Independent Film Fest Boston: Documentary Preview
The 2008 Independent Film Festival of Boston has 26 documentaries this year, with some solid quality throughout. If you’re in New England and plan to attend the IFFBoston this weekend, here are four previews for your decision-making enjoyment: Song Sung Blue, Nerdcore Rising, At the Death House Door, Dreams With Sharp Teeth.
Song Sung Blue (Director - Greg Kohs)
After reading the film’s description (”Captures the unexpected victories and tragedies beset upon Milwaukee’s favorite Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline tribute band”), I thought I wouldn’t make it past the movie’s first five minutes. Instead, I couldn’t turn it off - I was riveted.
When the film first opens on this real-life couple (going by “Lightning” and “Thunder”), it’s easy to write them off for their goofy costumes and misappropriated rock star behavior. But this duo persists. They’ve got loyal fans, consistent gigs, and even Eddie Vedder is charmed by them.
Watching people get slowed down by tragedy is heartbreaking. Even when they’re the cause of their own demise, we can’t stop watching because they never lose faith in themselves — and we want to see what just might be. This knocked ‘em out at Slamdance earlier this year, and we see why. Recommended.
Nerdcore Rising (Directors - Negin Farsad and Kimmy Gatewood)
They say the meek shall inherit the earth. Well, MC Frontalot has gotten a wee bit closer to that goal by creating his own music genre, nerdcore hip hop. What is it? “It’s like hip hop but with the word ‘nerdcore’ in front of it.” Or more specifically, it’s hip hop music about science, role playing, Ralph Macchio and whatever else may interest the so-called nerd.
This hilarious documentary follows Frontalot and his band as they meet potential groupies and assorted dissenters on their first tour. The confidence of these self-ascribed nerds is a little disarming, but that doesn’t make them any less funny or intriguing. Recommended.
At the Death House Door (Directors - Peter Gilbert and Steve James)
This slow and quiet documentary about Rev. Caroll Pickett, chaplain to inmates awaiting execution in Huntsville, Texas was directed by the pair that did Hoop Dreams.
Unbeknownst to his family, Pickett made an audio tape of his thoughts and feelings after each execution — they didn’t even know where Pickett stood on the death penalty issue. We learn how difficult it was to watch 95 men die, regardless of their horrible crimes.
The film feels a little unfocused as it plods through Pickett’s life and picks up on the story of an executed inmate who was most likely innocent. It’s all very moving, but there’s nothing there to really blow you away.
Dreams With Sharp Teeth (Director - Erik Nelson)
If you like Harlan Ellison’s work, you’ll love this documentary. If you have no clue who he is (like I did), well… first you’ll be put off by his jerk behavior, jerk comments, and bizarre sequences where he recites excerpts from his science fiction stories in front of funky, moving backgrounds. But in the end, this guy has a good point – for writer’s rights and even individual rights, making it all worth it.
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Other Posts of Interest
- Top “Movies to Watch” at 2008 IFFBoston
- SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2008: The Winners
- Ben Kingsley, TRANSSIBERIAN Kick Off IFFBoston
- Win A Free Film Pass: Independent Film Festival of Boston
- Independent Film Fest Boston Preview: GOLIATH, SEVERED WAYS
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