring in Bend It Like Beckham, Keira Knightley’s star has risen to the nth degree. Her turn as Beckham’s Jules won her the British Newcomer of the Year Award from the London Critics Circle. Just three years later she found herself seated amongst the best in her field when nominated as the Best Leading Actress for 2005’s Pride & Prejudice.

March 12th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Brooks Institute of Photography

One of the greatest assets a film student can have during his or her education is a mentor—--someone who can guide him or her through the challenging process of moviemaking, using years of experience in the field as an invaluable resource. Most students would be lucky to find just one such person; but at the Brooks Institute of Photography, members of the school’s film program are blessed with dozens.

For the last four years, the Santa Barbara-based Institute has been the recipient of Kodak’s 35mm Project, a grant that enables students to produce a 35mm short film project in collaboration with a 150-person crew and more than 30 local vendors. Students who attend the Brooks Institute, which offers both bachelor and master degrees in film and video production, participate in the 35mm Project by enrolling in a corresponding class, then apply for specific production jobs on the film.

In order to augment Kodak’s program, Emmy Award-winner Tracy Trotter and his wife Judy, who serve as faculty sponsors on the project, used their connections in the film industry to bring together an impressive collection of mentors. Hailing from a variety of fields and organizations, from the Directors Guild of America to Clairmont Camera, these experts assist the students over the course of the project by providing input and support at each stage of the moviemaking process. Judy Trotter notes that the benefits of the mentoring aspect of the project go both ways: “We as teachers and mentors share our 30-plus years of on-set experience with the Brooks students and in turn they share their joy for the filmmaking project.”

Find your mentor at www.brooks.edu.

--Jennifer Straus

March 12th, 2007 | Category: Film School of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 12

Rome International Film Festival

The Rome International Film Festival of Rome, Georgia is more than a high-stakes game of “Beat You to the Distribution Deal!” Instead, RIFF looks to put moviemakers in touch with audiences who respond to the great art of film.

According to RIFF marketing director Allen Bell, as movie theater chains aim to make a profit, they often ignore the fact that audiences want to be enlightened. “Being a film festival, RIFF attracts films that encourage a dialogue about major issues in the world today, as well as neglected issues around the globe,” says Bell. To those films flock a bevy of substance-hungry moviegoers.

It would seem ironic that the small southern city of Rome attracts an international crowd each year--until you factor in its proximity to Atlanta’s ports, its four local colleges and that factor that Bell calls “walkability.” All RIFF’s venues, including the famous DeSoto Theatre and the Rome Forum, “are located in historic downtown Rome, within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and special events.” (The town’s reputation for unbounded hospitality should also be noted here.) “Basically, RIFF’s primary goal is to connect filmmakers with audiences through the medium of film,” says Bell. Exposing the world to the other “Rome” is just a highlight.

Sound Off: According to Allen Bell, “RIFF contributes to the world by giving a voice to filmmakers who are looking for an audience that wants to know more about the struggles around the globe.” As a film-goer, is this something you are interested in seeing? What is the best account of real-life events depicted on screen?

For more information, visit http://www.riff.tv.

--Mallory Potosky

March 12th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Steadicam Operators Association

Orson Welles once said, “The camera is much more than a recording apparatus; it is a medium via which messages reach us from another world that is not ours and that brings us to the heart of a great secret. Here magic begins.”

In 1976, Garrett Brown introduced the movie industry to the Steadicam. In so doing, he revolutionized the magic of moviemaking, as camera operators no longer needed to worry about being slightly unsteady. By 1988 Brown had formed the Steadicam Operators Association (SOA). At the time, “the whole idea of the Steadicam was still young and growing and the operators were still learning,” explains SOA vice-president Jay Kilroy. The early members would gather to “share ideas and what they had learned they could do with this thing.” In later years the ready availability of the Internet allowed the association to widen its focus and provide services to Steadicam operators worldwide.

Today, from the mountains of Pennsylvania to the rolling Australian countryside (plus a few places in between), the Steadicam Operators Association hosts five-and-a-half-day workshops meant to bring the technical traditions of yesterday together with the technological advancements of tomorrow. All done, Kilroy says, because of a “passion for the moving image!”

Upload your demo reel and resume or search for skilled operators at http://www.steadicam-ops.com.

--Mallory Potosky

Sound Off: The Steadicam was invented as a way to create a smoother picture--a movie without the undesired jarring effects. Sometimes though, those abrupt bumps and turns create a captivating tale that brings the audience further into “the heart of a great secret.” When is it best to use a Steadicam? Are some movie moments better off as gritty and real as possible?

March 12th, 2007 | Category: Association of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Zack Snyder

Most young boys outgrow their superhero fascination early on in life. Despite years of study, world travel and professional experiences, writer-director Zack Snyder can’t shake that side of himself. Perhaps his alter-ego began hiding during those late-night cram sessions at London’s Heatherlies School, peeking out every so often while Snyder studied at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design or directed award-winning commercials in exotic locales. Or maybe the little boy in Snyder reemerged after having six kids of his own. Whatever the case, Snyder has finally unleashed his inner child on the perfect outlet: Writing and directing movies about the things he loves most!

In 2004, Snyder’s directorial debut, Dawn of the Dead, impressed critics expecting little more than a cliched, profit-seeking remake of the George Romero classic. His next undertaking, a screen version of Frank Miller‘s graphic novel 300 (which was released on March 9th), also seemed an impossible feat, but the buzz surrounding the movie is enough to silence skeptics (if not deafen them).

300, which tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae, between the Spartans and the Persians, calls for a lot of action. But dialogue? “The way that he structures the prose is as important as the drawings to me,” Snyder says of Miller’s source material. “I wanted to think of a way to preserve and honor his prose, as well as his imagery in the film.” Looks like it’s mission accomplished: Gerard Butler, star of 300, says he could fill “six volumes about [Snyder] and his talent.”

Next up for Snyder? An adaptation of Alan Moore’s graphic novel Watchmen. Sounds like a job for a true moviemaking superhero.

March 12th, 2007 | Category: Moviemaker of the Week | By Mallory Potosky

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Top of the Box Office

1. 300
Warner Bros.
Weekend Gross: $70,025,000
Total Gross: $70,025,000

2. Wild Hogs
Buena Vista
Weekend Gross: $28,021,000
Total Gross: $77,437,000

3. Bridge to Terabithia
Buena Vista
Weekend Gross: $6,865,000
Total Gross: $67,020,000

4. Ghost Rider
Sony Pictures
Weekend Gross: $6,800,000
Total Gross: $104,142,000

5. Zodiac
Paramount Pictures
Weekend Gross: $6,773,000
Total Gross: $23,727,000

6. The Number 23
New Line
Weekend Gross: $4,334,000
Total Gross: $29,309,000

7. Norbit
Paramount Pictures
Weekend Gross: $4,314,000
Total Gross: $88,331,000

8. Music and Lyrics
Warner Bros.
Weekend Gross: $3,830,000
Total Gross: $43,847,000

9. Breach
Universal
Weekend Gross: $2,611,175
Total Gross: $29,126,615 2

10.  Amazing Grace
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Weekend Gross: $2,525,200
Total Gross: $11,439,198

All data courtesy of www.the-numbers.com

March 12th, 2007 | Category: Top of the Box Office | By MovieMaker Staff

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In Theaters Now

Beyond the Gates
directed by Michael Caton-Jones
Depending on your outlook, Beyond the Gates will either resonate as a tale of extraordinary humanity in the chaos of Rwanda or a cheap knock-off of Hotel Rwanda. In Michael Caton-Jones’ tale of the horrors in Rwanda, two educators (Hugh Dancy and John Hurt) struggle to save lives amidst the ethnic cleansing spreading across the country. Against the protests of the United Nations workers and the jaded attitudes of the media in the country, the teachers protect people by keeping them in their school compound. This set-up sounds eerily familiar… as if the same movie had already been made, but with Don Cheadle in the lead.

The Exterminating Angels
directed by Jean-Claude Brisseau
When will movie characters learn that sex opens a Pandora’s Box of very, very bad things? In the case of French movie The Exterminating Angels, a director (Frederic van den Driessche) casts three women secure enough with themselves (and being really dirty in front of other people) to star in a movie exploring female pleasure. It’s not long before the women turn the tables on the director, however, and force him to go further with his “exploration” than perhaps he wishes. Thanks to acclaimed director Jean-Claude Brisseau, Angels, which was a hit at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, takes on a Kubrickian aura when it could easily have devolved into lurid sexploitation. Also starring Maroussia Dubreuil, Lise Bellynck and Marie Allen.

The Host
directed by Joon-ho Bong
When a dimwitted lab assistant, at the behest of his boss, dumps a lot of formaldehyde down the drain, a giant monstrous sea creature erupts from the waters of Seoul to terrorize the people of South Korea. The creature in The Host could be the bastard offspring of an ungodly union between Godzilla and Jaws, with a splash of Frankenstein tossed in for good measure. This is a genre picture through and through, taking it back to its Nuclear Age roots of out-of-control science run amok. Who wants to take bets on how long it will be until Hollywood remakes it? Starring Kang-ho Song, Hie-bong Byeon, Hae-il Park, Du-na Bae and Ah-sung Ko.

The Namesake
directed by Mira Nair
Kal Penn completes his transformation from kooky racial stereotype sidekick (Van Wilder) to dramatic artiste in this adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel of the clashing of traditional Indian values and modern global realities. Gogol (Penn), raised in America, struggles with his parents’ ideas for his future and his happiness. He has a white girlfriend; his parents want him to settle down with a nice Indian girl. He wants to change his name; they want him to embrace his heritage and the meaning behind his name. The film’s themes might resonate, and director Mira Nair might attract audiences, but viewers might not be able to get past Penn’s comedic past, one role removed from Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj. Also starring Irfan Khan and Tabu.

300
directed by Zack Snyder
This adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel is a dramatic, gory recreation of the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, in which 300 Spartans took on the massive Persian army. But Gladiator it is not. It isn’t even Troy. Flawed as those two films might be, they’re at least fun, with a touch of subtlety. 300 is as subtle as a Trojan Horse lit aflame and rolled into the movie theater—and with just as much screaming. Gerard Butler, as Spartan king Leonidas, screams his way through the movie so brutishly that he makes Sean Penn look like a mumbler. Also starring Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham and Vincent Regan.

March 11th, 2007 | Category: In Theaters Now | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

George Burns

Comedian George Burns died in his sleep on this day in 1996, just weeks after his 100th birthday. Burns came from a family of 12 children who, especially after his father’s passing, had to pull their own weight. As a result, by fourth grade the young entertainer traded school for show business—tired of shining shoes and selling papers. The rest is history, based largely on his teaming with and marriage to Gracie Allen. Together, the comedy duo starred in a few unsuccessful short comic films, aired their own radio show and eventually became wildly popular with the “George Burns & Gracie Allen Show.” It took a while after Allen’s death for Burns to regain his stride but in 1975, he finally got it back, winning an Oscar for his supporting role in Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys. The role also earned him a Golden Globe nod for Best Actor.

Factoid: Other movies credited to George Burns included the Oh God! series, starring the actor as God, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Radioland Murders, his last screen role. Over his lifetime, Burns was also honored with a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

March 9th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

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Tripeg Studios

Connecticut has quietly been positioning itself as the cost-efficient alternative to the favored film scenes of neighboring New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. At the heart of this trend is the burgeoning Tripeg Studios, a 20,000 square foot movie production titan, which opened its doors in Hamden in 2004.

Among the facilities at Tripeg are three soundstages, an on-site production office and a Final Cut HD post-production suite. In addition, thereâ€(tm)s an in-house crew boasting experienced professionals for all a moviemakerâ€(tm)s production needsâ€"from producers and music composers to pyrotechnicians and specialty carpenters. In just two years the studio has established itselfâ€"and its home stateâ€"as “a viable destination for heavyweight media producers,â€? says studio manager Andrew Gernhard. Along with films from nearby Yale University students, the studio has recently hosted productions by HBO, ABC News Productions and several music videos and political ad campaigns.

Tripeg has led the self-proclaimed “Land of the Sleeping Giantâ€? to become “somewhat of a ‘hubâ€(tm) for new production services,â€? according to Gernhard. “There is good support from local government and producers can rely on a ‘can doâ€(tm) response with area businesses.â€? Between the advantages of the state-of-the art fledgling studio and Connecticutâ€(tm)s 30 percent tax credit, you now have no excuse to just pass through.

For more information on how you can utilize all the amenities at Tripeg Studios, visit www.tripegstudios.com.

Sound Off: Tripeg Studios plays host to screenwriting workshops with industry veteran Peter Foxâ€"just another way Tripeg is bringing the moviemaking community to Connecticut. Do you think Connecticut could soon become the next indie moviemaking hotspot?

â€"Mallory Potosky

March 8th, 2007 | Category: Location of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

Chungking Express

The Hong Kong film Chungking Express opened in the U.S. on this day in 1996. Written and directed by Wong Kar-Wai, the movie tells the story of two cops and their destructive love lives. The first plot follows Cop 223, who finds meaning in canned fruit, while the second tracks the strange new love interest of Cop 663. Interestingly, the stories hold their own plotlines throughout most of the film, intersecting only slightly. Chungking Express went on to receive an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Foreign Film in 1997. Before that, the movie won four of its 10 top honors at the Hong Kong Film Awards of 1995.

Connections: Known for his love of Asian cinema, it comes as no surprise that moviemaker Quentin Tarantino was the one to bring Chungking Express across borders. He helped Wong Kar-Wai distribute the movie via his Rolling Thunder distribution company.

March 8th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

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HD Expo

Kristin Petrovich, founder and CEO of HD EXPO, believes we are in a “renaissance of technology.” It’s one reason she began the national networking event back in 2001. This March 8, at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, HD EXPO will be hosting the first of its three yearly events, featuring exhibits, seminars and panels accessible to anyone and everyone free of charge (just remember to register ahead of time).

The last expo, held in November 2006, was a sell-out event. In large part, this success is due to the access it provides attendees to “industry icons and trend setters.” As networking is “a key component to success in this industry,” HD EXPO caters to that idea, with past exhibitors including Adobe, Avid and Panasonic along with professionals from American Cinematographer, Filmmakers Alliance and ProMax Systems.

“The team at HD EXPO comes from the entertainment and content creation industry, so we are very aware of the issues,” notes Petrovich. “We have our finger on the pulse of the industry.” That means you should expect to learn everything you wanted to know and more about the future of technology. Whatever your latest high-definition technological concern, it’s HD EXPO’s as well. Together you can find the answers.

Looking to rub elbows and pick the brains of some of the industry masters? Check out www.hdexpo.net for more information on upcoming events.

Sound Off: With the constant evolution of technology, it often becomes difficult to stay on top of the most innovative and important advances. According to Kristin Petrovich, HD EXPO is looking to address concerns involving multiple delivery requirements and the new outlets for content that spring up each day. What do you see as the biggest technological concern of the near future? Talk back in the comments section!

—Mallory Potosky

March 7th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Peter Sarsgaard

An independent movie icon for Generation X, actor Peter Sarsgaard was born on this day in 1971. The Illinois native pursued history in college before finally discovering his acting talent during his senior year at Washington University. Shortly thereafter Sarsgaard moved to New York City, joined the Actors’ Studio and found himself working in the 1996 production of John Cameron Mitchell’s Kingdom of Earth. Since his screen debut in 1995’s Dead Man Walking, Sarsgaard has entertained audiences with varied performances in such indie fare as Boys Don’t Cry, The Salton Sea, Garden State, Kinsey and Jarhead. His latest two films, High Falls and Year of the Dog, premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

Factoid: In 2004, Peter Sarsgaard was recognized by his moviemaking peers at the Golden Globes and Independent Spirit Awards for his role as the deceived New Republic editor Charles Lane in Billy Ray’s Shattered Glass.

Molly Shannon and Peter Sarsgaard star in Mike White’s Year of the Dog (2007). Photo: Paramount Vantage.

March 7th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Southwest Alternate Media Project

In today’s fast-paced world of instant media consumption, understanding exactly what we’re seeing can be an afterthought. Television, movies, viral videos and other sensory stimuli enter our senses too quickly to be properly digested before being replaced with another show, movie or program. What gets lost is the message of the person who created the experience in the first place.

The Houston-based Southwest Alternate Media Project is committed to nurturing regional film and video artists’ projects, encouraging multicultural and alternative media works and growing a savvy audience. To this end, SWAMP focuses much of its attention on educational programs, including workshops, moviemaking camps and the Media Literacy Institute. Through these projects, SWAMP slows down the light-speed-fast flow of media, highlighting why, for example, a director made certain decisions in lighting or acting. “The more aware we, the public, are of the way these (and other elements) are used to influence us, the better we can understand exactly what is being said and choose our own response,” says SWAMP’s executive director, Mary Lampe.

As SWAMP sees it: A knowledgeable audience leads to informed decision-making, which leads to new, varied works being created. “Instead of merely being passive recipients,” Lampe says, “media literacy awareness encourages us to become thoughtful viewers and active participants—both of which are important aspects of a healthy democracy.”

For more information, visit http://www.swamp.org.

Sound Off: Texas is rapidly becoming a state with a rich, textured culture of visual and alternative arts. Where do you go to find new and interesting visual works? Let us know in the comments section!

—Dante A. Ciampaglia

March 6th, 2007 | Category: Association of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

Raising Arizona

It was on this day 20 years ago that the Coen brothers’Raising Arizona was released in theaters. The movie stars Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter as a married couple unable to conceive or adopt a child of their own. After news of the local Arizona family’s newborn quintuplets reaches the couple, it becomes their mission to kidnap and care for one of the babies. The Arizona’s reward for the return of their son drives the couple and other random acquaintances to fight and sabotage in pursuit of the money.

Quotable: “Edwina’s insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase.” –Nicolas Cage as H.I. McDunnough, explaining the reason his wife could not conceive.

March 6th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

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Top of the Box Office

1. Wild Hogs
Buena Vista
Weekend Gross: $38,000,000
Total Gross: $38,000,000

2. Zodiac
Paramount Pictures
Weekend Gross: $13,100,000
Total Gross: $13,100,000

3. Ghost Rider
Sony Pictures
Weekend Gross: $11,500,000
Total Gross: $94,757,000

4. Bridge to Terabithia
Buena Vista
Weekend Gross: $8,587,000
Total Gross: $57,889,000

5. The Number 23
New Line
Weekend Gross: $7,050,000
Total Gross: $24,684,000

6. Norbit
Paramount Pictures
Weekend Gross: $6,446,000
Total Gross: $82,953,000

7. Music and Lyrics
Warner Bros.
Weekend Gross: $4,895,000
Total Gross: $36,680,000

8. Black Snake Moan
Paramount Vantage
Weekend Gross: $4,015,957
Total Gross: $4,015,957

9. Reno 911!: Miami
Paramount Pictures
Weekend Gross: $3,750,000
Total Gross: $16,412,896

10.  Breach
Universal
Weekend Gross: $3,482,850
Total Gross: $25,421,195

All data courtesy of www.the-numbers.com

March 5th, 2007 | Category: Top of the Box Office | By MovieMaker Staff

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Adriana Barraza

Mexican actress Adriana Barraza was born on this day in 1956. Long popular in her native land for her directing and acting work on various telenovela series, Barraza was finally noticed on an international this year for her big-screen work in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s epic Babel. The role of an immigrant caretaker and her struggle to protect the children she loved earned the actress SAG, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. Babel marks the second time Barraza has worked with both director González Iñárritu and co-star Gael García Bernal; the trio previously worked together on 2000’s Amores Perros.

Factoid: Adriana Barraza is even more than an actress and director. In addition to her day job, the actress moonlights as an acting and dialect coach. Her latest and most notable contribution was to James L. Brooks’ 2004 film, Spanglish.

Elle Fanning and Adriana Barraza star in Babel (2006). Photo: Paramount Vantage.

March 5th, 2007 | Category: This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

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In Theaters Now

Black Snake Moan
directed by Craig Brewer
Craig Brewer, the writer-director of Hustle & Flow, might be on to something in Black Snake Moan. In the movie, Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to cure Rae (Christina Ricci) of her insatiable sexual appetite by bounding her in chains and exercising some tough love. (Not that kind of tough love!) Just imagine how intimidating other kinds of rehab would be if confronted by a tough-as-nails Sam Jackson ready to drive evil out by keeping you put with a length of chain. Social possibilities aside, Brewer continues carving out his place in independent moviemaking with this throwback to exploitation cinema. Also starring Justin Timberlake and S. Epatha Merkerson.

Full of It
directed by Christian Charles
In a world where lies are truths, Sam Leonard (Ryan Pinkston) is king. A nerdy teenager who takes to fibbing to become popular, Sam’s life is no longer his own when his tall tales start coming true. But heavy is the head that wears the crown. Sam’s life starts becoming too much to handle as his lies become greater and the consequences larger. Full of It proves the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for as you just might get it,” is true. Unless you wish for an interesting movie and wind up at this one, then you’re just lying to yourself. Also starring Teri Polo, Craig Kilborn and Kate Mara.

Two Weeks
directed by Steve Stockman
In this family reconciliation weepy, four siblings reunite at their mother’s house to be with her as she nears death. But Anita (Sally Field) hangs on longer than expected, keeping the siblings together for two weeks under one roof—just enough time to deal with years of emotional baggage. This well-meaning family drama is saddled with a worn out plot, but bolstered by the presence of Field, who hasn’t be seen in theaters since 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde. Also starring Thomas Cavanagh, Ben Chaplin, Julianne Nicholson, Glenn Howerton and Clea DuVall.

Wild Hogs
directed by Walt Becker
Wild Hogs should be retitled Easy Payday. How else can you explain the presence of William H. Macy, Ray Liotta and even John Travolta in this retread story of male bonding and busting out of a midlife crisis? Macy and Travolta are joined out on the road by Martin Lawrence and Tim Allen as a group of guys trying to escape their humdrum, suburban existences by strapping on to the back of their hogs and tasting the freedom of the open road. Hopefully, the open road doesn’t taste as stale as this movie. Also starring Marisa Tomei and Jill Hennessy.

Zodiac
directed by David Fincher
David Fincher’s first movie in five years is a return to the serial killer genre that put him on the map as a big-time director. While Se7en was fiction, Zodiac is rooted in reality, based on the Zodiac Killer murders of the 1970s. Fincher takes a page out of the Munich playbook and soaks the movie’s aesthetic in the ’70s, from the set design down to the vintage clothing and sideburns worn by an all-star cast that includes Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Brian Cox. Fincher is comfortable with this kind of movie, and it should return him to the top of the directing ranks. Also starring Anthony Edwards and Chloë Sevigny.

If you’ve seen any of the films listed above (or even if you haven’t, but have exceptionally strong feelings that you’d like to share nonetheless), write your own review in the comments.

March 2nd, 2007 | Category: In Theaters Now | By MovieMaker Staff

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Kal Penn And Andy Samberg Talk Namesake … Sort Of

Kal Penn, last seen as a creepy killer on Law and Order: SVU, next hits theaters as the star of The Namesake, directed by Mira Nair. The film, which spans decades in the life of an American-born son of Indian immigrants, may not automatically pop up on the radar of Penn’s legions of fans, who know the actor primarily for his work in the stoner classic Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. So how do you bridge the gap between the art house contingent and the millions of kids who bought tickets for Van Wilder 2? If you’re Fox Searchlight, you create a viral video, featuring a cameo from the current top heartthrob of the YouTube set, SNL’s Andy Samberg.

The video, which is posted on Searchlight’s site, bills itself as an interview, but it’s really more of a sketch riffing on the fact that the audience that follows Penn is probably not aware of the epic novel on which the film is based. Definitely check out the video for a laugh, but if you’re looking for more info on the movie itself, a heap of reviews have already made it to Rotten Tomatoes.

March 1st, 2007 | Category: News/Commentary | By MovieMaker Staff

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