Posted August 4, 2010 by Matt at 1:21 pm ·
Filed under Film
Hot off the presses, check out the new video for Dreamtigers “Spark” off the Broken Seasons EP.
Created by our friends over at In The Car Media. Good work blokes.
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Our good friend and yours Elijah Wyman just got done working in the studio with Scott Solter, and we’re very proud of the results…
Particularly this one…
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“Small Towns” brings Elijah’s tiny mtns project to that next level. With the help of Scott’s studio wizardry (he has helped such artists as Jon Vanderslice and the Mountain Goats in the past), we find tiny mtns probably a mile further down the road of pop songwriting and sound quality than he has ever been before. With a taste of raggae, a heart connected to the average man, and rhythm that will stick with you for weeks and weeks, Elijah has found his new voice.
We really hope you enjoy it.
And while you’re at it… Why not check out this video by “In The Car Media“, friends of Grinding Tapes who are currently at work on a Dreamtigers video (goosebumps). This was their submission into this year’s Boston 48 Hour Film Festival:
The video is still in the running for awards from the annual film festival. But besides being a very well made film, it prominently features tiny mtns’ “Small Towns” during the credits.
Posted April 25, 2010 by Jason at 2:22 pm ·
Filed under DIY, Film
I recently had the opportunity to interview indie director, writer, and actor, Phil Magcalas about his most recent film, Skin and Bone. You might be wondering based on the title if it’s is somehow related to Elijah Wyman’s song from Butterfly Needles with the same name. Indeed, it is! Most of the music in the film is by Elijah. It’s also a pretty awesome movie. Check out the trailer here:
What is Skin and Bone all about?
Skin and Bone is a film which takes place over one day in a cardiac catheterization unit - the type of place where people with heart attacks and congenital heart defects go to have their hearts patched up and their arteries opened. It centers around the variety of people (not just doctors and nurses, but the patients themselves, techs and family members) who come together, from completely different situations, for one collective purpose - to focus their attentions on the care of people who are ill.
What inspired you to tackle such a dark subject after the much lighter subject matter of “Quarter Life Crisis”?
I guess I didn’t really venture to make something that was “dark,” per se. I spent four years working in a cardiac catheterization unit, and I just found the situations which took place absolutely fascinating - so more than anything else, I was trying to really depict situations honestly. Things like House and ER are fine, but there is so much dramatically interesting when you take a look at what happens every day in real actual normal hospitals. The people who work in health care are just ordinary people, so there’s a lot behind the scenes which gets pushed aside, but it’s still there. So, this movie is really an homage to the drama inherent in the situations which happen in real life, and I’d say the subject matter is just us trying to present you with relatively true-to-life experiences. For me, this nature of healthcare is uniting, and I think it comes across as a commonality that the characters share as well.I think that also, no matter what you set out to make, the film you end up with relies a great deal on what your audience takes from it. I think we’ve managed to leave certain aspects of the film open for interpretation - and I like the idea that what people get out of it depends on how they approach it. “The Quarter-Life Crisis,” our first film, was a comedy with a lot more dramatic elements than we had expected. I feel like “Skin and Bone” is a drama, and ended up with a lot more comedic elements than I expected. We had one screening at the Rainier Independent Film Festival in Washington, where it played after a pretty bleak disturbing film - and following that, “Skin and Bone” might as well have been a Marx Brothers movie - the audience picked up on every comedic thing I put in it. So it’s really subjective, and I like that.
What was the most challenging part of filming the movie?
Making this movie presented a number of challenges. I’m notoriously bad at naming characters - if you know me, and a character shares a name with you, then that character probably was named directly after you. Skin and Bone was difficult in this respect, because there are so very many characters. If you look at our credit page or our imdb site, you’ll see that we have about 35 or so cast members listed. The vast majority of these characters have at least some lines. So, getting that many people together for so many scenes which had dozens of cast members, especially when you can’t pay anyone, is incredibly difficult. We only had about 14 shooting days total, but they were spread over the course of the better part of a year, just because scheduling was such a problem.
Luckily for us, we had an incredible cast, many of whom helped behind the camera as well, and all the creative people who collaborates on this project were just unbelievably gracious with their time and talent. People stuck with us, and trusted that we were trying to make something worthwhile. We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from people who have been able to identify with the ideas that this movie addresses, and that is due in a huge part to people like our cast, crew, and the awesome musicians, who supplied music that every reviewer has made note of, and who helped us achieve the appropriate atmosphere for “Skin and Bone.”
What are your next steps for getting the word out?
Well, on some good advice, we’re starting up an email list (drop us a line at macproductionsinc (at) gmail (dot) com if you’re interested!) and we’re hoping to get it out to one or two more festivals. The big thing we’re going for is good ole fashioned word of mouth, so if you get the chance to check our work out, please do! We have a trailer on our site at http://www.milkandcookieproductions.com/skinandbone.html and there are dvd’s available there. A good portion of every dvd sale goes to Partners In Health’s work in Haiti.
Side note: Check them out at http://www.standwithhaiti.org and if you really want to read one of the best books on humanity and medicine ever, check out “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder.
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Posted January 19, 2010 by Matt at 3:57 pm ·
Filed under Film, General
Albums of the Year:
1. Thee Oh Sees - Help:
Two things are magical about this release. Well, honestly, way more than two things are magical about this release. I wrote a blog post about it earlier this year that you should read if you want to hear the album described (or read it described, I’m sure you understand my meaning). But let me sum up it’s position at number one on my list by saying this: 1. I guess this just taught me that I could follow my own beat, without anyone’s recommendation I could pinpoint what I like and pull it off the shelf and throw it in my player and be satisfied for months. Musical enjoyment independence and freedom you could say. 2. This firmed up the fact in my mind that albums like Jay Reatard’s Blood Visions had started. An album doesn’t need to be by Radiohead or TV on the Radio to be solid gold.
I know that all sounds gushing and the like, but the point is, not only was this my favorite album of the year, it changed the way I see the music enjoying experience. It’s not for everyone, but it’s certainly my favorite.
2. Converge - Axe to Fall
I think this is my favorite Converge record. I didn’t spend much time with No Heroes and Jane Doe will forever be their defining moment, but this absolutely gorgeous. The best heavy metal release not only of the year, but of my recent memory, good start to finish, time and time again. A thinking man’s grind album.
3. Kurt Vile - God is Saying This to You…/Violators EP/Childish Prodigy
Kurt is my most listened to new artist this year for sure. Ever since Dusted magazine turned me on to Constant Hitmaker at the end of last year. This guy totally slayed 2009, and I don’t care what any major publication says, all three of these releases are worthy of an album of the year nod. I went by myself and waited 6 hours to see the guy earlier this year, and I still have no ounce of anger for him. (Not that that was his fault. He and the Violators were amazing once they went on, and he was a very nice dude to talk to afterward). Any other year this guy would have been #1. Totally owning bedroom folk with God is Saying This to You? and then hitting the major indie circuit with a well developed trippy/bluesy rock one two punch on Childish Prodigy. Totally awesome year, and I’m looking forward to many more.
4. DOOM- Born Like This
What can I say. DOOM is amazing. Best rapper going for sure. A wealth of clever and intelligent word play. And then there’s the guest spots (rock solid) and the production (right up there with Madvillainy). I’ll wait another 5 years if it means something this good.
5. Animal Collective - Merriwether Post Pavillion
This is everyone else’s number one. I know why. Insane amounts of continuously progressing originality, a record that even your girlfriend could like. I love it too guys. They haven’t made a misstep yet. So what, it’s still my number five.
And this isn’t just because I work here. (You don’t see any other amazingly solid Grinding Tapes albums listed here. Although you can and should find them listed HERE.) This album was the soundtrack to my home life this year. Chris, Regina, and Dylan made the album that defines what I think of when I’m in Boston, and well, I’m loving being in Boston. They have earned every accolade coming to them, and many more.
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7. Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
I love these guys. The introduction of the piano, solid. The production nod from Rick “the mad monk of major label music” Rubin certainly didn’t hurt either. Tuneful. Undeniable.
8. The Black Crowes - Before The Frost…
It’s the Black Crowes, I’m a sucker.
9. Dawes- North Hills
Rock Solid Country Rock.
10. Ganglians- Monster Head Room
Very Underrated. Solid group of influences. Definitely a promising debut.
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Most Impressive on Just One Listen: Tune-Yards - Bird Brains
Should have gotten more spins: Mos Def - The Ecstatic, Pissed Jeans - King of Jeans, Maxwell - Blacksummersnight
Movies of The Year:
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Oh boy, do I love Roald Dahl. Oh boy, do I love Stop Motion Animation. Oh Boy, do I love Wes Anderson. Oh Boy, Oh Boy do I love it when everything goes right.
2. Coraline
I have been watching a lot of kids movies lately I feel. this one was the most rock-solid. An enormous triumph for 3-D animation AND storytelling.
3. A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers best since No Country for Old Men. That’s not saying much I guess. But I would put this in their Top 5 ever. So dry, hilarious, interesting and moving. Their second best comedy effort. Second only to The Big Lebowski.
4. District 9
Awesome action. Stomach turning plot and effects. But most importantly, amazingly relevant Sci-Fi storytelling.
5. Watchmen
This is based on the best graphic Novel I’m aware of. It gets a million points just for not disgracing its namesake. But on top of that, man does this film got style.
6. I Love You, Man
Interesting twist on the romantic comedy formula. Surprisingly well executed. Amazing improv from Paul Rudd and Jason Segal. Better than you ever thought it was going to be.
7. Drag Me To Hell
I love scary movies. But only if I can laugh on the way out of the theater. Thanks Sam Raimi. R.I.P. Spiderman 4.
8. Moon
Only this low on the list because I hyped myself out of my mind and only would have been satisfied with Alien meets 2001 meets Blade Runner. Duncan Jones and Sam Rockwell made an amazingly simple, subtle and mind-blowing movie. Not bad for a start. His next one will probably fulfill my every heart’s desire.
9. Star Trek/Up
Star Trek was the best reboot summer blockbuster since Batman Begins. Totally fun. Maybe a little bit of a guilty pleasure. But damn if that wasn’t the most clever way to reboot one of the best series ever.
Up, on the other hand, continued the legacy of Pixar after Wall-E changed it forever last year. Incredibly interesting general direction, but a few things were hauntingly Disney.
10. Zombieland
Just amazing comedy, with Zombies. This, not Adventureland, is the best Michael Cera movie that he wasn’t in. Totally fun and gratifying.
(note- these last three bored me at times, or fell short of my high expectations, but still that certain “I don’t know what” that makes them worth mentioning)
11. Where the Wild Things Are
Again, my hopes were to high. The only way I would have been satisfied is if this was Charlie in The Chocolate Factory meets Adaptation meets well, exactly what the visuals were.
12. Inglorious Bastards
Lots of good performances. Amazing dialogue. Totally gratifying ending. I could have done with a little more Brad Pitt and a little more Inglorious Bastards.
13. Limits of Control
Art house. I won’t get this fully until there is a text book written about it.
Honorable Mentions:
Most Game Changing Movie of the Year- Avatar (and not half bad either)
Most Amusing- Step aside Hangover, I choose G-Force.
(To be fair: Movies I have yet to see: The Messenger, The Informant, Bad Lieutenant, In the Loop, Hurt Locker)
Comic Book Series of the Year:
1. Daredevil
Issue 500 carried the best series of Superhero comics into the next decade for sure.
2. Secret Warriors
Best new comic last year, interesting team of good guys, menacing bad guys, tons of fun that is sure to keep on giving.
3. X-Factor
I’m not even caught up, I’m just loving it.
4. Batman and Robin
Grant Morrison almost makes up for Batman R.I.P.
5. X-force
Despite a few stupid cross overs, this potentially mindless slash-fest was the best X-book this year. Awesome art. Consistently good writing.
Posted April 15, 2009 by Matt at 8:30 pm ·
Filed under Film
If there is one movie I’m excited for right now, it’s Moon. Just ask my roommate, who has to deal with the fact that I come running into his room every time there is an update. Or ask my girlfriend who had to deal with me dorking out with jealousy when she told me that her boss got to see the flick at Sundance.
There may be other films I’m excited for (cough, Wild Things, cough). But the fact of the matter is, this one looks amazing.
It was independently made–by David Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, no less–and it has been picked up by Sony Classics for a wide release. It stars Hollywood up-and-comer Sam Rockwell, star of Choke, Snow Angels, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Just that is enough to draw attention. But it doesn’t end there. The trailer and all early reports say that the movie is cut from the same stuff that made films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Alien. That stuff is the stuff of being alone and scared in space.
Here’s the premise: Sam’s character has signed up to do a year of farming moon rocks on the moon… by himself. A few days before he is to be relieved, he starts seeing things. I’ll just let you watch the preview.
Oh yeah, Kevin Spacey voices the robot. And how about that little taste of score they gave us?
OK, I’ll stop.
The movie comes out September 3rd. You can count this guy as being extremely impatient and excited.
