Teen Mom Og stars Amber Portwood and Catelynn Lowell Baltierra both struggle with loss on this week’s episode, as emotions run high while the pair and Maci Bookout travel to Puerto Rico with their other halves. Amber breaks down in tears as the group gather one morning when the subject of her late dad, who she cared for as he battled alcoholism, comes up in conversation. She tells producer Kerthy Fix after shedding tears over her loss and walking away from the group: “He told me he had eight months to live, he f****** lived for ten years. “He was...read more...
- 5/29/2017
- by Julian Cheatle
- Monsters and Critics
Title: Ben Lee: Catch My Disease Director: Amiel Courtin-Wilson Featuring: Michelle Williams, Jason Schwartzman, Zooey Deschanel, Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Thurston Moore, Mike D, Ione Skye A rangy documentary look at the Australian-born singer-songwriter of its title, “Ben Lee: Catch My Disease” charts much along the same lines as Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara’s “Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields,” another generally appreciated if not always appreciable glimpse behind the creative curtain of a curious and prodigious musical talent. The same qualities that help give director Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s film its strongest pull — the happy involvement of its quirky subject, other interesting interviewees, plus a solid sense of [ Read More ]
The post Ben Lee: Catch My Disease Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Ben Lee: Catch My Disease Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/28/2012
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
The Brisbane Underground Film Festival is a new, scrappy little fest on the scene that will screen several underground hits for three nights on Oct. 13-15 at the Visy Theatre in Brisbane, Australia.
On the narrative film front, there’s two mind-blowing American films: Zach Clark‘s wild ’90s indie film throwback comedy Vacation!, about four women who take a disastrous beach holiday; and Usama Alshaibi‘s über-trippy Profane, a moving and powerful portrait of a Muslim sex worker trying to regain her faith in Chicago. Plus, there’s Jason Eisener‘s bloody cult flick Hobo With a Shotgun and Terry McMahon’s Charlie Casanova.
On the documentary front, the fest will open the Le Tigre tour film Who Took the Bomp? by Kerthy Fix; then screen festival circuit hits Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods by Patrick Meaney and Shut Up Little Man! by Matthew Bate.
Plus, most film screenings...
On the narrative film front, there’s two mind-blowing American films: Zach Clark‘s wild ’90s indie film throwback comedy Vacation!, about four women who take a disastrous beach holiday; and Usama Alshaibi‘s über-trippy Profane, a moving and powerful portrait of a Muslim sex worker trying to regain her faith in Chicago. Plus, there’s Jason Eisener‘s bloody cult flick Hobo With a Shotgun and Terry McMahon’s Charlie Casanova.
On the documentary front, the fest will open the Le Tigre tour film Who Took the Bomp? by Kerthy Fix; then screen festival circuit hits Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods by Patrick Meaney and Shut Up Little Man! by Matthew Bate.
Plus, most film screenings...
- 10/10/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
By Christopher Stipp
The Archives, Right Here
Check out my other column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on Twitter under the name: Stipp
Monogamy - DVD Review
Color me surprised at how much I liked this film.
At first glance you could see a movie about a photographer who takes clandestine pictures of clients who pay to be shot in the wild, an odd subset of humans who need to see what it’s like to be shown in their natural territory, as something Hitchcock would cook up when one of the clients takes it up a notch and gets a little freaky deekey, having a penchant for voyeurism.
Purposely antagonizing the guy, the sexualized client and photog share in a relationship that isn’t so much physical as it is cerebral. As, you see, the guy is getting married to Rashida Jones, a woman...
The Archives, Right Here
Check out my other column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on Twitter under the name: Stipp
Monogamy - DVD Review
Color me surprised at how much I liked this film.
At first glance you could see a movie about a photographer who takes clandestine pictures of clients who pay to be shot in the wild, an odd subset of humans who need to see what it’s like to be shown in their natural territory, as something Hitchcock would cook up when one of the clients takes it up a notch and gets a little freaky deekey, having a penchant for voyeurism.
Purposely antagonizing the guy, the sexualized client and photog share in a relationship that isn’t so much physical as it is cerebral. As, you see, the guy is getting married to Rashida Jones, a woman...
- 6/18/2011
- by Christopher Stipp
Title: Who Took The Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour Director: Kerthy Fix Subject: Le Tigre Most music documentaries use that style and genre very loosely, not actually providing any insight to the band itself or on the process of making music, or actually providing a contextual narrative that would give the non-fan that sort of insight. Usually just producing a 90-minute montage of performances or just filming a concert and bam, there’s your “documentary”. But there’s something different about “Who Took The Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour” It provides the aforementioned traits but it also delivers a pretty engaging story of a band coming to terms with their popularity and...
- 6/13/2011
- by Rudie Obias
- ShockYa
Chicago – As far as punk rock electroclash bands go, concertgoers would be hard pressed to find one as vibrant, charismatic and thrillingly alive as Le Tigre. It’s a band that I had no knowledge of prior to viewing this documentary, and though the film itself is a rather unexceptional tour video, it has made me an instant fan of the group, whose witty and catchy rhythms are simply irresistible.
Comprised of former “Bikini Kill” vocalist Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and Jocelyn “Jd” Samson, Le Tigre is entrenched in the feminist politics and Diy aesthetics of the “riot grrrl movement” that came to fruition in the early ’90s. Their work promotes both female empowerment and Lgbt equality, while their performance style is both playful and impassioned. A series of well-edited concert montages effectively convey their onstage exuberance, but there’s little in the offstage footage that’s of much substance.
Comprised of former “Bikini Kill” vocalist Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and Jocelyn “Jd” Samson, Le Tigre is entrenched in the feminist politics and Diy aesthetics of the “riot grrrl movement” that came to fruition in the early ’90s. Their work promotes both female empowerment and Lgbt equality, while their performance style is both playful and impassioned. A series of well-edited concert montages effectively convey their onstage exuberance, but there’s little in the offstage footage that’s of much substance.
- 6/10/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour
Directed by Kerthy Fix
2010, USA, 72 mins.
Who Took the Bomp? is as eclectic and hard to pin down as Le Tigre themselves, who have variously been described as electroclash, riot grrrl, and synthpunk. Ostensibly, it is director Kerthy Fix’s coverage of Le Tigre’s 2004 This Island tour. However, the film ends up being much more. Part manifesto, part confession, part swan song, Who Took the Bomp? is everything you’d ever want to know about Le Tigre in one convenient documentary.
Like most tour documentaries, Who Took the Bomp? has a healthy blend of behind-the-scenes antics and awesome concert footage. Unlike most other tour documentaries, this one features the artists talking candidly about sexuality, performing gender, evolving feminism, and feminine identity. Kathleen Hanna discusses the beginnings of riot grrrl and Le Tigre, and Jd Samson talks about the challenges of her identity.
Directed by Kerthy Fix
2010, USA, 72 mins.
Who Took the Bomp? is as eclectic and hard to pin down as Le Tigre themselves, who have variously been described as electroclash, riot grrrl, and synthpunk. Ostensibly, it is director Kerthy Fix’s coverage of Le Tigre’s 2004 This Island tour. However, the film ends up being much more. Part manifesto, part confession, part swan song, Who Took the Bomp? is everything you’d ever want to know about Le Tigre in one convenient documentary.
Like most tour documentaries, Who Took the Bomp? has a healthy blend of behind-the-scenes antics and awesome concert footage. Unlike most other tour documentaries, this one features the artists talking candidly about sexuality, performing gender, evolving feminism, and feminine identity. Kathleen Hanna discusses the beginnings of riot grrrl and Le Tigre, and Jd Samson talks about the challenges of her identity.
- 5/31/2011
- by Dave Robson
- SoundOnSight
The Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) kicks off this Wednesday, and has a number of impressive films in its line-up. The festival will take place at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square, the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, and the Stuart Street Playhouse in downtown Boston. The festival, complete with over 110 film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, visiting filmmakers, parties and events will showcase the best in current American and International cinema.
The opening night film of the festival is Being Elmo directed by Constance Marks will open the 9th annual festival on April 27th at the Somerville Theatre. This marks the first time the festival will open with a documentary. The film follows Kevin Clash, from humble upbringings as he follows his dream to become a puppeteer and one day work with his idol, Jim Henson, to the present day...
The opening night film of the festival is Being Elmo directed by Constance Marks will open the 9th annual festival on April 27th at the Somerville Theatre. This marks the first time the festival will open with a documentary. The film follows Kevin Clash, from humble upbringings as he follows his dream to become a puppeteer and one day work with his idol, Jim Henson, to the present day...
- 4/26/2011
- by Kristen Coates
- The Film Stage
The Independent Film Festival of Boston [1] recently released their full line-up and it's a doozy. Sundance favorites such as The Future [2] and Submarine [3] will be there, along with awesome documentaries like Being Elmo [4] (With Elmo In Attendance!!!) and Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times [5]. I'm looking forward to films I wasn't able to catch at Sundance and SXSW, such as the legal documentary Hot Coffee, the heartbreaking How to Die in Oregon, and the new fascinating Conan O'Brien film. Takashi Miike's 13 Assassins [6] also looks like it will rock the house. The full line-up is below. The festival is April 27th through May 4th, and it's one of my favorite movie events of the year. If you live anywhere in New England, I invite you to come and check it out. You can follow IFFBoston on Facebook for updates [7] or buy your passes now [8]! Narrative Features 13 Assassins...
- 3/25/2011
- by David Chen
- Slash Film
Filed under: Documentaries, SXSW Film Festival, Cinematical
"Feminism! Lesbians! Vaginas!" That's the battle cry that proudly progressive electroclash trio Le Tigre chanted backstage to get themselves pumped up for their final show back in 2005. Captured towards the end of Kerthy Fix's doc, 'Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour,' it's one of the sweet, invigorating, and hyper-ecstatic moments that make 24 Beats Per Second the most reliably rocking sidebar at SXSW. For a huge music fan who simply doesn't have a moment to spare from the film portion of the conference, this series of music documentaries is the next best thing on offer-- and this year that offer wound up being pretty damn good, serving up trills and triumphs in equal measure. But of the films that I was able to catch amidst the madness, it was the most reserved and humble among them that struck the deepest chord (pun!
"Feminism! Lesbians! Vaginas!" That's the battle cry that proudly progressive electroclash trio Le Tigre chanted backstage to get themselves pumped up for their final show back in 2005. Captured towards the end of Kerthy Fix's doc, 'Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour,' it's one of the sweet, invigorating, and hyper-ecstatic moments that make 24 Beats Per Second the most reliably rocking sidebar at SXSW. For a huge music fan who simply doesn't have a moment to spare from the film portion of the conference, this series of music documentaries is the next best thing on offer-- and this year that offer wound up being pretty damn good, serving up trills and triumphs in equal measure. But of the films that I was able to catch amidst the madness, it was the most reserved and humble among them that struck the deepest chord (pun!
- 3/22/2011
- by David Ehrlich
- Moviefone
Filed under: Documentaries, SXSW Film Festival, Cinematical
"Feminism! Lesbians! Vaginas!" That's the battle cry that proudly progressive electroclash trio Le Tigre chanted backstage to get themselves pumped up for their final show back in 2005. Captured towards the end of Kerthy Fix's doc, 'Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour,' it's one of the sweet, invigorating, and hyper-ecstatic moments that make 24 Beats Per Second the most reliably rocking sidebar at SXSW. For a huge music fan who simply doesn't have a moment to spare from the film portion of the conference, this series of music documentaries is the next best thing on offer-- and this year that offer wound up being pretty damn good, serving up trills and triumphs in equal measure. But of the films that I was able to catch amidst the madness, it was the most reserved and humble among them that struck the deepest chord (pun!
"Feminism! Lesbians! Vaginas!" That's the battle cry that proudly progressive electroclash trio Le Tigre chanted backstage to get themselves pumped up for their final show back in 2005. Captured towards the end of Kerthy Fix's doc, 'Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour,' it's one of the sweet, invigorating, and hyper-ecstatic moments that make 24 Beats Per Second the most reliably rocking sidebar at SXSW. For a huge music fan who simply doesn't have a moment to spare from the film portion of the conference, this series of music documentaries is the next best thing on offer-- and this year that offer wound up being pretty damn good, serving up trills and triumphs in equal measure. But of the films that I was able to catch amidst the madness, it was the most reserved and humble among them that struck the deepest chord (pun!
- 3/22/2011
- by David Ehrlich
- Cinematical
Are the Magnetic Fields worthy of a cinema-released documentary film, Strange Powers? Listen closely and the answer can only be a resounding yes
For the last decade and a half I've been hoisting the tag "modern genius" upon the shrugging shoulders of Magnetic Fields man Stephin Merritt. Yet even I wondered if they were really worthy of a cinema-released documentary. Thankfully, my concerns were dismissed within the first few seconds of Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields.
Over the opening credits played Epitaph for My Heart, a track from the band's 69 Love Songs album, which I carried on my person for about three years after its 2000 release, devouring it like a bottomless tub of Chunky Monkey and proclaiming it the best album since Revolver. Despite playing it so often, a line leapt out from this dolorous slab of heartbreak that I'd never noticed before: "Cupid put too much poison in the dart.
For the last decade and a half I've been hoisting the tag "modern genius" upon the shrugging shoulders of Magnetic Fields man Stephin Merritt. Yet even I wondered if they were really worthy of a cinema-released documentary. Thankfully, my concerns were dismissed within the first few seconds of Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields.
Over the opening credits played Epitaph for My Heart, a track from the band's 69 Love Songs album, which I carried on my person for about three years after its 2000 release, devouring it like a bottomless tub of Chunky Monkey and proclaiming it the best album since Revolver. Despite playing it so often, a line leapt out from this dolorous slab of heartbreak that I'd never noticed before: "Cupid put too much poison in the dart.
- 2/16/2011
- by Mark Beaumont
- The Guardian - Film News
The South by Southwest Film Festival announced its feature film line-up Wednesday, piling heaps of cinematic goodness on an already stellar program that includes Jodie Foster’s The Beaver, Duncan Jones’ Source Code, Ti West’s The Innkeepers, Conan O’Brien’s tour documentary, and the latest Simon Pegg-Nick Frost comedy, Paul, with Seth Rogen.
Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) returns to the festival with her latest film, Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried, after the writer-director spoke on a screenwriting panel in 2009.
Plus a few favorites from the Sundance Film Festival last month, like Tom McCarthy’s Win Win, Morgan Spurlock’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, and Max Winkler’s Ceremony.
I’m extremely excited, even if I’m already having flashbacks to intense sleep deprivation. Like the last two years, I’ll be on the ground covering as much of the festival as I can within the packed 9 days of screenings,...
Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) returns to the festival with her latest film, Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried, after the writer-director spoke on a screenwriting panel in 2009.
Plus a few favorites from the Sundance Film Festival last month, like Tom McCarthy’s Win Win, Morgan Spurlock’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, and Max Winkler’s Ceremony.
I’m extremely excited, even if I’m already having flashbacks to intense sleep deprivation. Like the last two years, I’ll be on the ground covering as much of the festival as I can within the packed 9 days of screenings,...
- 2/3/2011
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
‘Tapping into the cultural zeitgeist,’ at SXSW 2011
Austin, Texas – The SXSW 2011 Feature Film Lineup was unveiled Wednesday afternoon. The festival lineup will consist of 130 features, in nine full days of programming, promising to deliver a film-going experience unlike previous years.
With a reputation for taking chances on relatively unknown filmmakers, the SXSW panel of judges carefully picked 130 films from 1,792 feature-length film submissions, (1,323 U.S. and 469 international). The program consists of 60 World Premieres, 12 North American Premieres and 16 U.S. Premieres.
The main competition categories return with eight Narrative Features, and eight Documentary Features, both competing for their respective Grand Jury Prize. New for films in competition this year, are awards for screenplay, editing, cinematography, music, and acting.
(The Midnighters and SXFantastic feature sections, along with the short film program, will be announced next week.)
Here are a few of the Features to be screened, among many others.
Narratives:
The Beaver (World Premiere)
Dir.
Austin, Texas – The SXSW 2011 Feature Film Lineup was unveiled Wednesday afternoon. The festival lineup will consist of 130 features, in nine full days of programming, promising to deliver a film-going experience unlike previous years.
With a reputation for taking chances on relatively unknown filmmakers, the SXSW panel of judges carefully picked 130 films from 1,792 feature-length film submissions, (1,323 U.S. and 469 international). The program consists of 60 World Premieres, 12 North American Premieres and 16 U.S. Premieres.
The main competition categories return with eight Narrative Features, and eight Documentary Features, both competing for their respective Grand Jury Prize. New for films in competition this year, are awards for screenplay, editing, cinematography, music, and acting.
(The Midnighters and SXFantastic feature sections, along with the short film program, will be announced next week.)
Here are a few of the Features to be screened, among many others.
Narratives:
The Beaver (World Premiere)
Dir.
- 2/3/2011
- by Albert Art
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Readers of Sound On Sight can be sure that we will indeed be covering the SXSW Film Festival once again. As previously reported, Duncan Jones’ latest film Source Code is opening the festival and there will also be premieres for the documentary Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, Greg Mottola’s Paul, and Jodie Foster’s The Beaver. Now the full line-up has been announced it is incredible.
Hit the jump to check out the line-up, and be sure to visit our site during the event.
The 2011 SXSW Film Festival runs from March 11 – 19th in Austin, Texas.
SXSW Film Announces 2011 Features Lineup
Austin, Texas – February 2, 2011 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the features lineup for this year’s Festival, March 11 – 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 lineup continues the SXSW tradition of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, highlighting emerging talent and breakthrough performances and supporting first-time filmmakers.
Hit the jump to check out the line-up, and be sure to visit our site during the event.
The 2011 SXSW Film Festival runs from March 11 – 19th in Austin, Texas.
SXSW Film Announces 2011 Features Lineup
Austin, Texas – February 2, 2011 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the features lineup for this year’s Festival, March 11 – 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 lineup continues the SXSW tradition of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, highlighting emerging talent and breakthrough performances and supporting first-time filmmakers.
- 2/3/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
The South By Southwest Film Conference and Festival announced this year's features lineup. The festival takes place March 11-19 in Austin, Texas.
There are a total of 130 features screening this year including 60 world premieres, 12 North American premieres and 16 U.S. premieres! This year the a total of 1,792 feature-length films were submitted, which is the most ever.
There are going to be some amazing films shown this yea. Opening night kicks off with Duncan Jones' Source Code (Moon). The fest rolls on with Jodie Foster‘s The Beaver, Greg Mottola‘s Paul, Sundance Grand Prize doc winner How to Die in Oregon, Errol Morris‘ Tabloid, Victoria Mahoney‘s Yelling to the Sky, Azazel Jacob‘s Terri. There will also be a special screening of Catherine Hardwicke‘s Red Riding Hood.
The Midnight and SXFantastic sections will be announced with the shorts program next week.
See the complete lineup below via...
There are a total of 130 features screening this year including 60 world premieres, 12 North American premieres and 16 U.S. premieres! This year the a total of 1,792 feature-length films were submitted, which is the most ever.
There are going to be some amazing films shown this yea. Opening night kicks off with Duncan Jones' Source Code (Moon). The fest rolls on with Jodie Foster‘s The Beaver, Greg Mottola‘s Paul, Sundance Grand Prize doc winner How to Die in Oregon, Errol Morris‘ Tabloid, Victoria Mahoney‘s Yelling to the Sky, Azazel Jacob‘s Terri. There will also be a special screening of Catherine Hardwicke‘s Red Riding Hood.
The Midnight and SXFantastic sections will be announced with the shorts program next week.
See the complete lineup below via...
- 2/2/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
The South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) just announced their entire 2011 feature film lineup, and there’s isn’t a lot of note, with regards to this blog’s focus.
Titles you should be aware of – all of which we’ve previously profiled on Shadow And Act – include, Victoria Mahoney’s feature film debut, Yelling To The Sky (which will actually make its world debut at the Berlin Film Festival later this month); plus Blacktino, the first feature film from writer/director Aaron Burns, a self-described “blacktino nerd from Austin, Texas,” who got his start at Robert Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios doing visual effects; Benda Bilili, a documentary about a band of homeless, disabled Congolese; and last, but not least, Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, a documentary about the black man that happens to be the man behind the puppet (which also played at Sundance).
There might be...
Titles you should be aware of – all of which we’ve previously profiled on Shadow And Act – include, Victoria Mahoney’s feature film debut, Yelling To The Sky (which will actually make its world debut at the Berlin Film Festival later this month); plus Blacktino, the first feature film from writer/director Aaron Burns, a self-described “blacktino nerd from Austin, Texas,” who got his start at Robert Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios doing visual effects; Benda Bilili, a documentary about a band of homeless, disabled Congolese; and last, but not least, Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, a documentary about the black man that happens to be the man behind the puppet (which also played at Sundance).
There might be...
- 2/2/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
The South by Southwest Film Festival has announced their features lineup for the 2011’s Festival, which will take place March 11th to the 19th in Austin Texas. Read the full press release after the jump. SXSW Film Announces 2011 Features Lineup Austin, Texas – February 2, 2011 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the features lineup for this year’s Festival, March 11 – 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 lineup continues the SXSW tradition of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, highlighting emerging talent and breakthrough performances and supporting first-time filmmakers. The Midnighters and SXFantastic feature sections, along with the short film program, will be announced next week. “This is the most exciting moment for us. After a fantastic festival of discovery in 2010, we can finally unveil the line up for this year’s event,” says Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson. “SXSW prides itself on taking chances, sifting for...
- 2/2/2011
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Okay, so we knew there were some Magnetic Fields fans out there who’d be eager to catch Kerthy Fix’s intimate documentary portrait of Stephin Merritt & The Magnetic Fields. I think we might have underestimated the number of devoted out there though since all three shows we had a couple weeks back pretty much sold out.
Thankfully, for all of those who missed out the first time around, we’re bringing this insightful documentary about the cranky, lovable genius back to The Ritz for an entire week.
Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt & The Magnetic Fields screens Dec 3-9 at Alamo Ritz. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Click here to get them!
Thankfully, for all of those who missed out the first time around, we’re bringing this insightful documentary about the cranky, lovable genius back to The Ritz for an entire week.
Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt & The Magnetic Fields screens Dec 3-9 at Alamo Ritz. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Click here to get them!
- 11/25/2010
- by George Bragdon
- OriginalAlamo.com
Director Kerthy Fix in person for post-film Q&A after the 7pm show Monday, Nov 8!
Dubbed by Time Out New York the “Cole Porter of his generation,” Stephin Merritt is the immensely talented, genre-hopping, hyper-prolific songwriter know best for his work with the Magnetic Fields. He’s the man that penned such quirky, irresistibly melodic tunes as “Papa Was a Rodeo,” “The Luckiest Guy on the Lower Eastside,” and “A Chicken with its Head Cut Off” — all found on the band’s 1999 opus 69 Love Songs. (If you’re anything like me, you probably heard one of these tunes on a mix (be it tape, CD, or playlist) from a friend, fell in love with the tune, smiled at the lyrics, and immediately went out and bought that unwieldy 3-disc set and it’s remained in heavy rotation ever since).
Stephin Merritt is, by all accounts, a genius. And a grump.
Dubbed by Time Out New York the “Cole Porter of his generation,” Stephin Merritt is the immensely talented, genre-hopping, hyper-prolific songwriter know best for his work with the Magnetic Fields. He’s the man that penned such quirky, irresistibly melodic tunes as “Papa Was a Rodeo,” “The Luckiest Guy on the Lower Eastside,” and “A Chicken with its Head Cut Off” — all found on the band’s 1999 opus 69 Love Songs. (If you’re anything like me, you probably heard one of these tunes on a mix (be it tape, CD, or playlist) from a friend, fell in love with the tune, smiled at the lyrics, and immediately went out and bought that unwieldy 3-disc set and it’s remained in heavy rotation ever since).
Stephin Merritt is, by all accounts, a genius. And a grump.
- 11/5/2010
- by George Bragdon
- OriginalAlamo.com
“Strange Powers” isn’t a profile of a man but of his image. Filming over the course of a decade, directors Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara offer a competent overview of a band — maybe iconic to some but unknown to most — by tracing its origins in the Reagan ’80s, hanging out during what are at times contentious rehearsals and recording onstage banter as well as full-length songs. But a viewer unfamiliar with Merritt or the Magnetic Fields comes away with little further insight.
They may have been better off focusing instead on Claudia Gonson, the Magnetic Fields’ percussionist/pianist and manager. She’s an unlikely rock star and perhaps an even more unlikely friend of Merritt’s, but she’s clearly instrumental to his success. Not that he would acknowledge that. “As other people go, she’s Ok,” is all he’ll offer. She probably knows him well enough to see through his act,...
They may have been better off focusing instead on Claudia Gonson, the Magnetic Fields’ percussionist/pianist and manager. She’s an unlikely rock star and perhaps an even more unlikely friend of Merritt’s, but she’s clearly instrumental to his success. Not that he would acknowledge that. “As other people go, she’s Ok,” is all he’ll offer. She probably knows him well enough to see through his act,...
- 10/30/2010
- Moving Pictures Magazine
A songwriter who can dream up lyrics like, "When we kiss, it feels like a flying saucer landing," can score those lyrics in any one of a thousand, infectious styles, and as a result command praises from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Neil Gaiman, and Sarah Silverman definitely deserves his own documentary. Co-directors Kerthy Fix and Gail O'Hara have obliged said artist with Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, an immersive and fascinating glimpse into the ascerbic, romantic, sarcastic, and infinitely varied world of Mr. Merritt and his collaborators. I came to the film knowing Merritt solely from his insanely ambitious project 69 Love Songs -- yes, 69 songs in 69 different styles -- and walked away hungering for more. Don't be surprised if you're similarly affected. Click on the player to hear my discussion with Kerthy Fix. ...
- 10/30/2010
- by Dan Persons
- Huffington Post
Most fan-docs are fairly remedial, but Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt And The Magnetic Fields is more sophisticated than the norm, in keeping with its subject. Directors Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara reportedly spent 10 years on the film, though that time span isn’t really reflected in the finished work, which jumps around in telling The Magnetic Fields’ story, relying heavily on just a few formal sit-down interviews. What sets Strange Powers apart is how Fix and O’Hara evoke the peculiar headspace Merritt occupies while he’s working. The movie features lots of scenes of him writing, recording ...
- 10/28/2010
- avclub.com
"Strange Powers" chronicles the quirks and songwriting habits of one of great songwriters of this generation, the elusive Stephin Merritt. Over a decade in the making, the documentary from directors Kerthy Fix and Gail O'Hara is a fascinating look at a very private man, known for his aversion to the press and fame. Merritt spends his days writing songs in gay bars that are at once catchy and somber. Many of them are so oddly familiar you can't believe they're original, but that's Merritt tapping into a kind of musical Cosmogonic Cycle, harnessing some simple melody shared in our subconscious.
For all his gifts, Merritt does not suffer fools. He's honed a reputation for a sharp tongue and a blatant disdain for answering stupid questions from neophyte interviewers, which is painful to behold. Author Neil Gaiman says of him that, "He made Lou Reed look like Little Orphan Annie." You...
For all his gifts, Merritt does not suffer fools. He's honed a reputation for a sharp tongue and a blatant disdain for answering stupid questions from neophyte interviewers, which is painful to behold. Author Neil Gaiman says of him that, "He made Lou Reed look like Little Orphan Annie." You...
- 10/27/2010
- by Brandon Kim
- ifc.com
A smart, sophisticated songsmith in the tradition of Cole Porter, or an inscrutable, pretentious twit? In the course of his near-20-year career, Stephin Merritt -- the sort-of frontperson for the indie-rock collective Magnetic Fields -- has been considered both. And after watching Kerthy Fix and Gail O'Hara's documentary Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, you may still think he's a little of both, and that's Ok. Strange Powers is a relaxed, enjoyable little documentary whose central figure emerges as a figure rendered in half-precise, half-diffuse pointillist dots: By the end, he's more charming and less self-serious than he seemed at the beginning, but he still escapes with much of his mystery intact.
- 10/26/2010
- Movieline
Gail O'Hara and Kerthy Fix's portrait of cult songwriter Stephin Merritt opens at Film Forum this Wednesday, October 27. Both directors shared with indieWIRE how they came to be involved with the documentary, and where their fascination with Merritt stems from. Songwriter Stephin Merritt always seems to have a Chihuahua on his lap. Performing with the Magnetic Fields since 1991, he has composed some of his generation’s most intellectually incisive, ...
- 10/26/2010
- indieWIRE - People
Gail O'Hara and Kerthy Fix's portrait of cult songwriter Stephin Merritt opens at Film Forum this Wednesday, October 27. Both directors shared with indieWIRE how they came to be involved with the documentary, and where their fascination with Merritt stems from. Songwriter Stephin Merritt always seems to have a Chihuahua on his lap. Performing with the Magnetic Fields since 1991, he has composed some of his generation’s most intellectually incisive, ...
- 10/26/2010
- indieWIRE - People
Gail O'Hara and Kerthy Fix's portrait of cult songwriter Stephin Merritt opens at Film Forum this Wednesday, October 27. Both directors shared with indieWIRE how they came to be involved with the documentary, and where their fascination with Merritt stems from. Songwriter Stephin Merritt always seems to have a Chihuahua on his lap. Performing with the Magnetic Fields since 1991, he has composed some of his generation’s most intellectually incisive, ...
- 10/26/2010
- Indiewire
The Vancouver International Film Festival is my baby. In its 29th year, this is the event I look forward to every year. The lists I've kept through the year come out and I eagerly look through the list of titles in search of those little gems and every year Viff responds with a huge assortment of titles. This year's festival is no different.
Some of the titles we're most eagerly anticipating include Tsumetai Nettaigyo’s Cold Fish (trailer), Gareth Edwards’ Monsters (trailer, review), Jo Sung-Hee’s apocalyptic road movie End of Animal, Carl Bessai’s Repeaters (trailer) and Xavier Dolan's Heartbeats (trailer, review).
There's loads more so be sure to check the titles (so far) after the break. Many more to be announced in the coming days.
Canadian Images
Altitude (Kaare Andrews), B.C.
View trailer
A weekend getaway aboard a small plane turns deadly for a rookie pilot and four teenage friends.
Some of the titles we're most eagerly anticipating include Tsumetai Nettaigyo’s Cold Fish (trailer), Gareth Edwards’ Monsters (trailer, review), Jo Sung-Hee’s apocalyptic road movie End of Animal, Carl Bessai’s Repeaters (trailer) and Xavier Dolan's Heartbeats (trailer, review).
There's loads more so be sure to check the titles (so far) after the break. Many more to be announced in the coming days.
Canadian Images
Altitude (Kaare Andrews), B.C.
View trailer
A weekend getaway aboard a small plane turns deadly for a rookie pilot and four teenage friends.
- 9/8/2010
- QuietEarth.us
The Melbourne International Film Festival has announced this year’s favourite films, as voted by the audience.
Nz’s Boy (directed by Taika Waititi and opening in Australia on August 26) was the top film, while Bill Cunningham: New York was the favourite documentary. Australian features The Wedding Party and Summer Coda were also in the top 10, at numbers six and 10 respectively
Top 10 Features
1. Boy Dir. Taika Waititi (Nz)
2. Desert Flower Dir. Sherry Hoffman (Germany/Austria/France)
3. Certified Copy Dir. Abbas Kiarostami (France/Italy)
4. Four Lions Dir. Chris Morris (UK)
5. Summer Wars Dir. Mamoru Hosoda (Japan)
6. The Wedding Party Dir. Amanda Jane (Australia)
7. I Love You Phillip Morris Dir. Glenn Ficarra, John Requa (USA/Canada)
8. Women Without Men Dir. Shirin Neshat (Germany/Austria/France)
9. The Ballad of Des and Mo Dir. James Fair (Ireland)
10. Summer Coda Dir Richard Gray (Australia)
Top 10 Documentaries
1. Bill Cunningham New York Dir. Richard Press (USA)
2. The Invention of Dr.
Nz’s Boy (directed by Taika Waititi and opening in Australia on August 26) was the top film, while Bill Cunningham: New York was the favourite documentary. Australian features The Wedding Party and Summer Coda were also in the top 10, at numbers six and 10 respectively
Top 10 Features
1. Boy Dir. Taika Waititi (Nz)
2. Desert Flower Dir. Sherry Hoffman (Germany/Austria/France)
3. Certified Copy Dir. Abbas Kiarostami (France/Italy)
4. Four Lions Dir. Chris Morris (UK)
5. Summer Wars Dir. Mamoru Hosoda (Japan)
6. The Wedding Party Dir. Amanda Jane (Australia)
7. I Love You Phillip Morris Dir. Glenn Ficarra, John Requa (USA/Canada)
8. Women Without Men Dir. Shirin Neshat (Germany/Austria/France)
9. The Ballad of Des and Mo Dir. James Fair (Ireland)
10. Summer Coda Dir Richard Gray (Australia)
Top 10 Documentaries
1. Bill Cunningham New York Dir. Richard Press (USA)
2. The Invention of Dr.
- 8/24/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Two lesbian dramas, Ned Farr's "A Marine Story" and James Kent's "The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister," earned jury awards Sunday as outstanding U.S. dramatic feature and outstanding international dramatic feature, respectively, at Outfest, the 28th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
"Marine" also picked up the audience award for outstanding dramatic feature, and Dreya Weber was named outstanding actress in a feature as the fest handed out its prizes at its awards luncheon.
Kerthy Fix and Gail O'Hara's "Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt & The Magnetic Fields" took the jury prize for best documentary feature, and Michelle Lawler's "Forever's Gonna Start Tonight" copped the audience award for best feature doc.
An audience award also went to Jacob Chase's "The Four-Faced Liar," voted outstanding first U.S. dramatic feature film.
"Bearcity" earned two jury awards -- for outstanding feature actor Stephen Guarino and outstanding...
"Marine" also picked up the audience award for outstanding dramatic feature, and Dreya Weber was named outstanding actress in a feature as the fest handed out its prizes at its awards luncheon.
Kerthy Fix and Gail O'Hara's "Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt & The Magnetic Fields" took the jury prize for best documentary feature, and Michelle Lawler's "Forever's Gonna Start Tonight" copped the audience award for best feature doc.
An audience award also went to Jacob Chase's "The Four-Faced Liar," voted outstanding first U.S. dramatic feature film.
"Bearcity" earned two jury awards -- for outstanding feature actor Stephen Guarino and outstanding...
- 7/18/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Durham - Once more The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is a four day film festival that plays like it should last a week They show so many films that it’s impossible to even come close to seeing them all. Five theaters are going at once and the only repeats are the award winning movies. It’s hard to pick while going through the schedule. I’ve yet to hear anyone complain about the movie they saw so much as wishing they could have seen two or three of the other ones that were showing concurrently. This is the best festival for documentary film viewers. The 2010 edition kept up the lofty standards with films about basketball, pork, pastries, scoundrels, nomads and undiscovered superstars.
Steve James created the greatest film about the dirty business of Chicago high school basketball in Hoop Dreams. Espn gave him a chance to look into...
Steve James created the greatest film about the dirty business of Chicago high school basketball in Hoop Dreams. Espn gave him a chance to look into...
- 5/14/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
After hitting the festival circuit this spring, the documentary Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields has been picked up by Variance films and given a proper theatrical release date. The film, directed by Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara, will premiere at New York’s Film Forum (one of Paste’s Best Movie Houses in America) Oct. 27. A nationwide run of the film will follow, with dates yet to be announced....
- 5/12/2010
- Pastemagazine.com
I’ve got a major soft spot for the Magnetic Fields and frontman Stephin Merritt, mainly because the singer-songwriter penned one of my very favorite love songs, “The Book of Love.” Merritt is notoriously private, particularly when it comes to public reveals of his personal life in the interest of his music, so the very existence of Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt And The Magnetic Fields is a bit of a wonder. Filmmakers Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara spent a solid decade going behind-the-scenes with Merritt and his band, and the resulting work is both intimate and extensive.
Read more on Strange Powers, the Magnetic Fields documentary, gets nationwide release…...
Read more on Strange Powers, the Magnetic Fields documentary, gets nationwide release…...
- 5/10/2010
- by Kate Erbland
- GordonandtheWhale
The Magnetic Fields are an eclectic but fairly obscure American indie rock band that has been recording for nearly twenty years. While not a household name, they have a fairly devoted following, and many musicians, such as Peter Gabriel, count leader Stephin Merritt as one of the great contemporary American songwriters. In Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, directors Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara follow the band for 10 years to get an understanding of Merritt and his songwriting technique, how the band makes their music, and the relationship between Merritt and his longtime collaborator and manager, Claudia Gonson. Generally, any documentary about an artist is either going to be a labour of love or an exposé. This film certainly falls into the former category, particularly considering the time and care used to make it. Fix and O’Hara are given intimate access to Merritt’s creative process.
- 5/8/2010
- by Shelagh
- DorkShelf.com
Variance Films has acquired North American theatrical rights for Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara's documentary "Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields." After debuting at this year’s South by Southwest Film Festival, it has screened at Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the Florida International Film Festival, the Independent Film Festival of Boston, Bafici in Buenos Aries, and the ongoing Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, with upcoming screenings at Seattle, ...
- 5/6/2010
- Indiewire
Rating: 8/10
Directors: Kerthy Fix, Gail O’Hara
Cast: Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson, Peter Gabriel, Neil Gaiman, Sarah Silverman, Daniel Handler, Sam Davol, John Woo
Any Magnetic Fields fan is aware that Stephin Merritt is a very private man. His songs are the soundtrack to our heartbreaks and romances, but he only lets us into his life so far. If you’ve attended a Magnetic Fields performance, you get the impression that the gears are always working inside Merritt’s head; and though he doesn’t say much, his statements are short and to the point, their aim always dead on with a touch of sarcasm.
Read more on SXSW 2010 Review: Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt And The Magnetic Fields…...
Directors: Kerthy Fix, Gail O’Hara
Cast: Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson, Peter Gabriel, Neil Gaiman, Sarah Silverman, Daniel Handler, Sam Davol, John Woo
Any Magnetic Fields fan is aware that Stephin Merritt is a very private man. His songs are the soundtrack to our heartbreaks and romances, but he only lets us into his life so far. If you’ve attended a Magnetic Fields performance, you get the impression that the gears are always working inside Merritt’s head; and though he doesn’t say much, his statements are short and to the point, their aim always dead on with a touch of sarcasm.
Read more on SXSW 2010 Review: Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt And The Magnetic Fields…...
- 3/29/2010
- by Ronnita Miller
- GordonandtheWhale
Less than a week worth of recovering from the Sundance Film Festival, and we are already looking forward to our next, big film fest coverage. That would be the South by Southwest Film Festival held annually in Austin, Texas. Last year, Scott and I brought you all kinds of coverage from the Lone Star State, and this year doesn’t look to be much different.
With that, the announcement came last night of the feature films that will be playing at the SXSW Film Festival. Previous announcement were already made about films like Cold Weather, Electra Luxx, Hubble 3D, Lemmy, Saturday Night, and The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights making their debut. Kick-ass was recently announced as the opening night film, as well.
Among the other films being presented this year are some Sundance darlings, a few, highly anticipated premieres, and MacGruber.
Check out the full list...
With that, the announcement came last night of the feature films that will be playing at the SXSW Film Festival. Previous announcement were already made about films like Cold Weather, Electra Luxx, Hubble 3D, Lemmy, Saturday Night, and The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights making their debut. Kick-ass was recently announced as the opening night film, as well.
Among the other films being presented this year are some Sundance darlings, a few, highly anticipated premieres, and MacGruber.
Check out the full list...
- 2/4/2010
- by Kirk
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I was so excited at seeing the SXSW line up last night that I completely forgot to post it and started searching the interwebs for cool content to go with it. Oops. Yes, I wish I was there but alas, it wasn’t mean to be (though don’t despair. We’ll be bringing you wicked awesome coverage).
But enough rambling, you want to know what’s all playing. Well, for a start there’s the much anticipated McGruber (trailer), the Duplass’ semi-mainstream comedy Cyrus, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs (trailer, review), Daniel Stamm’s horror flick Cotton and that’s on top of the previously announced titles which include Electra Luxx (Carla Gugino as a pregnant porn star? Bring. It. On.) and Kick-Ass (trailer). That’s already a great line-up but dear me, some of the other titles are pretty awesome too.
There’s Clay Liford scifi drama Earthling (trailer...
But enough rambling, you want to know what’s all playing. Well, for a start there’s the much anticipated McGruber (trailer), the Duplass’ semi-mainstream comedy Cyrus, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs (trailer, review), Daniel Stamm’s horror flick Cotton and that’s on top of the previously announced titles which include Electra Luxx (Carla Gugino as a pregnant porn star? Bring. It. On.) and Kick-Ass (trailer). That’s already a great line-up but dear me, some of the other titles are pretty awesome too.
There’s Clay Liford scifi drama Earthling (trailer...
- 2/4/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Late yesterday the SXSW Fim Festival, which runs from March 12-20 in Austin, TX, announced the full lineup of films that will be screening at this year’s event. And baby, it’s quite a list. Mixing big name films with intimate indie gems, the sheer number of films and the vast array of talented filmmakers is sure to be a hit with attendees and critics alike.
This lineup includes premieres of studio films such as Universal’s MacGruber, Lionsgate’s teen superhero actioneer Kick-Ass and smaller films like Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs, Michel Gondry’s The Thorn in the Heart and Steven Soderbergh’s And Everything Is Going Fine. With so many films to watch, it will be very difficult to find time to seem them all during the events nine days. But hell, we’re going to try.
For more on...
This lineup includes premieres of studio films such as Universal’s MacGruber, Lionsgate’s teen superhero actioneer Kick-Ass and smaller films like Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs, Michel Gondry’s The Thorn in the Heart and Steven Soderbergh’s And Everything Is Going Fine. With so many films to watch, it will be very difficult to find time to seem them all during the events nine days. But hell, we’re going to try.
For more on...
- 2/4/2010
- by Chris Ullrich
- The Flickcast
The 2010 SXSW Film Festival and Conference has announced its initial slate of titles. The list is rife with hot world premieres (Kick-Ass), films fresh from Sundance (The Runaways, Cyrus), hot titles from the 2009 editions of Tiff and Cannes that haven't had much U.S. play (Enter the Void, Dogtooth, Trash Humpers), interesting documentaries (Lemmy, The People v. George Lucas) and much, much more. Simon Rumley's Red, White & Blue, which has received much praise on Twitch based on its Iffr screenings, will have its North American premiere.
Midnight programming courtesy of Fantastic Fest is also back with titles like Higanjima, Monsters, Serbian Film, Outcast, and a yet to be announced special film. Keep eye out for SXSW coverage at Twitch, but for now, pursue the massive list below (descriptions courtesy of SXSW).
Headliners
Big names, big talent: Headliners bring star power to SXSW, featuring red carpet premieres and gala film...
Midnight programming courtesy of Fantastic Fest is also back with titles like Higanjima, Monsters, Serbian Film, Outcast, and a yet to be announced special film. Keep eye out for SXSW coverage at Twitch, but for now, pursue the massive list below (descriptions courtesy of SXSW).
Headliners
Big names, big talent: Headliners bring star power to SXSW, featuring red carpet premieres and gala film...
- 2/4/2010
- Screen Anarchy
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