Tribeca Film Festival 2012

For the last 9 years I have used vacation time to attend the Tribeca Film Festival. NYC and time spent with film and film makers is a great use of time off. This year, other obligations have occupied my free days, so I could not swing week day attendance. Because this would be my 10th year attending, I decided to be happy with one day at the festival. Weekend tickets are the hardest to procure, and I failed to have tickets before I arrived in NY. I decided to take my chances on the Rush Line.

I arrived in Brooklyn on Friday night, as my daughter Liza agreed to accompany me on my Saturday adventure. We had a delicious dinner at Superfine and went to bed early. Saturday morning, the air was crisp, but the rain had stopped and we walked the dogs in DUMBO before taking the train into the east Village. Now the TFF website recommends you arrived 45 minutes before the film to line up for Rush Tickets. 15 minutes before the movie, they count the empty seats and sell the remaining tickets. In my experience, if you are within the first 30 people in line, you have a pretty good chance of getting in. We arrived at 10:50am for a 12:00 screening of 2 Days in NY and we were 22nd & 23rd in line. People who arrived 45 min ahead, looked bewildered at the almost 100 people in line at that point. The staff member organizing the line was continually warning us that the night before, there were 125 people in the Rush Line for 2 Days in Paris and not one person got in. Wow. We had a spot in the sun, the people around us in line were pleasant, we had a plan B and a positive attitude. As noon approached, a few people near the front of the line happily went into the theater, but when we were around #10 they told us there were no more seats, and the film would be in theaters in August.

Plan B went into motion as we made our way across the street for lunch at Smith. After lunch we got back in the subway and went cross-town to check out the Family Street Fair. Strollers, street performers, music, popcorn and cupcakes filled Greenwich St. The hour before we were to get in another line was spent at Church Bar, one of of my faves in the lobby of the Tribeca Grand. Arriving at Tribeca Cinema at 2:40 for a 4 pm film, we were still about 20th in line for Knuckleball! The best part was waiting with a Mets fan. Happily, we got into the film, sat front row for the first time in years. Small theater, small screen, it worked. Excellent documentary. After the film we had a little time to kill, so we went to Nancy Whiskey for a quick beverage before meeting my friend Randi for dinner at Bread Tribeca. Dinner was delicious.

On the cab ride back to Brooklyn, Liza and I declared the day a success, and another year at Tribeca Film Festival was in the books. A wonderful time.

The Cabin in the Woods

Since January I have been reading accolades for The Cabin in the Woods. Early on I was warned to go in as fresh as possible. My most trusted film folks said that the less you know, the more you will enjoy the film. I went as far as sticking my fingers in my ears at the airport last week when the entertainment reporters came on the monitors to review the film. Today I finally saw it fresh, and it was glorious! A clever, gory, wonderful horror film. Read the reviews after you see the film. I loved it!

The Best Man

Months ago I read about The Best Man being revived on Broadway. When i looked at the stellar cast, I figured I'd never get near that show. Fast forward to my last visit to Brooklyn, an easy wait in the TKTS line and voila, we were going to see the show. The theater was done up in campaign regalia, the highlight performances were James Earl Jones and Angela lands bury (the senior members of the cast) and we had a big night on Broadway. Pretty awesome.

Being Flynn

Being Flynn is the poignant story of a young man trying to find his way without his father. On tht way, he runs into his father. This film is based on a memoir and is treated with honesty, dignity, humor and love.

The Hunger Games

The plot synopsis of teens in a futuristic fight to the death does not make The Hunger Games sound very appealing. But the strength of the story and performances make this a futuristic adventure film worth seeing. Brutal and a bit bizarre, it is a solid start to this film series.

We Need to Talk About Kevin

The disturbing events in We Need to Talk About Kevin are a parent's nightmare. Kevin is unruly from birth. We watch his Mother struggle to love him and deal with his outrageous behavior. This film is painful and disturbing, but a powerful drama.

Carnage

An altercation between two kids, brings their parents together in Carnage. What starts out as a civilized problem solving session, deteriorates to a volatile feud fueled by anger and alcohol. The dialogue and performances are enthralling. I really liked this film.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

In one day, Jeff, Who Lives at Home follows the signs he needs to find his purpose. I thought this film was a poignant statement on being in the right place at the right time in so many ways. Well written with great performances. Worth a look.

Silent House

Inside a house, a young girl hears noises and is terrified. Silent House is a thriller that works with suspense and what you don't see. Where is the threat? What causes the fear? Learning where the monsters are is the most frightening. Good thriller.

The Skin I Live In

Science fiction meets horror in The Skin I Live In. Modern technology mixed with old architecture creates a mood of elegance and peril. Revenge is creative if you are a plastic surgeon. This thriller/horror flick is a crazy ride I really liked.

The Lorax

The environmental message in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax gets a little extra zip in the big screen adaptation. An an expanded story line brings a bit of peril and adventure for older viewers. The animation and music will please the younger audience. I'm happy to have shared this one with my Grandson.

A Dangerous Method

The early years of modern psychoanalysis are chronicled in A Dangerous Method. Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud work to treat a young woman, who's recovery is rather remarkable. All three characters have ugly sides, but it's and interesting, true story. Another film with excellent performances.

Shame

In the film Shame, I realized that sex addiction is a dangerous form of self-abuse. Not a happy drama about a man and his sister who struggle to find happiness and fail. Great performances, but it's a sad story.

How to Die in Oregon

When a well structured documentary takes on the subject of medically assisted suicide, it is a rough, emotional ride. How to Die in Oregon is heartfelt, yet frightening in our attitudes toward life and death. It's a tough issue, with some eye-opening stories.

Q&A My Week with Marilyn

When Kenneth Branagh talks about My Week with Marilyn he lights up. Watch him here, delightful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB3NWyMUQJw

A Separation

In any altercation there is Story A, Story B and the truth. In A Separation we start with a family struggling with the realities of life. Add an unfortunate incident, desperate motivations and a struggle to find the truth and we've got a drama that is heartbreaking and compelling. The tone of the screenplay borders on a crime thriller. Incidents are exaggerated, information is left out, the facts come together a bit like a puzzle, but we never quite see the whole picture. Excellent film with a deep emotional core.

Chronicle

Chronicle delivers on drama and thrills. Three teens acquire super-human powers. They use them as any teenager would. Emotions run high and things get out of hand. Their adventures start out joyful, but end on a cataclysmic note. Great effects and cool story.

Q&A Young Adult

A wonderful peek behind the curtain of her process. Diablo Cody in a Q&A for Young Adult.

(don't let the lighting distract you)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJhdsZGtpYQ

Q&A Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The folks over at the Arclight got a few principles from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to talk about the film. Interesting insights to an interesting film. Have a look.

Gary Oldman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw01ng6MCTM

Mark Strong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_3w5S3-FMw

Thomas Alfredson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuwrOZudlCc

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

I saw the film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close because of its Oscar nominations. In the wake of 9/11 an unlikable kid deals with the death of his father with a strange quest for the origin of a mysterious key. His Mother is even less likable, and the story was unlikely. This is a frustrating movie that could have used some editing to make it easier to swallow. Best Picture? I think not.