Highlighted in The New York Times as well as our magazine during it's impressive run through the festival circuit that included Toronto, Berlin and SXSW, Eddy Moretti and Vice magazine creator Suroosh Alvi's documentary on the only heavy metal band in Iraq is a gripping account of survival and the escape that music can bring.

The band, Acrassicauda (English translation: Black Scorpion), is comprised of a group of twentysomethings who learned how to speak English through watching Hollywood movies and listening to bootleg tapes of Metallica and Slayer. Moretti and Alvi first heard of the band soon after the fall of the Saddam regime when MTV's Gideon Yago went to Baghdad and came across Acrassicauda practicing. He would later write about them in Vice. The filmmakers stayed in touch with them and went to Baghdad a few years later to see if they were still alive. They were and what they captured would be their final performance in their homeland.

The film then hop scotches from Baghdad to Syria where a majority of Iraq refuges are moving to as we see the band members survive in a world that doesn't want them. And not because they play loud music. It's also filled with surreal moments in Baghdad that you won't find on the evening news like an interview poolside at a hotel next to a man swimming laps, but in the background there's constant gunfire.

Acrassicauda leaves their families in Baghdad and reunite in Damascus. There they put together a concert at an Internet cafe, the first time they've played since the final Baghdad gig. The reaction they get from the crowd, and the support of Vice magazine, motivates them to record three songs in hopes to get a record deal.




The film concludes with the band looking at some of the footage Moretti and Alvi shot in Baghdad and leads to an explosion of emotion from the group when they see their old rehearsal spot in rubble from a U.S. airstrike.

The strengths of Heavy Metal In Baghdad (which is executive produced by Spike Jonze) is its unflinching pursuit to not only highlight the remarkable drive the band has to charge on in light all the obstocles, including not being able to get visas because they're from Iraq, but while in Baghdad they shoot in areas that Western audiences have rarily seen, showing the city in a real, unfiltered light.

DVD is currently on sale through Arts Alliance America for $19.95. Disc includes a featurette picking up where Baghdad ends, deleted scenes, 3 live performances and an 8-page booklet including the Yago piece on the band.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 6/14/2008 01:23:00 PM Comments (0)

Winner of the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006 followed by an impressive festival circuit run, Mexican director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde's moving debut feature follows the events that occur during one day in New York City to a former soccer star turned Mexican restaurant cook (Eduardo Verástegui) and a fired waitress (Tammy Blanchard), who recently learned she's pregnant. The two take a trip to the burbs that reveals how the events of the past have made them who they are today.

A spotlight on Mexican family and commentary on Latino stereotypes as much as a touching drama on redemption, the film has many emotional moments, mostly during flashback sequences during the leads' monologues of their troubled pasts. But mostly the film is heartfelt and goodnatured, two refreshing elements that are often not found in the bitter, jaded world of indie films.

DVD also includes commentary by the director as well as a featurette on the grassroots journey the film took to find distribution.

On sale tomorrow from Lionsgate for $27.98.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 5/05/2008 09:44:00 PM Comments (0)

A feminist voice, maverick filmmaker, or just an egomaniac? Filmmaker Henry Jaglom has been called many things and all of them are explored in Henry-Alex Rubin and Jeremy Workman's brief (only 58 minutes) but entertaining documentary.

Armed with his trademark hat, loose tongue and nonstop-running camera, Jaglom explores the inner psyche of his actors and the audience by filming the "reality" of the moment in his films, no matter how damaging it may become to who he's filming. This style has led to comparisons to Cassavetes or Godard, and to some, a hack filmmaker with no talent.

Using archival footage (mostly shot by Jaglom), on-set visits of Jaglom's film Last Summer In The Hamptons (1995), and clips from his other films like Always, Venice/Venice and Someone to Love, Rubin and Workman shot interviews with people who've worked or admired him including Dennis Hopper, Candice Bergen and John Landis in the mid-90s. The doc originally aired on PBS in 1997.

One of the most interesting parts of the film is Jaglom's relationship with Orson Welles at the end of his life. Welles starred in Somone to Love and the two became close, talking often on set and off. This lead to a prickly moment in their relationship as Welles learned Jaglom taped many of the conversations they had (Jaglom says Welles knew they were taped). But this is just one incident in a career filled with weird motivations and incidents.

As we watch Jaglom from the set of Someone to Love, barking orders to his actors, trying to find the truth of the moment (no script in sight) to use for the film, moments later Jaglom listens back to some of his Welles tapes and comes across him saying, "I don't think the camera ever photographs the whole truth," which is interesting as it seems for most of Jaglom's life he's been searching for a truth through his.

Special feature includes Who Isn't Henry Jaglom?, a 30-minute interview with Jaglom looking back on the doc and his portrayal in it.

Released by First Run Features this week for $24.95.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 3/23/2008 11:18:00 PM Comments (0)

Inspired by true events, director Ti West (The Roost) throws out the typical elements and traps of the horror genre to create what he calls an "experimental horror." Shot with one HD camera, West uses sparse dialogue, long takes and a haunting score to tell the story of three friends who travel from New York City to the woods of Delaware to hunt deer. Similar to films like Deliverance, The Decent or Open Water -- ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances -- the hunters become the hunted when a sniper begins to shoot them down one by one. But instead of focusing on the horrific event, West directs our attention on the inner struggle of the final hunter, Reggie (Reggie Cunningham), who rather than hauling ass out of the woods has a breakdown, which then leads to others getting killed when he searches for help. Reggie finally realizes he must hunt the sniper to get his life back.

Produced by Larry Fessenden, who also has a cameo, West creates a low budget psychologicall horror that if you stay with it has a payoff in the end.

Extras include a Q&A from the LA Film Festival. The main highlight is West explaining why a no budget movie with guns is a bad combination.

Kino releases the DVD tomorrow for $24.95.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 3/15/2008 05:00:00 PM Comments (0)

Few films have had an effect of making people think differently about the world, or at least confirming their worst instincts about it. No Country For Old Men is one of those films. Set against the arid backdrop and sparsely populated tableau of West Texas, Joel and Ethan Coen paint a bleak depiction of human nature in which there is no country for good men, who are helpless to stop the evil men, who relentlessly follow the stupid men who tangle with them.

Josh Brolin plays Llewelyn Moss, an ex-Vietnam vet who, while hunting antelope, stumbles upon a drug-deal gone wrong (so wrong, that not only have all the pushers been killed in gun-battle but their pit bulls have been executed as well). He’s a lone hunter, whose greed, opportunism and brawn extend well past his brain by taking millions in drug money, which does not belong him. Javier Bardem, in his Academy Award winning role of professional hit man, Anton Chigurh, is the Terminator-like grim reaper who sets out to punish Moss for his stupidity and get the money back. There is one person who represents what is good. That man is Sheriff Ed Bell, played by Tommy Lee Jones. But he is old, near retirement and one step behind everyone else.

The film keeps in line with another of the Coen’s previous great works, Fargo. Brolin’s Llewelyn Moss is a descendent of Jerry Lundegard (played by William H. Macy), who attempts to orchestrate the mock kidnapping of his wife in order to get money from his rich father-in-law, never thinking for once, that something might go wrong. The difference, of course, is that while a measure of justice is served in Fargo, a more pessimistic strain is served in No Country For Old Men. I take it as a sign of the times.

Particularly effective are the notable absences of music and dialogue throughout the film. Underscoring the pessimistic themes of a Western noir, we watch laconic characters make their choices, plan their escapes or plot murderous schemes with survivalist precision, all done with visually storytelling and without many words. The solitary nature of cinematographer Roger Deakins’ composition is likewise spare and consequently more powerful. While some may criticize the ambiguity of the drug deal culprits, the mystery of their identity makes the film more captivating. It’s the chase that counts.

The DVD has three extras, the best of which is ‘The Making of’ and features interviews with the Coens and principal cast and crew members. It’s always fascinating to see how these haunting characters work behind the camera and interact with each other.

No Country for Old Men is a Miramax release and hits streets today for $22.99

# posted by Rupert Chiarella @ 3/10/2008 04:20:00 PM Comments (0)

Every once in a while you remember an old film and wonder if you actually saw it or just had this amazing dream of an incredible movie. And every once in a while an old film is mercifully released on DVD for a new generation to discover.

Today's dream DVD release is Payday (1973), starring the overboard Rip Torn as an overboard country singer on a three-day binge of life on the road. Torn is incredible and very believable as he rolls through various towns balancing shows, ladies after him, band member disputes and criminal acts. Every inch of Don Carpenter's script feels real, from the internal band issues - they are friends one day and hate each other the next because of a pet dispute - to the heavy pressure felt by radio DJs the singer depends on for popularity. Torn had a run of extreme method performances alongside this gem, including Coming Apart (1969), Maidstone (1970) and The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976). Director Daryl Duke has another great lost film in The Silent Partner (1978).

Musician bio-pics are always fun, but they are even better when they go beyond realism. Original tagline: "If you can't smoke it, drink it, spend it or love it... forget it."

# posted by Mike Plante @ 2/21/2008 12:29:00 AM Comments (1)

With more eye-catching docs coming out of Sundance in 2007 (Manda Bala (Send A Bullet), Crazy Love, My Kid Could Paint That, No End In Sight, War Dance, Zoo, ect.), Daniel Karslake's For The Bible Tells Me So was lost in the flurry, but this interesting look at how decades of religious anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon the misinterpretation of the Bible, the film should certainly be in the conversation as one of the best docs that came out of Sundance '07. Hailed at festivals around the country and getting an impressive release through First Run Features, this traditional doc brings clarity to an issue that's been covered numerous times and unveils a film that's as informative as it is touching.

Known mostly for his work as a producer on the Gay and Lesbian newsmagazine In the Life on PBS, in his debut feature Karslake examines how one section in the Bible, Leviticus 18:22, has been the end game to the issue of homosexuality for most Christians -- "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination." But with interviews by respected religious figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, we learn that sometimes the words in the Bible should not be taken at face value.

While the film debunks myths, it also highlights five families, all from different lifestyles but all believing that homosexuality is an abomination, until one of their children tell them they are Gay. One family highlighted is that of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (his family's on the cover) whose daughter is a lesbian and how she helped in his run for the presidency in 2004.

If there's one thing you come away with, it's that the words of the Bible are so powerful to some that it will blind them from common sense and as it has with women and African-Americans in the past, alienates a group of people. And sadly sometimes causes worse actions.

DVD includes an interview with Karslake. It hits streets this week from First Run Features for $24.95.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 2/18/2008 09:53:00 AM Comments (1)

This heartfelt doc of one man's attempt to give something back to the world before he leaves it has gone on to win the hearts of festival goers all over the world. Following the journey of Mr. Vig, an elderly Danish man who's been a lifelong bachelor and recluse, he offers up his 50 year old castle to the Moscow Patriarchate so that they can turn it into a Russian Orthodox monastery. But seeing it hasn't been inhabited in 20 years there's much work that needs to be done before the church can accept his offer.

When the strong willed nun, Sister Amvrosija, comes to look over the castle that's when the fireworks start as Vig begins to disapprove of her harsh opinions of what needs to be done with the place which leads to Vig rethinking his initial offer of the place.

But as the doc goes on, the connection Vig has with director-cinematographer Pernille Rose Gronkjaer reveals a softer side. We learn that Vig is a bitter man who doesn't get along with people, especially Russians, but with some great insightful questions from Gronkjaer, Vig opens up about his willingness to go on with the renovations and his fondness of Amvrosija, who become kindred spirits by the end of the film which spans five years of the castle's transformation into a monastery.

Vig is quite the character. Hard of hearing and a little eccentric, he walks around with his glasses barely hanging on the tip of his nose and there's that beard. Vig passed away at Christmas, but his lifelong dream to leave his mark on the world didn't go in vein.

Not much to the features, only the theatrical trailer and deleted scenes.

DVD hits streets this week through Koch Lorber Films for $26.98.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 2/11/2008 12:44:00 PM Comments (0)

In Julie Delpy's directorial debut she stars opposite Adam Goldberg in this intimate and funny look at a couple, Marion and Jack, who during a trip to Venice stop over in Paris for two days to visit Marion's parents (who in fact are Delpy's real parents) on their way home to New York.

Delpy and Goldberg are perfect together as they argue over petty things like "black mold," their immune systems and terrorism. The film takes off when Marion and Jack have lunch with Marion's parents where the jokes and snide remarks come fast and furious and Jack, knowing very little French, trying his best to keep up. Soon a subplot develops when Marion runs into an old flame who Jack feels is a little too friendly. And his suspicions grow once Marion admits she gave him a blow job once, but says it's not a big deal compared to "George Bush, and the war in Iraq."

Though the two have been together for two years you can tell there's definite jealousy issues with them and soon Marion's innocent flirting brings Jack to his breaking point. But in the process there's effective voiceovers from Marion, they indulge in colorful cab rides and Delpy's eccentric father who steals every scene he's in.

Along with directing and starring, Delpy also produced, wrote, edited and scored the film. A obvious passion project of Delpy's, the film is a perfect mix of Woody Allenesque relationship comedy and Linklater's Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.

Slim extras include an interview with Delpy and extended scenes. Released through Fox Home Entertainment tomorrow for $27.98.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 2/04/2008 01:32:00 PM Comments (0)