Milwaukee Film Fest Picks 2013
Of special note are the tributes to Hollywood shakers Paul Attanasio (Oscar-nominated screenwriter whose brother owns the Milwaukee Brewers in town for a Q&A Oct. 5) and George Tillman Jr. (Milwaukee native whose work spans from Soul Food to Beauty Shop).
I’m looking forward to seeing as much as possible. But among the 240 films, here are my top 10 must-see movies:
1. August: Osage County / Monday October 7, 7:30pm, Oriental Theatre
Adapted from a Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway play, this is one of the buzz-worthiest Oscar contenders of the year!! Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor… I mean, c’mon!
2. Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me / Sunday September 29, 7pm, Oriental Theatre
Ok look – she’s gonna be there, like, live – in person, to do a Q&A after the screening of this doc!
3. The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete / Saturday September 28, 7:30pm, Oriental Theatre
Jordin Sparks was telling me about this film when I interviewed her for the movie Sparkle last year. J.Hud costars and it could be good.
4. We Are What We Are / Friday October 4, 9:30pm, Oriental Theatre
Part of the fest’s Cinema Hooligante series, this trailer looks mad-balls creepy and is produced by the awesomely talented Whitefish Bay native, Jack Turner. Plus, Blair from TV’s One Life to Live is in it!
5. Blancanieves/ Multiple Showings
A Spanish retelling of Snow White in black and white, silent form. It’s received loads of awards and praise and who doesn’t love a good twist on a classic fairy tale? Wicked, anyone?
6. Stories We Tell / Multiple Showings
The latest from Sarah Polley, whom I still love from the old Avonlea TV series when she was a kid. She’s a pro-director now and here, once again, draws from personal experience for her work.
7. Ain’t Them Bodies Saints / Wednesday October 9, 6:30pm, Oriental Theatre
Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster and Keith Carradine all together in a crime drama!
8. Finding Mr. Right / Multiple Showings
A rom com from China. The description featured the words “Emerald City,” and yes… I am that Oz-sessed.
9. Reality / Multiple Showings
About a paranoid actor who’s auditioning for Italy’s version of the reality TV show Big Brother.
10. 2001: A Space Odyssey / Saturday October 5, 10:30pm, Oriental Theatre
I’ve actually never seen this Stanley Kubrick classic so why not catch it on the big screen while we can? I’ll be there – come say hi!
For the complete list of all the films, showtimes and tickets; and to learn more about the festival, visit MKEfilm.org.