What are Your Favorite Films?
For the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival we encourage you to Find Your New Favorite Movie! As we approach the festival we’ve started a new series on our site where we ask some Phoenix Film Festival filmmaker alumni about some of their favorite movies.
Anthony Tarsitano and his wife (and co-filmmaker) Deborah accepted the Copper Wing Award at PFF 2014 for Best Live Action Short for their film ICE.
This week, Anthony shares some of his favorite films with us. (How long is your list now?)
What is your …
- Favorite Comedy
I have many. Comedy is so subjective. And for me, a favorite comedy is one that makes me laugh every time I view it. They are: Napoleon Dynamite, My Cousin Vinny, Young Frankenstein, Groundhog Day, Night at the Opera, Bread & Chocolate.
- Favorite Drama
So many …again. So many different approaches and sub genres. Casablanca, The Godfather, Saving Private Ryan, Return of Martin Guerre (orig French), The Vanishing (Netherlands), The Wind Will Carry Us, La Strada, The Violin, Down By Law, and so many more.
- Favorite Documentary
Man on Wire. I live in downtown NYC and I'm old enough to remember the original walk of Philippe Petit between the Twin Towers. Over the years I spent time in those buildings and every time I was there I marveled at his feat. And later, witnessed the tragedy and sadness of 9/11 firsthand. The film touched all the chords in me about those hallowed grounds.
- Favorite film you saw on the circuit
Honestly, Locke –the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival Opening Night Film. One man, one car, helluva of a story. Difficult to pull off.
- Favorite film that you think most people have never seen, but should?
Fallen Idol (1948). It's a British film that I find extremely poignant.
- Do you have a favorite film poster?
I'm not sure I'd call it my favorite – don't really have any; but, Lolita is so blatantly provocative, especially for it's time (1962). Pretty sure it wouldn't fly today.
Anthony reports that after Phoenix Film Festival 2014, ICE continued on the US/International Festival circuit, including Academy-qualifying fests, and wrapped with a small in-flight deal through Tribeca on United Airlines.
Anthony also had a film at PFF 2009, that took home a Copper Wing Award for Special Jury Prize Acting Achievement for Dennis Boutsikaris’ performance in Calling it Quits. The film (that by the way was declared “a sweet film” by none other than Martin Scorsese) screened at more US festivals, then went on to an online self-distribution platform -- which did well for a few years.
Anthony is currently in early stages of shooting a new feature titled Lost Cat Corona (2015).
http://callingitquitsmovie.com/
– Laurie Smith
Larry King called Arizona’s Joe Arpaio the “P.T. Barnum of Sheriffs”; Variety’s Dennis Harvey lauded Randy Murray’s award winning documentary, The Joe Show, “an equally entertaining … and infuriating overview of a very American self-made phenomenon whose means of enforcing the law often seem to trample upon it. This vivid warts-and-all portrait has good potential to attract niche home-turf theatrical (distribution), and broadcast sales in other select territories.”
Do you have a favorite film poster?
This week, Howard Goldberg, the film's Producer/Writer/Director, shares a few of his favorite films to add to your ever-growing must-see list!
Thomas Beatty, writer and co-director (along with Rebecca Fishman – who also happens to be his wife) took home a PFF 2014 Copper Wing Award for Best Ensemble for his film The Big Ask. Known as Teddy Bears at PFF, the Movie Guys tagged the film as: “One of the most fun indie films I’ve watched in a long time. Drama, Comedy, Drama, Comedy, Drama, Boom, Boom, Boom.” This week Thomas shares some of his favorites with us, as your must-watch list grows!
