AltWeeklies Wire
DIY Documentary 'Handmade Nation' Chronicles the Indie Crafts Movementnew
Several years ago, Faythe Levine set out to document the world of DIY art, craft and design. This deeply personal quest led to the creation of a just-released feature documentary called Handmade Nation and a popular companion book of the same name.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
09-01-2009 |
Reviews
Two Chicago Filmmakers Adapt Tom Frank's 'What's the Matter With Kansas?'new
Joe Winston and his wife, Laura Cohen, optioned the rights to Thomas Frank's best-selling book and began to ponder how they might turn the book into a documentary. "It's a brilliant book," says Cohen, but "there are no characters with arcs, and there's not really a plot."
Chicago Reader |
Andrea Gronvall |
09-01-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jonathan Leyser Works to Finish the First Documentary on the Entire Life of William Burroughsnew
The 24-year-old is nearly finished with an ambitious assessment of perhaps the greatest literary outlaw of the 20th century.
Chicago Reader |
Ed M. Koziarski |
08-31-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Extract' Star Jason Bateman Plays it Straightnew
After working in the film and television industry for almost three decades, Jason Bateman has finally become a leading man. He says that Extract director Mike Judge saw similarities between Arrested Development's Michael Bluth and Joel and felt that he would be believable in the role.
The Georgia Straight |
Ian Caddell |
08-31-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Extract' Makes it Clear That Mike Judge Needs to Make More Features
Extract can't help but pale to Judd Apatow's work that has set the bar high for this kind of comedy. Nonetheless, you get the sense that if Mike Judge made more pictures, he'd hit his stride alongside the likes of Apatow pretty quick.
City Pulse |
Cole Smithey |
08-31-2009 |
Reviews
It's Only Up from Here for the Director of the New Cult Classic 'The Room'new
Greg Sestero's film is regarded as one of the great camp classics of all time, a movie considered so bad it's brilliant. Its monthly midnight showings in West Hollywood routinely sell out all five of the theater's screens simultaneously, with crowds that have turned the viewing experience into the craziest interactive movie party since The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Pasadena Weekly |
Carl Kozlowski |
08-31-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Director of 'It Might Get Loud' Talks Guitar Heroesnew
With an Oscar on the mantel for producing and directing An Inconvenient Truth, Davis Guggenheim decided to take a break from politics. So why not sit back, relax, and turn the stereo up to 11?
Seattle Weekly |
Brian Miller |
08-31-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Sleuth Goof 'Mystery Team' is a Chuckler With the Occasional Full-Throated Laughnew
The twentysomething talents behind Mystery Team are still in the comedy minors, but this nerdy, nutty, perfectly pitched first swing suggests there are major things to come.
Austin Chronicle |
Kimberley Jones |
08-28-2009 |
Reviews
Is 'Project Runway' Walking in Circles?new
As I watched this season's 16 Project Runway hopefuls squinting into the setting sun during their champagne reception, it was hard not to view the scene as a sad little metaphor for the state of the show. What's supposed to feel like the beginning of something new sure looks a lot more like the end of something old.
Boston Phoenix |
Michael Brodeur |
08-27-2009 |
TV
Horror Showdown: 'Halloween II' vs. 'The Final Destination'new
Horror sequels Halloween II and The Final Destination both open this week, but neither was screened in time for review. So instead, we've devised this scientific system (note: system not scientific at all) to determine which one might be worth horror fans' time and money.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Josh Bell |
08-27-2009 |
Movies
'Taking Woodstock' is Ang Lee's Lamest Movie Evernew
If this film winds up being all that remains after a nuclear holocaust, it’ll be a valuable document. Otherwise, zzz.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Mike D'Angelo |
08-27-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Taking Woodstock, Ang Lee
Rob Williams on How He Fell into Filmmakingnew
The director of Make the Yuletide Gay only dreamed of being a screenwriter, but while attending a scriptwriting workshop with his life partner Rodney Johnson, the light bulb went on.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Kristian Lin |
08-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Ang Lee Revives an Idealistic View of a Legendary Event in 'Taking Woodstock'
Taking Woodstock falls squarely within Lee's sweet spot. This may not be a look at the Woodstock that was, but it's fairly charming as a look at the Woodstock that we sort of wish it had been.
Salt Lake City Weekly |
Scott Renshaw |
08-25-2009 |
Reviews
The First New Episodes of 'Mad Men' Have Been a Disappointmentnew
So far this season is like finally landing your Carnegie Hall debut and discovering your violin is out of tune.
Metro Times |
Jim McFarlin |
08-25-2009 |
TV
Jim Sturges and Ben Kingsley Share Ireland's 'Troubles' in 'Fifty Dead Men Walking'
There's a lot to understand -- politically and emotionally -- about Martin McGartland. Kari Skogland's film makes it happen with muscle, brains, and loins.
City Pulse |
Cole Smithey |
08-24-2009 |
Reviews
