The documentary Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash, premiered at SXSW 2006 and I always had high hopes for it. At the time, it was simply titled OilCrash and it created quite a stir during its premiere screenings. Basil Gepke and Ray McCormack’s look at the bleak future of oil supplies, was acclaimed but unseen. The film never got the kind of release I felt it deserved, but things seem to be turning around. According to its Movie Store, Crude Awakening is the number one documentary purchased on iTunes right now. That’s great news, and hopefully a great start. (Full disclosure: my new company, Cinetic Media, represented the film for distribution.)
Upstart DVD label Benten Films (think Criterion for the indie kids) is prepping its second release, a double-disc special edition of two features by New York filmmaker Aaron Katz. The two features are Dance Party, USA (2006) and Quiet City (2007), both SXSW world premieres in their respective years. I’m a big Katz fan, and happy to call him a friend. Stumbling upon the engrossing and piercing Dance Party, USA still ranks as one of my happiest memories as a festival programmer. His quick follow-up, the Brooklyn romance Quiet City, is even more technically accomplished and nuanced.
For the Benten release, the extras are plentiful. Disc 1 features Quiet City, as well as a cast commentary track, some clips from talented composer Keegan Dewitt, and the prank film Joe Swanberg’s Quiet City. Disc 2 features Dance Party, USA, separate cast and crew commentary tracks, alternate scenes, an early Katz short film, and a couple of essays by Ray Carney and Ray Pride. Whew. This hefty set is available starting January 29. And, check out the nifty packaging:
Barry Poltermann and Frank Anderson’s charming and hilarious concert doc, The Life of Reilly, is opening in theaters starting November 9 in Los Angeles (with a roll-out across the country to follow). The film, which premiered at SXSW 2006, is a loving portrait of character actor Charles Nelson Reilly’s acclaimed one-man show. The recently departed Reilly was a revolutionary figure in the world of television, and his one-man show was a touching glimpse at his life from childhood to his last days. Check out the nifty new Web site, and try to catch the film in your neck of the woods. Here’s the new trailer:
SXSW alums The Brothers Nee (The Last Romantic) have unveiled their latest music video. Following their successful collaboration with A Fine Frenzy, the brothers have now taken the reins for Terrene’s indie-pop single “Unwelcome.” Check it out:
After a long weekend for a friend’s wedding, Jarren and I caught up on some recorded TV as well as some sleep. But we made it out for the Sunday night DVD release party in honor of Kat Candler’s acclaimed local feature, Jumping Off Bridges. The touching film, which premiered at SXSW 2006, is available now for purchase. The well-attended soiree this evening (at Club DeVille) was an enjoyable way to kick off the film’s next chapter of distribution. For more details on the film, and its DVD release, click here now.
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