If you are one of the regular vistors to DFB, I apologize for not posting in such long time.  I had good intentions and kept telling myself, “I’ll post a review tomorrow,” but it didn’t happen.

I hope to be back soon.  I enjoy the process of putting my thoughts and feeling into words.  As soon as time permits, I’ll be back.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon.

What is IndiePix?  If you’re not familiar with IndiePix, here’s a little info from their website:

IndiePix was founded in 2004 to bring film fans the very best of independent cinema. Today, IndiePix is proud to be home to the broadest online selection of indie films from around the world, including the latest award-winning titles from the festival circuit, popular indie classics, foreign, documentaries and more. Buy a DVD online or use our patented Download-to-Own technology for a professional quality DVD, without the wait.

Fiercely committed to the spirit of indie film, we provide our filmmakers the opportunity to distribute their projects while maintaining the rights to their work. We work closely with our filmmakers to individualize packaging and marketing plans, and offer the most generous revenue share in the industry. Learn more about how to submit your project.

At IndiePix, we bring the world of independent cinema to your fingertips with our website, weekly email updates, the IndiePix blog and at ground events. Sign up for our weekly email for new releases, special offers and promotions, and let IndiePix keep you connected to the world of independent film.

So, why am I telling you about IndiePix?  I’m glad you asked.  I recently received an email from Mark DeFrancis at IndiePix, and here’s what he had to say:

Got a Film? Need distribution? At IndiePix, we are dedicated to scouring the planet for only the best in independent cinema. But its a big planet, and we need your help. Several of the top films in the IndiePix Collection have landed on our doorstep through the submissions process and yours could be next. Whether its a short flick or an epic masterpiece, drama or documentary; if you’ve got the skill and passion to bring a great film to life, then IndiePix has the resources and experience to turn your unknown into the next big thing. For submission guidelines and other questions, refer to the filmmaker’s page at our website and send us your work today.

Visit the IndiePix website (<== click the link)  to find out more about their submission process.

Synopsis:  Arguably America’s foremost humorist and commentator, Garrison Keillor, takes his skits and jokes, music and monologues across the country in his traveling radio show, spinning his stories into American gold.  This free form, intimate look at the private man in the public spotlight goes behind the scenes of America’s most popular radio show,  A Prairie Home Companion, and inside the imagination of the man who created it.  Compared to James Thurber, Will Rogers, and Mark Twain, Garrison Keillor is a weekly tradition for millions of Americans in that most old-fashioned of mediums – radio.  Where TV shows see their ratings dipping, Keillor’s radio ratings remain among the highest for any program of its type in the nation – some 30+ years on.  Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes gives us insight into how all of that happened. 

Review:  I was really looking forward to seeing this film.  I enjoy Garrison Keillor’s writing and am a fan of A Prairie Home Companion radio show.  Unfortunately, I was disappointed. 

Although the film bills itself as an “intimate look at the private man in the public spotlight,” there really isn’t much that’s intimate about the film.  Not much about Keillor is revealed.  The film also promises to go “behind the scenes of America’s most popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, and inside the imagination of the man who created it.”  The film does have some behind the scenes footage of the radio show, but it fails to deliver on its promise to go inside the imagination of Garrison Keillor.  If it had been truthful, the film promotion should have said, “We’ll follow Garrison Keillor as he walks around at the Minnesota State Fair.”  Not very exciting, but more accurate. 

Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes is a 60 minute PBS cookie cutter documentary disguised as an 84 minute feature length film.  It fails to live up to its promise of revealing one of the Country’s most creative and humorous writers and performers.

 (2.5 out of 5.0)

Film Website: http://www.peterrosenproductions.com/productions/GarisonKeillor.html

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Synopsis:  For a hundred years, virtually the entire history of American movies, film critics have championed this medium they so unabashedly love.   Their reviews illuminate the film-going experience, suggesting paths for readers to enter cinema more deeply, thoughtfully, appreciatively.  For the Love of Movies is the first documentary to dramatize the rich, fascinating history of American film criticism.  From the raw beginnings of criticism before The Birth of a Nation to Bosley Crowther’s 27-year reign at the New York Times, from the incendiary Kael-Sarris debates of the 1960’s and 70’s to the battle for audience between youthful on-liners and the print establishment.  Gerald Peary’s affectionate documentary tells all – featuring interviews with Roger Ebert, A.O. Scott, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Kenneth Turan, and Elvis Mitchell. 

Review:  I enjoyed this film in the same way I would enjoy a run-of-the-mill PBS documentary.  It was good, but not great.  Interesting, but not moving.  More informative than entertaining. 

That first paragraph sounds like I’m damning the film with faint praise.  Let me say again that I liked For the Love of Movies.  I found it interesting.  But it’s not the type of film that is going to motivate people to run to the roof tops to shout it’s praises. 

Director Gerald Peary’s film gives a very good history of film criticism, including interesting information that the average viewer is probably not aware of.  In particular, I enjoyed the information concerning the Pauline Kael – Andrew Sarris debates on film criticism. 

One thing I didn’t care for were the black outs between different sections of the film.  I found it distracting and it detracted from the continuity of the film. 

Overall, For the Love of Movies is a good film and a good history of film criticism, and to a lesser degree, a history of film itself.  Not earth shattering, but good.

 (3.0 out of 5.0)

Film website: http://www.fortheloveofmovies.net/

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