Better This World. Documentary. 2011. US.

Directed by Kelly Duane and Katie Galloway,
David McKay and Bradley Crowder two boyhood friends known as the "Texas Two" - fall under the sway of an older charismatic 'revolutionary'. At the volatile 2008 Republican Convention the boys cross a line that radically changes their lives. The result: eight homemade bombs, multiple domestic terrorism charges and a high stakes entrapment defense hinging on the actions of a controversial FBI informant. BETTER THIS WORLD goes to the heart of the War on Terror and its impact on civil liberties and political dissent in post-9/11 America.

St-Henri, the 26th of August. Film. Montreal.

A Parabola Films production. Directed by Shannon Walsh in collaboration with 16 other montreal-based doc filmmakers. Shot over 24-hours, the film shows a day-in-the-life of a famous neighbourhood in Montreal. St-Henri pays homage to the 1962 Hubert Aquin classic À Saint-Henri le cinq septembre.
I just saw the movie at Hot Docs (Toronto) and was blown away. I connected with the film on a personal level being that I'm so familiar with St.Henri-I knew a few 'characters' in the film and of course recognized most of the locations around the hood. While following the chosen St.Henri residents/characters in the film, there were many comical, moving, and also powerful moments. The film was beautifully shot and the soundtrack was incredible-composed by (my fave) Patrick Watson (Montreal)-each tune matched each scene perfectly. I cannot say enough about this one-please do seek it out.
st-henri.parabolafilms.ca

Soi Dogs. Doc. Thailand/London.

The Soi Dog Foundation wanted a 5min film that could be used in fundraising campaigns and to raise awareness about the plight of the street dogs of Thailand. On arrival in Thailand, the shooting producer realised a bigger story was to be told and the 60 min doc was born. Soi Dogs was Environment Films first feature length documentary and it has been broadcast on across Asia and the UK. It has raised over £10,000 at fundraising screeners across the Globe and DVD’s are being sold internationally with all proceeds going directly to the charity.

Essential Killing. By Jerzy Skolimowski. Starring Vincent Gallo.

Skolimowsi, actor, writer, painter, and now director, grew up in Nazi occupied Warsaw during the 2nd World War. His mother hid a Jewish family in their home and his father was later executed by the Gestapo. The film Essential Killing, follows the story of Mohammed, a Middle Eastern man who is captured by American troops and taken to a prison camp somewhere in Eastern Europe. But when his transport vehicle swerves off the road to avoid wild pigs and crashes, he escapes - and so begins his epic journey through an alien terrain relentlessly pursued by helicopters, men with guns, and bloodthirsty dogs. In order to survive he is forced to eat ants, tree bark and hallucinogenic berries (giving him visions of the wife and child he has left back home).
Looks like a beautiful/haunting film... of course I'm mostly stoked for Vincent Gallo's performance.

Miranda July. The Future. A Movie.

CAN'T WAIT.

I Like Killing Flies. A documentary on Shopsin's Restaurant NYC.

One of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It's impossible not to love Kenny Shopsin, his family (who all work at the resto), and the regulars who keep the restaurant going. Kenny is fucking hilarious (as you can tell from the vids) and has a truly brilliant outlook on life. He's your classic eccentric, big mouthed, native New Yorker. The famous 'Soup Nazi' character in Seinfeld was based on Kenny Shopsin. As a self-trained cook, it's inspiring how Kenny managed to make such a major culinary, and cultural mark on NY, one of the food meccas of the world. If you have NETFLIX-watch this flick, if not, hunt it down. Also, check out the Shopsin's menu (redonkulous) and awesome website: shopsins.com

American Flyers + Radiohead.

I was listening to Radiohead's Nude the other day and visualized these epic few scenes from the 80s classic American Flyers... slowing it down made it mega PIXELATED which I dig.

Rockaway Taco. A Film by The Selby.

feel it all around...

Working Class. Documentary Film. Trailer.

can't wait to see the full flick!

Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry. Documentary. 2008.

Writer/Director: Erich Weiss Executive Producer: Steven Grasse
A doc that explores the roots of American tattooing through the life of its most iconoclastic figure, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins. Considered by many the foremost tattoo artist of all time, Collins is the father of modern day tattooing, whose uncompromising lifestyle and larger than life persona made him an American legend.

Three and a Half Seconds About Life. Eran Hilleli. Israel.

short and to the point.
eranhilleli.com

BARAKA.

one of the most epic films of all time.

35mm. Felix Meyer.

A shortfilm about cinema itself featuring 35 well-known movies.

CyclingCopenhagen: Through North American Eyes. Streetfilms.

*tear

Ross McDonnell. Photographer. Filmmaker. Dublin.

Colony. Directed by Ross McDonnell and Carter Gunn. Produced by Morgan Bushe, Macdara Kelleher.
rossmcdonnell.com

Amours Imaginaires. Xavier Dolan. Film. 2010.

Rad promo posters for local boy Xavier Dolan's newest film Amours Imaginaires, which I recently went to see and was totally blown away by.... incredible acting, beautiful cinematography, a refreshing/authentic love story... go see it.

The Mystery of Flying Kicks. A Movie.

Written and Directed by Mattew Bate. Producer: Viron Papadopoulos. Editor/motion graphics: Raynor Pettge. Composer: Benjamin Speed. Produced by Plexus Films in Association with the South Australian Film Corporation.
flying-kicks.com

Skateistan: To Live And Skate Kabul. Documentary.

Grain Media (U.K) are the people behind this new doc on the Skateistan project in Afghanistan. The film documents a school in Kabul that teaches street kids how to skate as well as offering them wider education and guidance.
Skateistan is Afghanistan’s (and the world’s) first co-ed skate school. The school engages growing numbers of displaced youth in Afghanistan through skateboarding, and provides them with new opportunities in education, and personal empowerment. The students themselves decide what they want to learn and then are then connected with the appropriate teachers. GOOD stuff.
Learn more here: skateistan.org

Drew Struzan. Illustrator. American.

Coming to America.


First Blood.


The Goonies.


Angels in the Outfield.


Frisco Kid.


Last Remake of Beau Geste.


Meatballs III.


Taking Care of Business.


ET.

Acrylic paints & colored pencils on gessoed board.
drewstruzan.com

SUBURBIA.

1983. Directed by Penelope Spheeris (Waynes World).


1996. Directed by Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused).