Twin Falls Idaho (1999) - Joan Finch

A Top Ten Favorite Film

     One of my all-time favorites is a film by the brothers, Mark and Michael Polish, from 1999 called Twin Falls Idaho. The film centers around three main characters, their inter-relationships and their difficult situations. At the heart of Twin Falls is conjoined twins Francis and Blake Falls whose single body may no longer support both brothers and their struggle with possible separation. Penny is a curious girl with serious financial problems. After meeting the brothers under strange circumstances Penny works to bring them out into the world. There's a profound personal dilemma for each character which is completely relatable. The way each relate and affect each other is entrancing.

     Twin Falls has beautifully understated performances supported by great production design, cinematography and direction.

     Twin Falls was an independent film made on a tiny budget and has one of the best commentary tracks ever. There's alot of history behind making the film thats not only interesting for filmmakers but generally entertaining. I won't lie, there is a little velveeta at the end but by the time you get there you probably won't mind. Its way better than the trailer makes it out to be and completely worth watching. I really loved it. 

About Face - A 'Short of it' Review (Veda Rains)

Documentary Takes a Look at Modeling Throughout the Years

I was flipping through the channels - like I usually do on a week night when I want to unwind - and remembered hearing about this documentary airing on HBO about models. I really didn't know what it entailed, but the premise sounded interesting enough. I'd never really thought much about what a model's life was like...
In About Face (directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders), viewers get a firsthand account of life growing up, growing into and growing out of the model world. For the most part, a model's life is anything but glamorous-especially for the ground-breakers of the 40s (even into the early 80s). Some of the older models reveal that early on, they had to hustle through the crowded room of buyers and try not to have their clothing touched. For many of them, they were simply the "hanger."
Various models of years past sit down over the course of the doc, and share their intimate details of life and the pressures of staying thin, getting involved in drugs, overcoming racial obstacles and growing past their prime (are they for or against Botox, etc.).
While all of the stories are very interesting (and some, very funny), they only scratch the surface of what could have been a really meaty doc. The subject is so vague, perhaps it should have been split into a few parts-rightfully giving focus and depth to each subject.
I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to others who have a half-interest or full-blown passion in fashion history. Models have certainly come a long way, but it's still a tough business (a business I do not envy after watching this doc).

New Arrested Development Episodes - Joan Finch

Caught this article floating around the interweb about Ron Howard gathering up the old Arrested Development cast for some new episodes to show on Netflix.

For my many friends with a taste for this I just wanted to share. Hopefully this will increase the chances of my favorite cancelled shows to get a second life.

Why You Shouldn't Watch Men In Black III in the Theater - Joan Finch

This article is about the bizarre fact that Men In Black III has overtaken the amazing and highly anticipated Joss Whedon film The Avengers in the box office. Why, oh why is this happening?

To start I have nothing negative to say out the Men In Black III. Actually, I haven't seen it and probubly won't until its out on video or airing some Saturday on TBS. Don't get me wrong, I like the Men In Black story. I'd give the original film 5 shiny nerd stars.  The idea that a re-hasing of old material could squash the opportunities for new stories just really bugs me.  Sequels aren't the problem, re-hashing is the problem.

If you haven't seen The Avengers movie than take this as my ardent advice to go immediately. I'm not doing a review of the film because that would be quite lengthy and a complete rave. Just know its brilliant and go see it. If you have seen the film than I'm willing to bet you loved it and are debating on when to see it again. Now. As soon as you can you should.

Wandering back to my point....the question is simple. Would you rather see a sequel to Men in Black or The Avengers? Now understand that your movie going choices are your vote so vote early and often.  Because in the demo-crazy of the studio industry the voice heard loudest is the box office.

There seem to be alot of flaws with this argument, I know, but this is what I honestly think.

Happy Memorial Day! Sneak Peek!

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day (and took a moment to say "thank you" to those who have served). This weekend went by way too fast! I know I've been saying this for a while, but we are getting "SO CLOSE" to sharing with you a few fun projects we have worked on over the past year. If anyone knows of good royalty free (and cost-free) music sites that have traditional pop music like The Chordettes's Mr. Sandman, let us know! This (finding that type of music) has proven to be the most difficult part of the process for one of our projects. To hold you over, here's a set pic of some of our awesome cast from that project. Enjoy!

Upfronts: NBC & FOX 2012-2013 Sneak Peek (Veda Rains)

Did I ever mention that I love this time of year?  Pilot season...the endless possibilities of new shows. Which ones will get to see the light of day? And what network will choose to take them on? Today NBC and FOX had their upfronts to show off their shows for the 2012-2013 season. I have to say, quite a few of them look really good! I'm excited and hopeful to see them succeed. I know Mindy Kaling (The Office) had a pilot set up/in development a few years ago but nothing came of it. Now, it appears that Mindy finally gets to play the leading lady and FOX has chosen to pick up her show. Will it be the next New Girl? I adore Mindy and I really hope so... See the trailer-along with a few other shows that caught my eye:

The Mindy Project - FOX



The New Normal - NBC



Revolution - NBC



The Mob Doctor - FOX



Animal Doctor - NBC (I had to include this one for the race at the end)

Summer Time Nostalgia! - Veda Rains

 It's that time again. Students are graduating, the weather's getting warmer and Memorial Day is just around the corner! This got me thinking about some films I just happen to enjoy watching during this time of year. Each is a coming of age story that takes place during the summer months. A few are nostalgic, involve first love, and finding your way between college and the "adult" world.

Summer Movies

The Man in the Moon (1991)
Reese Witherspoon had her breakout role in this touching film about a tomboy who discovers first love. Witherspoon plays the tomboy, Dani, who falls for her neighbor, Court. Unfortunately, Dani's older sister, the pretty (and smart) Maureen falls for Court too. Expect tears with this one.

Sandlot (1993)
Summer, Baseball and the Beast! This is a film for all ages. When Scotty Smalls move to a new town, he's taken under the wing of Benny Rodriguez, a talented baseball player. Smalls learns the ropes of baseball and makes friends with the local sandlot kids. But when he makes a grave error and a very important baseball goes over the fence into The Beasts' yard, the kids have to band together and find a way to save the day! This movie involves everything I love about summer: sports, 4th of July, carnivals, the pool and more! Very funny.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
You don't need to see the first of these films to enjoy this movie. Four friends are at a crossroads as they go their separate ways for the summer: Carmen goes to Vermont for a play workshop, while Tibby stays in New York to complete her studies, Bridget goes on an archeological dig and delves into her past and Lena visits her family's home country. There's a lot going on in each of these girls' lives (and money is clearly not an option-the one big complaint I have about this film), but the situations and subject matter are relatable for girls in their teens through their 20s, trying to find their way in life.

Adventureland (2009)
Experience the 80s through the eyes of James, a recent college graduate (and virgin) who takes a job at the local amusement park, Adventureland, when his parents can no longer afford to support him financially. James makes friends, develops a crush and somehow is able to make a bag of weed last the entire summer. Yes, this movie is funny, smart, dramatic, and best of all, realistic!