Tag Archives: SIFF Cinema

Arts & Entertainment, Film & TV

It’s A Weird World (Blowfly’s Just Honest About It)

“This is BLOW-FLY the MASTER CLASS/My DICK is TOO BIG to fuck a HUMAN’S ASS, I fuck ANIMALS/Like I did in the PAST…I’m the SCUMBAG FUCKER of the HU-MAN RACE I fucked PREDATOR/Bust my NUTS in his face…”

…And I could go on.  And Clarence Henry Reid, Sr., aka Clarence Reid, aka Blowfly, certainly does go on.  Mr. Reid may or may not have invented a substantial part of music as we know it (more on that below) but he comes off (ouch) resplendent in a cape-and-cowled superhero’s outfit, spewing obscenities in rhyme, as Jonathan Furmanski’s “The Weird World Of Blowfly” documentary follows him through one-night stands spanning the globe.

New to the phenomenon?  You aren’t alone.  One of my favorite avant-gardists drew a blank at the name (and Scott Walker too, even).  I consulted with one of the web’s leading chatbots, who/which countered my “You’ve never heard of Blowfly?” with, and I quote, “I welcome death, he stay away from those who yearn it.”  Whew.  (Blow)flies in the ointment, thinks me.

So start out with “Rap Dirty,” possibly the first rap ever recorded.  Trucker-laden CB ambiance made that tune somewhat of its ’70s era; tales of transvestism, treachery, and vengeance over the KKK evoked older stories, misty myths, Staggerlee molded into one insistantly stinky urinal cake (“the Grand Dragon was lyin’ on the floor and his ass was bloody/I looked at him said ‘TEN-FOUR GOOD BUDDY!”).

Reid was not always the sum of his alter ego.  He wrote songs for Betty Wright, Sam & Dave, KC & The Sunshine Band, and many others.  Then he sold away his publishing rights for a pittance.  He seems aware that he made a bad call, but reminds Furmanski’s camera, “A million dollars tomorrow, if you can’t get two hundred dollars today.”  This blunder informs everything we see and hear over “Weird World”‘s 89 minutes.

So we see Reid struggling to get into his superFly outfit.  We see a kindhearted go-go dancer stitch him a new cowl (the old one, so the story goes, go snatched right off his head mid-concert, and was never seen again).  We watch him dragging his bad knee down the street.  We watch him quarrel and shout with his manager, who plays drums in the Blowfly band, wearing Uncle Sam drag, and talks about needing to “build the Blowfly brand.”  We see German concertgoers throwing stuff and and jabbing their thumbs downward.  Reid isn’t bothered.  He survived touring through deep Georgia.  We watch a reporter ask him if he was trying to amuse those white folks when he started out as a child, putting dirty lyrics to country songs:  “No.  I was trying to piss’em off.  It backfired.”

We see Reid playing the Blowfly card because it is the only card left to him.  And though his once-supple voice comes out in a rasp, though his legs pain him under their glittering trousers, he knows enough showmanship to smile.  To borrow a few lines from Paul Laurence Dunbar, the (weird) world sees only him while he wears the mask.  Which is more powerful, the wretched necessity for that mask, or the healing balm its humor provides?  Watch at SIFF Cinema this week and decide for yourself.

 

 

Arts & Entertainment, Film & TV

Janie Jones is Not Just a Clash Song

It’s also a feature film running at SIFF Cinema at the Uptown—née the Uptown Theater–through Sunday. Additionally, Janie Jones is the title character of the film, played by an older-than-her-years Abigail Breslin. Here, Little Miss Sunshine is all growns up as a thirteen-year-old who’s had to mostly take care of herself, no thanks to her meth-head mommy (Elizabeth Shue). Mom dumps her daughter for rehab, and so Janie ends up with the struggling rocker dad Ethan Brand (Alessandro Nivola) she never knew.

So now Ethan and Janie have to learn to relate to each other as family, while also dealing with band politics, money problems, and life on the road. Good think Janie’s a chip off the old block and a burgeoning musical talent as well! Writer-director David M. Rosenthal used his life as a jumping-off point, as he didn’t meet his own daughter until she was ten years old, and you can tell the material is personal. He’s crafted a story that’s true to the rawness of this emotional journey, while the cliches are ironed out by his gentle touch and the chemistry between the two leads.

I’m always impressed with the acting ability of Alessandro Nivola, who has previously sung on-screen in Laurel Canyon, Junebug, and Ken Branagh’s Cole Porter-tinged Love’s Labour’s Lost. Meanwhile, Abigail Breslin had never played music professionally, but she picked up the guitar and learned for the film. Irish singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes wrote the songs played by young Janie, while Eef Barzelay of Clem Snide scored the film and wrote all of Ethan’s songs.

Janie Jones plays at SIFF Cinema at the Uptown through November 6.

Arts & Entertainment, Film & TV

SIFF’s Grand Re-Opening of the Uptown is October 20

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Still a few improvements to make before the grand re-opening (Photo: MvB)

SIFF's Carl Spence and Deborah Person at a media tour (Photo: MvB)

During the tour, the neon popped into life. (Photo: MvB)

SIFF's Carl Spence in the main theater (cap. 515) (Photo: MvB)

Upstairs at the Uptown #1 (Photo: MvB)

Upstairs at the Uptown #2 (Photo: MvB)

Are you *seeing* the price for Dasani water? (Photo: MvB)

In the projection booth for the main theater (Photo: MvB)

This is what a digital projector looks like. (Photo: MvB)

This is a 35mm projector but it can also handle 70mm (see extra set of threaded wheels) in case SIFF wants to get fancy. (Photo: MvB)

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SIFF invited a few media representatives over for an early sneak peek at their takeover of Queen Anne’s Uptown Theater. There’s still plenty of renovation to be done before the doors open officially at 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, for a Hedwig and the Angry Inch sing-along (followed by a Purple Rain sing-along Friday night, and a Grease sing-along on Saturday). For the full Grand Re-Opening schedule, scroll down to the bottom of this post.

With its jewelbox SIFF Film Center cinema on the Seattle Center campus, which has 100 seats, SIFF will now have theaters of about 200- , 300-, and 500-seat capacity–for the next five years, at least, the length of their lease with AMC.

SIFF’s Carl Spence says they swooped in so quickly, once previous-operator AMC decided to close, that they were able to negotiate AMC simply leaving everything as is, saving SIFF an enormous amount of money on the renovation. He estimates that SIFF will have spent just $60,000 on refurbishing the theater, with–adding in the installation of the digital projection system previously at SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall–the whole project coming to $200,000.

Sellen Construction has been helping SIFF with countertops for the front-of-house, while the original makers of the Uptown’s neon signage are still around, and helping update that as well. Starbucks Coffee was setting up in the concession area (I think the Top Pot doughnuts were a one-time deal, though).

To emphasize the community support for the Uptown coming back to life, SIFF is making a special offer for the re-opening week’s showings: Show a same-day sales receipt from a Queen Anne business, and you get in free.

Inside the main hall, SIFF’s Sony SRXR210 digital projector delivers four times the resolution of HD. The sound system meets or exceeds LucasFilm THX Sound specifications, featuring JBL 3-way speakers and surround system powered by Dolby Digital Sound processing with Crown’s DSI cinema amplifiers.

Spence was enthused about the 35-mm projector, too, as that will allow reel-to-reel screenings of rare, archived prints (reel-to-reel is less wearing on the print than spooling it onto a single platter, which requires manual splicing), but I also learned, during a tour of the projection booth, that the old 35-mm projector is 70-mm ready as well, should SIFF ever decide to bump chests with the Cinerama.

A Barco projector for one of the upstairs halls will also handle 3D movies, allowing Spence to bring Wim Wenders’ PINA to Seattle. Taking a page from ACT Theatre’s playbook, SIFF will offer monthly $25 passes that let you in to see any regular-priced screening, for as many times as you want.

You’ll want to purchase that in advance of the Muppets retrospective: The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, and Muppets Take Manhattan, a Labyrinth quote-along, and eight different collections of classic shorts featuring The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and other “rarities.”

Uptown Grand Re-Opening Schedule

Selected films that previously played at The Uptown. Free with a same-day receipt from any Queen Anne area business (or $5 general paid admission)

Sunday, October 23

12:00pm – Twentieth Century

1:00pm – West Side Story

2:00pm – Monty Python & the Holy Grail

3:00pm – Singin’ in the Rain

5:00pm – West Side Story

6:00pm – Monty Python & the Holy Grail

7:00pm – Singin’ in the Rain

Monday, October 24

5:00pm – The Royal Tenenbaums

6:00pm – Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

7:00pm – Citizen Kane

8:00pm – Annie Hall

9:00pm – L.A. Confidential

Tuesday, October 25

5:00pm – Annie Hall

6:00pm – Singin’ in the Rain

7:00pm – The Godfather

8:00pm – Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

9:00pm – Monty Python & the Holy Grail

Wednesday, October 26

5:00pm – Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

6:00pm – Twentieth Century

7:00pm – L.A. Confidential

8:00pm – The Royal Tenenbaums

9:00pm – Citizen Kane

Thursday, October 27

6:00pm – West Side Story

7:00pm – The Godfather

8:00pm – Bob and the Monster Film and Concert (separate admission)

Thursday October 27 at 8:00 pm

BOB AND THE MONSTER##

SIFF Cinema at the Uptown

Subject Bob Forrest and director Keirda Bahruth in person

With special performance by Thelonious Monster

$15 / $12 SIFF Members

Charismatic singer/songwriter Bob Forrest went from indie rock icon with his band Thelonious Monster through a life-threatening struggle with addiction, emerging as an influential counselor on Celebrity Rehab. Bob and the Monster unravels his story, revealing a complex and optimistic soul. (US, 2011, 85 min)

GRAND OPENING AT SIFF FILM CENTER at Seattle Center October 23

The general public is invited to tour the new film center on Sunday, October 23 during an open house from 12:00pm-5:00pm.

Opens October 28 (open ended run)

THE RUM DIARY

SIFF Cinema at the Uptown

Based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson, The Rum Diary follows an itinerant journalist (Johnny Depp), who finds a new life in wild Puerto Rico. When he discovers an unsavory capitalist scheme, this gonzo journalist does what he does best: takes the bastards down. With Aaron Eckhart and Richard Jenkins, directed by Bruce Robinson. (US, 2011, 110 min)

Opens October 28 (open ended run)

JANIE JONES

SIFF Cinema at the Uptown

Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) gives a magnificent performance in this tender musical drama about the unlikely bonds of family. Struggling rock star Ethan Brand gets a surprise on the opening night of his new tour when he suddenly discovers that he has a 13-year old daughter with her own musical talents. Directed by David M. Rosenthal. (US, 2010, 107 min)

October 28 – November 3

TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL

SIFF Cinema at the Uptown

A SIFF Midnight Adrenaline favorite, this hilarious splatterfest returns just in time for Halloween. Hillbillies Tucker and Dale have found their perfect “fixer-upper” cabin, but remodeling is never easy, particularly when a group of college co-eds on Spring Break start killing themselves off all over your property. Directed by Eli Craig. (US, 2010, 86 min)

Friday October 28 at 7:00pm

SUSAN ORLEAN PRESENTS RIN TIN TIN: THE LIFE AND LEGEND

SIFF Cinema at the Uptown. Co-presented by Elliot Bay Book Company $15 / $10 SIFF Members

Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief, returns with a celebrated new book about the first canine superstar: Rin Tin Tin. Orlean joins us in person to read from her book, and present a rare archival screening of Rin Tin Tin’s heroic 1925 film Clash of the Wolves Film courtesy of the Library of Congress.

October 28 – November 3

THE MAKIOKA SISTERS

SIFF Cinema at the Film Center

New 35mm print!

This lyrical adaptation of the beloved novel by Junichiro Tanizaki follows the lives of four siblings who have taken on their family’s kimono manufacturing business. A late-career triumph for director Kon Ichikawa, the film is a poignant evocation of changing times, shot in rich, vivid colors. In Japanese with English subtitles. (Japan, 1983, 140 min)

Sunday October 30 at 1:00pm & Tuesday November 1 at 7:00pm

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: THE KITCHEN

SIFF Cinema at the Uptown

$20 / $15 SIFF Members, Series pass: $100 / $75 SIFF Members

The new season of stage performances from the National Theatre of London presented in stunning high definition continues. The Kitchen takes place behind the scenes at an enormous West End restaurant in 1950s London, where the orders are piling up in a blackly funny and furious examination of life lived at breakneck speed. Arnold Wesker’s extraordinary play features an ensemble of 30 actors actually cooking and preparing food on stage. A tour de force spectacle! (180 minutes, with intermission

Monday October 31

WILLIAM CASTLE HALLOWEEN DOUBLE FEATURE

13 GHOSTS AT 7:00PM and THE TINGLER AT 9:00PM

SIFF Cinema at the Uptown

$12 / $7 SIFF Members / $11 Senior and Youth

Celebrate Halloween with the master of schlock shock, William Castle. 13 Ghosts, originally filmed in “Illusion-O” follows a family who inherits a spooky haunted house. The Tingler stars Vincent Price as a scientist who has discovered the living embodiment of fear – and we’re passing out joy buzzers so you can experience your own Tingler during the film! (13 Ghosts: US,1960, 82 Minutes, The Tingler: US, 1959, 82 min)

Arts & Entertainment, Music, Theatre

City Arts Fest 2011 Brings the Noise to Seattle

City Arts Fest takes over Seattle for the second time in as many years starting this Thursday, and Seattle’s self-described “Last Best Festival of the Year” should more than live up to its lofty billing.

Festival organizers are serving up a fine cross-section of musicians, artists, creatives, and crazies for the three-day event. Most importantly (from this corner, at least), there’s plenty of unmissable music on the boards.

Let’s get the B-Word out of the way right off the bat. Like Bumbershoot, City Arts Fest is peppering its roster of local talent with artists from all over the world. With all due respect to that One Big Festival Under the Needle, though, City Arts is delivering this lineup to several of Seattle’s most cherished music venues. It’s as much a celebration of this town’s singular clubs and concert halls as it is a chance to experience some amazing music.

Acts like Swedish pop diva Robyn and roots-rock divo Ryan Adams will headline slightly grander Seattle venues (The Paramount and Benaroya Hall, respectively), and almost every great Downtown and Capitol Hill club will showcase bills that feel like perfect blends of performer and venue.

Northwest blue-eyed soul boy Allen Stone, local synth-soul dynamos Fly Moon Royalty, and Seattle hip-hop avatars Shabazz Palaces should shine in the swanky environs of the Triple Door for their respective sets; and it’s hard to imagine a sure-to-be loud, drunken, loose and fun show like the all-star Replacements tribute on Friday pounding down the night in any place other than the loud, drunken, loose, and fun Comet Tavern.

Equally as exciting as the straight-up live acts are some of the outside-the-box music events that the Fest has up its sleeve. SIFF Cinema plays host to sing-alongs of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Grease, Purple Rain and Grease. Thank you also, City Arts, for wresting the Laser Dome away from Pink Floyd and Radiohead, and handing it to the likes of The School of Rock and Helio Sequence for live laser-accompanied shows.

The downside to this, of course, is that the Fest’s events are spread out over a variety of local venues, rather than being confined to one large campus. But several venues are within spitting distance of each other, and most of the musical acts are staggered nicely. With a little bit of planning, that $69 admission wristband should pay for itself in record time, dude.

Rest assured, your crack SunBreak City Arts Fest Coverage Team will be all over the Fest like flies on sherbet with detailed day-by-day recommendations, reports, survival tips, and lots of nifty pictures. In the meantime, check out the City Arts Fest website for details on purchasing full-festival wristbands and the the complete–and most up-to-date version–of the festival lineup.