Punching the Clown

Diagnosis: Film–Weekend of Oct. 22

There’s not a whole lot to see this week, which is good because that means I can catch up on the plethora of films I have been meaning to see. The standout trailer this week was for The Taqwacores, and the least interesting trailer was that of Paranormal Activity 2. The rest didn’t grab me a whole lot. Think you might see any of these films this week? If so, I’m curious to hear what you think.

Boxing Gym

Directed By: Frederick Wiseman
Written By: Frederick Wiseman
Starring:
Genre: Documentary
Release Date: Oct 22, 2010 (NY)
Synopsis: Explores the world of a boxing gym in Austin, Texas, dwelling on the discipline of training as people from all walks of life aspire to reach their personal best.

Diagnosis: Not much of a gym person so this aspect of how people live is interesting to me. Curious to see.

Inhale

Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Written By: Walter Doty, John Claflin
Starring: Dermot Mulroney, Diane Kruger, Sam Shepard, Vincent Perez, Rosanna Arquette, Jordi Molla
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: Oct 22, 2010 (NY, LA)
Synopsis: A couple goes to dangerous lengths to find a lung donor for their daughter.

Diagnosis: Great. Another family willing to go to dark places to save their child. Pass.

Kalamity

Director: James M. Hausler
Written By: James M. Hausler
Starring: Nick Stahl, Jonathan Jackson, Christopher M. Clark, Beau Garrett, Robert Forster, Alona Tal
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: October 22, 2010 (NY)
Synopsis: After a recent breakup, Billy returns to his hometown to find something is not quite right with his best friend.

Diagnosis: I’m not entirely grabbed by the trailer. Pass.

Knucklehead

Director: Michael W. Watkins
Written By: Bear Aderhold, Tom Sullivan
Starring: Mark Feuerstein, Wendie Malick, Will Patton, Saul Rubinek
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: October 22, 2010 (limited)
Synopsis: After con artist Eddie Sullivan (Feuerstein) incurs a large debt with a local criminal ringleader, he creates a get-rich-quick scheme and enlists a sweet gentle giant named Walter as his unwitting accomplice.

Diagnosis: I was into the idea until the poo joke at the end of the trailer. Pass.

Paranormal Activity 2

Director: Tod Williams
Written By: Michael R. Perry
Starring: Katie Featherston, Gabriel Johnson
Genre: Supernatural Thriller
Release Date: October 22, 2010
Synopsis: After experiencing what they think are a series of “break-ins”, a family sets up security cameras around their home, only to realize that the events unfolding before them are more sinister than they seem.

Diagnosis: The first one was nothing special. This trailer is the same. Pass.

Punching the Clown

Director: Kip Williams
Written By: Henry Phillips, Gregori Viens
Starring: Henry Phillips, Ellen Ratner, Matthew Walker, Wade Kelley, Audrey Siegel, Evan Arnold, Mik Scriba, Mark Cohen, Guilford Adams
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: October 22, 2010 (NY)
Synopsis: Winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 Slamdance Film Festival, this uproarious and smart new comedy tells the story of Henry Phillips, a hapless modern day troubadour who grinds his way through the heartland, living out of his car and singing his twisted satirical songs to anyone who will listen.

Diagnosis: I WAS into the shit joke in this trailer. Curious to see.

Rising Stars

Director: Daniel Millican
Written By: Daniel Millican
Starring: Fisher Stevens, Barry Corbin, Catherine Mary Stewart, Graham Patrick Martin, Kyle Riabk, Leon Thomas III, Jessie Payo
Genre: Drama
Release Date: October 22, 2010 (limited)
Synopsis: Challenged with creating songs and music videos, three musical acts find more than their futures on the line when the competition gets fierce and their lives are caught on tape broadcast to the nation. Egos clash and worlds collide as these teens find how far they will go to win the coveted prize and achieve stardom.

Diagnosis: I switched tabs after about 30 seconds into the trailer. Just doesn’t grab me. Pass.

The Taqwacores

Director: Eyad Zahar
Written By: Eyad Zahar, Michael Muhammad Knight
Starring: Bobby Naderi, Noureen DeWulf
Genre: Drama
Release Date: October 22, 2010 (limited)
Synopsis: Yusef is a first-generation Pakistani-American engineering student who moves off-campus with a group of Muslim punks in Buffalo, New York. His new “un-orthodox” housemates soon introduce him to Taqwacore – a hardcore, Muslim punk rock scene. As the seasons change, Taqwacore influences the house more and more. The living room becomes a mosque during the day, while it continues to host punk shows at night. Ultimately, Yusef begins to challenge his own faith and ideologies. A powerful and original story of punk Islam in the USA and the discovery of oneself within the confines of religion.

Diagnosis: The premise seems interesting and I am always curious to watch portrayals of punk culture in film. Curious to see.