KEVIN JAMES PREMIERES HIS NEW FILM 'ZOOKEEPER' AT THE ST. LOUIS ZOO!
KEVIN JAMES CHOSE ONE OF THE FINEST ZOOS IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE THE RED CARPET PREMIERE OF HIS NEW FILM 'ZOOKEEPER', AS HE SHOWED UP AT THE ST. LOUIS ZOO THE SHOW THE CITY HIS NEW COMEDY!
FANS POURED OUT IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING TO GET A GLIMPSE OF THE FORMER "KING OF QUEENS" WALKING ON THE RED CARPET AND A FEW SCORED AN AUTOGRAPH AND A PICTURE WITH HIM!
THERE WERE EVEN A FEW LOCAL CELEBS SHOWED UP! T.J. OSHIE AND A FEW OF THE ST. LOUIS BLUES SHOWED UP FOR THE FESTIVITIES!
WAY TO GO ST. LOUIS!!!!!
ST. LOUIS GET CONTAMINATED!
Sci-Fi/Horror convention "Contamination 2011" rolled into St. Louis this weekend with a load of interesting celebs and guests displaying everything from special effects props, aging porn stars and even a food network chef! The headliners for the even were the BOONDOCK SAINTS! So the Fanatics had to check it out...The Flick Fanatic, Raven and Watts Up w/ Brad were in the house and have the pics and interviews for you!
I should say, 2 out of three of the Saints were there, Norman Reedus ended up stuck in Atlanta where he is filming the next season of the Walking Dead after his flight was canceled (Thanks Delta!). Sean Patrick Flanery aka Conner McMannus and David Della Rocca (Rocco) did show up and entertained the crowds pouring in for autographs. Many fans even brought gifts including a giant pretzel and gooey butter cake!
As big a Saints fan that I am, the best part of the convention was located downstairs on the dealer floor where I met up with legends like Rebecca Staab, Joseph Culp and Jay Underwood and the rest of the cast from the Roger Corman unreleased classic "the Fantastic Four". Other horror legends like Tony Todd, Max Wasa, Kane Hodder and my personal faves G. Tom Mac and Ben Davidson!
GREAT FILM MAKERS
TONY TODD FROM CANDYMAN AND THE LOVELY MAX WASA
THE ORIGINAL CAST OF ROGER CORMAN'S FANTASTIC 4!
YES THIS IS A REAL CAKE!
KANE HODDER WHO PLAYED JASON VORHEES IN THE 8TH FRIDAY THE 13TH!
G. Tom Mac hooked me up with his latest CD and filled the flick fanatic how he wrote one of the best songs on film "Cry Little Sister" from 'The Lost Boys'. He also gave us a little info on his upcoming CD due out later this year. Then I met the massive warrior from film and the gridiron Ben Davidson! Ben gave me inside information on how NFL retired veterans are suffering and being ignored by the league that they created. Imagine if you retired and you only made a couple hundred dollars a month and were expected to pay for your own heath care and rent and utilities! Shame on you NFL! Ben Davidson, a warrior in the film Conan, but a real warrior as a member of the Silver and Black army known as the Oakland Raiders!
All in all Contamination is a good time and there is fun activities for the whole family. I would just suggest that they join the 20th century and lose the cash and carry idea when it comes to autographs. No one carries cash anymore. Also if you say your coming, Eric Roberts (Dark Knight), THEN YOU SHOW UP! I am looking forward to next years Contamination and hope to see you all there!
Or you may get a call from Conner McMannus!
***warning*** explicit language!
G. Tom Mac tells us how he came to write the song "CRY LITTLE SISTER" from The Lost Boys!
Jay Underwood talks Fantastic 4, Roger Corman, Uncle Buck and John Hughes!
THE CARS 2 NATIONWIDE TOUR
The stars from the new Disney/Pixar film "CARS 2" rolled into snowy St. Louis this weekend. Hundreds of people braved the weather and long lines to get a sneak peek at the film and play some inter-active games and finally to get a picture with the three "stars" from the film. As I walked through the line I could here kids "Where's Lightning McQueen?", "I want to see Tow-Mater!" and "Getter Done!".
And new to the film is FinnMcMissle
a British Secret Agent Car in the new film!
The 30 city tour is sponsered by State Farm and are suppling the kids with personalized detective bags for coming out. The tour crosses the country and last until the Hollywood Red Carpet premiere on June 18th!
RED STATE OF THE UNION TOUR
RELIGIOUS IDIOTS, KIDS IN CAGES, MACHINE GUNS AND CRAZY MELISSA LEO……WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE!
Kevin Smith was at Butler University in Indianapolis this week where he painted the town RED with his new film RED STATE! Kevin had made a decision that shocked many at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, when he decided to distribute his new horror film himself. So in order to raise money to mass distribute RED STATE this October, Kevin took the film on the road, a 15 city cross country tour, where he will show the film and do a question & answer session immediately after. Basically Smith is giving his fans the Sundance feel without the cost of going to Utah! Tickets range from $50-$60 depending on the venue. This has caused a lot of flack with film critics (not this one) who blasted Smith for gouging his fans to see a movie. (Feel free to jump over to the “spotlight page” to hear Kevin’s response.) The fact is Smith was already doing a speaking tour, which tickets were the same cost and he through the film in for FREE! Again it is the case of some snobby film critics, used to being coddled and expecting a free ride, having to open their wallet in order to see this film in advance. Shame on all of you!
So I saw RED STATE! Kevin calls it his first “horror” film, when in actuality and as he explained in his Q&A, “after making the film I recalled the days of working at the video store and we always had comedies, dramas, action, and horror. I though the closest category RED STATE fit in was horror”. No, it isn’t a slasher film with a dead guy walking around killing naked cheerleaders; RED STATE is a complex film featuring some teen angst, court room type drama, vicious gun battle and delusional performances by award winning actors.
Travis, Jarod and Billy Ray (Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner and Nicholas Braun) are three sex starved teens living in the bible belt of Middle America. One day at lunch they come across an ad on craig's list for a woman in their town who is willing to take them all on (sexually) for the right price. The boys head out for their rendezvous with Sara (Melissa Leo) in the town of Copper’s Dell, side swiping a car parked on the side of the road, not noticing the town sheriff (Stephan Root) having his own one night stand in the front seat with another guy!
The boys arrive and have a couple of beers with Sara only to find out it was a trap! The beers were drug and they were now hostages of the radical Reverend Abin Cooper (Michael Parks) and his followers at the 5 Points Baptist Church! Smith modeled Copper and his followers after the real life zealot Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. You know them, the people picketing funerals, airports and now movies with signs that say “GOD HATES GAYS”. Cooper gives a chilling sermon to his “family” before they execute a boy bound in saran wrap with a gunshot to the head for being sinful! Jarod sees the whole thing, as he is in cage on deck to be the next one brought to GOD for punishment. Billy Ray and Travis are held below a trap door where Cooper disposes of the sinful bodies following judgment.
While all this “religion” is taking place, Sheriff Wynan sends a deputy out to find the kids that hit his car who ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Shots are fired as Travis and Billy Ray make a break for it. The deputy hears it and is promptly killed by Cooper.
Just like in Waco Texas and the Branch Davidian Church, the FBI rolls in lead by Agent Joe Keenan (John Goodman) to search for Automatic weapons being stock-piled by Cooper and his religious army. This is where Smith’s film turns into God’s version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! Bullets flying everywhere!!!! Sheriff Wynan is taken out by a head shot from Esther (Kevin’s wife Jennifer Schwalbach-Smith) perched on the roof of the church. Casualties mounted on both sides including FBI agent Brooks (Kevin Pollack) who is killed by a shoot through his eye!
I am not going to tell you how the standoff ends or give away the brilliant ending Kevin Smith wrote into RED STATE. I am going to ask, WHY AREN’T YOU LINING UP TO SEE IT? RED STATE is a very different film from Kevin Smith that is complex, entertaining and riveting. It will have you on the edge of your seat not believing what you are watching. Oscar winner Melissa Leo gives a stunning performance and Michael Parks should get award consideration this year as the maniacal reverend Cooper. RED STATE is the best 97 minutes I have spent this year!
Kevin Smith then spent the next 2 hours answering questions from the crowd. Topics ranged from how he came up with RED STATE, his next film HIT SOMEBODY, Jay & Silent Bob’s future and his latest endeavor S.I.R. (SMODCAST INTERNET RADIO). (Everything can be heard in our interview with Kevin on the spotlight page.) Everyone in attendance was overjoyed with the film and the Q&A session and Kevin on a great note with a quote about the new film RED STATE, “DON’T FEAR GOD, FEAR HIS FOLLOWERS!”
I am Karl, the Flick Fanatic and I have enjoyed Chasing Amy, hung out with Mallrats, skipped church to watch DOGMA and just quit my job as a CLERK! But in October I will paint St. Louis RED when everyone can go out and see one of my favorite films of 2011...RED STATE!
THE ST. LOUIS FILM CRITICS ASSOC. OSCAR VIEWING PARTY!
Sunday was the first annual Academy Award viewing party hosted by the St. Louis Film Critics Assoc. and Landmark Theaters. The crowd was greeted to a fun filled event that featured trivia, prizes and an Oscar ballot contest!
The 83rd annual Academy Awards were presented in high definition on the main screen at the legendary Tivoli theater in the famous Delmar Loop district.The event also help raisehundreds of can of food for the St. Louis area food bank!
Hundreds of prizes were given away and everyone in attendance was entertained all night by Hosts James "the Movie Man" Thomas, Karl the Flick Fanatic, The Movie Guru (Channel 5), Lynn Venhaus (Belleville News Democrat) and Cate Marquis (The Current). Flick Fanatic writers Andy & Alexis were also on hand to help out.
Here are some photos from the event....
2011 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
CHECK OUT THE DAILY FILMS AND ACTIVITIES AT THIS YEARS SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR FANATIC INSIDER RAVEN!
SUNDANCE 2011 CLOSES WITH AWARDS!
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival closes out another January as film-makers shine in this unique festival and were awarded for their efforts. Here are the list of winners:
2011 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners:
The Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to How to Die in Oregon, directed by Peter D.
Richardson. In 1994 Oregon became the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. How to Die in
Oregon gently enters the lives of terminally ill Oregonians to illuminate the power of death with dignity.
The Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to Like Crazy, directed by Drake Doremus; written by
Drake Doremus and Ben York Jones. A young American guy and a young British girl meet in college and
fall in love. Their love is tested when she is required to leave the country and they must face the
challenges of a long-distance relationship.
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Hell and Back Again, directed by
Danfung Dennis. Told through the eyes of one Marine from the start of his 2009 Afghanistan tour to his
distressing return and rehabilitation in the U.S., we witness what modern "unconventional" warfare really
means to the men who are fighting it. U.S.A./United Kingdom
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig), directed by
Anne Sewitsky; written by Ragnhild Tronvoll. A perfect housewife, who just happens to be sex-starved,
struggles to keep her emotions in check when an attractive family moves in next door. Norway
The Audience Awards are presented to both a dramatic and documentary film in four competitions as
voted by Sundance Film Festival audiences. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival Audience
Awards are presented by Acura.
The Audience Award: Documentary was presented to Buck, directed by Cindy Meehl, for her story
about the power of non-violence and master horse trainer Buck Brannaman, who uses principles of
respect and trust to tame horses and inspire their human counterparts.
The Audience Award: Dramatic was presented to Circumstance, directed and written by Maryam
Keshavarz, in which a wealthy Iranian family struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion
and her brother's dangerous obsession.
The World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary was presented to Senna, directed by Asif Kapadia;
written by Manish Pandey, about legendary racing driver and Brazilian hero Ayrton Senna, taking us on
the ultimate journey of what it means to become the greatest when faced with the constant possibility of
death. United Kingdom
The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic was presented to Kinyarwanda, directed and written by
Alrick Brown, which tells the story of Rwandans who crossed the lines of hatred during the 1994
genocide, turning mosques into places of refuge for Muslims and Christians, Hutus and Tutsis.
U.S.A./Rwanda
The Best of NEXT!: Audience Award was presented to to.get.her, directed and written by Erica Dunton
about five girls who come together for one fateful night where anything goes. They all had secrets, but
their friendship was the only thing they knew to be true.
A special Thanks to Raven for the coverage again this year and we can't wait til next winter!
DAY 7
ANOTHER EARTH
This year at Sundance has been wonderful. Wonderful films, wonderful people. So how do you choose a film or a person that just stands above the rest? What if that person not only co-produced but also acted in not one but TWO films entered this year? And what if both films were simply amazing? Let me introduce you to Brit Marling, who is just that person. Not only can the girl act, but she writes and produces too? Maybe she really is an alien or from the future?
Picture a young adult driving a bit drunk on her way home, when on the radio they start talking about a discovery of a new planet. What if she happens to look out the window and she can actually see it? And then the unthinkable happens. While she is stargazing, she strikes another car, killing all the occupants except the driver. 
She goes to jail for four years; and around her the world realizes this new planet is a mirror of our own. She tries to meet the driver of the car she hit and tries to apologize for her actions, only to be drawn in to a situation that she cannot seem to escape. All the while she is dealing with her guilt and her fascination with the new planet.
Director Mike Cahill has a fantasmic imagination and instead of running loose about alien life and weird planets, he shows the new planet as only a backdrop to a story of self-realization and a road to redemption. Along with Brit Marling, I see a HUGE future for these amazing and talented people. They have realized how to make movies that are engaging yet imaginative all at once.
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
I SAW THE DEVIL
Any true horror movie buff can tell you that some of the best scary films are of Asian origination. Look at the original “Ringu”. So I was hopeful to see a Korean horror film entered at Sundance…and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Director Kim Ji-woon has his finger on your pulse and keeps it there so he can measure the amount of fear he strikes as he unfolds this masterpiece of revenge.
The tale starts off with a beautiful girl stranded on the side of a lonely highway, talking to her fiancé on the phone. She is waiting for a tow truck, when a school bus driver approaches the car and asks her if she needs some help. She of course says no, and he walks away. And then we begin the descent into hell. The woman is of coarse grabbed and beaten, then taken to a warehouse where….ugh. I cannot tell you the rest! Turns out her man is a secret agent type, and after she is found beheaded, he decides to go all Dexter on the killer. Oh and did I mention her daddy is also the Chief of Police? The ensuing cat and mouse game that plays out on the screen for two hours is as riveting as it is grotesque. I mean, how DO you make a psychopath really suffer? It’s not like they have any fear of anything right?
Ji-woon has an eye for detail as well as a sense of humor that plays out in a few scenes. It could have messed up the action, but he has great timing. He throws in a few good jump-out-of-your seat moments and keeps the pace moving pretty well. I would love to see him shave (no pun intended!) a few minutes off the length of the film. But as it is you still get one amazingly bizarre tale. The film is beautifully shot and laid out, the scenes are so perfect you think it is really happening before your eyes. If the ending doesn’t get you, well you might want to check your pulse!
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
SOLD!
FOCUS FEATURES ACQUIRES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO PARIAH,
DEBUT FEATURE FROM WRITER/DIRECTOR DEE REES,
EXECUTIVE-PRODUCED BY SPIKE LEE;
January 28th, 2011 – Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to the contemporary drama Pariah, the debut feature from writer/director Dee Rees. Pariah world-premiered In Competition this past week at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Spike Lee is among the feature’s executive producers. Pariah is produced by Nekisa Cooper.
In tandem with the Pariah acquisition, Focus has engaged Ms. Rees to write a screenplay. The script deal is for a new feature-length film that the writer/director would conceive.
Pariah is one of the Festival’s most acclaimed entries this year; Kyle Smith of The New York Post wrote that Pariah is “emotionally satisfying…with a likeable and believable heroine at its core.” Andrew Barker of Variety wrote that actress Adepero Oduye gives “a wonderful lead performance.”
DAY 6
THE SOUND OF MY VOICE
It has been a loooong time since I have seen a film that totally engaged me for the entire hour and a half that it appears on screen. Director and writer Zal Batmanglij does just that in his wonderful, mystical journey that he takes us on. His mystical vs. logic battle that is enacted before us draws us in, leaving us begging for more. I had a chance to sit with him and ask a few questions about this film while at the Sundance Film Festival. He answered many of my questions about the film, but asked me not to print them…he wants the audience to be surprised and gratified when he is able to release the companion piece. Could a series be imminent??????
The story is simplistic. A young couple (actors Christopher Denham and Nicole Vicius) infiltrate a mystical cult, hoping to expose it in a documentary that they are secretly filming. The cult is led by beautiful Maggie (Brit Marling), an ethereal being who says she is from the future. A future that is bleak but filled with hope and love. The people in the secret meetings are called in the middle of the night; blindfolded and cuffed and taken to an unknown location. They have to know a secret handshake and go thru rigorous training, all to meet this Maggie. The couple has to shower and scrub before even being allowed to get into the van…a process that everyone must do. The story has so many different facets that you stay mesmerized trying to stay one step ahead.
Is Maggie really from the future? Is it all a big scam?
Maggie has a way of getting into each person’s head and molding them, pushing and manipulating them under her spell. The young couple begins to unravel when one is pulled emotionally into Maggie’s inner circle. They are faced with ethical choices, to be made and have made for them. In the end you have no idea where the story will go and you left with an old style cliffhanger…the director assured me all questions will be answered in the sequel…I sure hope so, because I am demanding more! This is one of the films not to be missed this season at Sundance…I truly hope the buzz surrounding it gets it SOLD!
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
DAY 5
BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE
If you are a true fan of hip-hop music, then you have to know the band, “A Tribe Called Quest”. Known for their breakthrough jazzy and ethnic mixes, the band has never been interested in having their story told. Amid some controversy, actor Michael Rapaport delves into their history and thanks to his friendship with members of the group, he is able to give an amazing view into the lives of these fantastic musical geniuses.
The backdrop of the film of course is the music and the performances. But always in the mind is the crazy breakup of the group and the publicity surrounding them. Rapaport seems like a seasoned director, even though this is his directorial debut. His passion bleeds thru the screen, and the music just holds you in place. But mostly you see these friends who start off making music for themselves and almost being destroyed by the musical industry beast.
The film received a standing ovation after the screening at Sundance, and during the Q&A session afterwards, Michael Rapaport and members of the group spoke about the love of the music. When asked how he felt about the new music of today and what he was listening to, Rapaport replied that he was disappointed in the artists with their trash talking. He felt that they have no voice, just looking for the quick shock. He stands behind the old school music but did reply that artists like Drake still get it. Take a moment to turn back musical time and watch a fantastic film on a fantastic group. May they move on and give us more music.
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
AND RAVEN HAD A FEW QUESTIONS FOR MICHEAL AFTER THE FILM...
DAY 4
LORD BYRON
Once in a while, a filmmaker comes along that has a beautiful vision. But once in a longer while comes along not only a beautiful film, but also a wonderful director who has a simplistic view. Uncluttered with the usual Hollywood plasticity, Zach Godshall is a poised, yet friendly man who exudes such a peace that you have got to wonder how he does it. He is not new to Sundance. 
His other film “Low and Behold” not only screened at Sundance, but also at the Saint Louis International Film Fest. I got the chance to sit and chat with Zach at the Sundance Channel Headquarters and discuss his new film “Lord Byron”.
The film is so intrinsic, yet with such an open message. It is the story of Byron, a very romantic and free spiritual being. An older man, who loves completely, he has come to a moment in his life where he feels he must make a change. But what changes to make? Newcomer Paul Batiste portrays Byron in such an old world yet new soul way that you cannot help fall in love with him. His lovers come and go, he lives with his ex and her new partner…each layer of the story compels you to wait for the next. When I asked Zach what he felt the underlying message of his film is, he replied,” It is a film of people pursuing their passions”. And that is exactly what you walk away with.
Zach and his co-producer Ross Brupbacher put the script together in less than a week and did casting calls locally in Lafayette, Louisiana. They literally only had a story and coaxed it into life as they cast the characters. It really pays off with the diverse characters they were able to assemble. The film comes off like a well-orchestrated thought. What really stands out to me is after getting a chance to see the film; I remembered that Zach had explained they did no fundraising or campaigning. He called it his “organic process of discovery”. They did everything themselves, and for once, it does not show on the screen. Instead the film flows and you cannot help walking away with a feeling of rediscovery for yourself.
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
SUBMARINE
In this day and age of quirky teen angst films, certain directors stand out in their ability to both amuse and shed light on the perils of growing up. Richard Ayoade is definitely one of them. His film is akin to Wes Anderson style in the telling and the beautiful layout of each scene. Based on the novel of the same name, Submarine is a tale where we are introduced to Oliver Tate (budding actor Craig Roberts); a somewhat morose teen living in Wales with his overly intelligent parents. His mother (played amazingly by Sally Hawkins) starts up a secret affair with an old flame, who is now a “psychic life coach” (Paddy Considine in all his craziness). His father (Noah Taylor) is a deeply depressed marine biologist and roams the house in his robe. In all this is Oliver trying to make sense of life.
Oliver thinks out his life as if it were a film being done, with voiceovers and flamboyant scenes that tell his tale. He fancies himself to be the hero and when he finally lands his first girlfriend in school (Yasmin Paige), he tries to make his make believe world and reality match up. He spies on his parents and tries to revive their love for each other, while at the same time sabotaging any chance his mother may have with her affair. Newcomer Craig Roberts has a way of delivering each line with just the perfect facial expressions that draw you in. Enter Oliver’s world and come out thinking more about how fun life would be if we really had our own life running in film in our heads. Ayoade better have many more like this under his belt, because I am totally hooked…sorry for the pun!
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
DAY 3- KEVIN SMITH PREMIERES 'RED STATE' UNDER PROTEST!
Some movies hit you with both barrels right out of the gate…and some directors have such a keen way of expressing themselves that you sit up and notice. Red State does both, but fails to keep you truly interested. Directed by Kevin Smith, it is a cautionary and fearful tale of religious fervor gone terribly wrong. The film starts off following three young boys off for a sexual romp. Kind of like a throwback to the Porky’s movies in the eighties. From there Smith takes a drastic u-turn, and we are led down a terrifying road of kidnap and terrorism in our own backyards. The movie is quite violent and leaves nothing to the imagination.
While I normally am a huge fan of Smith’s dead on sarcasm, he just felt out of his league on this film. We have come to expect fun and comedy and instead he dives deep into some of our secret fears, as well as using quite a few stereotypical moments to inject storyline into the picture. And as he was introducing the film at Sundance, he even says “this film is not funny…it’s f@$king pure terror”. I will admit there were a few jump out of the seat moments, but the rest of the film was disappointing. Smith interjects some humor here and there, but for the rest, he loses pacing and the film gets very drawn out and boring. The one bright moment is Michael Parks, who completely immerses himself in his character. You never have any doubt as to his intentions. On the other side of the acting coin is John Goodman, who seems to be lost throughout the entire film. His lines are delivered more like he was reading them to himself in a mirror than actually conversing with another human being.
Rumor had it that Smith was going to attempt to auction off the distribution rights after the film showed, but it turned out to be a bit of humor on his part. He told the audience that he plans to distribute the film himself. If the protesters outside were any prediction, he won’t find many places willing to get it on screen. Smith should go back to the sarcastic humor that he does best, and leave these kinds of films to others.
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
DAY 2
KNUCKLE
Most documentaries seem to try to make you go out and do good for the environment, or to help someone. In “Knuckle”, the only thing you are asked to is sit back and watch a way of life seldom seem by outsiders unfold in front of your eyes. Director Ian Palmer has a gem of a story on his lap and he wastes no time getting your attention. We are thrown into the ring with two fighters and get glimpses of them on a journey. Palmer followed a fairly unknown group of people known as the Travellers, a clannish gyspy-like people in England. The two main groups he followed were the Quinn-McDonaghs and the Joyces.
These two clans have been at war for over 30 years. And the way they solve their differences is to taunt each other into bare knuckle fighting bouts, mostly down somewhere in the countryside in secret. It took Palmer over 9 years to truly get to the bottom of the feud that has pitted these families against each other for over 30 years. James Quinn seems to be a patient and reluctant fighter. He tries often to get out of the fighting, but money and family pride continually seem to draw him back in for one last fight. And then you have his cousins, the Joyces, who just can’t seem to keep their mouths shut at any given time.
Throughout the 92 minute film, we are shown archival footage of grown men fighting away their difference. At one time, two of the patriarchs of the family “duke it out”, and director Palmer likens it to watching two grandfathers in a fist fight”. Which was actually quite a sad thing to observe. At the end of the film, the clans are at peace…but you can’t help but wonder which hotheaded idiot will start the whole thing all over? An amazing look at humans at their most vunerable but tough, “Knuckle” is one documentary not to be missed.
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
DAY 1
PROJECT NIM
Every few years, a documentary comes along that just really makes me stop everything I am doing and really think about the impact we have as humans on everything on this planet. And Project Nim does just that. It is not a new story…the teaching of sign language to chimpanzees to try to better communicate with them is one we have heard before. But what we have not heard or seen is the impact on the chimp itself.
Director James Marsh and Producer Simon Chinn took two years to put together a wonderful but bittersweet look into the life of Nim, a chimpanzee taken from his mother at birth, and for the first five years of his life he is kept from his species. He is raised in the exact same way as a human child is, and taught American Sign Language as a means to communicate to those humans around him. The story gives us such an insight more on ourselves rather than the chimp. I don’t think we realize the damage that we can do to other species, all in the name of science. This animal was wrenched from its mother and kept from being its true self, all to try to communicate with this chimp. Maybe teaching them signing could be better if they were taught it so they can use it within their own species and we can observe and learn that way?
This film was meticulously edited and truly was wonderful to watch in its details and editing. You feel so much for Nim and want everything to have a movie happy ending, but alas…as we know that is not always the case. My only hope is that many more people get a chance to see the film and speak out against animal experimentation and we can find better ways to communicate with our fellow mammals.
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
SILENT HOUSE
Scary indie movies and psychological thrillers have a great life at the Sundance Film Fest. Look at “The Blair Witch Project”. And directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau are trying to cash in on that kind of phenomenon. They are best known for their feature film, “Open Water”. They are trying for another hit with this film, a remake of the Uruguayan movie “La Casa Mudu”, loosely based on true events.
The story revolves around a young girl (played intensely by Elizabeth Olsen, the younger sister of the Olsen twins. Elizabeth and her father move back to their home after having a bunch of homeless folks have trashed the place. All seems well until the young girl starts to hear sounds throughout the house. What follows is pretty much every horror film cliché in the book. Nothing really new or refreshing here, except for the surprisingly good acting talents of the young Ms. Olsen. Don’t get me wrong…you will jump in the air for a few scenes! But it tends to be in predicted places. At least the gore was kept to a healthy medium for once.
What actually makes this film amazing is the fact that they did it in one shot…one continuous shot of 80 minutes of pure terror through this girls eyes. That in itself is a feat worth watching. A certain unnamed BIG producer was interested enough in the film to come see it himself with the general public…sounds promising guys!
Review (c) 2011 Stephe Raven | Radioraven2010@gmail.com
NELLY'S 5th ANNUAL "BLACK & WHITE BALL" IN ST. LOUIS
St. Louis' elite and family and friends came out Sunday night to support Grammy award winner Nelly and his 5th annual Black & White Ball. The ball is to honor and award his 2011/2012 Black And White Ball scholarship program which will provide two students from the St. Louis region with 4-year full-tuition scholarships/grants to Lindenwood University. In addition, the 2010/2011 Black And White Ball scholarship recipients will be recognized at the gala.
The event had everything great food, comedy, magic and some awesome performances from Ashanti, Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels and the host himself Nelly with Jermaine Dupree spinning the discs!
WE DID TAKE A MOMENT TO ASK NELLY ABOUT FUTURE MOVIE PROJECTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BIG WINNER
THE BLACK BEAUTY, A 1965 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL. THIS IS ONE OF TWO FUNCTIONAL STUNT VEHICALS USED IN FILMING.
THE ORIGINALLY HAD 30 CARS AND NOW HAVE 18 THE WORK IN SOME FASHION, THANKS KATO!
THE FLICK FANATICS GOT TO TAKE IT FOR A SPIN!
WILL FERRELL AND MARK WAHLBERG PICK ST. LOUIS TO PREMIERE "THE OTHER GUYS"
AMERICA'S FAVORITE FUNNY MAN WILL FERRELL WALKED THE RED CARPET AT THE ST. LOUIS SCREENING OF "THE OTHER GUYS". CO-STAR MARK WAHLBERG JOINED HIM AS THE FANS IN ST. LOUIS GAVE THEM A WARM WELCOME TO TOWN!
HEN THE STARS LET THE CROWD CHECK OUT AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF THIER NEW FILM, "THE OTHER GUYS" AND THE NIGHT WAS UNFORGETABLE FOR ALL WHO ATTENDED!
(PHOTOS BY FLICK FANATIC PHOTOG PAM ASHCRAFT)
ZAC EFRON HAS A HOT DATE IN ST. LOUIS FOR CHARLIE ST. CLOUD PREMIERE!
The luckiest girl in the world lives in St. Louis and her name is Emily Johnson! Emily had a date with Zac Efron to attend his new film "Charlie St. Cloud" at a exclusive premiere in St. Louis. Emily entered a contest and was chosen out of every teenager across the country!
if a star is in town the flick fanatic will be there to greet him....
THE TWILIGHT SAGA TOUR: ST. LOUIS
In St. Louis, we welcomed Jack Huston, nephew of Danny Huston (Wolverine) and award winning actress Angelica Huston. Jack is also the grandson of the world famous director John Huston! Jack Huston is new to the Twilight series in Eclipse, 
where he plays Royce King, a really bad guy, that provides a vital piece of history from Rosalie Hale (Nikki Reed) and Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli) past. Unfortunately he is a one and done character with Twilight, as he is neither vampire nor werewolf. Jack took over an hour to welcome the lucky VIPs and sign autographs and pose for hundreds of pictures. Jack Huston is one of the nicest guys in the movie business. He then went on to hand out prizes to the crowd prior to the start of the film.
BAILEY BECKER!!!!!
SHE GOT A TON OF TWILIGHT SWAG AND A VIP MEET AND GREET WITH JACK HUSTON!
Will Smith debuts 7 Pounds in St. Louis
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