Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Normally Harry posts the deranged ramblings of Massawrym, and I don't have to deal with him. Ever since I had to file that restraining order against him, it's best that we don't have direct contact. Yet here I am, giving a platform to this lunatic tonight. I guess you should pay attention. His doctors say it makes him feel special when you do...
Hola all. Everyone's favorite Chain-Smoking, Dr. Pepper Swilling, Indie-schilling champion of the undiscovered here, popping my head out of the ground to remind one and all that I am indeed still alive and that I also am indeed still working on this column. As many of my weekly readers will note, I haven't posted anything for this column in recent weeks. Well, quite simply, I haven't found the content that I've been looking for. I've swam through some entertaining stuff and some really, really painful stuff, and when I came up on the other side I managed to find nothing really worth telling you folks about. Now over the past two weeks, I've received a couple packages that look promising, but you never really know about these things and with QT5 in full swing, I just haven't had the time to watch enough of this new material to really have anything to share.
Well, QT5 is over and now I have all the time in the world. So all of you crazy cats out there with films, send 'em to me. I don't care if you're the lighting guy, an actor, a grip or Herr Director himself. If you can score a copy of the film, send it to me. I want to see it. I want to help you share it with the world. I accept VHS, DVD and VCD, so lay it on me guys. Send me your work.
In coming weeks, you folks will also notice some special coverage columns. I have been lucky enough to get in touch with several festivals and will be giving pre-coverage of the best of the fest, letting you know what you absolutely can't miss at Festivals like Win-Femme, CINEMATEXAS, and The Austin International Film Fest (which inside word has it is sporting some familiar films that I've reviewed in this column in the past (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them)). So keep your eyes out for that and help support independent film by attending these festivals and making them a success.
And if you have a festival that you would like some early buzz on, contact me and we can work out all the details.
And here's some news for all you film fans out there. Remember me mentioning a little film called Chasing Kevin? Well, it's completely posted and downloadable now. Find the review here and you've absolutely gotta check out the film here!
Chasing Kevin is one funny freaking short film. I've taken it around on the rounds to all my AICN buddies, and well, I've watched the film damn near a dozen times. A brilliant parody, simply brilliant.
And hey, check this out. H.R. Pukenshette is on Ifilm now. You can read the review here or you can see this twisted piece of hilarity here!
And now for the part of the column you've all been waiting for, an actual review. Woo Hoo! Put on your party hats and bust out the noise makers, Massawyrm's found something new!!! This week its a small, no budget indie called Rebel Rebel.
"Rebel Rebel" is a 21 minute short film about the interior struggles of several women and how they bond together to cope. Based on a true story, this short skirts the shores of being both heartwarming and disturbing at the same time, a formula that admittedly is not for everyone. But it is for me. And I dug the hell out of this. It was very reminiscent of the film I discussed a few weeks earlier "Freud's Second Law", at least in tone and shot structure. The main difference between the two is that while "Freud's Second Law" was shot on 16mm, "Rebel Rebel" was shot on an old school, 10 year old 3/4 inch video camera. Talk about your guerilla film making.
Writer/Director Betsy Burke works the hell out of that camera, and together with the lighting and cinematography, gives this film a depth of field that is just missing from DV films. The shots were just absolutely gorgeous at times and really served to draw you into the charecters' worlds of loneliness. This film also uses a wonderful contrast of lighting to reflect the mood of each character, giving us dank depressing tones in times of strife and rich, vibrant colors during periods of wonder and enlightenment. Proof yet again that with the right talent, even outdated tools can serve to make wonderful pieces of cinema.
Ultimately this film is about love, family and triumph over adversity, but it really scrapes much deeper in some very interesting ways. I really feel that this is a great festival short, showcasing the talents of a young, inventive film maker on the verge of much bigger things. Keep your eye out for her.
Betsy Burke
Outskirts 66
3365 1/2 Hamilton Way
Silver Lake, CA. 90026
(323) 660-9522
Well folks, I have a long week ahead of me, catching up on everything that came in during QT5. I look forward to being back next week with some fabulous new finds. Remember, you can always e-mail me at massawyrm@netzero.net and send your films to me here at:
Massawyrm
3408 Red River
Austin, TX. 78705
Until next time fellow indie lovers, smoke 'em if ya got 'em. I know I will.
