PSST! Digital Stories... Pass it on!

 It’s hard to believe that there are those among us who, 121 days out, are talking about the holidays—then again, my local Target is schlepping seasonal décor while it's still 100 degrees outside, so what do I know? So for all you early birds, a gift:

Let me introduce you to the digital narrative—a personal documentary featuring anecdotes and photos that, woven together, serve as a sort of timeline of one’s life. Consider it the next evolution of “slides,” only those you actually want to see.

Intrigued? Then check out Reel Tributes, a DC-based company that produces “Documentaries of a Lifetime” for everyday folks with the assistance of legit filmmakers, an oral historian and a genealogy expert who are far more skilled at digital storytelling than your iPhone.  Their aesthetically slick tribute films reveal compelling backstories, unearth little known stories and reveal commemorative insight about someone you suspected may have been on the lam, but could never confirm. (I’m pinching myself too.)

Or, you could make it a real production out of things and try your own hand at filmmaking. On the West Coast, the Center for Digital Storytelling, a Berkeley non-profit, holds workshops for those who want to manage their own digital story project or wider community initiative.  Here, experienced facilitators offer creative direction and technical assistance to novice digital filmmakers.

Learn more about how the art of personal history here: http://www.reeltributes.com/view/.

A New Chapter for West Side Story!

Head’s up, collectors: The 50th Anniversary Edition of West Side Story on Blu-ray drops November 15. The score! The dancing! The costumes! It's Jets and Sharks, people, and this musical lover can’t wait.

No matter what team you’re on (Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em), no one can argue that West Side Story is quintessential in its importance to popular history and—no offense to The Sound of Music—the gold standard of all movie musicals, netting 10 Oscars, including one for Best Picture in 1962 that forever cemented its standing as iconic Americana. This version promises to bring pop culturists and film lovers to their feet with plenty of tech upgrades (think 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio—whatever that means—and hours of restoration), a tribute CD, 10 collectible postcards, and a hardcover tome. All together these James Bond bells and whistles make this four-discer must-have merch.

Even better, Blu-ray will breathe new life to West Side Story’s award-winning score (a stunner from Leonard Bernstein) and performances (a scorcher by Rita Moreno)—not like it needed it, but still.

Check out the original West Side Story theatrical trailer! 

Spielberg’s “WAR HORSE” Gallops Into Theatres

After seeing the new trailer for Steven Spielberg’s WWI opus “War Horse,” I honestly cannot understand the ongoing beef that so many “film enthusiasts” seem to have with the master lensman. Certainly it’s not for a lack of chops—the man can make a movie. So what if his films make millions, appeal to the masses, and win Oscars—get over it, hipsters.

The latest in Spielberg’s oeuvre, “War Horse” is based on a young adult novel that tells the story of Joey, a horse sold to the army for duty on the Western Front. There he witnesses the horrors of trench warfare, brings comfort to the men who fight it, and longs to be reunited with a farmer’s son, the crestfallen Albert. I love that “War Horse” tackles familiar historical territory from the POV of a homesick colt while recognizing the role that horses played in brutal battles for centuries.

With chest-tightening military sequences and an alienated young boy at its center, “War Horse” has the makings of Spielberg gold—namely, Hollywood’s most coveted gilded statue.

Check out the War Horse trailer – complete with another three-hanky score from John Williams.

First Look at The Iron Lady Online!

The supernaturally talented, and Oscar’s favorite frontrunner, Meryl Streep, is at it again (thank the cinematic gods), this time taking on the role of steely Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.  It’s Streep and it’s a biopic so consider the key nuances—mannerisms, accent—in the bag.

My only concern is director Phyllida Lloyd at the helm. Although a capable auteur, the last time Lloyd teamed with Streep, she managed to crush all my fantasies of curling up next to Pierce Bronson when she allowed sexy 007 to croon (badly) in Mamma Mia! Not even a pokerfaced Meryl could have saved that particularly horrific reveal, although damn if the woman didn’t nearly pull it off.

Get a sneak peek of the teaser trailer on The Guardian and let me know what you think!

The Iron Lady Trailer

Chess, Mates! Bobby Fischer Posthumously Resurfaces…

Good yarn alert! Word on the street is that HBO has spun another winner, folks. This time around it is the compelling new documentary Bobby Fischer Against the World, which premiers tonight at 9 p.m. EST and kicks off the network’s documentary Summer Series. Early reviews mark this one as a winner—a captivating look at a compelling and controversial character. In this case, one the most bewildering figures of the 20th century, Bobby Fischer; a brilliant chess prodigy who became a grandmaster in his teens (the youngest in history), took on Boris Spassky in 1972, and retreated into seclusion except for the rare occasions he would pop up and puzzle the world with bizarre antics and erratic behavior.

 

Director Liz Garbus has earned raves for her skilled direction—and I have no doubt she deserves every kudo. But let’s be honest, I could be behind the lens of this one and have a decent shot of making it serviceably watchable. Fischer is that interesting—and troubling.  Mad genius? Boy wonder? Tragic figure? Check it out and let me know what you think...