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!!

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.

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.

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!!

Fantastic Short Film Friday - The Maker (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. I've made known many times on this blog of my love for stop-motion animation. It's an art form that feels both nostalgic and timeless, an animated art form of painstaking passion and detail. It's an art form that's dying, an art form that I fear may no longer exist 20 years from now. So when I see a new stop-motion animated film, I stand up and take notice. It doesn't hurt that this short also took my breath away. Here is the 6-minute animated short The Maker from filmmaker Christopher Kezelos.

Here's the synopsis:

A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.

This piece is just stunning. Not only is the animation beautiful, not only is the score hypnotic, but the story and its symbolism had me grinning from ear to ear. I've always liked things that touch on the existential questions of life. What does it mean to live? What does it mean to love? The Maker is all about life and what it takes to make a life, a story of shared moments and heartfelt goodbyes, of hoping the ones you leave behind - the one's you've created - can carry on your legacy.

The filmmaker of the short, Christopher Kezelos perfectly sums up his work in an interview with the online animation magazine, Skwigly:

The Maker explores the preciousness of our moments on earth, the short time we have with loved ones and the enjoyment of one’s life’s work and purpose.

Check this out if you want to see something uniquely beautiful and interesting. Check this out if you want to see the amazing world of storytelling that stop-motion animation can convey. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, The Maker.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Pac-Man: The Movie (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. I grew up in the generation of the gamer, the kids who grew up with Nintendo, Sega Genesis, SNES, Neo-Geo and everything in between. As an adult I  don't have the same time as I used to, so playing video games has taken a back seat to the many other geeky things I do with my life. However, I have a fondness for old games (one's that I'm still not very good at), and we all know what the godfather of the tabeltop video gaming is right? It's the yellow glowing ball himself, Pac-Man. Now sit back, relax, ride the nostalgia and get ready to have your mind blown. Here is the 6-minute short Pac-Man: The Movie from filmmaker James Farr.

Here's the synopsis:

A fan film being promoted as the "greatest film never made", this one takes Pac-Man to the real, updated and computerized modern world in an amazing action adventure and what the ramifications of a Pac-Man can mean.

This is from the talented production team, Steelhouse Productions, and being a fan-film, I was blown away by the production values. I would pay good money to see this film and feel that this character would be perfectly suited for the silver screen, unlike many video game adapted movies (of course as long as Uwe Boll is not attached to direct). You feel like you're in the game, playing the game, as you're watching this short - as you feel the rush of the air against your face like riding an insane adrenaline pumping roller-coaster.

Check this out if you want to see something you didn't know you wanted made, but now want it more then ever. Check this out if you want to see what passion for something so simple can bring to a project. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with, Pac-Man: The Movie.

PAC-MAN The Movie (The Fan Film) from Steelehouse Productions on Vimeo.

Fantastic Short Film Friday - Professional (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. I love documentaries that showcase a singular outdated job, a job that can easily be done by machines quicker and just as precise as by hand. Jobs worked on by artisans that refuse to give up their craft even if sadly the world is slowly giving up on them. There's true poetry in the life of such a craftsman. Here is the 8-minute documentary short Professional from filmmaker Skylar Nielsen.

Here's the synopsis:

Metal-fabricator Neil Youngberg never planned on taking over his grandfather's business and is now faced with passing on his legacy.

This is the first part in VitaBrevisFilms interview series where they seeks to shed-light on forgotten trades and practices in an evolving America. I commend them for such an undertaking because I can't imagine the marketability for such documentaries as being high, but I do feel that they are important and necessary (and yes I do recognize that I sound like an old man so just get off my lawn already okay?).

Check this out if you want to take a peek into a world that may not exist 10 years from now. Check this out if you want to understand the importance of the past and how fast technology can change things. Enjoy this weeks dose of short film goodness with Professional.


PROFESSIONal from VITA BREVIS FILMS on Vimeo.