2012 Philly Film Festival advance feature
IF YOU GO
21st annual Philadelphia Film Festival
When: Oct. 18 to 28
Where: The Rave, 4012 Walnut St.; Annenberg Zellerbach Theater, 3680 Walnut St.; Shoemaker Green at Penn, 33rd and Spruce streets; Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.; Ritz Bourse, 400 Ranstead St.; Ritz East, 125 S. Second St.; VIP Lounge, 110 Chestnut St., second floor
Tickets and prices: Call 267-908-4733; in person, Prince Music Theater, noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday
Complete schedule and other information: filmadelphia.org/festival
Want to see J. Andrew Greenblatt break into a smile bright enough to light the Academy of Music?
Just ask the executive director about the 21st annual Philadelphia Film Festival, which runs from Oct.18 to 28.
Greenblatt and his hardworking staff pulled off quite a feat by landing the highly anticipated “Silver Linings Playbook” as the opening-night film (Oct. 18, 8 p.m., at the Annenberg Zellerbach Theater). Directed by David O. Russell (“The Fighter”) and based on the novel by Philadelphia writer Matthew Quick, the R-rated comedy drama stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro in a tale about a guy who suffers a breakdown, spends eight months in a mental institution, returns home to live with his parents, and becomes intrigued by a teen neighbor who wants him to be her partner in a dance competition.
“If someone created a perfect film for us (festival organizers), ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ would be it,” said Greenblatt, who’s celebrating his fourth year as executive director. “It’s fantastic, and it’s also Philadelphia-based with much of it shot around Philly.”
“Silver Linings Playbook,” already an early awards contender, shapes up as the cherry on top of more than 100 films from 35 countries that will be shown during the 11 days of the festival.
Special guests will include Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump”), who will introduce his highly anticipated Denzel Washington thriller “Flight” (Oct. 27, 7 p.m., at the Annenberg).
Returning to the festival is Philadelphia favorite M. Night Shyamalan, who will present his Bucks County-based “Signs” (Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., at the Prince Music Theater). He will then participate in a Q-and-A session. (At a previous festival, Shyamalan did something similar with “Unbreakable,” and he captivated the sold-out crowd with his insightful comments, down-to-earth style and obvious goodwill.)
Although major titles like “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Flight” dominate the festival, Greenblatt said many, many films are worth celebrating.
Three of his recommendations (with descriptions taken from the festival’s guide) are:
“The Sapphires,” with Chris Dowd, Deborah Mailman and Jessica Mauboy in a feel-good Australian import about four talented young Aboriginal girls plucked from obscurity and transformed into a soulful Motown-style singing group. (Oct. 20, 5:15 p.m., and Oct. 26, 7:20 p.m., both at the Ritz East)
“Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey,” with Ramona S. Diaz directing a rockumentary about the Cinderella story of Arnel Pineda, the struggling lead singer for a Filipino cover group. (Oct. 26, 10:15 p.m., at the Prince; Oct. 28, 5:10 p.m., Ritz East)
“We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists,” with Brian Knappenberger directing a documentary about the genesis, rise and impact of a hacking collective. It follows the collective’s evolution into one of the most transformative civil disobedience organizations of our time.
According to filmmaker Dan Tabor, co-editor of geekadelphia.com, “The Graveyard Shift” offerings, which include horror, cult, genre and “downright weird” titles, could result in some bold entries.
“It has the best genre lineup. ‘The ABCs of Death’ (in which one letter of the alphabet was passed to 26 directors from 15 countries) is a promising offering,” Tabor said of “The Graveyard Shift” at an Old City media event to introduce the movies. “Filmmakers were given $5,000 to make a (fright-driven) short film that goes with a letter of the alphabet.”
Other films of interest landing for the festival include:
“Cloud Atlas,” with Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in a mind-bending fantasy co-created by filmmakers Tom Tykwer and Lana and Andy Wachowski in which lives intersect through the past, present and future. (Oct. 23, 7:15 p.m., Prince)
“Lost Highway,” with Robert Blake, Patricia Arquette and Bill Pullman in director David Lynch’s hypnotic tale about a jazz saxophonist who is charged with the murder of his wife, morphs into a young mechanic while behind bars, and then starts leading an entirely new life. It’s beautifully strange, just as Lynch seems to have intended. (Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., Gershman Y; Oct. 25, 9:45 p.m., Ritz East)
“Not Fade Away,” with James Gandolfini teaming with director David Chase, creator of “The Sopranos,” in a 1960s-set coming-of-age tale of three friends who form a rock band after hearing the rock ‘n’ roll sounds of the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and other groups. (Oct. 19, 7:20 p.m., Prince; Oct. 20, 12:20 p.m., Ritz East)
“Quartet,” with Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly in a comedy about four retired artists living at a retirement home for opera singers. Dustin Hoffman makes his directing debut. (Oct. 20, 7:10 p.m., Prince; Oct. 21, 12:10 p.m., Ritz East)
“The Sessions,” with Helen Hunt and John Hawkes in a drama about a paralyzed journalist and poet who lives in an iron lung and hires a sex surrogate to help him lose his virginity. Ben Lewin directed. (Oct. 20, 2:15 p.m., and Oct. 27, 7:25 p.m., both at the Prince)
“The Shining,” director Stanley Kubrick’s icy adaptation of the Stephen King novel about a writer coming under the evil spell of a remote hotel where he, his wife and son serve as caretakers during the bleak winter season. It’s a rare opportunity to see the Kubrick work on the big screen. (Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m., Ritz East)
“Sister,” a Swiss import about an abandoned 12-year-boy who lives with his sister when he can but spends most of his time as a thief focusing on ski equipment to make ends meet. (Oct. 27, 12:30 p.m., and Oct. 28, 5:05 p.m.; both at the Ritz East)
“Stand Up Guys,” with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin and Julianna Margulies in a comedy about some mob buddies who get together to greet a fellow hood who is being released after a 28-year prison stay. Fisher Stevens directed. (Oct. 20, 5 p.m., Prince)
“Wreck-It-Ralph,” a Disney animated tale with John C. Reilly as the voice of the main character in the video-game story. (Oct. 25, 7 p.m., Rave)
“The Zen of Bennett,” a documentary about singer Tony Bennett as he prepares for his “Duets” album. (Oct. 19, 5:20 p.m., and Oct. 20, 3 p.m., Rave; Oct. 23, 2:20 p.m., Ritz East)
And how does this event shape up?
“This is the best festival ever,” said Sharon Pinkenson, the respected executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office (which includes Bucks County). “I’m especially happy about opening night, because ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ will be shown, and there’s already Oscar buzz around the film.
“With this festival, the Philadelphia Film Society (which mounts the annual event) goes into a new era, and I’m pleased to partner with them.”
Gaul on the radio
My “At the Movies” radio segment airs live at 11:35 a.m. every Friday as part of “The Dom Giordano Show” (WPHT-AM/1210 and www.thebigtalker1210.com).
The broadcast includes discussions of newly released movies and DVDs as well as motion picture news and cinema trends.
A different version of my “At the Movies” segment can be heard on Burlington County College radio station WBZC-FM/88.9, 95.1 and 100.7 on Fridays at 8:45 a.m. and 12:45 and 4:45 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. The show can also be heard online at www.z889.org.
Gaul on the Web
My film reviews, features and columns can be found under entertainment/movies on our website, www.phillyBurbs.com.
Lou Gaul: 609-871-8055; email: lgaul@phillyBurbs.com