25th Philadelphia Film Festival , Day 3: "Father's Day!"

(Read about day 2 here)

After ending day two on a high note with "Jackie", I started my third day with the Cannes' winning "The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki", a Finnish black and white film about a boxer going for an international title. Certainly not your "Raging Bull" or "Rocky", "Olli Mäki" was an endearing story of a man fighting for love and not the title. I wasn't over-the-moon like the PFS staff allegedly was, but I didn't hate it, either.

Not expecting to get in to the sold out "Toni Erdmann" screening, I stood in the rush line and got in. And considering it was a Centerpiece selection, you know the screening wasn't going to start on time so I didn't have to worry about walking into an already-started film.

This highly acclaimed German comedy was incredibly heartwarming, and the first great film of the day that encompassed the day's overall theme: dads matter.

25th Philadelphia Film Festival, Day 2: A Good Start!

All right, day two of the 25th Philadelphia Film Festival!

But wait. Where's day one at?

Well, unless you were paying $250 for me to see the opening night film "La La Land" I wasn't attending. I mean $250 for one movie (plus some parties)? That's pretty atrocious, especially since the opening/closing night films last year were like $25 a piece. A 1000 percent markup in one year. Philadelphia Film Society, kindly fuck yourself with a chainsaw for that one.

So my foray into the festival started on Friday, day two of the 11-day fest. I gathered my press badge (which gets me into all screenings save for opening/closing night and centerpieces), my knitting needles and yarn, water bottle and an open mind into the four films I had lined up for the day.

Mexican Modernism Exhibit Opens on Oct. 25 at Philadelphia Museum of Art

Frida Kahlo's "Self Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States" (1932)  is one of hundreds of pieces on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's latest exhibit, "Paint the Revolution: Mexican Modernism, 1910-1950: on display from Oct. 25 - Jan. 8.

The lavish, bold and altogether awesome depictions of Mexico's history from the start, to the middle of the 20th century will be on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's exclusive new exhibit "Paint the Revolution: Mexican Modernism, 1910-1950."

A partnership with the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City has helped to compile hundreds of works of art from the best Mexian artists of the time, including Kahlo, Rivera and Orzoco, From Kahlo's self portraits to digital repliacs of astounding murals about the overpowering bourgeoisie, this exhibit is a never-ending display of the beautiful artworks of themes so important 100 years ago, that they have continued relevance today.

"This is one of the most comprehensive exhibits of Mexican modernism today," said María Cristina García Cepeda, general director of the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes during an Oct. 20 press preview. "It's proof that history of art is history of the society it creates."

25th Philly Film Fest Preview- The 'Arrival' of a fest in 'La La Land'

The Philadelphia Film Festival will officially be 25 years strong when "La La Land" opens up this year's cinephile extravaganza on Thursday night at The Prince Theater and ushering in 10 days thereafter of interesting fare.

"La La Land" is one of the top films poached from the big film festivals that have come before PFF, followed up by "Jackie", "Manchester by the Sea" and "Toni Erdmann" just to name a few, closing out with the sci-fi film "Arrival".

Even though I think the festival is just a draw of big films that have trickled down to the region without hosting any big premieres of its own to speak of, the festival is always an entertaining mish-mash of greatness, misery, the befuddling and even audience chaos.

Last year's closing weekend was a wonderful macabre of what a festival should (not) be. When Michael Moore arrived closing night for a Q&A following a screening of his film "Where to Invade Next", journalist Buzz Bissinger heckled Moore for the claims he made in his newest feature. That provided nice banter for the audience to absorb.

But then two days later, on the very last day of the festival in one of the final screenings, the 3D sex romp "Love" screened 80 minutes late. I wrote about it here, but it was probably one of the festival's worst moments in its history. "Love" was the only 3D screening last year, and on the last day, yet they couldn't get the specs right.

Alas, with no Moore or 3D features this year, the festival should go off without a hitch, and I hope it does.

I enjoyed most of the films I saw last year, but I did think the slate (that I saw at least) revolved around a theme of beating a dead horse. Too often was I watching stories that were so familiar, generic. This year, with a lovable teddy bear in "Toni Erdmann", a musical throwback to the Golden Era of film in "La La Land" and a inside look at The New York Times obituary section in "Obit" all seem like a winning batch.

Being cognizant of the changing scoci-political climate, a new sidebar section called State of the Union exhibits four documentaries that tackle cyber warfare ("Zero Days"), police militarization ("Do Not Resist"), prison solitary confinement ("Solitary") and medical care of undocumented immigrants ("Clínica de Migrantes").

There is sure to be something for every one this year, unless you were too late to buy tickets for "Paterson" and "Toni Erdmann" because they're sold out.

For ticket and screening info visit filmadelphia.org/festival.

'La La Land' opens 25th Philadelphia Film Festival

The critically acclaimed "La La Land" will open the 25th Philadelphia Film Festival this year

The Philadelphia Film Society is proud to announce the full film line-up of the 25^th Philadelphia Film Festival, spanning from October 20 – October 30 on four theater screens throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.

Opening on Oct. 20 with Damien Chazelle’s "La La Land" and closing on Oct. 30 with "Arrival", the 11-day Festival will showcase over 110 feature length and short films, curated by our programming committee who chooses each selection from multiple international festivals throughout the year.

“We are thrilled to celebrate a milestone year for the Philadelphia Film Festival and to have the opportunity to showcase some of the best films of the year right here in Philly.” said Executive Director, J. Andrew Greenblatt.  “From our Opening Night screening, "La La Land", which was the talk of the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals, to the Closing Night screening of "Arrival", this year’s prodigious line-up fully embodies what the Philadelphia Film Festival truly is: a community filled with film lovers brought together to experience today’s most thought-provoking and innovative films!”

“As we celebrate 25 years of Philadelphia Film Festival, we are extremely proud to announce that it’s once our best lineups. With over 110 works from world renowned directors, including tons of surprises, our lineup includes something for everyone to enjoy,” said Michael Lerman, Artistic Director.  “We’ve had pretty incredible success rate. Four out of the last 5 Best Picture winners made their Philadelphia debut at our Festival, so this is the chance to see it first!”

The Philadelphia Film Society is honored to have Damien Chazelle, recipient of the Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay for "Whiplash"¸ and director of the Opening Night film, "La La Land" join us for the #PFF25 opening night.

The full Festival schedule and digital Festival Program Guide is available now on www.filmadelphia.org/festival. 

Screenings for the 25^th Philadelphia Film Festival will take place at the Ritz East (125 S. 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106), Ritz Five (214 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106), PFS Roxy Theater (2023 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103), and Prince Theater (1412 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102). Tickets will go on-sale for Philadelphia Film Society members on Friday, September 30, and to the general public beginning Friday, October 6.  Tickets may be purchased through the Festival website, www.filmadelphia.org/festival, or in-person at the Main Box Office at the Prince Theater (open Monday – Saturday from 12 noon to 5:00 pm).

25^th Philadelphia Film Festival Full Line-up

Opening Night Film

·         La La Land, Director Damien Chazelle. 2016, USA.

Closing Night Film

·         Arrival, Director Denis Villeneuve. 2016, USA.

Centerpiece Screenings

·         Jackie, Director Pablo Larraín. 2016, USA, France, Chile.

·         Lion, Director Garth Davis. 2016, Australia, USA, UK.

·         Manchester by the Sea, Director Kenneth Lonergan 2016, USA.

·         Moonlight, Director Barry Jenkins. 2016, USA.

·         Toni Erdmann, Director Maren Ade, 2016, Germany

From the Vaults: Film history comes alive as it was meant to be seen - on the big screen. Come see old favorites bigger than life once again.

·         Dekalog, Director Krzysztof Kieślowski. 1988, USA.

·         Night on Earth, Director Jim Jarmusch. 1991, USA.

·         Wonder Boys, Director Curtis Hanson. 2000, USA.

Spotlights, Presented by Philly Style: Highly–anticipated movies from some of the biggest names in the industry, these films shine a spotlight on top talent from around the world.

·         Christine, Director Antonio Campos. 2016, USA.

·         King Cobra, Director Justin Kelly. 2016, USA.

·         Wolves, Director Bart Freundlich. 2016, USA.

Inside Out ready to come to Upper Darby

William Trost Richards' "Newport Coast" is one of 10 replicas from the Philadelphia Museum of Art on display during the Inside Out exhibition in Upper Darby starting next month.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has announced what pieces of art will be displayed throughout Upper Darby as part of its outdoor art gallery exhibit program called Inside Out.

Replicas of ten pieces from the museum’s collection will be on display from August to November in areas including the 69th Street shopping corridor to the communities of Drexel Hill and Westbrook Park.

These are the pieces and locations selected for the latest cycle of Inside Out:
69th Street Transportation Center- “Estate” (Robert Raushcenberg); Beverly Hills Middle School- “The Disks of Newtown” (Frantizek Kupka); Dermond Circle, “The Bucintoro at the Molo on Ascension Day” (Canaletto);

Garrettford Elementary School- “Dog Barking at the Moon” (Joan Miro); IHOP on 69th St.- “Two Dragons” (Kano Hogai);

Upper Darby Free Library Municipal Branch- “The Libraries are Appreciated” (Jacob Lawrence); Upper Darby High School- “Krishna and Radha” (Unknown); Upper Darby School District Administration Building- “Newport Coast” (William Trost Richards);

Upper Darby Township Municipal Building- “Grand Canyon of the Colorado River” (Thomas Moran); and Westbrook Park Elementary School- “Noah’s Ark” (Edward Hicks).

Installation of the art is slated for Aug. 9.

A strong focus on education was the driving point of bringing Inside Out to Upper Darby, with officials from the Upper Darby School District and the township worked in tandem with the art museum on the plans.

“Both the township and the school district have a deep appreciation for the arts and wanted to use this partnership opportunity with the art museum to generate conversation in the community about different works of art,” said Upper Darby  School District spokesperson Dana Spino.

Upper Darby follows up to neighboring Lansdowne’s turn at the exhibit that wrapped up this month. Media and Wayne participated in the program during the initial launch in the Philadelphia area last year.

Drexel Hill Basketball Court Focus of New Book

From a serial killer in Philadelphia to the shit of Vietnam, Tom Faustman’s first two books in his self-

published Misadventures of Dylan series were on the darker side.

With the recent release of the third book in the series, and the first chronologically, “Dylan’s Chase” moves to a more nostalgic place of time: the basketball court of Drexel Hill Elementary School.

What Faustman deemed a “hotbed” of activity in the 1960’s at Shadeland Avenue and State Road when he was growing up, it encouraged him to write a story about the budding competitive nature of basketball and the stories of the people who played there.

“It was a really magical time in my life and the lives playing at this basketball court and the friendships that developed out of it,” Faustman said, who currently resides in Connecticut. “It was such a fun period of our lives and I wanted to tell the story of the fun part of it, but young men are more sensitive to the difficult lives of the people around them. It’s kind of the real world.”