I'm always amazed at surfers and their ability to ride the waves. But, this guy takes it to a whole new level.
It's that time of year when I wake up in the morning and wonder what film I will see today? Unfortunately, the Milwaukee Film Festival will be almost over by the time I post this. I don't know the actual attendance numbers, but I sense that ticket sales might be down a bit.
Two observations motivate that conjecture. First, there are more offerings of free tickets. For example, Urban Milwaukee advised its members they could get two free tickets per request. Second, The Milwaukee Film Festival has been pumping interest in some films by advertising on social media and theater, including offering free admission to a specific film.
Then there's the conversation in line while waiting for seating. (See my previous posting about that experience.) First, the lines are short. This might be because I've picked the few films offered that no one wants to see. I've seen three films, and honestly, I'm not that bad about picking a film that's likely to be popular. Speaking with others in line and volunteers, my suspicions are shared.
If you see a film at the Oriental Theatre and you're early, take a moment to look around. The renovation of this theater has removed the rough edges and brightened the face of a piece of movie theater and Milwaukee history. But, as we old folk are likely to say, "they don't make 'em like that anymore." So I'm hoping that they keep going and finish redoing the balcony.
This is for all the Cat Ladies I know.
Highlight Of Milwaukee Film Festival David Byrne's American Utopia.
The film of Byrne's musical wish for a better America shown on the main screen in the Oriental Theatre excited and motivated the crowd that came not to just listen but to worship. They were not disappointed.
I have attended films where the audience applauded a film. Both Star Wars and The Two Popes come to mind. But, until this film, I'd never witnessed people dancing in the aisles and singing along.
Common sense tells you that the performers will not hear the applause. However, it did whip up a fever in a crowd that came to be inspired and entertained by Byrne's music and performance.
The cast of twelve had the flexibility of using wireless amplified instruments to dance and move about the stage in elaborate presentations.
Did Byrne teach the musicians to dance, or did he teach dancers to play music?
There are elements to this Spike Lee production that are subtle, which successfully send the audience into an illusionary state, making us think we are really at the performance. For example, as a song ends, Lee used a camera that blended the stage with the front rows of people attending the live performance standing and applauding, which would blend with the theater patrons doing the same thing.
One performer in the troupe heard the applause. Milwaukee Musician Angie Swan, a guitarist, was in the wings and appeared on stage for added applause.
And now we close with an "AWWWW; they are so cute" moment.
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