Favorite Albums of 2009

It's been a good year for music and these are the records I played the most.  They lived with me through the ups and downs of writing screenplays and finishing the film.  (Our Calvin Marshall soundtrack should be #1 but it's a 2010 release!)

1. The Antlers - Hospice

2. Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies

3. Dark Was The Night (Red Hot Compilation)

4. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

5. Fever Ray - Fever Ray

6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

7. XX - XX

8. Jason Lytle - Yours Truly, the Commuter

9. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

10. The Veils - Sun Gangs

11. The Mountain Goats - The Life of the World to Come

12. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

13. Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

14. Petracovich - Crepusculo

15. Moby - Wait For Me

16. Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul

17. Eels - Hombre Lobo

18. Grand Duchy - Petits Four

19. Loney Dear - Dear John

20. AC Newman - Get Guilty

21. The Church - Untitled #23

22. Where the Wild Things Are OST

23. Steve Earle - Townes

24. (Reissue) The Beatles: Remastered

25. (Reissue) Big Star - Keep an Eye On the Sky

Hospice is a mesmerizing, emotional record. While you could call it conceptual, the story-line is personal and subtle enough so the listening experience stays magnetic and fresh. There is a cast of characters, a cancer ward. There are ghosts and haunting grief.  Here's the video for "Two":

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

While sitting down at the multiplex over Thanksgiving I wasn't prepared for the most emotionally satisfying Wes Anderson film since The Royal Tenenbaums.  Mr. Fox is also the most dynamic lead since Royal so I shouldn't be that surprised.  Lajos Egri made a fairly convincing case that character is plot back in 1942. Here is further evidence that he may have been on to something.

I'm confident TFMF is a film that will continue to get richer and more satisfying over time so go see it in theaters while you can.  The Fox family is resilient and special.  The script is sharp, sincere and well-written.  The animation is beautiful.  I hope this does big business but the quirkier aspects will probably narrow its appeal.

But even when you strip away the more polarizing aspects of this film (which I really do love), you're still left with a story that's ultimately about survival and fighting for what you want in life.  And so I still have to believe (hope) that this movie will be irresistible to a wider audience, even if it doesn't do Pixar-type box office.

Interview

Reposting this because its been archived and the link changed.  It was done in correlation with Cucalorus a few weeks back.

ENCORE INTERVIEW

Thanks Cucalorus

The first three days in Wilmington were a little glum and drizzly but it didn't hold Cuclaorus back.  The festival was well attended and run by some really cool, enthusiastic people.  I made new friends -- the days were full and the nights were long.  (Sleep deprivation established early!)

I saw many great films over five days including the House of the Devil which gloriously lived up to all my expectations.  Masterfully directed with a strong cast and shot in only 18 days.  (Would love to cast Tom Noonan someday)

Being a long time Mekons fan, I was excited to hear Joe Langford play a surprise set at the opening night party.  He started with Millionaire from "I (heart) Mekons" and even broke a string on a ferocious acoustic version of "Never Been In a Riot".  He also played a track from Fear and Whiskey which was pretty unbelievable being I was only five feet from him.  Langford's appearance was connected with New York based filmmaker Joe Angio's excellent new Mekons doc which was screening as a work in progress.

Our two Calvin Marshall screenings went well with Alex Frost attending both.  Even though the film seems to be playing well, the screenings in general aren't comfortable yet for me. There usually comes a time with a movie where you feel (almost) completely separated from the film and it takes on a life of its own. When this happens, screenings are much easier to sit back and engage.  Anyway - not quite there yet.

The sun finally came out for the weekend and it was fun to see Cape Fear and the ocean.  Very cool to walk around downtown Wilmington.  It reminded me a little of Ashland, Oregon where we shot Calvin.  Quaint downtown with culture, nice people and memorable restaurants like Deluxe.

I found myself whistling the Lumberton theme as I walked by the Dorothy Vallens Deep River apartment building.  Within walking distance is the Beaumont Hardware Store and also the big, beautiful church that Jeffrey and Sandy once upon a time parked beside.  I looked up at the stained glass and wondered when the Robins would come.  I wanted to venture down to Lincoln but decided against it.

Friends in Florida?

Over the next week, Calvin Marshall will screen three times for the Sarasota Film Society.  If you have friends in the area, thanks for passing on the details!

CINE-WORLD IN SARASOTA

Friday, November 6 at 1:00 p.m - Burns Court Cinemas.

Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. - Burns Court Cinemas

Thursday, November 12 at 7:45 p.m. - Lakewood Ranch Cinemas

Sports Analogies

There's a new REVIEW out of Austin today.

Sometimes I tap into the mindset of an athlete and imagine filmmaking as a sport.  When obstacles come up, it's helpful for me to imagine them as meek defenders trying to guard me.  It's up to me to shake them off and take the ball hard to the rim.  If it's all just a game (and it really is) than the occasional strikeout or disappointment is quickly put in perspective because we have four more at bats tomorrow and another twenty-five next week.

Ups and Downs

While this blog is a transparent place to deal with all aspects of filmmaking, it's also a place to promote Calvin Marshall. I'm walking a fine line here. Sometimes I'm tempted to post the ugly side of this business, which isn't always the best way to promote. No one likes a 'sour grapes' attitude. On the flip side, I don't want to spin things to appear rosier than they are.

The world keeps getting smaller. In these days of social networking and RSS feeds, it's almost impossible to hide or pull the wool over people's eyes. So you won't find me trying to snuff out Calvin detractors. I love this movie too much for that. I will, however, keep doing my part to promote the film in positive ways until it has a fan base.

Anne and I from our Austin party. Eyes wide open!