Worcester Star Wars remake circa 1977
Came across this via metafilter:
In June of 1977, Jim Jongsma, John Jongsma, and Gary Baker saw Star Wars at White City Cinema in Worcester, Massachusetts. They were impressed. In the months after seeing the movie, so many costumes and models were made that they decided to remake a few scenes on super 8 film. The project grew into a fifty minute film.
A 15 min version of the film is here and it’s amazing.
The site describing the film is here and it’s almost unbelievable, the work that went into this 30 years ago.
Charlie Wilson’s War
I don’t normally get excited about movies still in production, which is probably why I had no idea this was being made. In my opinion, the book goes down as one of the most incredible, well told accounts of U.S. involvement in the former Soviet Unions war in Afghanistan. Try as I might to convince people to read it, I usually just get a funny look as if to say ‘what war?’.
Anyway, I hate Tom Hanks with a passion. Every movie he’s made since Joe Versus the Volcano has been an abysmal exercise in gratuitous time wasting. Hopefully he can redeem himself with this one; the story deserves nothing but the best.
From Publishers Weekly
Put the Tom Clancy clones back on the shelf; this covert-ops chronicle is practically impossible to put down. No thriller writer would dare invent Wilson, a six-feet-four-inch Texas congressman,liberal on social issues but rabidly anti-Communist, a boozer, engaged in serial affairs and wheeler-dealer of consummate skill. Only slightly less improbable is Gust Avrakotos, a blue-collar Greek immigrant who joined the CIA when it was an Ivy League preserve and fought his elitist colleagues almost as ruthlessly as he fought the Soviet Union in the Cold War’s waning years. In conjunction with President Zia of Pakistan in the 1980s, Wilson and Arvakotos circumvented most of the barriers to arming the Afghan mujahideen-distance, money, law and internal CIA politics, to name a few. Their coups included getting Israeli-modified Chinese weapons smuggled into Afghanistan, with the Pakistanis turning a blind eye,and the cultivation of a genius-level weapons designer and strategist named Michael Vickers, a key architect of the guerrilla campaign that left the Soviet army stymied. The ultimate weapon in Afghanistan was the portable Stinger anti-aircraft missile, which eliminated the Soviet’s Mi-24 helicopter gunships and began the train of events leading to the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and its satellites. A triumph of ruthless ability over scruples, this story has dominated recent history in the form of blowback: many of the men armed by the CIA became the Taliban’s murderous enforcers and Osama bin Laden’s protectors. Yet superb writing from Crile, a 60 Minutes producer, will keep even the most vigorous critics of this Contra-like affair reading to the end.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
We got the beat, but the rhythm? Not so much.
Audition reels seem to be standard fare these days for any production especially in the wake of American Idol. The only reason some people, like my self, tune in. Well here’s Worcesters own audition reel, courtesy of Artigo/Ajemian films which is filming its latest ‘We got the beat’ here in the Woo.
On Tuesday, August 1st at 8:30pm the company will be hosting a show at the Lucky Dog Music Hall where ten local bands will be covering ‘80’s tracks in a showcase for placement in the productions soundtrack.
The all singing, All dancing…
My greatest fear has been realized. Bollywood is remaking Fight Club, as a musical.
Cant they just stick to flicks they might be able to improve upon by adding a song and dance number? Like the Star Wars trilogy?
Weekend Movie Round-up
Since last Thursday the three of us who share an address have been dying of dengue fever so there has been little accomplished in our house besides making good use of Netflix. Heres a little recap so you might have something to look forward to next time the CDC puts a bubble tent over your house.
Lord of War might be Nicholas Cage’s best movie yet. Crazy cinematography, tons of style and for a guy with zero first hand knowledge of the international small arms trade enough seemingly accurate historical narrative to make the whole story believable.
I give it 4 used Kleenex
I didn’t know what to expect from Murderball, anything that carries the MTV films tag raises suspicion these days. To keep it simple this might be the most inspiring documentary I’ve ever seen. Its essentially about a bunch of crazy motherfuckers in wheelchairs who play a modified version of Rugby. But the story behind everybody featured is nothing short of amazing.
I give it 4.5 used Kleenex
David Lachapelle has done some cool stuff, RIZE could have added to that list but falls short due to corniness. The dancing is off the wall but the artists featured are playing to the camera just a little too much to be taken seriously. And the clown make up doesn’t help their cause. But if you’re a fan of urban culture, the dancing alone makes it worth seeing, if you’re dying of dengue fever that is.
RIZE gets 3 used Kleenex
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
I just wanted to remind you all that tonight, Wed November 16th is VolcanoBoy.com’s screening of Robert Greenwald’s ‘Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price’ at Ralphs diner in Worcester MA. The response to the screening has been outstanding so far, with RSVP’s coming from all over the solar-system. Ralph’s booking manager and internationally renowned trapeze artist, Dicky “yes thats my real name” Cummings has secured THE PANDAS to follow the movie and I’m told that the Ralph’s Diner will be able to supply any and all libations necessary for you to tie on a mid week buzz.
If you weren’t planning on joining us already, I believe there were three of you in that category, nows the time to break dinner plans with your Grams and organize yourself a safe ride home. Or bring Granny along, hasnt it been too lang since shes had some fresh air? You know what, why don’t you just bring the whole damn family down?
Where else are you going to find a whole nights worth of top notch entertainment for a mere THREE AMERICAN DOLLARS? (Tijuana is not an acceptable answer for the purpose of this quiz)
See you tonight.
9pm
Volcano Boy Presents Wal-Mart: the High Cost of Low Price
Some of you may have noticed the little smile face thing that has lurked over there in the sidebar for some time. You may also have noticed that it has become a large smiley face thing tonight. In either case now you have certainly noticed, and here’s what its all about. On Wednesday November 16th, Duncan Arsenault and I, through our company The Volcano Boy Media Network and in conjunction with Ralph’s Diner will be presenting a screening of Director Robert Greenwald’s latest documentary, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price. When the opportunity to host the film was made available to me, I was a little bit torn. Anyone who knows me can attest to me being a Capitalist through and through. But there is something about this company that has always struck a negative chord with me. I think we have to be honest and accept that as a business model, Wal-Mart is pure genius. From their shipping infrastructure to their pricing, they are able to provide their customers with unparalleled service. But they also have unparalleled ability to lay waste to local economies and permanently change local landscapes. As Wal-Mart has made a concerted effort to move from their traditional rural developments into the urban market place, it’s more important than ever to take a look at this company and make educated decisions as to whether the services they offer truly out way the potential damage they can do.
It’s no secret that Wal-Mart has, through it’s development partners scoped out Worcester proper for a potential site. The area most often talked about is the former Wyman Gordon location in Green Island. If the recent campaign Wal-Mart fought to enter into the Chicago market is any indication, they are taking the urban frontier very seriously. So should we.
So please put aside Wednesday, November 16th to come down to Ralph’s Diner and take in one side of the Wal-Mart story, it may not be the side of the story the company wants you to hear and it doesn’t have to be the side of the story that you subscribe to. But sooner or later it’s going to be a story that all of us in Worcester find ourselves a part of. After the movie our host Dickie “the most unfortunately named man in Worcester” Cummings will have a collection of great bands for you and as always the Ralph’s Diner grill will be ablaze and the libations flowing. It’s sure be a great night with the potential to spur some great local debate.
