Arlo (Alex Dobrenko, Hell No) and Julie (Ashley Spillers, Loves Her Gun) are your typical young twentysomething Austinites. Arlo works at a software company but writes historical articles about General Grant on the side. Julie is a waitress at a restaurant that looks like Eastside Cafe. They live, love and get by in a fourplex on W. 29th. One day, Julie receives a couple of puzzle pieces in the mail.
Such is the premise for director Steve Mims' adorable mystery-comedy Arlo and Julie. Filmed around Austin -- and on a soundstage at Ut's Rtf department -- this movie is a quirky look at obsession. As Julie and Arlo become more and more engrossed in this puzzle of puzzles, their lives and goals are ignored. The script, which Mims also wrote, is filled with laughs and bits of Civil War trivia.
Old jazzy numbers punctuate scenes of Julie and Arlo...
Such is the premise for director Steve Mims' adorable mystery-comedy Arlo and Julie. Filmed around Austin -- and on a soundstage at Ut's Rtf department -- this movie is a quirky look at obsession. As Julie and Arlo become more and more engrossed in this puzzle of puzzles, their lives and goals are ignored. The script, which Mims also wrote, is filled with laughs and bits of Civil War trivia.
Old jazzy numbers punctuate scenes of Julie and Arlo...
- 3/18/2014
- by Elizabeth Stoddard
- Slackerwood
By the time you read this, I'll be in Fredericksburg for the Hill Country Film Festival. I love a film fest that's in one theater, where you get to know all the filmmakers and half the audience, and where short films prevail and celebrities do not. I wish the weather were less capricious, but you can't have everything. If you're in Austin instead, your best bet may be that fabulous new release about heroes who use their iron technology to assist mankind. Of course I mean the Austin documentary Trash Dance, which has a weeklong run at Violet Crown.
Hoping to get back in town Sunday in time for Alamo Drafthouse Ritz's Cinema Cocktails screening of the 1949 musical On the Town, a favorite of mine, screening in 35mm. Who couldn't love dance numbers from Gene Kelly, Vera-Ellen and especially Ann Miller, with a script from Comden and Green? And you...
Hoping to get back in town Sunday in time for Alamo Drafthouse Ritz's Cinema Cocktails screening of the 1949 musical On the Town, a favorite of mine, screening in 35mm. Who couldn't love dance numbers from Gene Kelly, Vera-Ellen and especially Ann Miller, with a script from Comden and Green? And you...
- 5/3/2013
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
Stateside Independent will screen The Happy Poet -- which premiered at SXSW 2010 -- Monday, May 6 at 7 pm [ticket info]. Cast members Jonny Mars, Chris Doubek and Liz Fisher, and producer David Hartstein, will be there for a Q&A following the movie.
In The Happy Poet, a comedy filmed in Austin, unemployed writer Bill (writer-director Paul Gordon) dreams of running a cart that sells local/organic vegetarian snacks: eggless egg-salad sandwiches, basil pesto pitas and the like. There's just a slight hitch in his plans: He's practically broke and has to insinuate to the man selling him the food cart that he will be selling hot dogs instead. He makes the snacks at his apartment in the morning (my baker friend would be distressed to see his lack of plastic gloves) and stakes out a spot to sell his wares.
Bill, bespectacled and hesitant, is aided in this venture by friends who...
In The Happy Poet, a comedy filmed in Austin, unemployed writer Bill (writer-director Paul Gordon) dreams of running a cart that sells local/organic vegetarian snacks: eggless egg-salad sandwiches, basil pesto pitas and the like. There's just a slight hitch in his plans: He's practically broke and has to insinuate to the man selling him the food cart that he will be selling hot dogs instead. He makes the snacks at his apartment in the morning (my baker friend would be distressed to see his lack of plastic gloves) and stakes out a spot to sell his wares.
Bill, bespectacled and hesitant, is aided in this venture by friends who...
- 5/3/2013
- by Elizabeth Stoddard
- Slackerwood
Here's the latest Austin film news.
Locally shot film The Happy Poet will return to Austin next Monday at the Stateside Theater, with some of the cast and crew in attendance for a post-screening Q&A (Jordan's interview). Paul Gordon's comedy will be released on DVD and online streaming June 25. The Happy Poet, which premiered at SXSW 2010 (our review), tells the story of Bill (Gordon), an out-of-work poet who uses the last of his money (and a loan) to buy an all-organic, mostly vegetarian food stand. The cast also includes Chris Doubek and Jonny Mars.Austin videogame label Devolver Digital has created a new division for film distribution. They've acquired their first film for theatrical and VOD release: Cancerpants. Don saw it at aGLIFF in 2011 and said it's "a terrific documentary about Austinite Rochelle Poulson's fight against breast cancer." He added: "Shot in Austin and astutely directed by Nevie Owens,...
Locally shot film The Happy Poet will return to Austin next Monday at the Stateside Theater, with some of the cast and crew in attendance for a post-screening Q&A (Jordan's interview). Paul Gordon's comedy will be released on DVD and online streaming June 25. The Happy Poet, which premiered at SXSW 2010 (our review), tells the story of Bill (Gordon), an out-of-work poet who uses the last of his money (and a loan) to buy an all-organic, mostly vegetarian food stand. The cast also includes Chris Doubek and Jonny Mars.Austin videogame label Devolver Digital has created a new division for film distribution. They've acquired their first film for theatrical and VOD release: Cancerpants. Don saw it at aGLIFF in 2011 and said it's "a terrific documentary about Austinite Rochelle Poulson's fight against breast cancer." He added: "Shot in Austin and astutely directed by Nevie Owens,...
- 4/29/2013
- by Jordan Gass-Poore'
- Slackerwood
Catch these 5 clips from The Happy Poet comedy, and favorite at SXSW, starring, directed and written by Paul Gordon. The film premieres in Los Angeles on Friday, March 22nd at Laemmle's Monica 4 - Plex via Cinema Libre Studio. The Happy Poet tells of a guy who starts a vegetarian food stand—but it could be about anyone who wants to do anything, and throws him or herself into making it happen. It’s also about survival versus kindness/generosity/idealism—and how life is often a balancing act between these things. Bill, the main character, is a somewhat impractical, idealistic dreamer, and Donnie, his new friend, is a survivor,” says director Gordon, who plays the lead character, Bill.
- 3/21/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Catch these 5 clips from The Happy Poet comedy, and favorite at SXSW, starring, directed and written by Paul Gordon. The film premieres in Los Angeles on Friday, March 22nd at Laemmle's Monica 4 - Plex via Cinema Libre Studio. The Happy Poet tells of a guy who starts a vegetarian food stand—but it could be about anyone who wants to do anything, and throws him or herself into making it happen. It’s also about survival versus kindness/generosity/idealism—and how life is often a balancing act between these things. Bill, the main character, is a somewhat impractical, idealistic dreamer, and Donnie, his new friend, is a survivor,” says director Gordon, who plays the lead character, Bill.
- 3/21/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
When life drops a creepy old mansion into your lap, you've got no choice but to make a horror movie out of it. And so, within weeks of the fortuitous real estate deal, producer Jonny Mars and crew got to work on the Austin-produced, Scooby Doo-inspired horror film Saturday Morning Massacre (Jette's review), which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival earlier this month. The ornate, menacing mansion serves as not only the primary location for the film but is one of its biggest characters.
We sat down to chat with Mars (The Happy Poet, Hellion, America's Parking Lot), a local actor and filmmaker, about how the movie came together, and what it was like acting and producing Saturday Morning Massacre. Mars discussed the intricacies of "run-and-gun" filmmaking, gave us the lowdown on some of the other locations seen in the film and talked a bit about the plethora...
We sat down to chat with Mars (The Happy Poet, Hellion, America's Parking Lot), a local actor and filmmaker, about how the movie came together, and what it was like acting and producing Saturday Morning Massacre. Mars discussed the intricacies of "run-and-gun" filmmaking, gave us the lowdown on some of the other locations seen in the film and talked a bit about the plethora...
- 6/26/2012
- by Virginia Yapp
- Slackerwood
The 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival will run June 14-24, 2012, and included in the schedule are more than a few movies with ties to Austin or Texas. As Matthew Odam points out in his Tuesday post on Austin Movie Blog, the feature films Saturday Morning Massacre and Magic Mike are both in the lineup. Magic Mike is a Steven Soderbergh film starring Austin actor Matthew McConaughey.
Saturday Morning Massacre was directed by former Austinite Spencer Parsons and was shot locally. Cast members include Jonny Mars and Paul Gordon from The Happy Poet, Heather Kafka and Chris Doubek from Lovers of Hate and veteran character actor Sonny Carl Davis (The Whole Shootin' Match, Bernie). It's a horror movie that references a popular 70s cartoon about crime-fighting teens in a van with a dog.
Here are some more films with Austin/Texas connections scheduled to show during this year's fest:
Big Easy Express,...
Saturday Morning Massacre was directed by former Austinite Spencer Parsons and was shot locally. Cast members include Jonny Mars and Paul Gordon from The Happy Poet, Heather Kafka and Chris Doubek from Lovers of Hate and veteran character actor Sonny Carl Davis (The Whole Shootin' Match, Bernie). It's a horror movie that references a popular 70s cartoon about crime-fighting teens in a van with a dog.
Here are some more films with Austin/Texas connections scheduled to show during this year's fest:
Big Easy Express,...
- 5/2/2012
- by Elizabeth Stoddard
- Slackerwood
I first became aware of Jonny Mars during SXSW 2010, thanks to his role as Donnie in The Happy Poet. I have never been one to judge an actor on one performance, so it was not until I saw Mars the next time – as Steve Worth in Wuss – that I realized his talents as an actor. I remember wondering to myself, why hasn’t Mars run off to Los Angeles to become a big star? Then, after watching Mars truly own his couple minutes of screen time in Hellion, I knew it was time to pose that question to the man himself. Before I got a chance to speak with Mars, a funny thing happened: I learned that Mars is also a director, and his directorial debut, America’s Parking Lot (which premiered at SXSW 2012), is a multi-faceted documentary about the renowned Dallas Cowboys’ Gate 6 tailgaters. Mars once again astounded me, this...
- 4/9/2012
- by Don Simpson
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Austinite Jonny Mars may be best known for his roles in front of the camera in Texas independent films such as The Happy Poet and Wuss, but he's also spent a considerable amount of time over the last five years behind the camera directing his first film project, America's Parking Lot. In this documentary, Mars captures the story of Cy Dittmore and Stan "Tiger" Shults, two die-hard fans of "America's Team" and leaders of the legendary Gate 6 tailgate party, as they spend their last season with the Dallas Cowboys at the historic Texas Stadium. The economics and politics within the NFL threaten to dissolve the friendships and traditions these blue-collar tailgaters have built over 20 years.
I spoke recently with Jonny Mars as well as America's Parking Lot editor Robin Schwartz and sound engineer Eric Friend to discuss their film, which debuts at SXSW 2012 on Sunday afternoon.
Slackerwood: Describe America's Parking Lot in a few sentences.
I spoke recently with Jonny Mars as well as America's Parking Lot editor Robin Schwartz and sound engineer Eric Friend to discuss their film, which debuts at SXSW 2012 on Sunday afternoon.
Slackerwood: Describe America's Parking Lot in a few sentences.
- 3/10/2012
- by Debbie Cerda
- Slackerwood
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. "Up Country" Tweetable Logline: A film about a fishing trip gone horribly wrong. Elevator Pitch: A couple of friends hire a guide to take them on a fishing trip in a remote part of northern Maine--a place so remote they don't bother to name the towns. But, when the guide takes all their gear, they find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere. Production Team: Writer/Director: Lucas McNelly Cinematography by: Dustin Pearlman ("Who Shot Mamba?") Produced by: Sean Hackett ("Homecoming"), Lucas McNelly, David Young Cast: Kieran Roberts, Jonny Mars ("Wuss," "The Happy Poet"), Tyler Peck About the film: "Up Country is a film born out of necessity,...
- 1/16/2012
- Indiewire
Texas State University-San Marcos has film and screenwriting classes. I know. I'm just as surprised as you are. Texas State may not be Ut and the film and TV-related theatre classes and media studies minor may not be a full radio-television-film program, but with the arrival of former Texas Film Commission Director Tom Copeland in 2005, and recently, Austin Film Society Artist Services Director Bryan Poyser, college life is looking a little bit more film-y in the 78666.
The San Marcos premiere in September of Echotone, a documentary about Austin music culture, marked the burgeoning presence of the Texas Independent Film Network (Tifn) at Texas State University.
Tifn co-founder Ryan Long and Austin actor Chris Doubek attended the Sept. 28 screening of The Happy Poet at the Texas Music Theater in San Marcos during their statewide promotional tour for the movie. I had the opportunity to speak with Long, who's also the Afs programs and operations manager,...
The San Marcos premiere in September of Echotone, a documentary about Austin music culture, marked the burgeoning presence of the Texas Independent Film Network (Tifn) at Texas State University.
Tifn co-founder Ryan Long and Austin actor Chris Doubek attended the Sept. 28 screening of The Happy Poet at the Texas Music Theater in San Marcos during their statewide promotional tour for the movie. I had the opportunity to speak with Long, who's also the Afs programs and operations manager,...
- 10/3/2011
- by Jordan Gass-Poore'
- Slackerwood
"…and I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn’t for you meddling kids!. Just how many episodes of "Scooby Doo" ended with that line? And did anyone ever wonder why the criminals were able to bamboozle the entire town and police squad with their schemes only to be foiled by a dog and four stoner kids who rolled into town two days earlier in a van that had to smell like malted hops, bong resin and dog farts? We’ve got some info on a new movie where the meddling kids don't necessarily fare so well.
Directed by Spencer Parsons and starring Ashley Spillers, Josephine Decker and Jonny Mars, Saturday Morning Massacrefollows some meddling paranormal investigators trying to make a buck. From the information we've managed to glean thus far, there is no talking dog in this film.
The film is currently in post-production and the official website titsandaxe.
Directed by Spencer Parsons and starring Ashley Spillers, Josephine Decker and Jonny Mars, Saturday Morning Massacrefollows some meddling paranormal investigators trying to make a buck. From the information we've managed to glean thus far, there is no talking dog in this film.
The film is currently in post-production and the official website titsandaxe.
- 9/21/2011
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
I'm really excited to see that The Happy Poet is playing again in town tonight at Austin Film Society. Presented in part by Texas Independent Film Network and Screen Door Cinema, Paul Gordon's comedic tale brings us a man with a dream, a hot dog stand, and a desire to provide near-vegetarian fare to the world. Heartfelt and funny and filled with local talent, The Happy Poet is one of my favorite movies of recent years, and with the explosion of the food-truck phenomenon, a must-see film. And if you miss the Afs screening, it'll play in San Marcos on Sept. 28.
On Sunday, Cine Las Americas has a free screening of Un Mundo Maravilloso (A Wonderful World) at Takoba. This 2006 satire from Mexico juxtaposes poverty and political ambition -- the Minister of Economy declares the end of poverty just as a homeless drunkard stumbles on the scene.
Geoff Marslett...
On Sunday, Cine Las Americas has a free screening of Un Mundo Maravilloso (A Wonderful World) at Takoba. This 2006 satire from Mexico juxtaposes poverty and political ambition -- the Minister of Economy declares the end of poverty just as a homeless drunkard stumbles on the scene.
Geoff Marslett...
- 9/16/2011
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
Directors: Bob Ray, Spencer Parsons, Rusty Kelley, Berndt Mader, Amy Grappell, Karen Skloss, Duane Graves, Justin Meeks, Paul Gordon, Johnny Stranger, David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Jay Duplass, John Bryant, Sam Wainwright Douglas, Ben Steinbauer, Elisabeth Sikes, Mike Dolan, Geoff Marslett, Bradley Beesley, Bob Byington, Clay Liford, Carlyn Hudson, Miguel Alvarez, Scott Meyers, Pj Raval, Chris Eska Writers: Bob Ray, Spencer Parsons, Rusty Kelley, Berndt Mader, Amy Grappell, Karen Skloss, Duane Graves, Justin Meeks, Paul Gordon, Johnny Stranger, David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Jay Duplass, John Bryant, Sam Wainwright Douglas, Ben Steinbauer, Elisabeth Sikes, Mike Dolan, Geoff Marslett, Bradley Beesley, Bob Byington, Clay Liford, Carlyn Hudson, Miguel Alvarez, Scott Meyers, Pj Raval, Chris Eska Starring: Bob Ray, Chris Doubek, Maggie Lea, Hilah Johnson, Robert Lambert, Leslie Naugle, John Wesley Coleman, Kelli Bland, Justin Meeks, Jonny Mars, Ashley Spillers, Jen Tracy Duplass, Jay Duplass, Chris Trew, Sam Wainwright Douglas, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Luke Savisky,...
- 9/4/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
In celebration of Slacker's 20th anniversary, local filmmakers are re-creating scenes from the Richard Linklater movie for Slacker 2011, a fundraising project benefitting the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund (Tfpf). As we await the August 31 premiere, we're chatting with some of the filmmakers participating in one or more of the short films that will comprise the project -- check out our interviews so far.
Today's interview is with Paul Gordon, whom you can see partially on the right edge of the above photo. Gordon is a local filmmaker whose features include Motorcycle (2006) and SXSW 2010 selection The Happy Poet (Jenn's review), in which he also starred. Gordon has also appeared in Mars and An Ordinary Family.
Slackerwood: Which scene from the film did you reshoot?
Paul Gordon: I did Scene 8, in which a reclusive guy and his girlfriend discuss whether or not to go outside and do something fun --...
Today's interview is with Paul Gordon, whom you can see partially on the right edge of the above photo. Gordon is a local filmmaker whose features include Motorcycle (2006) and SXSW 2010 selection The Happy Poet (Jenn's review), in which he also starred. Gordon has also appeared in Mars and An Ordinary Family.
Slackerwood: Which scene from the film did you reshoot?
Paul Gordon: I did Scene 8, in which a reclusive guy and his girlfriend discuss whether or not to go outside and do something fun --...
- 8/29/2011
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
In celebration of Slacker's 20th anniversary, local filmmakers are re-creating scenes from the Richard Linklater movie for Slacker 2011, a fundraising project benefitting the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund (Tfpf). As we await the August 31 premiere, we're chatting with some of the filmmakers participating in one or more of the short films that will comprise the project -- check out our interviews so far.
Today's interview is with Allison Turrell of Stuck On On. Stuck On On is an Austin company that specializes in post-production/finishing work for films, such as color correction, music composition, voiceovers, sound design, and digital mixing. Stuck On On worked with Austin Film Society and Alamo Drafthouse to help make a finished feature out of the Slacker 2011 segments from individual filmmakers. They've also worked on local movies such as Winnebago Man, Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission, blacktino and Dmt: The Spirit Molecule.
Slackerwood: What got...
Today's interview is with Allison Turrell of Stuck On On. Stuck On On is an Austin company that specializes in post-production/finishing work for films, such as color correction, music composition, voiceovers, sound design, and digital mixing. Stuck On On worked with Austin Film Society and Alamo Drafthouse to help make a finished feature out of the Slacker 2011 segments from individual filmmakers. They've also worked on local movies such as Winnebago Man, Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission, blacktino and Dmt: The Spirit Molecule.
Slackerwood: What got...
- 8/15/2011
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
In celebration of Slacker's 20th anniversary, local filmmakers are re-creating scenes from the Richard Linklater movie for Slacker 2011, a fundraising project benefitting the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund (Tfpf). The trailer is now available. As we await the August 31 premiere, we're chatting with some of the filmmakers participating in one or more of the short films that will comprise the project.
Today's interview is with Sam Wainwright Douglas, documentarian and director of Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio, as well as The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound to Lose. He also acted in 2010's The Happy Poet.
Slackerwood: Which scene from the film did you reshoot?
Sam Douglas: I shot Scene 12, known as the mechanic scene. It's the one where the conspiracy buff annoys the guy working on his car, the mechanic's buddy shows up, they talk cars, they head to the junkyard, swipe some auto parts,...
Today's interview is with Sam Wainwright Douglas, documentarian and director of Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio, as well as The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound to Lose. He also acted in 2010's The Happy Poet.
Slackerwood: Which scene from the film did you reshoot?
Sam Douglas: I shot Scene 12, known as the mechanic scene. It's the one where the conspiracy buff annoys the guy working on his car, the mechanic's buddy shows up, they talk cars, they head to the junkyard, swipe some auto parts,...
- 8/4/2011
- by Elizabeth Stoddard
- Slackerwood
Here's the latest Austin film news, as well as some other bits of news you might have missed earlier.
Rolling Roadshow has added one last Texas movie to its summer tour: Bottle Rocket. The Wes Anderson movie will be shown on Saturday night at the hotel in which it was partially filmed: the Days Inn in Hillsboro. It's part of an event to save the hotel from being closed down. Road trip, anyone?For an excellent and thorough summary of many upcoming Austin films, check out Matthew Odam's write-up for the Austin American-Statesman ... as well as his follow-up on Paul Stekler's latest project.The latest local filmmaker running a fundraising campaign for his film project is Paul Gordon, whose film The Happy Poet premiered at SXSW last year and has been making the festival rounds. Gordon is looking for pre-production research funding for Mexico Carpenter, a feature film he...
Rolling Roadshow has added one last Texas movie to its summer tour: Bottle Rocket. The Wes Anderson movie will be shown on Saturday night at the hotel in which it was partially filmed: the Days Inn in Hillsboro. It's part of an event to save the hotel from being closed down. Road trip, anyone?For an excellent and thorough summary of many upcoming Austin films, check out Matthew Odam's write-up for the Austin American-Statesman ... as well as his follow-up on Paul Stekler's latest project.The latest local filmmaker running a fundraising campaign for his film project is Paul Gordon, whose film The Happy Poet premiered at SXSW last year and has been making the festival rounds. Gordon is looking for pre-production research funding for Mexico Carpenter, a feature film he...
- 7/6/2011
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
5 Projects to Root For: A New Austin Film With Alex Karpovsky, the Endangered Acoustic Guitar & More
In this week's in-production column, indieWIRE takes a look at a film from a new crop of Austin filmmakers, Sean Gallagher's "Good Night," which stars Jonny Mars ("Wuss," "The Happy Poet") and Alex Karpovsky ("Tiny Furniture"). Also in this week's column, a film about the current crisis of acoustic guitars, a contemporary update of "Aladdin" and "Pandora's Box," the story of one of Detroit's oldest projects, and a failed Kickstarter ...
- 6/2/2011
- Indiewire
The Los Angeles Film Festival has a heavy dose of Austin in its lineup this year. Not only that, but I've counted at least three films involving local actor John Merriman (pictured above with Kerri Lendo at Aff 2010). Is there some sort of conspiracy afoot? Is he becoming the Austin version of Dick Miller? Along with the films playing at Laff, I've been on set visits this year for two upcoming movies with Merriman in them, and he was in one of the SXSW bumpers this year. I think someone needs to look into this before something tragic -- or very funny -- happens.
Merriman aside, here are the Austin-connected features and shorts popping up all over Laff in June:
In the narrative competition, the latest feature from Mike Akel (Chalk), An Ordinary Family, is premiering. The locally shot movie is set at a family reunion where one man shows up with his new boyfriend.
Merriman aside, here are the Austin-connected features and shorts popping up all over Laff in June:
In the narrative competition, the latest feature from Mike Akel (Chalk), An Ordinary Family, is premiering. The locally shot movie is set at a family reunion where one man shows up with his new boyfriend.
- 5/4/2011
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
While you might not recognize his name, Chris Doubek has turned into one of the most visible local actors in Austin, and this year he's owned the Austin indie scene with no less than four films featuring his diverse talent. He may be hamming it up in the picture above from SXSW 2010, but Slackerwood has declared 2010 the Year of Doubek for good reason.
If there was an Austin Film Actor of the Year award, Doubek would have annihilated the competition. At SXSW 2010, it was impossible to turn around without bumping into Doubek as he was running around between premieres of his movies including Clay Liford's Earthling, Paul Gordon's The Happy Poet, and Brian Poyser's Lovers of Hate. He's so good, he has had at least one role written just for him.
read more...
If there was an Austin Film Actor of the Year award, Doubek would have annihilated the competition. At SXSW 2010, it was impossible to turn around without bumping into Doubek as he was running around between premieres of his movies including Clay Liford's Earthling, Paul Gordon's The Happy Poet, and Brian Poyser's Lovers of Hate. He's so good, he has had at least one role written just for him.
read more...
- 1/12/2011
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
Cologne, Germany – "Picco," a hard-hitting prison drama from debut director Philip Koch, has won the German Independence Award at the 17th Oldenburg Film Festival.
The drama is based on a real-life event in a German youth prison where inmates tortured and killed a cellmate.
"A portrait of a true hell on earth," is how the Oldenburg International Jury, headed by actress Deborah Kara Unger, described "Picco," calling the film "clear and heartbreaking in any language."
Oldenburg's regular film fans preferred the lighter fare of Paul Gordon's "The Happy Poet." The comedy about a man trying to set up an organic heath food stand won Oldenburg's audience award.
Germany's leading indie film fest wrapped Sunday night with the world premiere of "Pound of Flesh," a drama directed by Tamar Simon Hoffs and starring Timothy Bottoms, Whitney Able and Malcolm McDowell.
The drama is based on a real-life event in a German youth prison where inmates tortured and killed a cellmate.
"A portrait of a true hell on earth," is how the Oldenburg International Jury, headed by actress Deborah Kara Unger, described "Picco," calling the film "clear and heartbreaking in any language."
Oldenburg's regular film fans preferred the lighter fare of Paul Gordon's "The Happy Poet." The comedy about a man trying to set up an organic heath food stand won Oldenburg's audience award.
Germany's leading indie film fest wrapped Sunday night with the world premiere of "Pound of Flesh," a drama directed by Tamar Simon Hoffs and starring Timothy Bottoms, Whitney Able and Malcolm McDowell.
- 9/19/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rome -- Bertand Blier's comedy "Le bruit des glacons" (The Clink of the Ice) will open the seventh edition of the Venice Days sidebar at the Venice Film Festival, organizers said Tuesday, unveiling what may be the event's most international lineup ever.
The non-competitive sidebar will screen 12 films that are produced or co-produced in a total of 14 countries. Among the highlights: "La Vida de los peces" (The Life of Fish), a drama from Chilean director Matias Bize; "L'Amore Buio" (Dark Love), from Italy's Antonio Capuano; Paul Gordon's "The Happy Poet," about the protagonists' efforts to open a health food restaurant dring an economic crisis; and "Cirkus Columbia," a comedy from Danis Tanovic set in the period before the first war in the Balkans.
Though the event is not competitive, its selections are eligible for the Venice Film Festival's collateral prizes, and organizers earlier announced plans for a new Venice Days Award,...
The non-competitive sidebar will screen 12 films that are produced or co-produced in a total of 14 countries. Among the highlights: "La Vida de los peces" (The Life of Fish), a drama from Chilean director Matias Bize; "L'Amore Buio" (Dark Love), from Italy's Antonio Capuano; Paul Gordon's "The Happy Poet," about the protagonists' efforts to open a health food restaurant dring an economic crisis; and "Cirkus Columbia," a comedy from Danis Tanovic set in the period before the first war in the Balkans.
Though the event is not competitive, its selections are eligible for the Venice Film Festival's collateral prizes, and organizers earlier announced plans for a new Venice Days Award,...
- 7/27/2010
- by By Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of my favorite films of SXSW 2010 – The Happy Poet – will be screening on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7:30pm at the Marchesa Hall & Theatre (located in the Lincoln Village Shopping Center – facing Middle Fiskville Road). This screening is a fundraiser to help The Happy Poet cast and crew kick-start their travel for an upcoming festival run commencing with New York City's Rooftop Films Summer Series (www.rooftopfilms.com) on Friday, June 25th. Director Paul Gordon and other members of the cast and crew will be in attendance for a Q&A. A cash bar and food will be available at the venue. So please help The Happy Poet travel to New York City and beyond…Tickets ($10.00 each) can be purchased here: http://marchesa.inticketing.com/events The Happy Poet Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7:30pm The Marchesa Hall & Theatre (map) 6406 N. Ih-35, Suite 3100 Austin, TX 78752 This screening is co-sponsored by the Austin Film Society,...
- 5/30/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Date/Time: Thursday, June 3, 2010 - 7:30pm - 9:30pm Location: The Marchesa Hall and Theatre More info: Visit external web page.
Jenn Brown and I caught the premiere of locally made film The Happy Poet at SXSW this year, and had a great time. It's a charming low-key comedy about a guy who decides to open a food cart at Auditorium Shores that will sell vegetarian and organic sandwiches and treats. He's battling a limited budget, a hot-dog-loving clientele and a delivery man with occasional shady habits. Writer-director Paul Gordon also plays the lead character, and the cast includes Chris Doubek, Liz Fisher and Jonny Mars. Read Jenn's review for more details.
The Happy Poet is scheduled to play in New York in late June, and Gordon and his producers are in need of some travel funds so they can attend their own NYC premiere (at Rooftop Films Summer Series,...
Jenn Brown and I caught the premiere of locally made film The Happy Poet at SXSW this year, and had a great time. It's a charming low-key comedy about a guy who decides to open a food cart at Auditorium Shores that will sell vegetarian and organic sandwiches and treats. He's battling a limited budget, a hot-dog-loving clientele and a delivery man with occasional shady habits. Writer-director Paul Gordon also plays the lead character, and the cast includes Chris Doubek, Liz Fisher and Jonny Mars. Read Jenn's review for more details.
The Happy Poet is scheduled to play in New York in late June, and Gordon and his producers are in need of some travel funds so they can attend their own NYC premiere (at Rooftop Films Summer Series,...
- 5/19/2010
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
After first watching The Happy Poet at SXSW, I immediately knew that it was going to end up being one of my favorite films of the festival. To be honest, this was the interview that I looked forward to the most during SXSW. I was really excited about meeting writer-director-actor Paul Gordon and having the other lead actors (Jonny Mars, Chris Doubek and Liz Fisher) along for the proverbial ride made it all that much better. The five of us met up at the Austin Hilton to chat about The Happy Poet, which screened as part of SXSW 2010’s “Emerging Visions” series. The interview goes off on some odd comedic tangents – but what would you expect from the hilarious team behind The Happy Poet? DS: The Happy Poet appears to function as a metaphor on several levels for many things. I’m curious what your intentions were? PG: Well, I...
- 4/18/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
South by So What, you say? On one hand, cheap beer and thick queso and Barton Springs are soooo last month—but then again, with programming so rich, it takes a couple weeks to catch up with screeners and post-fest screenings. Here are a trio of Austin-based gems from this year's festival that, better late than never, you should watch out for:
The Happy Poet
dir. Paul Gordon
If Slacker defined the shaggy eccentricities of Austin life circa the early '90s, then Gordon's similarly low-key comedy is a delightful, deadpan reappraisal of the town's prototypical charm some two decades later. The writer-director-editor is hilariously dry as the titular bard Bill, a reserved young man who chases an underdog dream of running a healthy, organic food stand. With tons of heart but very little business savvy, Bill sinks what little money he has into his cart, ingredients and menu, ridiculously overwrapping his veggie sandwiches,...
The Happy Poet
dir. Paul Gordon
If Slacker defined the shaggy eccentricities of Austin life circa the early '90s, then Gordon's similarly low-key comedy is a delightful, deadpan reappraisal of the town's prototypical charm some two decades later. The writer-director-editor is hilariously dry as the titular bard Bill, a reserved young man who chases an underdog dream of running a healthy, organic food stand. With tons of heart but very little business savvy, Bill sinks what little money he has into his cart, ingredients and menu, ridiculously overwrapping his veggie sandwiches,...
- 4/6/2010
- GreenCine Daily
Quickcard Review
The Happy Poet
Director: Paul Gordon
World Premiere
Emerging Visions
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
Synopsis
Bill, an out-of-work poet, puts his heart, soul, and last few dollars into starting an all-organic, mostly-vegetarian food stand. New friend Donnie promotes the business and helps Bill pursue Agnes, a poetry-lover who frequents the stand. Curtis, an enigmatic life-philosopher, buoys Bill’s spirits with his positive attitude and love of vegetarian food. Complications with the business jeopardize these budding friendships and threaten Bill’s dreams for a hot dog-free future.
Director Bio
Paul’s debut feature film, Motorcycle, made in three parts during film school, premiered in competition at the 2006 Slamdance Film Festival, and went on to play at film festivals around the world, including Thessaloniki, SXSW, and Rooftop Films.
In addition to writing, directing and starring in The Happy Poet, Paul also acted in Gretchen, and Mars, which is also premiering...
The Happy Poet
Director: Paul Gordon
World Premiere
Emerging Visions
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
Synopsis
Bill, an out-of-work poet, puts his heart, soul, and last few dollars into starting an all-organic, mostly-vegetarian food stand. New friend Donnie promotes the business and helps Bill pursue Agnes, a poetry-lover who frequents the stand. Curtis, an enigmatic life-philosopher, buoys Bill’s spirits with his positive attitude and love of vegetarian food. Complications with the business jeopardize these budding friendships and threaten Bill’s dreams for a hot dog-free future.
Director Bio
Paul’s debut feature film, Motorcycle, made in three parts during film school, premiered in competition at the 2006 Slamdance Film Festival, and went on to play at film festivals around the world, including Thessaloniki, SXSW, and Rooftop Films.
In addition to writing, directing and starring in The Happy Poet, Paul also acted in Gretchen, and Mars, which is also premiering...
- 4/1/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
Director: Paul Gordon Writer: Paul Gordon Starring: Paul Gordon, Jonny Mars, Chris Doubek, Liz Fisher, Amy Myers Martin, Amy Myers Martin, Ricardo Lerma, Sam Wainwright Douglas, Carlos Trevino Bill (Paul Gordon) is looking for a job. He has the bright idea to borrow the very small amount of cash that his bank is willing to loan to him in order to buy a hot dog cart and convert it into a health food cart. At least in the beginning, Bill plans on this being a one-man operation. He will prepare the organic and mostly vegetarian sandwiches himself as well as man the food cart. After finding a prime location – beside a hike and bike trail (at what some may recognize as Austin’s Lady Bird Lake) – crowded with people enjoying the outdoors, doing healthy things like walking, running and biking; Bill quickly discovers that most people, no matter how healthy purport to be,...
- 3/29/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
It's a good thing for films to tell people to follow their dreams, but it can't hurt if they also learn that their dreams will more readily become a reality if they can come up with some sort of business plan. It's this second part of the "follow your dream" paradigm that's key to the success of The Happy Poet, a film about a young, optimistic poet who aspires to open a health-food restaurant. Although its deadpan humor may have the same appeal to some as the main character's organic lunchmeat alternatives, writer-director-star Paul Gordon crafts a simple, well-told story that manages to entertain and even inspire simply because it functions practically and realistically rather than subscribing to the empty wish-fulfillment of so many other movies.
Filed under: Comedy, Independent, SXSW, Theatrical Reviews, Festival Reports, Cinematical Indie
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Filed under: Comedy, Independent, SXSW, Theatrical Reviews, Festival Reports, Cinematical Indie
Continue reading SXSW Review: The Happy Poet
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- 3/23/2010
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Cinematical
It's over, and I've got the post-fest funk. I'm tired, I'm cranky, and missing out-of-town friends already. I just counted; I only made it to 23 films, plus another five I saw in advance. This is my lowest number of films seen at SXSW by far. I do have three more screeners by the DVD player, so I'll break 30 eventually.
Most Memorable Moments? Besides the beer in the lap, I'd have to say it's a tie between making the Thunder Soul guys tear up with the standing ovation at screening #3, and the crazy ranting woman at Red White & Blue screening #2.
Unexpected Favorite? Thunder Soul was a surprise because I had no idea that this high school band had not only left such an impression on the musical history of the U.S., but that the double-disc reissue of their music is a perpetual strong seller for Waterloo Records. As it happens,...
Most Memorable Moments? Besides the beer in the lap, I'd have to say it's a tie between making the Thunder Soul guys tear up with the standing ovation at screening #3, and the crazy ranting woman at Red White & Blue screening #2.
Unexpected Favorite? Thunder Soul was a surprise because I had no idea that this high school band had not only left such an impression on the musical history of the U.S., but that the double-disc reissue of their music is a perpetual strong seller for Waterloo Records. As it happens,...
- 3/23/2010
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
The Happy Port is an indie comedy written and directed by Paul Gordon, who also stars in the film as the title character. Ok, actually… the title character is called Bill, but he’s affectionately refered to as The Happy Poet in relation to his small upstart business that he reluctantly dubs The Happy Poet.
Bill is an aspiring, yet to succeed poet of questionable talent. After leaving his job for reasons of personal dissatisfaction, Bill ventures out to start his own business. Bill believes he has the corner on the market for healthy food stands in the city park. Surrounded by food stands selling traditional hot dogs full of nitrates, Bill wants to offer people a healthier alternative with his organic, mostly vegetarian food stand.
After enduring an onslaught of rejection and negative feedback on the idea, including an otherwise directly insulting and unprofessional mercy offer from a banker...
Bill is an aspiring, yet to succeed poet of questionable talent. After leaving his job for reasons of personal dissatisfaction, Bill ventures out to start his own business. Bill believes he has the corner on the market for healthy food stands in the city park. Surrounded by food stands selling traditional hot dogs full of nitrates, Bill wants to offer people a healthier alternative with his organic, mostly vegetarian food stand.
After enduring an onslaught of rejection and negative feedback on the idea, including an otherwise directly insulting and unprofessional mercy offer from a banker...
- 3/19/2010
- by Travis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Same old story...I didn't get into the Cold Weather screening today at the Ritz; but I did get to do a bunch of really great interviews that I am very excited about posting (I'm not too excited about the transcribing part). First was an interview with Sean Byrne and Robin McLeavy for The Loved Ones; then I interviewed Matt Porterfield for Putty Hill; then Paul Gordon, Jonny Mars, Chris Doubek and Liz Fisher for The Happy Poet; then Andrew Bowser for Jimmy Tupper Vs. the Goatman of Bowie. My first movie was not until 6pm today, and that was Harry Brown. Wow, so essentially Michael Caine plays an aged Dirty Harry who decides to fight a one man battle against the local hoodlums that hang out at his estate (this is set in Britain - so by estate, I mean housing project). This libertarian fantasy pic had a lot...
- 3/17/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Paul Gordon's The Happy Poet had its world premiere this week at SXSW to an over-capacity and appreciative crowd at Alamo Ritz.
Bill (Paul Gordon) has a dream to open a healthy and organic food cart. This simple dream seems impossible due to poor credit and no experience (he's a poet), and no one believing in him, but he's determined to make it work, despite the pressure to open a hot-dog stand instead. With the unlikely allies of unemployed friend Donnie (Jonny Mars), a slacker-philosopher who haggles for the first sandwich (Chris Doubek), and Agnes (Liz Fisher), who quickly becomes a regular, it looks like his dream will take off. But can the Happy Poet food stand make a stand for healthy food, or will Bill be forced to sell out and sell hot dogs?
read more...
Bill (Paul Gordon) has a dream to open a healthy and organic food cart. This simple dream seems impossible due to poor credit and no experience (he's a poet), and no one believing in him, but he's determined to make it work, despite the pressure to open a hot-dog stand instead. With the unlikely allies of unemployed friend Donnie (Jonny Mars), a slacker-philosopher who haggles for the first sandwich (Chris Doubek), and Agnes (Liz Fisher), who quickly becomes a regular, it looks like his dream will take off. But can the Happy Poet food stand make a stand for healthy food, or will Bill be forced to sell out and sell hot dogs?
read more...
- 3/17/2010
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
You know what really pisses me off? (Other than - to quote the Dead Milkmen - "the god damn periodic table of the elements..."). Line-cutters! Line-cutters this year, especially at the Alamo Ritz, are really pissing me off. Now I understand the occasional one person meeting up with a friend in line, so I'm not too upset about that; but at the Tiny Furniture screening I was counted as 80th in line about an hour before the screening. Before long I was right around the 100 mark, then 120, then somehow I would up somewhere around 150th (since that count didn't include guest list or SXXpress passes, I didn't get in). Considering that I did not move from my place in line, that means that the line in front of me almost doubled with line-cutters. I don't want to pull the "press" card here, but I am trying to do my job here.
- 3/17/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
SXSW 2010 – Day Three
The little gem and a film stopping short.
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
I’ve been taking the bus to the festival. Sure, I could sit here and describe the things I am seeing during the bus ride like McM (Mole Cheek Man) or .. well, I should describe him. He had this big mole on his cheek. Not so much wide, as it was tall. I couldn’t help but think about shaving. He had some significant stubble, so you know he’s stuck shaving twice a day at the least. How. How? How has he avoided the temptation of just taking the razor and slicing it off? I was stuck on that thought for a solid 25 minutes. Morbid? Not enough sleep? Sure, these are possible excuses for this train of thought, but really I just want a straight-edge and two minutes with that mole. Apparently this is...
The little gem and a film stopping short.
Complete Coverage of SXSW 2010
I’ve been taking the bus to the festival. Sure, I could sit here and describe the things I am seeing during the bus ride like McM (Mole Cheek Man) or .. well, I should describe him. He had this big mole on his cheek. Not so much wide, as it was tall. I couldn’t help but think about shaving. He had some significant stubble, so you know he’s stuck shaving twice a day at the least. How. How? How has he avoided the temptation of just taking the razor and slicing it off? I was stuck on that thought for a solid 25 minutes. Morbid? Not enough sleep? Sure, these are possible excuses for this train of thought, but really I just want a straight-edge and two minutes with that mole. Apparently this is...
- 3/15/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
I am so tired. I hope this all makes sense. Today I managed to make it to The Happy Poet world premiere. I'm really glad I asked for a reserved seat as a guest of the filmmakers, because badges got turned away. It was in fact so packed, that the filmmakers were standing in the back to give up seats, and one guy was sitting on a table. Seriously, space was indeed reserved for Dave's butt.
As it turns out, all of us made a great choice to see The Happy Poet because it's a fun film. In fact, I have to say that The Happy Poet is my favorite film so far at SXSW. Writer/director/star Paul Gordon's delivery are very deadpan yet reflect the earnest wish of a man with little resources and no food service experience to open up an organic food stand. The cast is a charming ensemble,...
- 3/15/2010
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
Unlike many of the rest of the projects in a director's career, first films are almost always a labor of love - an artistic or professional dream fulfilled via grit, determination, and a maxed-out credit card or two. Perhaps appropriately, then, Paul Gordon's filmmaking debut is not only itself a passion project, but it's about one: in The Happy Poet, Bill (played by Gordon) has a degree in Creative Writing, but aspires to open a health-food restaurant. That Gordon not only wrote and directed the film but stars in it speaks to the consuming drive he had to see his story realized on the big screen, as it will be shown this week at Austin's South By Southwest Film Festival.
Cinematical reached out to Gordon via email with some questions about his fledgling film. In addition to talking about his affection and enthusiasm for the film, which is a case study in deadpan humor,...
Cinematical reached out to Gordon via email with some questions about his fledgling film. In addition to talking about his affection and enthusiasm for the film, which is a case study in deadpan humor,...
- 3/13/2010
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Cinematical
Paul Gordon's "The Happy Poet" came out of his desire to do something and the appeal of making a film set in a food stand. "Bill, an out-of-work poet, puts his heart, soul, and last few dollars into starting an all-organic, mostly-vegetarian food stand. New friend Donnie promotes the business and helps Bill pursue Agnes, a poetry-lover who frequents the stand. Curtis, an enigmatic life-philosopher, buoys Bill's spirits with his positive ...
- 3/12/2010
- indieWIRE - People
Paul Gordon's "The Happy Poet" came out of his desire to do something and the appeal of making a film set in a food stand. "Bill, an out-of-work poet, puts his heart, soul, and last few dollars into starting an all-organic, mostly-vegetarian food stand. New friend Donnie promotes the business and helps Bill pursue Agnes, a poetry-lover who frequents the stand. Curtis, an enigmatic life-philosopher, buoys Bill's spirits with his positive ...
- 3/12/2010
- Indiewire
Paul Gordon's "The Happy Poet" came out of his desire to do something and the appeal of making a film set in a food stand. "Bill, an out-of-work poet, puts his heart, soul, and last few dollars into starting an all-organic, mostly-vegetarian food stand. New friend Donnie promotes the business and helps Bill pursue Agnes, a poetry-lover who frequents the stand. Curtis, an enigmatic life-philosopher, buoys Bill's spirits with his positive ...
- 3/12/2010
- indieWIRE - People
On one end of the comedy spectrum you've got the broad antics of the Paul Blart: Mall Cops of the world. They're loud and they're base and they're instantly forgettable because, well, they're not funny. Somewhere in the middle of the spectrum you can find the smaller comedies, the ones that never fully penetrate into theaters across the nation but find a good deal of success at home thanks to late night cable. And then on the far side you can expect to find an absolute deadpan comedy styling; the word-of-mouth kind that that can serve as a litmus test for someone's sense of humor. As I think you can probably guess from that introduction, The Happy Poet looks like the latter.
Set to have its world premiere this Sunday at SXSW in Austin, TX, writer/director/star Paul Gordon's The Happy Poet is, "an all-organic, mostly vegetarian comedy about Bill,...
Set to have its world premiere this Sunday at SXSW in Austin, TX, writer/director/star Paul Gordon's The Happy Poet is, "an all-organic, mostly vegetarian comedy about Bill,...
- 3/8/2010
- by Peter Hall
- Cinematical
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