Evidence to the Contrary

While a few new reviews by Ebert have been posted the last few weeks, the lack of an Altman obituary by Ebert is not a good sign that he is anywhere close to coming back. I also question these reviews that he has written. Since his "return," any movie he reviews seems to receive four stars. I wonder if Freddy Got Fingered would rate four stars for someone stuck in a hospital and undergoing rehabilitation.

The Workaholic

Robert Altman has died. He lived a life longer than expected considering past health issues, including the need for a heart transplant ten years ago. He never compromised, which was a trait rarely found in Hollywood. I had hoped that Altman could be coaxed by Ebert to come to the film festival next year. Of course, now I guess I should be glad if Ebert is able to make it.

Altman made many great films. His oeuvre included so many films overall that I have not seen half of them. That is good, since it means I will have many opportunities to discover more great ones. Unlike with most directors, with Altman there is always that chance.

All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

It is rather shocking. I mean, first it was 5 years, then 5 more years, then 6 years. To what am I referring? The time between Nine Inch Nails albums. Ok, so the almost-album EP Broken was sandwiched between Pretty Hate Machine and The Downward Spiral, and the double album The Fragile could almost count as two, but there is still a pronounced deliberate release pattern here. So deliberate that I am unaware of any other music artist committing what many would call career suicide. The obvious comparison in the film world is Stanley Kubrick, though he was halfway productive early on in his career.

I can remember waiting, waiting, waiting for the next release after TDS. When I think about the years of school that passed by, it really becomes a long wait. During this last tour, Trent continually referred to work progressing on a new album. I never would have thought that it would already be done, less than 2 years after the release of With Teeth. Especially since much of that 2 years was taken up by touring. Mixing will be done on the release in January, and European tour dates have already been announced for February and March. The new release (no name yet) will probably be out in April or early May. I would say that I can't wait, but history says that I can.

Two dates on the arena tour last spring were recorded using high definition cameras. That concert footage will be coming out on high definition discs sometime in early 2007. The trailer is available here. Scroll down to the 09/23/06 entry. It looks stunning.

The High Cost of Inflation

Today the Ebert Film Festival passes went on sale, and I went ahead and bought two. I think I mentioned this before, but the first year of the festival the passes were only $35. The 2007 festival sets you back a nice, even $100. Inflation? Better films and guests? Well, I think the biggest reason for the price increase is demand. Each year the festival passes sell out sooner than the previous year, even with the price increases. I imagine that all the passes would be sold out on Nov. 1 if they were still $50. I'm glad that I am assured of being able to buy a pass, as long as I don't tarry too long. The festival is a non-profit event I believe, and any extra money goes to the renovation of the Virginia Theater. So I really don't mind the price.

Individual tickets are $10, with a $2 discount for students. I don't recall this discount being available in the past. Perhaps not coincidentally there was some rumbling last year about the lack of students at the festival. It would be nice to see some young blood in the audience. Every year the crowd seems to get older and older. The time of year is extremely inconvenient to students though, thanks to its proximity to finals week. And while the festival is sponsored by the communications department, I think that the festival has more appeal to English majors.