To all our Film Society members and supporters,
On behalf of all the staff and volunteers we thank everyone who attended
the DAMN THESE HEELS: LGBT Film Festival. Your participation made a
difference. Our gratitude goes out to every sponsor and in-kind
provider for the festival and to the dedicated directors who donated
their time to come to Salt Lake for vibrant Q&A's and community
discussions. There is a very special group of people who made up an
amazing programming team (thank you Michael and John!) from the Village
and Utah Pride Center.
Finally, we would also like to extend our congratulations to our
community collaborators the SLC Film Center who co-presented the
festival with Salt Lake Film Society in our first program
collaboration. We look forward to the future. Their efforts helped
make this year's festivals programming have great impact.
DAMN THESE HEELS: LGBT Monthly Screening Series begins July 13 at the
Tower with HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at 7:00 p.m.
Next Local Open Screen Night is in the fall! September 16. Save the
Date and create a short film! Dailies from features welcome as well.
Movies This Week!
Tower Theatre
OUTRAGE <
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/outrage>, controversial
documentarian, Kirby Dick, presents an indictment of closeted
politicians who lobby for anti-gay legislation in the U.S, and takes a
comprehensive look at the harm they've inflicted on millions of Americans.
Opening at the Broadway
EASY VIRTUE <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808244/>, from Stephan
Elliott, director of PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, comes a zany
romantic comedy set in the roaring '20's and starring Jessica Biel,
Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colin Firth.
TYSON <
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/tyson>, through a mixture
of original interviews and archival footage and photographs, indie
director James Toback sheds light on the life experiences of the
enigmatically entertaining Mike Tyson.
DEPARTURES <
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/departures>, winner of
the Best Foreign Film at this year's Oscars, Departures is a profoundly
touching Japanese tale of a newly unemployed cellist that takes a job
preparing the dead for funerals.
Held over...
VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR
<
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/valentinolastemperor>
THE LIMITS OF CONTROL <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135092/>, directed
by Jim Jarmusch and starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Bill Murray, Tilda
Swinton, and John Hurt.
THE BROTHERS BLOOM <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844286/>, from the
director of /Brick
/IS ANYBODY THERE? <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130088/>
Last chance! Ending Thurs...
TREELESS MOUNTAIN <
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/treelessmountain>
LEMON TREE <
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/lemontree>
ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL
<
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/anvilthestoryofanvil>
The Manhattan Short Film Festival is coming to Utah!
Over 450 Screenings in 130 cities across Five Continents including all
50 states of the USA have already been booked for one week in September,
for 2009 MANHATTAN SHORT. Festival organizers predict 500 screening in
200 cities by the end of the month, with a global average of 200 viewers
per cinema an audience of over of 100,000 is expected to view and vote
on the next Finalists of 2009. Many feature films don't see this
audience within a week...for a filmmaker out there with a short film
there can be no greater test than the MANHATTAN SHORT
<
http://www.msfilmfest.com/>... click on the link for more info.
June's Opening Weekend Promotions!
To show our gratitude to you for your continuing support, any guest that
attends an opening film on opening weekend can get FREE! small popcorn!
Offer through the end of June, so see any one of our opening films this
weekend! (Summer of 35mm excluded)
Follow the Film Society on Facebook and Twitter!
Hop aboard our social-networking for film lovers. We'll have frequent
updates and exciting deals and discounts through our FACEBOOK
<
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=43745351125> page
and TWITTER <
http://twitter.com/SLFS> account. Both are free to join--if
you haven't already--and are great ways to stay in touch with our
organization and communicate with like-minded film lovers!
==============================
MIDNIGHT MOVIES
at the Tower
Summer of 35 midnight lineup!
All on 35mm prints!
Special Summer of 35 pass good for all midnights and only $30 on sale at
the Tower!
In addition to Fridays and Saturdays at midnight, we will be adding a
"last chance" screening of the weekend's film at NOON every Sunday for
all those who can't make the late night screenings.
Schedule:
6/19-6/21- TAXI DRIVER <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075314/>
6/26-6/28- WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
<
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067992/> (1971 original w/ Gene Wilder)
7/3-7/5- WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243655/>
7/10-7/12- HAROLD AND MAUDE <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067185/>
7/17-7/19- SPIRITED AWAY <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245429/>
7/24-7/26- THE GODFATHER <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068646/>
7/31-8/2- THE GRADUATE <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061722/>
8/7-8/9- BEETLEJUICE <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/>
8/14-8/16- TRAINSPOTTING <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117951/>
8/21-8/23- RUSHMORE <
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128445/>
8/28-8/30- REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA
<
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0963194/> (w/ live cast and audience
participation on both nights; get discounted tix with the purchase of
Rocky Horror ticket.)
==============================
QUICK LOOK at SHOWTIMES -
THIS WEEK
***** only through Thursday 6/18
__Broadway__
Lemon Tree 1:10, 4:25, 7:05, 9:20
Is Anybody There? 1:15, 4:20, 7:25, 9:30
Valentino: The Last Emperor 1:25, 4:10, 7:15, 9:25
Treeless Mountain 1:05, 4:15, 7:20, 9:15
The Limits of Control 1:20, 4:05, 7:10, 9:40
The Brothers Bloom 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:35
__Tower__
Anvil: The Story of Anvil 4:30, 7:00, 9:30
NEXT WEEK
****** From Friday 6/19 - Thursday 6/25
__Broadway__
Tyson 1:10, 4:25, 7:10, 9:15
Departures 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:35
Valentino: The Last Emperor 1:25, 4:10, 7:15*, 9:25 *no 7:15 show on
Wed 6/24
The Brothers Bloom 1:20, 4:05, 7:05, 9:40
Is Anybody There? 1:15, 4:20, 7:25
The Limits of Control 9:30
Easy Virtue 1:05, 4:15, 7:20, 9:20
__Tower__
Outrage (2:30 Fri thru Sun only), 4:30, 7:00, 9:00
Midnight show: Taxi Driver Fri 6/19, Sat 6/20 and Sun @ noon
===========================================================
TELL ME MORE...PLEASE!
(all star ratings are based on 4 star rating systems)
OUTRAGE
Written and directed by: Kirby Dick . Starring: Kirby Dick, Barney
Frank, Larry Kramer, Michelangelo Signorile, and Tammy Baldwin
Outrage is a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians
with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against
the LGBT community they covertly belong to. Boldly revealing the hidden
lives of some of the United States' most powerful policymakers, Outrage
takes a comprehensive look at the harm they've inflicted on millions of
Americans, and examines the media's complicity in keeping their secrets.
With analysis from prominent members of the gay community such as
Congressman Barney Frank, former NJ Governor Jim McGreevey, activist
Larry Kramer, radio personality Michelangelo Signorile, and openly gay
congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Outrage probes deeply into the psychology
of this double lifestyle, the ethics of outing closeted politicians, the
double standards that the media upholds in its coverage of the sex lives
of gay public figures, and much more.
**** San Francisco Chronicle
A powerful new documentary that addresses the issue of "hypocritical"
male politicians.
**** Entertainment Weekly
The movie excoriates the hypocrisy of self-hating gay lawmakers (several
of whom it outs), yet it also explores the burden of the public closet.
***1/2 Village Voice
Moment by moment, Outrage proves duly provocative, well sourced, and
almost certain to go more viral than swine flu.
EASY VIRTUE
Written and directed by: Stephan Elliott . Starring: Jessica Biel, Ben
Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine
Parkinson, Kris Marshall, and Christian Brassington
The twenties have roared... the thirties have yet to swing. John
Whittaker, a young Englishman, falls madly in love with Larita, a sexy
and glamorous American woman, and they marry impetuously. However when
the couple returns to the family home, his mother Mrs. Whittaker has an
instant allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law. Larita tries her
best to fit in but fails to tiptoe through the minefield laid by her
mother-in-law. Larita quickly realizes Mrs. Whittaker's game and sees
that she must fight back if she's not going to lose John. A battle of
wits ensues and sparks soon fly. Mrs. Whittaker manipulates every
situation to undermine her, while Larita remains frustratingly calm and
engineers sassy counter attacks. Before long, Mrs. Whittaker's
manipulation starts to work on John and Larita feels their love is in
danger of slipping away. In a grand finale, where the secrets from
Larita's past are revealed, she finally makes a break for freedom from
the suffocating house...
***1/2 Variety
An effervescent entertainment that marks a welcome return for
"Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" director Stephan Elliott
after a nine-year absence
***1/2 The New York Times
In its cold-eyed assessment of the English aristocracy Easy Virtue has
none of the lurking Anglophilia found in Merchant-Ivory movies.
***1/2 Los Angeles Times
Elliott has created a wonderfully rich battle for propriety in Easy
Virtue. The humor might sting, but the pain is worth the pleasure.
TYSON
Written and directed by: James Toback
Tyson is acclaimed indie director James Toback's stylistically inventive
portrait of a mesmerizing Mike Tyson. Toback allows Tyson to reveal
himself without inhibition and with eloquence and a pervasive
vulnerability. Through a mixture of original interviews and archival
footage and photographs, a startlingly complex, fully-rounded human
being emerges. The film ranges from Tyson's earliest memories of growing
up on the mean streets of Brooklyn through his entry into the world of
boxing, to his roller coaster ride in the fun house of worldwide fame
and fortunes won and lost. It is the story of a legendary and uniquely
controversial international athletic icon, a figure conjuring radical
questions of race and class. In its depiction of a man rising from the
most debased circumstances to unlimited heights, destroyed by his own
hubris, Tyson emerges as a modern day version of classic Greek tragedy.
**** Roger Ebert
A documentary with no pretense of objectivity. Here is Mike Tyson's
story in his own words, and it is surprisingly persuasive.
**** San Francisco Chronicle
Toback has found a documentary subject as tragic and ridiculous, as
bizarre and driven, as the heroes of his other films.
**** The New York Times
Mr. Toback's film, partly because it restricts itself to Mr. Tyson's
point of view, offers a rare and vivid study in the complexity of a
single suffering, raging soul. It is not an entirely trustworthy movie,
but it does feel profoundly honest.
**** Los Angeles Times
The result is as gripping as a title fight and as mesmerizing as a
conversation with a cobra. You may not be happy with everything said,
but you will not be bored.
DEPARTURES
Directed by: Yojiro Takita . Written by: Kundo Koyama . Starring:
Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, and
Kimiko Yo
Departures follows Daigo Kobayashi, a devoted cellist in an orchestra
that has just been dissolved and who is suddenly left without a job.
Daigo decides to move back to his old hometown with his wife to look for
work and start over. He answers a classified ad entitled "Departures"
thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover
that the job is actually for a "Nokanshi" or "encoffineer," a funeral
professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the
next life. While his wife and others despise the job, Daigo takes a
certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art of "Nokanshi,"
acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the
departed and the family of the departed. The film follows his profound
and sometimes comical journey with death as he uncovers the wonder, joy
and meaning of life and living.
**** Roger Ebert
The movie is uncommonly absorbing.
**** Wall Street Journal
Beautiful moments abound. In Departures, the contemplation of death
prepares the way for an appreciation of life.
**** Los Angeles Times
The film manages to be anything but dark; whimsy and sweet irony are
laced throughout, a warmhearted blend that turned it into the surprise
winner of 2008's Oscar for foreign-language film.
TREELESS MOUNTAIN
Written and directed by: So Yong Kim . Starring: Hee Yeon Kim, Song Hee
Kim, Soo Ah Lee, Mi Hyang Kim, and Boon Tak Park
When their mother needs to leave in order to find their estranged
father, seven year-old Jin and her younger sister, Bin, are left to live
with their Big Aunt for the summer. With only a small piggy bank and
their mother's promise to return when it is full, the two young girls
are forced to acclimate to changes in their family life. Counting the
days, and the coins, the two bright-eyed young girls eagerly anticipate
their mother's homecoming. But when the bank fills up, and with their
mother still not back, Big Aunt decides that she can no longer tend to
the children. Taken to live on their grandparents' farm, it is here that
Jin comes to learn the importance of family bonds.
**** San Francisco Chronicle
A minimalist masterpiece.
**** Village Voice
Treeless Mountain is skillfully unsentimental--because of, but also
despite, the presence of two irresistible, unself-conscious performers
in virtually every scene.
***1/2 TV Guide
The movie is thoroughly engrossing from the opening frame to the end
credits, and it's a beautiful viewing experience.
VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR
Directed by: Matt Tyrnauer . Starring: Giorgio Armani, Jeannie Becker,
Alessandra Facchinetti, Tom Ford, Giancarlo Giammetti, Gwyneth Paltrow,
Claudia Schiffer, and Valentino
Valentino: The Last Emperor, directed by Matt Tyrnauer, is a
feature-length movie that takes the viewer inside the singular world of
one of Italy's most famous designers, Valentino Garavani. The film
documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of Valentino's
celebrated career, capturing the end of an era in global fashion. But at
the heart of the film is a love story: the unique relationship between
Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo
Giammetti.
***1/2 Boston Globe
The decadence is obvious. But true to the Valentino prerogative, it's
beautiful - sad, too: a dream life moving into the unknown.
***1/2 Los Angeles Times
Unexpectedly involving documentary.
***1/2 Wall Street Journal
Seldom has a film explored such exotica as Valentino's world -- the
gowns, the galas, the villas, the private jets -- with such a sense of
momentous drama behind the glitz.
THE LIMITS OF CONTROL
Written and directed by: Jim Jarmusch . Starring: Isaach De Bankolé,
Gael Garcia Bernal, Paz de la Huerta, Alex Descas, John Hurt, Youki
Kudoh, Bill Murray, and Tilda Swinton
The Limits of Control is the story of a mysterious loner, a stranger,
whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the
process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives
are not initially divulged. His journey, paradoxically both intently
focused and dreamlike, takes him not only across Spain but also through
his own consciousness.
**** Los Angeles Times
A little like guided meditation with suggestions floated, waiting, left
untethered. It's up to you to distill meaning -- which will leave some
convinced the director is merely self-indulgent, and others deeply
satisfied.
***1/2 Village Voice
Like everything Jarmusch, The Limits of Control is calibrated for cool.
*** Philadelphia Inquirer
Almost absurdly quiet and observant, The Limits of Control is about the
space between the action, the steps along the way.
LEMON TREE (ETZ LIMON)
Written and directed by: Eran Riklis . Starring: Hiam Abbass, Ali
Suliman, Danny Leshman, Rona Lipaz-Michael, Tarik Kopty, Amos Lavi, and
Amnon Wolf
Lemon Tree is Eran Riklis' engaging human drama of one woman's struggle
to preserve her way of life in the midst of political turmoil. The
wonderful Hiam Abbass is Salma, a Palestinian widow who earns her living
tending to her late father's lemon grove. When an Israeli government
minister moves next door and declares the grove a potential security
threat, Salma struggles to defend her peaceful livelihood. Personal
drama gives way to political controversies as Salma forms an unexpected
bond with the minister's lonely wife, and takes her protest - with the
help of her young lawyer - all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court.
**** The New York Times
A wrenching, richly layered feminist allegory as well as a geopolitical
one.
**** New York Post
You know a performance has to be special when a Palestinian wins
Israel's version of the Best Actress Oscar. But why should politics
detract from a stunning performance?
***1/2 Variety
The rare ability to make intelligent, entertaining cinema from
hot-button current issues is beautifully illustrated by Lemon Tree.
THE BROTHERS BLOOM
Written and directed by: Rian Johnson . Starring: Rachel Weisz, Adrien
Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rinko Kikuchi, and Robbie Coltrane
For as long as they can remember, the Brothers Bloom have had only each
other to depend on. From their childhood in a long series of gloomy
foster homes to their highflying lives as international con artists,
Stephen and Bloom have shared everything. Stephen brilliantly concocts
intricate stories that the brothers live out, but he's still searching
for the perfect con, the one where "everyone gets what they want."
Meanwhile, Bloom yearns for "an unwritten life"--a real adventure, one
not dreamed up by his old brother. Eager to retire, Bloom agrees to take
part in one last grand scam. He insinuates himself into the life of
Penelope, a bored, single New Jersey heiress. When a genuine romance
begins to blossom between them, he is reluctant to exploit her naivete,
but Penelope has already taken the bait. But as Stephen's elaborate web
of deceit pulls tighter, Bloom begins to wonder if his brother has
devised the most dangerous con of his life.
**** USA Today
The Brothers Bloom has it all: charming romance, jaunty adventure story,
witty dialogue, gorgeous cinematography and superb performances.
*** Entertainment Weekly
This time we expect to be played, but the twist is that we're also
touched -- which, the film implies, is the cinema's own form of deception.
*** Chicago Tribune
The jaunty, energetic first 10 minutes of The Brothers Bloom are easily
the best first 10 minutes of any film I've seen this year. And while the
succeeding hour and 43 minutes doesn't hold up to the movie's opening
scenes, the whole endeavor is still an awfully good time.
ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL
Directed by: Sacha Gervasi . Starring: Kevin Goocher, Glenn Gyorffy,
Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Robb Reiner, and Chris Tsangarides
At 14, Toronto school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner made a
pact to rock together forever. They meant it. Their band, Anvil, went on
to become the "demigods of Canadian metal," releasing one of the
heaviest albums in metal history, 1982 Metal on Metal. The album
influenced a musical generation, including Metallica, Slayer and
Anthrax, that went on to sell millions of records. But Anvil's career
took a different path, straight into obscurity.
**** Entertainment Weekly
It's a hilarious, and unexpectedly moving, documentary about the
greatest metal band you've probably never heard of.
**** San Francisco Chronicle
Anvil lives somewhere in that thoroughly entertaining gray area between
self-parody and the triumph of human spirit.
**** The New Yorker
The most stirring release of the year thus far is a documentary.
IS ANYBODY THERE?
Directed by: John Crowley . Written by: Peter Harness . Starring:
Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey, and Leslie
Phillips
Christmas 1987 marks the one-year anniversary of Lark Hall's opening for
business as an old age home in an English seaside town. But ten-year-old
Edward isn't much in the mood to celebrate. He has had to give up his
room; and his Mum and Dad don't have as much time for him as they used
to, overwhelmed as they are with the day-to-day management of the home
and the struggle to stave off financial ruin. On the other hand, living
in an old folks' home offers a curious, clever child like Edward the
chance to explore what, exactly, comes after death. And went a retired
magician moves into the home, Edward shows him to believe in magic again.
**** Los Angeles Times
It is also hard not to see remnants of a younger Michael Caine --
beautifully seductive and enigmatic all those years ago in "Alfie." He
has said his wife cried when she saw the performance; you understand why.
*** Rolling Stone
Blending humor and heartbreak in a performance that makes a small movie
a richly satisfying one, Caine truly is magic.
=============================================================
FILMS TO COME
In no particular release order
AWAY WE GO
RUDO Y CURSI
WHATEVER WORKS
REVANCHE
MOON
And many more....
Our staff here at the Salt Lake Film Society thanks all our supporters.
SLFS takes great care in hiring a staff that has a film history or
knowledge, so feel free to talk with any staff member about up coming
releases and our video collection at the Tower Theatre. They are a
wealth of knowledge and I'm happy to take all e-mail correspondence.
If you would like to volunteer for the Film Society events and earn
passes, please contact Amy Beth Leber at 801-746-0037
We thank you for your continuing support.
Tori Baker
Executive Director
Salt Lake Film Society...film festival all year long!
We do not sell any personal lists or information to any third
party...ever! If you would like to be removed from this list, please
reply to this e-mail. If you could also let us know why we lost you, we
can better serve our community.
Salt Lake Film Society thanks Xmission for their donation of services.
Salt Lake Film Society thanks Zoo Arts and Parks and SL County.
Salt Lake Film Society thanks George Q. Morris Foundation for sponsorship.
--
Tori Baker
Executive Director
Salt Lake Film Society
tori_baker@???
(801) 364-1088
