THE SOUTH SOUND'S ONLY LOCAL FILM CRITIC >>>

Super 8 opens in 1979, as the soon-pubescent Joe (Joel Courtney) and his friends work to finish up a low-budget zombie flick on their Super 8 camera. Mere months earlier, Joe's mother was killed in an industrial accident, leaving him to deal with his father, with whom Joe has very little in common. Joe's dad disapproves of his interest in filmmaking (somewhat bewilderingly, although fathers in coming-of-age films generally disapprove of whatever their child is interested in, short of baseball).

While filming a scene by the railroad tracks, Joe and his buddies witness a train crash, narrowly dodging hurling train cars and debris. After escaping with their lives, they do the only natural thing, which is to swear that they will never tell their parents, even as signs that the train crash wasn't an accident (and what that means for their quaint little town) begin to emerge.

Soon, it becomes clear to us that something not quite savory was in one of those cars, and it has been unleashed upon the town.

To read Rev. Adam McKinney's full review click here.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011 >>>

1. Catch Mahnhammer, Hands of Toil and the Heroine tonight at the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma. Or, if that's not your ticket, browse the Volcano's extensive South Sound live local music listings here.

2. Drop into the Grand Cinema today when Oscar-nominated writer-director Frederick Marx visits Tacoma with his 2010 documentary Journey from Zanskar, which is about Tibetan monk Geshe Lobsang Yonten, who seeks to help his small, impoverished community of Zanskar survive.

3. Mosey through either the Downtown Tacoma  Broadway Farmers Market, or down south the famous Olympia Farmers Market. Or, if neither option sounds quite right, mosey through the Volcano's comprehensive arts and entertainment calendar here.

4. On Thursdays Nate Jackson busts out his "Super Funny Comedy Show" at Varsity Grill. From what we understand, it's "super funny."

5. Vote for Tacoma's best baristas, politicians, bloggers, bartenders and local businesses in the only 253 "Best Of" issue that matters. The Volcano's annual Best of Tacoma issue publishes July 28, and this year's readers' poll launched last week. Let your vote be heard now! Find all the details here.

RIDING VICCI MARTINEZ'S COATTAILS ALL THE WAY TO STARDOM >>>

Have you been watching NBC's The Voice for the past few weeks? Because it's nuts. The perversity of having competitors sing a duet together to determine who will be advancing to the next round makes for some incredibly awkward and surprisingly compelling television (even if, as it turns out, the judges have their preferences from which they rarely stray [I'm looking at you, Aguilera]).

As I said before, I will be here to keep you up to date on our very own Vicci Martinez's progress as she moves through the competition. Four weeks ago, Martinez blew away her competition and advanced to the next stage in the competition, which will open the voting up to viewers.

Well, that stage begins tonight, although it is my understanding (from what was said at a pre-show meet-and-greet at her recent Jazzbones performance) that she will not be on tonight's episode, but rather next week's. On the off-chance I was given some misinformation (and it seems as if Martinez herself has been kept in the dark about the schedule), why not watch the show tonight? I swear, it's weird.

Look, alls I knows is that we'd better come out in fucking droves when it comes time to vote Martinez through. I will not accept defeat! And trust me, the competition is not that steep. We can do this, people. Just stop acting like you don't care long enough to dial a stinking number and we'll be fine.

MEET WRITER/DIRECTOR FREDERICK MARX >>>

Every so often, The Grand Cinema invites a filmmaker to town to share and discuss his or her work with audiences. This Thursday, June 9, the Oscar-nominated writer-director Frederick Marx visits Tacoma along with his 2010 documentary Journey from Zanskar.

"Though beings are innumerable, I vow to free them from all suffering." 

This Bodhisattva vow greets us in the film's opening title. Geshe Lobsang Yonten took this vow - and took it to heart - while becoming a Tibetan monk. He seeks to help his small, impoverished community of Zanskar, tucked away among the mountains of northern India. He desires his Tibetan culture to not die, but instead to live on in the youth there. To achieve this they must receive education in Manali, 180 miles away. So Yonten takes it upon himself to somehow safely guide these children across a harsh wilderness entirely on foot.

Richard Gere narrates this highly suspenseful trip as the group encounters the brutal cold and myriad dangers like rockslides, altitude sickness and snow blindness. In a strangely nonchalant way, Yonten admits early on that death can come at any time for him and his fellow travelers. This makes his interpretation of the above vow a curious one - he wants a better life and intellectual enlightenment for the young ones under his care, yet to do so he has no choice but to subject them to a physically grueling trial. Does the end justify the means?

Zanskar makes for a visceral viewing experience, so much so that I began feeling a bit guilty. There I am, cozy under a blanket on my couch while watching a movie about suffering kids - Christopher, you douche! But the lessons taken away go deeper than that. By unflinchingly showing the struggles of some of our fellow man, the director successfully takes us on a journey out of indifference, and into compassion.

[The Grand Cinema, Journey From Zanskar with writer/director Frederick Marx, Thursday, June 9, 6:45 p.m., $5-$8, 606 S Fawcett, Tacoma, 253.593.4474]

KEVIN BACON ALERT! >>>

Here are the positive aspects of X-Men: First Class: the special appearance of the vintage blue and yellow X-Men costumes; Pan Am postcard-replicating shots of Cuban beaches with destroyers in the distance; the pleasantly zaftig Mystique; the stupidly nonchalant cameos from character actors Oliver Platt and Michael Ironside; the swarthy, leisure-suit-wearing evil henchmen; Kevin Bacon as a deranged Nazi scientist (much more on that later); and footage of John F. Kennedy pronouncing Cuba as "cuber." The rest is a tale told by an absent Stan Lee, full of blue people and acne, signifying contractual obligations.

To read Rev. Adam McKinney's full review click here.

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Mostly sunny, hi 69, lo 48

Saturday: Sunny, hi 76, lo 53

Sunday: Still sunny!, hi 78, lo 53

>>> FRIDAY, JUNE 3: "A PERFECT LIFE" PARTY

Tacoma-loved filmmakers Scott Stone and Joe Rosati are two of the driving forces behind Chad Ruin's A Perfect Life, a film creating an impressive amount of buzz for itself screening at the Seattle True International Film Festival June 7. For Tacomans, there will be a pre-party for the film's STIFF screening Friday, June 3 at Doyle's Public House featuring the bands Looking For Lizards and Ten Miles of Bad Road. With Stone and Rosati having relocated to Park City, Utah, it will also be a chance for old friends to catch up. See our previous coverage of the film here, here and here.

• Doyle's Public House, with Looking For Lizards, Ten Miles of Bad Road, 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468

>>> FRIDAY, JUNE 3: NWCZ ANNIVERSARY

The NWCZ podcast -- which recently spawned the beast that is NWCZRadio.com -- is turning two, and to celebrate Darrell Fortune and Co. have the Firwood Rock Lounge, and bands High Noon Horizon, The Hardcount, Quickie and Perry Acker, lined up and ready to go. They've also talked Volcano editor Matt Driscoll into getting on stage, with a mic, and introducing one of the bands. This should be interesting to watch if for no other reason than Driscoll has a history of screwing situations like these up.

• Firwood Rock Lounge, with Perry Acker, High Noon Horizon, the Hardcount, Quickie, 9 p.m., 734 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.9717

>>> SATURDAY, JUNE 4: EDDIE SPAGHETTI

Times have changed for Eddie Spaghetti and the Supersuckers. Guitarist Rontrose is gone, as is longtime ‘Sucker Chris Neal. To an outside observer, it might seem like the wheels are finally falling off the "Best Rock Band in the World." Hell, it's about time, right? Wrong. I dare you to say the Supersuckers are on the downhill slide to Eddie Spaghetti, the band's legendary frontman, when he hits Doyle's for a solo  show on Saturday. He'll probably rock your face off - acoustic style. Check that. He'll probably rock your face off acoustic style one way or another; but if you bring up a rumored Supersuckers demise, he'll also probably look at you like you're dumb.

• Doyle's Public House, 9:30 p.m., 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468

>>> SATURDAY & SUNDAY: MARITIME GIG FESTIVAL

Nothing says good times like family fun and a whole crapload of pirate references. By the look of things, that's exactly what's in store for those headed to the 2011 Maritime Gig Festival in Gig Harbor. Expect wholesome treats like a fun run, a Kiwanis pancake feed, a "Grand Parade," and what's billed as the "Round Rock Contest." We have no idea what a "Round Rock Contest" is, but it sounds AWESOME! The festival stretches all weekend in downtown Gig Harbor, along Harborview Drive, between Pioneer and Rosedale, and along the waterfront near Jerisich Dock and Skansie Brother's Park. 

• Downtown Gig Harbor, free, all day, gigharborchamber.com
  

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
Plenty of bartending and sunshine is in the forecast this weekend. Hope to squeeze in a little Olympia Record Show, too.

.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
The little lady and I (she loves it when I call her that) are headed out to Ocean Shores for a much deserved honeymoon. I'm looking forward to finally being able to make out with my wife without making the baby Jesus cry.

MATT DRISCOLL: Editor
As mentioned above, I will in fact be stopping by the 2nd Anniversary Party for the NWCZ party on Saturday at the Firwood Rock Lounge (or Furwood Cock Lounge, as my wife has taken to calling it for some reason ...), introducing the band High Noon Horizon at approximately 8:55 p.m. according to the itinerary I've been provided. You don't want to see my rider. It's ridiculous. 

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
My weekend will be spent recovering from putting my money where my mouth is. Thursday, 7 p.m., at the Jason Lee auditorium, my students will be presenting eight original short (five min. each) plays. It's free, so if you're inclined . . . 

ALEC CLAYTON Visual Arts Critic
Busy busy weekend for this guy. Friday night, Sweeny Todd at Lakewood Playhouse; Saturday, Play On at Olympia Little Theatre; Sunday, SAGE Brunch (SAGE is the new LGBT senior services agency that was recently founded in Olympia); Sunday night the second and final rehearsal for the reading of The Backside of Nowhere.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer 
Friday church dinner then TCC Choir and Orchestra followed by Doyle's for A Perfect Life pre-funk party with Chesty Meow and Stevie D. Saturday daytime I will attempt to finish unpacking and hang some art unless the sun is out and then I'm playing hooky from working and gonna ride my bike till my legs fall off. Saturday night is date night..woot woot! Sunday church service, potluck dinner and fireside with Elder Copeland.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
Going to A Perfect Life prescreening party at Doyles on Friday and then shooting up the town, photographically speaking, for the boss man when I will be hitting Encore, Hell's Kitchen and the Firwood. Also going to Sweeney Todd at Lakewood with my munchin. Nothing says family time like a musical about a serial killer.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

MULTIPLE CHANCES TO CATCH TAYLOR'S WORK >>>

Like its wandering father-and-son protagonists, the charming, locally-produced short Scamp is on the move. The film left its Tacoma birthplace and rode the boxcar north to Seattle's Central Cinema, where this Saturday (June 4) you can spot it at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival (details at www.facebook.com/ScampMovie). The rough and scruffy vagabonds in Scamp offset the crisp, clean visuals of downtown Tacoma photographed by Chris Joseph Taylor.

The cinematographer-editor has found himself juggling numerous projects in recent months. While seeking a bachelor's degree in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production from the Art Institute of Seattle, Taylor makes time to assist director Andrew Finnigan on color correcting his full-length Fantastic Confabulations (also shot by Taylor). And I caught him last week in the midst of editing his latest, entitled A Man, Buried, a quirky short with a wonderful premise - drunkard's family digs up a better version of him in the backyard.

With such a concept you know audiences will expect at least some visual tricks (i.e. seeing the same actor twice in one shot), but Taylor didn't consider the challenge too daunting. "(The effects) came out really well," he notes. "There's a shot where...they're playing chess with each other (a single actor photographed twice), and one reaches across and punches the other one." Taylor laughs. "It's pretty awesome."

Speaking of seeing double, in case you miss Scamp this weekend it plays later in the summer at the Columbia River Gorge Film Festival.

TOO MANY SIMILIARITIES >>>

Here's the short version: The Hangover Part II is The Hangover Part II. It's as if a strange experiment was done to see if a sequel can be made that literally repeats, beat for beat, the original movie. I think it would be giving director Todd Phillips too much credit to assume that the jarring similarities to and recreations of scenes from the earlier film is some sort of commentary on the absurdity of sequels. Sadly, the distinctive smell of a desperate cash grab consumes Part II.

To read Rev. Adam McKinney's full review of The Hangover Part II click here.

WORKING TITLE FOR THIS POST - "INTERVIEWS BY OTHER PEOPLE">>>

As we've reported on several times (as recently as yesterday, in fact) Tacoma-loved filmmakers Scott Stone and Joe Rosati are two of the driving forces behind Chad Ruin's A Perfect Life, a film creating an impressive amount of buzz for itself screening at the Seattle True International Film Festival June 7. For Tacomans, there will be a pre-party for the film's STIFF screening Friday, June 3 at Doyle's Public House featuring the bands Looking For Lizards and Ten Miles of Bad Road. With Stone and Rosati having relocated to Park City, Utah, it will also be a chance for old friends to catch up.

Here's a clip of a recent interview Rosati and Stone did about A Perfect Life on Park City TV. (Trust me, the interview is there ... the trailer intro is just long.)

ALL EYES ON TACOMA FEATURE >>>

Do you know Joe? In case you don't, actor-producer Joe Rosati has entertained Tacoma for the past several years with a stack of film roles that continues to grow. My own first encounter came in 2008, as I had the privilege of watching Rosati sledgehammer the honest-to-God crap out of a honey bucket in the short comedy It Don't Rain on Sunny Days.

Memories...

Three years later, J-Ro commands the screen once more, showing audiences his serious side as a down-and-outer in Chad Ruin's feature A Perfect Life (costar Ashley Cozine appeared in a Biz Buzz several weeks back). Already the movie has generated buzz around Park City, Utah, where Rosati and Perfect cinematographer Scott Stone relocated some months ago. And when you practically share a backyard with the Sundance Film Festival, a little interest in your picture doesn't hurt.

It was Park City, Utah where they ran into some good fortune in the form of Vivian van Dijk, owner and editor in chief of Eyes In^TM Magazine. "She was intrigued by our story," says Stone. You can find Van Dijk's published article via the "Press" page of www.a-perfect-life.com. Both men found the attention a pleasant surprise.

"We had no idea that it would be a 13-page spread...in a global art publication, so this is a real honor," says Stone.  

Rosati attributes this to "an energy" he hasn't seen before at other festivals. "It's just been amazing, the people we've networked with down here. Meeting Vivian was huge," says Rosati. 

A risky yet strategic move has started paying off for two intrepid filmmakers. The world premiere of A Perfect Life took place just days ago at the Park City Film Music Festival, and very soon the rest of us can see the film. It screens Tuesday, June 7, at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival. Find more details at www.trueindependent.org.