Hi everyone,
A lot to talk about. My apologies for this
long email...
Film Festival 101
I guess always get this question so I thought
I will lay it out for you.
What movies should I go
see?
1. Check the Discussion Board to get other's
opinions (see link below).
2. Kim Ann, who runs an informal movie group in
Canton has compiled a spreadsheet of movies with ratings from IMDB, Rotten
Tomatoes and Metacritic. Her spreadsheet also indicates John Ewing's
favorite picks as well as.
3. Ask people at the Festival which movies are
the best. The first person will love a film. The second person will
hate it.
4. Just pick a film and see it.
So which is the right answer? It
is number 4. Don't worry about ratings or how many people liked what
film. Over the years, some of the most enjoyable films have been ones that
some people have hated.
Also, take a chance on a different kind of film
that you normally wouldn't see. I avoid many American films because I
see so many of them. Try something Eastern European, a
documentary, a film from a country you couldn't find on a map or even a
gay-themed film. This is one time you can see the rest of the world or
other parts of society that you miss the rest of the year.
JUST GO!!!
How do I get there?
I would take public transportation. Yes,
you could drive a car, but you could be driving around for a while. Then,
you have to wait for a shuttle. Note that RTA will NOT save you time, just
frustration. Take a book to read or something like that. You are in
your car every day. Just enjoy yourself with some music and reading.
Also, you will often find other Festival goers on the train where you can trade
movie ideas. I do it all the time.
So here are a few pointers on the
RTA.
If riding the trains, you don't pay until you get
to Tower City. They have machines that you cam use cash or credit.
They are a little confusing but if you are coming down multiple times, buy a 5
ride ticket. What this means is that you can use this ticket for 4 more
rides. If riding busses or the Health
line, then you will need to pay when you board. They don't have change
machines so be sure to park
Is the RTA safe? Yes. Sometimes you
have loud teenagers but safety has never been an issue.
Is your car safe? Yes. Hundreds of people
park every day to take public transportation without a hitch. If you are
coming at night, the lots are well-lit but I would generally park at a
location in a good area. On the train, parking any place from Shaker
Square eastward or Lakewood Westward is probably fine at all hours.
Doesn't it get really
crowded?
Yes, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
For 51 weeks out of the year, we all lament how downtown really never gets
going. Then we have an event that shows off Cleveland better than anything
else and we want it to be orderly. These are movie people. You don't
have to worry about riots, but revel in this chaos. We put Seattle, New
York, Chicago and San Francisco to shame (for this one week).
What if a movie is on
Standby?
Come anyways. Most of the films on Standby
end up finding seats for most people who bought stand by tickets. Plus, if
you read number 4 above, it doesn't matter. You may end up seeing even a
better film than the one on standby.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
There are two
events. Both start with The Orheim Company.
It
is a searing family drama that depicts, with painstaking attention to period
detail and a delicate sense of nuance, how the little company of three Orheims
gradually stops marching in
unison.
FILM FEST: The Orheim
Company 4PM / The Discoverers 6:10Pm / Dinner at Pure Vida 8:15 PM, Saturday
April 6
THE DISCOVERERS is about a
down-and-out history professor Lewis Birch, who is trying desperately to publish
his life’s work (a 6,000-page tome on the slave who accompanied Lewis and Clark
on their Pacific expedition) with any old academic
press.
http://www.meetup.com/clevelandfilm/events/109586032/
FILM FEST: The Orheim
Company 4PM / Anita Hill 7:30Pm / Anita Hill IN PERSON - Pura Vida afterward,
Saturday April 6
I have
secured a handful of tickets to see Anita and the person at the price of $11 if
you use Paypal. I still have a few left. If we haven't sold them through Paypal,
then we will sell them to members or others for $12 the day of the
show. Renu will be passing out tickets before the films on
Saturday.
To
purchase: www.meetup.com/clevelandfilm/dues
The
Anita Hill story unfolded in October 1991, riveting Americans to their
televisions. A beautiful, dignified African-American law professor, was
testifying before a Senate committee of 14 white men about the sexual harassment
she endured while working with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.
Reluctantly thrust onto the world stage when she answered a subpoena to testify,
Anita became a celebrated -- and hated -- figure whose graphic testimony was a
turning point for gender equality in the U.S. Now it’s time we heard her story.
http://www.meetup.com/clevelandfilm/events/111073432/
NO: Cedar Lee,
Wednesday April 17
Yes, we
are going to see this wonderful film about Chile's dictator Pinochet.
Please join us at the Cedar Lee (after the Film Festival).
CALL FOR
ORGANIZERS
At least
once a week, I get a request to see a certain movie. Well, the best way to
do that is to organize your own movie. You can pick most anything, even a
"smart" mainstream film. Regular organizers get to see movies for
free. It is not that difficult. Your dues are also waived.
Please drop me a line.
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