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GRUDGE MATCH
Forget Ringu (Ring), the overhyped and frankly underwhelming snoozefest that was only marginally improved in its American re-make. The ultimate word in Japanese horror is Ju-On: The Grudge, director-writer Shimizu Takashi's nightmarish vision that follows a longtime national tradition of dreamy, surreal terror that goes as far back as Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan in 1964.Opening theatrically July 23, Ju-On: The Grudge is a haunted house story presented in a deliciously oblique, non-linear narrative that would put Mulholland Drive and Memento to shame. What we manage to glean is that a horrible murder and suicide occurred in the now tainted home, and anyone who steps foot within its doors is to be a victim of a curse born out of revenge and rage. Our heroine, pretty home-care worker Nishina Rika (Megumi Okina), stumbles into this dwelling of the damned. But can she solve the mystery before she is claimed as its next victim?
Chillingly effective at evoking screams and shudders, Ju-On: The Grudge succeeds admirably at creating an overbearing sense of dread and hopelessness: word of mouth made it a surprise smash in Japan's tough theatrical market, and a sequel -- Ju-On: The Grudge 2 -- was spawned. Look for an American re-make this October, directed by Takashi and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar. Or don't. After seeing the original, you may not need to.
# posted by Andre Salas @ 7/22/2004 06:24:47 PM Comments (0)
On Monday, August 2 at 8 p.m., Josh Wood and John Cameron Mitchell present a special one-night-only benefit reading of Scene One of Tony Kushner's new play, "Only We Who Guard the Mystery Shall Be Unhappy". Writer-director-actor John Cameron Mitchell (Golden Globe nominee for Hedwig & the Angry Inch) portrays the First Lady of the United States, Laura Welsh Bush, who reads Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov to dead Iraqi children! He is joined by Patricia Clarkson, who is typecast as an angel. Emmy winning actress Kristen Johnston hosts the evening.
Following the reading, Tony Kushner joins Kristen, John and Patricia for a lively roundtable discussion and audience Q&A.
American Airlines Theater
227 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Tickets: $25
800-494-TIXS
# posted by Steve Gallagher @ 7/22/2004 05:39:20 PM Comments (0)
A press release on comedian Margaret Cho's Web site, MargaretCho.com, explains that she has been "uninvited" to perform at a Unity 2004 event which is taking place at Avalon, this coming Monday, July 26, around the Democratic National Convention. "The Human Rights Campaign is one of 10 GLBT groups coming together July 26 at the nightclub to 'celebrate GLBT strength and unity.' Asked to headline the event, Cho was preparing to preview material from her new State of Emergency tour, as part of an unpaid benefit performance. She has since been 'uninvited' by a spokesman for the HRC, who cited 'a potential media firestorm,' and referenced the recent criticism of Whoopi Goldberg's routine at a Kerry fundraiser.
"Unity 2004 is not officially a part of the Democratic National Convention or the Kerry campaign. Not all of the groups involved in Unity 2004 agreed with the decision to rescind the invitation."
Although Margaret Cho hasn't yet weighed in on the incident on her own blog, a posting on the TeamCho blog from Monday does reference Linda Ronstadt's recent ejection from a Las Vegas casino:
"Apparently, Linda Ronstadt praised Michael Moore and Fahrenheit 9/11 onstage at the Aladdin Casino in Vegas, and the patriotic patrons flew into a drink-tossing protest. The president of the Aladdin kicked her out of the hotel. So heinous was her crime, that she was not allowed to return to her room to gather her belongings.
"There's GOT to be more to this story than meets the eye.
"Geez, I would have at least waited until AFTER she sang 'Desperado.' That's, like, my favorite song. I hope she at least got a fruit basket out of the deal.
"There's something seriously off in this country if people are rioting at Linda Ronstadt concerts. Someone tell Barry Manilow to watch his back."
# posted by Steve Gallagher @ 7/22/2004 01:40:51 PM Comments (0)
FILM FINANCING CONFERENCE
This Saturday, July 24, IFP/LA will host a Film Financing Conference at the James Bridges Theater, UCLA, from 9 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.:
"The life of your film begins long before you hit the set. Before you sign your first deal, arm yourself with the knowledge necessary to ensure a successful production for your film. Designed for both the novice and seasoned producer, IFP/LA's Financing Conference offers in-depth examination of current financing trends and opportunities for independent filmmakers-so you can take control of the life of your film!"
Ticket are $135 for the full day (includes a light lunch) for IFP/LA members; $220 for the general public. Half-day tickets are also available for $75 (IFP/LA members); $130 (general public).
For reservations call (310) 432-1222.
# posted by Steve Gallagher @ 7/20/2004 01:09:11 PM Comments (0)
I just received the following e-mail about a new initiative called INVOLVER, which I've decided to pass along:
"INVOLVER is an alliance between The Knitting Factory, Music for America, various facets of the independent arts and entertainment community and a wide range of youth political organizations who are pissed off about the state of our country and who are taking action to change it. For our part we are following through with our commitment to presenting the best in live music and have begun staging a series of shows at The Knitting Factory in NYC, and in L.A. featuring such compelling & exciting acts as Slick Rick, OK Go, Pedro the Lion, and Matthew Dear to name a few. Additionally, comedian David Cross we will be hosting an all-star event of music and comedy at one of NYC's grandest venues The Beacon Theatre during the Republican National Convention in New York. Music for America will be on hand at each event providing information on voter registration, and offering ways to take action that will make a difference and make the country work for us. But this isnt just about NYC & LA; this is an organic, ever-growing movement that takes in the entire nation...
"In the 2000 election, 17 states were decided by less than 7 percent, and of course, Florida was decided by only 537 votes. These swing states will decide the election -- FL, PA, OH, NM, WI, IA, OR, NH, MN, MO, NV, TN, ME, MI, AK, WV, AZ."We want to list great events happening in swing states. If you are an artist, organizer or presenter in a swing state, send info to INVOLVER...
"INVOLVER does not endorse candidates or parties. We believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and offer ways that you can get involved and help make the country work for our generation."
# posted by Steve Gallagher @ 7/20/2004 12:01:33 PM Comments (0)
SLEEP-OVER
In conjunction with the ongoing exhibition The Big Nothing, "a constellation of music, art, film, and talks on themes of nothing, independently organized by 36 venues throughout Philadelphia, the ICA in Philadelphia presents Nothing Cabaret, Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m.: "Cooked up in the spirit of the Cabaret Voltaire with a touch of 'The Sonny and Cher Show,' [Nothing Cabaret is] an evening of music, poetry, science, art, sleight of hand and silence, concluding with a performance by Bardo Pond and a screening of Andy Warhol's 1963 film Sleep. The film starts around 9 p.m., runs for 5-and-a-half hours, so do the math, and bring your sleeping bag to cozy up for a summer night on ICA's terrace.
"Warhol's first film, [Sleep] was planned as an eight-hour-long movie, but was actually made by looping footage. The film was shot in the apartment of its star, John Giorno, in July 1963. The premiere of Sleep took place on January 17, 1964 at the Gramercy Arts Theater as a benefit screening for the Film-Makers' Cooperative. According to the New York Post, the screening was attended by only nine people, two of whom left during the first hour."
# posted by Steve Gallagher @ 7/19/2004 11:02:21 AM Comments (0)
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© 2004 Filmmaker: The Magazine of Independent Film