The Magic Behind “I Am Chris Farley” (3/4)

I Am Chris Farley Official Trailer #1 (2015) Chris Farley Documentary Movie HD

When the people around, whether in your life or just passing by, all feel that same positive energy from you, that's when you know you're a genuinely good person; it's being Chris Farley. The Spike TV and Virgil Films production unveiled the many layers and dimensions of the SNL funny man turned movie star, and not only takes a look at his career hits, but his life's misses.

Growing up in what one would consider the picture perfect childhood of suburban Wisconsin, Farley never truly fit the mold of “normative”. He was a true outlier, but never an outcast. He captivated all who surrounded him because of his infectious personality. The documentary gathers the commentary of major players in the early SNL family, such as Mike Myers, David Spade, Adam Sandler, and Christina Appelgate, all reminiscing on moments working with him that changed a perspective in their careers. Even noted by Adam Sandler, Farley and Spade seemed to have a certain “chemistry”, or what one would consider a “bromance” that spoke to the audiences of the big screen when they starred in “Tommy Boy”.

The documentary highlights leading points in his life both in front of the camera and the most candid parts of his personal life, with the help of his brothers to commentate. Whether you are familiar with his work, or just hearing about him for the first time, “I Am Chris Farley” makes you feel as if you've known him for all your life. He's that person you've always wanted to be your best friend. With more highs than lows, the documentary celebrates a true comedic genius, and is a must see.

Note: These ratings and review are personal opinion of the author.

FSLC announces STEVE JOBS as centerpiece of the 53rd NYFF

The Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced the selection of Steve Jobs, written by Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Charlie Wilson’s War) and directed by Academy Award® winner Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours), as the Centerpiece of the upcoming 53rd New York Film Festival (September 25 – October 11), to screen on Saturday, October 3.

Boyle and Sorkin joined forces to create this film about the brilliant man at the epicenter of the digital revolution, working from Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography. Steve Jobs stars Michael Fassbender in the title role, Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman, Seth Rogen as Steve Wozniak, Jeff Daniels as John Sculley, Michael Stuhlbarg as Andy Hertzfeld, and Katherine Waterston as Chrisann Brennan.

New York Film Festival Director and Selection Committee Chair Kent Jones said: “You hear that a bio of Steve Jobs is being produced, and of course you see multiple possible movies in your head . . . but not this one. Steve Jobs is dramatically concentrated, yet beautifully expansive; it’s extremely sharp; it’s wildly entertaining, and the actors just soar—you can feel their joy as they bite into their material.”

“I am honored that our film has been selected as the Centrepiece of this year's festival,” said Boyle. “And thrilled and terrified too, unlike the subject of our film, who would have taken the whole thing very much in his stride. Steve Jobs was a thoroughly contradictory and complex character who forged our digital age. He’s the kind of brilliant, flawed character that Shakespeare would have relished writing about, and storytellers of all kinds will be fashioning and re-fashioning the mythology of the digital revolution for generations to come. I hope that festivalgoers enjoy our take.”

Sorkin and Boyle have created a dynamically character-driven portrait of the co-founder of Apple, weaving the multiple threads of their protagonist’s life into three daringly extended backstage scenes, as Jobs prepares to launch the first Macintosh, the NeXT workstation, and the iMac. The film is a dazzlingly executed cross-hatched portrait of Jobs, set against the changing fortunes and circumstances of the home computer industry and the ascendancy of branding, of products, and of oneself.

Steve Jobs is directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin working from Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography of the Apple founder. The producers are Mark Gordon, Guymon Casady, Scott Rudin, Boyle, and Christian Colson.

Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures present—A Scott Rudin/Mark Gordon Company/Entertainment 360/Decibel Films/Cloud Eight Films production of a Danny Boyle film: Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs, starring Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Katherine Waterston.  The music is by Daniel Pemberton, and the costume designer is Suttirat Larlarb.  The film’s editor is Elliot Graham, ACE, and its production designer is Guy Hendrix Dyas. Steve Jobs’ director of photography is Alwin Küchler, BSC, and its executive producer is Bernard Bellew.  The drama’s producers are Mark Gordon, Guymon Casady, Scott Rudin, Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, and it is based on the book by Walter Isaacson.  The film’s screenplay is by Aaron Sorkin, and it is directed by Danny Boyle.  ©2015 Universal Studios. www.stevejobsthefilm.com 
 
The 17-day New York Film Festival highlights the best in world cinema, featuring top films from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent. The selection committee, chaired by Jones, also includes Dennis Lim, FSLC Director of Programming; Marian Masone, FSLC Senior Programming Advisor; Gavin Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Film Comment; and Amy Taubin, Contributing Editor, Film Comment and Sight & Sound.
 
NYFF previously announced Robert Zemeckis’s The Walk as Opening Night, Don Cheadle’s Miles Ahead as Closing Night and Luminous Intimacy: The Cinema of Nathaniel Dorsky and Jerome Hiler, the first-ever complete dual retrospective of the experimental filmmakers.
 
Tickets for the 53rd New York Film Festival will go on sale in early September. Becoming a Film Society Member at the Film Buff Level or above provides early ticket access to festival screenings and events ahead of the general public, along with the exclusive member ticket discount! Join by August 7 to receive these NYFF benefits. Learn more at filmlinc.com/membership.

For even more access, VIP Passes and Subscription Packages give buyers one of the earliest opportunities to purchase tickets and secure seats at some of the festival's biggest events including Opening, Centerpiece, and Closing Nights. VIP passes also provide access to many exciting events including the invitation-only Opening Night party, “ An Evening With…” Dinner, Filmmaker Brunch, and VIP Lounge. Benefits vary based on the pass or package type purchased. VIP Passes and Subscription Packages are on sale now.

For information about purchasing Subscription Packages and VIP Passes, go to filmlinc.com/NYFF.

For more information, visit www.filmlinc.com

Rooftop Films Presents Three Free Screenings @Brookfield Place

Rooftop Films and Arts Brookfield will be co-presenting three free screenings on the Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place (formerly World Financial Center). The screenings will take place July 30th, 31stand August 1st, with live musical performances preceding each of the films.

On Thursday, July 30th, Animation Block Party kicks off their 12th annual festival with a collection of short films. Animation Block Party is the premier animation festival of the East Coast, drawing in huge crowds to see the world’s best new animated films. Each year, the opening night of the festival is presented outdoors in partnership with Rooftop Films. This year’s screening will feature world-renowned and independent short films along with special clips from Dreamworks TV.

On Friday, July 31st, Rooftop Films will present a special sneak preview of the environmental exposé Racing Extinction, directed by the Academy Award®-winning filmmakers of The Cove. The film, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, follows a team of artists and activists that employ their unique skills and talents to expose the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images. Racing Extinction will be broadcast worldwide in 220 countries and territories on Discovery Channel later this year.

The series will conclude on Saturday, August 1st, with a screening of Academy Award® winner Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense. The 1984 hit follows The Talking Heads during their titular three-day concert gig at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Learn about David Byrne’s big suit along the scenic Hudson River.

“Arts Brookfield has been tremendously supportive of Rooftop Films these past three years, collaborating with us for several very popular and memorable events with us,” said Dan Nuxoll, Program Director of Rooftop Films. “Brookfield Place has been a beautiful venue for our screenings these last few years, and we are thrilled to be co-presenting another batch of exciting, independent films with them.” 

All events are free and open to the public. Images and interviews available upon request.

Film Details:

Venue: Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey Street, Financial District, Manhattan 

Thursday, July 30

ANIMATION BLOCK PARTY (SHORT FILMS) 

Experience some of the year's best animated shorts at the incomparable Animation Block Party!

THE FILMS: Almost There (Julia Glassman); Meanwhile (Stephen McNally);Beach Flags (Sarah Saidan); Aubade (Mauro Carraro); Little Doorman (Matt Marblo); Stella Nova (Ted Wiggin); Positronic (Ryan Mauskopf); Itch (Su-An Ng);Harvey Beaks (C.H. Greenblatt); and sneak peaks from Dreamworks TV.

More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2015/schedule/animation-block-party-short-films-2/ 

Friday, July 31

RACING EXTINCTION (Louie Psihoyos)

Armed with a state-of-the-art cameras, and profound purpose, the Academy Award® winning Filmmakers of The Cove, bring you the latest environmental exposé. Follow a team of artists and activists that employ their unique skills and talents to expose the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images that will change the way we see the planet. Photographers, divers, and undercover agents reveal the two worlds that drive extinction across the globe, potentially resulting in the loss of half of all species; the international wildlife trade, and the other surrounds us, hiding in plain sight — a world that the oil and gas companies don’t want the rest of us to see. Using state-of-the-art technology, the Racing Extinction team exposes these two worlds in an inspiring affirmation to preserve life as we know it. Presented in partnership with Discovery Channel and Arts Brookfield. Racing Extinction will be seen in its entirety as a worldwide broadcast on Discovery Channel in 220 countries and territories on the same day at the end of the year. Visit www.racingextinction.com for broadcast dates and more information.

More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2015/schedule/racing-extinction/ 

Saturday, August 1

STOP MAKING SENSE (Jonathan Demme)

Academy Award® winning filmmaker Jonathan Demme's first feature-length documentary follows the Talking Heads during a three-day concert gig at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. What emerges on screen says as much about director Demme's taste and sensitivity as it does about the group and its visionary leader Byrne. 

More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2015/schedule/stop-making-sense/

For more information and updates please visit their website:

www.rooftopfilms.com.