Day 6: September 12

A crazy day of Bush, with several films dealing directly or indirectly with the current U.S. administration. The D.O.A.P screening was suitably insane - when I arrived an hour and a half early there were already a hundred people in line. Several hundred were turned away, and they've subsequently added an additional screening. Guess I could have slept in...

Rainy days do not make for standing in line, but spirits seem to be high generally. I continue to notice a lack of electricity this year, that one film that has everyone talking (save, perhaps, Borat of all things.) Time will tell what will emerge from this year's fest and being relevant in the long term.

D.O.A.P.
Directed by: Gabriel Range

Grade: A-

A History Channel documentary from the future, where one George Herbert Walker Bush is assasinated in Chicago. Mixing interview footage with recreations and CGI manipulation, this "what if?" scenario plays out effectively and compellingly. If there's one gripe it's that the recreation of the news clips lack a certain slickness and panic that besets the 24 hour stations at crisis times such as these. However, the talking head interviews and other elements make for an intelligent analysis of our reactions and prejudices about such a situation. A must see.

Shortbus
Directed by: John Cameron Mitchell

Grade: A-

Sitting in the Paramount theatre as a 70 foot penis fades up on the screen. A man urinates in a bathtub, and a few scenes later he bends over to suck his own cock.

That said, this is one of the sweetest, most genuine films of this (or any year's) fest. The performaces are rock solid (hah!), the quirky reimagining of New York city inviting, and there's a sense of warmth and compasion through the whole film that's simply remarkeable. As more and more fest films blur the line between porno and "mainstream" cinema, this is one flick that gets it right. The sex scenes are entirely character driven, critical to the story, and do not pander to the audience by doing the traditional play of "love making" that we've been acustomed too. Incredibly sexy without being titilating, this is a very well crafted flick that deserves a bigger audience than it will inevitably receive.

Copying Beethoven
Directed by: Agnieszka Holland

Grade: D

A horrid mess of a film, only the music elevates it from being a total dud. Lousy performances, boring direction, this one is best left forgotten.

...So Goes the Nation
Directed by: James D. Sterns and Adam Del Deo

Grade: A-

More Bush, yay! This straight-ahead doc focuses on the "battleground" state of Ohio during the 2004 election. The usual suspects are trotted out, but the film gains tremendously by being supremely crafted and extremely well researched. The star of the show is Paul Bagala, who in no uncertain terms points out the foibles of his own side's defeat. Some may even hold hope that these lessons can be remembered for the next election in November.

Rescue Dawn
Directed by: Werner Herzog

Grade: A-/B+

There's not much that Christian Bale won't do to himself for a movie role (see The Machinist if you need further evidence), yet it continues to be quite astonishing the depths he's willing to go for a role. This is a film based on one of Herzog's own documentaries, and the more rediculous and over-the-top elements are certainly that way because of verisimilitude, not some Hollywood hype grab. The film is bookended nicely, and to the credit of all involved gets into the story quickly, and out just as fast. The middle section, the P.O.W. story, is grim and effective. A very accomplished film, and Bale continues to impress with his craft.

Trapped Ashes
Directed by: Joe Dante, Ken Russell, Sean Cunningham, Monte Hellman, John Gaeta

Grade: C- | B+ | C- | D | D-

A horrible mess of horror movie cliches, set in one of those "old skool" anthology flicks of yore. Saving grace - Ken Russells introduction of canibalistic breasts.