“Get to Know Your Rabbit”(1972) is an offbeat comedy Brian DePalma directed early in his career about a successful but unsatisfied corporate executive Beeman (Tommy Smothers) who quits his job to become a tap dancing magician under the mentorship of Mr. Delesandro (Orson Welles). When his new venture becomes a successful corporation, Beeman finds his path has come full circle. The film features a brief uncredited cameo by cult character actor Timothy Carey as a cop.
“The Monitors” (1969) is based on the novel of the same name by Keith Laumer and was the first film produced by the Second City comedy troupe. It’s an ambitious but low budget sci-fi satire about an invasion of aliens who oversee humanity in a manner similar to hall monitors (ie. Big Brother). Among the cast are a few familiar faces such as Guy Stockwell, Susan Oliver and Alan Arkin. The Monitors also features excellent cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond.
Charlie Kaufman is among the most brilliant and creative screenwriters today and is the mind behind modern cinematic masterpieces such as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Synecdoche, New York”. In this address to the British Academy of Film and Television delivered a few years ago he shares insightful thoughts on his craft and the nature of thought itself. It’s a speech which everyone could potentially gain something of value from.
“Ben X” is a Dutch-Belgian drama directed by Nic Balthazar based on his novel “Nothing Was All He Said”. To escape the constant bullying at his school, Ben, a teenager with Asperger syndrome, immerses himself in the world of multiplayer rpg video games where he meets Scarlite, who gives him the inspiration and courage to stand up to the bullies. The film stands out for it’s realistic portrayal of autism, great acting all around, and a resolution much different from other films with a bullied protagonist (and unlike similar actual events that have made the headlines).
Synopsis by Drafthouse Films
The year is 1987.
Motorcycle ninjas tighten their grip on Florida’s narcotics trade, viciously annihilating anyone who dares move in on their turf. Multi-national martial arts rock band Dragon Sound have had enough, and embark on a roundhouse wreck-wave of crime-crushing justice. When not chasing beach bunnies or performing their hit song “Against the Ninja,” Mark (Tae Kwon Do master/inspirational speaker Y.K. Kim) and the boys are kicking and chopping at the drug world’s smelliest underbelly. It’ll take every ounce of their blood and courage, but Dragon Sound can’t stop until they’ve completely destroyed the dealers, the drunk bikers, the kill-crazy ninjas, the middle-aged thugs, the “stupid cocaine”…and the entire MIAMI CONNECTION!!!
No, I’m not talking about Transformers 4. Today is the official U.S. release date for two films which will likely be regarded as cult classics of the sci-fi genre: “Radio Free Albemuth” and “Snowpiercer”. I’ve had the good fortune to have had the opportunity to see preview screenings of both films and can attest to their quality and excellent screenplays that are as intelligent as they are provocative.
Radio Free Albemuth, a film I’ve previously written about here, is possibly the most faithful cinematic adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel, and while Snowpiercer may not follow its source material (Jacques Lob’s “Le Transperceneige”) as closely, it’s an excellent movie nevertheless. Korean director Bong Joon-ho, has made great films in the past such as “Memories of Murder” and “Mother”, but with Snowpiercer he manages to balance large scale Hollywood-style spectacle with the emotional intensity of his earlier work while getting excellent performances from English-speaking cast members such as Tilda Swinton, John Hurt and Ed Harris. It’s an odd coincidence that Snowpiercer and Radio Free Albemuth share the same U.S. release date since they’re not only the best science fiction films to come out in quite some time, but are also dark metaphors for the current socio-political moment (but not without a glimmer of hope).
To get an idea of what to expect from these films check out the reviews and trailers linked below to learn more about the projects:
http://totaldickhead.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-first-look-at-radio-free-albemuth.html
http://chycho.blogspot.ca/2014/05/may-i-recommend-post-apocalyptic-movie.html
According to the official Radio Free Albemuth website, June 27th also marks the day of significant events in history including:
“Like Stars on Earth” (2007), directed and produced by Aamir Khan is a critically acclaimed Bollywood film that has done much to raise awareness of the struggles of children with dyslexia. The film’s plot revolves around eight year old Ishaan, whose vivid imagination and difficulty with words and numbers cause him to get failing grades. His parents eventually send him to boarding school where a new art teacher recognizes Ishaan’s cognitive differences and devises strategies to help him succeed. Like Stars on Earth is notable for its inspiring storyline, great soundtrack and standout performances by Darsheel Safary as Ishaan and Aamir Khan as art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh.
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Today I’m featuring two classic political documentaries, both more than a decade old (from 2003) yet still equally topical and among the best films on their respective subject matters.
The first is Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott’s “The Corporation”, a comprehensive and well-researched film exploring the history of corporations, how they operate and how they’ve come to attain so much political power. Related topics they cover include the 1933 attempted corporate coup exposed by General Smedley Butler, the Fox news coverup of the dangers of Monsanto’s Bovine Growth Hormone, and the mass protests in Bolivia sparked by the attempted privatization of their water supply in 2000.
“Orwell Rolls in His Grave” directed by Robert Kane Pappas is possibly the best dissection of contemporary mass media propaganda yet, with a focus on corporate media consolidation and the role of corporate media in the controversial US presidential election of 2000. The film features interviews with Mark Crispin Miller, Bernie Sanders and Danny Schechter among others.
INDIAN COUNTRY NEWS
"It is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error"..Thomas Paine
Human in Algorithms
From the Roof Top
I See This
blog of the post capitalist transition.. Read or download the novel here + latest relevant posts
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After the Crash 