35 Film Screenings In Eleven Days

So here it is, the optimistic schedule of my screenings. All films I am seeing are at the Landmark Oriental Theater on the fashionable east side, unless noted. It's one of the top ten historic theaters in USA. I adore the place so much.

Last night I screened "Blue Valentine" at the beautiful Marcus North Shore theater. It has been getting a lot of oscar buzz, and for good reason. The acting was superb. It was so very real. That's part of what made it hard to watch, because the tragedy of the relationship in the film envelops the viewer. I barely breathed throughout.

When I left I was sure to kiss my wife and tell her how much I loved her when I picked her up to head to the gala. I'm a hopeless romantic, and that film helped me to appreciate my 15 year marriage, and how we've come through some shaky waters together. I'm more in love now than ever.

But I digress:

Today, September 24th, I am seeing four films:

3:30-5:50 3 Idiots
7:00-8:32 My Dog Tulip
9:45-11:25 Winnebago Man
Midnight-1:50am The Remnant

I am excited to see the animated film "Tulip", which looks really interesting. And "Winnebago Man" is a film which follows up on the internet meme which occurred when video of a Winnebago salesman's brutal outtakes became a web sensation. That should be interesting.

Saturday the 25th

1:30-3:11 The Art of the Steal
3:30-5:50 Let's Get Animated
7:15-8:52 OSS:117 Lost In Rio
DOUBLE FEATURE!!
10:15-11:48 Best Worst Movie
Midnight-1:35am Troll II

Lots of breat stuff here. OSS is a Frech spy spoof which has some "Get Smart" and "Pink Panther" comparisons. And my work on the features committee is part of why the double-feature is happening with "Troll II" is screening at midnight. We saw "Best Worst Movie", a hilarious documentary about the aftermath of the cult following of the film designated as the worst film of all time, Troll II. It was our group which said that we needed to do a double-feature, and we're so glad they are. I've deliberately avoided seeing the actual film until tonight... CAN'T WAIT!

Sunday the 26th

2:00-3:42 Waiting 4 Superman
4:15-6:15 Ajami
7:15-8:56 It's Kind Of A Funny Story
9:00-10:13 Alamar

There's a lot of hoopla surrounding "Superman", a film about the state of U.S. education. And there will be a panel discussion at 4:30 and a reception at 6pm with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. I might skip Ajami for that reason. But at least I don't have to miss a Packer game today.

Monday the 27th

5:30-7:10 All That I Love

Ok, only one film this night. I have to admit that I am skipping the later shows to watch the MNF matchup of the Green Bay Packers v. Chicago Bears. They're both 2-0 and it's the most significant matchup between the oldest rivalry in the NFL in several years. GO PACK GO!

Tuesday the 28th

7:00-9:27 Metropolis with the Alloy Orchestra
9:45-11:13 Perrier's Bounty

THIS IS THE DAY MY DREAM COMES TRUE. I wanted to fly to Berlin when they debuted the completely restored Metropolis, the prophetic sci-fi silent film which had almost thirty minutes of lost footage from the original. The story is almost as intriguing enough for a separate film... *scratches head* Anyway, the full film as it was meant to be seen is now coming to USA. We're one of the first places to see it and I am stoked! The big thing we're also doing is bringing the Alloy Orchestra, arguably the best musical accompaniment to silent films in the world, to do the music score LIVE. It's gonna be profoundly significant--added to that the fact that it's at The Oriental.

And Perrier's Bounty is a film I screened and endorsed strongly, a hilarious Irish black comedy which is so brilliant that words escape me. Jenni is coming with me to both, which will make this a night to remember.

Wednesday the 29th

6:00-7:24 Wild & Scenic Film Festival
7:45-8:57 Marwencol
9:45-11:38 Mesrine: Killer Instinct PART I

This will be another great day. PT at 7am, and a day of work, followed by three screenings which I really have been anticipating. Marencol comes the most highly recommended, as TJ Fackelman told me last night that it was a must-see.

Thursday the 30th

7:15-9:08 Uncle Boonmee: Who Can Recall His Past Lives
9:15-10:42 Rise, Rise, Roar

"Boonmee" looks like it's right up my alley. It's got a lot of pre-festival buzz. And Jenni and I were at one of the concerts in that tour which is featured in the film "Rise" -- a film which covers David Byrne as he travels with his music. We love the Talking Heads as kids of the 80's, but his new music is also excellent, and the concert we saw at The Pabst was so moving that folks gave him a 15 minute standing ovation.

There will also be an event this night, the grand re-opening of the remodeled Alterra Prospect/Cafe. Free Fair Trade Coffee, Food, and FREE BEER! I'm there. The open house is from 2-7, with a Milwaukee Film after-party from 7-11 to follow. I'll be stopping in when I can.

Friday the 1st of October

3:15-4:50 Last Train Home
5:15-6:52 My Perestroika
I cannot decide between...
7:00 His & Hers (Ireland) and
7:00-8:45 A Somewhat Gentle Man
9:45-11:43 Mesrine: PART II
Midnight-1:26am Tucker & Dale V. Evil

So many choices tonight. Tucker & Dale looks like a hoot (maybe plus enanny...). I'm going to have to miss some films I would otherwise love this year, and this day is no exception. But I will likely choose His & Hers, since it's one of several films of Irish origin, and was sponsored by the Irish Fest Foundation.

Saturday the 2nd

3:00-4:20 Home Sweet Home
5:00-7:00 The Milwaukee Show
10:00-11:15 Blood Junkie
Midnight-1:25 The Best... (Shorts)

Jenni and I are doing a date at the first two of these films, and a nice dinner out. It will be a way to thank her for allowing me to be absent and obsessed for 11 days. "Home" is a collection of shorts from Ireland, so I am sure both Jen and I will cry. The Milwaukee Show is a collection of local shorts, and our beloved Anna Krutzik will be making her festival debut, with one of her films being featured. We're beaming with pride!

Sunday the 3rd

11:00-12:59 About Elly
1:15-2:30 My Way Home
3:00-4:22 Budrus
4:45-6:17 Feed The Fish
7:00-8:35 Buried

So it ends with a big bang in 2010. "Fish" is a film which features Wisconsinite Tony Shalhoub in a film which was shot in Door County (he'll be in town). "Budrus" is the best contemporary documentary about a powerful non-violent protest which worked, and from a perspective we rarely see. "Buried" is getting great press. It seems to me it's like a cinematic Poe short story. I'm really going to appreciate it; I can tell.

I'll have to miss the Lions v. Packers game, but by the time the day is done the festival will be over and the Pack will be 4-0. *sigh* I love fall in Milwaukee, and I love Milwaukee Film