Indie Memphis Almost Here!

I have been consolidating my list from every film at Indie Memphis to a more realistic number of movies I can actually see while there. Good news is that nothing is sold out yet, so people can still get tickets at www.indiememphis.com.

So, out of the many excellent choices, I have what is listed below with some brief notes about each film as to what I will see while there. I am most looking forward to the documentary selection as Indie Memphis seems to have a very nice mix. I hope to catch some more films Friday afternoon and Sunday evening, but I like to give myself a little time to actually check in at the hotel, talk to people..maybe eat at some point.

All the movies are at the Studio on the Square in Midtown, the delightful little theater with a fireplace and high end snack food. Perfect location – even if the other Memphis fest uses the same theater. Eh well.

FRIDAY:

Adventures of Power | 10/10/2008 7:00 PM

• premiered at Sundance
• Directed by Ari Gold
• Post-Napoleon Dynamite comedy about an air drummer
• Received terrible reviews from Cinematical Scott Weinberg and /Film Peter Sciretta

Shorts Program #1 | 10/10/2008 10:00 PM

The Key | Paul Street
A love story set in a timeless society where water is a premium and people grow their own hydroponic food.

September | Esther May Campbell
In an in-between world of flyovers, grass verges and dead-ends, where the motorway hum serves as a constant reminder of the speed of other lives, Marvin is not going anywhere. Into this forgotten corner of English countryside and motorway services arrives an extraordinary adolescent, changing his world forever.

Valentine Shredders | Jon W. Sparks
All you need for a broken heart is a good friend, an Amy LaVere song and a no-nonsense shredder. Winner of ArtsMemphis “Our vibe. Our city. On film.”

Suicide Jack | John Harvey
A washed up comedian, Jack, is in deep debt to his bookie, Remy. The only way to pay his debt is to kill a washed up gambler, Walter, who just happens to be sitting in the comedy club where Jack just finished bombing on stage.

Our Attic | Donald Meyers
An elderly couple, Henry and Emily, have been married a long time. When Emily goes on trips she leaves Henry “honey do” lists. This time Emily leaves a list that includes cleaning the attic, but the couple is not prepared for the consequences of this seemingly simple task.

Casting Call of Cthulhu | Joseph Nanni
If dread Cthulhu wants a role in Joseph Nanni’s short, he’ll have to line up and audition like everyone else. CASTING CALL OF CTHULHU takes us behind the scenes of a horror movie where an exasperated director auditions would-be monsters for his next film.

Sunken Prudence | Craig Anderson
Three men set out on a weekend fishing trip with their hooks baited for monster catfish. The remains of an old, flooded town make the perfect cover. Oblivious to local warnings, and armed with the latest fish-finder technology, they hook much more than they bargained for.

Dance of the Dead | 10/10/2008 11:59 PM

• Saw this twice at SXSW – the premiere and replay – Can not get enough
• Directed by Gregg Bishop
• Justin Welborn, star of the Signal and upcoming Final Destination 4 has a fabulous role in this
• Made it to my top 10 favorite SXSW films
• Zombies. Prom. Nuf said.

OMG/Hahaha | 10/11/2008 12:00 PM

• From the NEWFEST website: “Cleverly reflective of today’s YouTube/MySpace generation, and shot in an improvisational, documentary style, OMG/HaHaHa opens a window to the lives of several young people in Memphis, TN. A teenager’s video blog frames the various stories, as he introduces his circle of friends and their troubles – from unexpected pregnancy to homophobia, break-ups to dying parents. From its attractive and talented actors’ naturalistic performances to its perfectly chosen soundtrack, OMG/HaHaHa impresses with a unique and inviting charm”
• Filmmaker Morgan Jon Fox a Memphis native

The Black List | 10/11/2008 1:15 PM

The incredible Elvis Mitchell’s The Black List will play at Indie Memphis. While it has been on HBO this year, this is one of those docs worth watching with a crowd.

Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie | 10/11/2008 2:30 PM

• Documentary that chronicles two bigfoot researchers
• Spout’s Christopher Campbell reviewed at SXSW and didn’t seem to like it too much but efilmcritic gave it 4 stars.

Bunnyland | 10/11/2008 5:00 PM

• Ok, I admit, I am picking those movie only on the fact that it is a doc and I like the title – not very critical.
• However, looking forward to this strange bridge between bunny slaughter and a house burnt down.
• Film will screen at Austin Film Festival at the end of the month also.
• Filmmaker Brett Hanover from Memphis

Make-Out with Violence | 10/11/2008 6:45 PM

• Directed and written by the Deagol Brothers of the 2004 Robot Movie.
• Quirky idea of a boy trying to continue his love for the girl who rises from the dead
• Recently played Atlanta Film Fest and Sidewalk Fest.
• Filmmakers based out of Tennessee
• I’ve seen the first 10 minutes of the film and forced myself to turn it off in order to enjoy it in the theater – but it was extremely difficult to stop watching.

Chasing the White Dragon | 10/11/2008 9:45 PM

• Award winning film filmed in Tupelo
• Stars Oxford’s Johnny McPhail
• Meth Addiction subject is intense but interesting

Interplanetary | 10/11/2008 11:59 PM

• Ancient monsters on Mars? I am so there.
• Chance Shirley has blogged the entire experience of making the film -you must check out the link above. If for no other reason, I want to see this film after reading this awesome journey.

At the Death House Door | 10/12/2008 12:30 PM

• A look at both sides of capital punishment
• Premiered at SXSW in march
• Cinematical’s Eric Snider called the documentary poignant.

Neshoba | 10/12/2008 3:15 PM

• Documentary on the town 40 years after the racial murders of civil rights workers.
• Follows the Killen Trial
• This is the regional premiere and the filmmakers will join in the “Reel Conversations About Race” afterwards.
• ADDITION From the filmmaker: NESHOBA had its world premiere at the Boston Film Festival on September 14th and won Best Documentary.  The second screening was at the New York International Independent Film Festival on September 20th.  Indie Memphis is the third screening and the southern premiere.  We have two more screenings in October, at the San Francisco Documentary Festival on October 19th and at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival on October 26th.