laurabot

21. Bubble (2005)
Simultaneous release on DVD and in theaters was groundbreaking. The choice of location and unknown actors echoed independent film’s expansion into new territory.

22. My Winnipeg (2007)
The live narration by Guy Maddin at Tribeca Film Fest was a real treat. My favorite poster of the decade.

23. Backstage (2005)
This was also the decade of Britney and paparazzi. No film better captured our obsession with pop stars. The director, Emmanuelle Bercot, manages to throw in additional examination of class division and reality TV ethics and exploitation. Emmanuelle Seigner, Isild Le Besco, and Noémie Lvovsky give dynamite performances.

24. American Psycho (2000)

25. Cidade de Deus/ City of God (2002)
A gem of Latin American cinema.

26. Batoru rowaiaru/ Battle Royale (2000)
wicked. This was the last VHS tape that passed through my hands.

27. Osama (2003)

28. Match Point (2005)

29. The Savages (2007)
Hands down my favorite ending of the decade.

30. Far From Heaven (2002)

Part IV: Top Films of the Decade

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:07:41 +0000

Part IV theme: No Regrets

31. Persepolis (2007)

32. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)

33. Vals Im Bashir/ Waltz with Bashir (2008)

34. Milk (2008)

Perhaps my favorite trailer of the decade; the trailer alone garnered boisterous cheers from the audience when I first saw it. This film also sparked an ugly battle with Cinemark over prop 8 and an uproar at Sundance.
“No MILK for Cinemark!”

35. White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2007)

36. La Mujer Sin Piano/ Woman Without Piano (2009)

37. La Vie En Rose (2007)

38. Ironman (2008)

39. Chicago (2002)
He had it comin’! Rob Marshall brings Fosse back to the big screen in a visually stunning masterpiece. True to the original production and Fosse’s cinematic vision with groundbreaking execution.

40. Jesus Camp (2006)
So scary. This film defined a new type of documentary genre: the horror-doc. Many viewers vehemently argued after screenings that the actions of the adults running the camp bordered on child abuse. Harry Potter….EVIL!!?? Gasps came over audiences when Becky Fischer, the camp’s organizer declared the beloved wizard a friend of the devil. Today, the camp is closed in part due to the reactions of moviegoers, negative press, and direct threats on the camp. Perhaps it was even the inspiration for Bill Maher’s Religilous.
(Let it load first:)

Part V: Top Films of the Decade

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:33:14 +0000

Part V theme: The Party’s Over Now…

but don’t worry…its all pointless…we’ll throw some fantasy your way.

41. Spider-Man (2002)

This is no doubt one of the best comic to screen successes. We needed a hero in 2002 and who better than the web slinging Queens boy. When racking my brain for New York on Film in the last decade, the choices were few and far between. The Spider-Man series of films brought a lot of work to the city.

Full Disclosure: I worked on Spider-Man 3 and had a blast! I was briefly directed by Sam Raimi on my first day. I was playing a Spider-Man fan, holding a sign that said “I’ll be your Miss Muffet!” I think you can see the sign in the film, just not me. On day two I was moved to the second unit where I spent three days being blown around by 10-foot wind machines. My primary job was to run away screaming from a tennis ball on a stick, later that tennis ball would become Sandman. Cameras were set on cables attached to the tops of tall buildings to get Spider-Man’s POV and Spider-Man himself, (er, a stuntman in a suit, but shh!) came swooping down for a few shots.

42. TIE: PETA’s Meet Your Meat (2003, i think) and Earthlings (2007)

After seeing Meet Your Meet in 2003, I went out and bought a lot of tofu. I read everything I could get my hands on, measured my food and nutrient intake, and became a good vegan. Or so I thought, until my liver started failing and my doctor begged me to stop. Turns out a vitamin B-12 deficiency make being vegan rather difficult. Along with the eco-revolution this decade, people started thinking about their food. The Veg-head revolution also grew. Many documentaries and narratives tried to warn us to watch what we eat. With narration by Joaquin Phoenix and featuring Music by Moby, Earthlings became THE epic animal cruelty exposé.

43. This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006)

More truthiness than a moviegoer can handle, outrageous and courageous! I applaud Kirby Dick for going through the MPAA’s garbage. Who is the MPAA? Find out:

44. El laberinto del fauno/ Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Beautiful work with one of the most haunting musical scores ever. This film helped bring Spanish cinema to the mainstream. Its roots are firmly grounded in El espíritu de la colmena/ Spirit of the Beehive (1973), a film I highly recommend. If you get a chance to watch the making-of on DVD, do so.

45. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

Best terror plot. As a child of the 80s, I very much appreciated this installment. We were the Yippe-kay-yee! generation. Willis and terrorists were just part of the holidays. Though I fell for Justin Long, long before this, it was like a giant coming out party for the actor we would get to love a lot this decade. Kevin Smith showing up as Warlock rocked!

46. 24 Hour Party People (2002)

Seeing this in it’s intended format at the 92Y Tribeca was a real treat. The 4:3 aspect ratio, or square format, gives the affect of the old tube, the box, the tv. Watching this film on a Bravia just isn’t the same. Michael Winterbottom let’s us relish in decades past, the age of X and house music, while giving us closure. After 9/11, it was time to stop partying like it was 1999.

47. August (2008)

Loved seeing Bowie onscreen.

48. World Trade Center (2006)

We needed our heroes. Somebody had to do it. I’m glad it was you Oliver.

49. Sideways (2004)
Wine helps us make revelations about life…um…ehem..uh…I’ll leave it to these guys:

Thank you to the writer for coming to my graduation to make a pointless speech about the pointlessness of graduation speeches and ceremony. Sideways wins for best example of the most pointless film of the decade.

50. Juno (2007)

Sorry, you came in second. I’m sure you will inspire many, one way or another. I’m going to listen to Sonic Youth’s Corporate Ghost right now.

laurabot picks: Top 50 Films of the Decade

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:46:48 +0000

This list is very personal to me. It is comprised of films which I feel exemplify the decade in regards to film, art and political history. They are also the films that will continue to impact my own creations. I will provide more explanation in an upcoming five part series. Thanks for reading. And if you don’t like it, make your own damn list!

1. Mulholland Dr. (2001)

2. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

3. The Hurt Locker (2009)

4. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

5. Rubber Johnny (2005) – Best Short

6. Van Sant’s Death Trilogy – Elephant (2003), Last Days (2005), Paranoid Park (2007)

7. Wall*E (2008)

8. The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)

9. 28 Days Later (2002) - Epic. Amazing score

10. The Cremaster Cycle (1994-2002) - Matthew Barney’s magnum opus was breathtaking to see all put together at the Guggenheim in 2003…maybe once in a lifetime.

11. An Inconvenient Truth (2006) – helped spark an eco-revolution.

12. Mar adentro/ The Sea Inside (2004) – Never have I ever seen so many people crowded in the bathroom and lobby of a theater after a film just sobbing.

13. Antichrist (2009)

14. Das Leben der Anderen/ The Lives of Others (2006)

15. United 93 (2006) – I like to think of this as part of a trilogy that includes 47. August (2008) and 48. September, er World Trade Center (2006).

16. Chats perchés/ The Case of the Grinning Cat (2004)

17. Inland Empire (2006) – I walked home from IFC completely stupified for 25+ blocks.

18. La mala educación/ Bad Education (2004)

19. Der Untergang/ Downfall (2004) – More than 2 1/2 hours in a bunker with Hitler. Crazy realism. Bruno Ganz made my spine tingle.

20. Donnie Darko (2001) – Loved seeing this at Two Boots. Ah, memories. Please, no more sequels.

21. Bubble (2005) – Simultaneous release on DVD and in theaters was groundbreaking.

22. My Winnipeg (2007) – The live narration by Guy Maddin at Tribeca Film Fest was a real treat. My favorite poster of the decade.

23. Backstage (2005) – This was also the decade of Britney and paparazzi. No film better captured our obsession with pop stars.

24. American Psycho (2000)

25. Cidade de Deus/ City of God (2002)

26. Batoru rowaiaru/ Battle Royale (2000) – wicked. This was the last VHS tape that passed through my hands.

27. Osama (2003)

28. Match Point (2005)

29. The Savages (2007) – hands down my favorite ending of the decade.

30. Far From Heaven (2002)

31. Persepolis (2007)

32. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)

33. Vals Im Bashir/ Waltz with Bashir (2008)

34. Milk (2008) – “No MILK for Cinemark!”

35. White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2007)

36. La Mujer Sin Piano/ Woman Without Piano (2009)

37. La Vie En Rose (2007)

38. Ironman (2008)

39. Chicago (2002)

40. Jesus Camp (2006) – scary.

41. Spider-Man (2002)

42. TIE: PETA’s Meet Your Meat (2003, i think) and Earthlings (2007) Narration by Joaquin Phoenix and featuring Music by Moby

43. This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) – more truthiness than a moviegoer can handle. Outrageous and courageous.

44. El laberinto del fauno/ Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – Beautiful. Watch El espíritu de la colmena/ Spirit of the Beehive (1973) first.

45. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

46. 24 Hour Party People (2002) - Seeing this in it’s intended format at the 92Y Tribeca was a real treat. Cemented.

47. August (2008) – Loved seeing Bowie onscreen. see above.

48. September (2006) – somebody had to do it. I’m glad it was you Oliver. see above.

49. Sideways (2004)– Thank you to the writer for coming to my graduation to make a pointless speech about the pointlessness of graduation speeches and ceremony. Sideways wins for best example of the most pointless film of the decade. Sorry #50. Juno (2007), you came in second. I’m sure you will inspire many, one way or another. I’m going to listen to Sonic Youth’s Corporate Ghost right now.

Peace in the New Year.

*disHonorable Mention goes to the film most people will want to forget:

The Brown Bunny. (2003) I can’t believe I paid for a ticket and sat through this…but I did.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiredwitch/ / CC BY-SA 2.0" href="http://www.laurahammer.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/brownbunny.jpg" target="_blank">

AFI Fest: a short report

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:10:51 +0000

I attended AFI Fest in Hollywood and Santa Monica. This year the fest gave tickets away in a new campaign “See a Film on Us.” At first disappointed at the disappearance of the 3-day flex pass, I was revived when I easily obtained tickets to the specific screenings I desired. In fact, the fest organizers and volunteers made the entire process simple and the fest was extremely accessible. Thanks guys!

At the Precious premiere I counted eight MJ look-a-likes clamoring over the security gates to snap a photo of Mariah. Outside Grauman’s, on a smoke break from his street beat, Chewbacca asked me to hold his gun while he lit up. I declined, you never know about these wookiees.

My top picks from AFI Fest 2009:

#1 -La Mujer Sin Piano (Woman Without Piano) Director: Javier Rebollo
Winner Best Film at AFI Fest!
Beautiful glimpse at middle-class life in Madrid. I marveled at seeing the most tucked away streets of one of my favorite cities heralded on the big screen. It’s no suprise Rebollo is being likened to Fellini, this film certainly made me reminisce over Nights of Cabria. A defiant woman escaping her life, famed Spanish TV actress Carmen Machi is brilliant here. She showers her performance with nuances down to the subtle movement of an eyebrow. Rebollo takes a cue from the humor of Buñuel and his characters become endearing.
Lookout NYers Woman Without Piano is coming to NYC’s Walter Reade soon…

#2 – After.Life Director: Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo
Two thumbs up to fellow alum Agnieszka \’01 (BFA, F&TV) on her debut feature! Filmmaker Magazine named her as one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film for her acclaimed short film Pâté. Once again, the visuals here in After.Life are stunning. The creepy factor of Liam Neeson’s performance as an undertaker is shudder-worthy. Excellent casting by Matthew Lessall.
Moving Pictures Magazine interview with Agnieszka

#3 – Neil Young Trunk Show Director: Jonathan Demme

Noteworthy: Lunchfilms
“Truly independent films are made from the gut. One day I bought a broke filmmaker friend lunch. I suggested that, instead of owing me, he make a film for the amount I spent. We made a napkin contract with “rules” to follow. Fifty Lunchfilms have now been commissioned. [...] Eat and create.” –Mike Plante

…Who wants to buy this bot lunch in exchange for a film?

Biking Rules PSA Film Festival

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:02:59 +0000

Share The Streets: Lighten Up! was chosen to screen at the Biking Rules PSA Festival premiering November 17th, 2009 at BAMcinématek.

Director: Damian Calvo
Co-Producers: Damian Calvo and Laura Hammer

This short was photographed with a point and shoot camera, and finished with titles and music in After Effects. The music is NIN Ghosts 29 IV.

Along with the short to promote bicycle safety a selection of Damian Calvo’s photographs were also featured at the festival.
flickr.com/photos/damiancalvo/sets/72157 622483859406/

“I was inspired to share my filmmaking with a cause that promotes better living in my city.” ~ Damian Calvo

Transportation Alternatives put on a red carpet premiere Tuesday night for the “Biking Rules” PSA competition at the Brooklyn Academy of Music…about 40 PSAs (and a slideshow of photos) played to a sold out theater. Get the details at StreetFilms Blog

Watch the grand prize winners!
go to bikingrules.org/psa