Those who read this column frequently know that I am a fierce proponent of true independent film (e.g. micro-budgeted films not featuring famous people slumming). Sadly, most of those films -- even the good ones -- will only play at film festivals and not be seen by a wider audience. From time to time, though, a small film breaks through and makes it into a theater (e.g. where any film should be seen -- fuck DVDs on a widescreen). Tonight at the Silent Film Theater, you can see one of my favorites from last year's Los Angeles Film Festival, Harmony & Me (review and interview here). Even if you don't end up liking the film, it's impossible not to have a good time at the Silent so I encourage everyone to check it out! more ›

There was a belief a few years ago -- as cheap cameras and Final Cut Pro gained real traction within the filmmaking community -- that we were at the dawn of a cheap indie revolution. Affordability was going to allow new talent to finally be seen and recognized. In some cases that happened, but mostly this surge in access resulted in a colossal amount of dull movies. Thankfully, a micro-budget film still punches through occasionally and restores one's faith in the premise that you don't need a huge amount of money to make a good film. more ›

My fourth day at the Sundance Film Festival began bright and early at seven am. Thankfully, the night before had been a fairly casual one so I was actually feeling full of bounce and vigor. That energy was quickly sapped by a twenty minute wait for the shuttle bus (in twenty degree weather) but soon enough I made it to the Festival Headquarters and quickly jumped into one of the screening booths. Since I had an empty stomach, I figured it was the perfect time to watch the Norwegian zombie movie about Nazis, Dead Snow. more ›

Boobies, bathroom humor and bongs collide in Pineapple Express, the latest DVD release from indie writer/director extraordinaire, David Gordon Green. The film follows two dimwitted stoners, Dale (Seth Rogen) and Saul (James Franco), whose connections to the underworld of illegal drugs inadvertently make them witnesses to murder. It's the classic tale of marijuana dealer meets boy, boy meets marijuana dealer and over the river and through the woods into a drug dealer's hideout with guns they go. more ›