The Wolverine Twitter Chat with Hugh Jackman

THE WOLVERINE TWITTER CHAT WITH HUGH JACKMAN

Fans are getting the special opportunity to ask Hugh Jackman questions about the highly anticipated film “The Wolverine.” Check out the Twitter pages for Hugh Jackman (https://twitter.com/RealHughJackman) and The Wolverine (http://twitter.com/WolverineMovie) on Thursday, May 2nd at 12:00 pm ET to see Hugh answer your questions via video!



Start tweeting your questions now with #TheWolverine #AskHugh and comment on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheWolverineMovie for the chance to have them presented.



Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.



The Wolverine opens in theaters July 26, 2013. For more information about the film, visit www.facebook.com/TheWolverineMovie and www.twitter.com/wolverinemovie, and watch the trailer HERE.

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Fox Sports Southwest Sandlot Sleepover at Rangers Ballpark

FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST TO HOST FAN SLEEPOVER

MAY 11 AT RANGERS BALLPARK IN ARLINGTON



Special Screening of Iconic Baseball Film The Sandlot, Live Coverage

Of Rangers Road Game vs. Astros Highlights Rangers Live Party



Fans Can Camp Out Under The Stars In The Outfield



Filmmaker David Mickey Evans and Chauncey ‘Squints’ Leopardi

Will Meet and Greet With Fans



FOX Sports Southwest has partnered with the Texas Rangers to host a Fan Sleepover at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and a special screening of the iconic baseball film The Sandlot on Saturday, May 11.



Gates to the event open at 5:30 p.m. The sleepover kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with the Rangers road game vs. the Houston Astros shown on a large display screen in the outfield followed by the screening of Twentieth Century Fox’s all-time baseball classic in celebration of the beloved film’s 20th anniversary.



Fans can camp out under the stars in the outfield with their sleeping bags, sleeping mats and pillows to enjoy the special ballpark experience that runs until 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 12.



Filmmaker David Mickey Evans and members of The Sandlot cast, including Chauncey Leopardi (Michael ‘Squint’ Palledorous) and Patrick Renna (Hamilton ‘Ham’ Porter) will be at the sleepover to meet and greet fans.



FOX Sports Southwest’s RANGERS LIVE pregame show prior to the Rangers-Astros game also will originate from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and will be shown on the large display screen.



Ranked in the Top 40 as one of the best sports movies ever, The Sandlot originally was released in 1993 and still captures the hearts of baseball fans young and old.



The nostalgic coming-of-age movie set in the early 1960s is about a clumsy kid that moves to a new neighborhood with his mom and stepdad. Through trials, tribulations and adventures, he learns the game of baseball from the neighborhood kids in their local sandlot. The film’s classic line, “You’re killing me Smalls!” still resonates with baseball and movie enthusiasts.



Tickets for the family fun Fan Sleepover priced at $20 for children 13 and under and $30 for adults are available online at www.texasrangers.com/sleepover



– FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST –

www.FoxSportsSouthwest.com

The Met: Live In HD Summer Encore Series

“The Met: Live In HD” Summer Encore Series
Heats Up at U.S. Cinemas

NCM Fathom Events and the Metropolitan Opera Present Four Magnificent Opera Performances in Select U.S. Cinemas Beginning June 19

New York and Centennial, Colo. – April 29, 2013 – Beginning Wednesday, June 19, the Metropolitan Opera and NCM Fathom Events will once again present Summer HD Encores, a series of encore performances from the groundbreaking Live in HD series, in nearly 400 select U.S. cinemas nationwide through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. This summer’s encore series offers four popular Live in HD events, including the most-attended event in the program’s history, Bizet’s “Carmen” (June 19), followed by Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” (June 26), Rossini’s “Armida” (July 10), and Verdi’s “La Traviata” (July 17).
Tickets for The Met: Live in HD Summer 2013 Encores, shown in cinemas Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in all time zones, are available at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.
This will be the fifth series of Summer HD Encores, following a successful seventh season of The Met: Live in HD series which featured 12 live operas including five new productions.
“This summer’s Encore series features four passionate and romantic opera performances that are sure to heat up cinemas across the country,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events. “The series kicks off with the sizzling fan favorite ‘Carmen’ which was last featured in the Met: Live in HD series in 2010. Definitely a must-see for anyone who experienced – or missed – any of these performances during their first run.”


The Met: Live in HD Summer 2013 Encores Schedule:

Carmen – Wednesday, June 19 (originally broadcast live on January 16, 2010)
Called “a gripping and brilliant production” by The New York Times, “Carmen” stars Elīna Garanča as the seductive gypsy, opposite Roberto Alagna as the obsessed soldier Don José. Acclaimed rising Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads the Met’s production by Olivier Award-winning British director Richard Eyre, which features Barbara Frittoli as Micaëla and Teddy Tahu Rhodes as the toreador Escamillo. Christopher Wheeldon, artistic director and founder of Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company, created the choreography for what remains the Met’s most popular HD presentation to date.


Il Trovatore – Wednesday, June 26 (originally broadcast live on April 30, 2011)
Starring four of the world’s most celebrated interpreters of the leading roles, David McVicar’s critically acclaimed production stars Marcelo Álvarez as the heroic troubadour of the title. In the role of Leonora, Sondra Radvanovsky is “remarkable…a spirited, feisty heroine” (Variety); Dolora Zajick is "a force of nature” (The New York Times) as Azucena, the gypsy with a dark secret; and Dmitri Hvorostovsky's "vivid presence and rich baritone emphasize Count di Luna's swings between hell-bent vengeance and romantic obsession" (Variety). Marco Armiliato conducts.

Armida – Wednesday, July 10 (originally broadcast live on May 1, 2010)
Directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman, “Armida” stars celebrated American soprano Renée Fleming as the mystical sorceress in one of the greatest virtuoso roles from the bel canto repertory. Fleming is joined by Lawrence Brownlee, who sings Armida’s chief love interest, Rinaldo, and four more tenors in the roles of the crusader knights. Barry Banks portrays Rinaldo’s rival Gernando. John Osborn sings Goffredo, and Banks, Kobie van Rensburg, and Yegishe Manucharyan are the knights Carlo, Ubaldo, and Eustazio, respectively. Riccardo Frizza conducts.

La Traviata – Wednesday, July 17 (originally broadcast live on April 14, 2012)
Natalie Dessay stars as the tragic courtesan Violetta Valéry in Willy Decker’s innovative modern-dress staging of “La Traviata,” which “delivers style, sparkle, and stirring drama” (Los Angeles Times). Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the tragic love story, which also stars Matthew Polenzani as the lovesick Alfredo and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as his disapproving father, Giorgio Germont.


About National CineMedia (NCM)
National CineMedia (NCM) operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom Events present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 183 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes over 19,300 screens (approximately 18,500 digital). During 2012, approximately 710 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters in which NCM currently has exclusive, cinema advertising agreements in place. The NCM Fathom Events live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is comprised of over 740 locations in 172 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 41 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 46.9% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com. (NCMI-E)

About the Metropolitan Opera
Under the leadership of General Manager Peter Gelb and Music Director James Levine, the Met has a series of bold initiatives underway that are designed to broaden its audience and revitalize the company’s repertory. The Met has made a commitment to presenting modern masterpieces alongside the classic repertory, with highly theatrical productions featuring the greatest opera stars in the world. For more information about the Metropolitan Opera, please visit www.metopera.org.

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 4/28- 5/4

OK...as soon as this calendar is posted, the craziness for Iron Man 3 will commence. Everyone must realize by now that the passes are only good for one person. People that went to the I Heart Cinema/Big Fan Boy party this weekend stood and waited for a chance to win them. Mooching from the group for someone to give them up will probably be a slim to none chance. And if someone does offer a pass, please keep negotiations for the pass OFF THE LIST. There's a couple of other movies scheduled for Tuesday night, so it's not like it's a total loss. You may even enjoy them more.

And to stave off misunderstandings on the Monsters University screening...according to the Facebook link, people must provide their student or faculty ID's to attend. Please don't beg for passes if you do not meet the criteria for the screening.

Waving to our friends at I Heart Cinema who have just closed their doors. Good luck to you all, and thank you for all the great screenings and fun movie events. We will miss you, but I'm sure we will be seeing James at his new job at the Alamo Drafthouse very soon. He teased some upcoming surprises that we can anxiously anticipate!

April 28 - May 4

Sun
Apr 28

The Private Life of a Masterpiece:Michelangelo, David (2004) - 2:00 pm - Kimbell Art Museum

Mon
Apr 29

Monsters University - 8:00 pm - Angelika dallas

Tue
Apr 30

Iron Man 3 - 7:30 pm - Cinemark West Plano
Angels Share - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas
The Iceman - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley

Wed
May 1

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - 7:00 pm - Magnolia
The Kings of Summer - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas
The Way Way Back - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas
Iron Man 3 - 7:30 pm - Amstar 14

Thu
May 2

This is the End - 7:30 pm - tba

Fri
May 3

Sat
May 4

DIFF Interviews and Red Carpet Video

The 2013 Dallas International Film Festival may be over, but you can relive the adventure of the red carpet celebrity rush, and some of the film maker interviews by Dallas Movie Screenings videographer David Bacon.

Red Carpet Music Video:



Interviews on the red carpet at the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival: Farah White (CHAMPION), Cecilia Peck (BRAVE MISS WORLD), James Bird and Adriana Mather (CHASING SHAKESPEARE).

Starbuck

This movie is for all those young men who offered their body fluids at a sperm bank to help impregnate women and often wondered what happened after that. The most successful Quebec made movie directed by Ken Scott who also wrote the script with Martin Petit was filmed in 2011. It finally makes it to the American screens. The movie was also made into an Indian Bollywood version and an English version being released later this year will be called The Delivery Man starring Vince Vaughn. But please by all means see the French Canadian film with English subtitles first. You won't be sorry.

Starbuck is the pseudonym for the anonymous donor of 683 vials that were successfully used to create 533 children between the years of 1988-1990. About 142 of them decided to file a class action suit with the clinic to reveal the identity of the donor. A lawyer shows up to let David (Patrick Huard) who is now 42 years old, know what his prolific donations had wrought. He hands him an envelope with profiles of the children that are looking for him. David, who works driving the delivery truck for his father's butcher shop is not exactly thrilled with this news. He's got his own problems being $80,000 in debt to loan sharks and his girlfriend Valérie (Julie LeBreton) who is angry at him for taking her for granted is pregnant.

His best friend (Antoine Bertrand) decides to get his lawyer license again to represent him to keep the records sealed. Curiosity gets the better of him and David decides to look at just one of the children in the envelope. It fills him with pride to discover that the young man is a talented soccer player. Slowly he begins to stalk each young person and gifting them with a random act of kindness. It really hits home when he follows one young man and ends up at a meeting for the people involved in the lawsuit and he can see all the faces of his progeny. Before he could identify himself, his father is attacked by his loan sharks. He decides to go with the counter suit to keep his his name from being publicized.

Patrick Huard plays the hapless David with a sweet affability. Even his family is always forgiving David for his mishaps, missteps, and constant mistakes. His father gives him the easiest job at the business, but he can't even do that right. His brothers tease him horrendously but he has a close loving family. Even his cop girlfriend can't stay angry at him long enough even after finding out his secret identity. David's transformation from an irresponsible airhead to a man ready to stand up to the bad media coverage of his Starbuck image. It's an improbable story, but that is so full of heart, that you will walk out smiling.
(Review by reesa)

The Big Wedding

It never fails that these movies that center on a wedding of two impossibly cute people are always located on these beautiful estates, are catered events in tents on the lawns, with guests staying in the multiple rooms within. Everyone is genetically blessed, have good successful jobs, and have nothing else to worry about than their own personal dramas. That being said, director/writer Justin Zackham based his version of 2006 French film Mon frère se marie written by Jean-Stéphane Bron and Karine Sudan that stars a large ensemble of very competent actors who do their best to sell the story.

Long divorced Ellie and Don Griffin (Diane Keaton and Robert Di Niro) unite for the wedding of their Columbian adopted son Alejandro (Ben Barnes). Don has been living with his girlfriend (and Ellie best friend) BeBe (Susan Sarandon) for the past 10 years. Alejandro's Catholic bio-mom and sister (Patricial Rae and Ana Ayora) is flying in from Columbia for the wedding. Alex asks his parents if they would pretend to be still married as his bio-mom considers divorce to be a huge sin. This obviously peeves BeBe who moves her stuff out of the house to help with the farce. The plot obviously snowballs into all sorts of unexpected shenanigans.

Intertwined are the stories of the other siblings and friends. Lyla (Katherine Heigl) is a lawyer who just had a huge fight with her husband who she walked out on to come home to the wedding. While visiting her maternity doctor brother Jared (Topher Grace) she faints when she sees a baby. Lyla has a lot of anger directed at her father. Jared is 29 and still single and still a virgin while waiting for the perfect moment to lose it. His stance is taken aback when is future sister in law Nuria does a skinny dip in the family pond and gives him a hand job during the rehearsal dinner (!). Missy (Amanda Seyfried), the bride to be, is the daughter of Muffin (Christine Ebersole) and Barry (David Rasche) who despite their smiles are worried that because of Alex's South American heritage that they will have “beige” babies.

All the craziness is helped by having a good cast. Robert Di Niro in comic form as the sculptor Don who thinks he's all that to his 1rst and 2nd women in his life. Don endures most of the slapstick by constantly being slapped and puked on. Keaton plays pretty much the same character in most of her movies, and you can expect no less here. She and Susan Sarandon manage to give their characters a mature and friendly attitude with their complicated love life without resorting to cattiness. Everyone is so civilized. On top of all this Robin Williams plays the local priest who is on the wagon and presides at the wedding ceremony.

There's a lot going on in this and it's really nothing new. The French version would probably play better. But for now, this is the yearly wedding movie that usually comes out at this time of year for those wedding planning tie in's. Check your brain at the door, and just have fun with it.
(Review by reesa)

Mud

It's been awhile since Matthew McConaughey has shown his dramatic chops that doesn't involve an over the top character like in Magic Mike or Killer Joe. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols the film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and was shown at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. This coming of age story has shades of Huck Finn and Treasure Island. A little piece of Americana during the summer in Arkansas along the Mississippi River.

Ellis (Tye Sheridan) lives in a funky houseboat with his soon to divorce parents (Sarah Paulson and Ray McKinnon). His best friend Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) lives with his oyster diving uncle Galen (Michael Shannon) who fancies himself a playboy. The boys had discovered a boat caught up in a tree on a deserted river island and plan to claim it as their own. But when they go there they find evidence that someone may be living in it. They stumble upon a grizzled Mud (McConaughey) who gets the boys to bring him food and water with the promise that he will let them have the boat once he's done.

While Mud represents a danger, he's also charismatic in his laid back straight talking attitude with the boys. They later find out that he's hiding there after killing a man who was abusing this long time sweetheart Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). She is supposed to meet him in town soon, so he's just waiting for time. Not only are the police after Mud there's bounty hunters in town hired by the father (Joe Don Baker) and brother of the murdered man who trying to track down Mud by keeping an eye on Juniper.

Ellis becomes the messenger between Mud and Juniper. His impressionable young mind carries a romantic fascination as the undying love story that Mud relays is a distraction from his embattled parents. He hangs on to Mud's belief that Juniper and he are meant to be, but soon finds that she also has some secrets. Even his mysterious neighbor on the river Tom Blankenship (Sam Shepard) who knows Mud, may or may not be Mud's father and could have been a government hit man.

The 14 year old Ellis also develops a crush on a high school girl who, as all teenage girls do, messes with his head that leads him to some serious heart ache. Ellis is tough, sensitive and ever watchful. He realizes that not everything that adults tell him are the entire truth. You can see how the events are changing the young man's life by the confidence and wariness displayed in eyes. His parents so increasing self involved in their own dramas fail to comprehend the effect they have on their son.

The performances, particularly by the two boys is what keeps this movie falling into the same traps of the typical coming of age movies. There's humor, but more real life ridiculousness rather than set up jokes and stunts. McConaughey probably gives one of the best portrayals in years reminding us of those John Grisham days when he was the next big thing. If there's a movie to see this year, this may be the one.
(Review by reesa)

Pain and Gain

It's amazing that other directors are doing “Michael Bay” movies while Michael Bay is doing Pain & Gain. The extremely dark comedy was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely based on a 1999 Miami New Times series of articles about the brutal kidnapping, extortion, torture and murder by an organized group that included a number of body builders. The Sun Gym Gang in reality are sitting on death row in Florida. If this movie is anywhere near to what really happened it's a good object lesson on what steroids and coke can do to a stupid person's mind.

Mark Wahlberg is Danny Lugo a personal trainer at Sun Gym who is sick of being poor. After attending a get rich seminar by Johnny Wu (Ken Jeong), he decides to become a “doer”. Unfortunately his limited brain power only goes as far as concocting a plot to steal away the fortune of one of his annoying clients Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub). He recruits his fellow worker Adrian (Anthony Mackie) who wants a specific medical treatment for his erectile dysfunction due to his steroid abuse. To make the team complete he brings in Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson) a recovering coke head who just got out of prison. The plan is to kidnap Victor and get him to sign over all his assets to them. Danny's plans sound better than the actual execution. The three dimwits are faced with an adversary who has survived living in Columbia and holds out for weeks while the trio tortures him. Even attempts to kill him miserably fail. Victor tries to get the police after the trio, but his story is so fantastic that no one believes him. He hires ex detective Ed Du Bois (Ed Harris) who doesn't quite believe him either. But when the gang goes through their ill gotten gains quickly they target porn king Frank Grin (Michael Rispoli) and thats when they truly over play their hands.

First of all this movie is way too long. Secondly, there's not really one likable character in the whole movie, except maybe Ed Harris. Danny is full of ideas that he plays out his scenarios like action movies, Adrian falls in love with the nurse at the clinic (Rebel Wilson) having a thing of plus-size women, and Paul who has that recovery born again fervor doesn't let that get in the way of his addiction when he's got money to burn. The funniest moments involve the gang having a neighborhood watch party in Victor's old house. Several people walked out during the advanced screening when the gang decides to dismember some of their victims. Nothing is shown, but it's still kind of grisly. There are some really amusing moments, but mostly from all the pain the audience has to endure during this movie, there's really nothing to gain.
(Review by reesa)

Grand Opening of the B and B Wylie Cinema 12

Friday, April 26th

GRAND OPENING to public! (Ribbon cutting @ 5:45PM)

FREE popcorn, any size, all day on Friday and Saturday

Face painter for the kids!



A few highlights of B&B Wylie Cinema 12

Marque Suite balcony that includes a server and a plush leather recliner.

70ft wide Grand Screen

Retro Night once a month (begins May 9th with Forest Gump) for $5!

Famous “Butter Bar”

Weekly newsletter with coupons, also additional coupons available just by ‘Liking’ their Facebook page

Star Trek: The Video Game Moblie Game Truck Tour

STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME

COMES TO DALLAS WITH A MOBILE GAME TRUCK TOUR!


WHAT: A mobile game truck will make a stop in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to invite residents to play STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME for free! Attendees will also receive a special edition poster that will only be available at the event, while supplies last.


WHEN: Saturday, April 27th

1:00pm-7:00pm


WHERE: Lone Star Comics (Arlington Location)

1215 S. Cooper St., Arlington, TX 76010



ABOUT STAR TREK THE VIDEO GAME

The highly anticipated STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME features a vastly updated version of the Gorn as the key foe to legendary duo Kirk and Spock. Players take on the roles of Kirk and Spock, who work together to get to the heart of a mysterious attack by an enemy with unimaginable strength – a re-imagined version of the Gorn. In an entirely original story, written by BAFTA award winner Marianne Krawczyk, the Gorn is a terrifying threat, with an army that could overwhelm Kirk, Spock and the crew of the Enterprise. STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME is under license by CBS Consumer Products and will be released April 23 in North America and April 26 worldwide by Paramount Pictures and NAMCO Bandai Games. It will be available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. The video game is being released in preparation for the highly anticipated film, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, in theaters May 17.

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 4/21- 4/27

So many movies on Tuesday. Wow. Hope y'all watched the trailers and investigated the ratings. Just because the movie has "The Rock" in it, does not make it appropriate for children. Be forewarned. Beside the issue of keeping kids out late on school nights.

Also note, there's a screening for The Big Wedding on Thursday night. Please don't beg people for this one because it was made available to AARP members. If you had a membership you would have been able to sign up for it. There's also a screening for Monsters University next month that is only open to those with college ID's. Please don't try and crash the party without being in that demographic. There will be more screenings so just hold on, relax, take a deep breath.

Remember if you have questions on what is screening, there's a really nice calendar on the group pages at
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/DallasMovieScreenings/cal
You can see what's coming up and who offered the passes. It's up to you to investigate the links or websites, sign up for newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, or where ever and get those passes on your own, so you don't have to beg from others. There's a chronic group that always asks...we see you, we know who are. Then there are those who always seems to have passes available. Again, if you know you are not going to make a screening, then please don't sign up for the passes!

Iron Man 3 passes are an Admit ONE only. Please be aware!

April 21 - April 27

Sun
Apr 21

Mon
Apr 22

Tue
Apr 23

The To Do List - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas
The East - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas
Pain & Gain - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Royal
Pain & Gain - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark
Starbuck - 7:30 pm - Magnolia
Chasing Shakespeare - 7:30 pm - Amstar 14

Wed
Apr - 24

Priscilla Queen of the Desert - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley
The Big Wedding - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Royal

Thu
Apr 25

The Big Wedding - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark

Fri
Apr 26

Sat
Apr 27

Oblivion

Do the people who create these big budget movies throwing little slips of paper into a hat filled with various rehashed ideas, then take the handful of chits and decide to build a story from it? This new science fiction epic by Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski wrote the screenplay with Karl Gajdusek and Michael Arndt based on a Kosinski's unpublished graphic novel. There's a little bit of Wall-E, Star Wars, the Matrix Revolution, a touch of Planet of the Apes and probably others. The IMAX format offers the sound and feel for the big moments, and visually the movie is quite stunning. But for all the FX and wonderment has totally replaced the character development necessary to become emotionally involved with the story.

Earth in 2077, it's been said the world has been destroyed by alien scavengers (Scavs) which destroyed the moon and pretty much made a mess of things when the earth shook and the ocean rose. The survivors were sent to Saturn's moon Titan. On earth, Jack Harper, also known as Tech 49, works from a glass and concrete tower with his communications officer Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) dressed in stylish clothes and high heels office wear. She gets her orders via a video link with their commander Sally (Melissa Leo with a huge southern fried accent) who is at the orbiting space station known as the Tet. They only have 2 weeks left of duty before they are promised to be returned to Titan. From the base of their operations, Jack flies this orbital craft, which deserves it's own movie. He repairs the drones that protect the huge water extractions units. Several drones have been hijacked and their fuel cells taken probably due to the remaining Scavs.

Jack has been having recurring dreams that feel more real than a dream. They are visions of life in New York's empire state building observation tower and a beautiful unknown woman (Olga Kurylenko). It's then vexing to him when a spaceship crashes on earth and the rescue pods are carrying sleeping humans. He manages to save one pod from the drones which for some reason are destroying them. The one he saves turns out to be the woman from his dreams. If this isn't confusing enough, they are captured by the Scavs who also turn out to be something he wasn't expecting. Their leader Malcolm Beech (Morgan Freeman) who tells Jack to go beyond the radiation zone to find the answers.

This film is really appealing to the eye. It's just a matter of accepting Tom Cruise, whose tabloid public image often over powers our ability to believe his immersion in his character. The romantic element is the only heart in the narrative. It would have been nice to see some exploration of Scavs and how they survived. How they never found the secret lush valley that Jack has hidden away as his retreat from the sterile Tech Station with Victoria. But those are moot points. The story moves along, although the details of the cataclysm are a bit murky as to why and how. The big reveal at the end is not really surprising and it's tied up neatly if somewhat expected. For an early venture into the summer movie season which usually kicks off with Iron Man 3, it's a nice diversion until then.
(Review by reesa)

12th Annual 24-Hour Video Race Divisions Announced

UPDATE: 12th Annual 24-Hour Video Race

New Divisions Announced



The 12thAnnual 24-Hour Video Race, presented by The Video Association of Dallas, will commence at the Angelika Film Center in Mockingbird Station at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 10, and end 24 hours later at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. The Angelika Film Center is at 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln. There will be 3 new divisions in 2013: Rock Around the Clock (music videos), Doc Around the Clock (documentaries), and an all-mobile device division.



Dallas film and video makers of all levels of experience are invited to participate in the race, both creatively and literally. Teams that do not make it to the finish line at midnight will not be included in the judging, All teams will be assigned four critical elements: one theme, one prop, one location and one line of dialogue.



Anyone with a camera and the willingness to race can participate. Past teams have included elementary school students to professional filmmakers. Student teams compete against other student teams, and adult teams are categorized by team size rather than skill level.





New Divisions



Rock Around the Clock:

This year there is a new division: music videos. Five bands by will be selected by the KXT staff and matched with 5 video crews selected by Video Association of Dallas. Each team, assigned a band, will be given access to a venue to record them performing live on Saturday, May 11. The team will turn in their finished video with everyone else at the Angelika on May 11 by 11:59 p.m. Interested team must submit their reels by April 26.
$75 Limit 5 teams



Doc Around the Clock:

Doc Around the Clock is the new category for creating a documentary video. Film-making teams from around North Texas will have 3 days of 8 hours a day (during the day on May 8, 9, and 10) for a total of 24 hours access to a subject assigned by the Video Association of Dallas. The team then has to make a documentary about the subject to be turned in with the other teams by Saturday, May 11 at 11:59 pm.
$125 Limit 5 teams



All-Mobile Device Division:

The same rules as the 24-Hour Video Race with the requirement added that the entire film has to be shot and edited on a smart phone or tablet.

$75




Video Race Classic Divisions


The 24-Hour Video Race’s teams Classic Divisions five categories remain:

Pixelvision K-12 Teams

Futurevision Current College/University students and recent graduates

Auteur Professional or amateur teams of a single member

Guerilla Professional or Amateur teams of 3 to 5 members

Hollywood Professional or Amateur teams of 6 or more members




Screenings

The screenings of the work of all the entrants will be Tuesday-Thursday, May 14-16 with the finalists screened on Monday, May 20 at the Angelika Film Center. The winning videos will be shown on KERA –TV Channel 13’s program “Frame of Mind,” on the website, and on You+Media Dallas site. Team members should bring Race badges for admission to the screenings. (This includes teams who did not finish the Race.) Members of the general public can also attend. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. The screening schedule will be posted Monday, May 13.


Sponsored by

Texas Commission on the Art

Office of Cultural Affairs Dallas

Dallas Film Commission



Race Angels

AMS Pictures

Abernethy Media Professionals

Ditore Mayo Entertainment

Dallas Producers Association




ABOUT VIDEO ASSOCIATION of DALLAS:

The mission of the Video Association of Dallas, the 501(c)(3) is to promote an understanding of video as a creative medium and cultural force in our society, and to support and advance the work of Texas artists working in video and the electronic arts. VAD serves its mission through exhibition, education, information, service and advocacy. Video Association of Dallas presents the 24-Hour Video Race and other programs throughout the year.

43rd Annual USA Film Festival

The USA Film Festival announces SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 43rd Annual USA Film Festival
April 24 - 28, 2013

DALLAS – The USA Film Festival announces the schedule of events for the 43rd Annual
USA Film Festival, April 24 - 28, 2013. All programs will be held at the Angelika Film Center,
5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas. Advance tickets are available exclusively through
Ticketmaster beginning Monday, April 15, 2013.

This year’s program highlights include:

- 90th anniversary presentation of the Harold Lloyd classic Safety Last! (restored digital print)

- 35th annual National Short Film & Video Competition (an Academy-qualified program)

- 25th anniversary screening of the John Carpenter cult classic They Live with Meg Foster in
attendance

- Salute to veteran indie distributor Jeff Lipsky

- Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash present The Way, Way Back

- Veteran documentary filmmaker Greg Barker presents Manhunt

- Actress/writer Abby Miller presents Congratulations

- Director Susan Seidelman presents The Hot Flashes

- Caesar Must Die from Paolo and Vittorio Taviani

- Kevin Connolly’s documentary Big Shot

- Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s documentary Bridegroom

- Feature debuts from Lake Bell (In a World...) and Lance Edmands (Bluebird)

- New films from two of our favorite femme filmmakers, Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell and
Lynn Shelton’s Touchy Feely

- Japanese anime feature The Princess and the Pilot

- Feature documentaries Blackfish (dir. Gabriela Cowperthwaite), Free the Mind (dir. Phie Ambo)
and More Than Honey (dir. Markus Imhoof)

Texas ties – films from some of our favorite hometown filmmakers:
- Stephen Tobolowsky hosts a program of short films and filmmakers including veteran character
actor Jim Beaver with Night Riders

- We salute writer/director David Gordon Green with his new feature Prince Avalanche

- Actress Amy Acker presents Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing

- Writer Joey O’Bryan’s Hong Kong thriller, Motorway, gets the big screen treatment

- Writer Brad Hennig presents The Hot Flashes (a feature film created to support awareness for
cancer screenings)

- Dallas filmmakers Drew Rist and Don Merritt present their documentary Bottled Up, the Dublin
Dr Pepper story

TICKET & SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Tickets for all programs are $10.
There are also several FREE admission programs noted in the schedule.
Advance tickets will be available via Ticketmaster beginning April 15 at 10am.
Tickets by telephone – 214-631-2787
Tickets online – www.ticketmaster.com


A complete schedule of all Festival events may be obtained by calling the Festival office at
214-821-FILM or may be viewed online at www.usafilmfestival.com
Printed schedules are also available for pick up at the Angelika Film Center Dallas.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS
Sponsors of the 43rd Annual USA Film Festival include Dave Perry-Miller & Associates,
Gaedeke Group, AXS.TV, Time Warner Cable, Dallas Film Commission, Texas Film
Commission, Magnolia Pictures on Demand, HD Net Movies, ViewPoint Bank, Weil, Gotshal &
Manges, HBO, AMC Networks, Alford Media Services and Ticketmaster. The USA Film
Festival is supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. This program is
supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

ABOUT THE USA FILM FESTIVAL
A year-round film festival featuring 50 days of programs
The USA Film Festival is a 43-year-old Dallas-based 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to
the recognition and promotion of excellence in the film and video arts. Year-round events
include KidFilm®; Dallas’ only official Oscar® Experience program; an Academy-qualified
National Short Film Competition; monthly screenings; special programs and premieres; and the
USA Film Festival, held each spring. Throughout the year, the Festival presents a variety of
membership, exhibition, educational, and cultural programs designed to bring together audiences
and filmmakers for a “live cinema” experience.


For information on the USA Film Festival you can contact
usafilmfest@aol.com
214-821-6300

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 4/14- 4/20

DIFF 2013 is over for another year. *sigh* It's been a great festival full of some really surprising movies. Some of them will likely be released sometime in the future. At least we can hope. Great to see our movie group representing as volunteers! Hopefully more of y'all will join us!

Now, back to the normal promo screening events. Once again, with feeling, the moderator is reminding y'all to pleeze stop hitting reply when a pass is offered. Write to the person offering the pass. Otherwise you will not get what you need.

The big movie to welcome the Spring/Summer movie season is Iron Man 3 at the end of the month. Please make sure you enter the various contests that will be made available to us. Don't expect someone to do it then mooch off their pass. Also, if you know you can't make the screening, please don't enter.

April 14 - April 20

Sun
Apr 14

Mon
Apr 15

Oblivion - 7:30 pm - Cinemark 17

Tue
Apr 16

Filly Brown - 7:30 pm - AMC Mesquite
Filly Brown - 7:30 pm - AMC Parks Arlington
Oblivion - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark

Wed
Apr 17

Thu
Apr 18

Filly Brown - 7:30 pm - tba
Pain & Gain - 7:30 pm - Cinemark West Plano

Fri
Apr 19

Sat
Apr 20

DIFF 2013 Red Carpet Slide Show

(Video by David Bacon)

2013 Dallas International Film Festival Announces Award Winners

2013 Dallas International Film Festival

Presented by AutoNation Volkswagen Dealers



Announces Award Winners at Annual

Dallas Film Society Honors

Presented by Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation



­­­­­A TEACHER receives $10,000 Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature

­­­­­­GOD LOVES UGANDA receives $10,000 Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Feature

PIT STOP receives $30,000 camera rental package Grand Jury Prize for the Panavision Texas Competition

TOMLINSON HILL receives $10,000 Embrey Family Foundation Silver Heart Award

BLACK METAL, THE FIRST HOPE AND HEAD OVER HEELS are named winners for Best Short Film, Student Short and the REEL FX Animated Short

Audience Awards go to THE KINGS OF SUMMER for Narrative Feature, THE CRASH REEL for Documentary and HEAD OVER HEELS for Short Film



Dallas, TX, April 13, 2013 – The Dallas International Film Festival presented by AutoNation Volkswagen Dealers announced its 2013 award winners at its annual gala, The Dallas Film Society Honors presented by the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation. In an evening where independent film and filmmakers were celebrated for groundbreaking work, the award winners also took home cash and prizes totaling more than $100,000.



Two provocative films took top honors in the Narrative and Documentary Feature competitions. Hannah Fidell’s intense drama A TEACHER won the narrative category and Roger Ross Williams’ GOD LOVES UGANDA won in the documentary category.

The Narrative competition jury also gave Special Mentions to Matt Johnson’s debut feature film THE DIRTIES and Xavier Dolan’s LAURENCE ANYWAYS. Jessica Vale’s SMALL SMALL THING received a Documentary Feature Special Mention.



A Dallas-based festival is going to have strong contenders in the Texas Competition and the Texas Grand Jury saw several powerful films from across the state. In the end, it was PIT STOP, directed by Yen Tan and written by Tan and David Lowery that took home the $30,000 camera rental package courtesy of Panavision. The jury also gave a Special Mention for Ensemble Cast to Sean H. A. Gallagher’s GOOD NIGHT.



For the third year, Lauren Embrey presented the $10,000 Silver Heart Award courtesy of the Embrey Family Foundation. Inspired by the film’s courage and the need to necessitate change, Embrey said TOMLINSON HILL and its director Lisa Kaselak won the award as it most represented a filmmaker’s fearless storytelling and dedication to fighting injustices and creating social change for the improvement of humanity.



Kat Candler’s BLACK METAL won the Grand Jury Prize in the Shorts Competition while Robert Machoian’s MOVIES MADE FROM HOME #6 and #15 and Manuel Branaa’s BOWL FOR FUN AND HEALTH received Special Jury Prizes in that category.



Jeremy David White’s THE FIRST HOPE was awarded the Student Short Grand Jury Prize and Timothy Reckart’s HEAD OVER HEELS won the Animated Short Grand Jury Prize presented by Reel FX.



The winners of the Grand Jury Prizes for all the competitions will each receive Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling software bundles from Entertainment Partners.



This year’s Audience Award winners were Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ THE KINGS OF SUMMER in the Narrative Feature category, returning DIFF filmmaker Lucy Walker’s THE CRASH REEL for Documentary Feature and Timothy Reckart’s HEAD OVER HEELS in Shorts.



Presented by TXU Energy’s Sydney Seiger, director of brand management and marketing, cash grants for the TXU Energy “Light Up the Red Carpet” Student Film Contest were handed out to students from both high schools and colleges. In both divisions, prize money in the form of scholarship funds is split evenly between the student and the school’s audio-visual department. Taylor Martin’s DAY IN, DAY OUT won the grand prize of $7,500 for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas; Malak Abdallahi’s POSITIVE VIBES took the first place prize of $3,000 for Fossil Ridge High School; while Rachel Cocke’s THE ELECTRICITY BETWEEN US won a community choice award for Wakeland High School. Robert Ochoa and Baylor University will share the $7,500 award for THE GIANTS IN THE SKY; Samantha Gipson and the Art Institute of Dallas will share the $3,000 first place for THE MAKEOVER; and Jeremy Williams and Northlake College were awarded the $1,000 community choice prize for SPIRITS.

For presenting sponsor, Arthur E. Benjamin, The Dallas Film Society Honors was the culmination of a Festival in which he dedicated his sponsorship to the memory of his late friend, the beloved Larry Hagman. Benjamin also premiered his own film CHAMPION at the Festival and was so moved by Steven Bernstein’s DECODING ANNIE PARKER starring Helen Hunt that he publicly vowed to help take the film worldwide when he saw it earlier in the week, thrilling the filmmakers and audience alike. A great success story for DIFF. Said Benjamin: "Annie Parker's story is not just entertaining, moving, funny, heart-wrenching and uplifting, but it is a cinematic achievement that needs to be told to every human on the planet."

Any soiree in this city would not be complete without a mention of the Dallas-shot television series “Dallas” and of beloved late Texas actor Larry Hagman. Dallas Film Society CEO Lee Papert introduced Ken Topolsky, producer of the series, to present the first of the evening’s Dallas Star Awards to Hagman. Known around the world for his role as the iconic oilman J.R. Ewing on Dallas as well as Captain Tony Nelson on “I Dream of Jeannie,” Hagman was also a dedicated philanthropist. In 2012, Hagman began the Larry Hagman Foundation, saying that it was “time that J.R., who took all that money from oil, and Larry, who took all that money he made from J.R., to give back to Dallas.”

To further honor Hagman and his 62-year-long career, Ryan Trimble, a representative of State Representative Dan Branch’s office, read a resolution from the Texas House of Representatives that a tribute be made to Hagman and “that this memory of his talent as an artist and generosity as a human being continue to inspire his fellow Texans.”

The charming Mary Elizabeth Winstead (SMASHED, SKY HIGH, SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, GRINDHOUSE, LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD), was next to receive the Dallas Shining Star Award, and expressed, “I’m a little embarrassed by the riches that you’ve bestowed upon me since I’ve been here – such great hospitality. Thank you very much.”

The night was capped with the Dallas Star awards presented to Academy Award Winner William Friedkin (THE EXORCIST, THE FRENCH CONNECTION) and Sherry Lansing (FATAL ATTRACTION, THE ACCUSED, TITANIC).

Val Kilmer presented Friedkin’s award for his breadth of work and powerful storytelling ability. Lansing is recognized as a pioneer after arriving in Hollywood in the late 1960s when few women worked behind the scenes, ultimately becoming the first women president of a major studio. Though each accepted individually, they couldn’t help but acknowledge the other in their speeches, as they’ve been married for more than 20 years.

“When I was 30 years old, I saw a film called THE SORCERER, and I told my friend if I could only make a film, or be part of a film, like that someday, then I would know my career in the movie business had been worthwhile,” she said, speaking of the 1977 thriller directed by Friedkin.

“Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin epitomize the beautiful art of film,” noted James Faust, creative director of DIFF. “They were inspired by film, committed their own careers to the art, and now inspire others to do the same. The entire night was about the inspiration that the art of film produces. The Dallas Film Society could not be more pleased with the outcome of the Festival and the Honors.”


JURY AWARDS:

Narrative Feature: A TEACHER

Dir: Hannah Fidell

Special Mention: THE DIRTIES

Special Mention: LAURENCE ANYWAYS



Documentary Feature: GOD LOVES UGANDA

Dir: Roger Ross Williams

Special Mention: SMALL SMALL THING



PANAVISION Texas Filmmaker Award: PIT STOP

Dir: Yen Tan

Special Mention, Ensemble Cast: GOOD NIGHT

Silver Heart Award: TOMLINSON HILL

Dir: Lisa Kaselak

Grand Jury Prize Short: BLACK METAL

Dir: Kat Candler

Special Mention Short: MOVES MADE FROM HOME #6 & #15

Dir: Robert Machoian

Special Mention Short: BOWL FOR FUN AND HEALTH


Grand Jury Prize for Student Short : THE FIRST HOPE

Dir: Jeremy David White

Grand Jury Prize, Animated Short: HEAD OVER HEELS

Dir: Timothy Reckart


AUDIENCE AWARDS

NARRATIVE: THE KINGS OF SUMMER

DIR: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Cast: Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, Mary Lynn Rajskub

DOCUMENTARY: THE CRASH REEL

DIR: Lucy Walker

SHORT: HEAD OVER HEELS

DIR: Timothy Reckart


TXU ENERGY “Light Up the Red Carpet” VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS:

Grand Prize winner ($7,500 prize) – DAY IN, DAY OUT

DIR: Taylor Martin, student at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas

First Place winner ($3,000 prize) – POSTIVE VIBES

DIR: Malak Abdallahi, student at Fossil Ridge High School

Community Choice winner ($1,000 prize) – THE ELECTRICITY BETWEEN US

DIR: Rachel Cocke, student at Wakeland High School


TXU ENERGY “Light Up the Red Carpet” VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS FOR COLLEGES:

Grand Prize winner ($7,500 prize) – THE GIANTS IN THE SKY

DIR: Robert Ochoa, student at Baylor University

First Place winner ($3,000 prize) – THE MAKEOVER

DIR: Samantha Gipson, student at the Art Institute of Dallas

Community Choice winner ($1,000 prize) – SPIRITS

DIR: Jeremy Williams, student at Northlake College



2013 DIFF JURY MEMBERS

NARRATIVE FEATURE JURY includes:

Mynette Louie

Mynette Louie won the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards’ Piaget Producers Award and was one of Ted Hope’s "21 Brave Thinkers of Truly Free Film.” Her credits include CALIFORNIA SOLO (Sundance 2012), STONES IN THE SUN (Tribeca 2012), CHILDREN OF INVENTION (Sundance 2009), ARCADIA (Berlin 2012), and MUTUAL APPRECIATION (SXSW 2005).


Lou Taylor Pucci

Lou Taylor Pucci received awards at the Sundance and Berlin film festivals for his performance in THUMBSUCKER. Pucci’s credits also include the current EVIL DEAD and THE STORY OF LUKE, THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED, THE ANSWER MAN, CARRIERS, EMPIRE FALLS, FAST FOOD NATION, SOUTHLAND TALES, PERSONAL VELOCITY and “Girls.”




DOCUMENTARY FEATURE JURY includes:

Christian Gaines

Since 1988, Christian has been administrative director of the American Pavilion in Cannes, film programmer at the Sundance Film Festival, director of the Hawaii International Film Festival and director of Festivals at the American Film Institute. Currently he’s a festival specialist for the Withoutabox division of IMDb.com, an Amazon.com company.

Turner Ross

Turner Ross is a documentary filmmaker whose works include 45365 (SXSW Best Documentary Feature, 2009) and TCHOUPITOULAS (Dallas International Film Festival Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize winner, 2012).



Bill Young

Bill Young is vice president of Television Programming and responsible for selecting programs and developing KERA’s broadcast schedule. In addition, Young sits on a number of PBS advisory panels, including the PBS Children’s Advisory Panel and the Top 20 Market Programmer’s Advisory Group, which help evaluate and set PBS network programming and policy agendas.



TEXAS COMPETITION Jury includes:

Joe Dishner

Joe Dishner has worked in the film industry for more than 30 years. His feature film line producer and unit production manager credits include: THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, A IMPLE PLAN, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2003), THE EVENING STAR, HOUSEGUEST, and THE BIG GREEN. His television credits include: “Starkweather,” ‘Murder in the Heartland,” “Two for Texas,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” “The Good Guys,” and the TNT - TV series “Dallas.” He was a founding member of the weekly newspaper The Austin Chronicle and is a member of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance and the Directors Guild of America.

Ya’ke Smith

Known for his unflinching and veracious style of storytelling, Ya’Ke Smith is a rising voice in independent cinema. His films have screened and won awards at more than 90 film festivals. WOLF, his feature-film directorial debut, premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and has won awards at the Dallas International, Little Rock, Sidewalk, Martha’s Vineyard African-American and Urbanworld Film Festivals. Ya’Ke teaches film at the University of Texas at Arlington.


Adam Montgomery

As senior manager of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, Adam Montgomery oversees the viewing and selection process for the more than 12,000 submissions submitted to the Festival each year. Additionally, he lends his passion for cult and genre filmmaking to the programming of the Festival’s Park City at Midnight section.




SHORTS COMPETITION Jury includes:

Mark Bell

A veteran of the film festival circuit, Film Threat owner Mark Bell is furry, cuddly and near-sighted. When not causing film festival-related trouble, Mark presides over FilmThreat.com, focusing coverage on the indie, underground and film festival favorite films that are often overlooked (but should never be underestimated).



David Lowery

David Lowery is a filmmaker from Texas. His most recent feature, AIN'T THEM BODIES SAINTS, premiered in competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. His previous films, ST. NICK and PIONEER, have screened in festivals around the world. He is an alumni of the Berlinale Talent Campus and the Sundance Screenwriting Labs, and in 2011 was named one of the 25 New Faces of Indie Film.



Michael Mohan

Michael Mohan directed the feature film SAVE THE DATE (Sundance, Dallas International Film Festival 2012) and the short film EX-SEX (Sundance, Dallas International Film Festival 2011). Prior to this, he directed music videos for Fitz and the Tantrums, Minus the Bear, and Sea Wolf, as well as the micro-budget feature ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS (Sundance 2010).



ANIMATION COMPETITION JURY includes:

REEL FX Entertainment - Funded in 1993, Reel FX is an award-winning creative studio where accomplished artists and preeminent technology converge to produce extraordinary creative solutions. Their services include visual effects, animation, design and creative editorial.



SILVER HEART JURY includes:

Embrey Family Foundation – The Foundation was established in 2004 for the purpose of supporting programs that advance human rights, healthy communities, the environment, education and creativity.



The seventh annual Dallas International Film Festival kicked off on April 4, 2013, at the new LOOK Cinemas with a pink carpet by Mary Kay and films that included JAVA HEAT, THE CRASH REEL, STILL MINE, KON-TIKI and 8 ½.

Highlights of the Festival included the strong, diverse line up of films programmed by artistic director James Faust and senior programmer Sarah Harris that saw many of the films at rush line within hours of the Festival opening. More than 1,400 volunteers helped the Dallas Film Society produce the Festival – everything from red carpets to behind-the-scenes work -- that received high praise not only from attendees but also from industry insiders.

DIFF’s 2013 closing weekend will feature encore screenings for all of the winning films. Please visit www.dallasfilm.org for more information.



About the Dallas Film Society

The Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Dallas Film Society recognizes and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today's world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. The annual Dallas International Film Festival, scheduled for April 4-14, 2013, is a presentation of the Dallas Film Society. In addition to producing one of the largest festivals in the Southwest, the Society produces numerous year round events, screening series and partnership programs with arts organizations around the city. For more information, call (214) 720-0555, or visit www.DallasFilm.org. The offices of the Dallas Film Society are located at 3625 North Hall Street, Suite 740, Dallas, TX 75219.





2013 Dallas International Film Festival Sponsors

ABCO; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld, LLP; Alamo Drafthouse DFW; Angelika Film Center; Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation; Arts + Culture Magazine; Austin Film Festival; AutoNation Volkswagen Dealers; Balloons Everyday; Barefoot Wine & Bubbly; Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; BuyLED’s; CBS Radio; Cinelease; Cinemark USA, Inc.; Colibri Promotions; Commerce House, LP; Community Trust Bank; The Container Store; Crow Collection of Asian Art; CultureMap; D Magazine; Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau; Dallas Film Commission; Dallas Morning News; Dallas Museum of Art; Dallas Observer; Deep Eddy Vodka; Division of Film and Media Arts – SMU; Downtown Dallas, Inc.; Earth Day Dallas; El Creative; Flagship Marketing; Forte Prime; FunFlicks; Gemini Light, Sound & Video; GrandLuxe Magazine; Holiday Inn Dallas Park Cities; Hotel Palomar/Central 214; InformateDFW; KellyKitchensPR.com; Klyde Warren Park; Kung Fu Saloon; La Madeleine; LOOK Cinemas; Mary Kay, Inc.; Matthews Southwest; The McKinney Avenue Contemporary; Media 2-Way Radio; Mockingbird Station; Mockingbird Taproom; Modern Luxury; Modia Home Theater; Movie Magic; MPS Studios Dallas; My Sweet Charity; Nasher Sculpture Center; NYLO Dallas South Side; Panavision; PaperCity; Pencilneck Software; PlainsCapital Bank; Post Asylum; Prekindle; Pure Evil Sound & Music Design; ReelFX; Rentex; SAGIndie; Salon Pompeo; ScreenFX Academy; Southwest Airlines; Stella Artois; Texas Association of Film Commissions; Texas Capital Bank; Texas Film Commission; Time Warner Cable; Two Sisters Catering; TXU Energy; UBER; Univision Radio; Univision TV; Urban Taco; Vergent Communications; Well Go USA Entertainment; West Village; WFAA; Whole Foods; and WRR Classical 101.1 FM.





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Room 237

Enter Room 237 with caution. This documentary portents to deliver the hidden meanings of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Certainly there are mysteries to discuss and ponder within this 1980 classic horror classic from one of cinema’s masters. But what Rodney Ascher‘s 90 minute reverie delivers are mostly head-scratchers and dubious points that could make any viewer want to shout back, “Enough” or “Are you kidding me?”
Granted, some fun can be found here - incredulous laughter! And it’s nice to see clear, digitally restored images of The Shining (and all the other clips from Kubrick’s classics). If one has lasting memories of the film, seeing this could be a jumping point to return to the original and watch it again. That’s what’s fun about film classics – you never tire of seeing them and because they often work on so many levels, re-watching them can offer new delights. There’s nothing wrong with analyzing why a film works so well.

But these “theorists” (whom we never see, but just hear their musings), beat it to death, go off on weird tangents, and appear to be viewing The Shining from some private, alternate universe. They have these “A Ha” moments and make too much out of them. Yes, a particular poster about skiing may have been selectively placed but I doubt if any deep meaning may be construed. The way Kubrick stacked the Calumet cans probably was a visual treatment, and yes their logo of an Indian certainly connects with the ancient burial grounds that the Overlook Hotel was built on, but this particular narrator seems to see far more meaning than Kubrick may have meant. Another narrator seems to think that Kubrick was referencing deep within The Shining his involvement with NASA – who knew that the footage of 1969’s moon walk was a secret Kubrick endeavor! Kubrick gives us “clues” to this throughout The Shining – yeah, Right!

There’s a good point that films have subliminal images, which works well with the film’s ghostly theme. But they don’t really explore this. What is offered is the supposed image of Kubrick in the clouds as the opening credits end. Gee, I missed it!
I’m not that certain what direction Kubrick was going at when he deviated from the Stephen King book – maybe it’s about the nature of Time, certainly about Madness. And perhaps Ascher’s Room 237 is really a joke poking fun at film theorists. The loony ideas of this film do not convince – but if it makes one want to see The Shining again, then it works on that level.
(Review by David Bacon)

Trance

Director Danny Boyle's new film from the screenplay by Joe Ahearne and John Hodge is a layered Inception type of plot that makes one question what is real and what is a post hypnotic suggestion. There's all sorts of twists and turns that are determined to befuddle with facts and fantasy that is eventually revealed at the end if you haven't guessed it by then.

James McAvoy and his amazing blue eyes plays Simon who works in an art auction house. At one time art heists were fairly common so employees are always advised not to be a hero and let the thieves take the art. It's not worth getting killed over it. But as modern times bring high tech methods of averting crimes, it also means the criminals are just as quick as to change with the times. During one such assault during an auction of Goya's painting of “Witches in the Air”, Simon does as he's trained. Get the art out of the room and secure it with his accompanying guards. He almost gets away when he's confronted by one of the thieves who knocks him out. Simon suffers amnesia and can't remember where he put the multi-million dollar canvas.

Through a series of flashbacks it seems that Simon was indeed part of the plan. He had a serious gambling problem which leads him to be associated with the unsavory lot. The missing painting was not what his cohorts had expected. Since torture doesn't seem to work on him, they bring him to hypnotherapist Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson). She soon seems to realize that Simon might be forced to go under to find his “keys”. She makes contacts with the gang leader Franck (Vincent Cassel) and is willing to make a deal with him in exchange for her work in finding the missing painting.

The plot seems to run amok with Simon and Franck as Elizabeth weaves her psychobabble on the gang. She makes the gang go under so that Simon will feel trust. She thinks he may be blocking the memory because the gang (Danny Sapani, Matt Cross and Wahab Sheikh) will kill him after he finds the painting. The dynamic of the gang changes through sex, deception, manipulation and greed. Just when you think you are feeling sympathetic towards a character another puzzle piece falls and there's no one you can trust.

The actors are all well cast, particularly Rosario Dawson who not only bares all emotionally but physically too. In fact, the three main stars reveal an ample amount of nudity without it seeming exploitative. Visually the art direction and photography are drenched in dark tones and modern furniture. As in all Boyle movies the soundtrack Rick Smith and the band Underworld works to keep up the suspense. Underworld has worked with Boyle for 17 years and their creative partnership is the best thing about the movie The jumping around from reality to hypnosis will make your head spin. It's definitely trippy and not as great as his other films, but it will keep you mildly entertained.
(Review by reesa)

42

This is an old school hero worship movie of Jackie Robinson, the baseball player who broke the major league's color line back 1945. Amazingly many people are not aware that baseball for profit was played only by whites. Written and directed by Brian Helgeland (The Knight's Tale), the story covers the early years of Robinson's career of breaking into the Brooklyn Dodgers. It's filled with flag waving and basically one note biographical saga of his historic journey.

Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) is the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He stuns his staff by announcing that he wants to recruit a player from the Negro Leagues. After all baseball is a business and to generate money, they need to shakes things up and bring in new and skilled players. They settle on Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), who may not be the most skilled player they considered, but seemed the most likely to endure the onslaught of criticism that would come his way. He was from California, went to UCLA and was an officer during the war. They don't mention that UCLA had the most integrated sports program of anywhere in the US or that he was known for his quick temper that earned him an Army court martial. His soon to be wife Rachel (Nicole Beharie) is a bright, well educated and supportive modern woman. She even uses the “white only” bathroom at the airport which gets them kicked off their plane.

Robinson starts in the Montreal team to show his worth. Needless to say, team members are not all on board with his inclusion to their ranks. But he quickly shows that he's a wiz at hitting, and stealing bases. Rickey tells his Dodgers manager the legendary Leo Durocher (Christopher Meloni) to make sure the other players quickly accept playing with Robinson. Pee Wee Reese (Lucas Black) early on shows some solidarity with Robinson when he sees the game improve with his skills. Announcer Red Barber (John C. McGinley) narrates the play by play on the field in his perfect period inflections. Andre Holland plays Wendell Smith the sportswriter who was Robinson's companion during his days in Montreal giving voice to the importance of what was happening in baseball.

The movie only tells Robinson's story through the work of Branch Rickey who like a tough love father figure braces his player through the tough moments. Ford is an almost unrecognizable caricature with all the good lines. This main issue of the movie is racism. It's a not so subtle reminder of how much farther we have come now that we have an African American President in the White House. But also have far we haven't come with the level of racism that is still prevalent in this country. There is one scene where a child is imitating the racial slurs of his parent, but later can't deny the talent of Robinson and changes his attitude. It will still take several generations before this world can fully enjoy a color blind society.

You can always read Robinson's 1972 autobiography if you want a more complete truth about the complicated man and his views of the actual events. As a biopic, this is like a Disney version of 20th century heroism in breaking the color barrier of major league sports. The glossed over production is designed to make one leave the theater feeling good, righteous and ready to watch a baseball game. So that can't be too bad, right?
(Review by reesa)

Disconnect

At first glance there will be an inevitable comparison to the Oscar winning “Crash” due to the multiple story structure at eventually collide at the end. Where as “Crash” dealt with gangs, cops and racism, this one deals in our social media obsession in text, porn, and identity theft. Documentary director of Murderball Henry Alex Rubin creates from a script by Andrew Stern divergent stories that examine our personal interactions by making us less interactive with our human connections through the use of smart phone, tablets and computers.

Rich and Lydia Boyd (Jason Bateman and Hope Davis) are a suburban couple in a nice house, but Rich is distracted by doing his law firm business from his phone even at dinner time. His quiet musically inclined son Ben (Jonah Bobo) is withdrawn and bullied at school thinks his father is a jerk. His older sister Abby (Haley Ramm) isn't much help and his mom, although thinks he will get over whatever teenage angst he is going through. When Ben gets a new friend on his Facebook type of page, he blossoms thinking that he's finally found someone. Little does he know that she is a construct of Frye (Avial Bernstein) and Jason (Colin Ford) who are getting their kicks from watching Ben's reactions to their mean spirited sport.

Jason is the son of private detective Mike Dixon (Frank Grillo) who specializes in computer identity theft. He is advising Cindy and Derek Hull (Paula Patton and Alexander Skarsgård) who are the victims of a hacker who emptied out their bank account. The couple is going through a rough patch after the death of their baby. Cindy's grief chat room buddy Stephen Schumacher (Michael Nygvist) looks like the likely source from the investigation so far. So they decide to stalk and confront him. In the process they are forced to re-engage in their relationship with each other.

Nina Dunham (Andrea Riseborough) is a reporter for the local news who wants to break away from doing light pieces. She visited an online chat sex worker Kyle (Max Thieriot) who turns out to be underage and talks him into telling his story. Harvey (designer Marc Jacobs in his debut acting role) is the “pimp” who recruits the homeless teens and sets them up. Nina's report comes under the radar of federal law enforcement. She is confronted by the question of who is using who.

The last act of the film is the final confrontation of the various stories after a slow but mesmerizing build up. Especially when Mike discovers his son's culpability in Ben's tragedy. Rich and Mike have to examine their own parenting skills while trying to protect their kids. The movie is upsetting, and somewhat of an ultimate downer. But it will be one that will have you looking at your own disconnections in life with the people around you. Isn't it time you put your phone down and maybe look someone in the eye and have a real conversation?
(Review by reesa)

DIFF: Round Table Interview with Kellen Lutz

Java Heat star sat with the Dallas press members to discuss his new movie and his roles in the upcoming Tarzan and Hercules. Besides being incredibly genetically blessed, he was very forthcoming.




(Video by David Bacon)