Hey all,

Every year, Roger Ebert comes down to Champaign (he's University of Illinois alumnus) and organizes his "Overlooked Film Festival" at a local theater. This year's fest is on the last weekend in April. I don't have time to see many (that's a particularly horrible weekend for me), but I'd like to catch a few if they're worthwhile. Could anyone offer some recommendations (or dissuasion) based on the following list?

Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures (Jan Harlan, 2001)
Matyam (Ramin Serry, 2000)
Such A Long Journey (Sturla Gunnarsson, 1998)
Sons from the Second Floor (Roy Andersson, 2000)
Panic (Henry Bromell, 2000)
Girl on the Bridge (Patrice Leconte, 1999)
3 Women (Robert Altman, 1977)
The King of Masks (Wu Tianming, 1996)
On the Ropes (Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgen, 1999)
Jesus' Son (Alison Maclean, 1999)
A Simple Plan (Sam Raimi, 1998)
Everyone Says I Love You (Woody Allen, 1996)

I've heard some good mutterings about Songs from the Second Floor (Swedish) and Tom's Out There mention of Jesus' Son will probably convince me to see that.

As an aside, the festival is a good time, and I encourage anyone who lives within driving distance of east-central Illinois to make the trip (say, from Chicago). Last year I only saw Dark City (which I had already seen on its release in theaters) but Ebert's commentary and post-film conference call with the director was very interesting. You might even get a chance to spill beer on Roger, like I did last year. After the Dark City showing, we were at our favorite bar down the street from the theater. I had four beers in hand, turned away from the bar to go back to our table, and {smack}. Oops. Sorry, Roger. Anyway, it's fun.

Bruce

I saw A Simple Plan on DVD. It's quite riveting, and director Sam Raimi keeps most of his gimmickry (good for Zombie films but not for little thrillers) in check save for a rather ridiculous scene involving an, um, firearm having greater impact than I could ever believe. :)

It's also probably the most depressing film I've ever seen, but it's a great thriller and morality play, me thinks.

I'll second A Simple Plan. Not a perfect film, but a very interesting study on "good" fortune and one of the few films I've ever seen that truly fits the definition: "tragedy".

Thornton is great in this one and it is rather amazing that it came from Raimi.

I'd like to say that I've seen more on that list but... well, wife, baby daughter, etc., Now we rent movies where thinking isn't involved.

-Andrew

I'm not a big fan of A Simple Plan for two out of three reasons. Yes, BB Thornton is excellent. But Bill Paxton isn't a compelling enough moral anchor for the movie (cf. his performance in One False Move). And Bridget Fonda is right up there with Catherine Zeta-Jones' performance in Traffic on the list of "Implausible and Overdone Modern Day Versions of Lady Macbeth".

I do recommend Jesus' Son, especially now that I see what a faithful recreation it is of Johnson's book. I almost wish I'd read the book first. Also, Samantha Morton and Billy Cruddup are two very talented and very watchable actors. I think my review is still up on Daily Radar.

-Tom

"You might even get a chance to spill beer on Roger, like I did last year."

Slosh one on him for me this year, Bruce.

-Tom

Thanks, all, for the tips. I'll probably see A Simple Plan just to see whether or not I like it. One film I don't have to be told to see is "Nosferatu" (which I left off the list along with 2001 because I'm familiar with those) and which will have the music performed live by the same orchestra that plays the Telluride Festival. It's in an old restored theater (balcony, orchestra pit) so it should be good. As for the beer-sloshing, that's a given.

Nosferatu with a live orchestra? Holy makeral!
Despite the fact that I've seen it three times since August, I am now soooo there Bruce.
(Once I cobble together my Knock costume)

Andrew

Since you mention vampire movies...

I'd like to pitch a vote for a little B- movie I own called "Razorblade Smile". Kinda campy, with a twist of lime at the end.

hrm, almost forgot about the ebert movie thing this year.. guess i'll have to go out and be social, catch some movies, and maybe drink/spill beer.. and very convenient that it's all like less than 30mins away from me, mmm.

- mike - stuck in east-central illinois -