We’ve all heard the tale about the elderly woman, Stella Liebeck, who spilt McDonald’s coffee in her lap while driving and was awarded over $2 million in compensation from the subsequent lawsuit. It was immortalized on “Seinfeld” with the character Kramer enduring a similar accident, which is exactly how “Hot Coffee” opens. … read more
Napalm Flesh: To Hell We Go! Hells Headbangers
The US based record label and distro known as Hells Headbangers is quickly becoming a bastion of underground metal. Last year Hells Headbangers released highly lucrative offerings from the mighty Profanatica, Denouncement Pyre, Drunken Bastards and Nocturnal Blood. The label kicked off the new year with four releases last week, three of which are reviewed exclusively here. … read more
Snow On Tha Bluff
Forget Omar and Stringer Bell – there’s a new gangsta in town. … read more
Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same
Clearly inspired by the campy late night monster movies of the ‘50s, Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same initially seemed to have potential. The film opened with scenes of an alien space ship that appeared to be two bedazzled pie tins glued together. … read more
The Oregonian
“The Oregonian” might be the creepiest film I have ever seen. This is probably because Reeder doesn’t employ any of the usual techniques director’s use when attempting to create a disturbing film. … read more
Superheroes
“Superheroes” adds to Slamdance’s expanding archive of some of the best non-fiction films we’ve seen at festivals. The cogent work follows the travails and (mis)adventures of real-life superheroes (RLSH) in major cities throughout the US—including the SLC. Characters as silly sounding as Master Legend and Mr. Extreme fight for justice alongside the more seriously dubbed likes of Omen, Conundrum, and a nice Jewish boy named Chaim (life in Hebrew). … read more
Position Among The Stars
“Position Among The Stars” provides a glimpse into the lives of three generations: grandmother Rumidjah, her son Bakti, and her deceased daughter’s daughter, Tari. This documentary was masterfully filmed. The director and cinematographer Leonard Retel Helmrich did a fine job of accurately displaying Indonesia in an artful way. … read more
Beneath Contempt
One mistake behind a wheel while driving can end more than your own life as this feature portrays within the moral obstacle course of blame and death post-manslaughter. Three dead teens and one teen left to blame make for compelling storytelling in this engaging work. … read more
Fred & Vinnie
“Fred & Vinnie” is the true story of a bit actor’s life in LA as his shut-in, baseball card-loving friend moves in to crash on the couch. The unmatched pair of neurotics get on each others’ nerves as only disturbed individuals can—fighting for the bathroom, snore-less sleep, and space of mind. … read more
A Masterful Performance: The North Face Masters 2011 @ Snowbird
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; January 21-23 marked the return of every big mountain snowboarder’s favorite competition, The North Face Masters. Day one kicked off on Friday under bluebird skies and ripping wind. … read more
The Woman
When a director stands before an audience and warns them of the forthcoming controversial material and recollects about previous screenings’ walkouts, you know you’re in for a memorable experience one way or another. To their wealthy neighbors and friends, the Cleek family appears to be the stereotypical American family, but the sinister truth behind their lifestyles would make even the toughest a tad squeamish. … read more
Sing Your Song
I’m a little ashamed to admit that before seeing this documentary the only thing I knew about Harry Belafonte was that he sang and popularized the Jamaican song, “Day-O.” “Sing Your Song” enlightened me not only about Bellefonte’s early music and acting career but more importantly, his work as a worldwide human rights advocator. Belafonte is probably one of the most underrated activists of the last century and in a way it seems fitting. … read more
