Tallgrass Film Festival, 2014, Arts on the Plains

Over the last 4 or 5 years I have had the honor of covering The Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita Kansas. It is according to some, one of the top 10 film festivals in the country and some say one of the top 2 or 3 in the Midwest. Let me tell you from personal experience, as both a reporter and filmmaker who has attended and had films shown at Film Festivals, from North Carolina to California; Tallgrass is at the top on my list of festivals I have attended as both a reporter and more importantly, a filmmaker. To put it bluntly Tallgrass has a volunteer organization that is among the top in the country with over 200 volunteers and a Board of Directors and Executive Director that are also among the tops, bar none.  They are not only good at what they do, they are passionately in love with film. What they have done in my opinion is nothing short of miraculous. This year Tallgrass which runs from October 15 - October 19, has partnered with Vimeo and numerous other sponsors and had submissions go from around 600 last year to over 1,200 this year. They have over 200 films showing this year and each year during October Tallgrass brings to Wichita one of Kansas premiere events. 

Last nigh as I watched Life Itself, the documentary about Roger Ebert, I was reminded of the blessings I have as a film reviewer and filmmaker to be able to take part, once again, with this terrific festival, this year as a reviewer of film. I was reminded by a movie about the life of Roger Ebert as to the role of film, especially independent film. A Concept Tallgrass uses in its press, "Stubbornly Independent," gives credence to the support this terrific festival gives the independent filmmaker, offering not just accommodations and support for those coming from out of town but also classes on making and understanding film for the attendees to the festival. It also says something about a mid sized Midwestern Plains town and their respect for film. Wichita has among the top theaters in the country, including a weekly top 5 grossing theater with one of the largest IMAX screens in the world and a blossoming arts community that continues to grow despite idiotic cuts in funding to the Arts by those in our political system.  A confusing cut this reviewer and fan of film hasn't forgotten about that had the arts bringing in additional revenues to Kansas above and beyond the financial support. In other words, the arts in Kansas didn't just use tax revenues for support, they returned what was given and then more for a profit. Wichita is a community which clearly loves film, and comes out in groves to support film. Film by independent filmmakers is something Roger Ebert supported throughout his career and the recognition of that last night with a large crowd of supporters on hand, along with the Producer of the film Life Itself, Zak Piper was a reminder of that support. Not to mention a packed house at the Old Depot in Wichita for the after party Gala. 

Today I am ready to get busy to check out 3 more films, Down and Dirty the documentary feature about Johnny Winter, Fight Church a documentary about churches using MMA to promote the Gospel and Mad as Hell a documentary regarding Cenk Uygur a controversial talk radio show host who had his hands tied once moving to MSNBC for a television program. There is one thing I know for certain, there is no way I will be able to see all 200+ films but I will do my best to see what I can. An opportunity on the Plains of Kansas where I am honored to check out and report on the movies. Roger Ebert inspired me in that regards, I love what I do and I  have to give thanks to all of those wonderful people behind the festival that have blessed me and literally, thousands of others through this incredible, blessed event called Tallgrass.

To see Rod Pocowatchit take on the following video, just click on the video, if the vid doesn't work, click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPhZft9b2wg

Photos from the opening night at The Orpheum

 

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.


Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid 


Click here to visit the web page The Virtual Pew

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

Click to subscribe to my blog

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Personal Furches Web Site

Hollywood Jesus

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Judge

The Judge is a movie you expect from the outset, due to the advance trailers to be good.  It is the story of a son, Hank Palmer played by Robert Downy Junior who is a defense attorney in a large city and has no qualms about defending guilty clients, "they pay well because they are guilty." He is estranged from of his father, Joseph Palmer played by Robert Duval. The Judge is a judge whose integrity is of tantamount importance to him as he understand the value and importance of his job. Judge Palmer has reason to be upset with his son Hank and he has been upset for many years. He has two other sons, one with developmental disabilities who has a fascination with video and another who had a promising career in baseball snatched from him as the result of a car accident while in high school. 

When Judge Palmer's wife dies, Hank comes home to the small town he grew up in. He is going through a divorce with his wife who slept with another man, he also has a daughter he loves and wants so much to be the father to he thinks he never had.  While back where he grew up at the moments between Hank and The Judge (as Hank calls his father) is awkward at best and it is clear the two don't want to be around each other. After a tragic event where someone is killed Joseph Palmer is charged with murder and due to various events, Hank takes on the case to defend his father against the state prosecutor played by Billy Bob Thornton. Hank is going through conflicts related to his dad and the impeding divorce, his love for his daughter and rediscovering a relationship with his former girlfriend from high school played by Vera Farmiga known for her role in the television series Psycho and the hit horror film The Conjuring.

The direction of The Judge is nothing short of brilliant. The film, directed by David Dobkin shows that one can make an intelligent, entertaining movie without the explosions, violence, sex, language and other forms many have come to associate with entertainment. There is no doubt the story and script drive this story. Dobkin does an incredible job at allowing that to happen while using a bevy of talent in his acting troupe. Everything about the film is 1st class, from the editing, sound, music selections, cinematography and especially, the acting. 

I have seen many movies with Robert Duval and I honestly love and appreciate this mans talent. While I wouldn't go so far as to say this is the best acting I have seen him do, I will say it holds up among the best. Robert Downy Jr. on the other hand is nothing short of phenomenal. On his behalf, for me, this is the best acting I have ever seen him do. If he can be nominated and win awards for other films, it would be a shame to not be considered and at this point, be the front runner for the upcoming Oscar season. There are scenes where he isn't saying anything with words but saying and doing a brilliant job with his expressions. If great acting is being believable in the role you are performing, Downy and Duval together may be among the top acting forces on screen together in the history of movies. I can't think of a better duo in any movie and I have seen a lot of movies.

One of the things I like about The Judge is its use of trailers in kindling interest, that initial start of interest though doesn't describe the blaze that comes about after seeing the movie. While my interest was peaked from the trailers, the film on screen projected so much more than I expected. For over 2 hours, I was enthralled, entertained and provoked to thought.  

The Judge in many ways is a father son story. There are two seemingly distant characters and their relationship has much to be desired. The father blames the son and the son is a proud man, yet, so he desperately wants the love and recognition of his father. I don't know if a better father son story has been made since Field of Dreams. This movie is that good and in some ways, better. We see conflict and sacrifice but we also see a hurting father and son. Both are at fault. They both have way too much pride. The father believes the son is responsible for a tragic event and the son wants to be recognized for his own accomplishments which the father refuses to do. The son is to stubborn to try and make amends. It takes some time and an understanding of what his father is facing before he gives in. A side note here. The film is so good that it has the viewer even contemplating what it was that caused the rift between the two to be so strong. I may be out on a limb but I think part of it is there is the possibility, and my wife and I who saw the film together agree, the that Hank takes the blame for a tragic accident that his brother Glen, the baseball player, may have been responsible for. We don't know, the answer isn't given but the direction and script are so brilliantly portrayed that one may think about things like this during and after the  movie.

In my own life, I never knew a father it is one of the reasons the film is so powerful. I see what is transpired on screen portrayed in real life all of the time and as a father, know that at times, I have crossed the boundaries and been unrealistic in how I see my own children. It is a powerful attributes of movies, they allow one to think and reflect on their own life. There is even a discussion of God in the film as the father and son realize there may be more to life than the life we live on this earth. We see them come to an understanding that our present may have an impact on our eternal. I also reflected on the reminder of the strength of family and love family should have. It is when sacrificially showing love for his father that things start to find some resolution. There is an acceptance that comes about because of a willingness to love, even in the most disgusting ways but that is a part of what love is and it is through those horrid experiences that one begins to experience love, not in a superficial way but in a real lasting way. It was and is a reminder for me of the love God had and continues to have for me. His own son was sacrificed for the wrongs I have committed and he loves me as I am despite my own frailties and weaknesses. 

I honestly can't think of a single thing about The Judge I didn't like. Last year there was Nebraska but in many ways, while this is more commercial, it is just as good if not better and that is saying something. I highly suspect that I will go back to see this movie again, preferably on the big screen but it is also a must purchase when it comes out on DVD or is available for purchase with extras via streaming formats. Duvall is at the top of this game, Downy has never been better and the supporting cast is excellent. I can't think of a better, more thought provoking movie that I have seen this year than The Judge. 

On a scale of 1 - 10, for the 10 letters in excellence, I give a rare, well deserved , 10. 

To see the interview with Robert Downy Jr. with Jimmy Fallon, click on the video below, if the video doesn't work, click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4M4I6FPiwU

 

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.


Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid 


Click here to visit the web page The Virtual Pew

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

Click to subscribe to my blog

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Personal Furches Web Site

Hollywood Jesus

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons