Documentary craze - Marwencol

Marwencol is such an incredible documentary. It's the story of Mark Hogancamp, a 40-something-ish regular dude who was randomly attacked outside of a bar by a gang of guys. They beat him up so bad that he was in a coma and almost died. When he recovered, he not only had to re-learn how to do everything, his memory was completely gone. So he had no idea who he was and what he had done in his life before the attack. It's really sad and strange to see this gentle lost soul try to figure out who he was by going through old photos and journals. It turns out he was a pretty decent illustrator. But that skill is now gone. What Mark has not lost is his imagination. And it's through his imagination that he creates Marwencol, a doll world in which all of the action figures represent people in his life. It evolves into a kind of therapy that helps him process and heal. Mark also embarks on a vast and prolific photodocumentary of Marwencol, but he does all of this for his own enjoyment and personal satisfaction. He's not trying to make art, but his photographs are eventually discovered. I found Mark's story so sad, but fascinating and uplifting. His obsession with the details of Marwencol is impressive and also kind of hilarious. If you are inspired by Mark, you can go to the Marwencol site and donate to the local craft store where he buys all of his supplies.

Documentary Craze - Hit So Hard

Hit So Hard is so awesome and inspiring. You must see it. It's also on Netflix 'Watch Instantly' (as are the docs in this blog series). It's about Patty Schemel, who is most widely known as the drummer for Courtney Love's band, Hole. In the doc, Patty tells the story of her life. Patty threw herself completely into drumming at a young age and kept at it despite the difficulties female drummers faced, even in the 1990's. It's fascinating to hear Patty's stories of her early success with Hole, her collaborations and friendship with Kurt Cobain, and her struggles with coming out and addiction. Patty is so instantly likable - she's immensely talented but also funny, authentic, and down-to-earth. It's truly shocking to hear how close to the edge addiction takes her. But fortunately she makes it out alive with her talent and spirit in tact, and quite a story to tell. 
Hit So Hard is a 2011 American documentary film directed by P. David Ebersole.

Documentary craze - I Like Killing Flies

Oh-my-garsh! I love this documentary! It's on Netflix 'Watch Instantly' so you should definitely check it out. And it's not about killing flies either - so, I don't know why they gave it that title. It's about Shopsins restaurant in NYC and follows the daily work and musings of eccentric owner and head cook, Kenny Shopsin. I love it because it makes me feel like I'm in NYC. I also love watching and listening to Kenny work. His kitchen is old, run-down, and held together with all kinds of oddball homespun fixes. It's a refreshing break from the HGTV-ified universe where everyone has to have the latest, greatest, top-of-the-line oven in order to steam a vegetable. It's fascinating to watch Kenny cook. He's sloppy looking and just looks like he's slopping all these random  ingredients together while he talks non-stop about random subjects. But anyone lucky enough to sit at one of his tables knows that this low-tech, sloppy dude is a culinary genius and creator of over 100 dishes on the menu, all of which he makes completely from scratch. 

 I Like Killing Flies, made in 2004, was produced, directed, filmed, and edited by Matt Mahurin. 

Film Pick - La Grande Bouffe

I saw this film a few years ago and decided to re-watch it again. I was reminded of it by wondering how those Top Chef judges can eat like seven meals in a row. La Grande Bouffe is an interesting and very silly film about food and other types of indulgence. A group of friends get together for their annual cooking and eating extravaganza. Despite the really gross parts - which are actually pretty funny - the amount of food and the variety of decadent dishes they create is pretty amazing.  

Look at that cake! ...

Film Pick - In the Realms of the Unreal

I finally saw the film about artist Henry Darger, In the Realms of the Unreal. It's intense. Darger's life was so tragic and he lived in virtual isolation, creating a bizarre, illustrated 15,000 page story over the course of 40 years. That's 375 pages/year - so basically a page/day for 40 years. His apartment didn't even have a bed in it. He would just come home from his janitor job, sit at his desk and work. The artwork, as strange and disturbing as it is, is so beautiful. His colors are so saturated and striking. I also love how he often leaves aspects of the foreground uncolored.    

Hangin' / Workin' Artcation

I've got a few days of vacation this week, which I refer to as "Artcation" because I use the time to work on art projects, but also hang and relax a little. My new reclining chair is key on the relaxation front. It feels like you're floating on a cloud...

  

This wine, Rex Goliath Pinot Noir, is my summer find and a new favorite. Oddly it's so cheap, yet it doesn't taste cheap. It's light, smooth, and delicioso. I think I'll be sipping a glass or two in the evenings...  

And I'm re-watching this film, Downtown 81, about and starring Jean-Michel Basquiat as himself. It's a little cheesy and homespun, but so inspiring, and I find it fascinating to watch him. You can watch the entire film of YouTube. I love the soundtrack too. Check out this tune, Palabras Con Ritmo by Coati Mundi Hernandez.  

Monkey Juggler

Some actor friends of mine made this short film "Monkey Juggler" for the 48 Hour Film Festival. The genre was Fantasy, which they combined with Mockumentary. My friend Daren Kelly cracks me up as 'Tango Cash.'

Produced by Art Aldrich, Written and Directed by John Werner. Staring Carey Reilly, Ken Forman, Daren Kelly, Angela Muto. Edited by James Pisano, John Werner and Art Aldrich. Production Manager Lou Cortese, Camera Operator Eric Kepner, Gaffer Gary Cerborino. Key Grip Mike Hoffman. Assistant Editor Sean Clinton. Story Consultant Bill Hartnett. Production Assistant Daniel Aldrich, Ray Hoffman, Venanzio Cortese. Special Thanks to Fred Vanore and Joe Vargas.

Film Pick...The Goodbye Girl

In the mood for some 1970's cheesiness? Then throw on a pair of bell bottoms, pour yourself a heaping bowl of cheez whiz and rent this movie! I love Richard Dreyfus. And Marsha Mason and Quinn Cummings are so barfiliciously wonderful. I also love movies about actors and it's interesting to see NYC in '70's. It was so shambly. I love that.

Get a load of this ultra-cheesy trailer. The voiceover guy is awesome. Toward the end, he actually says, "Say hello to laughter. Say hello to tears. Say hello the The Goodbye Girl." I want him to do a non-stop, live narration of my life as I go through each mundane moment of my day. 

Film Pick...All About Eve

I saw this film for the first time this year and loved it. It's a wonderfully entertaining story about a worshipful theatre fan, Eve Harrington, played by Anne Baxter. I don't want to give away any more of the plot because it's full of little twists and turns - you should just see it for yourself. And Bette Davis is fantastic as Margo Channing, the fiery but vulnerable actress who's afraid she may be over the hill. I find her fascinating to watch in general. She always seems so at ease in her skin and completely natural, like she's not acting at all. 

Film Pick...Juliet of the Spirits

Don't watch this film for the plot (a woman struggles with her husband's infidelity and her own inner demons) - because the plot is secondary to the wonderfully bizarre imagery in this Fellini film. It's creepy but I wouldn't say it's particularly scary, although you may not want to watch it alone, really late at night, when you're really tired (like I did). Check out some clips...

Enjoy!

Special Halloween Film Pick...The Return of Dr. X

On the same DVD as Dr. X is the sequel...

This film has a great cast as well as an engaging and rather unique plot. In short, people with a certain blood type are all being bumped off in the same way. Could you find a more ultra-specific premise? OMG! I'm Type A!!!  RUN!!! 

The real treat is the performances. Humphrey Bogart is in a very atypical role as the creepy "assistant" to blood researcher Dr. Flegg, played by John Litel. It's fascinating to see Bogart play this awkward, geeky character. His performance is so understated and completely authentic; you get the sense that this major star was a pretty down-to-earth guy with a deep understanding of all kinds of people.  

I also loved John Litel's Dr. Flegg. At one point in the film, he very methodically demonstrates his signature medical procedure, which is so far-fetched and outlandish, but he pulls it off with such matter-of-fact conviction. It's some darn great acting and it's pretty hilarious. 

Enjoy! 

Most Likely to Steal Your Heart...

I know, I know, it's HALLOWEEN!! Not Valentine's day. But whenever I catch a glimpse of Wells from the 1932 romantic comedy Dr. X, my heart just melts...

Not only is he a total hunk, he's also super sweet AND talented. And I really think he's at that point where his career is about to explode. I could DEFINITELY see a TV series spin-off, a sitcom, a saturday morning cartoon, maybe a reality show, a breakfast cereal, TONS of merch - lunchboxes, t-shirts, action figures, bedsheets, bathmats. It's only a matter of time.

Catch Dr. X this Halloween and see for yourself!!