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“All I Wanna Do” – Time for a Re-Release?

A few weeks ago, I was pleased to hear that Sarah Kernochan’s “All I Wanna Do” (as it is currently known in the U.S.) was going to be screened at New York’s Metrograph Theater. I reached out to them to let them know that I had a 35mm print they could use, and that I would see who might be available to introduce the film and do a Q&A. Sarah, my co-producer Peter Newman, and Tony Janelli, who was the DP, all agreed to come. It turned out that I couldn’t be there because I tested positive for Covid. But reports from the screening reinforced my contention that this film is a classic and deserves to be seen more widely.

“All I Wanna Do” is a movie that I’m incredibly proud of, for all the reasons that attracted me to the project to begin with. It was a very personal story, from an accomplished, Oscar-winning filmmaker, who had yet to be given the opportunity to direct a fiction feature. The script was funny and entertaining, geared toward an underserved audience (young women) and dealt with a moment in history (the birth of feminism) that would be enlightening to the target audience. Continue reading ““All I Wanna Do” – Time for a Re-Release?”

Capt. Spaulding RIP (1997-2004)

Film Comment sends out a weekly newsletter about what’s going on in the world of serious cinephilia, and this week’s issue contained a nice surprise for me. In conjunction with the release of my film and a podcast that I did with them, they exhumed a piece that I wrote for them in 2005, in which I revealed myself as the author of seven years worth of columns that I wrote under a pseudonym. You can read the newsletter here and if you are serious about film, I highly advise that you subscribe to the newsletter.

Comments after the break… Continue reading “Capt. Spaulding RIP (1997-2004)”

Diary of a Cubs Fan – Part Seven

SW Game 4This is part 7 of a series. You can start at the beginning here.

Game 4, Indians at Cubs, Wrigley Field

I texted Jeff Santo to see if he was in town for the games. Jeff is the son of Cubs legend Ron Santo, and I had worked with Jeff a decade ago on a film about his Dad. Jeff replied that he was indeed in town, but that he only had tickets for Game 5. He would be watching Game 4 at a bar in Wrigleyville called the Schoolyard. We conspired to meet there prior to the game so we could see each other.

Meanwhile I started to get antsy, so I started waking toward the ballpark even though it was quite early. I purposely wove my way though side streets that I was unfamiliar with. When I finally reached the Wrigleyville area, it was almost time to head to the bar to meet up with Jeff. Just like every other bar in the area, the Schoolyard had a long line of people waiting to get in. I mentioned to the bouncer at the door that I was with Jeff Santo, and he said Jeff hadn’t arrived yet, but he had a table put aside for him and his party. As I hung out in front, a couple of other guys arrived asking for Jeff. We connected and started talking about all things Chicago while waiting for Jeff to arrive. Then I got a text from Jeff saying that his Uber was tied up in traffic. By the time he finally arrived, I had to run off to meet up with John Iltis, who had the tickets for tonight’s game. A quick hug and off I went. Continue reading “Diary of a Cubs Fan – Part Seven”

Going Wider

Not a day goes by that I don’t write something in my head. The subjects are as varied as my interests, and anyone who knows me, knows that “independent film” is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, ever since movies became my career, I am less drawn to them as recreation, and more drawn toward music and technology among other things as my hobbies. So, I’ve decided to move my blogging off the Emerging Pictures site, in order to free myself to talk about any subject I want. I’ll still cross-post when something might relate to Emerging Pictures activities, but here you’ll find me also talking about everything from my latest gadget to my thoughts about how fucked up this country is. Anyway, stay tuned.