Hey folks, Harry here with everyone's fave film floozie, that's right... it is SXSW so I've got to be talking about Annette Kellerman, the movie minx. With her tiara and pulled too tight one piece, she's squeezing into a ton of flicks. Next she's going to be chatting about Bob Odenkirk's MELVIN GOES TO DINNER, an absolutely fantastic feature film, screaming to be on a screen near you soon... but isn't yet... sigh... Here ya go...
Hey everyone!
Annette here with a quick look at one of my favorite films at this year's SXSW. My current movie count is at 27, and although the stinkers have been few and far between, I shall be limiting my reviews to only those that really blew me away.
The first and foremost in that category (for narrative features, anyway) is Melvin Goes to Dinner- a comedy about four friends at an impromtu dinner who eventually discover just how much each of their very separate lives actually overlap.
I basically approached this screening with no knowledge of the film other than the fact that Bob 'Mr. Show' Odenkirk directed it. I love going into a screening that way! Like a cleansed palate before diving into dessert...okay, enough of that shit. This movie is what I'm talking about!! Not only is Melvin extremely well written, shot, performed, and edited- it takes each stage of production to a fun and exciting level. Told in non linear form, we follow Melvin (Michael Blieden) through the events of the day leading up to a last minute dinner date with and old friend (Matt Price) who also invites his old business school gal pal (Stephanie Courtney) who goes ahead and invites one of her old friends (Annabelle Gurwitch) whom she spots on the street (BREATHE!!!) and the fun begins.
It's like that perfect time you hung out with a group of friends, and the stories are so funny and vivid, the mood is so light and energetic, someone inevitably says, "...too bad nobody's filming this." Only in Melvin, it IS being filmed- and better yet each hilarious story plays out in flashbacks featuring some really creative editing as well as priceless cameos by Jack Black, David Cross, and Odenkirk himself.
Kudos to writer/lead actor Michael Blieden and Odenkirk for bringing the original stage play to the big screen. Just a simple, all-around kickass movie that I sincerely hope everyone gets a chance to see.
Well, I'm off in a bit to see Dummy, The Eye, and Spun- what a triple feature! After the fest wraps tonight, I plan on getting down and dirty (I love giving the talkbackers some fodder) with plenty more reviews!
Until then,
Annette.
