Some documentaries don’t need an angle, the material is so compelling that getting out of the way of the subject is enough. ENNIO, a film about composer Ennio Morricone, most famous for his film scores, is proof that just presenting a story in a straightforward way is sometimes the best approach. Here’s how Milwaukee Film […]
2023 Milwaukee Film Festival: Day Eleven “Ennio” Read More »
What do you get when you combine a Looney Tunes sensibility, an endless capacity for gags, visual inventiveness on a shoestring budget, a love for silent film, and no concern that a joke may be too juvenile? Something like HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS from the folks who brought LAKE MICHIGAN MONSTER which played like gangbusters to
2023 Milwaukee Film Festival: Day Nine “Hundreds of Beavers” Read More »
The Members only screening at the Milwaukee Film Festival is always one of the highlights of the festival. Frequently, the best film that will play at the festival will find its way to the secret screening. This year’s screening was the anticipated BLACKBERRY by director Matt Johnson (THE DIRTIES). BLACKBERRY, in the tradition of something
2023 Milwaukee Film Festival: Day Seven “BLACKBERRY” Read More »
BAND is one of those films where it’s hard to tell what is literally true in its documentary-like presentation. I suspect very little. Conversely, it’s easy to tell what’s emotionally true, practically all of the film. Milwaukee Film describes BAND as follows: “Icelandic performance art meets THIS IS SPINAL TAP in this wickedly fun look
2023 Milwaukee Film Festival: Day Five “Band” Read More »
What a joy it is to see a Sunday afternoon documentary practically sold out at the Times. It’s like a return to pre-pandemic times. Milwaukee Film describes LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES as follows: “A chronicle about the Očéti Šakówi and their decades-long fight to reclaim control of the Black Hills, LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED
2023 Milwaukee Film Festival: Day Four “Lakota Nation vs. United States” Read More »
Unfortuanately, not every acclaimed film gets to Milwaukee for full fledged theatrical releases. NO BEARS never did get a showing in Milwaukee’s theaters. Fortunately, the Milwaukee Film Festival is there to pick up some slack. Here’s Milwaukee Film’s description of the film. “Acclaimed director Jafar Panahi (playing a fictionalized version of himself) relocates to a
2023 Milwaukee Film Festival: Day Three “No Bears” Read More »