No Country For Old Men - This isn't the film you think of when you think 'Coen Brother's Film', but that's not a bad thing. Great directors evolve and No Country for Old Men gives us a glimpse into the next chapter of these talented film maker's careers. Javier Bardem is reason enough to see any film, and when he's as good as he is in No Country, you get what you pay for. Tommy Lee Jones is also amazing in a role where you want to catch every single word he says. Cormack McCarthy books aren't a walk in the park to adapt, but if they are handled as expertly as they are here, No Country for Old Men is simply a classic. Films like this remind film critics why they love movies, so be sure not to miss this one.
This is England - Shane Meadows gives us a coming of age film like none I've seen before. Drawing on his own life experience, This is England tells the story of a boy who is lost. He lost his father in the Falkland War, isn't a member of any real group in school and gets picked on by almost everyone. A chance encounter with a group of 'friendly' skinheads gives the boy a connecting point and spins his life in an entirely different direction. Shane Meadows finely crafts this film with performances that are superb. Thomas Turgoose, a first time actor, is fucking brilliant in the lead role of Shaun, and Stephen Graham is right along there with him, in a performance so wonderfully complex and multidimensional, it's absolutely Oscar-worthy. This Is England will stick with you long after it's over. You can get This is England on DVD or catch it at The Living Room Theater in Portland, OR. My vote would be to see this on the big screen.
Hannah Takes The Stairs - Joe Swanberg has been making low-fi films for a while. They are loosely scripted, extremely naturalistic and very enjoyable. With Hannah Takes The Stairs, he's taken what he does to the next level in a film about a woman finding a way to say 'no' with her serial monogamous relationships. Hannah is lost in her world and tries to find her way through the men in her life (and ultimately sex) but it's her discovery of herself outside her relationships that helps her move forward. Sharply acted, very funny and extremely honest, Hannah Takes The Stairs shows that you don't have to have a huge Hollywood budget to make a great film. You can catch Hannah Takes The Stairs on Comcast On Demand as part of the IFC First Take program.
]]>
On this episode of Indie Film Radio: Geoffrey Kleinman interviews Morgan Spurlock, producer of the film What Would Jesus Buy?. The film takes a look at the commoditization of Christmas and follows Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they take their message of stopping overconsumption on the road.
We speak with Morgan about his experience producing the film as well as the impact the film has had as it has toured the country. We also cover several of Morgan's other projects including 30 Days Season 3 and his as yet untitled documentary looking at the war on terror.
(What Would Jesus Buy? opens Friday, November 23rd at Cinema 21 in Portland, Oregon. Morgan Spurlock will be in attendance opening night for a Q&A)
Download the complete interview with Morgan Spurlock, (12mins 8MB) or listen live here:
]]>
