Nowadays, crime movies are often very action-oriented, aiming more for spectacular thrills than necessarily a compelling mystery, sometimes even as competition against special effects-heavy blockbusters. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Yet, it seems today, many of these features are a far cry from the good old days of mystery films. Pictures that keep viewers guessing what is going to happen next while maintaining overwhelming suspense with a slow yet effective pace. Yet, occasionally, some films harken back to the classic noir atmosphere and with grounded realism. After all, everyone loves a good mystery. A good example is Dave Boyle's “Man from Reno,” which weaves a unique cross-cultural communication story while also being a superb neo-noir.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Filmmaker and writer Dave Boyle is generally known for directing comedies and dramas. Just look at “The Surrogate Valentine Trilogy,...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Filmmaker and writer Dave Boyle is generally known for directing comedies and dramas. Just look at “The Surrogate Valentine Trilogy,...
- 4/14/2023
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
Life for many can appear simple. But, in reality, it is full of complications. Cinema is a great outlet for exploring said details of people’s lives. There is quite a lot of human exploration within indie filmmaking. Sometimes, mellow storytelling can make for a marvelously engaging viewing experience. Lower budgets can be an opportunity to explore drama more personally. Look no further than the endearing set of films known as “The Surrogate Valentine Trilogy.”
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The trilogy, while small in scale, brings together many creative minds. Directing “Surrogate Valentine” and “Daylight Savings” is filmmaker Dave Boyle, who notably began his directorial career with quirky comedies such as “Big Dreams Little Tokyo” and “White on Rice.” However, many viewers probably know him best for his thriller “Man from Reno,” a gripping feature about a Japanese crime novelist who becomes...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The trilogy, while small in scale, brings together many creative minds. Directing “Surrogate Valentine” and “Daylight Savings” is filmmaker Dave Boyle, who notably began his directorial career with quirky comedies such as “Big Dreams Little Tokyo” and “White on Rice.” However, many viewers probably know him best for his thriller “Man from Reno,” a gripping feature about a Japanese crime novelist who becomes...
- 9/27/2022
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
This year’s Oscars have set a new record for the largest number of entries ever in the Best Original Song category, but the 105 eligible songs do not include Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ “(If Only You Could) Save Me,” a 1930s-style big band song from “Mank” that was recently nominated for the second annual Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards.
The song is heard briefly coming from a radio in the background of one scene and plays for only about 40 seconds. Academy rules require “a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both lyric and melody,” and the song was judged to not fulfill that requirement.
Other songs that didn’t make the list, although they were thought to be in the running, include “Uh Oh” from “Promising Young Woman” and “Boss Bitch” from “Birds of Prey.” Even without those, the list of eligible songs tops 100 for the first time...
The song is heard briefly coming from a radio in the background of one scene and plays for only about 40 seconds. Academy rules require “a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both lyric and melody,” and the song was judged to not fulfill that requirement.
Other songs that didn’t make the list, although they were thought to be in the running, include “Uh Oh” from “Promising Young Woman” and “Boss Bitch” from “Birds of Prey.” Even without those, the list of eligible songs tops 100 for the first time...
- 2/5/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
With Lynn Chen’s I Will Make You Mine now in release on digital platforms as well as DVD and Blu-ray, Chen and filmmaker Dave Boyle, whose films Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings form the first two parts of a loose trilogy in which Chen’s film is the finale, have released a trailer for the complete three-film story. All three films, which premiered, or were set to premiere, at SXSW, feature musician Goh Nakamura, playing himself as he navigates relationships with a trio of women. Chen plays “Rachel,” who appears in all three films, and in her conclusion to the trilogy, […]...
- 6/10/2020
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
With Lynn Chen’s I Will Make You Mine now in release on digital platforms as well as DVD and Blu-ray, Chen and filmmaker Dave Boyle, whose films Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings form the first two parts of a loose trilogy in which Chen’s film is the finale, have released a trailer for the complete three-film story. All three films, which premiered, or were set to premiere, at SXSW, feature musician Goh Nakamura, playing himself as he navigates relationships with a trio of women. Chen plays “Rachel,” who appears in all three films, and in her conclusion to the trilogy, […]...
- 6/10/2020
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Lynn Chen didn’t seek out writing and directing her first feature, “I Will Make You Mine,” so much as she inherited it.
Two years ago, the actor had been hiking with friend Dave Boyle, who had directed Chen in the first two movies of the indie Surrogate Valentine series, “Surrogate Valentine” (2011) and “Daylight Savings” (2012). A third had yet to materialize — which Chen remembers probing him about. Turns out, Boyle did not intend to make one. “And when he said that, my heart broke, not only because I wanted a job,” she says, “but also because I felt bad for these characters who I wanted to see live on, and I didn’t feel like they’d had their story told.”
For two decades, Chen, a Taiwanese American actor, has carved out a career in film and TV, earning an Asian Excellence Award for Outstanding Newcomer for her starring turn...
Two years ago, the actor had been hiking with friend Dave Boyle, who had directed Chen in the first two movies of the indie Surrogate Valentine series, “Surrogate Valentine” (2011) and “Daylight Savings” (2012). A third had yet to materialize — which Chen remembers probing him about. Turns out, Boyle did not intend to make one. “And when he said that, my heart broke, not only because I wanted a job,” she says, “but also because I felt bad for these characters who I wanted to see live on, and I didn’t feel like they’d had their story told.”
For two decades, Chen, a Taiwanese American actor, has carved out a career in film and TV, earning an Asian Excellence Award for Outstanding Newcomer for her starring turn...
- 6/10/2020
- by Audrey Cleo Yap
- Variety Film + TV
Lynn Chen’s “I Will Make You Mine” proves yet again that black-and-white films are often anything but. Overseeing a debut that’s nuanced and gently wry (and shot to sumptuous effect), she brings fine shading to the story of three very different women and the thwarted musician who still exerts some gravitational pull in their lives, and vice versa.
While “I Will Make You Mine” stands firmly on its own, it concludes a very indie trilogy that began with “Surrogate Valentine” (2011) followed by “Daylight Savings” (2012). The earlier features were directed and co-written by Dave Boyle, starred Goh Nakamura (also a co-writer) as a version of himself and premiered at South by Southwest. Chen appeared in both as Rachel, Goh’s friend, never quite girlfriend. In “Daylight Savings,” Ayako Fujitani arrived as girlfriend Erika, and musician Yea-Ming Chen appeared as a version of herself. The three actresses take control of “I Will Make You Mine.
While “I Will Make You Mine” stands firmly on its own, it concludes a very indie trilogy that began with “Surrogate Valentine” (2011) followed by “Daylight Savings” (2012). The earlier features were directed and co-written by Dave Boyle, starred Goh Nakamura (also a co-writer) as a version of himself and premiered at South by Southwest. Chen appeared in both as Rachel, Goh’s friend, never quite girlfriend. In “Daylight Savings,” Ayako Fujitani arrived as girlfriend Erika, and musician Yea-Ming Chen appeared as a version of herself. The three actresses take control of “I Will Make You Mine.
- 6/2/2020
- by Lisa Kennedy
- Variety Film + TV
There are some cinematic universes worth reentering and when they do, it feels like you’re reconnecting with an old friend. The Surrogate Valentine cinematic universe is certainly one of these.
Shot in stark black-and-white and starring musician Goh Nakamura, first in his 30s finding his voice and now in his 40s confronting the reality of adulthood, marriage, and his past, the latest installment checks in with him and his love interests eight years after Daylight Savings. Created by Dave Boyle and Nakamura, I Will Make You Mine, directed by Lynn Chen, spends more time with the three women of the previous films than with Goh. The movie is somewhere between a daydream–where you can relive those kinds of long spring days spent around your college dorm playing guitar in bed–and the grim reality of an adulthood that is nothing like you imagined it back in your idealistic days.
Shot in stark black-and-white and starring musician Goh Nakamura, first in his 30s finding his voice and now in his 40s confronting the reality of adulthood, marriage, and his past, the latest installment checks in with him and his love interests eight years after Daylight Savings. Created by Dave Boyle and Nakamura, I Will Make You Mine, directed by Lynn Chen, spends more time with the three women of the previous films than with Goh. The movie is somewhere between a daydream–where you can relive those kinds of long spring days spent around your college dorm playing guitar in bed–and the grim reality of an adulthood that is nothing like you imagined it back in your idealistic days.
- 4/8/2020
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
While the 2020 SXSW Film Festival has been canceled due to the coronavirus, IndieWire is covering select titles from this year’s edition.
, “I Will Make You Mine” is a long-awaited gift for a small cult of fans: those who’ve been following Goh Nakamura’s romantic misadventures since “Surrogate Valentine” first introduced them to (a fictionalized version of) the lovelorn singer-songwriter in 2011. Nakamura returned shortly thereafter for a more grounded and heartsick sequel called “Daylight Savings,” but the “dreamsicle pop” musician has been missing from screens ever since, leaving us to wonder if he ever settled down or if he was consigned to spend all eternity crooning about the ways he almost found the right girl at the right time. Not only does “I Will Make You Mine” answer that question once and for all, but this shaggy and self-contained little ditty also asks it with enough warmth to seduce...
, “I Will Make You Mine” is a long-awaited gift for a small cult of fans: those who’ve been following Goh Nakamura’s romantic misadventures since “Surrogate Valentine” first introduced them to (a fictionalized version of) the lovelorn singer-songwriter in 2011. Nakamura returned shortly thereafter for a more grounded and heartsick sequel called “Daylight Savings,” but the “dreamsicle pop” musician has been missing from screens ever since, leaving us to wonder if he ever settled down or if he was consigned to spend all eternity crooning about the ways he almost found the right girl at the right time. Not only does “I Will Make You Mine” answer that question once and for all, but this shaggy and self-contained little ditty also asks it with enough warmth to seduce...
- 3/18/2020
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Bridges Past, Present And Future With Its 2019 Lineup
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian), Canada’s premier pan-Asian festival, today announced its full 2019 programming lineup which will offer festival goers the opportunity to experience the evolution of Asian representation in cinema. First, the Festival will pay tribute to the past with a 100th anniversary screening of the silent film classic The Dragon Painter. Stephen Gong, film historian and Executive Director of the Center for Asian American Media will bring the film to Reel Asian for a special screening, presented with a live performance of a reimagined score by singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura. Then, looking to the future of storytelling in media, the Festival presents East of the Rockies, an augmented reality (Ar) experience written by one of Canada’s most acclaimed and celebrated literary figures, Joy Kogawa. The Reel Asian Film Festival will take place November 7 to 15, 2019. For the full programming lineup and ticket information, visit reelasian.
- 10/10/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Lynn Chen will make her directorial debut with the indie I Will Make You Mine.
The movie — the final installment in a trilogy, following SXSW features Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings — shares the perspective of three women, who are romantically linked to the same musician, as they maneuver into their 40s and face major life changes.
Chen wrote the screenplay and will star along with Ayako Fujitani and Yea-Ming Chen. Musician Goh Nakamura will also star, along with Tamlyn Tomita, Joy Osmanski, Mike Faiola, Christy Meyers and Jeff Meacham.
Dave Boyle will produce the feature, which will soon begin production in ...
The movie — the final installment in a trilogy, following SXSW features Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings — shares the perspective of three women, who are romantically linked to the same musician, as they maneuver into their 40s and face major life changes.
Chen wrote the screenplay and will star along with Ayako Fujitani and Yea-Ming Chen. Musician Goh Nakamura will also star, along with Tamlyn Tomita, Joy Osmanski, Mike Faiola, Christy Meyers and Jeff Meacham.
Dave Boyle will produce the feature, which will soon begin production in ...
Lynn Chen will make her directorial debut with the indie I Will Make You Mine.
The movie — the final installment in a trilogy, following SXSW features Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings — shares the perspective of three women, who are romantically linked to the same musician, as they maneuver into their 40s and face major life changes.
Chen wrote the screenplay and will star along with Ayako Fujitani and Yea-Ming Chen. Musician Goh Nakamura will also star, along with Tamlyn Tomita, Joy Osmanski, Mike Faiola, Christy Meyers and Jeff Meacham.
Dave Boyle will produce the feature, which will soon begin production in ...
The movie — the final installment in a trilogy, following SXSW features Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings — shares the perspective of three women, who are romantically linked to the same musician, as they maneuver into their 40s and face major life changes.
Chen wrote the screenplay and will star along with Ayako Fujitani and Yea-Ming Chen. Musician Goh Nakamura will also star, along with Tamlyn Tomita, Joy Osmanski, Mike Faiola, Christy Meyers and Jeff Meacham.
Dave Boyle will produce the feature, which will soon begin production in ...
Life Inside Out (2013) Film Review, a movie directed by Jill D’Agnenica, and starring Maggie Baird, Finneas O’Connell, Lori Nasso, David Cowgill, Roscoe Brandon, Orson Ossman, Patrick O’Connell, Joe Hart, Goh Nakamura, Emma Bell, and Emily Jordan. I certainly see the appeal of Life Inside Out by first time director Jill [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Life Inside Out (2013): Light Family Dynamics, Nothing Heavy...
Continue reading: Film Review: Life Inside Out (2013): Light Family Dynamics, Nothing Heavy...
- 12/27/2014
- by Thomas Jenkins
- Film-Book
Dave Boyle's latest film, an unexpected thriller titled Man From Reno, is about to have its world premiere at this year's La Film Festival. We put it on our list of 15 Twitch Picks for the festival, and we now finally have a teeny, tiny taste on what we're in for with this first clip. Man From Reno stars Fujitani Ayako (Tokyo!), Kitamura Kazuki (Killers) and Pepe Serna (Scarface) and is a major departure from Boyle's more established low-key comedic past like the bittersweet diptych Surrogate Valentine and Daylight Savings, both starring indie singer-songwriter and super cool guy, Goh Nakamura.I'm interested to see Boyle spread his wings. Having met the man very briefly after one of his screenings at the Asian Film Festival of Dallas...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 6/14/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Since his 2006 debut, director and multi-hyphenate Dave Boyle has arguably carved out the most unique niche in independent film. That film, Big Dreams Little Tokyo, and his subsequent pictures White on Rice (2009), Surrogate Valentine (2011), and Daylight Savings (2012) have featured a mix of Japanese and Japanese-American characters in polyglot films that combine quirky comedy with high-strung drama. The latter two films added a semi-documentary element as musician Goh Nakamura plays a fictionalized version of himself. Now with Man from Reno Boyle retains several of his signature traits but moves in the new direction of a thriller. The film …...
- 7/23/2013
- by Randy Astle
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
After premiering his indie Surrogate Valentine at South by Southwest Film Festival in 2011, producer/writer/director/editor Dave Boyle was back again this year for a semi-sequel titled Daylight Savings. Once again starring Goh Nakamura, we praised this drama (full SXSW review here) about the creative process, saying it is a “refreshing, soulful film” and “delightful.” The first trailer has now arrived and one can check it out below via Apple, along with the first poster.
Synopsis:
San Francisco-based musician Goh Nakamura (playing himself) is at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and his song being featured in a national TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. When his long-distance girlfriend Erika (Ayako Fujitani) breaks up with him over Skype, Goh feels lost, as though no one could ever heal his broken heart. One night in San Francisco, he meets a fellow indie musician,...
Synopsis:
San Francisco-based musician Goh Nakamura (playing himself) is at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and his song being featured in a national TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. When his long-distance girlfriend Erika (Ayako Fujitani) breaks up with him over Skype, Goh feels lost, as though no one could ever heal his broken heart. One night in San Francisco, he meets a fellow indie musician,...
- 5/9/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
I had missed Surrogate Valentine at SXSW 2011. However, I learn that Daylight Savings is a continuation of the story of Goh Nakamura (playing himself), an Asian American San Francisco indie musician whose life may or may not mirror his passion. Nakamura has contributed music to a few Hollywood films including the song Daylight Savings, as the film blurs a line between performance and reality.
For those not familiar with his work, the film does not require you to be. Shot digitally in crisp black and white by Bill Otto, we meet Nakamura in a club, performing for his girlfriend Rachel in Los Angeles and spending the week with her. He returns to San Francisco and continues to maintain this relationship until she calls it quits over Skype.
Seeking to mend his broken heart and escape from the work he’s been getting (his music is used in advertisements for both...
For those not familiar with his work, the film does not require you to be. Shot digitally in crisp black and white by Bill Otto, we meet Nakamura in a club, performing for his girlfriend Rachel in Los Angeles and spending the week with her. He returns to San Francisco and continues to maintain this relationship until she calls it quits over Skype.
Seeking to mend his broken heart and escape from the work he’s been getting (his music is used in advertisements for both...
- 3/19/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Debbie Lum Image from “Seeking Asian Female.”
Five years ago, Debbie Lum set out to investigate a phenomenon that she says has “haunted” her — and some other Asian women — her entire life.
“I’m talking about yellow fever!” she says. “If you’re Asian, you know exactly what I mean. It’s Asian American Issues 101.”
If you’re not Asian, what Lum is referring to is the targeted attraction that some non-Asian men have toward Asian women — an obsession, in some cases,...
Five years ago, Debbie Lum set out to investigate a phenomenon that she says has “haunted” her — and some other Asian women — her entire life.
“I’m talking about yellow fever!” she says. “If you’re Asian, you know exactly what I mean. It’s Asian American Issues 101.”
If you’re not Asian, what Lum is referring to is the targeted attraction that some non-Asian men have toward Asian women — an obsession, in some cases,...
- 3/12/2012
- by Jeff Yang
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Less a sequel to Surrogate Valentine than another chapter in the life of an itinerant musician, Dave Boyle's Daylight Savings is charming, low-key, and self-effacing, reflecting the appealing on-screen personality of Goh Nakamura. Nakamura again plays "himself," a gifted singer and songwriter who only appears truly at home when he's alone on stage, strumming his guitar. In the first film, Goh nursed an unrequited crush on longtime friend Rachel (Lynn Chen), even as he dabbled in one-night stands on the road. As Daylight Savings begins, he has moved on from Rachel into a long-term relationship ... which promptly ends ... when she breaks up with him over Skype. This seems to be Goh's lot in life; he's not quite a perpetual victim, but he...
- 3/11/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Last year, a little, charming, black-and-white comedy called "Surrogate Valentine" played SXSW and became something of an arthouse hit, earning strong word-of-mouth buzz for both director Dave Boyle and star Goh Nakamura. We called the film "brisk and punchy" and admired its careful, observational study of the characters within. Well, the good news is a sequel is on the way and headed to SXSW.
Boyle and Nakamura have returned for the followup film "Daylight Savings," which now finds the latter, a San Francisco musician, at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and one of his songs being featured in a widely-seen TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. But when an unexpected breakup occurs, a lost and devastated Goh forces himself to leave it all behind and hit the road with his irresponsible cousin to pursue a promising rebound with a fellow...
Boyle and Nakamura have returned for the followup film "Daylight Savings," which now finds the latter, a San Francisco musician, at the height of his career. With a national tour on the horizon and one of his songs being featured in a widely-seen TV commercial, Goh has the life he always wanted. But when an unexpected breakup occurs, a lost and devastated Goh forces himself to leave it all behind and hit the road with his irresponsible cousin to pursue a promising rebound with a fellow...
- 3/7/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
The indie film world doesn’t commonly produce sequels (Linklater and Solondz being the obvious exceptions), and it’s even rarer to see one come as quickly as Daylight Savings does. Returning to the characters he first explored in last year’s Surrogate Valentine, namely singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura, playing a fictionalized version of himself here, Savings premieres tonight in SXSW’s 24 Beats Per Second section. Valentine made waves at Southby last year, and paired with Boyle’s still-fresh 2009 offering White on Rice, the young director is quickly establishing himself as a prolific and exciting voice.
Filmmaker: What inspired you to follow-up Surrogate Valentine so quickly with a film that returns to the same characters? Were you planning on this second installment while you were making Valentine?
Boyle: There’s something to be said for momentum. It seemed important to start shooing the second film before we all moved on to other projects.
Filmmaker: What inspired you to follow-up Surrogate Valentine so quickly with a film that returns to the same characters? Were you planning on this second installment while you were making Valentine?
Boyle: There’s something to be said for momentum. It seemed important to start shooing the second film before we all moved on to other projects.
- 3/5/2012
- by Dan Schoenbrun
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Sound On Sight will once again be covering the SXSW Film Festival this year, making it our second time attending. 130 feature films will screen at the Austin, Texas fest taking place March 9-17, including 65 World Premieres, 17 North American Premieres and 10 U.S. Premieres. As previously announced, Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods will have the honours of opening the festival, and now they have released the full list of films – and it’s looking pretty amazing. Enjoy!
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths,...
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths,...
- 2/3/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry, shot by Bob Gruen in 1977
Rock 'N' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen
screens as part of 24 Beats per Second
SXSW Film has just announced its features lineup for the 2012 edition, running March 9 through 17. We already knew that the Opening Night Film would be Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods. For its Closing Night Film, the festival will host the world premiere of of Emmett Malloy’s documentary Big Easy Express (more below). The lineup, with descriptions from the festival:
Narrative Feature Competition
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin. When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted. Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail. (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths, Screenwriters: Richard B. Phillips, Megan Griffiths, Story by: Richard B. Phillips & Chong Kim.
Rock 'N' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen
screens as part of 24 Beats per Second
SXSW Film has just announced its features lineup for the 2012 edition, running March 9 through 17. We already knew that the Opening Night Film would be Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods. For its Closing Night Film, the festival will host the world premiere of of Emmett Malloy’s documentary Big Easy Express (more below). The lineup, with descriptions from the festival:
Narrative Feature Competition
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin. When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted. Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail. (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths, Screenwriters: Richard B. Phillips, Megan Griffiths, Story by: Richard B. Phillips & Chong Kim.
- 2/1/2012
- MUBI
With Sundance 2012 Film Festival over, the next big one on the horizon is South by Southwest, which we’ll be heavily covering. The biggest chunk of the line-up has been announced today, which has some great premieres including 21 Jump Street, Tiff and Sundance hit The Raid, Will Ferrell‘s Casa de mi Padre, the documentary Girl Model (which we liked at Tiff), as well as the next from Broken Lizard, The Babymakers. There are many other promising titles included and you can see them all below. Check back for our coverage for the fest, kicking off March 9th.
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
- 2/1/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Attendees of South by Southwest 2012 are in for a treat. 130 feature films will screen at the Austin, Texas festival taking place March 9-17. Among them are 65 World Premieres, 17 North American Premieres and 10 U.S. Premieres. The organization already announced [1] Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon's The Cabin in the Woods would open the festival (the movie is phenomenal [2]) and today the majority of the remaining line up has been revealed. One of the highlights is the unbelievably smart and hilarious 21 Jump Street, directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. Both of those are World Premieres. Other highlights include The Hunter, Killer Joe, The Babymakers, frankie goes boom, God Bless America, The Imposter, The Raid, Bernie and Casa de mi Padre just to name a few. After the jump, read descriptions of all the films that have been announced so far. Before I copy and paste the rest of the list, a few minor notes.
- 2/1/2012
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Vancouver, Canada – Surrogate Valentine tells the story of a talented San Francisco musician, Goh Nakamura, who has always found it easier to express himself through his music. His life of solitude is interrupted when he is tasked with taking TV actor, Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) along on tour so Danny can research for an upcoming role.
Together, the two embark on an interesting West Coast adventure from La to San Francisco to Seattle and back again with live gigs, groupies and an unexpected friendship. Along the way, Goh (who plays himself) reunites with an old high school crush, Rachel (Lynn Chen).
With the help of the obnoxious and often annoying, TV actor, the reclusive musician attempts to break out of his shell and take a chance to win over his life-long love.
As some may argue, the film does present many of the usual stereotypes, such as the quiet asian,...
Together, the two embark on an interesting West Coast adventure from La to San Francisco to Seattle and back again with live gigs, groupies and an unexpected friendship. Along the way, Goh (who plays himself) reunites with an old high school crush, Rachel (Lynn Chen).
With the help of the obnoxious and often annoying, TV actor, the reclusive musician attempts to break out of his shell and take a chance to win over his life-long love.
As some may argue, the film does present many of the usual stereotypes, such as the quiet asian,...
- 11/4/2011
- by Marie Ferrer
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Roundups on some of the more interesting titles opening this weekend have been updated through today: The Last Picture Show, 50/50, Margaret, Take Shelter and My Joy — see, too, Daniel Kasman's review — as well as another on the documentaries.
"Hillbilly horror is nothing new," writes Cheryl Eddy in the San Francisco Bay Guardian. "Some might mark its heyday as the 1970s, a decade containing Deliverance (1972), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), and I Spit On Your Grave (1978). Others might point to Herschell Gordon Lewis's immortal Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964), probably cinema's most persuasive example of why Yankees road-tripping below the Mason-Dixon Line should never, for any reason, detour off the main highway…. But what if, asks Eli Craig's Tucker and Dale vs Evil, you were totally misjudging those sinister-seeming whiskey-tango yokels? What if, despite being a little unwashed and fond of sharp objects and power tools, they...
"Hillbilly horror is nothing new," writes Cheryl Eddy in the San Francisco Bay Guardian. "Some might mark its heyday as the 1970s, a decade containing Deliverance (1972), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), and I Spit On Your Grave (1978). Others might point to Herschell Gordon Lewis's immortal Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964), probably cinema's most persuasive example of why Yankees road-tripping below the Mason-Dixon Line should never, for any reason, detour off the main highway…. But what if, asks Eli Craig's Tucker and Dale vs Evil, you were totally misjudging those sinister-seeming whiskey-tango yokels? What if, despite being a little unwashed and fond of sharp objects and power tools, they...
- 9/30/2011
- MUBI
Singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura stars in “Surrogate Valentine” as a thinly veiled version of himself, a struggling West Coast musician with a wry deadpan humour and a gentle spirit. His open face suggests an innate patience with the fools that surround him as he soldiers thanklessly through underpaid gigs, perfecting his genuine brand of shadow-drenched shoegaze from city to city. His work may make ends meet, but he continues to haggle with distributors who won’t release his material in indie record stores. With the well about to run dry, Nakamura finds a tidy supplement when he is tasked with teaching a…...
- 9/30/2011
- The Playlist
Surrogate Valentine
If Paper Heart wasn’t precious enough for you, Surrogate Valentine might well be your dream movie; for the rest, keep back. Dave Boyle’s deeply tiresome musical travelogue’s greatest virtue is its brevity. The film stars San Francisco singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura as a version of himself as he takes on a “method” actor, Danny (Chadd Stoops), who intends to model a performance and character for an upcoming film role on Nakamura, who brings him along on tour in order to teach Danny how to play the film’s central tune. Meanwhile, Goh struggles with his rekindled feelings for high-school crush Rachel (Lynn Chen, a charming figure in an otherwise charmless realm), who clearly carries a torch for the terminally awkward Goh but is involved with a sycophantic businessman.
The central premise of Valentine is not a bad one – there are certainly intriguing dramatic and thematic possibilities...
If Paper Heart wasn’t precious enough for you, Surrogate Valentine might well be your dream movie; for the rest, keep back. Dave Boyle’s deeply tiresome musical travelogue’s greatest virtue is its brevity. The film stars San Francisco singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura as a version of himself as he takes on a “method” actor, Danny (Chadd Stoops), who intends to model a performance and character for an upcoming film role on Nakamura, who brings him along on tour in order to teach Danny how to play the film’s central tune. Meanwhile, Goh struggles with his rekindled feelings for high-school crush Rachel (Lynn Chen, a charming figure in an otherwise charmless realm), who clearly carries a torch for the terminally awkward Goh but is involved with a sycophantic businessman.
The central premise of Valentine is not a bad one – there are certainly intriguing dramatic and thematic possibilities...
- 9/23/2011
- by Simon Howell
- SoundOnSight
This year, Pop Montreal, an annual smrgasboard of concerts and music-themed films, celebrates its 10th anniversary. While the concert side of the equation is typically stacked (including, but not remotely limited to, a free Arcade Fire concert), the film portion is no slouch either. This year, film topics include legendary folkie Phil Ochs, The Replacements, Alan McGee and Creation Records, Aice Donut, and the Vancouver punk scene, among others. The fest runs from Sept. 21st-25th here in Montreal – the complete lineup and press release are below.
Montreal, August 11th, 2011 – Where music and movies make out in the dark: Film Pop returns. From September 21st to the 25th, as the Pop Montreal festival turns 10, Film Pop will once again resurface an always-pertinent array of underground musical films and captivating documentaries. Throughout the 5 days of the festival, Film Pop events will be held in 3 main venues: Blue Sunshine (3660 St-Laurent), the Pop...
Montreal, August 11th, 2011 – Where music and movies make out in the dark: Film Pop returns. From September 21st to the 25th, as the Pop Montreal festival turns 10, Film Pop will once again resurface an always-pertinent array of underground musical films and captivating documentaries. Throughout the 5 days of the festival, Film Pop events will be held in 3 main venues: Blue Sunshine (3660 St-Laurent), the Pop...
- 8/11/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Pop Montreal 2011, Where music and film make out in the dark: Ricky D’s Three Most Anticipated Films
Pop Montreal is an international music festival here in Montreal which is celebrating its 10th anniversary from September 21st to the 25th, 2011. Pop is now recognized as an important multidisciplinary taste-making event, expanding its mission through various components: Puces Pop, Art Pop, Film Pop, Kids Pop and the Symposium. For the first time, we here at Sound On Sight will be present to cover Film Pop, a program branched out of a driving desire to create cinematic events within the same independent spirit as Pop Montreal. Film Pop became the first of our 5 segments. It is an annual celebration of the best in music related underground cinema and presents each year bold movies that are making waves in the scene. Through artistic cinematography, it gives the public rare opportunities to attend special viewings and seek to demonstrate the significant place music holds within our society, the world and in movies.
- 8/4/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
A musician (Goh Nakamura) is hired to give guitar lessons to an actor (Chadd Stoops) in a funny, insightful new movie by Dave Boyle, which screens in San Francisco this weekend. From a slender premise, Boyle (Big Dreams Little Tokyo, White on Rice) launches a character study sculpted in black and white, boiling the personalities of the musician and the actor down to their essentials. The musician, named Goh, is asked by a filmmaker friend to give TV actor Danny Turner a one-week crash course in guitar. Danny will be playing a "burned-out, sad sack musician," as he describes the role to a fan. Danny has a lot of fans; he's been playing a doctor on TV for long enough that people recognize him...
- 7/15/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Check out the links below — and check back often — for our preview, reviews, blogs and more from the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival.
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
- 5/26/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Check out the links below — and check back often — for our preview, reviews, blogs and more from the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival.
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
Preview
Siff Kicks Off 37th Edition
Audience-centric 25-day Seattle International Film Festival screens festival-circuit favorites, premieres and local projects as well as fetes Ewan McGregor and Warren Miller
Features
Editors’ Choice: 12 Best Films Filmed in Seattle
With the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival in full swing, Moving Pictures counts down the dozen greatest movies shot in the Emerald City
Siff Fetes Ewan McGregor
The Seattle International Film Festival gives an audience its fill of the star of “Beginners” during an all-evening tribute to the beloved actor
Long “Weekend”
British writer-director Andrew Haigh writes for Moving Pictures about the making of “Weekend,” which starts with a one-night stand that becomes something else.
Finding My Way in the “Steam of Life”
Writers-directors Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen write for Moving Pictures...
- 5/26/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
The 2011 Dallas International Film Festival Announces
Award Winners
Jess + Moss receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature
Elevate receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Documentary Feature
Five Time Champion receives the $20,000 in Cash, Goods and Services for the Mps Studios Texas Filmmaker Award
If A Tree Falls: A Story Of The Earth Liberation Front receives the Environmental Visions Award
Zero Percent receives the $10,000 Embrey Family Foundation Silver Heart Award
The Legend Of Beaver Dam, The Robbery and Paths Of Hate are named winners for Best Short Film, Student Short and Animated Short
Audience Awards go to Snowmen for Narrative Feature, Wild Horse Wild Ride for Documentary and The Legend Of Beaver Dam for Short
Dallas, TX, April 9, 2011 . For the second year running, the .Dallas Film Society Honors. presented by the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation provided an elegant forum for the awards presentation at the Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac.
Award Winners
Jess + Moss receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature
Elevate receives the $25,000 Target Filmmaker Award for Best Documentary Feature
Five Time Champion receives the $20,000 in Cash, Goods and Services for the Mps Studios Texas Filmmaker Award
If A Tree Falls: A Story Of The Earth Liberation Front receives the Environmental Visions Award
Zero Percent receives the $10,000 Embrey Family Foundation Silver Heart Award
The Legend Of Beaver Dam, The Robbery and Paths Of Hate are named winners for Best Short Film, Student Short and Animated Short
Audience Awards go to Snowmen for Narrative Feature, Wild Horse Wild Ride for Documentary and The Legend Of Beaver Dam for Short
Dallas, TX, April 9, 2011 . For the second year running, the .Dallas Film Society Honors. presented by the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation provided an elegant forum for the awards presentation at the Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac.
- 4/11/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Goh Nakamura built a following for himself via YouTube and Twitter, a social media musician if you will. So, it's only appropriate that Surrogate Valentine (taking its title from the title of one of Nakamura's own songs) became a project formed, created, and eventually distributed over the Internet between the artist-turned-actor and writer/director Dave Boyle.
Read more on Diff 2011 Video Interview: Surrogate Valentine writer/director Dave Boyle and co-writer/actor Goh Nakamura...
Read more on Diff 2011 Video Interview: Surrogate Valentine writer/director Dave Boyle and co-writer/actor Goh Nakamura...
- 4/8/2011
- by James Wallace
- GordonandtheWhale
The thought of an indie film about a struggling guitar player teaming up with a C-list TV star may inspire cringes in potential viewers. It certainly sounds like a festival film you’ve already seen. Did I mention that the guitar player was quietly pining for his ex to fill the emotional heartache quota? And that the film is shot in black and white? Despite what these revelations may do to your preconceived notions, Surrogate Valentine is a genuinely funny and enjoyable film that transcends these indie film cliches. The aforementioned guitar player is Goh, co-writer Goh Nakamura essentially playing himself in the lead role. He’s a musician trying his best to make it, teaching guitar lessons and playing shows all along the West coast, but particularly trying to make a dent in the Seattle music scene. When his friend Amy (Joy Osmanski) offers him a paid gig teaching a TV star how to play guitar...
- 3/31/2011
- by Luke Mullen
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
I think I can safely say IFC covered the crap out of South by Southwest 2011. Stephen Saito and I reviewed over fifteen films and interviewed over forty filmmakers during our ten days in Austin. That's way more films covered than hours either of us slept. Here now is a complete archive of everything we did: reviews, video interviews, and print interviews. At the bottom, you'll also find mine and Stephen's picks for the five best films at this year's SXSW. Enjoy. I know we did.
Reviews
"Attack the Block," directed by Joe Cornish
"The Beaver," directed by Jodie Foster
"Bellflower," directed by Evan Glodell
"Bridesmaids," directed by Paul Feig
"Convento," directed by Jarred Alterman
"The Fp," directed by The Brothers Trost
"The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," directed by Morgan Spurlock
"Insidious," directed by James Wan
"Last Days Here," directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton
"The Other F Word," directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
"Paul,...
Reviews
"Attack the Block," directed by Joe Cornish
"The Beaver," directed by Jodie Foster
"Bellflower," directed by Evan Glodell
"Bridesmaids," directed by Paul Feig
"Convento," directed by Jarred Alterman
"The Fp," directed by The Brothers Trost
"The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," directed by Morgan Spurlock
"Insidious," directed by James Wan
"Last Days Here," directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton
"The Other F Word," directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
"Paul,...
- 3/23/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
If you're going to make a movie about the real life problems of a budding musician, it may not be a bad idea to cast an actual musician in the part. Real life singer/songwriter Goh Nakamura co-wrote, starred in and wrote music for Dave Boyle's third feature, Surrogate Valentine, a simply shot comedy chronicling the ups and downs of another performer, aptly named Goh. Goh walks the disconcerting middle line between a breakout and just another dude with a guitar. He's constantly on tour, but struggles to raise the money and talent necessary to cut his studio album. The woman he dreams of settling down with is tied up in another relationship, in another town, in another life. With all his baggage behind him, Goh finds himself picking up an odd job: teaching a famous TV star how to play guitar... for a movie based on Goh's life.
- 3/21/2011
- cinemablend.com
There isn't a whole lot of imagery cooler than a man carrying a guitar case across the hills of San Francisco, unless that man is Goh Nakamura, the unconventional star of "Surrogate Valentine." Shot in black and white, Nakamura cuts the profile of a lone drifter confident in his sense of purpose as he traverses the streets of the city and...
"I was doing that around here [in Austin too] because I don't want to leave the guitar in the car," Nakamura demurred while at SXSW. Okay, so maybe Nakamura was more interested in practicality than to come off as a screen icon, but in the first role for the musician whose songs have always struck a melancholy chord between low-key nonchalance and touching humanism, it's obvious he's got the gist of this movie star thing already.
"Surrogate Valentine" has much of the same appeal as Nakamura's music -- it's offbeat, a bit...
"I was doing that around here [in Austin too] because I don't want to leave the guitar in the car," Nakamura demurred while at SXSW. Okay, so maybe Nakamura was more interested in practicality than to come off as a screen icon, but in the first role for the musician whose songs have always struck a melancholy chord between low-key nonchalance and touching humanism, it's obvious he's got the gist of this movie star thing already.
"Surrogate Valentine" has much of the same appeal as Nakamura's music -- it's offbeat, a bit...
- 3/19/2011
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
Rating: 3.5/5
Writers: Dave Boyle, Goh Nakamura
Director: Dave Boyle
Cast: Goh Nakamura, Chadd Stoops, Lynn Chen
Goh Nakamura takes on his first leading role as a talented, but not quite successful, musician tasked with teaching a seemingly more successful, but not necessarily talented, actor how to play the guitar for an upcoming movie role. As Danny (Chadd Stoops) joins Goh on tour, bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, Goh tries to teach Danny how to emulate a musician while Danny tries to teach Goh how to break out of his shell and go after what he truly wants.
Read more on SXSW Review 2011: Surrogate Valentine…...
Writers: Dave Boyle, Goh Nakamura
Director: Dave Boyle
Cast: Goh Nakamura, Chadd Stoops, Lynn Chen
Goh Nakamura takes on his first leading role as a talented, but not quite successful, musician tasked with teaching a seemingly more successful, but not necessarily talented, actor how to play the guitar for an upcoming movie role. As Danny (Chadd Stoops) joins Goh on tour, bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, Goh tries to teach Danny how to emulate a musician while Danny tries to teach Goh how to break out of his shell and go after what he truly wants.
Read more on SXSW Review 2011: Surrogate Valentine…...
- 3/17/2011
- by Allison Loring
- GordonandtheWhale
Check out the links below — and check back often — for all the latest blogs, reviews and filmmaker features from SXSW 2011.
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Check out the links below — and check back often — for all the latest blogs, reviews and filmmaker features from SXSW 2011.
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
Awards
“Selection” the Popular Choice at SXSW
Robbie Pickering’s debut feature takes home six jury prizes and one audience honor at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival
Preview
13 Must-Sees at SXSW 2011
Keep an eye out for this baker’s dozen among “South by’s” original and interesting program
Blogs
SXSW Confidential II: Snapshots of some of the films seen so far this week
SXSW Confidential I: What’s cookin’ in Austin
Reviews
“Insidious”
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star in a scary thriller sure to creep under your skin and stay there until it bleeds
“Where Soldiers Come From” (documentary)
Quality documentary personalizes the military experience from enlistment to deployment, return and reintegration, in the process reaffirming the power of friendship and family
“Fubar II: Balls to the Wall”
Part “Wayne’s World,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed by: Dave Boyle
Written by: Dave Boyle, Joel Clark and Goh Nakamura
Starring: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops, Calpernia Addams and Parry Shen
At the request of a close friend, and needing the money, singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura is charged with the task of teaching soap star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) to play guitar (within a week) for an upcoming role. The film follows Nakamura on the road from bar to studio and back again, playing his brand of Bay Area indie in San Fran, Seattle and L.A. while Turner falls over himself in the name of research, half-trying to learn from his reluctant teacher.
Luckily, Nakamura is in on the joke of how lame his new travel partner is and initially treats him with the contempt that the audience should also be feeling. Nakamura is a charming protagonist,...
- 3/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Let me take you back to a mystical land called the early 1990s. It was a time of grunge music, David Lynch television shows and independent films shot on 16mm about young (usually) artists doing their thing. Surrogate Valentine is not shot on 16mm but it is in black & white and will be a blast of nostalgia for anyone who cut their teeth on the relationship dramedies from defunct outlets like October Films and Fine Line Features.
The picture is about a San Francisco singer-songwriter named Goh Nakamura and just happens to be written and starring Goh Nakamura, a San Francisco singer-songwriter. He's gigging, interacting with his Facebook fans, trying to save dough for a studio session and figuring out how to expand his sales reach. He has a friend (ex-lover?) who is a filmmaker and has secured a well-known TV actor to play her lead. Goh is tasked with...
The picture is about a San Francisco singer-songwriter named Goh Nakamura and just happens to be written and starring Goh Nakamura, a San Francisco singer-songwriter. He's gigging, interacting with his Facebook fans, trying to save dough for a studio session and figuring out how to expand his sales reach. He has a friend (ex-lover?) who is a filmmaker and has secured a well-known TV actor to play her lead. Goh is tasked with...
- 3/15/2011
- UGO Movies
By Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
- 3/15/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
By Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
(from the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival)
In addition to Sam’s Bar-Be-Cue being on my recent agenda — how can I possibly explain in words the overpowering enchantment of slow-cooked sweet-sauced chicken and brisket served with a side of pure sincerity — there’s been film, film and some film to digest.
Check out my full reviews here, or for snippets of what I thought of some of the films I’ve been swamped by, see below:
“Win Win” — Freakin’ awesome. Go see it — it’s a gem on so many levels. Writer-director Tom McCarthy is a rare breed, making honest contemporary movies that capture the truest portraits of, in this case, American suburbia. In this most subjective medium, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and new kid on the block, Alex Shaffer, construct an ensemble piece of absolute substance.
“Surrogate Valentine” — See this indie...
- 3/15/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
San Francisco musician Goh Nakamura (playing himself) is barely scraping by playing live gigs and teaching guitar. So when a filmmaker friend asks him to teach guitar lessons to TV star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) for his upcoming movie role, Goh jumps at the chance. [Synopsis courtesy of SXSW] [indieWIRE invited directors with films in the SXSW Narrative, Documentary and Emerging Visions sections to submit responses in their own words ...
- 3/14/2011
- indieWIRE - People
San Francisco musician Goh Nakamura (playing himself) is barely scraping by playing live gigs and teaching guitar. So when a filmmaker friend asks him to teach guitar lessons to TV star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) for his upcoming movie role, Goh jumps at the chance. [Synopsis courtesy of SXSW] [indieWIRE invited directors with films in the SXSW Narrative, Documentary and Emerging Visions sections to submit responses in their own words ...
- 3/14/2011
- Indiewire
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