Archives for October 2011

‘The Last Rites of Joe May’ kicks off CIFF

October 6, 2011 by

The Chicago International Film Festival, the oldest competitive film festival in North America, starts tonight at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park with “The Last Rites of Joe May,” a neo noir.  The fest, now in its 47th year, runs through Oct. 20.

Writer/director Joe Maggio’s film stars Chicagoan Dennis Farina (“Get Shorty,” “Snatch,” “Midnight Run,” “Law & Order”), Jamie Anne Allman, Meredith Droeger, Ian Barford, Chelcie Ross and Gary Cole.

Farina was a Chicago cop before becoming an actor.

In “The Last Rites of Joe May,” Farina, who was a Chicago cop for 18 years before becoming an actor, plays a sixtysomething short-money hustler looking to make a comeback after a battle with pneumonia. The film is “steeped in colorful characters and the neighborhood flavor of the city,” said Mimi Plauché, CIFF’s head of programming.

This year’s fest features 143 feature-length films (narrative and documentary), representing 55 countries, and 52 short films. There are also panels, parties, discussions and tributes.

I’m most interested in the After Dark competition, described by the fest as follows: “From H.P. Lovecraft to high-voltage chases in the streets of Seoul, South Korea, not to mention psycho killers using unconventional methods to inflict mayhem, these films will keep you on the edge of your seat.”

I will be posting more about the fest next week!

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A Film Noir Blonde fave: Rolling Stones rock the big screen

October 5, 2011 by

I always thought Mick Jagger hit the nail on the head when in “Some Girls,” he says, “American girls want everything in the world you can possibly imagine.” I’d be good with that, as would most femmes fatales. I can’t wait to hear the song again later this month at The Rolling Stones: Some Girls Live In Texas, a one-night in-theater concert.

This rare, never-before-seen concert was captured live in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 18, 1978. The show will be broadcast to more than 300 theaters nationwide at 7:30 p.m. (local time) on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The event will also include an exclusive 20-minute interview with Jagger filmed in August 2011 where he reflects on the fabled 1978 U.S. tour, which is believed among many fans to be one of the band’s greatest tours and strongest musically.

“Fort Worth was an amazing night in a blistering hot July,” said Jagger. “Watching it now, the band was really intense and focused, but we were also having a blast with the fans who were really getting into the show and the new tracks from Some Girls.”

Digitally re-mastered to HD with Cinema Surround Sound, this legendary footage includes a mixture of classic Stones hits such as “Brown Sugar,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Tumbling Dice,” paired with blues numbers and Chuck Berry covers, as well as songs from the Some Girls LP including “Beast of Burden” and “Miss You.”

Presented by NCM Fathom, More2Screen and Eagle Rock, tickets for The Rolling Stones: Some Girls Live In Texas are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

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Free stuff: Win Criterion Jean Vigo set and CIFF T-shirt

October 4, 2011 by

Tomorrow is the 77th anniversary of French filmmaker Jean Vigo’s death, at age 29. As part of the poetic realist movement of the 1930s, Vigo influenced both film noir and the French New Wave. The winner of October’s reader giveaway will receive a copy of Criterion’s new DVD release of The Complete Jean Vigo.

(The winner of the September reader giveaway is Ashley B., congrats to her and thanks to all who entered!)

This set includes all of Vigo’s titles, described by Criterion as follows: “À propos de Nice,” an absurdist, rhythmic slice of life from the bustling coastal city; “Taris,” an inventive short portrait of a swimming champion; “Zéro de conduite,” a radical, delightful tale of boarding-school rebellion that has influenced countless filmmakers; and “L’Atalante,” widely regarded as one of cinema’s finest achievements, about newlyweds beginning their life together on a canal barge. These are the witty, visually adventurous works of a pivotal film artist.

You can see a clip and learn about the special features here.

The winner will also receive a T-shirt from the Chicago International Film Fest, which runs Oct. 6-20.

To enter the October giveaway, just leave a comment on any FNB post from Oct. 1-31. The winner will be randomly selected at the end of the month and announced in early November. Include your email address in your comment so that I can notify you if you win. Your email will not be shared. Good luck!

Filed Under: Noir Stuff, Noir Style

Honey, your October horoscope is here …

October 1, 2011 by

Rita Hayworth

Rachel McAdams

Fate reigns supreme in film noir, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love us some zodiac fun. Hope your October is full of frighteningly good times. And happy birthday, Libra and Scorpio! A special shout-out and remembrances to A-list Libras Clive Owen (Oct. 3), Kate Winslet (Oct. 5), Carole Lombard (Oct. 6), Rachel McAdams (Oct. 7), Elmore Leonard (Oct. 11), Rita Hayworth (Oct. 17), Viggo Mortensen (Oct. 20), Catherine Deneuve (Oct. 22) and mold-breaking Scorpios Julia Roberts (Oct. 28) and Truman Capote and Louis Malle (both Oct. 30).

Libra (September 24-October 23): An investment pays off in a surprising way, which is especially lovely if you happen to be celebrating your birthday. It’s good to be a material girl, no? The world of money and finance can be navigated, just stick with it, even if it’s not your cup of tea. A friend may approach with an idea for a shared adventure and your artistic eye takes it to another level.  Prepare for excitement! On the work front, be daring, especially on 5th – you may be on the cusp of a major innovation. On the romantic front, let yourself be wicked – as often as possible!

Scorpio (October 24-November 22): Sometimes Scorpio has a tendency to be jealous. For the most part, that’s a tendency to be curbed. However, jealousy can stem from a need to protect yourself. So, if the feeling flares up, don’t automatically dismiss it. Instead, let yourself feel and really examine it – is it specific to the present situation or could it be triggered by something in your past, maybe your distant past? What are your stories around this emotion? As you explore, you will gain strength and confidence, making you even more irresistible than usual. Be ready for heady romance midmonth and perhaps some terrific birthday surprises near the end of the month. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Noir Horoscopes
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