Tag: John Waters

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Truly Free Film

The Really Good Things In FilmBiz 2014

Let's look at the bright side!
Let’s look at the bright side!

Some rituals help keep us focused throughout the year. This marks the 4th time I have looked back at all the good things that occurred in the film biz and listed them out for all of us. Tracking them through year, keeps me from abandoning hope. Sometimes they may just be the silver lining in the storm cloud, but nonetheless they keep me going, keep me convinced that in fact we truly are: building it better together. I hope they do something close to that for you. It’s been a good year, and I have thirty two morsels to tempt you with. And of course the year’s not through yet, so perhaps you have some to add to this too. 

If you’ve encountered elements of this list earlier on my postings in Film Comment and on Keyframe, pay careful attention as I have weaved some new points into all for your reading pleasure. And if you like a little of the bitter to wash down the sweet, don’t forget the list of 30 Bad Things In 2014’s Film Biz here.

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Truly Free Film

Discovering Great Movies Just Got A Whole Lot Easier

Admit it: these are overwhelming times we live in.  Supposedly over 50,000 feature films are generated on a global basis each year.  In America we manage to consume about 1% of the year’s supply — and that makes up the top consumption market for films worldwide.  Good movies just don’t get seen.  People find it hard to connect with the films that may suit them best.  So what can we do about it?  Well…

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These Are Those Things

Celebrate (Banned Book Week) With The Pope Of Filth (John Waters)

It’s Banned Book Week.  What better way to celebrate than with the Pope Of Filth himself?

NSFW

Big hat tip to Open Culture who has been delivering great discoveries on a daily basis for some time now.

There’s more from this great series produced at The City’s own City Lights Bookstore.
Joshua Mohr reads from Anthony Burgess’ A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.

Kim Addonizio reads from Alan Ginsberg’s HOWL.

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These Are Those Things

Without Them, Cinema Would Still Be A Boring Place

Roger Corman and John Waters may well be the two people most responsible for cinema a gloriously odd and twisted place. It becomes more challenging than ever to create work that is outside of my mind — we all regurgitate the work that comes before us, but these two have developed far more than their share of wonderfully WTF moments. I wish I could have been there to hear them speak with each other about LSD, Jack Nicholson, Fellini,and all things movie. But hey, YouTube delivers us there without the hassle of travel.

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These Are Those Things

The Best Museum EVER!


Well, okay, maybe that’s an over statement, but I have always wanted to live in a museum. Maybe it comes from reading books as a child and letting them corrupt me. Maybe it’s because I can’t afford art. Maybe because I still have fond memories of my college dorm room where I glued table settings and furniture to the ceiling and built a cave to sleep in just in case it all came tumbling down.

Awhile back when the Whitney had the Winograd show up, I became instantly jealous of Ronnie Bernstien. I went to see the show with Vanessa and Hope The Younger, and Mr. Frownland was using the locale as an office and rehearsing with one of his actors (I can’t wait to see his followup!). But still, exchanging the price of membership to hang out in a museum is still not the same as living in one. After all you are not permitted to make a mess like you would if is your own home.
John Waters home should be a landmark — both his place in Baltimore (particularly) and his apartment in New York are virtually museums that he lives in, able to make whatever sort of mess he likes. You get a bit of an overview of it here, but I think you’ll have to find us money for FRUITCAKE if you want the full tour.
Without John Waters I never would have had the courage to make movies, to believe I could tell the stories I wanted to, or understood what a shrimp job was.
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These Are Those Things Truly Free Film

New Sundance Trailer

We’ve been trying to keep track of what films are really ready for this new version of Sundance (you know, the one that no longer is a sales market).  Variety has The Greatest up (hat tip: Filmmaker):

But my favorite trailer is John Water’s advice for Obama.  Check it out over at TheseAreThoseThings.
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These Are Those Things

Why I Love John Waters

I am working on my list of heroes, and John Waters is on it.  I read his book Shock Value before I actually saw any of his films.  It opened up my mind as to what I might be able to do in film.  When I moved to New York, I pursued a job at New Line Cinema.  This was before Nightmare On Elm Street; I knew them as the home of Pink Flamingos.  I got a gig inspecting their 16mm. prints and just getting to share an elevator with John and witness that mustache live gave me enough hope to get through the next year.

I have now got to produce for him and he’s only grown in stature for me.  Here is a guy who thought he’d end up in jail and instead has a life most can only dream of.  He’s got seven great careers: filmmaker; artist; broadway show creator; actor; comedian/lecturer; music compiler; and author.  The guy is a cultural authority.  And okay, so filmmaker is not such a great career, but it’s an excellent hobby!
I hope John keeps making movies for years to come.  Until we get the next one financed though, lucky for all of us, he keeps feeding us choice bits.
Here he is on why John loves Christmas.
And here is John’s advice for Obama.
What Frightens John Waters