Joe's Movie Lounge

Filmfest Friday features Connie Stevens, “MST3K,” KSHE classics

Joe Williams — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:07:02 +0000

As it swings into its final weekend, the St. Louis International Film Festival is trotting out some heavy hitters.

Friday at 7 p.m., beloved actress Connie Stevens (Cricket on “Hawaiian Eye”) will screen her directorial debut, “Saving Grace B. Jones,” at the St.…

Filmfest pick for Thursday and Friday: “The Missing Person”

Joe Williams — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:26:53 +0000

Michael Shannon, an Oscar nominee for his supporting role in “Revolutionary Road,” graduates to starring status in a wry, stylish flick called ”The Missing Person,” screening Thursday afternoon at 4:45 and Friday night at 9:30 at Plaza Frontenac.

Shannon plays a modern-day private eye…

Filmfest pick for Wednesday: “Pop Star on Ice”

Joe Williams — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:41:47 +0000

Screening Wedensday night at 7 at the Tivoli is a documentary that puts the festive in the St. Louis International Film Festival. “Pop Star on Ice” is a glittering portrait of Johnny Weir, the three time U.S. men’s figure skating champion.

As one commentator…

Premature adulation: First round of Oscars have been awarded

Joe Williams — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:21:10 +0000

The next Oscar ceremony is not until March 7, and the nominees won’t be announced until February; yet the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has already awarded the first four statuettes of the year.

On Saturday night, B-movie maestro…

“Up in the Air” touches down at home base; cast and crew celebrate

Joe Williams — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:56:42 +0000

Saturday night, locals got their first glimpse of “Up in the Air,” the Oscar-bound George Clooney comedy that filmed in St. Louis during the winter. Director Jason Reitman visited separate screenings for the crew at the Esquire and for dignitaries at…

Saturday at the filmfest: more than “Precious” and “Up in the Air”

Joe Williams — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:27:01 +0000

The first Saturday of the St. Louis International Film Festival is always a busy day, and Nov. 14 may be the biggest day in the 18-year history of the festival, with presumptive Oscar nominees “Up in the Air” and “Precious”…

Friday the 13th is horror night at the filmfest

Joe Williams — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:33:01 +0000

The 18th annual St. Louis International Film Festival officially opened Thursday night with a screning of “An Education,” my pick for the best film of the year, a coming-of-age romance starring young Carey Mulligan and former St. Louisan Peter Sarsgaard. But…

20 ‘toons submitted for Oscar consideration

Joe Williams — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:08:24 +0000

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced yesterday that 20 films were submitted for consideration as Best Animated Feature of 2009. The list literally goes from the ridiculous to the sublime. Specifically:

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”
“Astro Boy”
“Battle for…

Sleeper pick of the filmfest: “Under Still Waters”

Joe Williams — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:50:20 +0000

Every year, in the weeks before the St. Louis International Film Festival, I go home with a pile of 30 or 40 DVDs to peruse. I make sure that the pile includes movies with local connections, although I don’t necessarily…

“Up in the Air” soundtrack woes continue

Joe Williams — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:37:36 +0000

As first reported here, St. Louis songwriter Kevin Renick submitted a tune to “Up in the Air” director Jason Reitman and miraculously had it accepted. The next miracle was that the unsolicited song was soon included in chatter about the Oscars. Was it…