Chicago – Does it say something about the current market of Blu-rays that nine of our top ten releases of the year (and, honestly, most of the runner-ups considered) are for catalog releases and special editions instead of films produced in the current era? More and more often, modern releases seem kind of lackluster. Throw on a featurette, maybe a deleted scene or two, and put it on the shelf.
More often, it is the anniversary editions, special release, and, of course, The Criterion Collection that lives up to the true potential of the format. Critics Matt Fagerholm and Brian Tallerico have assembled their ten best of 2011, all of which should be added to your collection as soon as possible. Or ask Santa if you think you’ve been good enough this year.
Matt Fagerholm’s Five Best Blu-rays of 2011
5. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Photo credit: Paramount...
More often, it is the anniversary editions, special release, and, of course, The Criterion Collection that lives up to the true potential of the format. Critics Matt Fagerholm and Brian Tallerico have assembled their ten best of 2011, all of which should be added to your collection as soon as possible. Or ask Santa if you think you’ve been good enough this year.
Matt Fagerholm’s Five Best Blu-rays of 2011
5. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Photo credit: Paramount...
- 12/7/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Plastic Paper is Winnipeg’s celebration of animation, illustration and puppet films, organized by the Big Smash! filmmaking collective. Their second annual event will be held on May 4-8 at the Park Theatre.
The big score for this year’s edition is a special screening of Ralph Bakshi’s 1981 feature-length musical opus American Pop with the filmmaker in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. For this groundbreaking work, Bakshi utilized the innovative technique of mixing rotoscoping, water colors, computer graphics, live action shots, and archival footage. This screening and discussion will be a real treat for animation junkies.
But that’s not to say that the rest of the festival isn’t also filled with other amazing films.
Because, speaking of groundbreaking work, the fest kicks off with Brent Green’s simply astounding film Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then, the first full-length film utilizing real-life actors in amazing stop-motion animation.
The big score for this year’s edition is a special screening of Ralph Bakshi’s 1981 feature-length musical opus American Pop with the filmmaker in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. For this groundbreaking work, Bakshi utilized the innovative technique of mixing rotoscoping, water colors, computer graphics, live action shots, and archival footage. This screening and discussion will be a real treat for animation junkies.
But that’s not to say that the rest of the festival isn’t also filled with other amazing films.
Because, speaking of groundbreaking work, the fest kicks off with Brent Green’s simply astounding film Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then, the first full-length film utilizing real-life actors in amazing stop-motion animation.
- 4/30/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
American: The Bill Hicks Story is a documentary along the lines of Richard Pryor: I Ain.T Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! or Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? All three films take a look at great comics, travelling back in time to try and better understand the life of the artist, what made them tick and why their brand of humor was so well received by audiences.
Bill Hicks was just a kid from Houston who, like so many teenagers, felt the need to rebel and do something different. So, instead of going to college like the rest of his family, Hicks knew at an early age he wanted to be a comedian. His career started at the tender age of 15 when he performed with popularity at a comedy club in Houston, Texas.
Before long, Bill Hicks found himself becoming a potential star, but that.s also about the time...
Bill Hicks was just a kid from Houston who, like so many teenagers, felt the need to rebel and do something different. So, instead of going to college like the rest of his family, Hicks knew at an early age he wanted to be a comedian. His career started at the tender age of 15 when he performed with popularity at a comedy club in Houston, Texas.
Before long, Bill Hicks found himself becoming a potential star, but that.s also about the time...
- 4/22/2011
- by Travis Keune
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
How does one document a legend, especially one as controversial and influential as comedian Bill Hicks? Throughout his career, he was labeled a rebel, a saint, someone who looked out for the best of America, and someone who was the embodiment of everything wrong with America. Instead of making the film an indictment or tribute to a comic that transcended telling jokes, directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas use their film American: The Bill Hicks Story to simply tell the story of the man himself.
There doesn’t seem to be anything revolutionary in the idea, but the truly riveting aspect is how the filmmakers tell the story through animating a wealth of photos accompanied with current voice over of the people who knew his story the best, including his family, his closest friends, and fellow comedians. This style, somewhere between cut-out dolls and Pixar movies, allows us to see...
There doesn’t seem to be anything revolutionary in the idea, but the truly riveting aspect is how the filmmakers tell the story through animating a wealth of photos accompanied with current voice over of the people who knew his story the best, including his family, his closest friends, and fellow comedians. This style, somewhere between cut-out dolls and Pixar movies, allows us to see...
- 4/15/2011
- by Mike Anton
- The Film Stage
Coming off a disappointing frame last weekend , the specialty box office also didn't have any significant breakouts debut this weekend. A slew of limited openings included Kelly Reichardt epic indie Western "Meek's Cutoff," Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas' doc "American: The Bill Hicks Story," Keanu Reeves-Vera Farmiga starrer, "Henry's Crime," "No Wave" documentary, "Blank City," and "Meet Monica Velour," which features Kim Cattrall as an aging porn star. Among ...
- 4/10/2011
- Indiewire
Even if you don't know who Bill Hicks is (technically a dead comedian), American: The Bill Hicks Story is as good of a place to start as any. British filmmakers Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas have painstakingly assembled a loving portrait of a man who was too smart, too funny and too completely ahead of his time to make a solid impact in his country of origin, the good old U.S. of A. Matt and Paul were kind enough to give me a slice of their time on Monday, and the ensuing dialogue was nothing short of fascinating. Matt actually took charge and asked me the first question for a change.
Matt - Did you know Bill quite well before hand?
read more...
Matt - Did you know Bill quite well before hand?
read more...
- 4/6/2011
- by Benny Gammerman
- Filmology
Until a few weeks ago, I’d never heard of the Texas stand-up comedian Bill Hicks, who died in 1994 at age 32, having found resounding success overseas and little more than professional respect at home. Since then, I’ve devoured several hours of his comedy specials on my Netflix Instant account, marveling at the way this artist managed to blend blisteringly caustic commentaries on sex, politics, rock music, religion, and drug addiction with a weirdly humane, almost holistic philosophy of life. Stand-up comedy in any form is not normally my thing, but I’ve become rather attached to The World According to Hicks.
Heir to Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, Hicks was a hard-working club habitué who built his material from life experience — he was raised in a strict Southern Baptist home in Houston and was transformed head to toe by an experience with psychedelic mushrooms before he ever touched a drop of alcohol.
Heir to Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, Hicks was a hard-working club habitué who built his material from life experience — he was raised in a strict Southern Baptist home in Houston and was transformed head to toe by an experience with psychedelic mushrooms before he ever touched a drop of alcohol.
- 4/6/2011
- by Damon Smith
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
A stand-up comedian's job is to make people laugh. But the more you learn about stand-ups, the more you see how unfunny their own lives often are. Many of the best comedians are forged in the darkest places. Comedian Bill Hicks struggled with substance abuse for years and then just as he got himself clean and his career started to take off, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 31. He was dead by the time he was 32.
Funny as it is, "American: The Bill Hicks Story" is a deeply moving tragedy about the miserable luck of an absolute genius. And I don't use the word "genius" lightly here. Hicks was like the stand-up comedian version of a five-tool baseball player. He could do it all. He had great timing. He did great impressions. He had amazing physical gifts. His humor came from a distinctive and really unique perspective.
Funny as it is, "American: The Bill Hicks Story" is a deeply moving tragedy about the miserable luck of an absolute genius. And I don't use the word "genius" lightly here. Hicks was like the stand-up comedian version of a five-tool baseball player. He could do it all. He had great timing. He did great impressions. He had amazing physical gifts. His humor came from a distinctive and really unique perspective.
- 4/6/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
Reviewed by Randee Dawn
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
- 4/4/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Reviewed by Randee Dawn
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
(from the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival)
Directed/Produced by: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
To comics, Bill Hicks was known as “the comedian’s comedian.” A tireless stand-up who got his start as a teenager, sneaking out of his parents’ home to sneak into Houston open-mic nights, Hicks virtually burst out of the gate as a professional, with a fully formed sense of how to make people laugh.
Yet outside the insular world of comedians, Hicks is largely known to audiences in the form of grainy Nth-generation copies of his stand-up; seen piecemeal like this it’s hard to appreciate his particular brand of genius. And today Hicks, who died of cancer in 1994, isn’t around to prove why he’s worth remembering.
“American: The Bill Hicks Story” is an inventively crafted, if occasionally myopic, look at the comic, making extensive use of those Nth-generation stand-up copies,...
- 4/4/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Directors: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas There is a bloody good reason that this documentary by co-directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas is titled American: The Bill Hicks Story. Harlock and Thomas are British BBC veterans -- and we all know how much the Brits love the American comic Bill Hicks. In 2010 he was voted the 4th on the UK's Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups; and, though an American, he is certainly not held in the same esteem by most Americans. That is not to say that Hicks did not develop a dedicated cult audience in the U.S., especially after his premature death at the age of 32. (Note: Hicks did not die from drugs, alcohol or cigarettes -- though he certainly indulged enough for death by overindulgence to be a possibility -- he died from pancreatic cancer.) Hicks' dedicated fans claim that he is the most influential comedian since Lenny Bruce; and like Bruce,...
- 4/4/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
On June 7, Warner Home Video will release the DVD and Blu-ray of American: The Bill Hicks Story, a biographical documentary on the life — too short life — of controversial comedian/social commentator Bill Hicks, who died of pancreatic cancer in 1994 at the age of 32.
American: The Bill Hicks Story looks at the controversial funnyman's life and career.
Produced and directed for the BBC in 2009 by British filmmakers Paul Thomas and Matt Harlock, American: The Bill Hicks Story notably applies a unique cut-and-paste animation technique to a number of still pictures of Hicks — who once described himself as “Chomsky with dick jokes” — to document his life and career. The film also includes archival footage, as well as interviews with Hicks’ family and friends, including Kevin Booth, an American filmmaker and musician who was one of Hicks’ frequent collaborators.
The movie was well-received at Stateside film festivals and during its run in theaters last year in England,...
American: The Bill Hicks Story looks at the controversial funnyman's life and career.
Produced and directed for the BBC in 2009 by British filmmakers Paul Thomas and Matt Harlock, American: The Bill Hicks Story notably applies a unique cut-and-paste animation technique to a number of still pictures of Hicks — who once described himself as “Chomsky with dick jokes” — to document his life and career. The film also includes archival footage, as well as interviews with Hicks’ family and friends, including Kevin Booth, an American filmmaker and musician who was one of Hicks’ frequent collaborators.
The movie was well-received at Stateside film festivals and during its run in theaters last year in England,...
- 3/24/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
I have been a fan of Bill Hicks’ unique brand of stand-up comedy for years, preaching the proverbial gospel to those who have yet to experience the man’s genius for themselves. As such, I’ve been closely following Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas’ Hicks-oriented documentary “American: The Bill Hicks Story” for a while now. The film was released theatrically in the UK last year, much to the dismay of North American fans who have been waiting patiently for the picture to arrive in our neck of the woods. That wait, as they say, is over. “American” is set to open in New York on April 8th, with more dates to follow. Needless to say, I’m anxious to see this puppy on the big screen, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that it will play somewhere around here. If you missed the trailer when I covered the flick last year,...
- 3/21/2011
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Finally! After hitting UK screens in May of last year, the Us is getting American: The Bill Hicks story! The documentary about the revolutionary and controversial stand-up comedian is opening in New York on April 8th and will spread to other cities in limited release afterward. Directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, the doc is full of archival footage as well as interviews with family and friends. If you're not familiar with the life and work of Hicks, now is your chance to rectify that grievous wrong and if you're already a fan, rejoice!
- 3/19/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Finally! After hitting UK screens in May of last year, the Us is getting American: The Bill Hicks story! The documentary about the revolutionary and controversial stand-up comedian is opening in New York on April 8th and will spread to other cities in limited release afterward. Directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, the doc is full of archival footage as well as interviews with family and friends. If you're not familiar with the life and work of Hicks, now is your chance to rectify that grievous wrong and if you're already a fan, rejoice!
- 3/19/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Finally! After hitting UK screens in May of last year, the Us is getting American: The Bill Hicks story! The documentary about the revolutionary and controversial stand-up comedian is opening in New York on April 8th and will spread to other cities in limited release afterward. Directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, the doc is full of archival footage as well as interviews with family and friends. If you're not familiar with the life and work of Hicks, now is your chance to rectify that grievous wrong and if you're already a fan, rejoice!
- 3/19/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films are teaming for the theatrical day-and-date release of Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas' award-winning documentary “American: The Bill Hicks Story,” which will open simultaneously in theaters and on VOD on April 8 in New York City. "American" will then expand into 25 theaters across the country throughout April and May, while simultaneously being available in over 100 million homes across North America through leading cable, satellite and online providers. "American" is a photo-animated documentary featuring stand-up footage that is narrated by the 10 people who best knew...
- 1/23/2011
- The Wrap
The Cinema Eye Honors, devoted to highlighting the best of the year's nonfiction films, have flipped for Lixin Fan's fantastic "Last Train Home," which follows a family of migrant workers as they struggle to stay connected while living separated by hundreds of miles. "Last Train Home" received the most nominations -- seven -- while Banksy's "Exit Through The Gift Shop" and Afghanistan documentary "Armadillo" each received six. The award ceremony will take place on January 18 at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York, and will be broadcast on the Documentary Channel.
Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking
Armadilllo
Directed by Janus Metz
Produced by Sara Stockmann and Ronnie Fridthjof
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Directed by Banksy
Produced by Jaimie D'Cruz
Last Train Home
Directed by Lixin Fan
Produced by Mila Aung-Thwin and Daniel Cross
Marwencol
Directed by Jeff Malmberg
Produced by Jeff Malmberg, Tom Putnam, Matt Radecki, Chris Shellen...
Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking
Armadilllo
Directed by Janus Metz
Produced by Sara Stockmann and Ronnie Fridthjof
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Directed by Banksy
Produced by Jaimie D'Cruz
Last Train Home
Directed by Lixin Fan
Produced by Mila Aung-Thwin and Daniel Cross
Marwencol
Directed by Jeff Malmberg
Produced by Jeff Malmberg, Tom Putnam, Matt Radecki, Chris Shellen...
- 11/5/2010
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
Bill Hicks is my hero — it’s as simple as that. However, as much as I appreciate the man’s comedy, I am woefully ignorant of him as a person. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas’ “American: The Bill Hicks Story” will hopefully correct this problem next May, when the acclaimed documentary arrives on North American DVD. If you currently reside in the UK, the film is already available for mass consumption. For more information on the feature and the genius that was the late Bill Hicks, stop by the official website. In the meantime, check out the trailer. function getVideo() { var so = new SWFObject("http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/yo033.swf", "mplayer", "590", "375", "8", "#000000"); so.addParam("wmode","transparent"); so.addParam("swliveconnect", "true"); so.addParam("allowscriptaccess", "always"); so.addParam("allowfullscreen", "true"); so.addVariable("pid", "byhw013"); so.addVariable("siteId", "243"); so.addVariable("videoId", "213381"); so.addVariable("autostart", "false"); so.addVariable("file", "http://cms.springboard.
- 11/1/2010
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Arizona Bay, Relentless, Counts of the Netherworld, Rant in E Minor, Dangerous – if you’re smiling now, it’s because you already know who Bill Hicks is, and how powerful and influential his comedy was, and is.
Commanding respect from audiences and fellow comedians Hicks’s philosophy and extremely funny stand up routines were inspirational, freeing and hilarious experiences, and no-one has done it better since his death in 1994 at the ridiculously young age of 32.
Telling the story of the life of Hicks has been attempted many times, with Agent of Evolution (written by his friend Kevin Booth) doing it best, intermingling the words of Hicks with those of the people who knew him best. Along with a collection of his stand up routines, Love All the People, the picture which forms is of a man doing what he loved, without any scent of an egotistical agenda, and doing it to encourage people to engage,...
Commanding respect from audiences and fellow comedians Hicks’s philosophy and extremely funny stand up routines were inspirational, freeing and hilarious experiences, and no-one has done it better since his death in 1994 at the ridiculously young age of 32.
Telling the story of the life of Hicks has been attempted many times, with Agent of Evolution (written by his friend Kevin Booth) doing it best, intermingling the words of Hicks with those of the people who knew him best. Along with a collection of his stand up routines, Love All the People, the picture which forms is of a man doing what he loved, without any scent of an egotistical agenda, and doing it to encourage people to engage,...
- 10/4/2010
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Bill Hicks’ life and career was cruelly cut short by cancer at the age of thirty-two. Since 1994, the year of his death, the man’s standing has rocketed from world-class comedian to almost mythic status. Some argue he was a prophet. Please note he died the same age as Jesus of Nazareth. Hicks thought of himself more as “Chomsky with dick jokes”.
Matthew Harlock and Paul Thomas’ energetic documentary incorporates pain-staking animation and took the film-makers almost three years to complete. More of a celebration than a warts-and-all character study it shines as a brilliant memorial to a completely unique talent.
This two disc DVD release (also on blu-ray) boasts over five hours of additional footage. Everything but the kitchen sink – and then the kitchen sink! American: The Bill Hicks Story offers something for those who idolise him and newcomers. There’s plenty of scenes, too, of the comedian’s...
Matthew Harlock and Paul Thomas’ energetic documentary incorporates pain-staking animation and took the film-makers almost three years to complete. More of a celebration than a warts-and-all character study it shines as a brilliant memorial to a completely unique talent.
This two disc DVD release (also on blu-ray) boasts over five hours of additional footage. Everything but the kitchen sink – and then the kitchen sink! American: The Bill Hicks Story offers something for those who idolise him and newcomers. There’s plenty of scenes, too, of the comedian’s...
- 9/26/2010
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
The 4th annual Sydney Underground Film Festival, which runs for three days on Sept. 9-11, will screen about 10 features from all over the world and a veritable ton of short films from even further out there.
The fest will open with the latest documentary by a Hollywood icon. It’s Oliver Stone’s South of the Border, which has the director meeting with South American politicians and dignitaries. (The film opened to mixed reviews here in the States earlier this year.) Also screening is Trash Humpers, the latest film by indie rabble-rouser Harmony Korine, which has been confounding audiences on the indie film fest circuit, and Gaspar Noe’s Enter the Void, which has been earning rave reviews.
The rest of the features in the lineup are an eclectic, oddball concoction, including Mladen Djordjevic‘s Serbian atrocity Life and Death of a Porno Gang, Victor Nieuwenhuijs and Maartje Seyferth’s twisted Netherlands tale Meat,...
The fest will open with the latest documentary by a Hollywood icon. It’s Oliver Stone’s South of the Border, which has the director meeting with South American politicians and dignitaries. (The film opened to mixed reviews here in the States earlier this year.) Also screening is Trash Humpers, the latest film by indie rabble-rouser Harmony Korine, which has been confounding audiences on the indie film fest circuit, and Gaspar Noe’s Enter the Void, which has been earning rave reviews.
The rest of the features in the lineup are an eclectic, oddball concoction, including Mladen Djordjevic‘s Serbian atrocity Life and Death of a Porno Gang, Victor Nieuwenhuijs and Maartje Seyferth’s twisted Netherlands tale Meat,...
- 9/8/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Once again, I have written a review that is a couple of months after the film’s initial release date, but I feel that this has to be reviewed as this is proves to be one of the funniest and honest documentaries that I have seen at the cinemas.\
American: The Bill Hicks Story (dir. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas) ranks among Anvil! The Story of Anvil and The People vs. George Lucas, which have both received critical acclaim.
For people such as me who didn’t know who the controversial comedian Bill Hicks was, or for people who are familiar with his work, the documentary tells of Hicks’ journey and struggles in becoming a comedian. The documentary is narrated by the friends and family members who knew him the best.
The visuals of the film are made up of interviews with the family members and friends, but the majority...
American: The Bill Hicks Story (dir. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas) ranks among Anvil! The Story of Anvil and The People vs. George Lucas, which have both received critical acclaim.
For people such as me who didn’t know who the controversial comedian Bill Hicks was, or for people who are familiar with his work, the documentary tells of Hicks’ journey and struggles in becoming a comedian. The documentary is narrated by the friends and family members who knew him the best.
The visuals of the film are made up of interviews with the family members and friends, but the majority...
- 7/16/2010
- by Martyn Warren
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Is it a revelation or a revolution? It’s both! The Revelation Perth International Film Festival is tackling the theme of “Revolution” when its 13th annual edition begins violating Australia on July 8-18. Get set for 11 days filled French zombies, Belgian cowboys, outer space outlaws, Beat poets, cat ladies, gospel musicians and other revolutionaries.
Actually, one of the main features of the festival this year is a slew of music documentaries, mostly spotlighting both American and Australian music. On the U.S. side of things there’s Wheedle’s Groove, a look at the history of Seattle funk; Rejoice and Shout, which examines gospel music’s impact on African-American culture — and vice versa; Tom Dicillo’s Doors documentary When You’re Strange; plus The Family Jams and 72 Musicians. And, from Australia, there’s Megan Simpson-Hubberman’s classic concert film The Night of the Triffids.
There’s lots more than music docs,...
Actually, one of the main features of the festival this year is a slew of music documentaries, mostly spotlighting both American and Australian music. On the U.S. side of things there’s Wheedle’s Groove, a look at the history of Seattle funk; Rejoice and Shout, which examines gospel music’s impact on African-American culture — and vice versa; Tom Dicillo’s Doors documentary When You’re Strange; plus The Family Jams and 72 Musicians. And, from Australia, there’s Megan Simpson-Hubberman’s classic concert film The Night of the Triffids.
There’s lots more than music docs,...
- 7/2/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
From July 13th to the 18th, the Just for Laughs Festival will hod its 14th edition of Just for Laughs Film in Montreal. Besides, The Cultural Post got wind of Just for Laughs Film's line-up.
First of all, speaking about Canadian feature films, there will be two ones: Alain Desrochers's Cabotins and Seth W. Owen’s Peepers. The first film stars Rémy Girard, Yves Jacques, Dorothée Berryman, Gilles Renaud and Pierre-François Legendre. It tells the story of a ruined ex-showman and actor who would like to get back in the world of burlesque theatre with his former colleagues and organize a tour. As for Peepers, it stars Joe Cobden, Paul Spence, Jessica Paré, Janine Theriault and Ricky Mabe. It tells the story of three men who sneak across Montreal's rooftops with binoculars. However, a young female student gives to these men a taste of their own game.
Furthermore, the...
First of all, speaking about Canadian feature films, there will be two ones: Alain Desrochers's Cabotins and Seth W. Owen’s Peepers. The first film stars Rémy Girard, Yves Jacques, Dorothée Berryman, Gilles Renaud and Pierre-François Legendre. It tells the story of a ruined ex-showman and actor who would like to get back in the world of burlesque theatre with his former colleagues and organize a tour. As for Peepers, it stars Joe Cobden, Paul Spence, Jessica Paré, Janine Theriault and Ricky Mabe. It tells the story of three men who sneak across Montreal's rooftops with binoculars. However, a young female student gives to these men a taste of their own game.
Furthermore, the...
- 6/11/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Bill Hicks left behind the legacy of an iconic comedy talent. But is American: The Bill Hicks Story the right film for the right man?
I can still remember seeing Bill Hicks for the first time, a late night Channel 4 Just For Laughs special called Relentless. I can still remember the intro music (which was, as I would later discover, Hicks' very own take on Hendrix), the opening gags ("Comedy is the greatest job in the world. It's not the sharing of laughter and all that horse shit... It's the fact that I don't have a boss. Picture that... And envy me").
I remember scrabbling for a VHS cassette. I remember feeling I was watching something special, huddled in front of the TV in my parents' living room. As a fifteen, maybe sixteen-year-old, I think that in that slightly cherubic, sad-eyed, pasty, acerbic, razor-edged motormouth I saw everything that I was,...
I can still remember seeing Bill Hicks for the first time, a late night Channel 4 Just For Laughs special called Relentless. I can still remember the intro music (which was, as I would later discover, Hicks' very own take on Hendrix), the opening gags ("Comedy is the greatest job in the world. It's not the sharing of laughter and all that horse shit... It's the fact that I don't have a boss. Picture that... And envy me").
I remember scrabbling for a VHS cassette. I remember feeling I was watching something special, huddled in front of the TV in my parents' living room. As a fifteen, maybe sixteen-year-old, I think that in that slightly cherubic, sad-eyed, pasty, acerbic, razor-edged motormouth I saw everything that I was,...
- 5/14/2010
- Den of Geek
Bill Hicks is one of the most renowned cult figures in the world of comedy, adored across the world for his unique brand of astoundingly filthy yet spell-bindingly poetic satire. But relatively little is known about his personal life, and in the fifteen years since his untimely death, only a smattering of short documentaries and live recordings has kept his memory alive. Well Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas have put this glaring injustice to rights with their passionately detailed and evocative feature documentary, American: The Bill Hicks Story. They were granted unprecedented access to the Hicks’ estates mountainous archive of unseen footage and photographs collected by the wild man himself throughout his career. They have been given what may well be the last say on one of America’s most important spokespersons, and they have proved more than worthy of this huge responsibility. Tcr: How did a project like this leapfrog La,...
- 5/12/2010
- by Nicholas Deigman
- t5m.com
For a part of the world often reviled as backwards, Texas has the habit of producing geniuses. Howard Hughes, Terrence Malick, Steve Martin (at least the early years) and Bill Hicks all hail from the Lone Star state.
It was said in the 1980s and 90s that alternative comedy was the new rock n’ roll. It gained a new credibility and excitement with comedians pushing the boundaries and limits of decency and taste.
But one man, who died at the age of 32, towered above the rest with his righteous and furious critiques of American culture. Bill Hicks was not anti-American he merely deconstructed the American Dream and held it up to the light to expose the sham that it is. Indeed, Hicks himself once described his act as, “Chomsky with dick jokes”.
American: The Bill Hicks Story, directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, is in essence the portrait of...
It was said in the 1980s and 90s that alternative comedy was the new rock n’ roll. It gained a new credibility and excitement with comedians pushing the boundaries and limits of decency and taste.
But one man, who died at the age of 32, towered above the rest with his righteous and furious critiques of American culture. Bill Hicks was not anti-American he merely deconstructed the American Dream and held it up to the light to expose the sham that it is. Indeed, Hicks himself once described his act as, “Chomsky with dick jokes”.
American: The Bill Hicks Story, directed by Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, is in essence the portrait of...
- 5/10/2010
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
Ryan Piers Williams’ “The Dry Land” and Lucy Walker’s “Waste Land” were among the award winners at the Dallas International Film Festival.
The Documentary competition jury also gave a Special Jury Prize to Michael Pertnoy’s and Michael Kleiman’s “The Last Survivor” and a Special Mention for Editing (for Claire Didier’s work on the film) to Mark Landsman’s “Thunder Soul.”
Matt Harlock’s and Paul Thomas’ “American: The Bill Hicks Story” was the recipient of Mps Studios’ Texas Filmmaker Award and $20,000 in cash, goods and services, while Robert Byington’s “Harmony and Me” received a Special Jury Prize.
The Documentary competition jury also gave a Special Jury Prize to Michael Pertnoy’s and Michael Kleiman’s “The Last Survivor” and a Special Mention for Editing (for Claire Didier’s work on the film) to Mark Landsman’s “Thunder Soul.”
Matt Harlock’s and Paul Thomas’ “American: The Bill Hicks Story” was the recipient of Mps Studios’ Texas Filmmaker Award and $20,000 in cash, goods and services, while Robert Byington’s “Harmony and Me” received a Special Jury Prize.
- 4/19/2010
- Moving Pictures Magazine
By Sean O’Connell
Ryan Piers Williams’ “The Dry Land,” a Sundance Film Festival favorite, took home the top prize at the Dallas International Film Festival Friday evening, earning a $25,000 cash prize for the Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature. In addition, Lucy Walker’s “Waste Land” received a $25,000 cash prize for the Target Filmmaker Award for Best Documentary Feature.
“Dry Land” stars America Ferrera and Wilmer Valderrama were on hand during the fest. Their film follows a U.S. soldier as he returns home from Iraq to Texas and tries to assimilate back into society.
The Documentary competition jury also gave a Special Jury Prize to Michael Pertnoy’s and Michael Kleiman’s “The Last Survivor” and a Special Mention for Editing (for Claire Didier’s work on the film) to Mark Landsman’s “Thunder Soul.”
Dallas Star Award recipient John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) made the...
Ryan Piers Williams’ “The Dry Land,” a Sundance Film Festival favorite, took home the top prize at the Dallas International Film Festival Friday evening, earning a $25,000 cash prize for the Target Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature. In addition, Lucy Walker’s “Waste Land” received a $25,000 cash prize for the Target Filmmaker Award for Best Documentary Feature.
“Dry Land” stars America Ferrera and Wilmer Valderrama were on hand during the fest. Their film follows a U.S. soldier as he returns home from Iraq to Texas and tries to assimilate back into society.
The Documentary competition jury also gave a Special Jury Prize to Michael Pertnoy’s and Michael Kleiman’s “The Last Survivor” and a Special Mention for Editing (for Claire Didier’s work on the film) to Mark Landsman’s “Thunder Soul.”
Dallas Star Award recipient John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) made the...
- 4/17/2010
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
SXSW Review
American: The Bill Hicks Story
Director: Matt Harlock & Paul Thomas
North American Premiere
Emerging Visions
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
Synopsis
Much more than a comedian, Bill Hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. His timeless comedy tackled the contradictions of America and modern life head on, as he skewered organized religion, railed against the hypocrisies of his government and exposed the collusion of the mainstream media, earning him censorship in the USA, but whose messages continue to resonate with subsequent generations. He also had some excellent dick jokes.
Pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction, ‘AMERICANÕ uses a stunning new animation technique to bring the tale of one of modern cultureÕs most iconic heroes to the big screen.
Director Bio
Matt Harlock is a director whose films have been screened widely at festivals and on television.
Paul Thomas has worked in-house at the BBC and created...
American: The Bill Hicks Story
Director: Matt Harlock & Paul Thomas
North American Premiere
Emerging Visions
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
Synopsis
Much more than a comedian, Bill Hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. His timeless comedy tackled the contradictions of America and modern life head on, as he skewered organized religion, railed against the hypocrisies of his government and exposed the collusion of the mainstream media, earning him censorship in the USA, but whose messages continue to resonate with subsequent generations. He also had some excellent dick jokes.
Pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction, ‘AMERICANÕ uses a stunning new animation technique to bring the tale of one of modern cultureÕs most iconic heroes to the big screen.
Director Bio
Matt Harlock is a director whose films have been screened widely at festivals and on television.
Paul Thomas has worked in-house at the BBC and created...
- 3/31/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
This was a really unexpected experience for me. After my interview with the directors of American: The Bill Hicks Story (which you can watch Here), I was chatting with director Paul Thomas about Bill Hicks. He mentioned that he was impressed that I was such a fan of Hicks (maybe because of my age) and said he wanted to set me up with Bill’s brother Steve, who was also at the restaurant. It turned out that Steve came to SXSW along with Hicks’ mother in support of the documentary.
Read more on SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Steve Hicks (American: The Bill Hicks Story)…...
Read more on SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Steve Hicks (American: The Bill Hicks Story)…...
- 3/28/2010
- by John Mulhern
- GordonandtheWhale
One of the documentaries that made some big buzz at SXSW this year was American: The Bill Hicks Story. During the festival, I sat down with the directors of the film, Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, to discuss the trials and tribulations of bringing Bill Hicks’ life to the big screen. The film tells the story of legendary stand-up comedian Bill Hicks through the eyes of his family and friends and sheds some light on aspects of his life that many people might have misunderstood. We discuss being impartial while making such a film, the influence of Hicks even after his death and how the animated segments came to be. You can check out my our interview after the jump!
Read more on SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas (American: The Bill Hicks Story)…...
Read more on SXSW 2010 Video Interview: Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas (American: The Bill Hicks Story)…...
- 3/25/2010
- by John Mulhern
- GordonandtheWhale
The full line-up and schedule for this year's Hot Docs film festival went online earlier today, and if you're a documentary fan living in the Toronto area, I think you'll be pretty pleased with the selections. This year's festival runs from April 29th to May 9th, and even if you don't plan on attending, it's still worth perusing the listings just to make a note of some of the intriguing non-fiction films to keep an eye on in the coming months. Although there don't seem to be quite as many high-profile films this year, there are still a lot of cool hidden gems buried among the various programs. I've made a short list of some of the highlights after the jump, but you should head over to the Hot Docs official site [1] to browse the full line-up for yourself. You can also see reviews of some of these films over...
- 3/24/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Rating: 8/10
Directors: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
Cast: Bill Hicks, Dwight Slade, Lynn Hicks, Mary Hicks, Steve Hicks, Kevin Booth, John Farnetti
I consider myself to be a huge Bill Hicks fan, so it was with great anticipation that I braved the cold to see American: The Bill Hicks Story on the final night of SXSW. In attendance were family and close personal friends of the legendary comedian and it was very clear that they were truly supportive of this film. For those of you who don’t know, Bill Hicks is considered to be one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time. Often referred to as the comedian’s comedian, Hicks’ brand of comedy is both thought-provoking and immensely funny. Prone to long political rants that border on obnoxious, Hicks isn’t for everyone. Sadly, Hicks never gained the popularity he deserved in this country, though widely considered...
Directors: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas
Cast: Bill Hicks, Dwight Slade, Lynn Hicks, Mary Hicks, Steve Hicks, Kevin Booth, John Farnetti
I consider myself to be a huge Bill Hicks fan, so it was with great anticipation that I braved the cold to see American: The Bill Hicks Story on the final night of SXSW. In attendance were family and close personal friends of the legendary comedian and it was very clear that they were truly supportive of this film. For those of you who don’t know, Bill Hicks is considered to be one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time. Often referred to as the comedian’s comedian, Hicks’ brand of comedy is both thought-provoking and immensely funny. Prone to long political rants that border on obnoxious, Hicks isn’t for everyone. Sadly, Hicks never gained the popularity he deserved in this country, though widely considered...
- 3/23/2010
- by Ronnita Miller
- GordonandtheWhale
Even Bill Hicks' adoring mother wasn't sure what to make of him. "Bill was -- I don't know -- he was interesting," she says in American: The Bill Hicks Story, the documentary about her comedian son, who died of cancer in 1994 at the age of 33. This inability to put a label on Hicks, which came in part because his style changed so much over the course of his career, might have been what kept him from achieving the superstardom that his admirers always felt he deserved. American, a lively and polished effort by British filmmakers Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, seeks to show the world what made Hicks so special.
This may be the most thorough analysis Hicks will ever get. Made with full cooperation from his mother and siblings and many of his closest friends, the film boasts ample new interviews, clips of Hicks' performances, and a ton...
This may be the most thorough analysis Hicks will ever get. Made with full cooperation from his mother and siblings and many of his closest friends, the film boasts ample new interviews, clips of Hicks' performances, and a ton...
- 3/23/2010
- by Eric D. Snider
- Cinematical
SXSW 2010 – Day Four
Hurry up and wait … for MacGruber starring Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer and Ryan Phillippe.
Today was the random one you get at every festival. You just don’t know what you’re going to see. Some early screenings on Friday suddenly left me with only one thought – get MacGruber.
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
I went to the Fast Pass express lane at 8:45 a.m. to wait in line, so I could then wait in a shorter line. It opened at 10 and I was able to get my pass no problem.
Then it was off to see Audrey the Trainwreck.
Synopsis
For Ron Hogan, life is fine… not great, not good, just… fine, and on the verge of retiring any sort of dream heÕs harbored of a life less ordinary. Pushing thirty and working a thankless office job, internet dating is one more routine in Ron Hogan’s well-ordered life.
Hurry up and wait … for MacGruber starring Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer and Ryan Phillippe.
Today was the random one you get at every festival. You just don’t know what you’re going to see. Some early screenings on Friday suddenly left me with only one thought – get MacGruber.
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
I went to the Fast Pass express lane at 8:45 a.m. to wait in line, so I could then wait in a shorter line. It opened at 10 and I was able to get my pass no problem.
Then it was off to see Audrey the Trainwreck.
Synopsis
For Ron Hogan, life is fine… not great, not good, just… fine, and on the verge of retiring any sort of dream heÕs harbored of a life less ordinary. Pushing thirty and working a thankless office job, internet dating is one more routine in Ron Hogan’s well-ordered life.
- 3/18/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
Co-Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas present their Emerging Visions "American: The Bill Hicks Story" while pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction - "Much more than a comedian, Bill Hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. His timeless comedy tackled the contradictions of America and modern life head on, as he skewered organized religion, railed against the hypocrisies of his government and exposed the collusion of the mainstream ...
- 3/11/2010
- Indiewire
Co-Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas present their Emerging Visions "American: The Bill Hicks Story" while pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction - "Much more than a comedian, Bill Hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. His timeless comedy tackled the contradictions of America and modern life head on, as he skewered organized religion, railed against the hypocrisies of his government and exposed the collusion of the mainstream ...
- 3/11/2010
- indieWIRE - People
Co-Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas present their Emerging Visions "American: The Bill Hicks Story" while pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction - "Much more than a comedian, Bill Hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. His timeless comedy tackled the contradictions of America and modern life head on, as he skewered organized religion, railed against the hypocrisies of his government and exposed the collusion of the mainstream ...
- 3/11/2010
- indieWIRE - People
The SXSW Film Festival will take place March 12-20 in Austin, Texas. 11/4/08 Director: Jeff Deutchman Weaving together footage recorded throughout the world on the day Obama was elected President, this vérité documentary explores how people choose to live through “history.” (World Premiere) A Different Path Director: Monteith McCollum In an automobile dominated society, a cast of characters uses ingenuity and wit to forge a new way to commute. One by foot, one by bike, two by boat. (World Premiere) American: The Bill Hicks Story (United Kingdom) Directors: Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas [...]...
- 2/5/2010
- by Arthur Leander
- Alt Film Guide
Less than a week worth of recovering from the Sundance Film Festival, and we are already looking forward to our next, big film fest coverage. That would be the South by Southwest Film Festival held annually in Austin, Texas. Last year, Scott and I brought you all kinds of coverage from the Lone Star State, and this year doesn’t look to be much different.
With that, the announcement came last night of the feature films that will be playing at the SXSW Film Festival. Previous announcement were already made about films like Cold Weather, Electra Luxx, Hubble 3D, Lemmy, Saturday Night, and The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights making their debut. Kick-ass was recently announced as the opening night film, as well.
Among the other films being presented this year are some Sundance darlings, a few, highly anticipated premieres, and MacGruber.
Check out the full list...
With that, the announcement came last night of the feature films that will be playing at the SXSW Film Festival. Previous announcement were already made about films like Cold Weather, Electra Luxx, Hubble 3D, Lemmy, Saturday Night, and The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights making their debut. Kick-ass was recently announced as the opening night film, as well.
Among the other films being presented this year are some Sundance darlings, a few, highly anticipated premieres, and MacGruber.
Check out the full list...
- 2/4/2010
- by Kirk
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I was so excited at seeing the SXSW line up last night that I completely forgot to post it and started searching the interwebs for cool content to go with it. Oops. Yes, I wish I was there but alas, it wasn’t mean to be (though don’t despair. We’ll be bringing you wicked awesome coverage).
But enough rambling, you want to know what’s all playing. Well, for a start there’s the much anticipated McGruber (trailer), the Duplass’ semi-mainstream comedy Cyrus, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs (trailer, review), Daniel Stamm’s horror flick Cotton and that’s on top of the previously announced titles which include Electra Luxx (Carla Gugino as a pregnant porn star? Bring. It. On.) and Kick-Ass (trailer). That’s already a great line-up but dear me, some of the other titles are pretty awesome too.
There’s Clay Liford scifi drama Earthling (trailer...
But enough rambling, you want to know what’s all playing. Well, for a start there’s the much anticipated McGruber (trailer), the Duplass’ semi-mainstream comedy Cyrus, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs (trailer, review), Daniel Stamm’s horror flick Cotton and that’s on top of the previously announced titles which include Electra Luxx (Carla Gugino as a pregnant porn star? Bring. It. On.) and Kick-Ass (trailer). That’s already a great line-up but dear me, some of the other titles are pretty awesome too.
There’s Clay Liford scifi drama Earthling (trailer...
- 2/4/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Late yesterday the SXSW Fim Festival, which runs from March 12-20 in Austin, TX, announced the full lineup of films that will be screening at this year’s event. And baby, it’s quite a list. Mixing big name films with intimate indie gems, the sheer number of films and the vast array of talented filmmakers is sure to be a hit with attendees and critics alike.
This lineup includes premieres of studio films such as Universal’s MacGruber, Lionsgate’s teen superhero actioneer Kick-Ass and smaller films like Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs, Michel Gondry’s The Thorn in the Heart and Steven Soderbergh’s And Everything Is Going Fine. With so many films to watch, it will be very difficult to find time to seem them all during the events nine days. But hell, we’re going to try.
For more on...
This lineup includes premieres of studio films such as Universal’s MacGruber, Lionsgate’s teen superhero actioneer Kick-Ass and smaller films like Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs, Michel Gondry’s The Thorn in the Heart and Steven Soderbergh’s And Everything Is Going Fine. With so many films to watch, it will be very difficult to find time to seem them all during the events nine days. But hell, we’re going to try.
For more on...
- 2/4/2010
- by Chris Ullrich
- The Flickcast
SXSW has released their feature lineup, and it looks like a great year for the festival. If you're going to be there, let me know. The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the complete features lineup for this year’s Festival, March 12 – 20, 2010 in Austin, Texas. Over the course of nine days, 119 features will screen at the festival, with 55 of those having their world premieres at SXSW 2010. These films were selected from a record 1,572 feature-length film submissions composed of 1,206 U.S. and 366 international feature-length films. Among the major films added to the lineup are: Rogue’s MacGruber, from director Jorma Taccone, Jay & Mark Duplass’ Cyrus, Bernard Rose’s Mr. Nice, Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs, Michel Gondry’s The Thorn in the Heart, Alexandre O. Philippe’s The People vs. George Lucas, Shane Meadows’ Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee, Steven Soderbergh...
- 2/4/2010
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.