Thanks to Chris for sending the photos from Hillyer Place by Connecticut Ave.

Chris Evans:

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

It’s been eight years since “Wedding Crashers.” It’s been eight years since Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson were Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson – the most hilarious guys in the room that you really want to hang out with. Okay, they’re still funny – of course, they’re buddies who play well off each other– but they’ve softened. Once upon a time they were insanely funny and semi-nice guys, but now they’re really nice guys who are semi-funny. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it doesn’t make for a strong film. They’ve lost their edge and in the process we have been brought a poorly executed nice idea. A story by Vince Vaughn, “The Internship” is the film we wanted to be good but knew was going to bad.

“The Internship” focuses on two former watch salesmen – Billy (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Owen Wilson) – whose outdated skills have them searching for a way to reinvent themselves and get back into the job market. Vince Vaughn google’s Google and finds the opportunity – a summer internship that has the potential to leads to a full-time job. As recently enrolled students at Phoenix University, Billy and Nick land an interview for the internship via Skype. They get accepted into the program and the minute they arrive at the Google campus they are ostracized by other interns and members of the staff. The old guys get grouped with the Google intern outcasts. The groups are put through a series of tests and whoever wins the most wins the full-time jobs. Can you guess how that turns out?

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

I didn’t know what to expect when I went to see the Scottish film, “The Angels’ Share”, at E Street Cinema. (I try to never read reviews or in-depth descriptions of movies before I go see them so everything is fresh.) When subtitles appeared on the screen before a word was spoken I was nervous. Not that I mind subtitles, but I tend to get distracted by reading the words that I miss out on parts of the movie. Soon though thick Scottish accents filled the air and the subtitles were more of a guide than a necessity.

The movie focuses on young Robbie (Paul Brannigan), who’s had rough times growing up in Glasgow. His enemies are carried through generations and his rough past has landed him in issues with the law again and again. His pregnant girlfriend wants him to get it together and her family wants him out of town. Realizing he’s probably on his last chance, Robbie focuses in on straightening out and being a good dad. While working to pay off his debt to society he becomes a part of a “community repayment” program and forms bonds with several of the other members of the group.

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

The following was written by ‘Going to the Movies’ contributor and Mount Vernon Triangle resident, Catherine Taegel.

Filmfest D.C. isn’t the area’s only international film festival, it was the first and it’s certainly the biggest. This year the festival is 27 years old and movie showings span over two weeks and eight venues. Last week Tony Gittens, the Director and founder of the DC International Film Festival, released a statement regarding the future of Filmfest D.C. Unfortunately, for D.C. and the surrounding metropolitan area, right now the future looks grim.

Even with 23,000 filmgoers attending in 2011, economic times are tough and ticket sales don’t cover even half of Filmfest D.C.’s budget. Around 60% of D.C. Filmfest’s budget is made up of donations. The big donors include the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the D.C. government. According to the statement, both donors provided less than expected funding and Mr. Gittens didn’t see it coming. Costs continue to rise and D.C. Filmfest had been diving into reserves even before the untimely cut in funds.

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Photo via NoMa BID

From a press release:

Mark your calendars now for NoMa Summer Screen, the neighborhood’s most anticipated event of the year, with 13 weeks of OUTLAW HERO films! Now in its sixth year, the award-winning outdoor film series will feature classic American westerns, space invasion thrillers, 80’s comedies, and more.

NoMa Summer Screen is a free, 13-week outdoor film series in NoMa, Washington, D.C.’s fastest growing neighborhood. Every Wednesday from May 22 to August 21, hundreds of neighbors gather at 7 p.m. for music, giveaways, food trucks, picnicking, and fun for the whole family. Films start at dark. All movies are screened with subtitles. Coolers, children and friendly (leashed) dogs are welcome.

Outlaw Heroes:

May 22: Indiana Jones: Last Crusade
May 29: Star Trek (The Future Begins, 2009)
June 5: The Princess Bride
June 12: The Italian Job (2003)
June 19: Goonies
June 26: Breakfast Club
July 3: The Fugitive
July 10: Bridesmaids
July 17: Moonrise Kingdom
July 24: True Grit
July 31: Hunger Games
August 7: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
August 14: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
August 21: Rain Date

Family Film Night at Sursum Corda schedule after the jump. (more…)

Rendering via ANC Rep David Garber’s Facebook page

Last week a commenter pined for a movie theater in Columbia Heights (I also wondered about that possibility back in 2009.) On March 1st, Navy Yard ANC Rep David Garber posted a rendering for a proposed movie theater in Navy Yard:

“Curious to hear what you think of the design for this new 16-screen ShowPlace ICON movie theater near the ballpark!”

Personally I think a movie theater would do very well in Navy Yard as more and more development continues to sprout near the baseball stadium and coming soon to the nearby SW Waterfront as well. Anyway, it got me thinking about what other neighborhoods – could realistically – support a movie theater? I think NoMa probably could as well. Which neighborhoods do you think could support a 16 screen theater? How ’bout a smaller independent two screen theater like West End Cinema?

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

I like scary movies. I do. I swear. You might not know it if you saw me watching one. I’m the one with my fingers in my ears (scary music = scary movie, no scary music than no scary movie) and am turning my head away every so often in anticipation of the next loud noise. It seems stressful for me, and at times it is, but in a way I’m facing my fears and enduring an adrenaline rush in the process.

Watching “Evil Dead” – an adaptation of Sam Raimi’s (“Spider Man” trilogy & countless others) first film, the 1981 cult classic “The Evil Dead” – I was put through several rounds of adrenaline rushes. It was only when I was walking out of the theater did I realize my hands were sore because I was pressing my fingers so hard into my ears. I’m not even sure I liked the movie that much, but it was an experience.

There are many similarities between “Evil Dead” and “The Evil Dead.” A cabin in the woods? Not just check – they were essentially identical. The creepy porch swing exists in the new one but so does an additional shed. Three girls and two guys? Yup. A brother and sister are still the main focus. A forest seemingly with a mind of its own? Got it. 360 degree shots and the camera personifying fast moving demons? Everything seemed to be pretty on point.

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

Timely. Powerful. Unexpected. That’s what “Disconnect” felt like to me. Going to the movie I didn’t know too much about the plot and expected an artistic documentary-type film centered around how tied we are all to technology. Well it is has some of those elements, but it’s so much more than that. Starring Jason Bateman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Paula Patton, “Disconnect” is pointed, expertly acted, and beautifully executed. It’s the rare film that is able to be current and timeless, providing a relatable narrative and commentary on how our online identities can affect our offline realities.

“Disconnect” opens with a scene in what appears to be a group house but the audience quickly sees that the young group house is really a base for online youth prostitution. A young, ambitious female reporter stumbles onto the website and sees a story in one of the young boys who offers himself up for a pair of Nike’s. We’re introduced to two fifteen-year-old boys who play dirty tricks and are too confident for their own good. An unfortunate moment of time brings them into contact with a reserved, artistic loner who quickly becomes the target of their next pet project. The last story we learn about is of a young couple who lost their young child and are fast becoming strangers living under the same roof. Searching for solace, they are brought back together to face a reality where their child has not only been lost but so has their livelihoods.

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Environmental Film Festival: Rock the Boat:

Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
1901 Fort Place Southeast
Friday, March 22nd, 2013
6:30pm – 7:45pm | FREE!

(2011, USA, 54 min, directed by Thea Lucia Mercouffer) This fun, high-energy, and moving documentary follows the 2008 unlikely tale of a group’s 51-mile boating expedition down the notorious Los Angeles River. The waterway was channelled by the Army Corps of Engineers to prevent flooding in Los Angeles. Hoping to have the Environmental Protection Agency declare it navigable, thus gaining protection under the Clean Water act, local satirical writer George Wolfe led this group to boat down the fenced-in waterway in an absurd act of civil disobedience. Introduced by museum staff Tony Thomas.

See all of tonight’s and the week’s events here.  To add your event, click the events tab up top and then click “add an event”.  You can add concerts, museum/gallery exhibits, fundraisers, sporting events, bike rides etc. You can add anything you think will be of interest to PoPville.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

Debuting at the D.C. Independent Film Festival this week, “Corporate FM” digs deep into what has happened to radio over the last 20 years and what it’s doing to our communities. It talks about how radio helped elevate local bands, discuss issues within the listening area, and instill a sense of community. There is something powerful about knowing that what you are hearing is being heard by thousands of your neighbors – connecting you all to a specific place and time.

“Corporate FM” focuses in on the little known Telecommunications Act of 1996 , which really becomes the cornerstone of this film. Compelling interviews and historical references show us how this little known or cared about act has affected local radio and what that means for communities nationwide. Heavily focused on Lawrence, Kansas and radio station KLZR, the narrative draws between what local radio was and what it has now become.

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Dear PoPville,

I thought you might be interested in our film Mysterious Prison, which is a docu-drama that looks at homelessness in DC through the stories of six characters. Below is a link to the official trailer. The film has had a couple screenings at the E Street Cinema and the new Angelika Film Center Mosaic in Fairfax, VA. We are planning more local screenings in collaboration with non-profits and organizations that deal with homelessness. We also are taking the film to festivals around the country. If you or your readers are interested in the film they can check out the film’s Facebook page.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

A few weeks ago I was invited to attend a preview night for this year’s DC Independent Film Fest (DCIFF). They presented a few trailers and I was able to talk with organizers about the evolution of DCIFF itself and a few filmmakers about their work. The organizers want to make this year very dynamic – utilizing spaces throughout the city to show films and integrating classes and discussions into the overall event.

They aim to deepen community interest in a wider variety of independent films beyond what plays at E Street Cinema. (I have seen great small independent films at West End Cinema though and I hope the place is able to last.) It was a great evening and got me excited about this year’s class of films. Submissions are from all over the world and cover a range of topics. They’re divided into four categories: Narrative Features, Documentaries, Narrative Shorts, and Animation and Experimental. I was able to pick three films to see and review and I chose – “Between Two Rivers”, “Corporate FM”, and “Lifeless.”

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Dog Days Trailer from Kasey Kirby on Vimeo.

Dear PoPville,

My newest documentary is called DOG DAYS. Filmed as a labor-of-love project over the past 4 years, the film tells the story of an unemployed dreamer and a 20-year veteran hotdog vendor as they tackle DC’s broken vending industry in pursuit of the American Dream. It’s a film with strong themes of entrepreneurship, perseverance and hope, and it showcases the hometown culture of DC that so few films ever reflect.

We premiered the film’s trailer via our Kickstarter campaign page, as we’re in the midst of trying to fund the last phase of post-production in the hopes of premiering at Silverdocs in June.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

If you didn’t already know the 85^th Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars) are on this Sunday, February 24, at 7pm on ABC hosted by Seth McFarlane (Creator of “Family Guy”). Here is the entire list of the categories and nominees. Glad we got that out of the way. Now time to get down to it.

Here are my picks for the major categories:

• Best Picture: Out of the nine films nominated people are saying Argo, but I have to go with Lincoln. Both are amazing, but Lincoln is the man. In both cases the (majority of) truth is better than fiction.
• Best Actor: My heart says Bradley Cooper, but my general pragmatism and awe for the man himself says Daniel Day Lewis. Ben Affleck did get snubbed in this category which is a large unfortunate.
• Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence has been sweeping the awards and was perfection in Silver Linings Playbook. Let’s give it up for Quvenzhané Wallis in “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and Emmanuelle Riva, “Amour”, for being the youngest and oldest individuals, respectively, to be nominated in this category.
• Best Supporting Actor: This is so hard. The only movie in this category I actually didn’t see was Django Unchained but I watched Christoph Waltz in “Inglorious Basterds” and he was amazing evil comic relief. I heard in Django he made the movie.  Alan Arkin, Robert De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Tommy Lee jones are in his company. These are really some of the greats, but I just have a feeling Christoph Waltz is going to take it.
• Best Supporting Actress: I’m one of those people that really can’t stand Anne Hathaway. I mean I’m sure she’s a nice person, but you can always feel her trying just a little too hard. That being said, she’s another one sweeping the awards and she got emaciated, shaved her head, and sang live for “Les Misérables”. And, oh yea, she was actually really good. She’s the only one who provoked a tear out of me – in this category and Les Mis itself. She’s got my vote.
• Best Director: Well this category is whack. Nine best films and five best director nominations. So who gets slighted? Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained and Les Misérables.  If you ask me, that looks like the real category for Best Director. I guess we just have to work with what we got. My vote goes to Lincoln. Directing-wise it stands above the rest. If any of the others that were snubbed got in then we might have had a closer race.

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Photo via wikipedia by David Shankbone

From a press release:

Martin Scorsese, Academy Award winning American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian and preservationist, will deliver the 2013 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities. The annual lecture, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), is the most prestigious honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.

Scorsese will present the 42nd Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities on Monday, April 1, 2013, at 7:30 PM at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where he will discuss the evolution of his films, the art of storytelling, and the inspiration he draws from the humanities.

The acclaimed director and producer of some 50 films, Scorsese has directed such landmark works as Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), and The Departed (2006). His singular vision has helped define modern American film. Drawing inspiration from such wide-ranging sources as Fellini, Powell and Pressburger, Hitchcock, Dante, and Dostoyevsky, Scorsese is renowned for having expanded the boundaries of his art. His films, though incredibly diverse in subject and style, are reputed for their incorporation of camera and editing techniques from different genres and distinctive treatment of signature themes of isolation and tribal identity, violence and loss, guilt and redemption, faith and spirituality.

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