Happy Friday everyone!! We’ve still got a couple of days worth of festivities before TCFF wraps, but sadly today is my last day covering the film fest as I’m flying to NYC on Saturday morning to attend my sister-in-law’s wedding. No fret though, I’ll still be posting some of the reviews from both days, as well as the interviews with two short film directors I’ve promised you by the week’s end. Before I get to that, check out some photos from the last 8 days:
October 25 – Day 9 Films
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Gladiators: The Uncertain Future of American Football
Friday, October 25th at 1:45 pm (2nd screening)
An historical film that tells the story of a game that was always dangerous, and whose dangers, though controversial, were also desired. View my full review
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Tapia
Friday, October 25th at 4:00 pm
TAPIA takes us inside the tortured soul of Johnny Tapia, the 5-time world champion boxer whose unprecedented success was overshadowed by a volatile drug addiction brought on by the brutal rape and murder of his mother at the young age of 8 years old. Director Eddie Alcazar candidly reveals Tapia’s public struggles through his intimate last interview, archival footage, and photos that showcase his vivacious personality ad child-like gusto.
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Special Guest: Dave Schnak, Director of Photography
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Friday October 25th at 6:30 pm
Special Guests: Representatives from Minnesota African-American Museum
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A Method
Friday, October 25th at 9:00 pm
Special Guests: Director Paul Von Stoetzel and Cast and Crew
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Delivery
Friday, October 25th at 9:45 pm
Special Guests: Brian Netto, Director and Co-writer & Adam Schindler, Co-writer
In this unnerving chiller, Kyle and Rachel Massy are a young couple who have agreed to document their first pregnancy for a reality show. During the production, a series of unexplained phenomena start plaguing the couple, eventually derailing the production of the show. Rachel, growing increasingly paranoid, starts to believe that there might be something seriously wrong with their unborn bundle of joy.
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Closing Day Highlights
Here’s what the Saturday schedule looks like when you visit TCFF official site:
Our artistic director Steve Snyder said this is THE best day he’s ever scheduled in the entire four years programming for TCFF. Nine feature films/documentaries and a myriad of educational panels/events to enjoy all day long! Here are some you don’t want to miss:
Remote Area Medical documentary
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 10:45am
Directed by Jeff Reichert & Farihah Zaman
A debate over health care has been raging nationwide, but what’s been lost in the discussion are the American citizens who live day after day, year after year without solutions for their most basic needs. REMOTE AREA MEDICAL documents the annual three-day “pop-up” medical clinic organized by the non-profit Remote Area Medical (RAM) in Bristol, Tennessee’s NASCAR speedway. Instead of a film about policy, REMOTE AREA MEDICAL is a film about people, about a proud Appalachian community banding together to try and provide some relief for friends and neighbors who are simply out of options.
Pollywogs
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 1:00pm (Filmmaker/talent attending)
Directed by Karl Jacob & T. Arthur Cottam
On the heels of a bitter breakup, Dylan travels home to Minnesota for a family reunion. There, he runs into his childhood sweetheart, Sarah, who was relocated to a religious compound when they were young. In the very place he discovered love for the first time, Dylan confronts the fantasies of his youth and realizes that the past may hold the key for what lies ahead.
Last Vegas
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 3:00pm
Directed by Jon Turteltaub
Starring four legends like you’ve never seen them before, LAST VEGAS tells the story of Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam (played by Academy Award-winners Michael Douglas, De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline), best friends since childhood. When Billy, the group’s sworn bachelor, finally proposes to his thirty-something (of course) girlfriend, the four head to Las Vegas with a plan to stop acting their age and relive their glory days. However, upon arriving, the four quickly realize that the decades have transformed Sin City and tested their friendship in ways they never imagined. The Rat Pack may have once played the Sands and Cirque du Soleil may now rule the Strip, but it’s these four who are taking over Vegas
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Wild Blue
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 5:45pm (Filmmaker and select cast member attending)
Written and directed by Josh Hope
After his release from the foster care system, a young man leaves his small Oklahoma town for the first time to travel across the country with a strange woman he meets by chance.
Nothing Without You
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 8:30pm
Special Guests: Xackery Irving (Director) and Emily Fradenburgh (Lead Actor)
Jennifer Stidger, a young psych-patient, is accused of killing the wife of the man she is stalking. No one, including her court-appointed psychiatrist, Charlie Branham, believes she is innocent. When she breaks out of the psych ward, Charlie becomes her only connection to reality as she struggles to prove her sanity and find the “real killer”. This fast-paced thriller will keep you guessing until the very end, what is real and what is Jennifer’s delusional fantasy?
Oh and there’s another screening of
August, Osage County – Saturday at 6 pm
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwestern house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name made its Broadway debut in December 2007 after premiering at Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre earlier that year.
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is directed by John Wells (The Company Men) and features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, Sam Shepard and Misty Upham.
It’s the kind of film you see just for the cast… but after seeing it last night, I can confidently say that the film is as stellar as the cast. Well the film is stellar because of the cast’ amazing performances. Meryl is in top form as always. As much as I’d love seeing other actors being nominated, let’s just say I won’t cry foul if I see her name amongst the nominees. ALL the performances were excellent, but the stand outs for me were Margo Martindale, Julia Roberts and Benedict Cumberbatch. I have to admit Benedict was another main draw for me to see it despite his small role, but it was well worth it! I thought he was excellent playing completely against type and his American accent is pretty darn good. Oh and he sings too!!
There’s still time to get your tickets!
General Admission $10; Opening/Closing Gala $20; Centerpiece Gala $20; Sneak Preview Galas $20. Festival Passes can also be purchased: Silver $50 for 6 films; Gold $70 for 10 films; or Platinum $120 for 12 films + 2 tickets to Opening, Closing or Gala. (Silver and Gold Packages do not include Opening, Closing or Gala Tickets).
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.twincitiesfilmfest.org.
Stay tuned for TCFF reviews and interviews. So which films featured above you’re looking forward to most?
Simply splendid coverage of this film fest Ruth & company! Well done.
Thanks so much Michael for the kind words and support!
Of these, I’m most interested in August Osage County. My only concern is that sometimes plays should remain plays, and don’t always work as movies. It could also be a bit distracting with all those familiar faces. Encouraging you say that the film is as stellar as the cast!
Hi Chris! I hear ya but y’know I think A:OC actually works quite well as a film, kudos to director John Wells and the stellar cast. I really dug it and the familiar faces weren’t a distraction to me.
Have fun in NYC! Great coverage all around, Ruth.
Thanks Cindy! I really appreciate you stopping by on my TCFF coverage.
You have been really busy, Ruth 😉
Out of all the movies you mentioned here…I really really really want to see Antarctica, the trailer itself is already stunning.
…and of course Osage County 😉
Hi Nov, I couldn’t see Antarctica but yeah definitely that one looks like a must-see! August: Osage County is excellent, it’s hard to watch at times but the performances are certainly worth seeing, I REALLY like Benny here, he’s proven to be a versatile actor!
I wonder will it have screening time here or not. I hope it will tho a bit late
I sure hope you’ll be able to see it on the big screen, Nov. Trust me, it’s worth it even tho Benny’s not on for long, his character is pretty important to the story.
Wow! So many films to digest. But what a fun time. Great work Ruth. Now I have to go back through your posts and note the films that really stand out to me. There are a number of them.
Oh, on a good note, at least you’ll miss Last Vegas. That was a flusher on my Fall movie preview. It looks pretty bad!
Hi Keith, I’m blessed to see a bunch of films I otherwise won’t be able to. Some of the smaller ones and shorts are worth seeking out for. Ahah, well Last Vegas looks like it could be fun but yeah, I don’t mind just renting it later.
Oh, and safe travels to New York. Hope you have fun at the wedding.
Thanks Keith! Well it was quite a trip, both good n bad but very blessed nonetheless.
Great job covering the festival, Ruth. Several of these films look good, especially Antarctica, Mandela, A Method and Delivery.
Fantastic coverage Ruth, it’s been absolutely superb 🙂 So many interesting films I wasn’t previously aware of but are now on my radar. Hope the travel to New York was safe!
Thanks so much Chris! Hope you get to see some of these. Well u’ll read abt my adventure in NYC in tomorrow’s post 😉
From TCFF to NYC! You sure have been keeping busy. 😀 Hope you’re having a great time, Ruth!
Hi Eric! It sure has been quite a whirlwind month but it was fun! Glad to be back home now tho 😃