More Than One Lesson

Oscar’s live action shorts give us a chance to see something outside of the Hollywood system. Most of these films are made with no studio connection, many outside of the US, with only occasionally recognizable actors. Films not held by the restraints of studio marketing and stars’ contracts can often find a certain artistic freedom. This Tuesday’s screening at the Academy was a chance to see some of 2009’s best shorts from around the world. Here’s an overview of this year’s offerings.

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In this episode, Tyler discusses what we can learn from Joe Johnston’s The Wolfman.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:00:42- Introduction
00:01:03- The Wolfman
00:32:08- Ravenous
00:39:44- Episode wrap-up

This week I had the privilege of being able to attend the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ screening of Oscar-nominated shorts. If you’re ever able to make it there, you should. Held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills with a posh reception beforehand, it’s an opportunity to see some of the Oscar-nominated work that gets overlooked by the general public. These are great films, coming from all over the world, and most people don’t ever get to see them. At the AMPAS Shorts presentation, you get the chance to see each one of the animated and live action shorts, followed by a Q & A with the filmmakers. Here’s a rundown on this years animated shorts, in case you don’t get the chance to see them yourself. […]

In this episode, Tyler is joined by filmmaker Cory Edwards to discuss being a Christian in Hollywood.

I am a Christian not usually moved by Church. What I mean is this: I go to church, I can appreciate the ideas and truth content of a sermon, but rarely does the experience – the packaging, if you will – itself move me. Oftentimes, I leave slightly fussy and have to get over myself on the car ride back home. This is not a film. This is not a novel. This is not art. This is proclamation on a 7-day cycle. Pastors don’t have teams of writers like sitcoms and anytime I think, “Well, hell, maybe they should” I am immediately struck by the stupidity and un-enlightened-ness of the concept. It is just possible that the sermon was not crafted with me in mind – and that it shouldn’t have to be for me to be willing to see what it’s saying. This is a lesson continually learned. For myself and people like me, small group meetings are more fulfilling: discussing verses, digging into them more than usually happens in a sermon. This is where His words come alive for me. […]

AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999)
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: Alan Ball
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Chris Cooper, Thora Birch

1999 was a pretty heavy-hitting year for American movies. Several instant classics came out that year: The Sixth Sense, The Insider, The Matrix, Magnolia – and then there was American Beauty. A clear front-runner leading up to the ceremony, American Beauty was quite an off-beat choice for the Academy. Sure, there were a lot of great performers in it, and it was a character heavy drama, which usually got Oscar’s attention. But the storyline was anything but normal Best Picture fare. […]

In this episode, Tyler is joined by actor Doug Jones to discuss his faith and career.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:01:00- Introduction of guest, Doug Jones
00:02:51- Growing up
00:07:37- Performing
00:11:37- Artistic goals in a Christian community, parental reaction
00:18:52- Reconciling faith and artistic choices, Legion
00:39:40- Being an “outspoken” Christian
00:44:30- Episode wrap up

LEGION (2010)
Directed by: Scott Stewart
Written by: Scott Stewart and Peter Schink
Starring: Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid, Adrianne Palicki, Lucas Black

Boy, oh boy.

Just when you thought you knew everything about Christianity, here comes Legion! You thought angels were bulletproof? WRONG! You thought only demons possessed people? WRONG! You thought Dennis Quaid still had a respectable career? WRONG and WRONG! […]

CORY EDWARDS made his feature film debut with Hoodwinked, but has already had a long career as a filmmaker. Involved in almost every creative area of the business for over fifteen years, he has served as writer, director, producer, actor, animator, art director, and editor. Cory currently resides in Los Angeles, writing and directing original live action and animated films. Among his current projects are Escape From Planet Earth, Hoodwinked 2, and Fraggle Rock: The Movie.

In this episode, Tyler is joined by Shawn Richardson to discuss the Hughes Brothers’ The Book of Eli.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:01:00- Introduction of guest, Shawn Richardson
00:02:13- Discussion of Avatar episode
00:10:12- Discussion of The Book of Eli
01:02:20- Break
01:02:52- Discussion of Night of the Hunter
01:29:17- Episode wrap-up