2011 MAGA Film Festival

I attended the MAGA Film Festival this year, where I attended a series of film screenings. These are the films and mini-reviews for each one. Here's the link for the full review for one of the movies I attended a screening for, Cuffed, a movie that I was actually in- http://moviemavenmemoirs.blogspot.com/2011/02/cuffed-2010.html.

Nothing Special (2010) (Comedy | Drama) Starring: Karen Black (Five Easy Pieces). Plot: In her debut feature film, writer/director Angela Garcia Combs spins a dark and funny tale of an ambitious young woman at a crucial turning point in her career and her relationship with her bi-polar mother. Louise (Julia Garcia Combs) is an insurance underwriter living in LA with her mother, May (Black). May's shaky grip on reality begins to loosen when she becomes aware of the close relationship between Louise and her trailblazing boss, Catherine (Barbara Bain). Review: I saw this film at the 2011 Macon Film Festival after being intrigued by the trailer and the element of bi-polar disorder. Karen Black was fantastic, and I really loved the story and the narration. The low budget never detracted from the film. However, the lead performance was uneven. Rating: "Stamped Out but worth seeing". Watch with: Postcards from the Edge

The Violinist (2009) (short) Plot: When a charming, world famous concert violinist comes to town for a concert series, a lonely bag boy attempts to impersonate him in an attempt to improve his love life. Review: Hilarious and surprising. I went in to this film knowing only that it was about a violinist. It was funny and unexpectedly brilliant. I would love this film to be made into a feature length film. Rating: "Epic" Watch with: Chicago

Swing (2010) (animated short) Plot: While enjoying a swing on the roof, an elderly patient is reminded of the value of his life. Review: Funny, touching tale about the value of human life. Highly recommended. Rating: "Noteworthy" Watch with: Up (2009) & La dama y la muerte (2009).

The Lift (animated short)- Plot: Everyone has been guilty of small misdeeds at one point or another. The Lift explores the consequences of an elevator interaction gone wrong, prompting a young woman to learn about being insensitive and to never make the same mistake again. Review: Funny moralistic tale about ageism. Rating: Noteworthy Watch w. All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)

Thought of You (animated short)-Plot: A contemporary dance animation, drawn in a figurative style of conte on newsprint. The theme allows the viewer to form an independent interpretation of the complexities of intimate relationships. Review: Absolutely stunning animation and imagery. The film was actually choreographed and filmed with live dancers before the animator drew out the images. A wondrous sight to behold. Rating: Epic Watch with: Black Swan.

Amazonia-(animated short) Plot: In the dangerous world of the Amazon Rain forest, finding a meal proves to be an impossible task for a little tree frog named Bounce. His luck changes when he meets Biggy, a blue-bellied tree frog who takes him under his guidance and shows him the ways of the jungle in this animated journey set to Beethoven's Symphony No.8. Review: Funny if not terribly original tale about friendship. Rating: Stamped Out but worth watching. Watch with: Ferngully: The Last Rainforest.

Taste (animated short)-Plot: A tasteful dinner becomes something difficult to digest. Review: Short and silly, but well animated tale about attraction. There was a Q&A with the filmmaker after the screening. This is a hand drawn 1 minute animated film that took her 3 months to complete. Rating: Noteworthy Watch with: Ratatouille

Sweet Solitude-(animated short) Plot: Sweet Solitude is an experiment with sound and motion. There are no messages or hidden agendas, other than to reveal the discoveries made during my investigations. There is, of course, the seed of an idea or a bit of a plan when I begin, but I am quickly directed by the work, answering the needs, sorting the puzzles and discovering solutions through the aid of technology. Review: Beautifully shot photography that ultimately feels pretentious and pointless. It would've worked beautifully, however, in a larger work. Rating: "Rather stab a pen in my eye than ever watch this again" Watch instead: The Secret of NIMH (1982)

Sunset: (animated short) Plot: same as Sweet Solitude. Review: Another pretentious but nice looking short by the director of Sweet Solitude. If you don't have a point of view as an artist in your work, then it is not art. It's just dumb luck. Maybe some of the footage should've been used in the new Brad Pitt film, The Tree of Life. At least it would then serve a purpose. Rating: "Rather stab a pen in my eye than ever watch this again" Watch instead: The Truman Show (1998)