Friday, November 25, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Mythomania (live-action)
















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

I'm going to mix things up a bit this week. Generally Fantastic Short Film Friday has showcased one and done short films, but this week I want to take a look at a webseries about the life of a cartoonist and all the real sad sack reality being a cartoonist entails. Here is the first 10-minute part in a webseries called, Mythomania from filmmaker, Derek Kirk Kim. The first season in 9-parts has already been released and it's really a wonderful look into the daily lives of a group of cartoonists struggling to get by. Yes it's scripted, but you can tell the filmmaker pulled the details of each episode from real life experiences.

Written and directed by Kim, the show follows aspiring cartoonist Andy Go as he navigates the joys, challenges, sacrifices, screw-overs and other assorted indignities suffered by those who seek their fortunes in the comic book book business. This show can get real honest and personal and is a wonderful window into what life can be like for cartoonists, and how easy it can be to face not only rejection but also opportunity. What I like so much about this series is that it doesn't sugar coat how tough and sad and filled with rejection the life of an independent cartoonist can be.

I am a huge comicbook fan. I still read comics every Wednesday and have been doing that for over 20 years, and while I'm not a cartoonist, I know a lot of the stuff that goes behind the scenes as any lifelong fan would. It's not a glamorous job. Sure there are people that make a fantastic living doing their work, making their art. But there are hundreds more that are struggling to make ends meat, struggling to get their vision out there, and this is one of those stories.

Check this out if you love comics and want to see what the everyday life of an average cartoonist looks like. Check this out if you like heartfelt drama's that show people striving to create and find joy in what they do while the world tries to tear then down. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, Mythomania .

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Episode 79: A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas and Immortals

Hello there and welcome to the 79th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

We are finally back with recharged batteries and are ready once again to bring our loyal listeners some brand new bi-weekly content. Thanks for your patience and it feels so good to be back!!

This week we take a look at 2 main movie releases that have been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd or in theaters. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas
* Immortals
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 11.18.11 and 11.25.11

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've once again started producing the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're also on Itunes so head over there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast and don't forget to post a review! Thanks!!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Rosa (animated)
















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

This week we have for you an animated cgi labor of love that shows what a bit of creativity and ingenuity can do on a tight budget, but if time is money then this looks like it cost a lot. Here is a 10-minute animated action short called, Rosa from filmmaker, Jesus Orellana. It does feel a bit clunky in parts and is truly the old adage of style over substance, but the style is just so beautiful that you can forgive its shortcomings.

Screened at numerous film festivals and currently being developed as a live action film here's the synopsis from the filmmakers on Rosa (I put this here because honestly the film doesn't really explain anything):

ROSA is an epic sci-fi short film that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where all natural life has disappeared. From the destruction awakes Rosa, a cyborg deployed from the Kernel project, mankind’s last attempt to restore the earth’s ecosystem. Rosa will soon learn that she is not the only entity that has awakened and must fight for her survival.

Rosa reminds me a lot of the anime Gantz, with the way the soldiers look and move and the stylized action and set pieces, but like a video game version of the anime. There's not a lot of substance here and again like I said before nothing is explained- there's very little characterization or plot. But the film looks beautiful and it was shot over the course of a year and for a hundred dollars so you can see the talent that Jesus Orellana possesses as an animator. I'm not sure how a live action version would do, but if it stinks at least we still have the original short.

Check this out if you love anime, video games of independent animation. Check this out if you want to see what may be the next big thing in both film and director. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness in, Rosa.

ROSA from Jesús Orellana on Vimeo.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn (animated)

















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

This week we have for you an animated musical about a brother looking for his sister that takes both dark and comedic routes all at the same time. Here is a 3-minute animated short called, Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn from filmmaker, Hoku Uchiyama. I'm a big fan the experimental side of animation and you'll be amazed here by what can be done with some winter frost on some store windows.

This whimsical short features a catchy throwback tune from the 20's and some finger-drawn animation from the Betty Boop era that comes alive on panes of glass as live-action strangers walk by. This one's a toe-tapper, finger strumming tune that will have you singing the chorus in your head even as the short draws to a close, and yeah did I mention it gets pretty dark? And yet, while it gets dark it never loses its fun and carefree nature. There's some crazy and creative ideas here people.

Check this out if you love animation and musicals. Check this out even if you don't like musicals, but like yourself some dark comedies. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness in, Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn.


Friday, November 4, 2011

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Zombie in a Penguin Suit (live-action)

















And we are back with another installment in our Fantastic Short Film Friday series, as we continue to showcase films released in the "lesser" known form of cinema- the short film.

I know what you're thinking and no this isn't a comedy about a zombie in a penguin suit. In fact, it's a poetic and haunting look about a zombie you just can't help but feel a little sorry for. Here is a 8-minute zombie short called, Zombie in a Penguin Suit from filmmaker, Chris Russell. This short is simply stunning and is one of the best zombie stories I've ever seen in short or long cinematic form.

This is the awe-inspiring story of a man dressed up in a penguin suit, who rises up one day freshly from the dead and travels the streets and countryside in search of something or someone.

Seriously, this isn't a comedy but a haunting and affecting tale about the recently turned. The cinematography is stunning, the visuals engrossing, but it's the score, the soundtrack that makes this go from melancholy to mind-blowingly beautiful. The opening score is 'Mara's Lullaby' originally by Marc Mellits and performed by Real Quiet. All I can say is wow. And then the credit score 'Spiegel im Spiegel' by Arvo Part- it's life-changing. Anyone who knows me knows that I love zombie movies and stories, and this is just one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

Check this out if you love yourself some zombie stories but are tired of the same ol' same ol'. Check this out if you want to see a zombie film by way of Ingmar Bergman. Enjoy this weeks dose of short form goodness in, Zombie in a Penguin Suit.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Trailer Talkback Thursday - The Muppets

Welcome to another Trailer Talkback Thursday here at the Cinema Cafe Podcast. Today I will be looking at one of the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational trailer to grace our presence, the trailer for The Muppets.



To this day I will always make the argument that the original Muppets Show is the greatest family show ever. The Muppets were always for everyone, with some jokes only adults would get and talking, moving puppets which would always keep kids entertained. Now they are trying to make a comeback in this upcoming movie, and while a part of me might be nervous because there hasn't been a good Muppets movie in a while, the Muppets fan in me is very excited.

My excitement could be in part because I'm such a huge fan of both Jason Segel & Amy Adams. Another reason I'm also excited is because of how the Muppets have been doing on the internet lately, with their videos here and there on YouTube, which has shown me that the humor that makes the Muppets so lovable is still there. Also, I believe that Segel is a huge Muppets fan and has done everything in his power to make this work. Well soon, it will be time to play the music and light the lights. We can all hope it's for the better.

-Greg

P.S. - I leave you with this to prove that the humor is still there.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Episode 78: In Time and The Rum Diary

Hello there and welcome to the 78th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

We are finally back with recharged batteries and are ready once again to bring our loyal listeners some brand new bi-weekly content. Thanks for your patience and it feels so good to be back!!

This week we take a look at 2 main movie releases that have been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd or in theaters. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* In Time
* The Rum Diary
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 11.04.11 and 11.11.11

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've once again started producing the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're also on Itunes so head over there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast and don't forget to post a review! Thanks!!