Ray Pride

Renegade microcinemaphiles The Ice Capades began their "First Annual Battle of the Cities Film Festival" last Wednesday with a showdown between Chicago and East Vancouver. TFABOTCFF continues this week, with programs of about fifty minutes each that the respective city's representatives think best represents their city's DIY output. Friday's showdown at the Ice Factory pits Providence, Rhode Island versus Los Angeles at 8pm; Saturday slots Memphis versus Iowa City at 7pm and Philadelphia vs. Gainesville at 9pm. The Best of the Battle Fest plays Monday night at 9:30pm at the Empty Bottle, with selections from each program. I've only sampled a few shorts from the various programs, but the eclectic range of imagination and the implication of a thriving microcinema culture across the landscape is roundly invigorating.

The Ice Factory is at 526 North Ashland; the Empty Bottle at 1035 North Western.

(2007-04-24)

Also by Ray Pride

Bow Wow Wow
A portrait of mental illness brought to the fore by the death of a dying lump of a dog named "Pencil," "Year of the Dog" stars Molly Shannon as Peggy, a drear crackpot, a bore with no life beyond office job and needy hound, a life spent between grande Starbucks
(2007-04-17)

Tip of the Week
While it takes a short while to get going, "Offside," the latest movie from Iranian director Jafar Panahi quickly reveals subversive intelligence in the story of six young women who want to watch the World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain at Tehran's Azadi Stadium, where women are not allowed
(2007-04-17)

When Trash Fails
Rancid things comprise the 191-minute spectacle, thrilling and dismaying in equal, vivid measure
(2007-04-10)

Tip of the Week
Paul Verhoeven toyed with the elements of "Black Book" for thirty years, he says, eventually working it out with his customary co-writer on Dutch projects Gerard Soeteman, and you can tell the thought that's gone into it: details chime, plot elements resonate, behavior orchestrates architecturally, in classic American studio style
(2007-04-10)

The Other Side of the Mountain
(2007-04-03)

Tip of the Week
(2007-04-03)

Blair Witch Hunt
(2007-03-27)

Tip of the Week
(2007-03-27)

The Mourning After
(2007-03-20)

Tip of the Week
(2007-03-20)

Moving Pictures
(2007-03-13)

Tip of the Week
(2007-03-13)

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