Falling to a Higher Realm

The Forwardian Arts Society hosted its monthly Film Lovers’ Gathering at The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse in Stroudsburg, PA on Friday August 19th. A small but eager group of film lovers came out to see the featured film which was titled, “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” The film is based upon the 1963 novel written by Walter Tevis but what made the 1976 film a cult classic has more to do with it being David Bowie’s film debut than anything else. You’ll find more photographs taken during the gathering in The Forwardian Arts Society 2011 Gallery at www.facebook.com/forwardian.dude.

The science fiction film (directed by Nicolas Roeg) and novel are about an extraterrestrial who lands on Earth in order to save his home planet from a devastating drought. His plan is to market his home world’s advanced technology in order to raise enough funds to help his people wither by (as in the novel) to ferry them to Earth or (as in the film) transport water to his planet. In either case, his plans goes awry when he becomes immersed in a sea of confusion and distractions after he is introduced to the elements of alcohol, sex, and television so prevalent in western society. This and the government’s desire to learn all about this stranger who has entered an even stranger land leads to his complete assimilation and his blindness to the hope of ever returning to his people to relieve them of their suffering.

Although the film did receive some mixed reviews when it was first released, it did (as mentioned earlier) become a cult classic. Many of the scenes were beautifully shot as it does have a certain surrealist quality to it which may have much to do with its 11 week shooting schedule. The film also contains a number of intellectual themes which are deserving of attention as they’re still relevant today. And, then there’s David Bowie. To me, the most interesting thing about the film was seeing someone walking around in 1976 with orange hair. Not to say the rest of the film was without any interesting scenes, but seeing something that is now commonplace occurring 35 years ago did get my attention.

Another aspect of the film to be noted is it’s graphic depiction of sex. Although I’ve seen the film shortly after it was released, I was surprised by it. I must have seen a cleaned up version of the film. It did border on being pornographic but did not allow sex to be a prominent element of the film. Instead, the scenes depicting sex merely served to illustrate one of the many distractions the David Bowie character encountered which keeps him from fulfilling his mission. The scenes relating to sex were disturbing and uncomfortable to watch but so were the scenes relating to alcohol and television. Perhaps this is why many have considered “The Man Who Fell to Earth” an art film as art is said to be at its best when it “Comforts the disturb and disturb the comfortable.”

The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse offers a variety of coffee, drinks, and culinary treats along with events such as the one described in this article. The next Film Lovers Gathering held at The Cheeky Monkey is tentatively scheduled for Friday September 16th. Future events will include an Artist’s Reception on Friday September 2nd featuring the work of Kim Pollard beginning at 6pm as part of their Espresso Yourself Art Shows Series. This Exhibition continues until November 1st. Ongoing events at The Cheeky Monkey include their Tuesday evening Open Mic Nites and their “Spoken Word Symposium” on Thursday evenings. Please Explore The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse Website at www.cheekymonkeycoffee.com or call 570-420-8222 for more information.

The Forwardian Arts Society is a fellowship for people who love the arts seeking to enhance the creative community by encouraging those interested in the arts to go forward toward their dreams, by supporting those groups and individuals who are manifesting their dreams through performances and/or presentations, and by loving them and all they do. In addition to their annual Forwardian Film Festival, the Film Lovers’ Gatherings, and their literary and arts magazine titled, “Forwardian.” The Forwardian Arts Society also presents a series of “ArtSmash of the Poconos” festivals showcasing the creativity of all visual and performing artists throughout the creative community. These festivals are presented at various times and locations throughout the Summer. The Forwardian Arts Society also offers information and news relating to the arts through its website. Please Explore The Forwardian Arts Society Website at www.theforwardianartssociety.com to learn more information about all they have to offer the creative community.

Love That Shakespeare

The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse in Stroudsburg, PA hosted The Pocono Shakes presentation of their “Screening Shakespeare” Movie Night on Saturday August 13th which featured a free screening of the 1998 Academy Award Winning film titled, “Shakespeare In Love.” The viewing was preceded by a talk given by Pocono Shakes founder Richard Rose which enhanced the enjoyment by providing a historical backdrop to all that occurred within it.

As mentioned earlier, “Shakespeare In Love” received an award from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for best picture as well as “OSCARS” for Gwyneth Paltrow (Best Actress), Judi Dench (Best Supporting Actress) and in several other categories. There are few who would argue these and other kudos are well deserved except for those who later sued the film makers writers claiming the film’s script was lifted from their work but were later declared to be frivolous.

In spite of these controversies, the film is an enjoyable one to be watched. It has the wonderful quality of teaching the history relating to the Elizabethan Theatrical Era while remaining entertaining. It does this by actually utilizing many comedic devices found in a Shakespearian play. These include mistaken identity and the “Play within a play” effects. However, the film does not shy away from utilizing modern day clichés in order to elicit a chuckle from its film going audiences.

An example of this can be seen in a scene in which Shakespeare is chasing an (what he believes to be) an actor whom he wants to be in his play, “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter.” The object of his pursuit enters a boat and the oarsman begin taking his passenger across the river. Shakespeare quickly jumps into another boat and tells his oarsman to, “Follow that boat” which mimics the well worn cliché of “Follow that cab” seen in numerous action films throughout the 1940s and 50s.

However, comedic devices aren’t the only Shakespearian qualities found within the film. There are dramatic and romantic reflections of his work to be seen as well. Not only do they move the story forward, but they profoundly demonstrate the bard’s ability to touch the human heart with tears of both joyous laughter and empathetic sorrow almost 500 years after his work was written. This makes the film more than a biography of the man but a tribute to his wonderful gift for words.

And yes, it is duly noted the film is entirely fictional and can’t be really considered biographical. Yet, there are those who assert the art of fiction often holds more truths than the presentations of fact and this film embarks upon a journey to prove the validity of this assertion. It does so by sharing historical information about William Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and the day to day tasks and challenges those who chose a life in the theater encountered in the Elizabethan Era which took place from 1558 to 1603. So, while the main plot of the film holds many untruths about the relationship between Shakespeare and his love (and few would be surprised if it was discovered to be true due to his philandering reputation), the film has an abundance of the reality of the times so it may share its truths.

The film, “Shakespeare in Love” was directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and playwright Tom Stoppard. It features Joseph Fiennes as William Shakespeare and Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola de Lesseps along with numerous well known actors and actresses. Although I’ve seen the film when it first came out in theaters, it was a joy to see it once again accompanied by Richard Rose’s insightful commentaries. The atmosphere was a very congenial one which made everyone feel they were sharing a wonderful experience among friends.

The Pocono Shakes presentation of their “Screening Shakespeare” Movie Night is said to be the first of such events and met with a respectable measure of success. Thus, its completion left many eager to learn when the next installment will occur so they can make arrangements to attend. You’ll find more photographs taken during the event in The Cheeky Monkey 2011 Gallery at www.facebook.com/forwardian.dude.

Pocono Shakes is a newly formed theatre company involved in education and performance of the works of William Shakespeare who lived in from the mid 1560s until 1616 in who has written over 30 plays during his lifetime. Pocono Shakes seeks to perform Shakespeare's texts in order to demonstrate their relevance to a modern audience. The next event presented by Pocono Shakes will be there production of William Shakespeare “Macbeth” scheduled to be performed at The Miller Park located in East Stroudsburg, PA September 8th - 11th and September 15th - 18th along with additional performances to be presented at The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on Delaware, PA November 4th - 14th. You’ll be able to gain more information about Pocono Shakes and all they have to offer by contacting them at poconoshakes@gmail.com or by visiting their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/poconoshakes.

In addition to hosting The Pocono Shakes’ “Screening Shakespeare” Movie Night, The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse is currently presenting The Laura Bee Exhibition which continues until September 1st as part of their Espresso Yourself Art Series. The next exhibition in the series will feature the work of Kim Pollard and begin with an Artist‘s Reception on Friday September 2nd beginning at 6pm and will continue until November 1st. In the meantime, Cheeky Monkey will host The Forwardian Arts Society Film Lovers’ Gathering on Friday August 19th beginning at 7pm featuring a free screening of the 1976 Science Fiction Cult Classic “The Man Who Fell to Earth” starring David Bowie which will be followed by a discussion of it. Those who attend the gathering will be afforded the opportunity to suggest what film will be shown during their September get together. The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse also offers a variety of coffee, drinks, and culinary treats along with events such as the one described in this article. Please Explore The Cheeky Monkey Coffeehouse Website at www.cheekymonkeycoffee.com or call 570-420-8222 for more information.

Film Review: Gasland

Film Review: Gasland
Written and Directed by: Josh Fox
Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The documentary film titled, “Gasland” was presented in the Home of Don Slepian and Jan Julia as a special screening event on Friday May 20th. A small group of environmental activists along with representatives from the Pocono Progressives and the local chapter of www.moveon.com were present. The film was directed by Josh Fox who received a letter from a natural gas company in May of 2008 offering to lease his family’s land in Milanville, PA for $100,000 to drill for gas. His research into the environmental impact the drilling for natural gas through the method known as hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and the profound dangers it possesses led him to begin filming this documentary. “Gasland” was released in 2010 and has won several awards The Special Jury Prize at The 2010 Sundance Film Festival as well as being nominated for The 2011#Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) Award for Best Documentary Feature.

The film depicts his journey to areas in a geological location known as the Marcellus Shale which exists under large parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia where fracking has already occurred. His journey encountered instances in which the health of pets, livestock, and humans was adversely affected by the chemicals used in the fracking process as well as the natural gas it extracted going into their water supplies. The film demonstrated the later occurrence through the home owners’ ability to ignite their flowing tap water.

Mr. Fox’s journey continued to his journey across the county to the western states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Texas where fracking has been a part of their communities for over a decade. He found similar instances of the adverse effects fracking had on those living in the area but also found many have begun legal remedies such as court injunction or settlement monies to compensate their plight. The film also enlisted members of the medical profession, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) personnel, Political figures, and University Academia to underline the practices and overwhelming risks of fracking. The film ended it’s journey to the US Congressional subcommittee was discussing the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act which was a bill designed to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act by repeal an exemption for hydraulic fracturing which was done in the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 during the George W. Bush administration.

“Gasland” is Josh Fox’s second documentary and was made in about eighteen months. His first documentary was titled, “Memorial Day” which deals with how the US instills it’s “Girls Gone Wild” culture on other nations in spite of they being in direct conflict to morals these countries established centuries ago. This reviewer has not seen “Memorial Day” but many reports indicate it’s a challenging film to follow as it utilize many of the elements “art Film” employ in it’s narrative. If this is indeed the case, “Gasland” is a much simpler film conveying a direct message leaving no one viewing it uncertain what it is.

The serves the topic well by pointing out a fact and not overdoing it through an overwhelming abundance of repetitions. This can be seen in the depictions of running tap water being set afire. The film repeats the act in several households, but, just as one is about to say, “OK, we got the point already.” the film moves onto another aspect of the problem Fracking creates. This approach reminded this reviewer of the early Michael Moore documentaries before the elements of self indulgence and self importance began to become prominent in them.

However, the film is not without its problems if the allegations challenging its factual citations are found to be true. Some studies are said to indicate some water wells were contained by biogenic methane which occurs naturally in underground coal beds. A scene depicting natural gas bubbling up from the ground on a home owner’s land was found to be the result of fermenting organic matter and not related to the practice of fracking. This is an unfortunate aspect of many Point of View (POV) Documentaries as the filmmaker often tends to be led by his or her own biases and doesn’t take the time to determine whether the evidence he or she utilizes in the film stands up to honest scrutiny. This is unfortunate because this often leads an audience aware of it’s discrepancies of some aspects of the film’s facts to doubt the validity of every fact the film presents.

The film was followed by a lively discussion on the dangers of hydraulic fracturing and how to prevent it from being established in the local community. Many ideas were shared and a few may be implemented at a future time. You’ll find more photographs taken during the after film discussion in The Special Events 2011 Gallery at www.facebook.com/forwardian.dude.

While this reviewer is unable to determine the validity of the facts presented in the film, I can say it was a well made piece and worth watching even if one has to take an extra grain of salt with them to wherever it is being shown. Presently, the film is available on DVD for small screenings in homes, centers, and other similar facilities. More information about the film and how to obtain a copy of the DVD can be found at www.gaslandthemovie.com.

Beastly Dreams at The Sherman

The Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA presented another installment in their Severed Sinema Series hosted by Earl Kess on Thursday September 23rd titled, “Never Sleep Again.” The films featured were “Nightmares in a Damaged Brain” (aka Nightmare and Blood Splash) and “A Nightmare in Elm St.” A display of the gloves the later film’s character Fred (aka Freddie) Kruger wore was provided by the series special guest Anders Eriksen. The Blues/Punk band “Beasts of Traal” performed between the films.

The evening began with the screening of the 1981 film directed by Romano Scavolini titled, “Nightmares in a Damaged Brain” (aka Nightmare and Blood Splash). To say this was a cheesy film would cause many such films to take issue in being placed in the same category. It was a mess. But, this is exactly why it was so much fun to watch.

It’s about a man named George Tatum who is seriously warped and potentially homicidal. Due to some early release program which is never quite explained he is left wandering the streets. The medication he was given so he could be discharged from the institution he was in aren’t working and he winds up killing a few people. This is until he arrives at a family’s home and is killed by one of the kids. I suppose family life does have a tendency of doing that.

The narrative style of the film was quite something to experience. It seemed much of film was edited together in the order the scenes were shot leaving it with little cohesive continuality. Many of the actresses who appeared in the film to be killed had very little to do with the overall plot. It seemed they were there to replace others because they couldn’t get off work that day. In other words, a lot of what went on in the film didn’t make sense. Still. Like I mentioned earlier, it was fun to watch.

Once the film was completed those who attended the screening were able to venture out into The Theater’s Lobby to visit Anders Eriksen and his “Nightmare Gloves.” Many had fun trying them on and striking poses for their friends’ camera phones. They were a very impressive collection with each containing a certain artistic quality. It was all very cool.

It was during this time “Beasts of Traal” took the stage and several of those in the Lobby returned to the auditorium. Although the band only consisted of Will Sovinski on Guitar and Corry Scott on Drums, the sound they made gave the impression there were more musicians on stage. And when I say sound, I don’t mean the noise. Their songs had a subtle quality to them which the musicians maintained even while honoring the hard presentation Punk Rock has become known for. This may have been because of the introduction of the musical styling found in the Blues genre which is a very unique element to find in a Punk Rock Band. It all led to an interesting and enjoyable performance.

The second film which was the original 1984 “A Nightmare on Elm Street” directed and written by horror film icon Wes Craven featuring Robert Englund as “Freddy” Krugar and Johnny Depp in his feature film debut began soon after “Beasts of Traal” left the stage. The lasting influences of this classic horror film can be seen in the genre of works being presented up to and including the present day. Wes Craven utilized all the bells and whistles in the spooky movie handbook while inventing some of his own. It won critical acclaim at the time of its release for its originality and filmmaking qualities and is still looked upon with horrified fondness.

When I first saw it during its theatrical release, I found most horror films laughable at best. But, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was the first film that truly scared me since I was seven. The subsequent sequels, television series, crossover with the inferior “Friday the 13th”, and the remake I don’t really want to see has profoundly diluted much of the “Holy Sh**” quality of the film for me. So, it was with great pleasure the opportunity to see the original film in a theater setting as it allowed me to forget about all that came afterwards and enjoy it as if seeing it for the very first time.

For those of you who don’t know, a child killer named “Freddie Krueger” invades the dreams of the children of those who killed him a number of years prior. In their dreams, he hunts them down and kills them. They never wake up as their deaths become reality in very gruesome manners. One of his potential victims devise a plan on destroying Freddie and succeeds in doing so but not without allowing the groundwork for a sequel to be developed. But, in spite of this contrived ending, the film holds much of the horrifying qualities that made it so scary in 1984 and I found myself going through some contortions at certain scenes. You’ll find more photographs of the event in The Forwardian Arts Society Severed Sinema 2010 Gallery at www,myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

In a special collaboration between The Sherman Theatre and The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA a special Severed Sinema Series will be presented Sunday Evenings at 7pm beginning October 3rd with the film titled, “Burial Ground.” All the films will be shown in their 35mm format and will continue until Sunday October 31st with the screening of the film, “Zombie.” The next screening in the series to be seen at The Sherman Theater will be their “Halloween Hell Night” event on Friday October 29th beginning at 7pm featuring the films, “The Omen,” “House by the Cemetery,” and a late night screening of “Black Ribbon” featuring a visit by its director John Orrichio. The evening will also feature art by Primo Cardinalli and music by “Methodical.” Please Contact The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 or Explore their Website at www.shermantheatre.com and/or Contact The Pocono Community Theater at 570-421-3456 or Explore their Website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org for more information.

Film Review: Please Give

Film Review: Please Give
Directed by: Nicole Holofcener
Performances by: Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Kevin Corrigan, Sarah Steele, and Ann Guilbert
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The film “Please Give” is a very likable comedy-drama and is indicative of the films created by Independent Film Industry which has become popular within recent years. The characters are compelling, unconventional, and lingers in the minds and hearts of their audience long after the final reel on the projector stops spinning.

The film is about a couple living in NYC who owns a used modern furniture store in which their inventory consists of pieces bought from people who wish to dispose of the effects of their relatives who have recently passed away. The wife, Kate (as portrayed by Catherine Keener), dedicated much of her time to giving money to the poor whom she meets on the streets. Her dedication often leads to some awkward situations including offering a man who is standing in front of a restaurant she was in food she had left over only to discover he was waiting in line to go in. The husband, Alex (as portrayed by Oliver Platt), works with her and proves to be a loving and supportive spouse and father to their daughter Abby (portrayed by Sarah Steele). This remains true even when he has an affair with a self-centered cosmetologist who is suffering from alcoholism named, “Mary” (as portrayed by Amanda Peet).

The film is also about Mary’s Grand Mother Andra (as portrayed by Ann Guilbert) who is in her 90s and is very cranky. She is cared for by Mary’s sister Rebecca (as portrayed by Rebecca Hall) who is a breast cancer radiology technician. During the course of the film, Rebecca meets the son of a 70 year old woman after her examination. There is a particularly funny scene in which the 90 year old and the 70 year old women are riding in a car. The older of the pair speaks in a condescending tone to the other in very much the same way those in their 60s and 70s talk down to people in their teens, 20s, and even 30s. As someone on the receiving end of such condescension, this reviewer felt a slight “taste of he4r own medicine” satisfaction.

The film seems like a simple one until it comes to thinking about what it was about after its over. It’s soon discovered the film has a complexity about it which makes it a challenge to discern any specific plot or theme. This was particularly true during The Forwardian Arts Society discussion which took place afterwards. We all knew we liked the film, but didn’t really know why.

However, when one takes the time to digest the film, a variety of themes comes to mind as a result of some very contemplative reflection. In a departure from this reviewers’ practice, I won’t bore you with all the aspects of the film’s themes I discovered upon my reflection of it. That is something anyone who sees this very good film can do for themselves. All, I would say is, it’s well worth doing so.

“Please Give” is rated R and is being shown at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. For information regarding times of this and other films currently being show at the theater, please call 570-421-3456. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday July 2nd showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was minimal but the conversation was quite agreeable even though we couldn‘t quite grasp enough about the film to hold a cohesive chat about it. But, we had fun trying. You’ll find photographs from previous discussions in The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts. We invite you to join us Friday August 6th to watch a film and participate in an equally enjoyable conversation. Please contact me through my profile for more information.

Film Review: Harry Brown

Film Review: Harry Brown
Directed by: Daniel Barber
Performances by: Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The film “Harry Brown” had its World Premiere as a "Special Presentation" at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and late was released in the UK and later in the US this year. Upon hearing about the film prior to seeing it, this reviewer could not help himself but to think about a recent film with similar aspects in its plot made in 2008. The film I’m referring to is Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino.” Both films are about an aging war veteran who deal with local gangs. Although the Michael Caine’s Harry Brown character and Clint Eastwood’s Walt Kowalski turns to violence to solve their problems, the similarities end there.

This might be due to the difference how the US film industry approaches a subject than other countries. Clint Eastwood kicks gang members’ butt with great bravado while Michael Caine meets with some success in dealing with his foes but not quite as gracefully as someone in a US Action film would. He has all the foibles any elderly person would and this brings a degree of reality to the film lacking in the counterpart this reviewer mentioned.

Comparisons aside, “Harry Brown” establishes itself as a very gritty crime drama from the very first frames of film. It opens with a gang initiation in which a new member is given drugs and a gun. He then goes on a killing spree murdering a young woman who is walking with her infant son in a carriage. He and his friends speed away only to be killed by a motorist they neglect to see. The angry narcissism and the desire to live a fast paced life is felt throughout these opening sequences as is a feeling of revulsion of what the characters are portraying.

The film soon introduces the audience to Harry Brown who is an older man and has become orderly in his approach to life. He is slow and deliberate in his actions as he maintains the long term relationships he has established over the many years of his life. This is even true of his daughter who passed away in the 1970s and that of his recently departed wife. It is only when his closest friend is killed by a gang does he foregoes his promise to his wife to leave his military approach to life behind him and takes arms against his friend’s murderers.

The contrasts between gang life and that of those like Harry Brown creates an interesting tension throughout the film. It caused many to walk out during it and some has noted this was the worst film they have seen in quite some time. Although this reviewer agrees the film was disturbing as the violence was over the top. It’s also true the characters in the film have very little redeeming traits leaving the audience uninspired by what the film presents. However, the fact the film refuses to flinch during it’s most violent episodes and it’s disregard to how anyone looks to the audience makes the film very interesting to this reviewer.

The film is almost as narcissistic as the gang members it presents but it also has a degree of reflection found in the maturity of Harry Brown. The film also reminds its audience criminally violent behavior isn’t only delegated to the young nor is compassion a traits solely possessed by the old. This, perhaps, was an aspect of the film most disturbing as it asks the audience to contemplate if the distance between them and the gang members depicted in the film are all that far apart. This is a hard pill to swallow and our desire to deny the possibility makes it all the more harder to do so.

The film ends with the area Harry Brown lives quite and peaceful. Harry is seen walking into a tunnel where the gangs frequented. The film fades to black as he enters leaving the audience with a sense of ambivalence. Is the tunnel safe for him to travel through or are there gangs still lurking in the shadows? And, if Harry does encounters a gang member, who is the more dangerous of the two?

“Harry Brown” is rated R and is being shown at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. For information regarding times of this and other films currently being show at the theater, please call 570-421-3456. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday June 4th showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was minimal but the conversation was quite agreeable although the quality of the film was disagreed upon. But, none left with a desire to wreck violence on others participating in the discussion. You’ll find photographs from previous discussions in The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts. We invite you to join us Friday July 2nd to watch a film and participate in an equally stimulating and peaceful conversation. Please contact me through my profile for more information.

Film Review: Vincere

Film Review: Vincere
Directed by: Marco Bellocchio
Performances by: Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Filippo Timi
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

“Vincere” (which means “Win” in in the Italian Language) was the only Italian film in competition at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and won four Awards at the Chicago International Film Festival including a well deserved one in Cinematography. The film is based on the life of Ida Dalser who bore Benito Mussolini a son prior to World War One and claimed to be his wife. Her tragic life is detailed as she endeavors to gain recognition for herself and son as Mussolini’s wife and son leading them both to be admitted to mental institutions and their eventual suicides.

The film opens at Dalser and Mussolini’s meeting which occurred during a political meeting in which a young Mussolini took a watch and claimed, if he was not struck down in five minutes, God did not exist. Dalser is seen impressed by this boldness and the two later begin a very sexual affair. They lose touch as Mussolini joins the army to participate in the war until she discovers him humbly accepting praise from the King whom he’d spoken so ardently against in his political speeches. She also discover he had married and had a daughter since they saw each other and thus begins her tragic journey. A few things about the film itself struck this reviewer while watching it.

The first was the intricate beauty of the cinematography. It’s style was very reminiscent of the Neo-realistic films made in Italy after World War Two. The most notable of these films include Rossellini's “Open City” and Vittorio De Sica’s “The Bicycle Thieves.” There were also hints of Federico Fellini’s work throughout which served to enhance its already impressive imagery. It is interesting to note these approaches to film making in the Italian Cinema began after the death of Benito Mussolini and would have never been made during his rule as his Fascist Regime heavily censored the film industry forbidding such honesty to be presented.

The second aspect of the film which intrigued this reviewer was that is was about (although indirectly) Benito Mussolini. It brought to a realization we know very little about the other leaders of the Axis Powers during World War Two. We see shows on the Discovery, History, and Military Channels about Adolph Hitler all the time. We know everything about his. We know about his medical condition and his diet which led to an abundance of gas. We know about his family and his dog. But we know very little about his Allies Benito Mussolini of Italian Colonial Empire and Hirohito aka Emperor Showa of The Empire of Japan. It was interesting to see how Mussolini came to power and how he exerted his rule. This was not what the film was about, but these elements of his life were there to satisfy the curious.

There are many things one can say in praise of this film as it leads the viewer to many terrains both intellectually and emotionally. But, this reviewer feels it suffices to say it is a very visually stunning film with deep compelling characters. To say it is well directed and acted is an understatement, but words cannot really do justice to this film and one would really have to see it to appreciate it fully.

However, there is one particular aspect of the film this reviewer would like to focus upon. It is the constant weaving of the film’s narrative between one time period to another. In one moment, we are watching a scene taking place before World War One. In another moment, we are in 1935. And, in another moment, we are witnessing the fall of Mussolini in 1945. It is during this later sequence we return to the meeting in which Mussolini and Dalser met to see the watch completing the five minute deadline Mussolini set for God to strike him down. This reviewer knows “hmmmm” isn’t really a very professional assessment of a film, but it describes the moment perfectly.

“Vincere” is not rated and has completed its run at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. It is unfortunate this film has completed its run so quickly as the theater serves the community best by showing such cinematic work. But, at least it was shown giving the area an opportunity to see it. After all, this reviewer is pretty sure “Vincere” was not shown in the local multiplex. For films currently being show at the theater, you may call 570-421-3456 for titles, show times, and dates. Most films run one week (as did “Vincere”) but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday May 7th showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was minimal but the conversation was very engaging as many of the visual, psychological, and historical aspects of the film were explored. We invite you to join us Friday June 4th to watch a film and participate in an equally stimulating conversation. Please contact me at forwardian@hotmail.com for more information.

Film Review: The Ghost Writer

Film Review: The Ghost Writer
Directed by: Roman Polanski
Performances by: Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Film “The Ghost Writer” is a film adaptation of the Robert Harris novel entitled, “The Ghost.” Both are about a young successful ghost writer portrayed by Ewan McGregor who remains nameless throughout the film who is hired to complete the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang as portrayed by Pierce Brosnan. It seems a simple enough assignment until we learn the ghostwriter’s predecessor died while working on the project.

Soon after the ghost writer begins his work, the former prime minister is accused with war crimes for his part in sending terrorist suspects to the CIA to be tortured through “Water Boarding.” He is called to answer to the world court but seeks asylum in the US as the country does not recognize jurisdiction. The ghost writer soon begins to discover some dark secrets regarding the former prime minister for which his predecessor might have been murdered when he discovered them.

As in the novel, the allusion to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the Adam Lang character is very transparent which is an assertion not denied by either the author of the novel nor by the director of the film. This makes the thriller much more interesting as it encourages the audiences to speculate what would occur if the plot depicted in the film actually came about in reality. There are, after all, a great many issues left unresolved from both of the previous US and UK administrations might be called into review one day with those responsible for unlawful acts made accountable for their actions. Perhaps the film will encourage the world court and other international investigative bodies to explore some past behavior of those fought the dragons of terrorism only to become Nietzsche-ian Dragons themselves.

But, beyond the comparisons and speculations, “The Ghost Writer” is a very neat and delightfully complex political thriller. Director Roman Polanski skillfully creates a claustrophobic environment in which he leads the audience in and out a maze of clues and discoveries. From the very first moment the young ghost writer steps into the former prime minister’s concrete fortified compound, we know there is something wrong about to happen. We don’t know what it is, but the mood the film sets encourages us to be aware what we feel will happen will indeed happen any minute.

The suspense is furthered by our observations everything the ghost writer discovers is placed where he can find them. We are amused by his self congratulatory smirks while considering himself so clever, but we now he is being led. What we don’t know who is leading him and why. We never really find this out, though, which creates a desire to see the film once again as the film also creates a sense we’ve might have missed something in our first viewing of it. And, this reviewer might become one of the happy number who ventures out to see it again.

“The Ghost Writer” is rated PG-13 and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday April 2nd showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was minimal but the conversation was very engaging and proved to be as suspenseful as the film. In fact, our conversation led to a number of questions and speculations on who was behind all the plots and why. We invite you to join us Friday May 7th to watch a film and participate in an equally stimulating conversation. Please contact us through our website for more information. You’ll find more photographs of our gathering at The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering Gallery at www.myspece.com/forwardian_arts.

Those websites mentioned in this review included The Pocono Community Theater at www.poconocommunitytheater.org and The Forwardian Arts Society at www.theforwardianartssociety.com.

Film Review: Alice in Wonderland

Film Review: Alice in Wonderland
Directed by: Tim Burton
Performances by: Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp.
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

From the poem "Jabberwocky" written by Lewis Carroll 1872 as a part of his novel “Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There.”

The Tim Burton film, “Alice in Wonderland” is not only based upon novels written by Lewis Carroll entitled, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There,” but it expands upon the work as only Tim Burton can. After all, many of his films already takes place in a Wonderland type setting with characters as rich and unusual as those created by Lewis Carroll.

The film begins with the young Alice telling her father of her bad dreams which takes place in wonderland. He calms his daughter fears of insanity by saying she is quite “bonkers” but the very best of people often are. The film soon moves forward in time to when Alice is an adult being prepared to be engaged. The audience viewing the scenes related to this occurrence who are familiar with the novels soon begin to wonder which is more bizarre; wonderland or the world Alice is living in with all its Victorian etiquettes.

We are soon relieved as we’re taken to wonderland with Alice as she follows the white rabbit down his hole and begins encountering the sensible world of the non sensible. The images Tim Burton creates for the film are fanciful while allowing us to feel at home with them. This is partly due to his earlier works, but there is something unique about how this film invites the audience to become a part of its world.

As we travel with Alice on her new Adventures in Wonderland, we become reacquainted with the characters from the novels. However, this time we’re not seeing them from a child’s point of view but through a more adult one. They are more darker and complex than those portrayed in the novels. But, just as a child grows older still loving his or her parents in spite of the realization they’re not perfect, we still can embrace the Mad Hatter, The White Rabbit, the Door Mouse, the hookah smoking Caterpillar, and even the Cheshire Cat if he can stay materialized long enough for us to do so.

As the film progresses, we discovered Alice has been sought out by Wonderland’s denizens (who we learn prefer to call it “Underland”) to kill the dreaded Jabberwocky and end the tyrannical reign of the Red Queen. She is hesitant to embark on such a quest as she learns of the beasts ferocity, but she soon discovers her “Muchness” as she remembers her fathers advice to do six impossible things before breakfast.

After completing her task, she returns to the “Real” world and decides to keep all she won within her. With the scars of the Bandersnatch still upon her arm, she begins a business adventure with her late father’s partner expanding upon his visionary dreams. The film ends with Alice traveling afar transformed in very much the same way the caterpillar has since transformed into the butterfly who accompanies her.

“Alice in Wonderland” is a delightful film and can be considered one of Tim Burton’s best. Johnny Depp’s performance as the Mad Hatter is great. However, he and the other actors seen in other Tim Burton films merely supports Mia Wasikowska portrayal of the adult Alice though their considerable skills. The film remains centered around her and her experiences. Thus making her adventure our adventure as well.

“Alice in Wonderland” is rated PG and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday March 5th showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was minimal but the conversation was very engaging and proved to be as fanciful as the film. We invite you to join us Friday April 2nd to watch a film and participate in an equally stimulating conversation. You’ll find more photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts. Please contact us through our website for more information.

The Websites of those mentioned in this article are The Pocono Community Theater at www.poconocommunitytheater.org and The Forwardian Arts Society at www.thefowardianartssociety.com.

Film Review: An Education

Film Review: An Education
Directed by: Lone Scherfig
Performances by: Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard.
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

“Forbidden Fruit creates many Jams” Fortune Cookie

The film, “An Education” is based upon an article written by the British journalist Lynn Barber for the British Magazine called, “Granta.” Although the article later became an autobiographical novel entitled, “An Education (a memoir)”, the film is not based upon it. The film gained critical acclaim when shown at The 2009 Sundance Film Festival and The Toronto International Film Festival as well as being nominated for Three Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award (AMPAS) Award in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Although the film is very good and very well made, this reviewer doesn’t see why it’s receiving so much acclaim.

The film takes place in England during the early 1960’s and is about a romantic relationship which develops between a 30 something year old man named, “David Goldman” as portrayed by Peter Sarsgaard and a sixteen year old girl named, “Jenny Miller” as portrayed by Carey Mulligan. Watching the film through modern eyes, it’s difficult to understand the only objections the young woman’s parents or teachers have in regards to the relationship is that the man is Jewish. In fact, it’s later in the film when Jenny confronts her father asking him why he never raised any objections to her desire to abandon her educational pursuits in order to begin a life with David.

Throughout the film, we see the development of Jenny and David’s relationship which is often manipulative and creepy. This is most evident in the scene depicting David waiting outside Jenny’s school for her and the scene she discovers his wealth come from thievery and deceit. These include visiting elderly people and stealing their artwork in order for it to be in his apartment where it would be better appreciated and the practice of moving black families into homes near elderly women who are afraid of them so he can then buy their homes below market value. When Jenny objects to these practices, she’s reminded this is how they’re able to have so much fun together and her sixteen year old understanding of the world succumbs to his reasoning. We also see how these experiences lead to the educational development of Jenny as she begins as an ordinary school girl prone to an affectionate flirtation, to an exploration of independent thinking willing to give up what is expected of her in order to pursue something she thinks is much worthwhile, to finally realizing all her thoughts and perceptions aren’t always what they seem.

The film is also an educational experience for those who view it as well. The audience is shown how those with an adult perspective can be easily deceived and manipulated by those who have a welcoming and self-assured air of respectability and financial success. Jenny’s parents are impressed by all this and often winds up suggesting trips David plans for himself and Jenny well in advance. It caused this reviewer to wonder what would impress those watching this film enough to forgo their better judgment.

As mentioned earlier, “An Education” is a good film and I recommend as a meaningful look into the life and discoveries of the Jenny Miller character. Was this the best film this reviewer has ever seen? Not really. This reviewer may not have heaped all the accolades it’s receiving. But, a film does not need a great deal of praise to be good. In fact, a great deal of praise sometimes indicates a film isn’t all that good at all. Fortunately, that’s not the case with this film so one can be assured, while they’re not watching something of great magnitude, they are watching something very meaningful.

“An Education” is rated PG and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday February 5th showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was minimal but the conversation was very engaging. We invite you to join us Friday March 5th to watch a film and participate in an equally stimulating conversation. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts. Please contact us through our website for more information.

Websites of those mentioned in this review are The Pocono Community Theater at www.poconocommunitytheater.org and The Forwardian Arts Society at www.theforwardianartssociety.com.

Film Review: “It’s Complicated”

Film Review: “It’s Complicated”
Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Performances by: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alec Baldwin.
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The film, “It's Complicated” was directed by Nancy Meyers whose previous work includes “Something’s Gotta Give” which, like “It’s Complicated” explores relationships between older people allowing those younger members of the audience to discover their romantic lives don’t become easier as time goes on. In fact, the film’s line uttered by the Meryl Streep character of “We’ve should have known better” rings very true for those of us past the age of 50 who should know better but really don’t. Perhaps while the mind and body ages, the heart remains youthful. This could prove to have equal amounts of favorable and unfavorable results.

“It's Complicated” romantic comedy about a couple who has been divorced for 10 years named Jane (as portrayed by Meryl Streep) and Jake (as portrayed by Alec Baldwin). She owns a successful bakery in Santa Barbara, CA while he is a successful Attorney. They have three grown children and they have a pretty good relationship. That is, until it gets too “Good.”

Although Jake is now married to a much younger woman, they begin a romantic/sexual relationship against Jane’s better judgment. Jake repeatedly (almost incessantly) expresses his affection toward Jane which leads her to question her previous decisions leading to their divorce. And, if Jake being married to the “other woman” whom she now becomes wasn’t enough of a complication, Jane meets an architect named Adam (as portrayed by Steve Martin) and begins to explore having a relationship with him. What a mess.

While the film is light and should not be taken very seriously, it does offer some serious commentary on human relationships in regards to how loneliness and second guessing ourselves when one is over can make life much more complicated than it needs to be. It seems sensible at the end of a relationship to let your ex be your ex and, while it’s ok to continue an appreciative love for those who have touched your life it would be best to love them at a distance. The further away the better. But, the characters in this film don’t follow this common sense approach and we learn what happens.

The film allows us to laugh at ourselves when we abandon our common sense in order to experience the promised joys of a romantic relationship. Sometimes these promises are kept while other times they are not. This is true in encountering people we’ve never dated in the past. But, to go back to the same well containing the waters we’ve found detrimental to our well being can prove to be a bit self defeating.

In the film, Jane goes back to her discarded well out of feelings of loneliness which are manipulated by Jake as he heap one complimentary platitude upon her after another. He doesn’t seem to do this consciously but out of a sense of some misguided self awareness of his feminine side in which leads him to wear his heart upon his sleeve. He declares himself to be more sensitive, more caring, more nurturing, more patient, and more everything a woman may want in a man except for being a man.

His self indulgence convinces him he has made a mistake and wants a redo of his life by convincing his former wife to take him back. He succeeds in seducing her in a bar with numerous drinks and utilizes that momentary lapse of reason on Jane’s part to establish an ongoing affair. This all would be malicious if it were not for the fact he honestly believes both he and Jane would be better off together.

It isn’t until the introduction of the character Adam when Jane begins to place her relationship with her ex husband into perspective. They begin to like each other. Not out of a sense of repairing mistakes from the past, but out of a desire to be with someone who makes them feel good. Their relationship develops when they begin to become able to let go of their past and explore a new future. For Jane, the image of this future allows her to see where Jake doesn’t fit into it and, eventually, Jake begins to see it, too.

In the meantime, Adam becomes hurt through this process of Jane and Jake’s revelation and decides to cool things down. However, by the end of the film, a sense of hope that a relationship between Jane and Adam can evolve as the closing credit roll. It doesn’t escape this reviewer’s sense of irony that Steve Martin who has become known for his outrageous comedic style and antics is playing a character who proves to be the most sensible and mature of the film’s principles.

In regards to “It’s Complicated” being a film exploring the complexities of the human condition in reference of our relationships, well, it’s not that. After all, it is a romantic comedy and that is all it’s meant to be. However, it does touch upon aspects of relationships and what can go awry in them enough to make it a worthwhile film to watch. And besides, it’s funny.

“It‘s Complicated” is rated R and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 or visit their website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday January 1st showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to chat about it. The turnout was rather small but the conversation was very engaging. We invite you to join us Friday February 5th to watch a film and participate in an equally stimulating conversation. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

Film Review: Everybody’s Fine

EVERYBODY’S FINE
Directed by: Kirk Jones
Performances by: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, and Melissa Leo
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The film, “Everybody's Fine” is directed by Kirk Jones and is a remake of the Giuseppe Tornatore 1990 film entitled “Stanno Tutti Bene” which translates to “Everybody’s Fine.” The original film was about a retired Sicilian bureaucrat named Matteo Scuro (as portrayed by Marcello Mastroianni) who has named his five children after characters from his favorite operas. They don’t arrive to a summer gathering and he decides to go visit them after optimistically determining they’re too busy with their successful lives to come see him. He does so only to discover their lives are not a he imagined them to be but learn to love them for what they are thus realizing, “Everybody’s Fine.” The film won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and was nominated for Golden Palm at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival as well as winning the David di Donatello Awards for David Best Music and the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists for Silver Ribbon Best Original Story.

The 2009 Kirk Jones version depicts the main character, Frank Goode (portrayed by Robert De Niro), not as optimistic as the one in the Giuseppe Tornatore film as well as other dissimilarities. But, without having the opportunity of seeing the original film, this reviewer can’t ascertain which is the better version. However, this reviewer can say this is a “Tear Jerker” that works beyond the purely emotional levels most common to the genre. It achieves a certain degree of poignancy enabling the audience to discover things within their relationships and themselves which may enhance their lives and not merely saturate a tissue.

The film explores the journey Frank Goode has as he seeks to connect with his grown children after the death of his wife. We discover during the course of the film his children has always told their mother things they never told him. It is also discovered Frank had something to do with the installation of a certain substance placed on Telephone cable to keep them from corroding thus enabling people to contact one another without fear of a disconnection. It strikes us ironic that he helped make it possible for people to connect with one another when he cannot connect with his own children.

Essentially, the film is really about discovery. Frank begins to discover the truth about who his children really are and how he has effected their lives. This comes with a realization of the reason why they told their mother of their life’s challenges was because their father would always try to step in, push them, and try to fix everything to his liking. Although this is what he thinks a father should do, it depletes his children with a sense of being able to live their lives their way. It also creates the perception they can never really be accepted as they are by their father and there will always be a sense of shame for them.

In his search of discovering who his children are, there are moments in the film indicating Frank has an internal knowing about his children. One takes place at a roadside grave site where he gives a moment of silence. One can take this to mean somehow he knows of the fate of one of his children without being told what it is. Another moment is when he suffers a heart attack and envisions himself talking to his children when they were children. They reveal the truths about themselves and each other that were hidden from him. This is an aspect of parenthood seldom explored or acknowledged but every mother and father knows of its existence.

The film explore other aspects of parenting and the effects it has on the family along with the reasons why they come into being. Although this reviewer has no children of his own, he can appreciate these revelations as they can be transposed to other forms of relationships including the one with himself. While this reviewer has a desire to watch the original 1990 film as it may have more profound lessons to be learned, he is quite content to allow those contained in this film to settle for a while.

“Everybody's Fine” is rated PG-13 and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 or visit their website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday December 4th showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s Café to discuss the numerous aspects of it. The turnout was quite sizable and led to some very in-depth conversations not only relating to the discoveries depicted in the film but of those found in each person‘s life. We invite you to join us Friday January 1st to watch a film and participate in an equally engaging conversation. You’ll find more photographs on The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering 2009 Gallery.

Film Review: A Serious Man

Film Review: A Serious Man
Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen's
Performances by: Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Wagner Lennick, Aaron Wolff, and Jessica McManus
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." Rashi (1040 - 1105)

“When the truth is found to be lies and all the joy within you dies…” - Jefferson Airplane

The film “A Serious Man” by the Cohn Brothers begins with a quote from a Jewish Scholar known as Rashi (an acronym of Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki) who was medieval French rabbi and authored the first comprehensive commentary on the Talmud as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). This opening quotation by Rashi seems to be the main theme throughout the film as it demonstrates a life unable to heed its advice. As “A Serious Man,” the main character of the film is unable to receive life simply.

The concept of being “A Serious Man” denotes a man who has given up the frivolities of life in order to do what is necessary to be seen as a responsible and productive member of society. “A Serious Man” gains a good job, raises a family, and becomes active in the spiritual community. He cares for the needs of others even to the point of neglecting his own. This brings the quote from the Jefferson Airplane song entitled, “Don't You Want Somebody To Love?” into focus as the film progress.

The film is set in 1967 and is centered around Larry Gopnik (as portrayed by Michael Stuhlbarg) who encounters one set of difficulties after another. His wife (as portrayed by Sari Wagner Lennick) wants to divorce him so she can be with to be with a family friend Sy Ableman (as portrayed by Fred Melamed), a student (as portrayed by David Kang) tries to bribe him and thwarts his desire to gain tenure at the college he teaches, and his brother (as portrayed by Richard Kind) moves in with the family and gets in trouble with the law for gambling. In addition to all this, his self absorbed children (as portrayed by Aaron Wolff and Jessica McManus) who only cares about the television antennae being turned in the right direction so they can watch “F Troop” regardless of what is going on around them. He is surrounded by people who refuse to take responsibility for their lives

As this reviewer was watching this film, he could not help but wonder, “Why doesn’t he just simply pick up and leave everyone to their own devices?” Well, he can’t. His sense of responsibility won’t let him. It pervades his entire existence. Event to the point of paying for the funeral of his wife’s boyfriend’s funeral. It is through this sense of responsibility that the joy he has always felt entitled to as long as you did your duty and did nothing wrong continues to elude him. In other words, his need to be seen as “A Serious Man” keeps him from seeing the truth he has been brought up to believe are lies and there is a much more simpler and meaningful approach to life bringing it a sense of joy.

This joy comes from discovering a truer sense of responsibility leading to a greater quality of productiveness. It is finding that “someone to love” and discovering it is oneself. The Larry Gopnik character is surrounded by people who refuse to take responsibility for their lives and places it on him all because he is willing to do so. It has been said one can not live one’s life while living someone else’s and this seems to be his lot in life. By taking responsibility for our own joy and happiness and not those of others who should do so for themselves, we become more productive as we begin doing what is best for us and stop trying to do what is not.

Although the film is deeply embedded in the Jewish Culture, one does not have to be Jewish to appreciate it. Anyone can see the effect of not living a full life has on the main character as everyone can ask themselves, “What responsibilities, which are not my own, am I taking on and are keeping me from living my life to the fullest?” It is good and noble to care for others. It is why we’re here in the first place. But, to do so to the point of foregoing who we are is self destructive and we cease to be victims of all that besets us by becoming volunteers through this ultimate of irresponsibility. Therefore, the film serves as a poignant reminder that a life lived simply without the complications arising from taking on other’s responsibilities contains a joy within that never dies.

“A Serous man” is rated R and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theater* in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

After the Friday November 6th showing of the film, The Forwardian Arts Society Gathered in The Pocono Community Theater’s* Café to discuss the film. The turnout was sizable and consisted of several members of the audience who were Jewish and lent some insights to many of the terms and concepts revealed in the film. This led to an especially thought provoking discussion. We invite you to join The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gathering on Friday December 4th to watch a film and participate in an equally engaging conversation. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film and Chat Gatherings 2009 Gallery.

The website of The Pocono Community Theater* is www.poconocommunitytheater.org.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Halloween Hell Night at The Sherman

The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA presented another installment in their Severed Sinema* Series on Friday October 16th hosted by Earl Kessler*. The films shown were the horror classics “The Exorcist” (1973) and “Phantasm” (1979) along with a midnight screening of “Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated” (2009) which is an animated version of the 1968 classic horror film. In addition to the films, there were musical performances by Rooster Baby and Nu Prosta Kief*.

“Phantasm” was, as most low-budget films are, directed, written, photographed, co-produced and edited by Don Coscarelli featuring the film’s iconic character known as The Tall Man (portrayed by Angus Scrimm) The film is about a 13 year old named Mike Pearson (portrayed by A. Michael Baldwin) who is being raised by his 24 year old musician Jody Pearson (portrayed by Bill Thornbury) after the death of their parents. While (for reasons unknown) spying on a funeral procession at the burial site, Mike notices the undertaker (The Tall Man) picking up the coffin with seemingly supernatural strength and placing it back into the hearse. He begins to investigate this odd occurrence later involving his brother and his friend Reggie as portrayed by (Reggie Bannister). They soon discover The Tall Man is turning the dead into dwarf zombies to do his bidding and take over the world.

The first thing one is struck with is how beautifully filmed “Phantasm” is. It’s colors are crisp and the film’s mise-en-scene (the way the images on the screen are constructed) is very pleasing to the eye. It’s sound quality is quite intriguing at times as it’s well used to create suspense and mood. Well, I did say at times it does. There are other times the sound quality during conversations are quite overdone and doesn’t seem to match up with what is going on in the scene.

Yet, the film does draw you into it in spite of the often farfetched plot and uneven acting. It is scary and this element of the film is made more so by its well photographed scenes. As mentioned earlier, they are pleasing to the eye which betrays the viewer to become comfortable with the images making the shocking scenes the film has become famous for more disturbing. In fact, the scenes were so disturbing the Motion Picture Academy of America (MPAA) originally gave “Phantasm” an X rating due to the now famous scenes with the Killing Spheres. They soon relented to giving the film an R rating when some phone calls were made by some influential distributors. Ah, Hollywood Politics at its best.

Unlike “Phantasm,” William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist” is anything but low budgeted. In fact, it was nominate for Ten Academy Awards including Best Picture which it lost to “The Sting.” However, it did win the Award for Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film was adapted from the same named novel written by William Peter Blatty which was based upon a 1949 exorcism performed on a 13 year old boy named Robbie. The rite lasted several months and took place in the Midwest. The film itself was made during the time when the horror genre was focused on themes which dealt with demonic possession of children such as “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Omen.”

What strikes one watching “The Exorcist” is how it takes its time to build a relationship between its characters and the audience. They develop before our eyes into people we might know therefore allowing us to identify with their plight. This adds a sense of realism to the film even though we know it’s all just a story to entertain and scare us. This is commonly known as the suspension of disbelief and the film does this with great effect making the horrific parts the film is well known for all the more terrifyingly real.

The film begins in Iraq as a Father Merrin (as portrayed by Max von Sydow) is on an archaeological dig. He finds a small statue of Pazuzu who was considered the king of the demons of the wind in Assyrian and Babylonian mythology. He later comes across a much larger version of the statue and sees two dogs fighting nearby. The supernatural elements of this scene foretells the development of the remainder of the film although the audience does not quite know how it will do so. We just know it does.

The film then travels to Georgetown University in Washington, DC where a film is being made staring Chris MacNeil (as portrayed by Ellen Burstyn) who is noticed by Father Damien Karras (as portrayed by playwright Jason Miller) who admires her performance from afar. It is soon revealed Father Damien is having doubts about his faith as his mother’s physical condition is worsening. We then meet Chris MacNeil’s 12-year-old daughter Regan (as portrayed by Linda Blair in her first role) and begin to become familiar with their relationship.

However, Regan soon shows disturbing signs of what is first perceived as physical and then mental illness by the medical community after she finds a Ouija Board and begin communicating with a “Captain Howdy.” After all medical and psychiatric examinations fail to find a cause to Regan’s increasingly violent behavior, the doctors suggest she seek an exorcism for her daughter believing whatever is ailing poor Regan is psychosomatic and the rite will shock her out of it. How little do they know.

Father Damien is then approached by Regan’s mother and he eventually agrees to seek permission from the Church to perform the exorcist. He is accompanied by Father Merrin who is revealed to one of the few people who has had experience in performing the rite. This is where the fun begins as the most terrifying segments of the film are revealed and it becomes easy to understand why there were lines of movie goers stretching a number of city blocks waiting to see the film only to leave the theater in fright before its conclusion.

However, this is not exactly the film those who saw it during it’s original release was introduced to. The now infamous "spider-walk scene" was added to the film when it was re-released in 2000 and known as “The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen” utilizing CGI for the special effect. The scene was made but cut from the original as it was considered technically ineffective and added nothing to the film.

Unfortunately, the year 2000 was a time when it was felt re working films with the new technology would somehow make them better as it did (but really didn’t) for the Star Wars trilogy (chapters IV, V, and VI). So, the scene was put back in the “enhanced” version to gain more financial life from the film. Ah, Hollywood at its worse. But, since we only have to endure the unnecessary scene for a few seconds, the horrifying joy of “The Exorcist” remains in tact.

The third and final film of the evening was the near Midnight screening of something quite unique. It was an animated version of the 1968 classic “Night of the Living Dead” Directed by George A. Romero. Entitled, “Night of the Living Dead: Re-Animated” this re-envisioning of the film involved a multitude of artists and animators from around the world who placed their work on celluloid ranging from classic animation to sock puppets over the original film’s sound track.

The pieces by individual artists were organized by it’s curator Mike Schneider who said that this film takes the original and emphasizes certain images and themes one may miss during a typical screening of the film. Therefore, according to Mr. Schneider, it encourages the audience to take another look at the original with eye prepared to not only see what was re revealed to them but to seek out other aspects of the film they may not have noticed before. Indeed, this film does just that and is well worth watching.

In addition to the films being shown, musical guest Rooster Baby and Nu Prosta Kief* performed between the films. They were loud, bizarre, and perfect for the event. The crowd who came out for the films danced in their appreciation of the music they heard which made the watching of the films even more enjoyable.

The Severed Sinema* Series showcases the best classic horror, cult, and art house cinema each month whose goal is to act as a vessel for people to experience, re-live, and enjoy the golden era of extreme cinema in all its scary, sleazy, and sometimes cheesy glory. The next installment of The Severed Sinema* Series will be held at The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA on Thursday November 19th beginning at 7pm featuring the films entitled, “Horror Hotel” and “Carnival of Souls” along with a midnight showing of the classic experimental film “Un Chien Andalou.”

The next events taking place at The Sherman Theater includes a performance by Natural Breakdown* on Saturday October 24th at 8pm whose music is known to raise the consciousness of all who hear them through a winding river of sound and the annual midnight screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Saturday October 31st which will be preceded by a pre party beginning at 10pm. Please Contact The Sherman Theatre* at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film/Video 2009 Gallery.

The websites and email addresses of those mentioned in the article are The Sherman Theatre* at www.shermantheatre.com, Severed Sinema at severedsinema@hotmail.com, “Night of the Living Dead Re-Animated” at www.notldr.com, Mike Schneider at www.neoflux-animator.com, Nu Prosta Kief* at www.myspace.com/nuprostakaif, and Natural Breakdown* at www.myspace.com/thenaturalbreakdown.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Film Review: Bright Star

Film Review: Bright Star
Directed by: Jane Campion
Performances by: Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

The film “Bright Star” is said to be inspired by the sonnet appearing above and by the love letters 19th-century Romantic poet John Keats (who is portrayed by Ben Whishaw) exchanged with Fanny Brawne (who is portrayed by Abbie Cornish) during the later stages of his life around the year 1820. The film takes place in the time when Keats’ brother Tom is dieing of tuberculosis and his change of residence near Hampstead Heath in which Fanny Brawne was staying with her mother soon after his brother succumbs to the condition. He quickly falls in love with Miss. Brawne even though his affection for her (by historical accounts) seemed to bring him more vexation than comfort.

The film touches very little on this vexations rather focusing on the romantic nature of the relationship. Yet, it does this in a very interesting way. The pace of the film is very slow as if the director wanted to capture the period and its character with all its nuance in tact. This is a monumental endeavor and it seemed to work. But it seemed to work all too well. This reviewer could not help but speculate a person who lived in the early 1800’s could relate to everything happening in the film as it depicted recognizable aspects of their lives. But, this tortoise like slowness of movement and gentile speech lacked what we now perceive as the honest human emotion we express in our day to day living we‘re all convinced makes life worthwhile.

The film seems to hold very little members of a 21st century audience could maintain an interest in. Yet, we soon discover this stillness of movement both physically and emotionally proves to be a very potent tool the film maker utilizes as she explore the depth of what is means to be human. Just as the moving waters rippling across a pond is more note worthy to those who only know of its stillness, the lack of emotional expressions throughout the film intensifies them when they do occur.

Normally, the recitation of poetry can be very boring in a film. Yet, the emotion expressed in the letters exchanged between Keats and Brawne is enlivening since the lack of passion throughout the film creates a void the audience desperately seeks to fill. We are compelled to listen to every word the poet utters even to the extent of staying seated during the closing credits as a one of Keats works is recited. Perhaps this is a commentary on life and the effects love has on it.

There are many times when we encounter love do that we seem to realize how dull and ordinary our lives were before that moment. We are touched by how love has changed not only who we perceive ourselves to be but the whole world as well. We become more gentle and kind to ourselves and others or as the words of Keats puts it, “More fairer than fair.” We experience something that can not be explained but we all recognize it.

We call it love, but this is only because we lack the wisdom to ascertain it’s true name. But, in spite of this unknowing (or because of it) we embrace it as we instinctively know it is what makes us worthwhile. But, what makes this love (as we call it) worthwhile? Is it not the entirety of our lives that preceded our encounter with it. Would we know it if it or of anything else were not for experiencing what it is not?

The film heightens our emotional connection to the those of its characters by keeping them hidden until a rare moment reveals them. It is then we reveal ourselves to ourselves as we begin to realize what we have kept hidden underneath the facade of our modern day etiquettes. Perhaps there will be a time when these mannerisms will be judged lacking of emotion by those who claim to be more alive than we.

While to say the film is enjoyable to watch could be a stretch due to the nature of its pacing. But, the emotions it inspires in contrast are worthwhile experiencing. Especially, since they could not be experienced in quite the same way by many in our period.

“Bright Star” is rated PG and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theatre in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 or visit their website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org for show times and dates. Most films run one week but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.

“Bright Star” was the film viewed and discussed during the October Film and Chat Gathering presented by The Forwardian Arts Society on Friday October 2nd at The Pocono Community Theater. The next Film and Chat Gathering will take place Friday November 6th. The Pocono Community Theater provides a free beverage to all who participate in the chat after the film. All film lovers are invited to attend.

The Forwardian Arts Society emails invitations to their Film and Chat Gathering to their membership on Wednesday November 4th which includes the film’s title and screening time. Please visit The Forwardian Arts Society website at www.theforwardianartssociety.com to learn how to join.

Educational Creeps

The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA present the films “Graduation Day” and “Night of the Creeps” on Thursday September 24th as part of their Severed Sinema* Series. The event also featured an exhibition of works by Artists John Kolbek* and Mike Parsons*. The entire evening consisted of an interesting balance of cheesy, yet fun films and some very compelling art works.

The screenings began with the film entitled, “Graduation Day” which was made in 1981 and directed by Herb Freed. It’s notable for presenting an early appearance of “Wheel of Fortune” letter turner Vanna White. The film begins with a track and field event which a young female Athlete collapses while crossing the finish line. Why she died, the film never attempts to answer. The film then cuts to the return home of the Athlete’s sister from the Navy just as murders of the remaining track team members begin to occur.

Although some of the camera work is impressive, the director never establishes any sense of suspense or even the shock the simplest of horror films obtain. It’s just a really bad and stupid film. However, this is exactly why it’s appealing. It’s as much fun to watch as it is to laugh at the absurdities of the plot and the attempts at acting.

The second film was entitled, “Night of the Creeps” which was made in 1986 and directed by Fred Dekker. Although not the greatest horror film ever made, it was by far a great deal better than “Graduation Day.” The acting, writing, and production values where much better which did produce not only some mild scariness but some truly intentionally funny bits.

The film began in outer space on an alien craft with one alien being pursued by two others. It is discovered the alien is carrying a cylinder containing a deadly experiment which it is determine to maliciously jettison into open space. It does so and winds up on earth in 1959 near a college campus. A young couple sees its fiery decent into the atmosphere and drives to it’s location. Upon their arrival, the young man begins his search while the young woman waits for his return.

Meanwhile, a deranged Axe Murderer who escaped from the local insane asylum, sneaks up on the woman and kills her. Meanwhile, the young man stumbles upon the cylinder and becomes infected by its contents which are small slithering leech-like animals that enters anything with a mouth through that orifice and incubates inside the body while it moves around like an undead Zombie. Meanwhile, a cop, who has had feelings for the young woman being murdered, comes upon the grisly act as it’s occurring and kills the axe wielding maniac. Are there enough “meanwhiles” here?

The film cuts to 1986 on the college campus. The cop is now a homicide investigator and the young man is kept in Cryogenic Hibernation in the campus medical center. Why he is there, the film doesn’t attempt to answer. Perhaps he is left there so long so some college students can come by to play a fraternity prank which involves stealing a body and placing it in front of a rival fraternity house. A good plan. It took 25 years later to make it work, but it’s a good plan.

The film also explored the romantic entanglements of young college students, regrets from the past, peer pressure, and, oh who the hell cares. This film was just fun. It was stupid but in a very intelligent way. The intelligence came from the occasional spoofing of itself and the entire B Movie genre containing all the icons found in the zombie, slasher, and alien creature invasion found in most of them.

Along with the films being presented as part of the Severed Sinema Series, the art work of Michael Parsons* and John Kolbek* filled the walls of The Sherman Theatre’s Lobby. Their intricate and hauntingly macabre imagery held a certain beauty which intrigues the human psyche. They proved to be heavily layered with symbolism which moved the viewer of each work to linger while allowing the piece entry into his or her subconscious. And, once it enters, it stays for a while.

The next installment of The Sherman Theatre* Severed Sinema* Series will be Friday October 16th presenting the films, “The Exorcist,” “Phantasm,” and a midnight screening of “Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated” which features over 100 animators contributing their own visions of the original film to create an experimental film of animated greatness. Special guests include local artists who contributed to the film and the musical guests Nu Pro Sta Kaif and Rooster Baby. The next presentation at The Sherman Theatre will be Raymond the Amish Comic Saturday October 3rd at 8pm.

The Website address of The Sherman Theatre* is www.shermantheatre.com while the Website Address for Michael Parsons* is www.myspace.com/michaelparsons26 and John Kolbek* is www.johnkolbek.com. You can view their works at these locations. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film/Video 2009 Gallery. www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Film Review: Taking Woodstock

Film Review: Taking Woodstock
Directed by: Ang Lee
Performances by: Demetri Martin
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The film “Taking Woodstock” is based the later part of “Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert and a Life” which is a memoir written by Elliot Tiber who is portrayed by Demetri Martin. Earlier chapters of the book describes his early years and his awakening sexuality and alienation from his parents Sonia and Jack Teichberg as portrayed by Imelda Staunton and Henry Goodman. The experiences gays in the 1950s and 1960s are also explored in the book which included Elliot Tiber being beaten up and robbed by youths who targeted him because of his homosexuality. He also describes being present as The Stonewall Riots began at a bar in Greenwich Village on June 28th 1969.

The film itself begins sometime later in Elliot Tiber’s life while living with his parents in Bethel, NY, working in their motel, and serving as president of the Bethel Chamber of Commerce. When he learns the town of Walkill had decided not to allow the Woodstock festival to be held there, he telephones Woodstock organizer Michael Lang as portrayed by Jonathan Groff and tells him he has a valid permit to hold a rock festival and fifteen acres to hold it in. The film continues with a telling of how a small town in upstate NY became the site of the iconic concert known simply as “Woodstock.”

There has been many who criticize the film for not placing enough emphasis on the music which made the Woodstock experience what it was. Well, all this reviewer can say, with all due respect to his colleagues, this was not the film they would make. This is not the film this reviewer would have made, either. Instead, this is the film Ang Lee has made and the story from the memoirs he wanted to tell.

The film is not merely about some guy who helped organized what became an icon of the Hippie Movement of the late 1960s, but of a man realizing his own destiny through the exploration of the world (both inner and outer) around him. It is through his experiences we begin to see our place in the world by realizing how our changing perspectives often takes away life’s meaning as we become comforted what seems to be the normalcy of existence. Lee uses the spirit of the times to reveal this message and make it relevant for each person who watches the film.

Of course the scenes depicting Woodstock do produce a longing for those simpler times. Times when we could all just let it all hang out by just getting high and leaving our cares behind a haze of herb while we partake of the freedoms we have forgone for the responsibilities we find upon ourselves in the here and now. The reality of this remembrance of the youth of many audience member may be actual memories or fanciful flashback similar to those of the film’s recently returned Vietnam vet named Billy as portrayed by Emile Hirsch.

But, this is exactly the point film is making. It does not matter if our memories of our youth are real or embellished. What matters is the perspectives we had making the world a wondrous place to be alive in have changed. We can choose to accept our present lives are no more than what we perceive them to be or we can go back to an earlier mindset and utilize the lessons they have to teach us. This is the purpose of nostalgia.

The film is enjoyable to watch and is well worth the price of admission. Like the hippie movement, it entices its audience into the promise of a carefree experience while delivering a very worthwhile lesson in life relevant in any era. In other words, the film gives it’s viewers much more than a contact high.

“Taking Woodstock” is rated R and is currently running at The Pocono Community Theatre in East Stroudsburg, PA. You may call 570-421-3456 or visit their website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org for show times and dates. Most films run one week from Friday to Thursday but some films may be held over for an additional week or two depending on ticket sales.