"Man From Reno" is Dave Boyle's fifth feature film, having previously directed "Daylight Savings," "Surrogate Valentine," "White on Rice" and "Big Dreams Little Tokyo." The film is an ambitious bilingual neo-noir depicting a crime novelist and a small town sheriff teaming up to solve a murder mystery in San Francisco. [Editor's Note: Indiewire reached out to filmmakers with films playing at the 20th La Film Festival (June 11-19) to ask them about how they shot their indie, and what advice they had for other filmmakers. We'll be posting their responses throughout the run of the festival. Go Here for the master list.] What was the most difficult shoot on your movie and how did you pull it off? Two sequences come to mind. We open the film with a set piece out on a foggy road that was quite complicated. We ended up dividing the shot list into things that needed to be outdoors and things that could be faked in a studio. We then spent one long day in a foggy warehouse, and...
- 6/16/2014
- by Oliver MacMahon
- Indiewire
Dave Boyle's latest film, an unexpected thriller titled Man From Reno, is about to have its world premiere at this year's La Film Festival. We put it on our list of 15 Twitch Picks for the festival, and we now finally have a teeny, tiny taste on what we're in for with this first clip. Man From Reno stars Fujitani Ayako (Tokyo!), Kitamura Kazuki (Killers) and Pepe Serna (Scarface) and is a major departure from Boyle's more established low-key comedic past like the bittersweet diptych Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings, both starring indie singer-songwriter and super cool guy, Goh Nakamura.I'm interested to see Boyle spread his wings. Having met the man very briefly after one of his screenings at the Asian Film Festival of Dallas...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 6/14/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: World premiering in competition this week at the 20th La Film Fest is Dave Boyle’s Man From Reno, starring Ayako Fujitani (Tokyo!) as a Japanese mystery author who hides out from her latest book tour in San Francisco. She begins an affair with a mysterious Japanese traveler from Reno who abruptly disappears from their hotel, leaving behind a suitcase and a trail of questions. This is Fujitani’s second film for writer-director Boyle (White on Rice, Surrogate Valentine), who last helmed indie drama Daylight Savings and co-wrote Man From Reno with Joel Clark and Michael Lerman. Scarface‘s Pepe Serna and […]...
- 6/11/2014
- Deadline
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. "Man From Reno" Tweetable Logline: A famous Japanese author and small town sheriff unexpectedly team up to solve a murder mystery in San Francisco. Elevator Pitch: It's a bi-lingual Japanese/English mystery thriller starring Steven Seagal's daughter and legendary "Scarface" actor Pepe Serna in the first leading role of his 40 year career. Production Team: Director: Dave Boyle ("White on Rice," "Surrogate Valentine," "Daylight Savings") Producer: Ko Mori ("The Harimaya Bridge") Director of Photography: Richard Wong ("Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," "Princess of Nebraska") Editor: Dave Boyle About the Production: I wanted to make this movie simply to tell a great story. I've always loved the mystery genre,...
- 8/14/2013
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Since his 2006 debut, director and multi-hyphenate Dave Boyle has arguably carved out the most unique niche in independent film. That film, Big Dreams Little Tokyo, and his subsequent pictures White on Rice (2009), Surrogate Valentine (2011), and Daylight Savings (2012) have featured a mix of Japanese and Japanese-American characters in polyglot films that combine quirky comedy with high-strung drama. The latter two films added a semi-documentary element as musician Goh Nakamura plays a fictionalized version of himself. Now with Man from Reno Boyle retains several of his signature traits but moves in the new direction of a thriller. The film …...
- 7/23/2013
- by Randy Astle
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
The first footage from Dave Boyle's Man From Reno has been revealed, and it shows a darker side than might have been expected from the indie filmmaker. As Twitch's Todd Brown observed earlier this year, Boyle has become known for "his quirky fare revolving around the culture clashes of Asian Americans and showcasing Boyle's love for Japanese culture. From Big Dreams, Little Tokyo to White On Rice and Surrogate Valentine, Boyle's particular vision has been developing and sharpening up." Man From Reno, however, is more of a moody noir, based on the official synopsis (and that footage): Man From Reno follows best-selling Japanese mystery writer Aki Akahori (Fujitani Ayako) as she escapes the limelight to San Francisco where she encounters a charming stranger (Kitamura Kazuki)...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 7/17/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Dave Boyle is about to get dark. The American indie director has long been of interest here at Twitch, his quirky fare revolving around the culture clashes of Asian Americans and showcasing Boyle's love for Japanese culture. From Big Dreams Little Tokyo to White On Rice and Surrogate Valentine, Boyle's particular vision has been developing and sharpening up. Which makes the news of his latest quite surprising. Yes, the cross cultural element remains intact but it would appear that the humor is being traded in for dark thriller elements.In a small town south of San Francisco, Sheriff Paul Del Moral is driving home through the fog one night when he accidentally strikes a pedestrian, a lone Japanese man. However, before an investigation can take place...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 3/21/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. "A Picture of You" Tweetable Logline: A serious movie about life that collides head-on into a funny movie about death. Elevator Pitch: Kyle and Jen, estranged siblings, travel from New York City to rural Pennsylvania to pack up the home of their recently deceased mother. While there, they inadvertently make a shocking discovery that turns their world upside-down. Production Team: Writer/director: J.P. Chan Story by: J.P. Chan and Jo Mei Producers: Yasmine Gomez, Robert M. Chang ("Half-Life"), J.P. Chan Executive Producer: Duane Andersen ("Surrogate Valentine") Director of Photography: Andrew Reed ("Cold Weather") ...
- 10/23/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. "A Picture of You" Tweetable Logline: A serious movie about life that collides head-on into a funny movie about death. Elevator Pitch: Kyle and Jen, estranged siblings, travel from New York City to rural Pennsylvania to pack up the home of their recently deceased mother. While there, they inadvertently make a shocking discovery that turns their world upside-down. Production Team: Writer/director: J.P. Chan Story by: J.P. Chan and Jo Mei Producers: Yasmine Gomez, Robert M. Chang ("Half-Life"), J.P. Chan Executive Producer: Duane Andersen ("Surrogate Valentine") Director of Photography: Andrew Reed ("Cold Weather") ...
- 10/23/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
After premiering his indie Surrogate Valentine at South by Southwest Film Festival in 2011, producer/writer/director/editor Dave Boyle was back again this year for a semi-sequel titled Daylight Savings. Once again starring Goh Nakamura, we praised this drama (full SXSW review here) about the creative process, saying it is a “refreshing, soulful film” and “delightful.” The first trailer has now arrived and one can check it out below via Apple, along with the first poster.
Synopsis:
San Francisco-based musician Goh Nakamura (playing himself) is at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and his song being featured in a national TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. When his long-distance girlfriend Erika (Ayako Fujitani) breaks up with him over Skype, Goh feels lost, as though no one could ever heal his broken heart. One night in San Francisco, he meets a fellow indie musician,...
Synopsis:
San Francisco-based musician Goh Nakamura (playing himself) is at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and his song being featured in a national TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. When his long-distance girlfriend Erika (Ayako Fujitani) breaks up with him over Skype, Goh feels lost, as though no one could ever heal his broken heart. One night in San Francisco, he meets a fellow indie musician,...
- 5/9/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Announces 188 Outstanding Films For 2012 Edition Presented By Visual Communications
Southern California.s Largest Asian Film Festival Runs May 10 . 20, 2012, Will Present 188 Films From
Over 20 Countries Featuring World Premieres, Sneak Previews; Showcasing Documentaries and Narratives
Focusing on the Voices of Asian Americans and Asian Peoples from Around the World.
The Launch of the C3: Project Market and the Vc Film Development Fund
Festival Opening Night Selection Shanghai Calling, Directed By Festival Alum Daniel Hsia, Starring: Daniel Henney, Eliza Coupe and Bill Paxton.
Centerpiece Presentations, SXSW favorite Sunset Stories, Directed by Ernesto Foronda and Silas Howard; Sundance Winner Valley Of Saints directed by Musa Syeed. Saturday Night Gala Yes, We.Re Open, directed by Festival Alum Richard Wong.
Joyful Reunion Directed by Tsao Jui Yuan, Selected as Closing Night Gala Presentation.
Visual Communications (Vc), the nation.s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced its...
Southern California.s Largest Asian Film Festival Runs May 10 . 20, 2012, Will Present 188 Films From
Over 20 Countries Featuring World Premieres, Sneak Previews; Showcasing Documentaries and Narratives
Focusing on the Voices of Asian Americans and Asian Peoples from Around the World.
The Launch of the C3: Project Market and the Vc Film Development Fund
Festival Opening Night Selection Shanghai Calling, Directed By Festival Alum Daniel Hsia, Starring: Daniel Henney, Eliza Coupe and Bill Paxton.
Centerpiece Presentations, SXSW favorite Sunset Stories, Directed by Ernesto Foronda and Silas Howard; Sundance Winner Valley Of Saints directed by Musa Syeed. Saturday Night Gala Yes, We.Re Open, directed by Festival Alum Richard Wong.
Joyful Reunion Directed by Tsao Jui Yuan, Selected as Closing Night Gala Presentation.
Visual Communications (Vc), the nation.s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced its...
- 4/6/2012
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I had missed Surrogate Valentine at SXSW 2011. However, I learn that Daylight Savings is a continuation of the story of Goh Nakamura (playing himself), an Asian American San Francisco indie musician whose life may or may not mirror his passion. Nakamura has contributed music to a few Hollywood films including the song Daylight Savings, as the film blurs a line between performance and reality.
For those not familiar with his work, the film does not require you to be. Shot digitally in crisp black and white by Bill Otto, we meet Nakamura in a club, performing for his girlfriend Rachel in Los Angeles and spending the week with her. He returns to San Francisco and continues to maintain this relationship until she calls it quits over Skype.
Seeking to mend his broken heart and escape from the work he’s been getting (his music is used in advertisements for both...
For those not familiar with his work, the film does not require you to be. Shot digitally in crisp black and white by Bill Otto, we meet Nakamura in a club, performing for his girlfriend Rachel in Los Angeles and spending the week with her. He returns to San Francisco and continues to maintain this relationship until she calls it quits over Skype.
Seeking to mend his broken heart and escape from the work he’s been getting (his music is used in advertisements for both...
- 3/19/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Debbie Lum Image from “Seeking Asian Female.”
Five years ago, Debbie Lum set out to investigate a phenomenon that she says has “haunted” her — and some other Asian women — her entire life.
“I’m talking about yellow fever!” she says. “If you’re Asian, you know exactly what I mean. It’s Asian American Issues 101.”
If you’re not Asian, what Lum is referring to is the targeted attraction that some non-Asian men have toward Asian women — an obsession, in some cases,...
Five years ago, Debbie Lum set out to investigate a phenomenon that she says has “haunted” her — and some other Asian women — her entire life.
“I’m talking about yellow fever!” she says. “If you’re Asian, you know exactly what I mean. It’s Asian American Issues 101.”
If you’re not Asian, what Lum is referring to is the targeted attraction that some non-Asian men have toward Asian women — an obsession, in some cases,...
- 3/12/2012
- by Jeff Yang
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Less a sequel to Surrogate Valentine than another chapter in the life of an itinerant musician, Dave Boyle's Daylight Savings is charming, low-key, and self-effacing, reflecting the appealing on-screen personality of Goh Nakamura. Nakamura again plays "himself," a gifted singer and songwriter who only appears truly at home when he's alone on stage, strumming his guitar. In the first film, Goh nursed an unrequited crush on longtime friend Rachel (Lynn Chen), even as he dabbled in one-night stands on the road. As Daylight Savings begins, he has moved on from Rachel into a long-term relationship ... which promptly ends ... when she breaks up with him over Skype. This seems to be Goh's lot in life; he's not quite a perpetual victim, but he...
- 3/11/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Last year, a little, charming, black-and-white comedy called "Surrogate Valentine" played SXSW and became something of an arthouse hit, earning strong word-of-mouth buzz for both director Dave Boyle and star Goh Nakamura. We called the film "brisk and punchy" and admired its careful, observational study of the characters within. Well, the good news is a sequel is on the way and headed to SXSW.
Boyle and Nakamura have returned for the followup film "Daylight Savings," which now finds the latter, a San Francisco musician, at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and one of his songs being featured in a widely-seen TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. But when an unexpected breakup occurs, a lost and devastated Goh forces himself to leave it all behind and hit the road with his irresponsible cousin to pursue a promising rebound with a fellow...
Boyle and Nakamura have returned for the followup film "Daylight Savings," which now finds the latter, a San Francisco musician, at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and one of his songs being featured in a widely-seen TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. But when an unexpected breakup occurs, a lost and devastated Goh forces himself to leave it all behind and hit the road with his irresponsible cousin to pursue a promising rebound with a fellow...
- 3/7/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
The indie film world doesn’t commonly produce sequels (Linklater and Solondz being the obvious exceptions), and it’s even rarer to see one come as quickly as Daylight Savings does. Returning to the characters he first explored in last year’s Surrogate Valentine, namely singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura, playing a fictionalized version of himself here, Savings premieres tonight in SXSW’s 24 Beats Per Second section. Valentine made waves at Southby last year, and paired with Boyle’s still-fresh 2009 offering White on Rice, the young director is quickly establishing himself as a prolific and exciting voice.
Filmmaker: What inspired you to follow-up Surrogate Valentine so quickly with a film that returns to the same characters? Were you planning on this second installment while you were making Valentine?
Boyle: There’s something to be said for momentum. It seemed important to start shooing the second film before we all moved on to other projects.
Filmmaker: What inspired you to follow-up Surrogate Valentine so quickly with a film that returns to the same characters? Were you planning on this second installment while you were making Valentine?
Boyle: There’s something to be said for momentum. It seemed important to start shooing the second film before we all moved on to other projects.
- 3/5/2012
- by Dan Schoenbrun
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Vancouver, Canada – Surrogate Valentine tells the story of a talented San Francisco musician, Goh Nakamura, who has always found it easier to express himself through his music. His life of solitude is interrupted when he is tasked with taking TV actor, Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) along on tour so Danny can research for an upcoming role.
Together, the two embark on an interesting West Coast adventure from La to San Francisco to Seattle and back again with live gigs, groupies and an unexpected friendship. Along the way, Goh (who plays himself) reunites with an old high school crush, Rachel (Lynn Chen).
With the help of the obnoxious and often annoying, TV actor, the reclusive musician attempts to break out of his shell and take a chance to win over his life-long love.
As some may argue, the film does present many of the usual stereotypes, such as the quiet asian,...
Together, the two embark on an interesting West Coast adventure from La to San Francisco to Seattle and back again with live gigs, groupies and an unexpected friendship. Along the way, Goh (who plays himself) reunites with an old high school crush, Rachel (Lynn Chen).
With the help of the obnoxious and often annoying, TV actor, the reclusive musician attempts to break out of his shell and take a chance to win over his life-long love.
As some may argue, the film does present many of the usual stereotypes, such as the quiet asian,...
- 11/4/2011
- by Marie Ferrer
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
(In The Family opens at the Quad Cinema on Friday, November 4, 2011, after recently screening at the Hawaii International Film Festival and winning two richly deserved awards at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. Visit the film’s official website to learn more.
*Full disclosure: I am not a film critic. I saw the film at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, where my film Surrogate Valentine was also in competition. I did not, however, have a chance to meet Patrick Wang.)
Every once in a while, a movie comes out of nowhere and hits you like a ton of bricks. First-time director Patrick Wang’s In the Family was like that for me. I sat down to watch the film knowing nothing about it besides the fact that it was an American indie, it was three hours long, and it was being exhibited in 35mm. At the very least,...
*Full disclosure: I am not a film critic. I saw the film at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, where my film Surrogate Valentine was also in competition. I did not, however, have a chance to meet Patrick Wang.)
Every once in a while, a movie comes out of nowhere and hits you like a ton of bricks. First-time director Patrick Wang’s In the Family was like that for me. I sat down to watch the film knowing nothing about it besides the fact that it was an American indie, it was three hours long, and it was being exhibited in 35mm. At the very least,...
- 11/1/2011
- by Dave Boyle
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Vancouver, Canada – Providing a forum for independent North American Asian filmmakers, the upcoming Vancouver Asian Film Festival (Vaff) will offer audiences a diverse selection of shorts and full features.
Celebrating its 15th year, the festival’s theme for 2011, ‘Love Letters to Vancouver’, ties in with the city of Vancouver’s 125th birthday celebration. The plywood background for the program guide cover may seem familiar because it was inspired after the Canucks riot when everyone wrote their ‘Love Letters’ to the city on the plywood covering broken windows and doors.
With almost 60 films and over 60 diverse Asian filmmakers, actors and special guests scheduled to attend this year’s festival, this is the largest Vancouver Asian Film festival to date.
Here are a few Vaff 2011 films we are looking forward to:
The Opening Night Presentation – Almost Perfect
Directed by award winning writer/director Bertha Bay-Sa Pan
Thursday, Nov 3 at 7:00pm
Vancouver...
Celebrating its 15th year, the festival’s theme for 2011, ‘Love Letters to Vancouver’, ties in with the city of Vancouver’s 125th birthday celebration. The plywood background for the program guide cover may seem familiar because it was inspired after the Canucks riot when everyone wrote their ‘Love Letters’ to the city on the plywood covering broken windows and doors.
With almost 60 films and over 60 diverse Asian filmmakers, actors and special guests scheduled to attend this year’s festival, this is the largest Vancouver Asian Film festival to date.
Here are a few Vaff 2011 films we are looking forward to:
The Opening Night Presentation – Almost Perfect
Directed by award winning writer/director Bertha Bay-Sa Pan
Thursday, Nov 3 at 7:00pm
Vancouver...
- 11/1/2011
- by Marie Ferrer
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Roundups on some of the more interesting titles opening this weekend have been updated through today: The Last Picture Show, 50/50, Margaret, Take Shelter and My Joy — see, too, Daniel Kasman's review — as well as another on the documentaries.
"Hillbilly horror is nothing new," writes Cheryl Eddy in the San Francisco Bay Guardian. "Some might mark its heyday as the 1970s, a decade containing Deliverance (1972), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), and I Spit On Your Grave (1978). Others might point to Herschell Gordon Lewis's immortal Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964), probably cinema's most persuasive example of why Yankees road-tripping below the Mason-Dixon Line should never, for any reason, detour off the main highway…. But what if, asks Eli Craig's Tucker and Dale vs Evil, you were totally misjudging those sinister-seeming whiskey-tango yokels? What if, despite being a little unwashed and fond of sharp objects and power tools, they...
"Hillbilly horror is nothing new," writes Cheryl Eddy in the San Francisco Bay Guardian. "Some might mark its heyday as the 1970s, a decade containing Deliverance (1972), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), and I Spit On Your Grave (1978). Others might point to Herschell Gordon Lewis's immortal Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964), probably cinema's most persuasive example of why Yankees road-tripping below the Mason-Dixon Line should never, for any reason, detour off the main highway…. But what if, asks Eli Craig's Tucker and Dale vs Evil, you were totally misjudging those sinister-seeming whiskey-tango yokels? What if, despite being a little unwashed and fond of sharp objects and power tools, they...
- 9/30/2011
- MUBI
Singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura stars in “Surrogate Valentine” as a thinly veiled version of himself, a struggling West Coast musician with a wry deadpan humour and a gentle spirit. His open face suggests an innate patience with the fools that surround him as he soldiers thanklessly through underpaid gigs, perfecting his genuine brand of shadow-drenched shoegaze from city to city. His work may make ends meet, but he continues to haggle with distributors who won’t release his material in indie record stores. With the well about to run dry, Nakamura finds a tidy supplement when he is tasked with teaching a…...
- 9/30/2011
- The Playlist
Surrogate Valentine
If Paper Heart wasn’t precious enough for you, Surrogate Valentine might well be your dream movie; for the rest, keep back. Dave Boyle’s deeply tiresome musical travelogue’s greatest virtue is its brevity. The film stars San Francisco singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura as a version of himself as he takes on a “method” actor, Danny (Chadd Stoops), who intends to model a performance and character for an upcoming film role on Nakamura, who brings him along on tour in order to teach Danny how to play the film’s central tune. Meanwhile, Goh struggles with his rekindled feelings for high-school crush Rachel (Lynn Chen, a charming figure in an otherwise charmless realm), who clearly carries a torch for the terminally awkward Goh but is involved with a sycophantic businessman.
The central premise of Valentine is not a bad one – there are certainly intriguing dramatic and thematic possibilities...
If Paper Heart wasn’t precious enough for you, Surrogate Valentine might well be your dream movie; for the rest, keep back. Dave Boyle’s deeply tiresome musical travelogue’s greatest virtue is its brevity. The film stars San Francisco singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura as a version of himself as he takes on a “method” actor, Danny (Chadd Stoops), who intends to model a performance and character for an upcoming film role on Nakamura, who brings him along on tour in order to teach Danny how to play the film’s central tune. Meanwhile, Goh struggles with his rekindled feelings for high-school crush Rachel (Lynn Chen, a charming figure in an otherwise charmless realm), who clearly carries a torch for the terminally awkward Goh but is involved with a sycophantic businessman.
The central premise of Valentine is not a bad one – there are certainly intriguing dramatic and thematic possibilities...
- 9/23/2011
- by Simon Howell
- SoundOnSight
This year, Pop Montreal, an annual smrgasboard of concerts and music-themed films, celebrates its 10th anniversary. While the concert side of the equation is typically stacked (including, but not remotely limited to, a free Arcade Fire concert), the film portion is no slouch either. This year, film topics include legendary folkie Phil Ochs, The Replacements, Alan McGee and Creation Records, Aice Donut, and the Vancouver punk scene, among others. The fest runs from Sept. 21st-25th here in Montreal – the complete lineup and press release are below.
Montreal, August 11th, 2011 – Where music and movies make out in the dark: Film Pop returns. From September 21st to the 25th, as the Pop Montreal festival turns 10, Film Pop will once again resurface an always-pertinent array of underground musical films and captivating documentaries. Throughout the 5 days of the festival, Film Pop events will be held in 3 main venues: Blue Sunshine (3660 St-Laurent), the Pop...
Montreal, August 11th, 2011 – Where music and movies make out in the dark: Film Pop returns. From September 21st to the 25th, as the Pop Montreal festival turns 10, Film Pop will once again resurface an always-pertinent array of underground musical films and captivating documentaries. Throughout the 5 days of the festival, Film Pop events will be held in 3 main venues: Blue Sunshine (3660 St-Laurent), the Pop...
- 8/11/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Pop Montreal 2011, Where music and film make out in the dark: Ricky D’s Three Most Anticipated Films
Pop Montreal is an international music festival here in Montreal which is celebrating its 10th anniversary from September 21st to the 25th, 2011. Pop is now recognized as an important multidisciplinary taste-making event, expanding its mission through various components: Puces Pop, Art Pop, Film Pop, Kids Pop and the Symposium. For the first time, we here at Sound On Sight will be present to cover Film Pop, a program branched out of a driving desire to create cinematic events within the same independent spirit as Pop Montreal. Film Pop became the first of our 5 segments. It is an annual celebration of the best in music related underground cinema and presents each year bold movies that are making waves in the scene. Through artistic cinematography, it gives the public rare opportunities to attend special viewings and seek to demonstrate the significant place music holds within our society, the world and in movies.
- 8/4/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Here are a few interesting and/or noteworthy projects that were recently added to IMDbPro's database of development titles:
Can a Song Save Your Life? – Scarlett Johansson plays a young singer-songwriter in New York who hooks up with a floundering music exec in this Apatow-powered comedy from writer-director John Carney.
Red Leaves – Amelie auteur Jean-Pierre Jeunet adapts this novel about a father accused of kidnapping an 8-year-old boy. Ballistic Films' Eric Bromberg produces with Jeunet.
Pitch Perfect – Elizabeth Banks teams up with 30 Rock scribe Kay Cannon and Avenue Q director Jason Moore to develop this comedy set in the world of collegiate a capella competitions.
Eden – Jamie Chung (Hangover Part II) stars as a young woman abducted into the cruel, underworld of sex trafficking. Megan Griffiths (The Off Hours) directs.
Young Zombies in Love – From the indie filmmakers behind Surrogate Valentine comes this genre-crossing comedy where the title says it all. Except that it's also a musical.
If you know of something in the works, you can submit it via our online submission form.
Can a Song Save Your Life? – Scarlett Johansson plays a young singer-songwriter in New York who hooks up with a floundering music exec in this Apatow-powered comedy from writer-director John Carney.
Red Leaves – Amelie auteur Jean-Pierre Jeunet adapts this novel about a father accused of kidnapping an 8-year-old boy. Ballistic Films' Eric Bromberg produces with Jeunet.
Pitch Perfect – Elizabeth Banks teams up with 30 Rock scribe Kay Cannon and Avenue Q director Jason Moore to develop this comedy set in the world of collegiate a capella competitions.
Eden – Jamie Chung (Hangover Part II) stars as a young woman abducted into the cruel, underworld of sex trafficking. Megan Griffiths (The Off Hours) directs.
Young Zombies in Love – From the indie filmmakers behind Surrogate Valentine comes this genre-crossing comedy where the title says it all. Except that it's also a musical.
If you know of something in the works, you can submit it via our online submission form.
- 7/8/2011
- by Eric Greene
- IMDbPro News
Check out the links below — and check back often — for our preview, reviews, blogs and more from the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival.
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
- 5/26/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Check out the links below — and check back often — for our preview, reviews, blogs and more from the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival.
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
- 5/26/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
It would be easy to call the Seattle Film Festival a "best of fest," a collection of the world's most impressive films culled from nearly every festival that happened since the 36th edition of the festival ended last June. In purely relative terms, Seattle doesn't boast a ton of world premieres amongst the 441 films they'll show during the next 25 days, though Siff definitely has more than most other festivals half their size. Instead, they bring the world to their doorstep with an unparalleled array of international and regional cinema that makes it a rare and precious event unto itself. Unfortunately, I have just a weekend in Pacific Northwest, where I'll be reporting from over the next week, but given the amount of films we've already seen at other festivals, we can certainly make some recommendations for the fest, which kicks off tonight with a premiere of the drama "The First...
- 5/20/2011
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
The 2011 Dallas International Film Festival Announces
Award Winners
Jess + Moss receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature
Elevate receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Documentary Feature
Five Time Champion receives the $20,000 in Cash, Goods and Services for the Mps Studios Texas Filmmaker Award
If A Tree Falls: A Story Of The Earth Liberation Front receives the Environmental Visions Award
Zero Percent receives the $10,000 Embrey Family Foundation Silver Heart Award
The Legend Of Beaver Dam, The Robbery and Paths Of Hate are named winners for Best Short Film, Student Short and Animated Short
Audience Awards go to Snowmen for Narrative Feature, Wild Horse Wild Ride for Documentary and The Legend Of Beaver Dam for Short
Dallas, TX, April 9, 2011 . For the second year running, the .Dallas Film Society Honors. presented by the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation provided an elegant forum for the awards presentation at the Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac.
Award Winners
Jess + Moss receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature
Elevate receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Documentary Feature
Five Time Champion receives the $20,000 in Cash, Goods and Services for the Mps Studios Texas Filmmaker Award
If A Tree Falls: A Story Of The Earth Liberation Front receives the Environmental Visions Award
Zero Percent receives the $10,000 Embrey Family Foundation Silver Heart Award
The Legend Of Beaver Dam, The Robbery and Paths Of Hate are named winners for Best Short Film, Student Short and Animated Short
Audience Awards go to Snowmen for Narrative Feature, Wild Horse Wild Ride for Documentary and The Legend Of Beaver Dam for Short
Dallas, TX, April 9, 2011 . For the second year running, the .Dallas Film Society Honors. presented by the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation provided an elegant forum for the awards presentation at the Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac.
- 4/11/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Goh Nakamura built a following for himself via YouTube and Twitter, a social media musician if you will. So, it's only appropriate that Surrogate Valentine (taking its title from the title of one of Nakamura's own songs) became a project formed, created, and eventually distributed over the Internet between the artist-turned-actor and writer/director Dave Boyle.
Read more on Diff 2011 Video Interview: Surrogate Valentine writer/director Dave Boyle and co-writer/actor Goh Nakamura...
Read more on Diff 2011 Video Interview: Surrogate Valentine writer/director Dave Boyle and co-writer/actor Goh Nakamura...
- 4/8/2011
- by James Wallace
- GordonandtheWhale
The thought of an indie film about a struggling guitar player teaming up with a C-list TV star may inspire cringes in potential viewers. It certainly sounds like a festival film you’ve already seen. Did I mention that the guitar player was quietly pining for his ex to fill the emotional heartache quota? And that the film is shot in black and white? Despite what these revelations may do to your preconceived notions, Surrogate Valentine is a genuinely funny and enjoyable film that transcends these indie film cliches. The aforementioned guitar player is Goh, co-writer Goh Nakamura essentially playing himself in the lead role. He’s a musician trying his best to make it, teaching guitar lessons and playing shows all along the West coast, but particularly trying to make a dent in the Seattle music scene. When his friend Amy (Joy Osmanski) offers him a paid gig teaching a TV star how to play guitar...
- 3/31/2011
- by Luke Mullen
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
I think I can safely say IFC covered the crap out of South by Southwest 2011. Stephen Saito and I reviewed over fifteen films and interviewed over forty filmmakers during our ten days in Austin. That's way more films covered than hours either of us slept. Here now is a complete archive of everything we did: reviews, video interviews, and print interviews. At the bottom, you'll also find mine and Stephen's picks for the five best films at this year's SXSW. Enjoy. I know we did.
Reviews
"Attack the Block," directed by Joe Cornish
"The Beaver," directed by Jodie Foster
"Bellflower," directed by Evan Glodell
"Bridesmaids," directed by Paul Feig
"Convento," directed by Jarred Alterman
"The Fp," directed by The Brothers Trost
"The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," directed by Morgan Spurlock
"Insidious," directed by James Wan
"Last Days Here," directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton
"The Other F Word," directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
"Paul,...
Reviews
"Attack the Block," directed by Joe Cornish
"The Beaver," directed by Jodie Foster
"Bellflower," directed by Evan Glodell
"Bridesmaids," directed by Paul Feig
"Convento," directed by Jarred Alterman
"The Fp," directed by The Brothers Trost
"The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," directed by Morgan Spurlock
"Insidious," directed by James Wan
"Last Days Here," directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton
"The Other F Word," directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
"Paul,...
- 3/23/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
If you're going to make a movie about the real life problems of a budding musician, it may not be a bad idea to cast an actual musician in the part. Real life singer/songwriter Goh Nakamura co-wrote, starred in and wrote music for Dave Boyle's third feature, Surrogate Valentine, a simply shot comedy chronicling the ups and downs of another performer, aptly named Goh. Goh walks the disconcerting middle line between a breakout and just another dude with a guitar. He's constantly on tour, but struggles to raise the money and talent necessary to cut his studio album. The woman he dreams of settling down with is tied up in another relationship, in another town, in another life. With all his baggage behind him, Goh finds himself picking up an odd job: teaching a famous TV star how to play guitar... for a movie based on Goh's life.
- 3/21/2011
- cinemablend.com
There isn't a whole lot of imagery cooler than a man carrying a guitar case across the hills of San Francisco, unless that man is Goh Nakamura, the unconventional star of "Surrogate Valentine." Shot in black and white, Nakamura cuts the profile of a lone drifter confident in his sense of purpose as he traverses the streets of the city and...
"I was doing that around here [in Austin too] because I don't want to leave the guitar in the car," Nakamura demurred while at SXSW. Okay, so maybe Nakamura was more interested in practicality than to come off as a screen icon, but in the first role for the musician whose songs have always struck a melancholy chord between low-key nonchalance and touching humanism, it's obvious he's got the gist of this movie star thing already.
"Surrogate Valentine" has much of the same appeal as Nakamura's music -- it's offbeat, a bit...
"I was doing that around here [in Austin too] because I don't want to leave the guitar in the car," Nakamura demurred while at SXSW. Okay, so maybe Nakamura was more interested in practicality than to come off as a screen icon, but in the first role for the musician whose songs have always struck a melancholy chord between low-key nonchalance and touching humanism, it's obvious he's got the gist of this movie star thing already.
"Surrogate Valentine" has much of the same appeal as Nakamura's music -- it's offbeat, a bit...
- 3/19/2011
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
Rating: 3.5/5
Writers: Dave Boyle, Goh Nakamura
Director: Dave Boyle
Cast: Goh Nakamura, Chadd Stoops, Lynn Chen
Goh Nakamura takes on his first leading role as a talented, but not quite successful, musician tasked with teaching a seemingly more successful, but not necessarily talented, actor how to play the guitar for an upcoming movie role. As Danny (Chadd Stoops) joins Goh on tour, bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, Goh tries to teach Danny how to emulate a musician while Danny tries to teach Goh how to break out of his shell and go after what he truly wants.
Read more on SXSW Review 2011: Surrogate Valentine…...
Writers: Dave Boyle, Goh Nakamura
Director: Dave Boyle
Cast: Goh Nakamura, Chadd Stoops, Lynn Chen
Goh Nakamura takes on his first leading role as a talented, but not quite successful, musician tasked with teaching a seemingly more successful, but not necessarily talented, actor how to play the guitar for an upcoming movie role. As Danny (Chadd Stoops) joins Goh on tour, bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, Goh tries to teach Danny how to emulate a musician while Danny tries to teach Goh how to break out of his shell and go after what he truly wants.
Read more on SXSW Review 2011: Surrogate Valentine…...
- 3/17/2011
- by Allison Loring
- GordonandtheWhale
Check out the links below — and check back often — for all the latest blogs, reviews and filmmaker features from SXSW 2011.
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Check out the links below — and check back often — for all the latest blogs, reviews and filmmaker features from SXSW 2011.
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Let me take you back to a mystical land called the early 1990s. It was a time of grunge music, David Lynch television shows and independent films shot on 16mm about young (usually) artists doing their thing. Surrogate Valentine is not shot on 16mm but it is in black & white and will be a blast of nostalgia for anyone who cut their teeth on the relationship dramedies from defunct outlets like October Films and Fine Line Features.
The picture is about a San Francisco singer-songwriter named Goh Nakamura and just happens to be written and starring Goh Nakamura, a San Francisco singer-songwriter. He's gigging, interacting with his Facebook fans, trying to save dough for a studio session and figuring out how to expand his sales reach. He has a friend (ex-lover?) who is a filmmaker and has secured a well-known TV actor to play her lead. Goh is tasked with...
The picture is about a San Francisco singer-songwriter named Goh Nakamura and just happens to be written and starring Goh Nakamura, a San Francisco singer-songwriter. He's gigging, interacting with his Facebook fans, trying to save dough for a studio session and figuring out how to expand his sales reach. He has a friend (ex-lover?) who is a filmmaker and has secured a well-known TV actor to play her lead. Goh is tasked with...
- 3/15/2011
- UGO Movies
By Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
- 3/15/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
By Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
- 3/15/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Photo by Chopper PlattHello! My name is Lynn Chen – I’m an actress (check out the upcoming “Surrogate Valentine”) and blogger. Both of my sites are focused around food – The Actor’s Diet and Thick Dumpling Skin. Since Reel Artsy is all about entertainment, I thought I’d share some of my favorite movie snacks with you. Most theaters’ offerings are delicious, but usually overpriced and leave me with a tummy ache.
Here's my Top 5 alternatives to sneak in:
1. Popcorners: These are chips made of popcorn. I actually brought a bag to the movies once and everyone (kids included) preferred them to the giant tub of the concession stand variety.
2. Grapes: My husband wanted me to start a crusade for theaters to offer fresh grapes as a healthy snack alternative. I could see how this would be great, but also highly complicated. Being a seasonal fruit, they can get really pricey throughout the year,...
Here's my Top 5 alternatives to sneak in:
1. Popcorners: These are chips made of popcorn. I actually brought a bag to the movies once and everyone (kids included) preferred them to the giant tub of the concession stand variety.
2. Grapes: My husband wanted me to start a crusade for theaters to offer fresh grapes as a healthy snack alternative. I could see how this would be great, but also highly complicated. Being a seasonal fruit, they can get really pricey throughout the year,...
- 3/14/2011
- by karen@reelartsy.com (Karen)
- Reelartsy
The Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac Announces Ann-Margret to receive the Dallas Star Award
Beautiful Boy, Ok Buckaroos and Soul Surfer named as the Centerpiece screeningsAll Selections in the Target Documentary and Narrative CompetitionsThe Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac announced today that award-winning actress Ann-Margret will be honored with the Dallas Star Award at the upcoming festival (March 31 . April 10, 2011). This marks the first announcement of the prestigious Dallas Star Award Honorees.
Poignant dramas Beautiful Boy and Soul Surfer and the world premiere of Ok Buckaroos will be featured in the coveted Centerpiece screening slots. Fourteen films will vie for the unrestricted $25,000 Target cash prize in both the Target Documentary Feature and Narrative Feature Competitions.
The selection of Ann-Margret as a recipient of the Dallas Star Award follows a Dallas Iff Honoree Hall of Fame that features esteemed greats such as Sydney Pollack, Lauren Bacall, Adrien Brody,...
Beautiful Boy, Ok Buckaroos and Soul Surfer named as the Centerpiece screeningsAll Selections in the Target Documentary and Narrative CompetitionsThe Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac announced today that award-winning actress Ann-Margret will be honored with the Dallas Star Award at the upcoming festival (March 31 . April 10, 2011). This marks the first announcement of the prestigious Dallas Star Award Honorees.
Poignant dramas Beautiful Boy and Soul Surfer and the world premiere of Ok Buckaroos will be featured in the coveted Centerpiece screening slots. Fourteen films will vie for the unrestricted $25,000 Target cash prize in both the Target Documentary Feature and Narrative Feature Competitions.
The selection of Ann-Margret as a recipient of the Dallas Star Award follows a Dallas Iff Honoree Hall of Fame that features esteemed greats such as Sydney Pollack, Lauren Bacall, Adrien Brody,...
- 3/9/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: “Surrogate Valentine,” which will screen as part of the South By Southwest Film Festival later this month, is attempting something different when it comes to distribution.
Tiger Industry Films, the boutique production and distribution collective, today announced its release plan for “Valentine,” which will open via movies-on-demand platforms of major national cable systems including Comcast, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Dish Network, and Direct TV.
In addition to its SXSW premiere, Dave Boyle’s film will be available for a limited time on DVD during the festival run. It then will be available on VOD starting in the fall.
From the release:
The creative team behind Surrogate Valentine previously released director Dave Boyle’s comedy White On Rice in 2009 theatrically (with co-distributor Variance Films) and on DVD. While embracing the popular VOD platform, Tiger Industry Films will also make a limited number of...
Hollywoodnews.com: “Surrogate Valentine,” which will screen as part of the South By Southwest Film Festival later this month, is attempting something different when it comes to distribution.
Tiger Industry Films, the boutique production and distribution collective, today announced its release plan for “Valentine,” which will open via movies-on-demand platforms of major national cable systems including Comcast, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Dish Network, and Direct TV.
In addition to its SXSW premiere, Dave Boyle’s film will be available for a limited time on DVD during the festival run. It then will be available on VOD starting in the fall.
From the release:
The creative team behind Surrogate Valentine previously released director Dave Boyle’s comedy White On Rice in 2009 theatrically (with co-distributor Variance Films) and on DVD. While embracing the popular VOD platform, Tiger Industry Films will also make a limited number of...
- 3/7/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
Tiger Industry Films recently send us over the official trailer to their film "Surrogate Valentine". The film is apart of the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival. It will be competing in the Emerging Vision competition.In Dave Boyle's sweet romantic comedy, Surrogate Valentine, San Francisco musician & rising star Goh Nakamura's (playing himself) life of solitude is disrupted when he is hired...
- 3/6/2011
- by Anthony T
Trailers are an under-appreciated art form insofar that many times they’re seen as vehicles for showing footage, explaining films away, or showing their hand about what moviegoers can expect. Foreign, domestic, independent, big budget: I celebrate all levels of trailers and hopefully this column will satisfactorily give you a baseline of what beta wave I’m operating on, because what better way to hone your skills as a thoughtful moviegoer than by deconstructing these little pieces of advertising? Some of the best authors will tell you that writing a short story is a lot harder than writing a long one, that you have to weigh every sentence. What better medium to see how this theory plays itself out beyond that than with movie trailers? The Return of the Moonwalker Trailer Note: I can’t explicitly endorse getting high by way of huffing some rubber cement but, if you happen...
- 3/5/2011
- by Christopher Stipp
- Slash Film
For his third feature “Surrogate Valentine,” debuting next week at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, filmmaker Dave Boyle knew right from the start that he wanted to self-distribute his film. Aware that his black-and-white romantic comedy about a San Francisco musician (Goh Nakamura) trying to teach a TV actor how to play the guitar would have a limited audience, he decided he would focus on releasing his film via video-on-demand through Comcast, Time Warner and other cable systems,...
- 3/4/2011
- by Michelle Kung
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
For all of you SXSW lovers, or those that love the scoop on new films… we have new trailers for Surrogate Valentine and American Animal. Both films will be playing at this years SXSW festival.
Surrogate Valentine
In Dave Boyle’s sweet romantic comedy, Surrogate Valentine, San Francisco musician & rising star Goh Nakamura’s (playing himself) life of solitude is disrupted when he is hired to teach TV actor Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) how to play guitar for an upcoming film. Hellbent on accurately portraying Goh’s mellow vibe for his role, Danny meticulously studies his every move. Together, the two embark on a hilarious West Coast adventure involving live gigs, groupies, shotgun-wielding record exes and an unexpected friendship. Along the way, Goh discovers that Danny may be the missing puzzle piece in his life-long chase for Rachel (Lynn Chen), the one that got away.
The film is premiering at...
Surrogate Valentine
In Dave Boyle’s sweet romantic comedy, Surrogate Valentine, San Francisco musician & rising star Goh Nakamura’s (playing himself) life of solitude is disrupted when he is hired to teach TV actor Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) how to play guitar for an upcoming film. Hellbent on accurately portraying Goh’s mellow vibe for his role, Danny meticulously studies his every move. Together, the two embark on a hilarious West Coast adventure involving live gigs, groupies, shotgun-wielding record exes and an unexpected friendship. Along the way, Goh discovers that Danny may be the missing puzzle piece in his life-long chase for Rachel (Lynn Chen), the one that got away.
The film is premiering at...
- 3/1/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
We're just two weeks away from the kick-off of South by Southwest 2011 -- and while I'm prepping for our big Spirit Awards weekend, I'm also trying to really dig into this year's SXSW schedule. Thankfully, SXSW's YouTube channel has almost 100 trailers uploaded. I picked out five of the more intriguing looking (but maybe a little lesser known) films to share here. This is what I picked:
"Fightville"
Directed by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein
SXSW Premiere: Saturday March 12, 4:30 Pm, Vimeo Theater
The newest documentary from the directors of "Gunner Palace" is the story of what a baseball fan like me would describe as the "minor leagues" of Mixed Martial Arts: the training ground where young fighters are made or destroyed. Mma is a huge part of the modern sports scene but it's been almost completely unexamined from a documentary perspective, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this.
"Surrogate Valentine...
"Fightville"
Directed by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein
SXSW Premiere: Saturday March 12, 4:30 Pm, Vimeo Theater
The newest documentary from the directors of "Gunner Palace" is the story of what a baseball fan like me would describe as the "minor leagues" of Mixed Martial Arts: the training ground where young fighters are made or destroyed. Mma is a huge part of the modern sports scene but it's been almost completely unexamined from a documentary perspective, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this.
"Surrogate Valentine...
- 2/25/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
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