I will start this review off by saying something I have already stated many times on this site. ‘TiMER’ was one of my favorite films at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival and it better get a nice wide release very soon. Since it’s premiere in April, ‘TiMER’ has been wowing audiences at some other film festivals and even picked up the award for Best Film at the Connecticut Film Festival. An honor it definitely deserved.

In ‘TiMER’, Oona O’Leary (Emma Caulfield) is waiting to meet her true love. The problem is that her biological clock is ticking, even if her TiMER isn’t. A TiMER is a device implanted in your wrist, which counts down to the exact day you will meet your one and only. Oona’s is blank, which means the love of her life doesn’t have one. So Oona only dates TiMER-less guys in hopes that when she convinces them to get a one, it will beep and they will live happily ever after. Her sister Steph (Michelle Borth) has a different approach. Her TiMER is a long way off from the big day so she hooks up with guys approaching “D-day”. But what happens when Oona falls for someone who’s TiMER is about to expire and Steph starts to have feelings for someone who doesn’t even have one?

I know what you are thinking and the answer is yes; this film is proof that there are still some original ideas out there. ‘TiMER’ is a brilliant concept that is perfectly executed. I was blown away by what first time writer/director Jac Schaeffer delivered on screen. Jac’s writing is inventive and her dialogue is equally clever and hilarious. The film looks fantastic thanks to the cinematography skills of Harris Charalambous. I’d also like to give props to the production design, specifically the TiMER store and the devices themselves. They are a spot on parody. (I won’t name names but think about the lower case i) The device brings an element of sci-fi to the film as well as a satirical element of how we rely on technology. In addition to all the great work behind the scenes, the talent in front of the camera is quite impressive. In other words, the casting is perfect. Emma Caulfield & Michelle Borth are both as funny and talented as they are beautiful. � John Patrick Amedori and Desmond Harrington are great as the girls respective love interests, each bringing a certain level of depth and charm to their characters.

Obviously TiMER is not a typical romantic comedy. Similar to the recently released ‘500 Days of Summer’, this is not a chick flick. True, this is a film about love and relationships but the relationships are closer in spirit to a Judd Apatow movie than a Matthew McConaughey rom-com. Another thing differentiating it from the all too common rom-com is its eventual ‘R’ rating…unless they are forced to make cuts by whoever picks it up, which I truly hope does not happen. The film is not very vulgar but there is some frank sex talk and quite a few F bombs. It actually surprised me at first, not because it was unnecessary, but because this film would be a much easier sale had it been PG-13 equivalent. It is a shame that because of our joke of a ratings system this film will have a smaller audience but there is humor and realism stemming from the profanity that simply should not be edited out. However, if a hack job does occur, this film is still infinitely better than most of the crap to come out of Hollywood.

As you can tell, I love this movie. If it were a girl, my TiMER would have gone off while watching it. Ok, that doesn’t really make sense but you get the point. It is the perfect date movie for girls and guys. It has a lot to say about love and leaves you thinking about it after the credits roll. It had me wondering what the world would be like if the TiMER were real. I even started thinking of some alternate scenarios involving the TiMER and how relationships can form around it. Jac Schaeffer set the bar high and I can’t wait to see what she works on next.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

I have said it a few times now but I will say it again. Of the documentaries that I saw at Tribeca this year, this was my favorite. Perhaps it has something to do with it being labeled a docu-comedy, which it is. Perhaps it is because Mark Kostabi is an absolutely fascinating subject for a documentary, which he is. Perhaps it is because Con Artist is a brilliant, funny and interesting look into an intriguing artist’s life and the art world around him. Or perhaps I’ve just been conned.

Michael Sladek’s film follows artist Mark Kostabi and features many interviews with those around him. I had never heard of Kostabi, nor have I seen his paintings before. It was great learning about his rise to popularity in the 80’s. He was and is a man of gimmicks. He does not paint his paintings. His studio, called Kostabi World, is full of assistants and painters who do that for him. He does not come up with the concepts for the paintings. His employees do that also. He does not even name his paintings. He has a game show called Title This with a studio audience where art critics and minor celebrities name the paintings for prizes. He does sign his paintings though. Sometimes in the presence of the artist who painted it, which makes for interesting footage in this doc.

You can tell that Mark Kostabi loves the camera. He is very open and willing to tell all when the cameras are rolling. He reveals his feelings, his secrets and tries his best to be interesting to watch. He is a publicity whore, craving to be seen and talked about in media. I am sure he is reading and loving this review right now. He has the persistence and the personality to pull it off. At one point, he even mentions that his statements about art being all business and other early rants were just an act to get attention. He had a smart way about manipulating media and standing out from the crowd. It is what made him so successful and what makes this documentary such a fun viewing.

I like the framework of the film for the most part. The talking head interviews work very well to reveal different views from people who know or in some cases knew Mark. The source footage is great and one of my favorite scenes in the film is a young Kostabi telling a couple who recently paid a lot of money for his painting that he did not even paint it. The only problem I seemed to have with the film is that towards the end, the structure seemed to unglue a little. There are a few instances where the scenes fades and it could have ended but then we fade in on another scene. I think the ending scenes are great and I in no way feel the film should be any shorter, I am just saying it would be better if they were integrated into the film a little more. This is just a minor fault.

Overall, Con Artist is a funny, entertaining and intriguing documentary about my new favorite artist. �

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

I was looking forward to this film since Cheryl Hines told me about it at the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Gala I attended back in October. I got a chance to speak briefly with her, and she talked about this passion project that she directed from a script written by Adrienne Shelly before she was killed. The film stars Meg Ryan, as Louise, a crossed lover who goes psycho (actually Misery) and duct tapes her cheating husband, played by Timothy Hutton, to a chair in their home. She refuses to let him go until he agrees to work on their marriage rather than run off with his current girlfriend, played by Kristen Bell.

For me, the star of the film was Justin Long who plays the gardener who decides to Rob the house when he discovers Timothy Hutton duct-taped to a toilet. Yes, I know I said chair before. He is moved to the bathroom after he attempts to escape. Long offers some sympathetic words of wisdom to Hutton while still pulling off the dumb criminal act. Hutton and Ryan are good as the leads, and Kristen Bell is always fun to watch. Louise’s attempts at winning her husband back are often funny and the film has some great moments between the two. The ending is fairly predictable but it is still a pretty fun movie. One thing that is surprising is the coarse language. Aside from a few F-bombs, this could have easily been PG-13 and therefore picked up much quicker and for more money by a studio.

Overall, Cheryl Hines did a pretty good job directing her first feature. The cast is fun to watch and the film is entertaining. It could be a good date night film, especially for older couples.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

From everyone I have talked to and from most of the reviews I have read elsewhere for this movie, I am definitely in the minority in not digging this film. Regardless of my dislike, I will acknowledge that this is certainly a well-crafted film and most horror fans should still check it out.

Despite there being hundreds of different sub-genres in horror, it really all comes down to two styles. There is slow creepy tension building atmospheric horror and then there is face paced hack n’ slash body count horror. All horror films fall into either of these categories or a combination of the two. While I can appreciate a good slow moving tale, I do need a decent amount of suspense and action to keep me going along for the ride. Go ahead and blame it on my ADD driven age of MTV/Michael Bay fast cutting youth.

‘The House of the Devil’ is in no way a Hack n’ Slash film, although the special effects are fantastic in the few scenes of intense violence. Those scenes equal maybe 6 minutes of the film, while the remaining 80 is all about atmosphere leading up to those 6 minutes. And there is plenty of atmosphere. The film is set in the 1980’s and is very much like the subtle horror films of the late 70’s/early 80’s. The film is full of little details that are gradually pieced together to spell out trouble for the lead. The opening credits sequence perfectly places the film in the 80’s and the film never does anything to make you think this is not a lost gem in a pristine print from 25 years ago.

On a side note, there is something about this film that made me very angry. This is not something in the film but instead something left out. I was told Ti West was barred from doing interviews at Tribeca after his great tell-all interview with Katrina Longworth, which you can and should check out right �HERE. In it, West talks about how the producers recut the film and removed 4 minutes to speed up the pace. (He also talks about why he is no longer associated with Cabin Fever 2) They made the cut with the fear that the youth of today are like me and prefer blood and guts to tension. Let me say, shame on the producer’s. In a film like this, 4 minutes makes no difference. The entire film is meant to be a buildup and it succeeds brilliantly at that. Why piss off your direct and change his vision for 4 minutes that will most likely please those who like the film and not make a difference to those who don’t?

It is really simple, fans of horror, especially old school occult movies should check this out. It is a well-made slice of horror nostalgia that just is not my cup of tea. Regardless, I appreciate what West has done and I hope to see HIS version of Cabin Fever 2 someday soon.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

First of all, I apologize for posting this a day after it aired on ESPN. They will probably repeat it soon though, and if not, it will be released on DVD May 19^th. I also apologize that this may be my shortest review ever.

There is really not much for me to say about this film. It is a deep all-access look at Kobe Bryant during a playoffs matchup between the Lakers and the Spurs. The game is presented in almost real time and the cameras also take us inside the locker room before, during and after the game. Kobe is also mic’d so we hear him through most of the game. Throughout the whole film, we hear Kobe Bryant give a running commentary that was recorded a while after the game. I may be unfair in my assessment but the whole thing comes off like a super high quality version of a dad videotaping his son’s baseketball game and focusing on him the entire time. Except the dad is Spike Lee and the kid is Kobe.

If you are a fan of basketball, you will probably enjoy this film. If you are a Lakers fan, you will probably love this film. If you don’t care about basketball, stay away.

‘Kobe Doin’ Work’ Premiered Yesterday May 16th on ESPN and Will Be Released on DVD May 19

Jerry Cavallaro – �www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

This was one of the most surprising films at the Tribeca Film Festival this year. Not because it was good (which it was) but because I really had no idea where it was going. I knew little about the film before seeing it other than the vague synopsis and the fact that there was some buzz surrounding Thomas Haden Church’s performance. Some said it was comparable to his performance in Sideways, which I really enjoyed although that was more for Paul Giamatti. While Church was good in his role, this is quite a different film from Sideways.

Church plays the titular Don McKay who returns home after 25 years after receiving a letter from his ex-girlfriend Sonny, played by Elisabeth Shue. Sonny doesn’t have much time to live and wants to spend her remaining days with the love of her life. Unfortunately for Don, Sonny’s caretaker doesn’t seem to like him much and her doctor seems to hate him even more. By the way, everyone I just mentioned is lying and has secrets from everyone else, including the audience. In fact, by the end, we have no idea who is even telling the truth until everything finally spills out in quite a fun and surprising turn of events.

The film definitely shifts gears early on jumping from an awkward comedy into black comedy with a violent attack on Don, which results in him having to hide a body in Sonny’s backyard. This poorly buried body is just one of the skeletons in the closet in this film. Don has to deal with old acquaintances, a recurring cab driver and a somewhat changed Sonny. My biggest problem with the film is that I did not find Sonny very likeable and can’t see what Don sees in her. However, at the end we understand how Don has loved Sonny for the past 25 years and why he is willing to be with her despite all her changes but most of the film I just didn’t care for her. I also did not find the film quite as funny as most of the people in my audience. Regardless, it is still an entertaining film.

Despite some minor problems I had with the humor and the character of Sonny, this is an engaging and entertaining film that will leave you guessing up until the funny and surprising ending.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

I would like to formally apologize for the huge delay in my Tribeca coverage. Last week I posted my festival recap and promised a week full of reviews and interviews. Unfortunately, this last week was my final week of school for the term and projects/finals got the better of me. While I truly feel writing for this site is more important than school, the A student in me wouldn’t let me drop in my grades. I can go on for hours about how majoring in film at college or attending a film school is a joke and waste of time/money but I’ll save that for another time. For now, I just want to let you all know that this week truly will be filled with Tribeca film reviews and the awesome interviews I shot. I will also be doing a few more interviews in the coming weeks with filmmakers from the fest who live in NY. I hope to have it all my coverage up by the end of the week. I will be cutting back in my participation on the site after my coverage is posted in order to focus on some last minute promotion of Stuck Like Chuck’s premiere at the SINY Film festival June 6^th and 7^th. I will definitely write in from that festival though and afterwards, I should be back on this site in full force. I also have some very cool things I’m working on for the site that Scott doesn’t even know about but I can’t discuss them just yet. So please forgive me for the delays and get ready for some intense Tribeca coverage. Hope you enjoy it!

�And if any of you would like to make sure these delays in my coverage never occur again, feel free to buy me a laptop (preferably a Macbook Pro) and/or convince any college to give me an honorary Communication Arts degree. Thanks!

�Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

The Tribeca Film Festival has been over for a week, so I thought I would share my highlights and opinions of the festival. I know in my Day 11 Recap I said I would post this in a day or two, so I am sorry for the delay. I am also sorry for the big delay in all my reviews from the festival. But don’t blame me; blame my sham of a college education. Apparently in my 2 weeks off for Tribeca, I was assigned sh*tloads of homework and projects, which I had to do all week long. Why I have to take elective classes that are not related to my major and only assign meaningless busy work is beyond me. I still have 2 papers to start and 3 final exams to study for, but they are for next week so I am taking today to procrastinate. Please forgive my lateness and get ready for a week full of catching up on the Tribeca Film festival†�

I will be honest with all of you. I have never been to a film festival before. I know that is strange for an independent filmmaker/film student/film blogger/film lover but it’s true. I have wanted to attend Tribeca numerous times but I just never went. When Staten Island started it’s own film festival a few years ago, I figured I’d get to go since I’m a local. This June will be my first time going, and that’s probably just because I am premiering my own film there. For some reason, I just haven’t attended any festivals. I have seen many Official Selections when they are eventually released on DVD or in theaters, but never at a festival. Until this year’s Tribeca Film festival, where I attended 8 of the 11 days, saw 18 movies + 4 screeners, and interviewed some very cool people.

I had no idea what to expect. I have seen the coverage of it on TV that focuses on the celebrity filled red carpets and footage of massive crowds waiting to get in. But that was not really my experience at all. One of the main reasons for that is that my press badge was not all access. Essentially, my press credentials expired at 5:59 pm on weekdays and 2:59 pm on weekends. All red carpets started 6 pm or later. After 6 (or 3) I could not get in to the screening and had to wait in a rush ticket line for close to an hour in hopes a ticketholder to a sold out film wouldn’t show up so I could get in. From the press I talked to, Rush usually meant not getting in. So that is one reason why I did not get to see every film I wanted and also why I did not experience Tribeca as it is seen on TV.

Instead, most of the films I saw screened in half empty theaters to press & industry only. My screenings started as early as 9 am, which meant I left my home around 7:15 am in order to make sure I got there in time. Despite my best efforts, sometimes traffic got the better of me and I missed the film anyway. (cough ‘Girlfriend Experience’) While I do like the quiet and less crowded screening atmosphere, I missed the Q & A’s that typically occur after a festival screening. I also found it odd most filmmakers were not at their own press screening to try to solicit media attention. I would have loved to personally speak with every single director/cast member/crew member in attendance at the festival. Someone told me they are discouraged from attending but as a filmmaker, I would not listen to that suggestion. I did get to attend a few public screenings that occurred before my cutoff time, and I found them more enjoyable, especially when the Q & A took place after.

It may sound like I am making some backhanded comments about the festival, but that is not my intention at all. I absolutely loved all 8 days I attended. I can’t wait to attend next year; I just hope I can score an all access Hudson Pass that would allow me to attend all screenings, galas, red carpets and panels. To those running the festival, I am 100% serious in saying that if you give me a Hudson Press Pass next year I will attempt to attend every movie possible.

And now some highlights, thoughts, and ramblings†�

The DirectTV Tribeca Press Center – They had Macs set up, press materials, horrible tasting energy bars and FREE SNAPPLE. Everyone reading my daily recaps knows that I helped myself to as much free Snapple as possible. I love the stuff and if Snapple wished to sponsor me/provide me with free beverages for life, I would mention Snapple in every film I make. I will even start off every review with “While enjoying an ice cold Snapple, I watched†�†�. My love of Snapple aside, the Press Center was also great for interviews. While it would have benefited from more rooms, and quieter air conditioners, the Press Center was a great spot. It was also a pretty good area to hang out for long gaps between movies. While I missed all the parties there, it seemed like it was a good location for them.

The Volunteers – The festival had over 1500 volunteers. When attending press screenings, there were usually 5 or 6 volunteers stationed outside each theater plus many more just wandering the area. They probably need that many for public screenings, but not press. Regardless, everyone was friendly and usually very helpful. There was some misinformation towards the start of the festival but things seemed to run smoothly the second half. Many of the volunteers were students of local colleges that were studying film/TV/animation, and there was always someone to talk to.

The Theaters – Most of the films screened at the AMC Village VII, which is a great theater for a festival. It has a theater on every other floor for the first 3 theaters, and doubles up on theaters 4 & 5 and 6 & 7 towards the top. There is a nice amount of space on the floors for lines to form. The SVA Theater, which I only went to once (Hysterical Psycho premiere), was used mostly for premiere screenings. It was also a nice setup, with a big stage that accommodated Q & A’s after. I did not go to the Tribeca Cinemas, which was also used mostly for premieres. The biggest problem with the theaters is how far apart they are. I walked from AMC Village VII to SVA and that is not a mistake I would make again. At least the Village VII was very close to the DirectTV Press Center since they were the two places I spent most of my time.

The Events – In addition to the regular festival screenings, there are a ton of events that take place around the festival. Tribeca partnered with Barnes & Noble to have screenwriting lectures in a local store and Apple Store SoHo also had a filmmaker lecture series. There were also discussion panels that were part of the “Tribeca Talks†�†� series and a few special screenings with discussions held afterwards. There were also different events taking place in the DirectTV Tribeca Press Center and the Filmmaker’s Lounge, such as press & industry parties and meet & greets. For insiders, there were also parties every night, although I was only invited to 3 the entire festival and attended a total of 0. For press (and the filmmakers), all roundtables, interviews and press conferences took place in the afternoon during press screenings. There was so much going on, it is unfortunately impossible to cover it all. But I did as much as I could.

And finally, The Films – Like most indie filmmakers, I submitted my film to this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and just like most filmmakers, I was rejected. After seeing many of the films, I can see why. My film does not fit the mold. Aside from Lloyd Kaufman and our secret guest cameo, I have no celebrities starring in my film. Only a handful of American films were sans celebrity. The same would go for budget. Aside from a handful of films, mostly documentaries, I would guess that every film I saw at the festival was made for more than $600,000. A few that did display their budget were in the $4 million range. But were these films only at the festival because of the celebrities and high production value? In my opinion, NO. There weren’t any bad soon to be straight to DVD titles in the batch. I enjoyed nearly every film I saw, which was probably because I mainly went to see films that interested me. I only saw a few of the films with little prior knowledge and they usually surprised me.

Here are some of my favorite films at the festival still in need of distribution†�

Hysterical Psycho – Written and Directed by Dan Fogler, this IS the next cult classic people will be talking about. It is insanely fun, completely twisted and the closest thing to Evil Dead 4 we will get.

TiMER – I loved this movie. It was sweet, funny and has a brilliant concept that is very well executed. The cast was perfect, as was the script. It still has me thinking about what life would be like with a TiMER.

City Island – This won the audience award and with good reason. It is a hilarious look at a dysfunctional family living in New York. Andy Garcia delivers a fantastic performance, along with everyone else in the cast.

My Last Five Girlfriends – I thought the film looked interesting so I checked it out and it blew me away. This brilliant slice of fried gold comes from the UK. It is as funny as it is inventive and just may be one of the most intriguing films of the year.

Con Artist – Outrage was great, Cropsey was fascinating, and Partly Private was cute but Con Artist is hands down my favorite documentary of the festival. It is a funny and interesting look at artist Mark Kostabi, who is a brilliant subject for a documentary. I had never heard of him before but he is definitely one of my favorite artists now, despite his lack of actually making his own art.

If you are a distributor, what the hell are you waiting for? Contact the people behind the films above and start striking up some deals. I’d also like to throw in nods to The Good Guy, Midgets Vs. Mascots and Newsmakers, which are also fantastic films that need distribution immediately! Also, feel free to contact me if you are interested in the rights to Stuck Like Chuck.

I’m going to leave off here because I sense this post is getting too epic. I hope it gave you a little insight into what it was like to be press at the Tribeca Film Festival. If you liked this but didn’t get a chance to check out my daily recaps, go back and read them. And be sure to keep checking back for my Tribeca Reviews that will be posted throughout the next few days. I will also post my interviews towards the end of the week. Schoolwork be damned.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

After missing the last 2 days, I went back for the final day of the Tribeca Film Festival. The end of Tribeca unfortunately means that I must officially return to my life. Real life already started creeping in when I had work Friday morning and then yesterday I worked a full day. Now tomorrow I have school and life goes back to normal. Well sort of. I still have about 10 reviews to write and 2 hours worth of footage to edit for you guys, in addition to several screeners to watch and then review. I’m also in the process of setting up interviews with some local Tribeca filmmakers. So for all those upset the festival is over, don’t be since my coverage will continue for at least another 2 weeks. But before I get ahead of myself, here’s Day 11†�

Today it was pouring out but being the movie lover I am, I hopped on the bus for my 90-minute commute to the festival. Since the schedule for today was pretty light, consisting mostly of award winners, I opted to make the Heineken Audience Choice Award Winner the film I would see. The film that won the audiences’ heart (and $25,000) was City Island. I wanted to see the film but unfortunately missed every screening before this so it was a perfect opportunity. I’d also like to mention that the 3^rd Place Audience Choice was Midgets Vs. Mascots. You can check out my interview with one of the mascots right HERE.

It was a little early so I went to the DirectTV Tribeca Press Center before the theater. It was empty. Completely empty. There were only 4 people and they were all volunteers working at the center. I’m not sure if all the press were at screenings or if they packed up and left but it was weird. I grabbed a free Snapple and checked my press mailbox to make sure it was cleared. I headed to the theater and by the time I got there, I was getting pretty wet. To make matters worse, they were making people wait on a line outside. Surely they would want the press to go inside so that we were not wet and unhappy while reviewing the film. Nope, back of the line†�in the rain.

I was sitting in the full theater, soaking wet and a little cold. The movie began and within a few minutes, I completely forgot how uncomfortable I was. I can see why it won the Audience Award. I am not saying it was my favorite film there, but the entire audience seemed to love it. The movie was hysterical but also touched on some serious issues. Thinking back, there are some familiar situations that we have all seen before, but the film puts a fresh spin on them. Andy Garcia was great, as was everyone else in the cast. I guarantee it will be picked up very soon. I compared TiMER to Little Miss Sunshine a few days ago and while I stand by that comparison, it rings even truer with City Island. Especially considering City Island and Little Miss Sunshine are both dysfunctional family dramedies. After the movie, director Raymond De Felitta and a producer answered a few questions from the crowd.

It was close to 3 pm when I got out. That meant the day was done for me. The Press Center was about to close and my badge became next to useless after 3 pm since it was a Sunday. I’d only be eligible for rush tickets, which meant standing outside in the rain in hopes that a seat would open up once all the ticketed customers entered. Instead I headed home thus concluding my amazing Tribeca experience. Tomorrow I will post an epic full festival recap that gives my impressions of the festival and a rundown of my favorite films.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

I am a huge fan of Kirby Dick’s previous film, This Film Is Not Yet Rated. If you have not seen it, it is an awesome documentary that reveals the MPAA for the BS ratings system they really are. It was a well-made documentary but a lot of my love for it probably comes from my love of movies and hatred of the MPAA. Going in to Outrage, I was not sure what to expect but I had heard great things and was looking forward to it. After seeing it, I can safely say this†�

Outrage is nothing more than liberal drivel that eschews facts and falsifies information in order to get confused Christians to feel sympathy for godless homosexuals. �

Just kidding. Outrage is actually a great documentary with an important message that is told in a fascinating and entertaining way. Unfortunately there are people who will say that first comment for real and this film even shows some of that shocking spin still put out by close-minded individuals. If you haven’t guessed, I will openly admit that I am for gay marriage. However, I would like to point out that this film is not just a documentary put together to change people’s minds who are against it. In fact, at several points it is said that the point of outing, and the point of this film, is not to influence voting but to expose hypocrites who are in the closet.

This film is similar to ‘This Film†�’ in that it has an element of a witch-hunt to it. However, rather than burning gays at the stake, the goal is to simply show us the hypocrites voting in office. Throughout the film, several gay politicians are exposed, including a few with girlfriends, wives and families. While not openly gay, the evidence to prove it is astonishing and the reason they are being outed is because they vote against gay rights. They are not being shown �because �they are gay but rather because of this voting record. They vote against gay marriage, against AIDS support, against gay adoption and against nearly every other bill that may help gays. They do this and keep the straight facade so that they continue to hold the respect and support they need to remain in office.

The film is made in a different style than This Film Is Not Yet Rated. Kirby Dick stays off camera and instead this film is told mostly through interviews. It also has a more serious tone but there are still some very funny moments on camera. While not the groundbreaking film that some have made it out to be, it is still an important film with an important message. Regardless of your views on homosexuality, you should see it.

OUTrage will be released by Magnolia Pictures on May 8th

4.25 out of 5 Sad Statues

 �

Hysterical Psycho is now one of my favorite horror comedies of all time. It easily takes a spot on the list right alongside Evil Dead II. Now I know what you are thinking. Every few months another horror film comes along and some reviewer compares it to Evil Dead. And every single time, that reviewer should have their hand cut off and NOT replaced with a chainsaw for making such an unfair comparison. Well go ahead Evil Dead fans, call shenanigans on me (and Scott), but I guarantee you will take it back after watching this film.

In addition to being the closest thing we are getting to an Evil Dead IV, Hysterical Psycho also takes its cues from dozens of other classic horror films. The film is actually packed with so many references and homages to great horror film, I am sure dozens of drinking games will be made around it. And they should be created because this is one hell of a fun film to watch with like-minded friends. As long as your friends like violence and are not affected by lunar radiation of course. It should be said that while the film wear’s its influences on its sleeve, it never once feels like it is ripping off something or trying to squeeze in a reference. Hysterical Psycho is completely original while utilizing every clichà � in horror and literally stealing shots from other films. It all fits perfectly in the mold created by Dan Fogler and partially sculpted by the cast.

The fact that this film went from idea to filming in about a month is amazing. Dan Fogler has crafted such a great film and it seems like a lot of fun was had on set. The film stars mostly members of Dan’s acting group, Stage 13. They are a truly talented bunch, and I am lucky to have had the chance to meet some of them at Tribeca. The basis for the entire film started with the suppressed laugh of Randy Baruh, who plays the film’s hysterical psycho. From there, Dan came up with a story outline and the cast all had a hand in creating the characters and expanding on the story. This is a great process and I truly hope they do it again on another project soon.

Dan Fogler did a fantastic job directing this film, as well. The cinematography is perfect, as is the sound editing. If you are like me and love that scene in Evil Dead when we hear a whomping sound every time the camera passes a beam, you will love the sound design in this film. The special effects are also well done and the few moments of animation are hysterical.

It is fairly obvious that I loved this movie. Hysterical Psycho is equally demented and hilarious. Fogler describes it as Rock n’ Roll Hitchcock meets Evil Dead meets Young Frankenstein and I completely agree. This needs to find distribution immediately so it can go on and become the cult classic it is destined to be.

5 out of 5 Suppressed Laughs

And because it is so F***ing batshit crazy awesome, here is the trailer for Hysterical Psycho:

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

I won’t talk for long about this film and this is not going to be much of a review. I really did not like it; however, I seemed to be one of the only people with that opinion at the festival. While I did not like it, I hope the filmmakers succeed just because they seemed to be the only real down-and-dirty DIY indie filmmakers working with little budget and a cast of unknowns. And I fully support that.

 �The film reminded me of a B&W mumblecore movie infused with some jazz and a few musical numbers. The songs were not bad and may actually be catchy if I watch it again. The acting was pretty good, especially from a non-actor as one of the leads. I just did not like the screenplay nor did I care about any of the characters. The musical sequences are pretty well choreographed for such a small film, but they didn’t do much.

 �Overall, this was not a film I thought I would like and I was right. If you watch a clip or view the trailer and it interests you, go see it. Although the film isn’t my cup of tea, I do wish them the best of luck. I do see this film getting picked up by someone like IFC Films.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

Today started out with a major disappointment; not with a movie but with New York City traffic. The final press screening for one of the movies I was most looking forward to started at 9:30 am today. Being one of the most talked about films, I decided to leave early so that I would get there around 9 am. For those who do not know, a building collapsed in the early morning hours today in downtown Manhattan. Because of this, traffic was absolutely horrendous. I was stuck on the bus by the Battery Park tunnel entrance for about 30 minutes. I did not get to the theater till 10 am, which screwed up my entire schedule for the day. Worst of all, it made me miss The Girlfriend Experience. Since it already has distribution from Magnolia, and is already ON Demand, I know I will see it soon but I am still mad to have missed it.

I followed my huge disappointment with a screening of Eric Bana’s documentary, Love The Beast, which I originally planned on attending a later screening of. It was a good documentary but overall it was not something special. I believe if it had been about any other racecar driver on the track besides Eric Bana, it would not be in the festival. It is still an enjoyable film but I think I would have loved it a lot more had I been a big fan of cars.

After loving the Beast, I spent some time online at the DirectTV Tribeca Press Center drinking some free Snapple. I then headed back to see Newsmakers, which is a great Russian film. It is hard to describe because it is mainly an action film; however, there are also some very funny moments, as well as some biting satire of media culture. Newsmaker’s is a remake of the 2004 film Breaking News and there is already talk of an American remake. It will be amazing if done right but more likely it will turn out to be a bastard child of Showtime. The film had an old school action feel to it but it also felt very modern with its various uses of media in the film.

After seeing some bodies hit the floor, I headed home. I haven’t decided yet if I will go tomorrow. I have to work in the morning and I was only planning on seeing 1 film. Since the weather is supposed to be terrible and traffic will suck due to streets still being closed off because of the collapsed building, it may not be worth it. Instead I may stay in and actually catch up on all the reviews I need to write. I also scored a few screeners that I have yet to watch. I’m already taking off Saturday due to work but I will definitely be going in on Sunday for the final day of the festival. Don’t worry though, our coverage will continue well into next week. I am also in the process of setting up interviews with some NY based Tribeca filmmakers so it may run even longer. Hope you are enjoying everything so far.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

For all of you who read the title of this post and said, “Oh no, I missed Jerry’s awesome coverage of Day 6†� don’t worry. You didn’t miss anything. I took a day off from the festival for personal reasons but I returned in full force today, watching 4 movies back to back. The theme for today seemed to be love and heartbreak.

I started the day with My Last Five Girlfriends, which completely blew me away. I wanted to see this film based on the clip available on the Tribeca website. It seemed quirky, fun and original. It turned out to be all those things and more. The film is a creative study of the main characters last 5 girlfriends, which led him to commit suicide as we see in the first scene of the film. The premise may sound dark, but this is actually a fantastic comedy, with inventive visuals and storytelling techniques.

After the first brilliant film of the day, I was treated to the Mathew Broderick vehicle Wonderful World. While not even close to one of my favorites of the festival, I did still enjoy it quite a bit. Broderick’s character, with his constant spouting of his philosophies, reminded me of Ferris Bueller if he grew up to become a cynical asshole. There were some funny moments and Broderick is great in his role. You do feel bad for him, but you also do not like how he does not trust anyone.

A one-hour break followed, which of course means a trip to the DirectTV Tribeca Press Lounge for press notes and free Snapple, followed by a $5 footlong at a nearby Subway. I headed back to the theaters and went to see The Good Guy by Julio DePietro. I did not watch the trailer for this film, and as I’ve said before, I am a sucker for romance done right. I decided to give it a shot and I am so glad I did. The film is perfectly written, funny and well acted. The first scene of the film is the ending of a relationship and then we cut back to 6 weeks earlier when things started to get rocky. This seems to be a common theme of festival films this year (Damn me and my straightforward narrative for Stuck Like Chuck). However, it is used in a brilliant way here because things are not exactly what they seem and there are a few surprises thrown at the audience. I really enjoyed this film and expect it to be picked up shortly.

After the film, I met the director in the lobby and spoke with him for a bit. Being a New Yorker, he agreed to setting up an interview some time in the coming weeks to avoid the hectic Tribeca schedule. I’ve reached that agreement with a few filmmakers at the festival so expect our Tribeca coverage to continue long after the festival ends.

My final film of the day was Easy Virtue. I had known little about the film other than overhearing a few critics rave about it and that it starred Jessica Biel and Colin Firth. Uncertain of what to expect, this was another film that surprised the hell out of me. Colin Firth was brilliant as the sardonic father and Jessica Biel gives a great lead performance. The film used a lot of older comedy gags that fit in with the time period depicted (early 1900’s) but I believe there are some modern twists. And despite being a walking clichà �, I thought the downtrodden sarcastic Butler was hysterical. �

After 4 great films, I headed home. Day 7 is done. Day 8 brings me one of my most �anticipated �films �of �the festival.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

Just a few hours ago Scott posted a blog asking why Moon is not getting a wide release, which you can view HERE. I completely understand why but I refrained from commenting so that I can save it all for this review. So while this technically is my review for the film, it is also my answer to Scott’s question.

Let me start by saying Moon is a fantastic film. Sam Rockwell gives an amazing performance, as usual. The story is well crafted and the direction by Duncan Jones is stellar. The special effects are incredible. This by no means looks like a low budget film, well low budget in Hollywood terms. So in summation, it is a brilliantly crafted science fiction based character study with great special effects and an awesome cast that all give great performances. However, I do not believe Sony has faith in it. They obviously trust it enough to purchase the film and agree to distribute it in some markets, but Sony will only dump it in the 2 big smart artsy indie markets. And here’s why†�

The story is well crafted. I just said that as praise but Sony may look at it and believe the story is too complicated. While I understand the film, and almost everyone will if you pay attention, there are unexplained moments that only make sense after time passes by on screen. It is not a straightforward narrative. In fact, I overheard some critics in the bathroom after my screening saying that they were confused by the film. (I won’t name any names but I am looking at you Mr. Brown shoes with one shoelace untied) I as surprised by this, because in all honesty, the story makes perfect sense and is very well told. You just have to pay attention and possibly put a tiny bit of thought into it. Gasp. Think while watching a movie, that is preposterous.

Well, for the non-thinkers, this film still has a lot going for it. Sam Rockwell is a big part of that. I have been a huge fan of his work ever since I saw Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. I have seen some of his earlier work but that film really stood out for me and I have kept an eye on him ever since. Even if I do not fully enjoy the film, Rockwell does not fail to entertain. He can give a great comedic performance and with a turn of the switch induce hear wrenching emotion. In Moon, he delivers both, sometimes in the very same scene. I must point out the scene of him dancing to “Walking on Sunshine†� is brilliant on so many levels. I believe that if I “checked out†� and was completely lost watching Moon for 90 minutes, I would still enjoy just watching Sam Rockwell perform. My only complaint is that there is not more humor in the beginning of the film since it may be a bit slow for some viewers, but I think a second viewing may change that. It is clear just from recollection that certain details hint towards the progression of the story and paying more attention to the details will bring a better understanding and possibly more humor to the first 20 or so minutes. Look at me, again telling people they have to think and pay attention. Well†�the visuals are cool. That means there are pretty pictures on screen.

I am sure that Sony can edit a trailer for the film that makes it seem like an epic Sci-Fi adventure. They could sell it as a Sam Rockwell/Kevin Spacey vehicle, despite only getting to hear Spacey’s voice. And of course add some extra sci-fiey sound effects like futuristic beeps and a loud sweeping score to it. I actually commend Sony for not falsely marketing the film. However, they should have more faith in it and the US audience because the film really is great and needs to be seen.

4.75 out if 5 post-it notes on GERTY

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

I am not a big fan of British humor. I am not a big fan of political humor. Yet, I still enjoyed this film. I have never seen the TV show it was based on (The Thick of It) but I would assume fans of the show would also like this. It is essentially a satire of government and media, in which a bumbling British politician makes an off hand comment about war that leads to an international clusterf*ck. In fact, I’m sure the term clusterf*ck is used in the film. It seems like they use every other variation of the F-word as well as every other curse known to man. In fact, just as Kelly Clarkson was used as a swear in 40-Year Old Virgin, UK spin-doctor Malcom Tucker (Peter Capaldi) turns just about every line into an insulting swear.

I loved the character of Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), who is the politician that makes the slip up during a radio interview and causes an international government crisis. He could have easily been a one-dimensional character since his main purpose is to screw up every interview he has. However, I actually cared for the character since you can clearly see he has good intentions. It is obvious he is an idealist who believes he can make a difference, but unfortunately for him, that is not how big government is run. James Gandolfini also surprised me in his role of Lt. Gen. George Miller. He seemed to be having a lot of fun and the film is worth it just to watch him try using a children’s toy to explain a US military strategy.

The film is interesting in that there is a complicated storyline that must have been tightly scripted; however, it appears as though almost all of the dialogue is improvised. It is actually quite brilliant because it makes everything seem so natural, and given the documentary shooting style of the film, everything appears believable. �It would have been interesting to see another set of characters based inside the media outlets covering the story but that would have made the film way to convoluted. It is best that they kept it mainly within the political realm so that the characters and stories are fully fleshed out.

Overall, In The Loop is a smart and funny political satire.

In The Loop will be released in the US through IFC Films July 24^{th �}

4 out of 5 foreseeable slip-ups

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

Scott saw this film at Sundance and told me that I had to see it at Tribeca. I took his advice and I am so glad I did. Black Dynamite is a fantastic spoof of Blaxploitation films while still being completely original and fresh. The storyline, themes and characters do not seem to come from any specific films but are instead an amalgamation of the entire genre. I have not seen many Blaxploitation movies; however, I still loved Black Dynamite.

There is a huge array of comedy styles found in the film. The humor comes from deadpan deliveries, physical comedy, brilliant satire, over the top violence, sex jokes, dark comedy, sight gags and some completely random one-liners. There is even one insane gross-out gag that had the crowd of critics screaming with laughter. This film is also instantly quotable with so many great lines. My favorite in the film is “I am smiling†� but you will have to see the flick to get it.

The film has the gritty 70’s vibe nailed perfectly. The acting is fantastic across the board. Michael Jai White is the ultimate 70’s Badass MuthaF*cka. The music is also perfect, especially the songs created for the film that reflect the events taking place in the scene. I am also really glad that while the film perfectly captures the 70’s feel, Scott Sanders never forgot he was making a film for a 2009 audience. (Well 2007, when the film was made but you get the point).

The biggest problem I had with Tarantino’s Death Proof is that it was a mimic of 70’s B-movies, which meant few scenes of action and mostly scenes of pointless dialogue to stretch the running time. Unlike what Tarantino did, Scott Sanders instead takes the style of Blaxploitation movies but always keeps the modern audience in mind. A fast pace is set where little time is wasted because moments of incident occur every few minutes. There is actually enough action in Black Dynamite to fill at least 3 seventies action movies. The film also has some completely random, and hilarious, set-pieces that have little to do with plot but still work perfectly in the film.

Overall, Black Dynamite is an incredibly fun movie and one that I hope gets a sequel. While talking with Scott Sanders, he mentioned they have an idea for a prequel that sounds fantastic so hopefully this movie does as well at the box office as it deserves to.

5 out of 5 Bottles of Anaconda Malt Liquor

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

Day 5 is done and I am now halfway through this festival. Today was an easy day and I am so happy for that.

The only film I saw today was TiMER, which was an absolutely fantastic film. I am a sucker for romantic comedies done write and this is certainly a well-made romantic comedy. The film is sweet, funny, and emotional. Plus it has a very interesting concept; What if you could have a stopwatch implanted in your arm that will tell you when you will meet your one true love? The concept is brilliant and the film thankfully lives up to it. This film needs to be purchased and released in theaters. This film could do for Rom-Coms what Little Miss Sunshine did for Family drama. Which I guess in the long run was absolutely nothing, but at least we would have another funny and heartfelt comedy that comes out of nowhere and wins everyone over.

After TiMER, I left the AMC Loews Theater and headed back to the DirectTV Tribeca Press Center to use a Mac while enjoying a delicious free Snapple. BTW, product placement is disgusting. About 2 hours later, my interview with Jac Schaeffer (writer/director of Timer) and the main cast finally began. I thought nothing would top my Hysterical Psycho interview, but this interview was epically awesome. It may not have been as crazy as my Hysterical Psycho interview, but we did focus more on the film this time and it was just as loose. All I can say is that you will be very entertained whenever I get it online. Also, I am telling you right now that it is NSFW due to some graphic language. After speaking with the cast for about 30 minutes, I really wish I was a fly on the wall for the production. In addition to being a fantastic film, Jac and the cast are all funny, talented and extremely friendly. They are also huge movie geeks.

After the awesome TiMER interview, I started to head home. I had one more screening I was planning on attending about 90 minutes after the interview but I am so far behind in my reviews and emails that I decided to skip it. I also have not sent in a HW assignment in over a week. My HW can wait but I don’t want to keep you all from getting my movie reviews. I really will post some tonight and possibly a few in the afternoon tomorrow. I am taking off from Tribeca tomorrow because I have a press conference for my film/the SINY Film Festival and then my brother’s Confirmation afterwards. I will be back Wednesday with my daily recaps but look for reviews of what I’ve already seen starting very soon.

 �Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

Today was an easy day for me. I started with a 9 am screening of Serious Moonlight. I was looking forward to it since I heard Cheryl Hines speak so passionately about it at the Adrienne Shelly Gala that I attended a few months back. I enjoyed the film and while at times it may have needed some work, it was a smart comedy that was a lot of fun at times. It also has a lot to say about marriage and the concept of love. I think Justin Long stole the film with his performance.

After Serious Moonlight, I settled in for the biggest surprise of the festival. I wanted to see the documentary Con Artist because the trailer looked interesting but it wasn’t something I was really anticipating. I just needed something to hold me over till Midgets Vs. Mascots. Well Con Artist blew me away. Mark Kostabi (who I had previously never heard of) was such a fascinating documentary subject. The film was hilarious and extremely entertaining. It was also well done technically with a nice narrative structure that utilized old photographs and old footage. Unfortunately, it will not win any awards because it is not about some third world country, terrorism or a major world event. I highly recommend it.

After some lunch at Subway and a Snapple taken from he Press Center, I headed back to the theater for my final film of the day. While waiting in the lobby I overheard someone being introduced as the director of Con Artist so I approached him after and introduced myself. I told him how much I loved the film and hopefully and interview will be set up soon. I then went up to the last film. It was the hilarious Midgets Vs. Mascots, which is a well made, completely psychotic, politically incorrect, gross-out quasi-documentary in the same vein as Borat. Gary Coleman is awesome in this, as is the rest of the cast. At the screening I ran into Bob Bledsoe, a very funny actor/comedian from LA that I’ve been talking to on Twitter. He seemed to love the film as well. It was very funny but there are other stunts hinted at or seen briefly that I’d rather see then the ones in the film. Although at the Q & A that followed, we were told the original cut was around 160 minutes and hopefully all the cut stunts will end up on the DVD.

After the film I headed back to the Press Center to check on a message I received. While there, I saw Johnny Knoxville pass by on his phone. I went for my camera and thought I’d try an ambush interview, in a polite way of course. By the time I got my camera out of my bag, he was walking out the door with his publicist. Damn you Scott, Chase Whale and everyone else who told me to get a Flip Mino HD. You were correct. He seems like a nice guy so I am now pissed at myself for missing that opportunity. And yes, I am a fan of his acting work. I happen to love The Ringer. And on that note, Day 4 is done. Hope you are all enjoying the coverage so far. Reviews are coming soon. I swear.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com

Today was an easy day for me. I started with a 9 am screening of Serious Moonlight. I was looking forward to it since I heard Cheryl Hines speak so passionately about it at the Adrienne Shelly Gala that I attended a few months back. I enjoyed the film and while at times it may have needed some work, it was a smart comedy that was a lot of fun at times. It also has a lot to say about marriage and the concept of love. I think Justin Long stole the film with his performance.

After Serious Moonlight, I settled in for the biggest surprise of the festival. I wanted to see the documentary Con Artist because the trailer looked interesting but it wasn’t something I was really anticipating. I just needed something to hold me over till Midgets Vs. Mascots. Well Con Artist blew me away. Mark Kostabi (who I had previously never heard of) was such a fascinating documentary subject. The film was hilarious and extremely entertaining. It was also well done technically with a nice narrative structure that utilized old photographs and old footage. Unfortunately, it will not win any awards because it is not about some third world country, terrorism or a major world event. I highly recommend it.

After some lunch at Subway and a Snapple taken from he Press Center, I headed back to the theater for my final film of the day. While waiting in the lobby I overheard someone being introduced as the director of Con Artist so I approached him after and introduced myself. I told him how much I loved the film and hopefully and interview will be set up soon. I then went up to the last film. It was the hilarious Midgets Vs. Mascots, which is a well made, completely psychotic, politically incorrect, gross-out quasi-documentary in the same vein as Borat. Gary Coleman is awesome in this, as is the rest of the cast. At the screening I ran into Bob Bledsoe, a very funny actor/comedian from LA that I’ve been talking to on Twitter. He seemed to love the film as well. It was very funny but there are other stunts hinted at or seen briefly that I’d rather see then the ones in the film. Although at the Q & A that followed, we were told the original cut was around 160 minutes and hopefully all the cut stunts will end up on the DVD.

After the film I headed back to the Press Center to check on a message I received. While there, I saw Johnny Knoxville pass by on his phone. I went for my camera and thought I’d try an ambush interview, in a polite way of course. By the time I got my camera out of my bag, he was walking out the door with his publicist. Damn you Scott, Chase Whale and everyone else who told me to get a Flip Mino HD. You were correct. He seems like a nice guy so I am now pissed at myself for missing that opportunity. And yes, I am a fan of his acting work. I happen to love The Ringer. And on that note, Day 4 is done. Hope you are all enjoying the coverage so far. Reviews are coming soon. I swear.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com