As the kids would say, 'OMG!! I just saw that "Ricky," you know, the movie about the baby, with the wings, is playing again at the WFF, at 9 p.m. Friday at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck. I might just go again.
Bravo. And I don't even remember why I picked this movie. I think I looked at the time first. Bravo.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Hey Ricky, you're so fine. You're so fine you blow my mind, hey ricky.
MY GOODNESS. I just saw a film called "Ricky," about a baby who grows wings. His mother sees bruises on his back after leaving him with the boy's father for the day, and, well, I'll just say that they weren't bruises. They were the first signs of wings. The wings in their early stages were pretty gross, kind of like uncooked, hairy chicken wings from the supermarket.
But this movie was a GRAND SLAM homerun. See ya later. Out of the park. Sad, funny, triumphant, content...this is what I was feeling. I ran out of the Tinker Street Cinema before the lights went up because I didn't want anyone to see that I was about to cry.
Talk about a lesson in letting go. And reconciliation. And acceptance. And hope. My goodness. Did I mention that I liked this movie?
But this movie was a GRAND SLAM homerun. See ya later. Out of the park. Sad, funny, triumphant, content...this is what I was feeling. I ran out of the Tinker Street Cinema before the lights went up because I didn't want anyone to see that I was about to cry.
Talk about a lesson in letting go. And reconciliation. And acceptance. And hope. My goodness. Did I mention that I liked this movie?
More Woodstock.....
I know this is a little off topic, but with Michael Lang, the man behind Woodstock, here at the festival, and the fact that, well, Woodstock wouldn't be Woodstock without the Woodstock festival, I've got to share this link with you, for Woodstock.com. Woodstock Ventures, which Lang runs with Joel Rosenman, one of the three other partners with whom Lang staged Woodstock in 1969, operates Woodstock.com with Sony Music Entertainment.
I'll even save you the trouble of typing. Just click here.
Take a spin. It's not bad.
I'll even save you the trouble of typing. Just click here.
Take a spin. It's not bad.
Back to Woodstock, the other Woodstock
So you should know that "Woodstock: Now & Then," the documentary screened last night, offers a fresh take on a story that has been dissected and analyzed and explored for 40 years. Click here to learn more.
I did more reporting on the 40th anniversary of Woodstock between Dec. 2008 and Aug. 2009 than anyone should have really been permitted to do in one lifetime. You can see the fruits of my many labors by clicking here and clicking here.
And after all that research, I feel like I got a pretty good handle on what this whole Woodstock thing was and is about. And this documentary kind of placed everything I learned over those months into a new context, giving me a fresh perspective.
Some highlights of the documentary are interviews with Woodstock concert promoter Michael Lang, fresh footage that I've never seen before and crazy stories about then-New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller wanting to send the National Guard into the festival and farmers who sued the concert organizers because their cows didn't give milk for several weeks after the festival.
I had already seen the documentary, so I showed up toward the end and watched with many others in the bar of the Bearsville Theater, on monitors. The crowd cheered Michael Lang, Jimi Hendrix and Wavy Gravy. But they saved their loudest cheers for the footage of President Barack Obama, who was featured in the context of Woodstock manifesting itself in his election last year.
Lang has told me that he sees the spirit of Woodstock living on very clearly in his election, and the movement that elected him. A statement like that really makes you think.
Also - someone else in the film said "Woodstock was not a movement. Woodstock was a moment."
It was a very good film.
Woody Harrelson and the helicopter
More breaking news..
Dig this:
Woody Harrelson's big day: Letterman, then helicopter ride to Woodstock Film Festival tonight; check out our blog
October 1, 2009
Actor Woody Harrelson will be at the Woodstock Film Festival tonight, in conjunction with the screening of "The Messenger," in which he appears.
Harrelson is set to appear on "Late Show with David Letterman," which is shown on CBS at 11:35 but tapes its broadcasts in the late afternoon at the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway in Manhattan. Once he concludes that obligation, Harrelson will board a helicopter and travel to an undisclosed location in the Hudson Valley, where he will land and travel by ground to the Woodstock Film Festival.
Harrelson will participate in a question-and-answer session following the 6:30 p.m. screening of "The Messenger at the Tinker Street Cinema in Woodstock. Harrelson will also introduce the 9:30 p.m. screening of "The Messenger," also at the Tinker Street Cinema. Both showings are sold out.
Actor Ben Foster, who also appears in "The Messenger," will also be at the screenings.
Harrelson will also be at the film fest's party at New World Home Cooking. The party is a ticketed event.
Earlier Wednesday, the Journal reported that actress Uma Thurman will moderate a panel on women in film on Saturday morning.
Can you think of anything cooler than riding in a helicopter with Woody Harrelson?
It would be even better if he was teh pilot. Can't you just imagine him, yelling 'WOO-HOO' and flying under the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, maybe doing a few loop-de-loops over Poughkeepsie City Hall, then buzzing the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome befoer heading to that super-secret undisclosed location in the Hudson Valley. Yeah. Now that's what I call an entrance to a film festival.
By the by, I'll be tracking Woody's every movement, once he lands of course.
Dig this:
Woody Harrelson's big day: Letterman, then helicopter ride to Woodstock Film Festival tonight; check out our blog
October 1, 2009
Actor Woody Harrelson will be at the Woodstock Film Festival tonight, in conjunction with the screening of "The Messenger," in which he appears.
Harrelson is set to appear on "Late Show with David Letterman," which is shown on CBS at 11:35 but tapes its broadcasts in the late afternoon at the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway in Manhattan. Once he concludes that obligation, Harrelson will board a helicopter and travel to an undisclosed location in the Hudson Valley, where he will land and travel by ground to the Woodstock Film Festival.
Harrelson will participate in a question-and-answer session following the 6:30 p.m. screening of "The Messenger at the Tinker Street Cinema in Woodstock. Harrelson will also introduce the 9:30 p.m. screening of "The Messenger," also at the Tinker Street Cinema. Both showings are sold out.
Actor Ben Foster, who also appears in "The Messenger," will also be at the screenings.
Harrelson will also be at the film fest's party at New World Home Cooking. The party is a ticketed event.
Earlier Wednesday, the Journal reported that actress Uma Thurman will moderate a panel on women in film on Saturday morning.
Can you think of anything cooler than riding in a helicopter with Woody Harrelson?
It would be even better if he was teh pilot. Can't you just imagine him, yelling 'WOO-HOO' and flying under the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, maybe doing a few loop-de-loops over Poughkeepsie City Hall, then buzzing the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome befoer heading to that super-secret undisclosed location in the Hudson Valley. Yeah. Now that's what I call an entrance to a film festival.
By the by, I'll be tracking Woody's every movement, once he lands of course.
Last night in downtown Woodstock
So I had some time to kill before attending the whole Bearsville Theater gig for "Woodstock: Now and Then." I wandered around downtown Woodstock and took some pictures. If you've never been to Woodstock, then let me say, that the village center of this historic town is really a big part of this festival. It just gives the whole shebang a sense of place, a sense of context, and a stage on which to unfold.
Day two begins
It was raining. Now the sun is coming out. I am back at the Colony Cafe and have it all set up.....Laptop, camera, card reader, iphone, second cell phone and digital voice recorder...and some water. Wish me luck. More in a few minutes.
Who is Ike Phillips and WHY is he following me around Woodstock?
Just kidding, Ike. Ya know I love ya!!!
Seriously, I was entering the Bearsville Theater last night for the kickoff event for the Woodstock Film Festival and who do I almost bump into in the pitch dark, but Ike Phillips, who is a big-time executive over there at WDST, the Woodstock FM station, which can be found at 100.1 FM on your dial. Ike was on his cell phone, and was courteous enough to leave the theater before speaking, UNLIKE SOME OTHER PEOPLE AT THE COLONY CAFE EARLIER IN THE DAY WEDNESDAY!!!!!
But anyway, I hear my name shouted out in the darkness, realized it was Ike, and snapped this picture. Ike has lived in Woodstock forever and attended the festival in 1969, having arrived by helicopter. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you, Ike.
Seriously, I was entering the Bearsville Theater last night for the kickoff event for the Woodstock Film Festival and who do I almost bump into in the pitch dark, but Ike Phillips, who is a big-time executive over there at WDST, the Woodstock FM station, which can be found at 100.1 FM on your dial. Ike was on his cell phone, and was courteous enough to leave the theater before speaking, UNLIKE SOME OTHER PEOPLE AT THE COLONY CAFE EARLIER IN THE DAY WEDNESDAY!!!!!
But anyway, I hear my name shouted out in the darkness, realized it was Ike, and snapped this picture. Ike has lived in Woodstock forever and attended the festival in 1969, having arrived by helicopter. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you, Ike.
More Woodstock. That Woodstock.
The 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair was celebrated in August. The 10th anniversary of the Woodstock Film Festival is being celebrated this weekend. The two collided last night at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock. There was a big WFF party at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock Wednesday night, after the screening of the opening night film, "Woodstock: Now & Then," which was executive produced by Woodstock promoter and Town of Woodstock resident Michael Lang, and directed by Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple.
Now is that a cake, or is that a cake? But it looks like our good pastry chef needs a spell check.
With the beard and the hat is Duke Devlin, who came for Woodstock in 1969 and still lives in Bethel today; Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director Meira Blaustein, with hands crossed; Woodstock concert promoter Michael Lang next to her, and Academy Award-winning director Barbara Kopple next to Lang.
A q and a followed the screening. Michael Lang, Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director Meira Blaustein and Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple during the q and a after "Woodstock: Now & Then":
Check out this guy's vest. An image of the crowd at Woodstock has been placed on the fabric. Cool, dude:
Gilles Malkine, who performed at Woodstock 1969 with Tim Hardin:
The Bearsville Theater lobby:
David Becker is a filmmaker and worked on "Woodstock: Now and Then," as well as "Saint Misbehavin' about Wavy Gravy, the man who helped Woodstock avoid a catastrophe by feeding hundreds of thousands. More on that later.
Elliott Landy, with the microphone, spoke during the q and a. Now, if you don't know who Elliott is, he shot the Woodstock festival in 1969 and has chronicled the amazing musical history that lies at the heart of the Town of Woodstock. Elliott shot The Band, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, Hendrix AND that very famous album cover for Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline." Elliott lives in Woodstock and said a few words at the q and a after "Woodstock: Now and Then."
Now is that a cake, or is that a cake? But it looks like our good pastry chef needs a spell check.
With the beard and the hat is Duke Devlin, who came for Woodstock in 1969 and still lives in Bethel today; Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director Meira Blaustein, with hands crossed; Woodstock concert promoter Michael Lang next to her, and Academy Award-winning director Barbara Kopple next to Lang.
A q and a followed the screening. Michael Lang, Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director Meira Blaustein and Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple during the q and a after "Woodstock: Now & Then":
Check out this guy's vest. An image of the crowd at Woodstock has been placed on the fabric. Cool, dude:
Gilles Malkine, who performed at Woodstock 1969 with Tim Hardin:
The Bearsville Theater lobby:
David Becker is a filmmaker and worked on "Woodstock: Now and Then," as well as "Saint Misbehavin' about Wavy Gravy, the man who helped Woodstock avoid a catastrophe by feeding hundreds of thousands. More on that later.
Elliott Landy, with the microphone, spoke during the q and a. Now, if you don't know who Elliott is, he shot the Woodstock festival in 1969 and has chronicled the amazing musical history that lies at the heart of the Town of Woodstock. Elliott shot The Band, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, Hendrix AND that very famous album cover for Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline." Elliott lives in Woodstock and said a few words at the q and a after "Woodstock: Now and Then."
First Uma. Now Woody. More breaking news.
Actor Woody Harrelson will be at the Woodstock Film Festival tonight, participating in a q and a at the Tinker Street Cinema after the screening of "The Messenger," in which he stars. Then Woody will head over to New World Home Cooking, down Route 212, to chill at the fest's big party. Woody is a past WFF Maverick winner. I learned this news last night at the WFF party after the screening of "Woodstock: Now and Then" at the Bearsville Theater. From Woody on "Cheers" to that sicko in "Natural Born Killers," how can you not love this guy?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Woodstock. Not that Woodstock. The other Woodstock.
Woodstock concert promoter Michael Lang, the guy who brought us THAT Woodstock, will be on hand tonight for a screening of "Woodstock: Now and Then," a film for which he served as executive producer. Oscar winner Barbara Kopple directed the movie, and she and Lang will be on hand for a q and a after the film. The traditional opening night party follows, and it all happens at the Bearsville Theater.
I'll be on hand for it all. So check back late tonight, or, maybe it will be early tomorrow, for pictures, reviews, recaps and hopefully some video.
I'll be on hand for it all. So check back late tonight, or, maybe it will be early tomorrow, for pictures, reviews, recaps and hopefully some video.
Ricky
I usually have each day at the WFF planned out...what films I'm seeing, where they are, the times, etc. This year, life has been so crazy that I have very little planned. But things are taking shape. I think I will check out this film, "Ricky," tomorrow. Here is the deal...
Love is “in the air” in this charming French fable of working class lovers whose passion produces an extraordinary child. Sparks fly when single mother Katie and Spanish co-worker Paco meet in the sterile factory where they both work. Soon they are living together as Lisa, Katie’s seven-year-old daughter, struggles to find her place in this new family. Lisa’s feeling of abandonment escalates with the birth of Ricky, a child quickly changing in the most amazing ways. Accused of harming the baby and tiring of fatherhood, Paco leaves, only to return when Ricky’s “abnormalities” create a media frenzy.
But “love has wings,” and loss has the power to unite. Director Francois Ozon blends mystery with magic, humor and irony, while maintaining the reality of the story. Finely crafted performances make “Ricky” less a fantasy than exploration of the complexities of love and family, and what it means to be “different.” (Barbara Pokras, A.C.E.)
BIO:
Francois Ozon was born in 1967 in Paris. He received his master's degree in Cinema after attending the director's section of the famed French film school La FEMIS, in 1990. Since then, he has made many movies using super-8, video, 16mm and 35mm. Many of his short movies have been in competition in various international festivals. "Truth or Dare" (Action Verite) marked the beginning of his collaboration with Fidelite Productions.
"A Summer Dress" (Une Robe d'ete) received the Golden Leopard award at the Locarno International Film Festival. "Sitcom," his first feature, was invited as an official selection in competition at the International Critic Week during the 1998 Cannes Festival.
MAIN CREDITS:
Cast/Featuring: Alexandra Lamy, Sergi Lopez, MŸlusine Mayance, Arthur Peyret
Producer(s): Chris Bolli, Claudie Ossard, Vieri Razzini
Director(s): Francois Ozon
Screenwriter(s): Francois Ozon
Cinematographer(s): Jeanne Lapoirie
Composer(s)/Music: Philippe Rombi
COURTESY OF
IFC Films
Love is “in the air” in this charming French fable of working class lovers whose passion produces an extraordinary child. Sparks fly when single mother Katie and Spanish co-worker Paco meet in the sterile factory where they both work. Soon they are living together as Lisa, Katie’s seven-year-old daughter, struggles to find her place in this new family. Lisa’s feeling of abandonment escalates with the birth of Ricky, a child quickly changing in the most amazing ways. Accused of harming the baby and tiring of fatherhood, Paco leaves, only to return when Ricky’s “abnormalities” create a media frenzy.
But “love has wings,” and loss has the power to unite. Director Francois Ozon blends mystery with magic, humor and irony, while maintaining the reality of the story. Finely crafted performances make “Ricky” less a fantasy than exploration of the complexities of love and family, and what it means to be “different.” (Barbara Pokras, A.C.E.)
BIO:
Francois Ozon was born in 1967 in Paris. He received his master's degree in Cinema after attending the director's section of the famed French film school La FEMIS, in 1990. Since then, he has made many movies using super-8, video, 16mm and 35mm. Many of his short movies have been in competition in various international festivals. "Truth or Dare" (Action Verite) marked the beginning of his collaboration with Fidelite Productions.
"A Summer Dress" (Une Robe d'ete) received the Golden Leopard award at the Locarno International Film Festival. "Sitcom," his first feature, was invited as an official selection in competition at the International Critic Week during the 1998 Cannes Festival.
MAIN CREDITS:
Cast/Featuring: Alexandra Lamy, Sergi Lopez, MŸlusine Mayance, Arthur Peyret
Producer(s): Chris Bolli, Claudie Ossard, Vieri Razzini
Director(s): Francois Ozon
Screenwriter(s): Francois Ozon
Cinematographer(s): Jeanne Lapoirie
Composer(s)/Music: Philippe Rombi
COURTESY OF
IFC Films
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