Friday, May 25, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - IRL "In Real Life" (documentary)


















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.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Who likes documentaries? Okay, now who likes documentaries about geek culture? Even less of you but stay with me because you're in for a treat with this short. Here is the 7-minute documentary short IRL - In Real Life from filmmaker Anthony Rosner (and he's not just the filmmaker, he's also the doc subject).

Here's the synopsis:

A light-hearted documentary looking at the effects of World of Warcraft addiction.

Sure, this kind of subject has been done before, brilliantly in the documentary Second Skin, but this is a nice and lighter taster test you can try before you dive in to Second Skin. Here Anthony talks about his 6+ years of life spent playing the computer game World of Warcraft. As his cyber popularity grows, his reality begins to crumble as he loses more and more because of his addiction. Told mainly through in-game video footage and photographs, this is a fascinating look at the darker side of geek culture that most people don't see, the obsessive and all-consuming side. I have an obsessive personality and that's why I've never played Warcraft because Anythony's life could have been mine, maybe to not the extreme's he goes through but its easy to say that this would never happen to me if you haven't taken the time to confront the same demons.

Check this out if you want to the darker side of internet life. Check this out if you want to see a light documentary about a world where millions are a part of, a shared community and yet all  still  strangely separate and alone. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with IRL - In Real Life.


Friday, May 18, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Cat Piano (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.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. Do you like film Noir? Do you like your films to be so cool that each frame drips with pastiche, each frame filled with smokey lounges and jazz music? I love me a good noir story and an animated noir, a noir with cats facing the dark underbelly of society and music, yeah that pushes all my buttons. Here is the 8-minute animated short The Cat Piano from filmmakers Eddie White and Ari Gibson.

Here's the synopsis:

A city of singing cats is preyed upon by a shadowy figure intent on performing a twisted feline symphony.

This whole short is one breezy animated narrated poem, like something right out of the hazy beat cafe's, the gilded saloons with their beautiful soulful songstresses. The animation is striking and the use of cats to harmonize the evil Cat Piano is wonderfully frightening. Everything about this short just glows beauty, promise and brilliance and I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

Check this out if you love film noir, animation and even better, both. Check this out if you want to see a lyrical poem come to life in the dark backdrop of a cat filled society. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with The Cat Piano.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Episode 89: The Avengers and Safe

Hello there and welcome to the 89th 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 a few movies that has been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd or still in theaters. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* The Avengers
* Safe
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 5.11.12 and 5.18.12

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, May 11, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Duel at Blood Creek (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.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. This one's actually quite funny, which can rarely ever say about a period piece. If you're a fan of a comedy of manners or percepived slights escalating to pistols at dawn, you'll get a kick out of this one. Here is the 15-minute British short The Duel at Blood Creek from filmmaker Leo Burton.

Here's the synopsis:

A man goes to a favorite dueling spot in order to settle some differences with the one who has wronged him but soon finds that he's not the only one that has decided its a beautiful day to have a duel.

This one's a playful short that unfolds with some great comedic performances and wonderful bits of timing from the actors. It's all about the subtle digs and trying to find ground in a world that's slowly leaving you by. Seriously this one's just funny and a great way to spend the afternoon. There's also a great ending to that makes the first 14-minutes even more hilarious.

Check this out if you like the absurd mixed in with your history. Check this out if like comedies of manners that lead right into the classic British truism, the farce. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with The Duel at Blood Creek.


Friday, May 4, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Politics of Competetive Board Gaming (documentary)

















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.

It's time for another amazing short film for all you short film lovers out there. I know I always go back to this, but documentary's are my favorite form of film entertainment. Just the idea of a camera lens capturing the skewed light and aspects of reality, creating a warped reality where the mundane becomes enthralling - that just that just pleases me to no end. Couple that with a card based board game and you have magic. Here is the 10-minute documentary short The Politics of Competitive Board Gaming from filmmaker Jay Cheel.

Here's the synopsis:

A group of friends get together to play the card game Settlers of Catan, and like any gathering of wits against patience, fireworks ensue.

I know this may come as a big shock to our readers and listeners of the podcast, but I'm a big geek. And I grew up playing all forms of card and board games, from Magic to Gathering to Risk to the very game on display here, Settlers of Catan. I'm not going to lie, things can get heated and patience can be tested when you've been sitting around for hours just talking smack to one another, teasing and prodding to pass the time. It's doesn't lend to the finest moments of human evolution, but it can be entertaining. Filmmaker Jay Cheel deftly creates a short concept that can be incredibly boring, a group of guys sitting around and playing a game, and makes it a fun battle of wits with beautifully shot scenes and an excellent use of a killer soundtrack. You don't have to have played the game to enjoy this short, but if you have you'll see yourself as a mirror to these poor settlers.

Check this out if you want to see a whole new world you never knew existed. Check this out if you want to just get a good laugh at how some people can take even the most mundane of contests too seriously. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with The Politics of Competitive Board Gaming.