A first look at the 2012 Savannah Film Festival
Tickets are on sale now for the 2012 Savannah Film Festival, celebrating its 15th anniversary as a world-class red carpet event Oct. 27-Nov. 3. As always, the SCAD-sponsored festival features an impressive array of independent films looking for festival kudos before they’re shopped to distributors, first-run major movies (and we’re talking first – we’ll get…
House at the End of the Street, Dredd, Pitch Perfect
HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET *1/2 Watching a talented A-list star like Jennifer Lawrence stumble her way through a grade-Z production like House at the End of the Street can only lead to embarrassment for the performer and misery for the viewer. It’d be like seeing somebody on the order of, say, Rachel…
Oct. 1: Today’s events
Here’s what’s going on today (Monday, Oct. 1): If it’s Monday (which it is), it’s gotta be improv from the Odd Lot at Muse Arts Warehouse. Catch the comedy gang at 8 p.m. And the truly wonderful country/Americana band Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers is onstage at Live Wire Music Hall tonight.
Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Michelle Monaghan, James Gandolfini among Film Fest stars
Academy Award-nominated Matt Dillon (“Crash”) and Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) will be honored with “Outstanding Achievement in Cinema” Awards at the Savannah Film Festival, Oct. 27-Nov. 3. Actress Michelle Monaghan (“Gone Baby Gone”) will also be honored with a “Spotlight Award” for her performance in “Tomorrow You’re Gone.” Writer/director Geoffrey Fletcher (“Precious”) will receive the 2nd…
A review: ‘Compliance’
COMPLIANCE *** One of the most deeply disturbing movies of recent vintage, Compliance opens with the words “Inspired By True Events,” a declaration that should always be taken with a grain – or pound – of salt. Yet my post-viewing exercise consisted of tracking down information on the Internet, and it turns out that every…
Sept. 28: Today’s events
Here’s what’s going on today (Friday, Sept. 28): The Savannah Jazz Festival continues at Forsyth Park with the Doc Handy Band, the Jay Stewart Band and the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble w/vibraphonist Warren Chiasson. Showtime is 7 p.m. The Eric Culberson Band is downtown, playing the outdoor “Blues on Broughton” from 6 to…
Sept. 27: Today’s events
Here’s what’s going on today (Thursday, Sept. 27): The Savannah Jazz Festival’s Blues Night starts at 6:30 p.m. in Forsyth Park; check out (among others) the Eric Culberson Band and Chicago greats Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials. Electric Grandma – one of the many Word of Mouth side projects – plays the boiler room…
Sept. 26: Today’s events
Here’s what’s going on today (Wednesday, Sept. 26): Light sculptor Ivan Navarro gives a 7 p.m. talk at the SCAD Museum of Art; the cheesy drama 1974 Cockfighter (with Warren Oates) is screened at the Sentient Bean at 8 p.m. At 8:30, the South Carolina gypsy jazz group Swing 42 plays a free show at…
Wolves at the door
BODIES IN THE RIVER. Gunshots at football games. Meth labs in Ardsley Park. Fights in the squares. Shootings on River Street. Dog packs roaming the town. Target practice at passing cars at four in the morning, just for the hell of it. There are times you feel things spinning out of control. It’s a nearly…
White between the eyes
As Ron White says, you can’t make this shit up. The Texas–born comedian has a history of turning his life into material, from the quirks of ex–wives to his love (aka passion) for alcohol and cigars, to his dopey dogs, to his one great moment, many years ago, at the Sears Auto Center in Savannah.…
Lock up your cats?
Two weeks ago at around 9:30 in the morning, Jennifer Jenkins heard a ruckus on the front porch of her Victorian district home. “There was banging and a lot of noise, and I opened the door and saw that three dogs had a hold of one of our cats,” recalls the Foxy Loxy proprietor, who…
5 questions: Lil’ Ed Williams
First, the fez: Blues bandleader Lil’ Ed Williams wears it onstage in tribute to his uncle, the late, great J.B. Hutto, who (like his nephew) played a burning electric slide guitar, sang to rock to rafters, and always sported the distinctive circular chapeau. Williams and his band, the Blues Imperials, are one of the hardest–working…
‘The nuance of a bigger scheme’: Agent Ribbons
FREE OF CORPORATE SHACKLES, independent music takes on myriad shapes, sizes and forms, but there probably aren’t too many bands with the exact same DNA as Agent Ribbons. The duo, which makes its Savannah debut at the Sparetime Sept. 28, plays a minimalist concoction of sweet girl–group pop, with the requisite creamy harmonies, and witty,…
Production values
Sitting in the sunny rooms of the Institute of Cinematic Arts overlooking State Street, independent filmmaker Sandra Lindo seems relieved that her first feature film, Den of Darkness, is—as they say in the industry—“in the can.” “I’m almost ready to close the package,” sighs Lindo in her melodious Portuguese accent. A dead ringer for actress…
The Foodie
Long Branch, A-Z I’ve driven past The Long Branch on Skidaway hundreds of times, always chuckling at its well-publicized tagline: “Beware, it snaps back!” I ventured in for a beer once, but never gave a thought to eating there until several colleagues heaped praise on the bar’s massive burger and value-packed menu. So, I went…
False advertising
A man told police he shot another man because “he had not received crack cocaine he had purchased.” Patrick Russell Stafford, 49, of a Waters Avenue address, was charged with aggravated assault after the 9:23 a.m. shooting in the 600 block of East 38th Street. Nolan Biggins, 42, of a Cowan Street address, was transported…
Unchain my heart
I may be hopelessly biased, but I’m pretty sure the world runs on stories. As much as food and water, stories are essential. Even when humans run out of fossil fuels and the last can of kidney beans is eaten, the last few folks will be crowded over a trash can fire surrounded by the…
American Eye
Considering he’s been one of America’s most in-demand editorial and celebrity portrait photographers for decades, it’s not surprising that Dan Winters would have a solo museum show. What is surprising, however, is that it’s taken this long to have one. Indeed, the “Dan Winters’s America: Icons and Ingenuity” show now at the Jepson Center is…
Exhibits & openings this week
A Matched Pair – Works by Karen-Sam Norgard and Eliot Joanna Angell, artists who explore and create through sculpture, gesture, design and texture. September 14-October 12. Gallery S.P.A.C.E., 9 W. Henry St. Art Bash: Paint Your Own Moonlight Serenade – Art party guided by a local artist. Fri. Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m. Art Bash Studio,…
Do shrinks need shrinks?
Is it true that, as a class, psychotherapists and other mental health professionals are crazier than average? And that despite their training and experience, they can recognize their own issues less readily than the average nutcase? – Paul The best way to understand shrinks is to put yourself in their shoes.Let’s suppose you dedicate yourself…
Sept. 25: Today’s events
Here’s what’s going on today (Tuesday, Sept. 25): The Savannah Jazz Festival continues bopping with The Jody Espina Quartet and Claire Fraiser, performing at 7 p.m. at Blowin’ Smokle. There’s a “Tongue” spoken word Open Mic Night (at 8 p.m.) at the Sentient Bean. Catch Clouds & Satellites (Markus Kuhlmann and Tim Warren) at Foxy…
