Friday, September 28, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Transfer (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. Well, okay this one really isn't a short film per-se, but I still feel its well worth it just for the visuals. What many readers and listeners of the podcast may not know, is that in addition to my obsessive devotion to film and comics, I'm also a huge Japanese anime fan. I've been watching anime for about 24 years of my life and try to watch every anime out there. This music video is from the Japanese Electo-pop group Livetune, featuring the wonderfully poppy vocals of Megumi Nakajima. Here is the 6-minute Japanese animated music video, Transfer from filmmaker Kazuma Ikeda. 

I just love how the music video plays with repeating themes shown in different ways, in different art styles an everything in between. Beyond that though there's really nothing else that needs to be said. Even if you don't like the music I have a feeling you'll still love the animation.


Check this out if you want to see something fun and different. Check this out if you want to listen to some great Japanese electro-pop accompanied by eye catching visuals. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Transfer.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Grounded (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. Everyone remembers that first "thing": that first book, that first movie, that first genre they fell in love with - the same genre that as an adult they can continue to return to, a genre they can call home. For me, that genre is science fiction. Sci-fi stories are the perfect breeding ground for introspective and thought provoking stories on the nature of life, the very understanding of existence and how small we really are in the overall scheme of reality. This short is the perfect representation of such themes. Here is the 7-minute sci-fi short, Grounded from filmmakers Kevin Margo and Barrett Meeker.

Here's the synopsis:
One astronaut's journey through space and life ends on a hostile exosolar planet. Grounded is a metaphorical account of the experience, inviting unique interpretation and reflection by the viewer. Themes of aging, inheritance, paternal approval, cyclic trajectories, and behaviors passed on through generations are explored against an ethereal backdrop..

This film is incredibly experimental in the fact that it requires a lot of thinking to understand it's themes, as the story is cyclical in nature. The filmmaker Kevin Margo summed up his ideas on the shorts website:

Themes of aging, inheritance, paternal approval, cyclic trajectories, and behaviors passed on through generations are explored against an ethereal backdrop.

What does it all mean in the end? I like how the filmmakers leave it up to the viewer to decide.

Check this out if you want to see something thought provoking and ethereal. Check this out if you want to see a beautiful and visually stunning piece of silent fiction. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Grounded.

 
Grounded from Kevin Margo on Vimeo.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Episode 97: Resident Evil Retribution

Hello there and welcome to the 97th 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.

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:

* Resident Evil: Retribution
* Extraterrestrials
* Take Me Home
* The Rebound
* Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 9.21.12 and 9.28.12

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, September 14, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Always A Fire (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. For me, nothing hits closer to the heart, nothing is more inspiration, more emotional, then a sports movie. You don't have to be a sports fan to appreciate the heartfelt enthusiasm of its characters and the issues/fears/problems they must face and overcome. This week's short is one of the better stories out there. Here is the 6-minute documentary, Always A Fire from filmmakers Nathan Caswell & Jeremiah Zagar.

Here's the synopsis:
ALWAYS A FIRE is a short documentary film on former New York Giant CHAD JONES—a star athlete from LSU whose promising professional career was put on hold by a tragic car accident before it even had a chance to begin.

The film details Chad's incredible rehabilitation and recovery from the horrific accident that nearly cost him his life. Comprised of intimate interviews with Chad and his trainers, as well as never-before-seen footage of his long road to recovery, the film provides an unflinching view of an elite athlete facing unimaginable tragedy and refusing to submit.

I'm a big football fan so I already knew the man's name and story, but seeing it here, seeing where he is now, hearing about his hopes and dreams - everything just pulled at my cold dark heart. A wonderful melding of old and new footage, the shot of Chad standing in the middle of an empty football stadium, as he hears the roar of the crowd in his minds eye, as he dreams of one day standing on the field, taking at least one snap - a snap of the eternal hope of dreams - it just left me speechless.

Check this out if you want to see an inspirational story of hope and dreams. Check this out if you want to see how sport stories can capture the range of human emotions and heart. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Always A Fire.

 
Always A Fire | Chad Jones Documentary from Union HZ on Vimeo.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Guilt (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. Talk about intense. This is one short that will have you gasping for air, dancing on the edge of your seat as you finally take a breath and feel as if you've run a marathon. This is how you make a compact and deeply felt thriller. Here is the 13-minute Spanish short The Guilt from filmmaker David Victori.

Here's the synopsis:

After the murder of Leo's wife a single idea circles endlessly within his head: revenge.

This piece is just stunning. Winner of Youtube's "Your Festival Film Festival" as well as the insane prize of $500,000 from Scott Free (the production company of Ridley and Tony Scott) and the airline Emirates. $500,000! How crazy is that? This is one polished short, one that felt like it could have been directed by the late and great action director Tony Scott. This one's all about the revenge and the age old truism that revenge begets more heartbreak. Mixing beautiful set designs a la MC Escher style, fantastic acting and a nail biting score, the short just screams watch me. Director David Victori is one to watch for. I can easily imagine him releasing soon an amazing movie in the vein of Tell No One and Sleepless Nights.

Check this out if you want to see how thrilling 13-minutes of your life can be. Check this out if you want to see a pulse-pounding foreign short that will leave your mind spinning like after a Twilight Zone episode. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, The Gift.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Episode 96: Expendabes 2

Hello there and welcome to the 96th 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.

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:

* Expendables 2
* The Raid Redemption
* Wrath of the Titans
* Jeff Who Lives At Home
* Rec 3: Genesis
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 9.07.12 and 9.14.12

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!!