Comments on: LAFF 2008: Day 7

By: Trailers: “Revolutionary Road” & “Ballast,” Both Look To Be Must-Sees, For Different Reasons « Fataculture

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:47:10 +0000

[...] in New York. I missed it when it played at DIFF this year, but Craig Kennedy caught it at LAFF, saying, “Even more than the first film, Ballast rewards the patient with a simple human story of regular [...]

By: Nick Plowman

Nick Plowman — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:35:09 +0000

“Ballast” is playing at a not so local film fest here in July, and I really wanna see it!

*fingers crossed*

By: Craig Kennedy

Craig Kennedy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:08:06 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement all. Just to be clear: I’m not complaining. I just wanted to qualify these reviews and say that the movies themselves probably deserve a better treatment than I’ve given them here.

I’ve got nothing to complain about. LA is a pretty modest festival and it’s in my own backyard. Treating it like a full time job when I already have one of those, it’s inevitable that I’d wear out sooner or later.

Luckily, there’s not much left. Right now I’m just filling in the gaps with some stuff I couldn’t schedule earlier. The closing night Gala is Saturday evening and Sunday is ‘Family Day’ which I’ll be skipping.

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:18:38 +0000

A plus for commitment, perseverence and sustained enthusiasm. This is a long festival, so this is a feat. Both films you speak about here are interesting, but BALLAST is really one to look for.
Like so many other LIC regulars and film lovers across the country, I will be seeing WALL-Emid-afternoon. I look forward to Craig’s report, as I know he will be taking a break from the LAFF to see a show today.

By: joel

joel — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:54:16 +0000

I second what everyone else has said here. Good luck Craig. Hope Wall-E manages to recharge the batteries or act as a delightful diversion from the crazy.

By: Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:40:55 +0000

You’re pumping out so much amazing writing, Craig. Incredibly impressive. I’m heading out for an extended road trip tomorrow, and might not have opportunity to comment as much as I want for a few days, but you know I’ll be checking in to read what’’s new, because this is where I come for my film fix.

Hang in there. You might feel your energy flagging, but it’s not noticeable from any slackness in your tone or style.

What might be good therapy for a drained brain: An infusion of Pixar packed in a fruity IV transfusion of imagination. Freshen your perception by soaking your eyeballs in some wonderment.

By: sartre

sartre — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:19:48 +0000

Sounds like festival fatigue is creeping in and you’re only about 1/2 way. Hang in there Craig, so we may live through you.

By: Alexander

Alexander — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:34:32 +0000

I’ve had my eye on Ballast for so long… very gratified to hear the very positive review, Craig–and great job doing it, besides. Where Are Their Stories? sounds like it might be better when you’re not so tired from a film festival, but then again maybe your perception was exactly on-target anyway. The weariness comes through–even though we’re not, I’m sure all of us feel just a little of your tired outlook at this point because you’ve communicated just how fraught an experience this has been (in a very positive way, naturally, though with some side effects). Terrific job.