Everyone has those days at work where you just sorta hate every passing minute of existence and on those days you really appreciate something (anything) that is just light hearted and fun. I had one of those days this past weekend and luckily for me I stumbled upon this video titled "where the hell is matt?" Naturally, as a fellow person named "matt" I was curious to see where this video was going and discovered this jolly world traveller who filmed himself dancing in cities all over the world.
This just made my soul smile and when your soul smiles, you have to share that with others. So I officially claim this video for the documentary genre and hope to one day meet this fellow matt and shake his hand for making, quite arguably, the best film of 2008.
Click here and let your soul bound like the legs on this well travelled man.
Monday, July 7, 2008
HBO Brings Summer Entertainment
If you are like me, the summer months translate to 'nothing to watch on tv.' Of course, there's always the ever wonderful USA original programming to keep us entertained (Burn Notice starts this Thursday and you can't help but love Monk), but that only covers so many nights! Thankfully, HBO has heard the collective sighs of boredom and answered the call with a summer long documentary series.
Airing every Monday night from now until the end of August, HBO has put together a pretty impressive list of films. Tonight's documentary is "The Art of Failure". Directed by Jeff Stimmel, it looks at artist Chuck Connelly, who sold more than a million dollars worth of art in the 1980's.
So if you are luckier (or richer) than myself and actually get HBO I highly recommend making the jump to their website and seeing the list for yourself. HBO has always been on the forefront of documentary promotion so let's hope this series is just a taste of more to come.
Airing every Monday night from now until the end of August, HBO has put together a pretty impressive list of films. Tonight's documentary is "The Art of Failure". Directed by Jeff Stimmel, it looks at artist Chuck Connelly, who sold more than a million dollars worth of art in the 1980's.
So if you are luckier (or richer) than myself and actually get HBO I highly recommend making the jump to their website and seeing the list for yourself. HBO has always been on the forefront of documentary promotion so let's hope this series is just a taste of more to come.
Monday, June 23, 2008
NBA Draft Taps Into Doc Potential
For those NBA fanatics out there you may be eagerly counting down the minutes to the NBA draft this Thursday. I for one find myself spending hours upon hours looking up the latest details, rumors and scouting reports hoping to suddenly become "all knowing" on all things NBA draft. If you are like me and starting to burn out on all the words and arguments for who should go to which team and why, boy do I have a distraction for you.
Kansas State star and potential number one pick Michael Beasley has allowed a film crew to basically follow him as he makes the rounds leading up to draft day. To me, Beasley is a young Charles Barkley, both in talent and swagger, and he already leads the league in entertaining quotes so this episodic look at the young man is certainly worth your time.
Head on over to ESPN to check it out for yourself, and prepare for the draft...
Kansas State star and potential number one pick Michael Beasley has allowed a film crew to basically follow him as he makes the rounds leading up to draft day. To me, Beasley is a young Charles Barkley, both in talent and swagger, and he already leads the league in entertaining quotes so this episodic look at the young man is certainly worth your time.
Head on over to ESPN to check it out for yourself, and prepare for the draft...
Soccer and Poverty = Great Mix
I'm a little confused on AOL's "association game" where they compare homeless statistics to soccer... err, I mean... football, but I guess it's worth mentioning that they are pretty much forced to shove a round peg into a square hole with this idea- so my complements for trying. The story they are trying to dissect? The official summary of Kicking It, a documentary by Colin Farrell (aka sexist Irishman alive) about the Homeless World Cup.
Unlike the underground/cult hit Bum Fights series, where homeless people were filmed fighting each other, the Homeless World Cup looks to "give homeless people a chance to change their lives through an international street soccer competition." It actually sounds like a really cool and even though I've never heard of the event, apparently over 500 people from 48 nations ended up competing in the most recent event. So it's clearly a big deal.
As mentioned, Colin Farrell is the face of the film, and while his sweet talkin' Irish voice may be enough to woo most of you to the theaters, I suggest watching the trailer over at AOL.com to get a full appreciation of the project. Looks to be a surefire hit in my book (but I also love soccer... err.. football... can we go ahead and get an official name for this sport already?!?)
Unlike the underground/cult hit Bum Fights series, where homeless people were filmed fighting each other, the Homeless World Cup looks to "give homeless people a chance to change their lives through an international street soccer competition." It actually sounds like a really cool and even though I've never heard of the event, apparently over 500 people from 48 nations ended up competing in the most recent event. So it's clearly a big deal.
As mentioned, Colin Farrell is the face of the film, and while his sweet talkin' Irish voice may be enough to woo most of you to the theaters, I suggest watching the trailer over at AOL.com to get a full appreciation of the project. Looks to be a surefire hit in my book (but I also love soccer... err.. football... can we go ahead and get an official name for this sport already?!?)
Monday, June 16, 2008
The People Love Mike Tyson
You read me right. Audiences love Mike Tyson... and not just because his name is attached to one of the greatest video games of all time. No, what made the audiences at Cannes stand up and cheer is director James Toback's documentary, Tyson. Mixing archive footage with a serious of revealing interviews with Tyson himself, it is supposed to be a no holds barred look at the once dominate boxer's life (both in and out of the ring).
OK, yes, this is old news seeing as Cannes was WAAAAAAY back in mid-May, but come on: Tyson was applauded. That's like... well... I can't think of a parallel idea here, but I think it's obvious that anyone who stands and applauds a film is either watching Independence Day or a very very good film. So here's to hoping this release doesn't die on the film circuit but hits major theaters soon.
That's right, I stood up and cheered at the end of Independence Day (starring Will Smith) and all you snobby nay sayers can kiss my overly emotional, patriotic butt! Hmph!
OK, yes, this is old news seeing as Cannes was WAAAAAAY back in mid-May, but come on: Tyson was applauded. That's like... well... I can't think of a parallel idea here, but I think it's obvious that anyone who stands and applauds a film is either watching Independence Day or a very very good film. So here's to hoping this release doesn't die on the film circuit but hits major theaters soon.
That's right, I stood up and cheered at the end of Independence Day (starring Will Smith) and all you snobby nay sayers can kiss my overly emotional, patriotic butt! Hmph!
I'm a Mess of a Success
If you're like me and people are constantly coming up to you and exclaiming, "you're a mess!" My advice to you is to rebuttal with "... of success!" Seriously, anytime they say it (even if they say it 500 times) just add "of success" immediately afterward and they'll eventually get tired and move on. If, by some odd chance they actually ask you to 'prove your success' use this example: director Josh Freed.
Freed is like every other messy human being in the world, only, he embraces the fact. Actually he seems to relish it. Oh sure, most of us claim we don't care, but some of us wish we could change. Not Freed, whose now made a documentary on his "mess". Titled My Messy Life, the film already aired on CTV and hopefully will be seen on other outlets as well.
Miro Certnetig of the Vancouver Sun probably summarizes the documentary best: "My Messy Life is a bit of a bio film, a sort of one-man catharsis of the trials and tribulations of Homo disordinadus in a world that makes neatness a virtue."
That sounds delightful to me... and my pile of dirty undies.
Freed is like every other messy human being in the world, only, he embraces the fact. Actually he seems to relish it. Oh sure, most of us claim we don't care, but some of us wish we could change. Not Freed, whose now made a documentary on his "mess". Titled My Messy Life, the film already aired on CTV and hopefully will be seen on other outlets as well.
Miro Certnetig of the Vancouver Sun probably summarizes the documentary best: "My Messy Life is a bit of a bio film, a sort of one-man catharsis of the trials and tribulations of Homo disordinadus in a world that makes neatness a virtue."
That sounds delightful to me... and my pile of dirty undies.
I Am Trumbo!
Ok, it doesn't ring quite as powerfully as thousands of Roman slaves standing up claiming to be Spartacus in order to save their leader, but having multiple celebrities honor the great Dalton Trumbo does have a touching air of empowerment to it. The soon to be released documentary titled Trumbo, does exactly that, using actors to read the authors letter and quotes while taking the audience on a journey from blacklist to Academy Awards.
In case your not sure who Dalton Trumbo is (and you're too lazy to wikipedia him), he's basically one of the few Hollywood screenwriters who was first accused of being a communist, but chose to continue fighting back to get his ideas into print. He was sent to prison for 11 months for contempt of court and was basically blacklisted from Hollywood film. Of course, any good writer knows that when the chips are down, you gotta pull out your pen and write. And any great writer knows when you write, you write cinematic gold like Roman Holiday or Spartacus or heck anything Trumbo wrote really.
Anyway, I'm gonna stop boasting about Trumbo. Check out the trailer for this upcoming documentary and bask in the greatness that it clearly is honoring.
In case your not sure who Dalton Trumbo is (and you're too lazy to wikipedia him), he's basically one of the few Hollywood screenwriters who was first accused of being a communist, but chose to continue fighting back to get his ideas into print. He was sent to prison for 11 months for contempt of court and was basically blacklisted from Hollywood film. Of course, any good writer knows that when the chips are down, you gotta pull out your pen and write. And any great writer knows when you write, you write cinematic gold like Roman Holiday or Spartacus or heck anything Trumbo wrote really.
Anyway, I'm gonna stop boasting about Trumbo. Check out the trailer for this upcoming documentary and bask in the greatness that it clearly is honoring.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Oh Religion... You're So Silly!
What happens when you combine the minds of Larry Charles (Director of Borat) and Bill Maher (original political comedian) and then mix the combination together with a little religious satire? No, you don't get the next Pope... or Pope on Ice (though I think I have a good idea going there). Anyway, what you DO get is what could arguably be one of the funniest, and most protested, documentaries of the year: Religulous
That's right folks, Michael Moore step aside, there's a new man America will hate and his name is Bill Maher. Actually, most people have already sorta made up their minds about him already, but I'm sure this will only fuel their respective fires. Personally, I think the guy is a more serious version of Jon Stewert and while I won't say I agree with him on everything, I'm glad he isn't afraid to say what he believes.
Anyway, the trailer for this sure to be outrageous (and outraging) documentary looks inspiring and I'll be shocked if it doesn't live up to the hype.
That's right folks, Michael Moore step aside, there's a new man America will hate and his name is Bill Maher. Actually, most people have already sorta made up their minds about him already, but I'm sure this will only fuel their respective fires. Personally, I think the guy is a more serious version of Jon Stewert and while I won't say I agree with him on everything, I'm glad he isn't afraid to say what he believes.
Anyway, the trailer for this sure to be outrageous (and outraging) documentary looks inspiring and I'll be shocked if it doesn't live up to the hype.
iDocumentary... Seriously?!?
Ok. I'm a Mac user. I've been one all my life and will most likely remain one until the end of time... heck, I am a huge fan of the commercials even, but I do think Macs get way too much love these days. Seriously, I think there are at least 500 people here in the United States who are just wishing their Mac computers would turn into people so they could have sexual relations with them.
Case in point: Apple is getting the documentary treatment. Thankfully, the film is not called "iDocumentary" or "iFilm" or any number of other cheesy iTitles that may exist. Under the auspicious name of Welcome to Macintosh, The documentary for the rest of us, the film is set to air in front of the crowds of 2008 IngenuityFest: Cleveland and the 4th Globians Documentary Film Festival.
Anyway, this whole story sorta makes me wish I wasn't a Mac user, but oh well. I'm sure the Apple lovers of the world will flock to see this. As soon as a trailer shows up, I'll get y'all connected to it, but in the meantime, here's some more details for you.
Now, if I were to make a documentary for IngenuityFest, I'd focus on this little bugger...
Case in point: Apple is getting the documentary treatment. Thankfully, the film is not called "iDocumentary" or "iFilm" or any number of other cheesy iTitles that may exist. Under the auspicious name of Welcome to Macintosh, The documentary for the rest of us, the film is set to air in front of the crowds of 2008 IngenuityFest: Cleveland and the 4th Globians Documentary Film Festival.
Anyway, this whole story sorta makes me wish I wasn't a Mac user, but oh well. I'm sure the Apple lovers of the world will flock to see this. As soon as a trailer shows up, I'll get y'all connected to it, but in the meantime, here's some more details for you.
Now, if I were to make a documentary for IngenuityFest, I'd focus on this little bugger...
I'm Gonzo for Gonzo Beans!
"One toke? You poor fool! Wait till you see those goddamn bats. "
God Bless Hunter S. Thompson! A man so bizarre you always wanted to meet him, but never befriend him. And finally, after years of denial by Hollywood, there appears to be a film worthy enough to represent the man's life. The upcoming film is, appropriately titled, Gonzo. Oscar-award winning director Alex Gibney develops (what appears to be) a wildly entertaining look into the life of of Thompson himself.
I must say too, if there is one director I want to handle a documentary on Hunter S. Thompson, I'm definitely going to select Gibney. He's got the right style for this type of film and I can't wait to see the final product this July. If the film is anything remotely close to the quality of the trailer, then I'm sold a dozen times over. Check it out for yourself and then prepare yourself by watching Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas over and over and over again.
Seriously... check out the quotes from Fear and Loathing. Just brilliant writing.
God Bless Hunter S. Thompson! A man so bizarre you always wanted to meet him, but never befriend him. And finally, after years of denial by Hollywood, there appears to be a film worthy enough to represent the man's life. The upcoming film is, appropriately titled, Gonzo. Oscar-award winning director Alex Gibney develops (what appears to be) a wildly entertaining look into the life of of Thompson himself.
I must say too, if there is one director I want to handle a documentary on Hunter S. Thompson, I'm definitely going to select Gibney. He's got the right style for this type of film and I can't wait to see the final product this July. If the film is anything remotely close to the quality of the trailer, then I'm sold a dozen times over. Check it out for yourself and then prepare yourself by watching Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas over and over and over again.
Seriously... check out the quotes from Fear and Loathing. Just brilliant writing.
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