Peter Schilling Today marks the opening of the 24th Annual Minneapolis/St.Paul International Film Festival with the local premiere of Al Franken: God Spoke (a title that, I have to admit, baffles me). The festival has come under some duress for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that these things are a bitch to … Read more
“L’Atalante”, 1934. Directed by Jean Vigo; written by Jean Guinee, Albert Riera, and Vigo. Starring the incredible Michel Simon, Dita Parlo and Jean Daste. Now showing in the lecture room at the Walker Art Center, running continuously as the museum is open, every ninety minutes. I wish I had nothing better to do with my … Read more
Nick Hook never envisioned himself as an editor. When he was thrust behind the helm of the Whittier Globe in April of last year, he had virtually no writing experience. Nick had been shuffling between gigs as a rocker with Vinnie and the Stardusters and a lackey in the corporate world when he decided to … Read more
L’Enfant and Friends With Money “L’Enfant”, 2006. Written and directed by Jena-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Starring Jeremie Renier, Deborah Francois, and Jeremie Segard. Now showing at the Edina Theater. If you’ve ever lived in Michigan, specifically Detroit or one of the constellation of broken-down factory towns on the eastern side of the state (Flint, Saginaw, … Read more
When I arrived at the Varsity Theater for last night’s “Don’t Monkey with the Oak Street” meeting, it was a balmy night, ripe for an outdoor game of baseball, an ice cream cone, or an assault on my neglected lawn. As I crossed 4th street I thought, God knows why I go to these things, … Read more
Tonight, at 7:30 in the pm at the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown, the founders of the original Oak Street are gathering, along with concerned patrons (that would be you and I), to try and save the old gal. I’m hoping for the best but steeling myself for the worst. No doubt this meeting is being … Read more
THE NOIR SMOOTHIE “Brick”, 2006. Written and directed by Rian Johnson (and with a cool website that features a glossary). Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Matt O’Leary, Nora Zehetner, Lukas Haas, Noah Fleiss, Noah Segan, Emilie de Ravin, Meagan Good, and Richard Roundtree. First of all, I have to admit that I’m a sucker for any screenplay … Read more
Images from Me and Mr. Marshall (top) and The Bridge (bottom). “Selling Democracy: Films of the Marshall Plan” at the Walker Art Center, April 5 – 8. Tonight, Part One, Out of the Ruins. Featuring: Hunger, It’s Up to You, Between East and West, The Bridge, Me and Mr. Marshall, Life and Death of a … Read more
Detail from “Brushes With Fame!” by Steve Willis (scroll down link for bio). I once dated the guy who held Schwarzenegger’s cigar on that awful Christmas movie, I forget what it’s called. Man was he proud. Bo that is… I don’t think Arnold cared one way or the other… … Yeh, I worked at this … Read more
Fresh from the wire: Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 3 and make a date with a curbside in St. Paul, MN: A Prairie Home Companion, the film version of our beloved (or not-so-beloved, depending on your tastes) public radio programme, will be making its “Minnesota Premiere” at the Fitzgerald Theater. What does that mean … Read more