And we’re back! It’s been along layoff since James and I had a chance to sit down and record a new podcast, and thanks to the wonders of memory, in this episode you’ll hear exactly why this is so. We also talk briefly about the Oscars, more specifically on the In Memorium montage that honors those who have lost their life in the past year, and we note some of the most obvious snubs from this montage, including the man we devote this episode to, writer/director Dan O’Bannon.
O’Bannon isn’t a household name, but his contributions to the Alien franchise and zombie lore alone make him as influential as anyone you are likely to find working in genre films. But then, the Academy isn’t fond of genre films, so why should they be fond of Dan O’Bannon?
So in this episode James and I tackle five of his films as our own way of honoring a man who has made movie watching just so damn enjoyable for us over the years. You may not know who he is, but you’ll be hard pressed to avoid his influences in modern film. He was an incredible talent, and film making is a lesser medium with his loss, and a whole lot less fun. But hopefully you’ll take the time to try out some of his films and finally see just what you’ve been missing.
I’ve been a bit behind in listing all the various events that have been playing around town the past few weeks, and in an effort to give me less work to do I’m just going to throw several of the upcoming film events into one single post. If this format works I might do it on a regular basis, or maybe I won’t. It’s my site, I’ll be as fickle as I want.
Uptown Midnight Movies
In a slight twist The Uptown is going to start showing midnight movies on Friday and Saturday, and it also looks like The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be returning to the Uptown. From what little I know they will be showing it once a month, complete with all the accoutremants that are to be expected with a live Rocky Horror screening.
The US debut of the anime film Eureka Seven is having a one night only screening on Thursday, September 4th. It will be simultaneously screening at several sites in the Twin Cities, and besides the film they will be showing some interviews and behind the scenes footage. Tickets are now on sale at the following theatres:
Eagan 16
AMC Eden Prairie 18
AMC Arbor Lakes Megastar 16
Kerasotes Block E 15
Brooklyn Center 20
Oakdale Cinema
AMC Rosedale 14
Now See Hear film series
The Oak Street Cinema starts up its new monthly film series on September 2nd. The goal of the series is to focus on underground, experimental and obscure cinema and will take place on the first Wednesday of every month. For the inaugural event The Ex-Lovers will be on hand to provide for a pre-show music set, and then the evening will focus on New York filmmaker City Harvest Black. Tickets are just $8.
Autumn Music & Movies
Presented by Vita.mn, Autumn Music & Movies will be held at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. All shows are free. Music will start at 5:30 pm and the films will start at dusk.
Thanks to Take Up Productions, this fall The Heights Theatre will be hosting a series devoted to the films of Audrey Hepburn. All screenings start at 7:30 and will be $8. Or you may purchase five admissions for $25.
Slight delay this week at getting my theatrical and DVD recommendations posted. I had a few other updates I wanted to make and this is the one that ended up getting pushed to the back burner for the short term.
That all being said, it actually is a surprisingly strong week for theatrical releases, as Tyson, The Limits of Control and Tokyo Sonata are all released. While I was underwhelmed by Tyson, The Limits of Control and Tokyo Sonata are incredibly strong choices for those who don’t want to watch the latest Ron Howard vehicle.
As for DVD releases, While the Internet has been a buzz about Mega Shark Vs Giant Octopus, a couple other films caught my eye. The first is the practically direct to DVD film Outlander, which was snuck into a few theaters early in the year then quickly dropped from booking schedules. Outside of the Vikings vs Aliens premise I know little about it, but really, do you need to know anything else?
The other film that I’m excited to see is the French horror film Eden Log. A sci-fi cyberpunk styled film that takes places underground and is shot entirely using hand held cameras. The look of the film reminds me quite a bit of The Descent, and if it can capture the same clausterphobic feel of that film, Eden Log could potentially be on hell of a horror film.
Not many people know the name Neill Blomkamp, but you’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen some of his work, specifically his commercials. Now comes his first feature length film, produced by Peter Jackson, which is a science fiction film about a race of aliens that are living in Africa, but have been forced into living in slums because the humans want nothing to do with them. And while this social critique of apartheid is enough to prick up my ears, that the film is also shot in a documentary style and is coming from a director known for his visual effects talent I am quickly pushing this film to the upper reaches of my most anticipated films of 2009.
I did not have cable when I was growing up, a pop cultural slight that I have now come to believe should be labeled a crime against humanity, so I had to find other ways to watch Transformers, GI Joe and anything else that might be showing only on the USA Cartoon Express. Thus, I had many an over night at my various friend’s houses where I would watch Nick at Night, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Godzilla marathons until the sun would rise.
Now I never really understood Godzilla films at the time, all I knew was that they had giant monsters, giant robots and it also was a pretty cool Saturday morning cartoon which starred an even gianter monster who was at the beck and call of American scientists. They also also blew up stuff in the movies, which is always pretty cool.
I like to think Godzilla, and those nights spent watching him destroy, and defend, Tokyo, were some of the first planted seeds that would eventually blossom into my love of film. As such I’ve always had a bit of a nostalgic kick for men dressed in monster suits stomping on model cities. It is just good clean family fun. Until Mighty Morphin Power Rangers went and crapped all over it.
And we’re back! It’s been along layoff since James and I had a chance to sit down and record a new podcast, and thanks to the wonders of memory, in this episode you’ll hear exactly why this is so. We also talk briefly about the Oscars, more specifically on the In Memorium montage that honors those who have lost their life in the past year, and we note some of the most obvious snubs from this montage, including the man we devote this episode to, writer/director Dan O’Bannon.
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