Reel Inspiration review: Séraphine

In 1905, Séraphine de Senlis, (Yolande Moreau) a dowdy, devout forty-one year housekeeper was told by her guardian angel to start painting. For Séraphine painting was a sacred calling. She took inspiration from nature where she felt the breath of God in the wind and heard him whisper in the trees. She sang hymns of praise to the Holy Virgin as she painted startlingly colorful leaves. While working as his housekeeper, Séraphine was discovered by Wilhelm Uhde (Ulrich Turkur) the German art critic who collected Picasso and championed the naive primitive painter Le Douanier Rousseau. Wilhem became her patron and grouped her works with other naive painters that were dubbed, "The Sacred Heart Painters."

This beautiful film is set in Senlis, Italy (just outside of Paris.) I found it compelling and inspiring to watch Séraphine gather ingredients for paint from nature, food, housekeeping supplies, and even turpentine from the votive candles at the Catholic cathedral. During the day, she toiled away scrubbing floors and washing sheets in order to support her art. At night she came alive during her sacred ritual of painting.

As an artist and writer, I feel that my creativity is a gift from God. It was inspiring to watch how her spiritual connection to nature and art fed her soul. So it was disturbing to me when the voices in her head grew louder and made irrational demands as Séraphine descended into madness.

The film brings up questions about the fine line between artistic genius and madness. Was it a gift from God or just an hallucination? When Séraphine shows her painting of leaves that seem to move on the canvas, the Mother Superior inquires, "Are you sure they are from God?" In her later paintings the boldly colored leaves resemble flickering flames much like the burning bush that spoke to Moses. Perhaps she came too close to seeing the face of God. I may be reading too much into the symbolism here. Though there are times when the symbolism in a film surpasses the filmmaker's intentions.

In the film, the idea of fame and fortune encroach on Séraphine's thoughts and creative inspiration. Perhaps it blocked her divine connection. After she found her patron, she had more time to paint. But she spent less time in nature and singing hymns. Perhaps it was her separation from God that made her crazy. Again I'm reaching. But that's what makes film so powerful - it's ability inspire us to think.

Séraphine was the winner of 7 Cesar Awards (French Oscars) including Best Picture and Best Actress (for Yolande Moreau.) Check out this evocative film for yourself and come up with your own interpretation. I would love to hear it.

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

VISIT THE OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE:
http://www.seraphinemovie.com/

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR:
http://www.altfg.com/blog/interviews/seraphine-martin-provost-interview/

Reel Inspiration review: Departures

DEPARTURES is the winner of 10 Japan Academy Prize Awards and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in a very competitive year.

In Departures, Diago's fate seems set as he spends all his family's money on a professional cello after he gets a job in the only orchestra in Tokyo. But at the end of his first performance, the orchestra is shut down. When Diago is forced to sell his cello, he is totally lost.

He and his wife move back into his childhood home while he gains his bearings and a some kind of employment. As fate would have it, Diago gets the first job he applies for - "helping with departures." Diago thinks he is going to work at a travel agency. The job turns out to be preparing the recently departed for the coffin with the traditional Japanese cleansing rituals of Nokanshi.

There are some humorous moments (reminiscent of Sunshine Cleaning) as Diago learns to handle dead bodies and hides his new occupation from his wife and neighbors. But the money is good and his boss has become a sort of father figure for him. Living in his childhood home has brought back painful memories of his own father forcing him to practice his cello and then leaving him without a goodbye.

Diago undergoes a symbolic (and funny) death when he must play dead as his boss performs a demo of the cleansing ritual on him. But after facing death, he is reborn. He gains a sense of purpose when he sees how the cleaning rituals help the family of the deceased cope with their grief and gain closure. His senses are awakened to the world around him. And for the first time he is really alive. He plays his cello for the sheer joy of it.

Unfortunately, the journey on our true path never runs smoothly. The neighbors shun him because he is "making money off the dead." When he wife discovers what he does, she calls him "unclean" and gives him an ultimatum - the marriage or his job.

A great movie has the power to help us make sense of the trials we go through in life. In Departures, the cleansing rituals help the families make sense of a loved one's death and honor their life. We learn that death is a part of life's journey, but the journey is living.


Movie blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE:
http://www.departures-themovie.com/index.html

Reel Inspiration Review: (500) Days of Summer

By Guest Reviewer Josh Valentine

Tired of the same old love story? That clichéd boy meets girl, they hate each other then learn to love each other, garbage that, while sometimes can be saved by smart filmmakers (Nora Ephron is one of the genre’s saving graces), is just too often filled with “we’ve seen it a million times” junk? Filmmakers like John Hughes, Mike Nichols, Jean-Luc Godard, Woody Allen and most recently Michel Gondry are the few who took the romantic film and created the anti-love story. Instead of overly romanticizing, they showed love for what it really is – painful, happy and everything in between and most importantly were able to present love as something real and not in that perfect little box that we wish it could be.

The debut independent feature by music video director Marc Webb, “(500) Days of Summer,” is both an homage to these great directors, but also a refreshing new film that presents, as its narrator explains, “a story of boy meets girl … not a love story.” An honest film, with an incredible script – this is one of the best films of the year.

“(500) Days of Summer” tells the story of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a twentysomething who works for a greeting card company, is obsessed with the music of The Smiths and is hopelessly in love with romantic love. Over the course of, well 500 days, Tom falls for his adorable coworker Summer (Zooey Deschanel), a nihilist pixie with a love for Ringo Starr and a knack for origami. As their romance begins to bloom (over a connection to a Smiths song), the infatuated yet terribly naïve Tom must give in to Summer’s attitude toward love (she doesn’t believe in it) and, of course as their relationship ends – it takes an incredible toll on Tom and not on Summer.

The story sounds somewhat played, but through the pens of scribes Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber and through Webb’s lens, Tom and Summer’s story is removed from cliché. The film is very much a modern take on Allen’s “Annie Hall,” in that it doesn’t present love as something tangible and that it shows how the screenplay doesn’t have to be concrete. Like “Annie Hall,” “(500) Days of Summer” is a story about love, yet since the plot is non-linear – we are able to see how the relationship works or worked and what caused the inevitable decline.

Instead of using worn-out flashbacks, the film uses repeated shots – such as a shopping trip to a record shop where Tom tries to show Summer a Ringo record for both his and her approval. As the film progresses, we see the shot repeated and extended to see the reaction shots of both Tom and Summer. It shows the pains of wanting the one you love to share something, and how you know sometimes that it just won’t connect.

It’s not only the honesty of the film or its refreshing storytelling style that makes it so strong – it also features strong performances by its leading up-and-coming stars. Deschanel is already a fairly big star, having proven her range in comedies like “Elf” and the underrated “Eulogy.” She’s perfectly cast, not just for her looks but proves a talent she’s never offered before. Deschanel is quickly becoming America’s new sweetheart. She uses microgestures, small yet endearing smiles that invoke the same lump in one’s throat as would some of Chaplin’s greatest women. If this doesn’t make Deschanel A-list, then there’s something seriously wrong with American audiences.

Gordon-Levitt is superb in the role as Tom. Like Nichols’ Dustin Hoffman in “The Graduate,” Gordon-Levitt is not your average leading man – he’s skinny, has tousled hair and doesn’t have traditionally good looks … but it all works. Tom is something of a classic loser, a late bloomer who seems to always fall for the wrong girl. When he finds happiness, however, the audience can’t help but root for him. It’s exciting to see the kid from “Angels in the Outfield” has grown up to achieve something more than expected.

Following the recent, unexpected death of John Hughes, the film is quite similar to his style in its presentation of love in it’s sometimes more painful ways. In one scene, Tom tries to get Summer’s attention by playing The Smiths’ “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” to no avail. The scene is very Hughes-ian, using both a song used in Hughes’ “Pretty in Pink,” and in its depiction of the Tom’s painful search for attention.

Luckily, these homages and references never steer toward the realm of knock-off, but show how a filmmaker can be influenced by another or others, and create their own visual representation of the anti-love story. The script is possibly one of the strongest and most inspiring written in the past few years as it is both commercial and independent at the same time.

A very exciting film, “(500) Days of Summer” seems as though it could pull off the impossible. It features an intellectual script, fantastical animated sequences and an honest depiction of the struggle between love vs. the relationship. “(500) Days of Summer” is basically a Woody Allen film for those who hate Woody Allen. A standout film, possibly the best of the summer, you’ll be wishing you could fall in love with “Summer” over and over again.

Grade: A


For trailer, go to: www.foxsearchlight.com/500daysofsummer/

For more reviews from Josh, visit: www.indiebum.com

REEL INSPIRATION REVIEW: Tulpan

Business has been bustling lately at the Loft Cinema (http://www.loftcinema.com/)with so many great movies to see such as Food Inc., Moon, Unmistaken Child, and The Lemon Tree. I recommend all of these movies highly. I'm sorry I have been too busy organizing a directing workshop to write them up.

Tulpan was just so special that I was inspired to write the following review. (See below.) Enjoy!


TULPAN

Long shot of the desolate, dusty Kazakhstan terrain with a scraggly herd of sheep, two donkeys, a honking camel, and a round sheep skin yurt.

Snug in the yurt is a family. A lovely young mother enjoys her three playful children. The kids get on their tired father's nerves. Uncle Asa (Askhat Kuchinchirekov) has just arrived home after a stint in the navy.

It feels like the filmmaker just happened onto this little nomad family and captured a glimpse of their lives on film. There is a naturalism and ease you won't find in documentaries. The conflict is subtle - like the tension when the baby climbs out of a trap door near a herd of scampering sheep. The father demands that the mother not spoil the child by calling him back inside. The father (Ondasyn Besikbasov) is intent on toughening up his young ones to be herdsmen.

But the mother (Samal Yeslyamova) is intent on keeping her loved ones close and safe. She cherishes her family as her source of happiness in this isolated, harsh land.

At first their lives seem bleak by modern standards. Their only connection with the outside world is the scratchy news broadcast on the older boy's portable radio and occasional visits from Asa's friend to deliver water. Even this little bit of civilization seems to encroach on their way of life. The portable radio distracts the boy from his chores and the irrelevant news reports compete with traditional folk songs his sister sings for entertainment. The water carrier with his truck decorated in nudie pictures, beckons Asa to leave the family cocoon to find a wife or a job in the city.

But Asa longs for a family of his own and a herd - of camels. This guy has big dreams. Unfortunately the only eligible girl in the regain, Tulpan, isn't interested in marrying Asa because he has big ears. And Asa has yet to gain his brother-in-laws respect as a herdsman.

Tulpan is full of cinematic miracles. Cinematographer Jola Dylewska uses long shots to catch actual acts of nature (often in a single take) such as the dust devil that threatens the herd. This is all integrated beautifully into the story. Director Sergy Dvortsevoy shepherds a herd of scruffy animals, non-actors and young children into unbelievably real performances with quirky humor and touching moments in this meaningful story.

Movie blessings,
Jana Segal

VISIT THE OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE:
http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/tulpan/

Filmmakers Mixer held in conjunction with Mark Travis workshop.

IFASA's Filmmakers Mixer will be held in conjunction with the Mark Travis "Staging the Scene" Workshop on Saturday, August 15 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Vila Thai Cuisine, 972 E. University Blvd. in Tucson, AZ. Meet Mark (www.markwtravis.com) and directors who are attending the workshop, including several from Phoenix, so you can extend your network. Anyone who works in film, television or theater is invited to come and meet others in their respective fields. Bring your headshots, resumes, business cards, and flyers. Buy your own food and drinks. There will be a raffle to benefit Reel Inspiration with prizes such as a pass to a IFP Phoenix workshop, the Mark Travis "Actors Bootcamp" as well as a script consultation with Pamela Jaye Smith (Beyond the Hero's Journey) and a lava lamp.

More Raffle info. below...

Reel Inspiration Review: My Sister's Keeper

In "My Sister's Keeper," Anna (Abigail Breslin) was conceived as a donor for her sister Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) who has cancer. By the age of eleven Anna has already gone through several painful medical procedures to save her sister. Now she must endure another surgery in order to give her dying sister her kidney. Anna shocks her parents by hiring a lawyer (Alex Baldwin) to get medical emancipation so she can make her own decisions about her body and live her own life.

"My Sister's Keeper" succeeds as a tear jerker. Despite some script problems including undeveloped characters, contrived plot elements, and a stereotypical terminally wise child, it moved me to tears. It could be because of what I brought to the film as an audience member. I related to the marriage straining under the responsibilities of parenthood. The mother (Cameron Diaz) had given up everything, including her relationship with her husband (Jason Patric), to take care of her sick child. In her single minded pursuit to keep her daughter alive, she has forgotten the importance of living. Though this storyline paid off with an emotionally stirring scene, it would have been more powerful if their marital problems had been set up earlier and we actually saw the father being pushed out of the picture.

In an interesting structural device, each character narrates their point of veiw on how having a family member with cancer affects their lives. You would think that this would give ample opportunity for each characters' storyline to be developed. Unfortunately, some storylines have gaping holes in them.

The male family members are nearly non-existent through much of the film. You could argue that it was the director's (Nick Cassavetes, The Notebook) intent since everything evolves around the sick child's needs while everyone else is neglected. For instance, there are some vague references to the brother (Evan Ellingson) needing help because he is dyslexic, but that story thread is abruptly dropped. In one scene he wanders into a bad section of the city and watches street walkers. Nothing happens. No one even notices that he's gone. Perhaps that's the point. But it may have had more impact if he had gotten into trouble.

Their many sacrifices have weighed on the family, but I believe the spirit of giving has a positive impact on the children. They have grown so much closer from taking care of each other. The film touches on the theme that giving to others is it's own reward and a worthwhile way to live.

If you could use a good cry or a reminder of how good life can be, watch "My Sister's Keeper". How you spend your entertainment dollars tells Hollywood what kind of movies you want. Want more family dramas? Then go see "My Sister's Keeper" while it is still in the first run theaters.

Movie Blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

For the movie trailer, visit: www.mysisterskeepermovie.com

MARK TRAVIS “STAGING THE SCENE” WORKSHOP

August 14-16, 2009, Fri 6-9 p.m. Sat/Sun 9a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pre-register now to save your place. (Sign in 5:30 Fri.)
Tucson Marriott University Park, 880 E. Second Street, Tucson, AZ

Cost for Observing Directors/Actors: $100.)($10 off for pre-registered Pan Left, APA, PIFMG, ZONIE, IFASA, NALIP, and IFP members).

Cost for Participating Actors: $50 (chosen by Participating Directors for scene work, pre-workshop prep required including scene memorization and rehearsal with Director, apply by e-mailing headshot/resume.)

STAGING:
*individual body language; how characters move in relationship to each other and the space.
*a powerful tool used to trigger emotional responses within the actor and the audience.
*illuminates the subtext or unspoken desires, needs, fears and fantasies of the characters.
*can stimulate the character in a desirable direction or make it harder to perform the scene.

IN THIS WORKSHOP:
*students learn tricks of the trade Mark has developed from decades of experience in television, film and theatre.
*staging techniques that support the dynamics of the scene such as the characters’ objectives, character arcs, conflict, adjustments, and shifts in relationships are demonstrated as participating directors stage two actor scenes in front of the class as Mark coaches.

What Mark’s students are saying:

“Mark has an in depth understanding of how an actor works and what an actor needs to give their best performance. His techniques are simple yet profound. Directors and actors alike were astounded by the results.” Eric Schumacher, Actor.

“What an amazing learning experience. I feel like we only scratched the surface. I'm very anxious to incorporate his technique into my rehearsal process.” Alan Williams, Director

Mark wrote the Best Seller, THE DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY: the Creative Collaboration between Directors, Writers and Actors; as well as DIRECTING FEATURE FILMS. He shared his techniques at The Directors Guild, The Actors Studio, American Film Institute, Pixar Animations Studios, and UCLA Extension. Mark is creative consultant to film directors Mark Rydell, George Tillman, Chazz Palminteri, Cyrus Nowrosteh, among others. Television directing credits include: The Facts of Life, Family Ties, and Capitol. Graduate training in Theatre Directing at the Yale School of Drama. www.markwtravis.com

Registration info at: reelinspiration@hotmail.com or www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

Reel Inspiration Review: Sugar

I'll admit up front that I don't like sports. But I love a good sports movie. I think it's because sports movies are really chick films for guys. Brian's Song is a tear jerker where the main character dies. In most good sports films we root for the team to win. My favorites are character driven with universal themes like personal redemption ("Hoosiers"), coping with a shattered dream and failure ("Bull Durham"), or coming of age ("Breaking Away"). Sports films can tackle important issues like racism ("Remember the Titans.") They can lift your spirit like "Field of Dreams." I think people love sports films (and perhaps sports) because we are inspired by the triumph of the human spirit.

So I was thrilled to do a Reel Inspiration review of the quality indie sports flick, "Sugar." The film begins with a new twist on an old genre. We are introduced to the world of baseball training camps in the Dominican Republic and Sugar - a minor league hopeful with a killer fast ball. The ball players in the program are drilled in basic, or should I say, baseball English. ("Fly ball!" "I got it!" "Home run!") Back in their home town, these players are treated like local celebrities. The families' hopes and dreams for a better life depend on them being chosen to play in the minor leagues in American.

"Sugar" isn't your typical sports flick. The filmmakers (Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck who directed the acclaimed "Half Nelson") take time and care to set up their close knit community in the world they are leaving behind. We root for Sugar to get into the minor leagues so he can help his family financially. But once in America, he has problems acclimating because he doesn't speak the language well. Sugar complains to his girlfriend back home that the food is too sweet (because the only menu item he knows how to pronounce is french toast.) He is recruited to a minor league team in Iowa where there is only one other player who can speak his language. Then Sugar's one friend is fired for not performing well after an injury. Actor Algenis Perez plays Sugar as bitter-sweet as he silently expresses his increasing isolation and loneliness. He must examine his dream of being a professional baseball player in America. This is where the film becomes about the immigrant experience and discovering what is important in life. There is no big play off game where we root for the team to win. Just life.

"Sugar" wins it's place with the great sports films that inspire us through the triumph of the human spirit and by giving us a greater understanding of the immigrant experience in America.

For the trailer, visit: http://www.sonyclassics.com/sugar/

Movie blessings!
Jana
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

Mark Travis Directing Actors Workshop Follow-up.

Reel Inspiration, with ArtFare and the Tucson Film Office, is proud to have brought world renowned directing instructor Mark Travis to Tucson for the successful master class, “Directing Actors” on March 21-22, 2009.

Mark wrote the Best Seller, THE DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY: the Creative Collaboration between Directors, Writers and Actors; and DIRECTING FEATURE FILMS.

The workshop was attended by 60 people from around Arizona. The first day Mark demonstrated the Travis Technique with four actors. The next day eight directors received hands-on training while rehearsing two actor scenes. Attendees were blown away by the transformation in the actors' performances after being directed using the Travis technique.

There was such an outpouring of gratitude from attendees encouraging me to bring Mark back for another workshop. Here are just a few of the comments...

"Mark has an in depth understanding of how an actor works and what an actor needs to give their best performance. His techniques are simple yet profound. Directors and actors alike were astounded by the results." Eric Schumacher, Actor.

"It was so exhilarating to see (and experience) the magic created in a scene using Mark's techniques. I'm so glad you brought it to Tucson where it will no doubt benefit 'the industry'. Looking forward to more workshops with Mark in the future." Chris Farishon, Actor

"What an amazing learning experience. I feel like we only scratched the surface. I'm very anxious to incorporate his technique into my rehearsal process." Alan Williams, Director

"Techniques that Mark shared with us opened up exciting new avenues in how to work with actors on a deeper level." Annina Lavee, U of A Media Arts Instructor, Director.

"I learned more in two days than in all the previous acting training I have undergone." Brian Mulligan, President IFASA

Due to the positive response, Reel Inspiration will be bringing Mark back for a "Staging the Scene" workshop August 14-16, 2009.

Jana Segal
Reel Inspiration

For workshop and registration information, contact: reelinspiration@hotmail.com

Reel Inspiration Review: Sunshine Cleaning

Sorry that I have gotten behind on my reviews for Reel Inspiration. With organizing Reel Inspiration's successful directing workshop and critiquing a powerful script from one of the directors, I just haven't had the time. Now the Arizona International Film Fest is here... But I'm delighted to introduce a new reviewer, Robin Farmer, who is helping out with a long awaited review of "Sunshine Cleaning." I think you will enjoy her succinct style and her positive take on the theme.

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

SUNSHINE CLEANING REVIEW
by guest reviewer Robin Farmer.

“Sunshine Cleaning,” is a sweet story about the glories and grimness of personal shortcomings and family dysfunction. We all fail, but it’s our attitude that will determine if we repeat the experience or grow from it.

Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) and her sister, Norah, (Emily Blunt) are underachieving sisters who hope a new business cleaning up crime scenes will help them find their place in the world. Cleaning up murder scenes is a messy job but doing so provides the sisters an anchor in otherwise unstable lives.

Rose, a former high school cheerleader with self-esteem woes, works as a maid while caring for her son, the likely product of a dead-end relationship with her married high school love, Mac, (Steve Zahn). Norah, a stoner, still lives with her grumpy dad, Joe, (Alan Arkin) a get-rich schemer with responsibility issues of his own.

Mac, a police detective, gives Rose the idea to make more money by forming her biohazard business. She needs the cash to send her smart and troubled son to a private school. An inconsistent optimist, she calls her business “Sunshine Cleaning” because it restores order to places wrecked by the stench and stains of death.

One of the most memorable scenes has Adams explaining, and suddenly realizing, the power of what she does at a baby shower with former, clueless high school friends who live in gated communities.

Wonderfully acted by a strong ensemble cast, the story unfolds to reveal the reason for the tension and low-bar behavior between the siblings and their father in a way that feels organic.

From the producers of “Little Miss Sunshine,” the film, a hit at Sundance, has the same quirky comedic tone just not in mega doses. The script, from first-time screenwriter Meg Holley, aptly examines family dynamics in a fresh, compelling manner full of emotional truth.

In learning how to clean up the dirty deaths of strangers, the sisters transform their troubled relationship and jumpstart a business that fuels a better life for the entire family.

From the acting, directing, writing and editing, this indie film delivers.

Arizona International Film Festival screens work of Reel Inspiration Contest Winner Bill Kersey

The Arizona International Film Festival has opened with a bang and will screen films for ten days. This year's fest is especially exciting because it celebrates the 15th Anniversary of PanLeft (Tucson's activist filmmaking group), there are also some great shorts in Cine Espanol and from all around the world.

What especially excites me is the tremendous number of youth films presented this year! There will be a free screening of some of the youth films at 11 today at the Screening Room, Downtown.

In addition, there are two films edited and/or produced by three time Reel Inspiration Film Contest winner Bill Kersey. (Some of you saw him at the Unity or Reel Vision Conference screening a few years back.) I've included the descriptions of the films Bill worked on (Rita of the Sky, Thicker than Water) because they are so inspiring and compelling.

But there are so many other great films this year! Between the Water and the Wood (about the U of A swim team), Weaving Worlds, The Gift of Mother Earth, Summer Trip, shorts and feature films from all over the world and what may be AIFF's best animation screening ever! There are also several free screenings. Please, check out the complete schedule at: http://www.filmfestivalarizona.com

Don't forget the popular Arizona filmmakers Screening Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Screening Room!

I will catch as many of these film as possible (probably 15 of them!) Hope to see you there supporting our independents.

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

Rita of the Sky
Kathryn Ferguson, USA, 2009, 72 min.
In a story that prowls the edges between cultures, a judge sends a mysterious woman to a Kansas mental hospital because, to officials, her language resembles the "guttural noises" of a mentally ill person.

After 10 years, they learn she is a Tarahumara Indian from the Copper Canyon in Mexico, who had been speaking her native language all along. She had walked 1500 miles from her canyon village to Kansas. Emerging from captivity, she can no longer speak at all because of the drugs given to her in the hospital.

Rita Carillo Quintero Mancinas is from Urique in the Barranca del Cobre in Chihuahua, Mexico. The film introduces Rita's Tarahumara family and friends, Mexicans involved in her repatriation, and Kansas law enforcement and lawyers.

Parallel to the story of Rita’s incarceration, the film documents her route from Mexico to Kansas. Filmmakers recreated Rita’s walk by following the route she would have walked for 1500 miles—filming in the canyon where Rita’s journey began, into the Chihuahuan mountains, into the Chihuahuan desert, and, finally, into Kansas. The resulting footage is experimental in style, using subjective camera and other effects.

To complete its three-element structure, the film also contains excerpts from a production of La Mujer Que Cayo del Cielo (The Woman Who Fell from the Sky) by Mexican playwright Victor Hugo Rascon Banda. The excerpts are performed by Borderlands Theater in Tucson, Arizona. After that production, the play was produced in theaters worldwide. In the play, Rita is played by Luisa Huertas, a famous Mexican actress best known in the United States for her role in the Academy Award-nominated Mexican movie El Crimen de Padro Amaro (The Crime of Father Amaro).

Producer: Kathryn Ferguson
Writer: Jimmy Santiago Baca, Kathryn Ferguson
Cinematographer: Rubin Ruiz, Tim O'Grady, David Valdez, Kathryn Ferguson
Editor/Sound Design: Bill Kersey

Thicker Than Water
Bradley Rappa, USA, 2009, 74 min.
World Premiere,US Premiere,Arizona Premiere
Tony is 11 years old. Hockey is his “absolutely, positively” favorite sport, and he is about to play his last game. Like his father and his father’s father, Tony has spent many of his best hours on the ice. Like his mother’s brother, Tony has severe hemophilia. That means that a bump or bruise could have catastrophic consequences for him.

The film is about hemophilia, a serious, but not unmanageable, illness; and it is about living with chronic disease. It is also about normality—being a normal child and being a parent raising normal children, one of whom has a chronic disease. Above all, the film is about loving life, doing what is possible, even if others are skeptical, and playing your last game as well as you can.

Bradley Rappa conveys a great deal of information about hemophilia and the changes in detection and treatment over the last 30 years. At the same time, and almost seamlessly, he explores the personal challenges faced by Tony and his family. Equally significant is Rappa’s willingness to share his perspective as a favorite uncle and loving brother and brother-in-law. Editor Bill Kersey has woven home movie footage, interviews, and lots of hockey action together for an engrossing mix.

The documentary is a gift, a gift first to Tony and his younger sister and brother, and then to the extended family. It is also a gift to viewers who enter the extended family circle as they watch.

Bradley Rappa received his M.F.A. in filmmaking from Syrcause University in 1995, and has directed nine films to date. He is also a professional cinematographer, with credits including four feature length documentaries, numerous shorts, and an extensive list of commercials, video documentaries, internet content, and music videos.

Producer: Bill Kersey, Nicole Koschmann and Bradley Rappa
Cinematographer: Bradley Rappa
Editor/Sound Design/Music Score: Bill Kersey

Web site: http://web.me.com/brappa/work_samples/Current_Project.html

Reel Inspiration Review: Wendy and Lucy

"Wendy and Lucy" is the antithesis of contrived Disney inspired dog flicks. Presented in stark realism, the film shows the strong bond between a girl and her dog. Michelle Williams, with her chopped off short hair and bandaged ankle, gives an understated and honest portrayal of a girl forced to survive on the fringes of society. Wendy's dog Lucy is her only family. Wendy relies on Lucy for a sense of security and companionship as she travels to a fish cannery job in Alaska and sleeps in her car at night. Wendy has budgeted barely enough money to get them there - baring no unforeseen emergencies. She is woken up early one morning by an elderly security guard (Wally Dalton) who insists that she move her car from her illegal parking space. When the car won't start, he helps her push it out onto the street. She is stranded in a town with no job opportunities and a hungry dog. Desperate, she shoplifts some dog food. This sets in motion a series of events that separate her from Lucy.

It is heart wrenching to watch Wendy's terror when she discovers her only friend is gone and her desperate search to find her. Her only help comes from the elderly security guard who watches powerlessly from his post as her car is towed away leaving her homeless and vulnerable. He lets her use his cell phone as a contact number in case someone calls about her dog. Director Kelly Reichardt takes her time building the tension and it is palatable. In this deceptively simple story, there are plenty of silences and time to reflect on how fragile our own security and stability are in our current economic situation. The security guard finally gives her what little money he can spare. Six dollars. Enough to have paid for some doggie biscuits.

It is touching to watch Wendy's devotion to her dog and the hard lesson she learns about the responsibility of having a pet. This is just the kind of small, intimate film that Reel Inspiration tries to help with our grassroots promotions. Please, consider seeing it on opening weekend or at least while it is in the first run theaters. If you are as moved as I was, please, forward this review onto your film loving friends.

Movie Blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiraton.blogspot.com

VISIT THE OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE
http://www.wendyandlucy.com/n_film.html

Mark Travis Directing Workshop: "Working with Actors in Rehearsal, Staging and Performance."

Reel Inspiration is hosting an intensive weekend workshop with master directing instructor Mark Travis.

The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 21-22 at Artfare, 55 N. 6h Ave. Downtown Tucson, AZ. (third floor) The cost to observe for pre-registered directors and actors is $70 (with a $10 discount for APA, IFP, IFASA and NALIP members.) Students with school ID, are $40. The cost at the door is $80 where only cash and money orders will be accepted. *Lunch is available at a modest price at Artfare's restaurant.

Space is limited so don't wait to register. To get the pre-registration price register before March 16. Interested actors and directors, contact Jana for registration information at 325-9175 or reelinspiration@hotmail.com.

The workshop is sponsored by Artfare, the Tucson Film Office, APA Tucson Mariott University Park, and Reel Inspiration.

Mark is the author of the Best Seller, THE DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY: the Creative Collaboration between Directors, Writers and Actors as well as DIRECTING FEATURE FILMS. Mark has shared his techniques at The Directors Guild, American Film Institute, Pixar Animations Studios, UCLA Extension, and workshops around the world. Mark is a creative consultant to film directors Mark Rydell, George Tillman, Cyrus Nowrasteh, among others.

Mark Travis did his undergraduate training at Antioch College and his graduate training in Theatre Directing at the Yale School of Drama. Mark’s television directing credits include: The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Capitol and the Emmy Award-winning PBS dramatic special, Blind Tom: The Thomas Bethune Story. In 1990, he completed his first film, Going Under, for Warner Bros., starring Bill Pullmanand Ned Beatty. In 2001 he wrote and directed The Baritones (parody of The Sopranos)as well as the short documentary, Earlet.

DIRECTING ACTORS SCHEDULE

Working with the Actor in Rehearsal, Staging and Performance.

DAY ONE:

Mark Travis will introduce the entire group (8-10 directors and 20-30 observers) to the unique process of working with actors that is called The Travis Technique. This is a powerful and experiential way of exploring and exposing the characters that exist within the actors.

Mark will detail how this process works and why it is so efficient and will demonstrate this Technique by working with 3 or 4 actors.

Areas covered:

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR, SCRIPT AND ACTOR
(9:00 - 10:30)
This is the Golden Triangle, the heart of every movie. It is the Director’s ability to understand Story and Script and how a script works that is so necessary prior to including Actors. Then the Director has to understand how Actors work, think and respond that is so essential to eventually eliciting powerful performances.

THE REHEARSAL PROCESS
(10:30 - 12:30)
The Director-Actor Relationship in rehearsal and performance. In this section of the seminar participants will learn how to work with Actors to create credible and powerful performances. This is the beginning of The Travis Technique. Participants will learn, in this Master Class approach, how to Rehearse with actors, how to stimulate the character and how to invigorate the relationships and bring each and every scene to life.

STAGING THE SCENE
(1:30 - 3:30)
Staging is one of the film director's most powerful tools. Used appropriately it can bring a scene to life illuminating the subtext and character relationships. Misused it can hamper the work of the actors. In this seminar Participants will witness the power of staging and see how you can actually stimulate specific emotions with the Actors (Characters) and in the audience. Participants will learn how to employ the techniques that Mark Travis had developed over many years of directing.


DIRECTING ACTORS
(3:30 - 5:30)
At the core of every film are characters in relationship and every writer and director must understand both the psychology of character and the techniques and tools of acting. In this phase of the seminar Mark Travis will take Participants through a wide range of approaches and techniques (all part of the Travis Technique) that are guaranteed to create the relationships, characters and performances desired.


DAY TWO:

On Day Two Eight (or Ten) Participating Directors will get an opportunity to work on their material with actors of their choosing under the guidance of Mark Travis. This is an opportunity for each director (and the actors) to explore and experiment with the Techniques they have learned in Day One. These rehearsals are an examination of the Process of each director. Each Director gets 40 minutes of Individual time (with the rest of the Participants and Observers watching the Process). The focus is not about the results but rather about the Communication with the Actors, the Effectiveness of Character development and the Efficiency of the Rehearsal Process.

Websites: www.travis-johntz.com
www.markwtravis.com

Reel Inspiration Celebrates Oscar Nominated Films!

Want some films to root for at the Oscars? Reel Inspiration supported some great Oscar nominated films with our reviews. I don't know about you, but I will be cheering them on tonight!

The nominated films that were reviewed by Reel Inspiration, are in BOLD. I have also indicated which films were honored by Reel Inspiration's MOST INSPIRING FILMS of 2008 list and our Reel Member and friends poll. You can also read my thoughts on who should win after some of the catagories.

*If you don't like my choices or even if you do, it's not too late to vote for YOUR favorite inspiring films on the RI poll in the right column under "about me."

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal

Also, check out Josh's Oscar preview at:
http://indiebum.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/oscar-preview-predictions/

BEST ACTOR

*Richard Jenkins - THE VISITOR
#5 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
*Frank Langella - FROST/NIXON
#3 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 200
*Sean Penn - MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film (so far)
*Brad Pitt - THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*Mickey Rourke - THE WRESTLER

My top choice for Best Actor is Sean Penn for Milk. He lived that character and was just so likeable. I would also be delighted if Frank Langella won. He created empathy for a very flawed character. I also loved Mickey Rourke's performance. I believe he actually IS the character. (I didn't choose to review it for RI because this movie was a bummer for me.)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

*Josh Brolin - MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film (so far)
*Robert Downey Jr. - TROPIC THUNDER
*Philip Seymour Hoffman - DOUBT
*Heath Ledger - THE DARK KNIGHT
*Michael Shannon - REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

I am not a good judge of this category since I never got a chance
to see Doubt. But Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of my favorite
actors. Josh Brolin's supporting role helped make Milk
the great movie it is.

BEST ACTRESS

*Anne Hathaway - RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
*Angelina Jolie - CHANGELING
*Melissa Leo - FROZEN RIVER
*Meryl Streep - DOUBT
*Kate Winslet - THE READER

I didn't see Doubt because I didn't want to see Meryl in such a severe role. Certainly, Melissa Leo and Kate Winslet (one of my favorite actresses) gave Oscar worthy performances. But I am so impressed by the extra layer that Anne Hathaway added to her troubled addict. The subtext was love.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Amy Adams - DOUBT
Penélope Cruz - VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Viola Davis - DOUBT
Taraji P. Henson - THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Marisa Tomei - THE WRESTLER

Unfortunately, I'm limited in my predictions here since I didn't see Doubt. But Penélope Cruz had the most passionate performance! I also just loved Marisa Tomei in the Wrestler. (Why didn't I review that again?)

BEST ANIMATED FILM

*BOLT
*KUNG FU PANDA
*WALL-E
#2 Reel Inspiration friends favorite inspiring film! (so far)

BEST ART DIRECTION

*CHANGELING
*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*THE DARK KNIGHT
*THE DUCHESS
*REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Didn't see the Duchess. But I would say anything doing with the look
of the film or special effects goes to Benjamin Button.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

*CHANGELING
*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*THE DARK KNIGHT
*THE READER
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film

COSTUME DESIGN

*AUSTRALIA
*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*THE DUCHESS
*MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film
*REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

DIRECTING

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*FROST/NIXON
#3 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
*MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film (so far)
*THE READER
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film

Danny Boyle performs a near miracle balancing the tragedy and wonder in the world of India's Slumdogs. But the lived-in performances in Milk and Frost/Nixon are inspiring.

FILM EDITING

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*THE DARK KNIGHT
*FROST/NIXON
#3 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
*MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration friends Favorite Inspiring Film (so far)

MAKEUP

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*THE DARK KNIGHT
(HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

MUSIC (SCORE)

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*DEFIANCE
*MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film (so far)
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film (so far)
*WALL-E
#2 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite inspiring Film (so far.)

MUSIC (SONG)

"Down to Earth" WALL-E
"Jai Ho" SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
"O Saya" SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST PICTURE

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*FROST/NIXON
#3 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
*MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film
*THE READER
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film

My heart belongs to Milk.

SOUND EDITING

*THE DARK KNIGHT
*IRON MAN
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film
*WALL-E
#2 Reel Inspiration friends favorite inspiring films (so far)
*WANTED

SOUND MIXING

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*THE DARK KNIGHT
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film
*WALL-E
#2 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film
*WANTED

VISUAL EFFECTS

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*THE DARK KNIGHT
*IRON MAN

I would say this is a no brainer - anything doing with the look
of the film or special effects goes to Benjamin Button.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

*THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
*DOUBT
*FROST/NIXON
#3 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
*THE READER
*SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
#7 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#1 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film

I didn't see Doubt, but Danny Boyle performs a near miracle
balancing the tragedy and wonder in the world of
India's Slumdogs. But the structure in Milk is inspired.
And both Milk and Frost/Nixon had me rooting for the heroes.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

*FROZEN RIVER
*HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
#10 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
*IN BRUGES
*MILK
#1 REEL INSPIRATION MOST INSPIRING FILMS 2008
#3 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film
*WALL-E
#2 Reel Inspiration Friends Favorite Inspiring Film

I didn't see In Bruges, But the structure in Milk is inspired
and the characters are flawed, yet sympathetic. You can just
feel Screenwriter Dustin Lance's love for the project.
Happy Go Lucky has some amazing scenes, but I found the writing
(improv) inconsistant. Of course,there is a reason RI friends
voted WALL-E #2. I believe both WALL-E and MILK have powerful
themes that are relevant to our times.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!

Reel Inspiration review: Rachel Getting Married

In Rachel Getting Married, troubled Kim (Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway) gets out of rehab to attend her older sister's (Rosemarie Dewitt) wedding. Kim looks on as an outsider during hectic preparations for the big day and feels like a psychopath under observation. We've seen the premise of a wedding being interrupted by the appearance from the black sheep of the family before. But somehow director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia), writer Jenny Lumet and a brilliant cast make it fresh and painfully real. This family has been deeply wounded by a terrible tragedy and is finally grasping at a bit of happiness. The wedding festivities celebrate love and life with an eclectic group of friends and cultural traditions.

Demme draws you into this family's world. I wasn't watching from the outside, I was experiencing the discomfort at the idyllic rehearsal dinner when Kim raises her seltzer glass to make amends to her sister. I'm not sure Kim consciously tries to upstage her sister's wedding. She wants to be included in the celebration. When she discovers that her sister has chosen someone else to be the maid of honor, she gets angry and pressures her into giving her the role. Kim is desperate to be a part of the family again and to reconnect with her big sister. But her demons keep popping up - pushing them away. A fellow addict explains that the hardest thing after being in rehab is returning to your family. Kim has some serious issues to resolve and needs her family's support at this difficult time.

Kim becomes the catalyst for some painful revelations. Intentional and unintentional wounds are inflicted. What makes this story so moving is that despite the conflict there is love between these sisters. Genuine moments of tenderness. Where there is love, there is the chance for forgiveness. Everything is not wrapped up in a neat wedding package. There are still issues to resolve and new damage has been done. This is the beginning of a very painful rehabilitation. But there is hope too.

Again, sorry I didn't get this review out sooner. But you should be able to still catch it at the Loft - just in time for the Oscars. I was so affected by this films that I saw it again last night.

Move blessings!
Jana Segal

More movie reviews at www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com. And while you're there don't forget to vote for your favorite inspiring films of 2008 on the RI poll.

See trailer at:
http://www.sonyclassics.com/rachelgettingmarried/

Reel Inspiration review: Yonkers Joe

"Yonkers Joe" is a coming of age story set in the world of professional gambling. It is an ode to the old time gambling establishment and distant fathers. One producer was drawn to the project because he related to the emotionally distant gambler father and the authentic details of the gambling world that were drawn from director/writer Robert Celestino's own life experiences. It is entertaining to watch the ins and outs of dice tricks and gambling scams.

Slight of hand, dice artist Joe (Chazz Palminteri) is given the opportunity to conduct a big casino heist. The plan is complicated when he must care for his mentally challenged son who has been thrown out of his special needs facility for violent and inappropriate behavior - just before he is to be promoted to an adult group home. This further motivates Joe to do the heist (which could land him in jail) to pay for a classy care center for his son.

This film is about the struggle to become a man when you have a distant (and often absent) father. This transition is made more difficult when your male role model is a petty criminal. Joe thinks nothing of introducing his son to the family business. To Joe it is a legitimate way to make a living. He explains, "There are no free rides." Needless to say, he isn't a positive father figure. He doesn't show love for his son or his scam artist girlfriend Janice. (Though he is protective of both.) In fact, he is embarrassed of the boy. When one of Joe's victims catches on to the dice scam, Joe Jr. tackles him. Joe Sr. loses his temper and must be pulled off of his son by his co-swindlers.

His partners in crime (made up of an impressive array of character actors) actually get a kick out of Joe Jr. and nudge Joe to treat his son better. There is a certain honor among criminals when it comes to family matters.

Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale, Bullets Over Broadway, The Usual Suspects), delivers an edgy performance. He is in turn distant, impatient, frustrated and quick tempered. But there are moments when he is amused by Joe Jr's inappropriate stories. He eventually gains a grudging respect and affection for his son. Joe Jr. learns an important lesson from his father, "Men make mistakes" but a man is responsible for those mistakes.

Tom Guiry (as Joe Jr.) catches the mannerisms and nuances of a high functioning down syndrome man and gives a touchingly real performance.

Father and son have some pretty ugly traits. It is the job of Joe's girlfriend Janice, played by a luminescent Christine Lahti (Running on Empty, Chicago Hope), to help us see their good side. If she likes them, they can't be all that bad, right? Lahti is a bit too luminescent - almost angel like. I would have liked to have seen the one female character be a little more multi-dimensional with some weaknesses of her own.

"Yonkers Joe" almost could have been a family film aside for some hard language and disturbing situations. But if you are into heist films or coming of age stories, please, attend "Yonkers Joe" as soon as possible. It is only playing for one more week at the Loft in Tucson.

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal

Sorry, this review is a few days late. I had a real challenge finding something to say after reading Phil's on the nose review. If you would like to read his insightful review, visit: http://www.aznightbuzz.com/stories/276709.php

See trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN4xHwgjRk4

NOTICE: 4 More Inspiring films added to poll.

Somehow I missed these four films. "The Bucket List" was a favorite with RI members, but it came out after last year's poll. Two other films came out after I made my list, but have been recommended by members.

This is the final poll. You can change your vote , but only vote for five films all together from both lists.

Movie blessings!
Jana

Reel Inspiration's MOST INSPIRING FILMS OF 2008 list!

Happy New Year film lovers!

I've heard some reviewers complain that this has been a bad year for film - some of the same reviewers that think a film can't be art unless it's edgy and vile. But if you love films that move and inspire you or films that are true expressions of the filmmaker's artistic vision (even if they make you work for it) - then this was a great year for film!

It is a pleasure to present Reel Inspiration's MOST INSPIRING FILMS OF 2008. This list is compiled of films that have been promoted through our reviews on Reel Inspiration's blogs. Diverse films with entertaining, powerful stories that uplift, challenge, give hope or inspire. Some weight has been given to films that are particularly relevant to the issues of our time.

I realize that there are many definitions and opinions on what makes an inspiring film. I would love to hear them! That's why I'm giving you a chance to share your favorite inspiring films. Please, take a moment to vote for your five favorites on the survey in the right column. This is important because it gives me an idea of what kind of films you would like to see reviewed. You are also encouraged to share your insights and opinions in the comment section. The survey is made up of films that Reel Inspiration friends and members have recommended on our myspace, facebook, and blogspot pages. (And some well reviewed films that I haven't had a chance to see because they haven't screened in Tucson yet.)

Please, enjoy the list of my favorite inspiring films of 2008 and take a minute to vote for your favorites too. (see the survey in the right column under "about me.") Notice I have added four more films for your consideration. (see second list under first.) You can change your vote, but only vote for five all together from both lists.

Movie blessings in the New Year!
Jana Segal

Reel Inspiration's MOST INSPIRING FILMS OF 2008
(Click on the links to go to the film's website.)

10. Happy Go Lucky
9. Synecdoche, New York
8. Under the Same Moon (LA MISMA LUNA)
7. Slumdog Millionaire
6. The Bands Visit
5. The Visitor
4. The Secret Life of Bees
3. Frost/Nixon
2. Starting Out In the Evening
1. Milk

10. Director Mike Leigh is known for using improv to develop his scripts and to get natural dialogue and performances out of his actors. His film, "Happy Go Lucky" goes beyond that. It had me thinking after I left the theatre. How many current comedies can you say that about?

9. Charlie Kaufman's film, "Synecdoche, New York," is as challenging as the name. Kaufman literally creates a whole world and realizes his uncompromised (though somewhat depressing) creative vision. Some of the images stayed with me for days and I had real a longing to see it again.

8. The touching film, "Under the Same Moon" puts a human face on the heated debate about illegal immigrants and border issues.

7. "Slumdog Millionaire" was hard for me to sit through - watching all those horrific scenes of Indian slum children being abused. But the highly innovative story builds to a strong ending with the worthy theme of how good triumphs over adversity when you stay on your true path.

5 and 6. Music transcends racial differences and initiates human connections in, "The Visitor" and "The Bands Visit." "The Visitor" also reminds us that kindness is it's own reward - earning it the number 5 spot.

4. "The Secret Life of Bees" is a coming of age story set in the South during the Civil Rights Movement. A runaway white girl learns to cope with the painful truth and find forgiveness through the unconditional love of this uniquely liberated black family. I wanted to stay in the world of this heartwarming film and join the family.

3. "Frost/Nixon" is based on the famous news special in which English talk show host, Frost, tried to coax a confession out of Nixon for his part in Watergate. This is a particularly timely piece since many Americans can relate the feeling of losing faith in our government. I found myself rooting for this second rate talk show host to convince the intellectually superior Nixon to finally take responsibility for the cover up and hurting the American people. Compelling writing and acting. I wasn't watching actors, I was watching Frost and Nixon.

2. "Starting Out in the Evening." Andrew Wagner's sheer love of writing radiates in this deep and touching adult drama set in the dying literary world. It might be because I'm a writer, but this film lives in my heart.

1. Harvey Milk's life as the first openly gay elected official is inspiring enough. But actor Sean Penn (living the role of Harvey Milk), writer Dustin Lance Black, and director Gus Van Sant elevate "Milk" from a biopic to art.

You can find full reviews of these films below.

ENJOY!

Reel Inspiration review: Frost/Nixon

OK. I'm sappy when it comes to our country. I cry when I hear the national anthem. I wept as I watched the airplane crash into the world trade center not only for the lost lives but because I suspected it would result in some loss of our freedom as Americans. And I still have unresolved feelings of anger that our country was mislead and polarized by the Bush administration.

There are two biopics in theaters now that deal with presidents who shattered American's trust in our government. I believe that biopics can be very powerful when they deal with our unresolved issues. I went to these films to find some kind of understanding and resolution. Unfortunately, the film "W" doesn't begin to deal with my issues with Bush. Oddly, director Oliver Stone seems to make excuses for Bush. No matter what he did, party boy George could never win his daddy's approval. Maybe I'm not there yet, but I have no need to sympathize with the spoiled rich kid portrayed here. This shallow justification was just as unsatisfying as the acting. I was always keenly aware that I was watching an actor (Josh Brolin) playing the President.

"Frost/Nixon" is based on the famous news special in which British talk show host, David Frost, (Michael Sheen) tried to coax a confession out of former President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) for his part in Watergate after he is pardoned by President Ford. Media savvy David risks an insanely huge sum of money for the interview in hopes of getting commercial sponsors and more credibility so he can get back his New York talk show and his table at Sardi's. I found myself rooting for this second rate talk show host to convince the intellectually superior Nixon to finally take responsibility for the cover up and for hurting the American people. I discovered along with Frost the importance of uncovering the truth as a much needed resolution. The acting and the writing (Peter Morgan) are thoroughly compelling. I wasn't watching actors, I was watching Frost and Nixon. It was a pleasure watching them in their "no holds barred" debate.

I found "Frost/Nixon" infinitely more satisfying than "W". Director Ron Howard wisely saw America's need for the truth and addressed it. Hmm. Perhaps we could use a "Frost/Bush" interview...

Movie Blessings!

Jana Segal

For the Trailer, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibxs_2nDXUc

Hey! What are your favorite inspiring films? Please, pick your top five on the Reel Inspiration survey in the right column under "about me."

Reel Inspiration Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Guest reviewer: Josh Valentine
http://indiebum.wordpress.com/

Modern American film has seen a lull in classical style. A good modern film is hard-edged, like that of "No Country For Old Men" or "There Will Be Blood." They are politically appropriate and justly praised, yet one can't help but yearn for a reawakening of that classical style that seemed to have died in the 1990s (with few exceptions). Who would expect a director like David Fincher ("Seven", "Fight Club") to be the man to bring back that style? With his new film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Fincher brings back the hero's tale in the vein of "Forrest Gump," infuses his own style and serves the Academy just the audience-drawing film that they need for ratings. The film is far from perfection, but shows us – just like its main character – that going back in time isn't always the worst thing to do.

Benjamin Button is not your average person. Born at the age of 80, Benjamin inexplicably grows younger through his years. Portrayed both digitally and literally by Brad Pitt from birth to the teenage years, Benjamin is an unlikely hero. Growing up in a nursing home, he learns about death at a very young (or old?) age. However, raised by the gracious Queenie (played by "Hustle & Flow's" Taraji P. Henson) Benjamin finds that he is never without love. He is confused by death (often because Queenie is sure he's close to the grave at every moment) but he does understand love to the fullest. This is evident when he meets Daisy, as portrayed in the film by a number of actresses most notably Cate Blanchett (who is featured both in the story of B.B. and in the frame of the story as her daughter reads it to her).

Benjamin grows up and like his cinematic forefather Forrest Gump, he makes his own way through life through all sorts of discoveries. These discoveries come through in the form of the film's greatest resources: the supporting characters. Whether he's fighting the war on a tugboat with his mentor Captain Mike (Jared Harris) or connecting with the man who Benjamin learns is his father Thomas Button (Jason Flemyng) or hearing from Mr. Daws (Ted Manson) about his bouts with lightning (which prove to be comedic highlights), Benjamin learns from others in a way he never expected. He's a somewhat unorthodox hero, but he's absolutely endearing due to his unabashedly fascinating life.

Benjamin is a man who is always searching for himself, but always finds Daisy. It's an awe-inspiring tale of determination and curiosity of the human spirit that is always a joy to find in the multiplex. Brad Pitt does well with characterization and with his script, although the character of Benjamin is hardly as fleshed out as it could have been. He may find himself with a nomination in January, although there seem to be a lot of contenders this year. Benjamin is highly conflicted person, often staying quiet and subdued and Pitt does that marvelously. One major setback to the film is the fact that I will never be as handsome as Brad Pitt.

While screenwriter Eric Roth writes a great story and Fincher shoots a beautiful work, the film is just too long. I don't blame you if you check your watch a couple of times during the film. Other problems audiences may have are the film's clichés such as the similarities to "Forrest Gump" or its dreamlike quality or some of the familiar characters. The film is a bit overblown and can be certainly too overwhelming at parts, but nitpicking will distract you from the real, subtle beauty the film has to offer.

Cate Blanchett is our greatest working actress, yet unfortunately doesn't shine as well in this as she has in her previous roles. It takes a while to get used to her especially when she's in her elderly phase make-up, and sounds a bit like Catherine O'Hara's parody of dramatic performance in "For Your Consideration." Eventually, she grows on you but for an actress with her talent it she is surprisingly always a bit too over-the-top. It's hard to see an actress of her caliber in such an inadequate performance. It's utterly exasperating.

Still, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is undeniably sad, yet tender at its best moments which happen often enough. The film has a miraculous ending, not in the sense of our hero's outcome, but in that wonderful feeling that sometimes occurs at the movies: the lump in the throat. Fincher's ending is exceptional, some of the best work on the screen this year. It's certainly a strong showing for actors, who show that there are still new places to take performance especially in the style of character acting. Whether you're aging backwards or forwards, you're guaranteed to like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

For the trailer, visit:
http://www.benjaminbutton.com/

COMING SOON: Reel Inspiration's MOST INSPIRING FILMS OF 2008

Reel Inspiration review: Slumdog Millionaire

by guest reviewer Josh Valentine
http://indiebum.wordpress.com/

Is America ready for Bollywood? With filmmakers like Danny Boyle integrating Bollywood styles with his own terrific, seasoned style in his new film “Slumdog Millionaire,” cultural cinema desegregation is not the final answer in modern filmmaking – it is the beginning of something new. Without a doubt, Boyle’s new work is a masterpiece, proving he is one of our greatest directors of this generation.

“Slumdog Millionaire” is the story of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), a young man under suspicion after a winning streak on India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” In America that show has become somewhat irrelevant (is it even on anymore?) but for Jamal, the show means everything. Not for the money, but for his one and only love Latika (Frieda Pinto) who he feels he can win by appearing on her favorite program.

We learn that Jamal has lived a very interesting life - one might consider a sometimes dangerous life. But for Jamal this life has taught him the answers he needs to become the man he is destined to become. Coincidentally, those answers are the strangely yet inventively the answers to the questions he is asked on the television program. First-time Boyle collaborator Simon Beaufoy (the Oscar nominated writer of “The Full Monty”) intertwines beautifully the story of Jamal’s fruitful life and the questions on the program to paint the intriguingly poignant story of his main character’s growth. It’s genuinely refreshing to see film narrative portrayed in such an original way, and Beaufoy’s script is simply one of the best this year.

While Beaufoy’s script has not gone unnoticed in critics’ circles, something that may be missed is the strong performance of Dev Patel as Jamal. His portrayal is strikingly profound and at the same time ultimately inspiring. Patel has a wondrous quality in his eyes when he shares scenes with Pinto’s Latika. We can see the yearning and true love of his character – an honest performance by a young man who has the potential for bigger and better things.
This is the second coming-of-age film to impress this year (the first was “The Wackness,” although that film did have a larger amount of detractors), although its crowd pleasing nature is no surprise. With some of the better films of this century under his belt such as “28 Days Later…,” “Millions” and last year’s sci-fi opus “Sunshine,” Boyle has proved himself the forerunner for best director of the past ten years. With “Slumdog Millionaire,” Boyle chose to find yet another film style to re-invent. It’s certainly a stronger film in terms of coming-of-age than “The Wackness” (although Jonathan Levine’s debut was an excellent showing of early nineties indie grit) and affirms that Boyle has the uncanny knack for outshining his colleagues.

This will be Boyle’s second film to be honored by Oscar nominations (his drug film “Trainspotting” was nominated in 1997), most likely in the adapted screenplay and best picture categories, and one can only hope the Academy will enjoy the film as much as audiences. It’s a grand piece for Boyle, who again demonstrates his ability to take something that he loves (film) and illustrate it in new and exciting ways. One of the strongest films of the year, “Slumdog Millionaire” should be at the top of your must-see list.

For more Reel Inspiration reviews, visit:
http://www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com/

For movie trailer, go to:
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/

COMING SOON: Reel Inspiration's MOST INSPIRING FILMS OF 2008

Reel Inspiration review: MILK

In the 1970's, a time when San Francisco cops routinely and viciously attacked men in gay bars, Harvey Milk united the gay community to make a stand for their rights. Amazingly, Harvey became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office where he lead the fight to put a stop to a law to have openly gay teachers fired. A woman in a newsreel said, " How can you expect your own rights to be protected if you won't protect those of others?" In the light of the recent election, this message seems especially relevant - and sad. I understand that many Christian blacks coming out for Obama voted against partners' rights in same sex marriages. It just breaks my heart that one persecuted minority would deny the rights of another.

The movie, "MILK" begins with Harvey making a recording, "If you listening to this, I've been assassinated." In the recording, he attempts to explain his life and motivations. The recordings also act as a structural device effortlessly interweaving the recorded narration with narrative scenes and news footage of the time.

The story opens with gay New Yorker Harvey Milk still in the closet and lamenting about turning 40 without having done anything with his life. He finds his cause when he moves to the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco and becomes the uniting force in the Gay Rights movement. He organizes a band on neighborhood businesses that mistreat gays and is instrumental in making the Castro a Mecca for gay men. The cause eventually leads him to running for public office. Harvey explains that he is not running for office, the cause is. The important thing isn't winning, it's building an awareness of gay rights and encouraging gays to come out. And he succeeds at losing two elections before being elected to the board of Supervisors in 1977.

Harvey is portrayed (Sean Penn lives and breaths the role) as a passionate man both in his relationships and for his cause. He uses his disarming sense of humor to put skeptical straights at ease. He successfully plays the game of politics. The campaign does take a toll on his relationships. Yet Harvey persists in having relationships with needy men. He has a strong need to save those wounded by society and to never to be trapped alone in the closet again.

I brought my twelve year son to show him that the important thing isn't just winning, it's fighting for something important. This movie certainly demonstrated that. Harvey Milk inspired Screenwriter Dustin Lance in his own life - so much that he fought to bring this honest portrayal to the screen. Please, support one of the most inspiring films of the year by attending it as soon as possible and encouraging your friends to do the same.

For more movie reviews, go to: http://www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com/

To watch the trailer, visit:
http://www.myspace.com/milkthemotionpicture

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal

Reel Inspiration Review: Synecdoche, New York

Jana's Downer Warning: a deeply artistic and (some may find) depressing film.

(see Jana's comment below.)

Synecdoche, New York
By Guest Reviewer Josh Valentine

syn•ec•do•che
n. the use of a part for a wholeor a whole for a part such as saying the"White House," to mean the U.S. government

Also: part of the title of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman's latest opus, (his directorial debut) "Synecdoche, New York" - a title that plays on the name of the town of Schenectady, New York. Kaufman's newest miserable hero, theater director Caden Cotard (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is a denizen of Schenectady, who sees his life as something of a synecdoche. The film is a major accomplishment for Kaufman - a big step forward in modern filmmaking and screenwriting - and without a doubt one of the best of the year.

Kaufman's production of "Synecdoche, New York" is marvelously ambitious. The story is of Hoffman's Caden - a brilliant director of the stage, who fears his mortality on a daily basis. Stuck in an unsatisfactory marriage with his wife Adele (Catherine Keener), a progressive artist who is always the last to encourage her husband, the sexually repressed, obsessed and confused Caden only feels comfort through death. Whether he's ritualistically reading obituaries or mentally projecting his visualized mortal fears onto his daughter Olive's (Sadie Goldstein) cartoons, Caden surrounds himself with death. In fact, he begins to literally -albeit psychosomatically - deteriorate. Even his last name references a disorder known as Cotard's Syndrome in which the afflicted holds delusions that he or she is dead or does not exist.

When Adele announces she is to leave for Berlin for her career with their daughter in tow, Caden becomes severely depressed. Even with the support and secret love of his box office cutie Hazel (Samantha Morton), Caden is a truly broken man. After the close of his successful reproduction of "Death of a Salesman," Caden is given a genius grant to stage a show of his choice.
He develops an original piece, an everlasting recreation of truth - a play that takes place in a massive theater set as a duplicate of Schenectady and is both experienced by the audience and the actors while it is being performed. This becomes his dream project and his life's work and eventually his death. As the film develops from this point, we watch the enlargement and convolution of Caden's ever-changing piece - a mind-blowing, existential cinematic explosion. Needless to say, this film is definitely unlike anything that's ever come to your local theater.

Kaufman often uses his film's titles as a gateway to the main themes of his scripts, and this is no different. The idea of wordplay is found throughout the entire piece, as in clever use in dialogue. Caden confesses to Adele, "I have blood in my stool" to which she replies, "Like the one in your office?" As a thematic device, consider the word synecdoche's definition as a different meaning, in that it takes all kinds of parts to make a whole. Unfortunately for Caden, he considers himself all the worst parts. Caden feels he is only part of the whole, and he can never achieve universality as long as he is alive. To him, the name Caden Cotard will never be a synecdoche.

"Synecdoche, New York" proves a very meticulous piece as it is the first time the brilliant screenwriter has actually sat in the director's chair. His previous works have had intermediary directors like Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry who have provided more widely accessible interpretations of Kaufman scripts such as the inventive "Being John Malkovich," the clever "Adaptation." and this critic's personal favorite film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It may have been a very different film had Kaufman decided on another director, and in fact a seasoned director could have offered a more accessible piece. In this film, Kaufman has certainly included a large number of personal neuroses - from dealing with celebrity to physical self-loathing - that create an unnecessary boundary between audience and film.

However, the film is still a wondrous character drama due to a handful of this year's best acting performances. After his Oscar win for 2005's "Capote," Hoffman has not disappointed in any of his following roles -from his Brando-esque realism in last year's "The Savages" to his second earned Oscar nomination in "Charlie Wilson's War." His performance as Caden Cotard is indisputably bewildering - a part through which Hoffman delivers a lived-in quality and convincingly portrays the depressive director from middle-age all the way to his waning sunset years. While Hoffman will get the most attention for his terrific leading performance, there are two other performances that may go preemptively unnoticed.

Samantha Morton, who has become a familiar face in independent film for the past few years and earned two Oscar nominations' effortlessly delivers her career performance as the dolefully unappreciated Hazel. Like Hoffman, her character ages drastically, at the end of the film and Morton dexterously shows unbelievable range throughout. During the film, Hazel desperately tries to charm her only love Caden and when he finally tells her how much he loves her, Morton delivers heartbreaking elation.

The other performance that will leave enthralled audiences with dropped jaws is that of character actor Tom Noonan as Caden's doppelganger Sammy - a man who inexplicably follows our forlorn hero and inevitably becomes cast in the play as Caden himself. While we are consistently reminded of Caden's endless pain, Sammy becomes a gratifying source of Caden's underlying happiness - a job Noonan presents through a bizarre, unexpected lovability.

For those seeking a mindless experience at the movie theater - and a short drive (the film has still yet to find its way to your local megaplex) - this is most likely not the film for you. However, if you wish to fully immerse yourself into a new world of majestic contemporary cinematic genius that both rejects and plays around with traditional Hollywood styles, this is the very interesting and one-of-a-kind film for you. It's not for every audience, but it is a wholly original work of elegance that is now the dark horse candidate for this year's best picture Oscar. Either way, it will certainly be unlike any trip you've ever made, if you make your way to "Synecdoche, New York."

More reviews from Josh Valentine at:
http://indiebum.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/review-synecdoche-new-york/

For trailer, visit:

http://www.sonyclassics.com/synecdocheny/

Reel Inspiration Review: Happy-Go-Lucky

I left the screening of "Happy-Go-Lucky" not sure what to think. At times like this I tend to lean on greater minds in the ladies' restroom.

We mulled over the movie we had just seen. Agreed that it was a bit slow getting started as director Mike Leigh set up Poppy's (Sally Hawkins) happy-go-lucky lifestyle with her affectionate girlfriends. But what was the director trying to say? A voice from the next stall suggested that Poppy chose to be happy. (Wasn't that a great lesson for these hard times?) But was there a darker motive? Was this character manic or a desperate people pleaser? Was her optimistic outlook making her life any better?

To be honest, sometimes her giddy, self deprecating laughter and banter got on my nerves. Director Mike Leigh brought out the maddening aspects of her buoyant personality by pitting her (brilliantly) against more pessimistic characters such as her control freak driving instructor, Scott (the hilarious Eddie Marsan).

Scott is driven to distraction by her attention deficit, high heeled boots, and constant cheerful chatter. He instructs her to always expect the worse. He can't conceive that she could be a teacher when she is so immature.

Polly actually has an inspiring rapport with her students. She demonstrates focused insight and empathy when dealing with a bully in her class. Actress Sally Hawkins took what could have been a one note character and shows us her deep empathy and the resulting sadness. She can't make everyone happy. And her own optimistic outlook is tested by a controlling sister, a hurt back, an angry dance instructor, and an odd run in with a homeless man. It's not easy to be happy. You have to work at it.

Poppy has chosen to be happy - even if it takes a bit of work. But is her happiness dependent on making others happy? Can she make her own luck?

I always find it helpful to go back to the opening image of the film to illuminate the theme... Poppy blissfully rides her new bike to a bookstore where she babbles cheerfully to herself and then to a disinterested bystander. Exiting the bookstore, she finds that her bike is gone. Oh, well. She quips, "I didn't even get to say good-bye." Lalala.

So it seems that she has chosen to be happy even when there's no one else around. But she's happiest surrounded by those who love and accept her.

Phil Villarreal summed up the theme perfectly in the first line of his review, "Happiness is a state of mind rather than a reaction to circumstances."

Phil Villarreal, of the Arizona Daily Star, really nailed this review.
http://www.aznightbuzz.com/stories/267286.php

OK. For mature insight of the film, check out Josh Valentine's review:
(I would have posted this in depth review rather than mine, had he written it sooner.)
http://indiebum.wordpress.com/2008/12/26/review-happy-go-lucky/

Movie blessings!

Jana Segal

http://www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com/

VISIT THE OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE:
http://www.happygoluckythemovie.com/

Reel Inspiration review: The Secret Life of Bees

Writer/Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, winner of the Independent Spirit Award for Sundance hit, "Love & Basketball," has now brought the beloved, acclaimed best-seller, "The Secret Life of Bees" to the screen.

1964, South Carolina. After a tragic accident leaves her motherless, Lily Owens (played with open-eyed honestly by Dakota Fanning) is raised in a loveless home by her cruel, distant father. Fourteen year old Lily longs for a mother she never knew. When her only friend, their black maid Rosaleen, ends up in the hospital and under arrest for insulting a racist white man, the girls are forced to go on the run. The only trace of her mama's past is a honey jar label that Lily found in her few processions.

Lily and Rosaleen end up on the doorstep of the Boatwrights, the black sisters who own the successful honey farm. Lily concocts an elaborate lie to persuade the maternal August Boatwright (played with warm dignity by Queen Latifah) to temporarily take them in. They are met with some resistance from the guarded June (Alicia Keys), a classical cellist and civil rights activist. But they are welcomed enthusiastically by the open-hearted May (played with touching vulnerability by Sophie Okonedo). They soon find that hyper-sensitive May is moved to tears by the mention of anything sad.

August teaches Lily how to tend the bees, and May whole heartedly embraces both girls. They are soon accepted as part of the family. But Lily still needs to find the truth of why her mother left her.

This is a coming of age story and parable about how to cope with the painful truth and find forgiveness. As Lily's young love interest puts it, "It's not just about the truth. It's about what you do with it." The two sisters illustrate different ways to deal with the hard truths of life. June has closed her heart and built a protective wall to keep out hurtful emotions. While May has completely opened her heart and feels everyone's pain. Her heart is open to joy but it is also an open wound. Lily says that she would rather be like May than her father who has blocked his emotions turning him into a cruel man.

I loved being in this world and a part of this loving family - so much that I stayed for a second screening. This is due in part to Gina Prince-Bythewood's excellent adaptation and the wonderful acting of Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, and especially Sophie Okonedo - who is literally the heart of the film.

If you're looking for a sweet way to spend the afternoon, "The Secret Life of Bees" will supply the honey.

Movie blessings!

Jana Segal

http://www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com/

Check out trailer at:

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thesecretlifeofbees/