As the entertainment space evolves and pushes further into the technology world, including virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and other experimental works, the Sundance Film Festival is continuing to debut some of the best examples of such crossovers as part of its New Frontier section. Every year, the section aims to “offer some of the most innovative independent production and experimentation at the crossroads of film, art and technology that is being created today.” For the 2018 edition of the festival, that will include an international slate of VR, Mr, and AI.
This year, New Frontier programming will encompass three venues, including the New Frontier Exhibition at Kimball Art Center (which will host immersive dance and cutting edge VR & Mr works as well as works involving Artificial Intelligence), along with New Frontier at The Ray, which will also include The Box at New Frontier at The Ray (a 40-seat mobile VR theater...
This year, New Frontier programming will encompass three venues, including the New Frontier Exhibition at Kimball Art Center (which will host immersive dance and cutting edge VR & Mr works as well as works involving Artificial Intelligence), along with New Frontier at The Ray, which will also include The Box at New Frontier at The Ray (a 40-seat mobile VR theater...
- 12/6/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Calling all creators working at the intersection of film and technology: Sundance Institute is accepting applications for the next New Frontier Story Lab. Now in its tenth year, New Frontier at Sundance Institute provides support to artists working in Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and other new storytelling forms. The Labs and Residency programs at New Frontier work to identify and foster independent artists and creative technologists who are developing interactive, immersive or experimental projects that aim to create rich and resonant experiences for audiences. Past participants include Roger Ross Williams, Yung Jake, Chris Milk, Cory McAbee, Navid and Vassiliki Khonsari, Karim Ben Khelifa, […]...
- 9/7/2016
- by Paula Bernstein
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
We make no secret of our love for The American Astronaut and Stingray Sam eccentric Cory McAbee in these parts. A multi-talented musician, writer and director there's simply nobody else quite like McAbee anywhere in the world and any time he undertakes any new endeavor it's something to celebrate.Cue up McAbee's latest effort, a solo musical effort that he performs under his own name - a playful riff on motivational seminars he labels Small Star Seminars with McAbee himself taking on the role of an ultra sincere motivational speaker who encourages people to be quiet and accept their limitations.You can find all of the Small Star Seminar songs over at Bandcamp and, true to form, McAbee has released some very odd visual accompaniments, including the...
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- 4/25/2015
- Screen Anarchy
There’s always something a little magical about capturing child spontaneity in a narrative context. Northern California emigre Cory McAbee (of cult favorite The American Astronaut) made his daughter an integral part of 2009’s hilarious sci-fi musical Stingray Sam, then starred by then seven-year-old Willa and two-year-old John in last year’s freewheeling short feature Crazy & Thief. Their unchaperoned adventures on the streets of NYC are echoed by native New Yorker Alexandre Rockwell’s Little Feet, in which his own son and daughter wander L.A.’s Echo Park over an hour’s whimsical course.>> - Dennis Harvey...
- 12/12/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
There’s always something a little magical about capturing child spontaneity in a narrative context. Northern California emigre Cory McAbee (of cult favorite The American Astronaut) made his daughter an integral part of 2009’s hilarious sci-fi musical Stingray Sam, then starred by then seven-year-old Willa and two-year-old John in last year’s freewheeling short feature Crazy & Thief. Their unchaperoned adventures on the streets of NYC are echoed by native New Yorker Alexandre Rockwell’s Little Feet, in which his own son and daughter wander L.A.’s Echo Park over an hour’s whimsical course.>> - Dennis Harvey...
- 12/12/2014
- Keyframe
Director Alex Cox returns to the sci-fi genre with his new feature Bill, The Galactic Hero which premieres at the International Film Series in Boulder, Colorado on December 12th. Shot in black and white and with the participation of students from C.U., the film is based on the 1965 novel by Harry Harrison and was funded from a $100,000 Kickstarter campaign. From the look of the trailer I can spot shades of Cory McAbee's The American Astronaut along with glimpses of Cox's trademark counter-culture sense of humour. The budget is obviously pretty limited, but I like the use of animation and the music (artists including Iggy Pop have contributed music for free) so this could be a fun little movie. It's also worth noting that Har [Continued ...]...
- 11/27/2014
- QuietEarth.us
Back in 2010, writer, director and musician Cory McAbee shot "Crazy and Thief," a no-budget (well, $1500 budget) film featuring his two young children Willa Vy McAbee and John Huck McAbee, with little thought about who would eventually see the sweet film, which involves the two kids, a homemade star chart, a cyclops, a giant and a time machine. McAbee, writer and director of "The American Astronaut" and "Stingray Sam," had just written a screenplay for another project, which was very dark and violent. "I reached a point where I thought if I get to make one film before I died, I didn't want it to be that film. I would want to make this film ("Crazy and Thief") because it's kind, and I don't that to mean 'nice.' I view kindness as a form of bravery. It's also about time and it's a portrait of childhood," McAbee recently told Indiewire by phone.
- 3/24/2014
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
Every week, Indiewire chief film critic Eric Kohn singles out a movie available for free streaming from our parent company SnagFilms' library and tells you why you should watch it now. There are many songs in "Muppets Most Wanted," the sequel to 2011’s wildly successful resurrection effort "The Muppets Movie," but only one of them hits a truly honest note: its opening number, "They've Ordered a Sequel," playfully mocks the very idea of rehashing a successful formula for the sake of profit above all no matter how many fans desire it. The lyrics are enjoyably self-deprecating ("the studio wants more/while they wait for Tom Hanks to do 'Toy Story 4'"), but the rest of "Muppets Most Wanted" is less ironic satire than merely an illustration of the redundant process laid out in its introduction. If you want a charming musical fantasy that has no distracting commercial motives driving its every scene,...
- 3/21/2014
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Barely an hour long and blatantly made on the cheap, Alexandre Rockwell's "Little Feet" conveys greater emotion and poignancy than most movies released last year; it's also a terrific start to this one. Opening the Museum of the Moving Image’s "First Look" screening series today ahead of its exclusive release on Vimeo in March (you can pre-order it online starting tomorrow), Rockwell's tender black-and-white portrait of a young sibling pair (played the filmmaker’s kids) evading their bleak home life with a freewheeling outdoor adventure plays like Jim Jarmusch and Wes Anderson teamed up to adapt "Peanuts" into a live action feature. It's a soulful look at the innocence of childhood as a safety net from life's harsher truths. Rockwell's project, which features his adolescent daughter Lana and preschool-aged son Nico, bears a marked similarity to like-minded Diy filmmaker-musician Cory McAbee’s 2012 feature "Crazy and Thief," a magical realist street-based musical adventure also.
- 1/10/2014
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
"The Sixth Year" is a web series (of sorts) commissioned by downtown New York art space Ludlow 38 and written by Jay Chung and Q Takeki Maeda that pools the talents of several up-and-comers from the independent film scene, including Rick Alverson ("The Comedy"), Alex Ross Perry ("The Color Wheel"), Kentucker Audley ("Sun Don't Shine") and Cory Mcabee ("The American Astronaut"). Each installment of the five-episode series is directed by a different filmmaker -- the first by Alverson, the second by Loretta Fahrenholz ("Ditch Plains"), the third by Perry, the fourth by artists Nick Mauss and Ken Okiishi and the fifth by Dustin Guy Defa ("Person by Person"). Producer Jakob Schillinger describes "The Sixth Year" as "an art world drama series" that "re-interprets the format of the TV series." Set in the New York art world, it stages the backstage and theatricalizes the social interactions and power games, the aspirations, passions,...
- 12/16/2013
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
Tiff’s Midnight Madness program turned 25 this year, and for two and half decades, the hardworking programers have gathered some of the strangest, most terrifying, wild, intriguing and downright entertaining films from around the world. From dark comedies to Japanese gore-fests and indie horror gems, the Midnight Madness program hasn’t lost its edge as one the leading showcases of genre cinema. In its 25-year history, Midnight Madness has introduced adventurous late-night moviegoers to such cult faves as Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused and Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. But what separates Midnight Madness from, say, Montreal’s three and half week long genre festival Fantasia, is that Tiff selects only ten films to make the cut. In other words, these programmers don’t mess around. Last week I decided that I would post reviews of my personal favourite films that screened in past years. And just like the Tiff programmers,...
- 9/18/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
The Sundance Institute has 13 independent films available through a variety of platforms to rent, download or stream via the Institute’s Artist Services program. Titles include 2012 Sundance Film Festival films Detropia, I Am Not a Hipster, The Atomic States of America, and We’re Not Broke. For full details on where to access these films, please visit sundance.org/nowplaying. (The complete list of new titles available follows below.)
“With the proliferation of new digital outlets these days, Sundance Institute saw a real need to help filmmakers and producers easily access these platforms and to provide information on how best to navigate and take advantage of independent distribution,” said Keri Putnam, Executive Director, Sundance Institute. “ It's exciting to see these filmmakers charting their own path towards finding audiences.”
In addition, to making it easier for audiences to find Sundance Institute and Film Festival films all year long, this year’s online film guide and mobile app for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival includes a new feature from GoWatchIt.com which creates a universal ‘queue’ so fans can be notified as soon as films they are interested in become available in the marketplace. Sundance Institute has also installed GoWatchIt on the Now Playing page (www.sundance.org/nowplaying) for the titles accessing distribution through its Artist Services.
Look for the Artist Services films on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, Microsoft Xbox, Netflix, SnagFilms, Sony Entertainment Network, SundanceNOW, Vudu and YouTube. Special bonus video content from the Institute’s archives is available for select titles. The Artist Services program provides Institute artists with exclusive opportunities for creative self-distribution, marketing and financing solutions for their work. New Video, a Cinedigm company, is the exclusive aggregation partner for distribution across all portals in the program. The Artist Services initiative is made possible by The Bertha Foundation. These deals were brokered via pro bono legal services generously provided by law firm O’Melveny & Myers, which has built the legal framework for the Artist Services program and participating filmmakers since its inception.
Titles That Are Available:
The American Astronaut (Director and Screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Sundance Institute Screenwriter’s Lab Fellow Cory McAbee stars in his sci-fi feature film as an interplanetary trader. The film also stars 2012 Independent Spirit Award nominee James Ransone (Starlet, HBO’s Treme and The Wire) as Bodysuit. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
The Atomic States of America (Directors: Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce) — Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce’s provocative documentary takes viewers on a journey to nuclear reactor communities across the country. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Budrus (Director: Julia Bachas) — Documentary filmmaker Julia Bacha’s award-winning 2009 documentary follows a Palestinian community organizer who unites local Fatah and Hamas members along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save the village of Budrus from destruction by Israel's Separation Barrier. Budrus was produced by Just Vision, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the power and legitimacy of Palestinians and Israelis working nonviolently to end the occupation and resolve the conflict. (2009 Sundance Documentary Film Grant)
Detropia (Directors: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady) — Winner of the Best Documentary Editing Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and nominated for Gotham and Cinema Eye awards, Detropiachronicles the lives of several Detroiters trying to survive and make sense of what is happening to their city – once an industrial utopia, now on the brink of bankruptcy. (2012 Sundance Documentary Film Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
High School Record (Director and Screenwriter: Ben Wolfinsohn) — In Ben Wolfinsohn’s semi-improvised 2005 “mock doc,” four exceptionally awkward 17-year-olds struggle through their senior year as moments of humiliation and triumph are caught on tape in a documentary shot by fellow classmates at a performing arts high school. (2005 Sundance Film Festival)
I Am Not A Hipster (Director and Screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton) — Featuring music by indie electronic band, Canines, and a break-out performance by Dominic Bogart (Flash Forward), Cretton’s music-focused drama premiered at sold-out screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. (2011 and 2012 Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Primer (Director and Screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — Shane Carruth’s cult classic won the Grand Jury Prize and Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Timed to the premiere of the director’s much-anticipated follow-up film, Upstream Color, at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. (2004 Sundance Film Festival)
Pursuit of Loneliness (Director and Screenwriter: Laurence Thrush) — Award-winning director Laurence Thrush’s (Left Handed) 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere stars a cast of non-professional actors depicted in their own workplace roles. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
The Slaughter Rule (Directors: Alex Smith and Andrew Smith) — David Morse (Treme) and Ryan Gosling (Drive) star in Alex and Andrew Smith’s feature writing-directorial debut about a fatherless high-school quarterback. Nominated for the Independent Spirit Awards’ John Cassavetes Award.. (2002 Sundance Film Festival)
Stingray Sam (Director and screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Cory McAbee’s 2009 follow up to The American Astronaut features writer-director McAbee as Stingray Sam and “Crugie” as The Quasar Kid, two space convicts in a series of episodic adventures narrated by David Hyde Pierce (Frasier). (2009 Sundance Film Festival)
to.get.her (Director and screenwriter: Erica Dunton) — Five teenage girls with a shared secret get together for a weekend of “no consequences” in this 2011 Sundance Film Festival premiere that won the Best of Next <=> Audience Award. Actress-model Jazzy De Lisser stars in a “mystery” written and directed by Erica Dunton (The 27 Club). (2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Wave Twisters (Directors: Eric Henry and Syd Garon) — Animators Syd Garon (Superheroes, Last Call at the Oasis) and Eric Henry’s “turntablism-based musical” won the 2001 Midnight Films Audience Award at the 2001 SXSW Film Festival. Scripted to a recording by “scratch” artist DJ Qbert, Wave Twisters follows a group of heroes traveling through inner-space on a quest to save the lost art of Hip Hop. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
We're Not Broke (Directors: Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce) — A timely exposé on how the government has allowed U.S. corporations to avoid paying taxes, and the growing wave of discontent that is has fostered. A 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere from the filmmakers of The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, I Am My Own Wife, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
“With the proliferation of new digital outlets these days, Sundance Institute saw a real need to help filmmakers and producers easily access these platforms and to provide information on how best to navigate and take advantage of independent distribution,” said Keri Putnam, Executive Director, Sundance Institute. “ It's exciting to see these filmmakers charting their own path towards finding audiences.”
In addition, to making it easier for audiences to find Sundance Institute and Film Festival films all year long, this year’s online film guide and mobile app for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival includes a new feature from GoWatchIt.com which creates a universal ‘queue’ so fans can be notified as soon as films they are interested in become available in the marketplace. Sundance Institute has also installed GoWatchIt on the Now Playing page (www.sundance.org/nowplaying) for the titles accessing distribution through its Artist Services.
Look for the Artist Services films on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, Microsoft Xbox, Netflix, SnagFilms, Sony Entertainment Network, SundanceNOW, Vudu and YouTube. Special bonus video content from the Institute’s archives is available for select titles. The Artist Services program provides Institute artists with exclusive opportunities for creative self-distribution, marketing and financing solutions for their work. New Video, a Cinedigm company, is the exclusive aggregation partner for distribution across all portals in the program. The Artist Services initiative is made possible by The Bertha Foundation. These deals were brokered via pro bono legal services generously provided by law firm O’Melveny & Myers, which has built the legal framework for the Artist Services program and participating filmmakers since its inception.
Titles That Are Available:
The American Astronaut (Director and Screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Sundance Institute Screenwriter’s Lab Fellow Cory McAbee stars in his sci-fi feature film as an interplanetary trader. The film also stars 2012 Independent Spirit Award nominee James Ransone (Starlet, HBO’s Treme and The Wire) as Bodysuit. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
The Atomic States of America (Directors: Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce) — Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce’s provocative documentary takes viewers on a journey to nuclear reactor communities across the country. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Budrus (Director: Julia Bachas) — Documentary filmmaker Julia Bacha’s award-winning 2009 documentary follows a Palestinian community organizer who unites local Fatah and Hamas members along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save the village of Budrus from destruction by Israel's Separation Barrier. Budrus was produced by Just Vision, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the power and legitimacy of Palestinians and Israelis working nonviolently to end the occupation and resolve the conflict. (2009 Sundance Documentary Film Grant)
Detropia (Directors: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady) — Winner of the Best Documentary Editing Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and nominated for Gotham and Cinema Eye awards, Detropiachronicles the lives of several Detroiters trying to survive and make sense of what is happening to their city – once an industrial utopia, now on the brink of bankruptcy. (2012 Sundance Documentary Film Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
High School Record (Director and Screenwriter: Ben Wolfinsohn) — In Ben Wolfinsohn’s semi-improvised 2005 “mock doc,” four exceptionally awkward 17-year-olds struggle through their senior year as moments of humiliation and triumph are caught on tape in a documentary shot by fellow classmates at a performing arts high school. (2005 Sundance Film Festival)
I Am Not A Hipster (Director and Screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton) — Featuring music by indie electronic band, Canines, and a break-out performance by Dominic Bogart (Flash Forward), Cretton’s music-focused drama premiered at sold-out screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. (2011 and 2012 Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Primer (Director and Screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — Shane Carruth’s cult classic won the Grand Jury Prize and Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Timed to the premiere of the director’s much-anticipated follow-up film, Upstream Color, at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. (2004 Sundance Film Festival)
Pursuit of Loneliness (Director and Screenwriter: Laurence Thrush) — Award-winning director Laurence Thrush’s (Left Handed) 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere stars a cast of non-professional actors depicted in their own workplace roles. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
The Slaughter Rule (Directors: Alex Smith and Andrew Smith) — David Morse (Treme) and Ryan Gosling (Drive) star in Alex and Andrew Smith’s feature writing-directorial debut about a fatherless high-school quarterback. Nominated for the Independent Spirit Awards’ John Cassavetes Award.. (2002 Sundance Film Festival)
Stingray Sam (Director and screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Cory McAbee’s 2009 follow up to The American Astronaut features writer-director McAbee as Stingray Sam and “Crugie” as The Quasar Kid, two space convicts in a series of episodic adventures narrated by David Hyde Pierce (Frasier). (2009 Sundance Film Festival)
to.get.her (Director and screenwriter: Erica Dunton) — Five teenage girls with a shared secret get together for a weekend of “no consequences” in this 2011 Sundance Film Festival premiere that won the Best of Next <=> Audience Award. Actress-model Jazzy De Lisser stars in a “mystery” written and directed by Erica Dunton (The 27 Club). (2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Wave Twisters (Directors: Eric Henry and Syd Garon) — Animators Syd Garon (Superheroes, Last Call at the Oasis) and Eric Henry’s “turntablism-based musical” won the 2001 Midnight Films Audience Award at the 2001 SXSW Film Festival. Scripted to a recording by “scratch” artist DJ Qbert, Wave Twisters follows a group of heroes traveling through inner-space on a quest to save the lost art of Hip Hop. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
We're Not Broke (Directors: Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce) — A timely exposé on how the government has allowed U.S. corporations to avoid paying taxes, and the growing wave of discontent that is has fostered. A 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere from the filmmakers of The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, I Am My Own Wife, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
- 1/18/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Cory McAbee, the ingenious, idiosyncratic talent behind The American Astronaut and Stingray Sam, is on the festival circuit at the moment with his most recent film, the 50-odd-minute Crazy and Thief. (This sweet portrait of childhood, starring McAbee’s children, Willa Vy McAbee and John Huck McAbee, premiered at Laff last month, moving on to BAMcinemaFest shortly afterwards.)
Despite having just put one new work out in the world, McAbee has already launched his next creative project, the very intriguing Captain Ahab’s Motorcycle Club. Here’s how its website describes it:
Captain Ahab’s Motorcycle Club was conceived by filmmaker/musician Cory McAbee. The club was established in 2012 by McAbee and filmmaker/documentarian Gregory Bayne. It is a national and international collaborative, a club and a production studio. Participation will take place at live events and online. Participation equals membership. Local chapters are developing worldwide.
The first two departments...
Despite having just put one new work out in the world, McAbee has already launched his next creative project, the very intriguing Captain Ahab’s Motorcycle Club. Here’s how its website describes it:
Captain Ahab’s Motorcycle Club was conceived by filmmaker/musician Cory McAbee. The club was established in 2012 by McAbee and filmmaker/documentarian Gregory Bayne. It is a national and international collaborative, a club and a production studio. Participation will take place at live events and online. Participation equals membership. Local chapters are developing worldwide.
The first two departments...
- 7/26/2012
- by Nick Dawson
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Watch My Home Movie: Cory McAbee’s Latest, Masturbation Or Art?
You may not know exactly what to expect from a Cory McAbee film, a man, who, with only one feature length film to his name, has a sizable cult following. His latest, Crazy & Thief is an hour long musical fantasy that may try your patience if you aren’t particularly fond of watching aimless children or experimental nepotism.
One fine day in New York City, 7 year old girl Crazy (Willa Vy McAbee) take a splotch of blank ink, dots up a blank manila envelope, calls it a Star Map and takes her 2 year old brother Thief (John Huck McAbee) on a city search for stars not in the sky, but here on Earth. They find stars on bottle caps, on shop windows, as graffiti, etc. Hungry, they employ a scheme for young Thief to acquire food, but, not knowing any better,...
You may not know exactly what to expect from a Cory McAbee film, a man, who, with only one feature length film to his name, has a sizable cult following. His latest, Crazy & Thief is an hour long musical fantasy that may try your patience if you aren’t particularly fond of watching aimless children or experimental nepotism.
One fine day in New York City, 7 year old girl Crazy (Willa Vy McAbee) take a splotch of blank ink, dots up a blank manila envelope, calls it a Star Map and takes her 2 year old brother Thief (John Huck McAbee) on a city search for stars not in the sky, but here on Earth. They find stars on bottle caps, on shop windows, as graffiti, etc. Hungry, they employ a scheme for young Thief to acquire food, but, not knowing any better,...
- 6/22/2012
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Musician-turned-filmmaker Cory McAbee's first two movie musicals, "The American Astronaut" and the episodically-distributed "Stingray Sam," brilliantly melded a concept album approach with expressionistic science fiction imagery for a unique form of pop art. At just under an hour and driven by the thinnest of stories, his third feature "Crazy & Thief" is stylistically distinct from the earlier efforts but still hails from the same enjoyable realm of musical fantasy. Shot on the cheap and co-starring his two very young children, "Crazy & Thief" is a gentle treat for McAbee enthusiasts and a mildly curious study of juvenile behavior for everyone else, which is certainly enough to satisfy this fan. Adorable to the extreme, the movie centers around McAbee's children Vy and John, alternately identified by the titular names as well as "Johnny" and "Yaya," informal designations that fit their youthful spirit. ...
- 6/19/2012
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
"Crazy and Thief" director Cory McAbee's roots are musical. "When I was young I painted and performed music," he says, adding that his first films were "hand-painted animated musicals. His first two features were "The American Astromaut" (a musical comedy/sci-fi that debuted at Sundance in 2001) and "Stingray Sam" (same genre, it debuted at Sundance in 2009). Now he ventures into fantasy with "Crazy and Theif." What it's about: "With a homemade star-map to guide them, a seven-year old girl takes her two-year old brother on a fantastic voyage through the real world." On childhood: "There are qualities of childhood that are universal, some that develop as a result of culture and environment, and then there are those unique to the individual. Crazy and Thief is a portrait of childhood that embraces these qualities without being sentimental or contrived,..I would like audience members to feel a...
- 6/13/2012
- by Indiewire Staff
- Indiewire
Director Cory McAbee
Director: Cory McAbee
Festival Entry: Crazy & Thief
Narrative Competition
With only a homemade “Star Map” and their own imagination to guide them, a brother and sister take a fantastical journey through the real world in this ode to being a little kid from cult director Cory McAbee.
Directed By: Cory McAbee
Producers: Cory McAbee, Scott Miller, Steve Holmgren
Screenwriter: Cory McAbee
Cinematographer: Scott Miller
Editor: Matt Cowan
Music: Cory McAbee
Cast: Willa Vy McAbee, John Huck McAbee, Gregory Russell Cook, Graham Standford
We asked Crazy & Thief director Cory McAbee about everything from his inspirations to the challenges of working with a tantrum-prone two-year-old. Here’s what he had to say:
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Cory McAbee. I’m the writer/director of Crazy and Thief. My past films include The American Astronaut and Stingray Sam. I am currently performing as...
Director: Cory McAbee
Festival Entry: Crazy & Thief
Narrative Competition
With only a homemade “Star Map” and their own imagination to guide them, a brother and sister take a fantastical journey through the real world in this ode to being a little kid from cult director Cory McAbee.
Directed By: Cory McAbee
Producers: Cory McAbee, Scott Miller, Steve Holmgren
Screenwriter: Cory McAbee
Cinematographer: Scott Miller
Editor: Matt Cowan
Music: Cory McAbee
Cast: Willa Vy McAbee, John Huck McAbee, Gregory Russell Cook, Graham Standford
We asked Crazy & Thief director Cory McAbee about everything from his inspirations to the challenges of working with a tantrum-prone two-year-old. Here’s what he had to say:
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Cory McAbee. I’m the writer/director of Crazy and Thief. My past films include The American Astronaut and Stingray Sam. I am currently performing as...
- 6/12/2012
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent
Today the full lineup for BAMCinemafest has been unveiled, including the opening and closing night films. (The initial slate of titles was announced just over a month ago.) The fest will be bookended by comedian Mike Birbiglia’s Sundance charmer Sleepwalk with Me and Rock ‘n’ Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen, the latest doc from British musician and filmmaker Don Letts (Dancehall Queen).
The Spotlight screening is Benh Zeitlin’s Sundance Grand Prize winner Beasts of the Southern Wild, and other highlights out of the newly announced titles include the Ross brothers’ Tchoupitoulas, Cory McAbee’s Crazy and Thief and Tim Sutton’s Pavilion (all of which I’m very excited to catch up with.)
Speaking about the 2012 lineup, BAMcinématek’s program director Florence Almozini said, “I’m really excited about the fourth edition of BAMcinemaFest as it may be our best yet. I think we’re refining...
The Spotlight screening is Benh Zeitlin’s Sundance Grand Prize winner Beasts of the Southern Wild, and other highlights out of the newly announced titles include the Ross brothers’ Tchoupitoulas, Cory McAbee’s Crazy and Thief and Tim Sutton’s Pavilion (all of which I’m very excited to catch up with.)
Speaking about the 2012 lineup, BAMcinématek’s program director Florence Almozini said, “I’m really excited about the fourth edition of BAMcinemaFest as it may be our best yet. I think we’re refining...
- 5/3/2012
- by Nick Dawson
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The opening night movie of the Los Angeles Film Festival — Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love — was announced three weeks ago (along with screenings of Sundance winners Middle of Nowhere and Beasts of the Southern Wild), but today the rest of the line-up was unveiled, with the headline news being that Steven Soderbergh’s male stripper romp, Magic Mike, starring Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey, will close out the June fest.
In the narrative competition, there are notable entries from Cory McAbee (The American Astronaut), Jared Moshé (a familiar name as a producer, making his first film as director), and Alex Karpovsky, whose other 2012 effort, Rubberneck, just premiered at Tribeca. Among the other premieres are the Uganda-set Lgbt doc Call Me Kuchu, the star-studded directorial debut of screenwriter Alex Kurtzman, People Like Us, and indie stalwart Spencer Parsons’ Saturday Morning Massacre.
A full list of the newly announced screenings...
In the narrative competition, there are notable entries from Cory McAbee (The American Astronaut), Jared Moshé (a familiar name as a producer, making his first film as director), and Alex Karpovsky, whose other 2012 effort, Rubberneck, just premiered at Tribeca. Among the other premieres are the Uganda-set Lgbt doc Call Me Kuchu, the star-studded directorial debut of screenwriter Alex Kurtzman, People Like Us, and indie stalwart Spencer Parsons’ Saturday Morning Massacre.
A full list of the newly announced screenings...
- 5/1/2012
- by Nick Dawson
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
HollywoodNews.com: Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. Live, announced the Closing Night film and official Us and international selections for the 2012 Festival. Guest Director, Artists in Residence and Conversations with special guests will be announced later this month. The 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of nearly 200 feature films, short films, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, music events and more. As previously announced, Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love will be Opening Night, sponsored by Virgin America, and Lorene Scafaria’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere and Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild were selected for the Galas section.
Returning to downtown Los Angeles and headquartered at L.
Returning to downtown Los Angeles and headquartered at L.
- 5/1/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
If you've never seen Cory McAbee's American Astronaut, go rent it now. Not only is it the best scifi/comedy/musical/western ever made, it's also one of my favorite films, a work of sheer genius. Now the maestro is back with another lo-fi flick starring two of his kids. This is going to be a showbiz family.
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
- 4/12/2012
- QuietEarth.us
The American Astronaut and Stingray Sam director Cory McAbee is headed back to the big screen and this time he's taking his kids with him. It's not the first time, of course, McAbee's daughter Willa having played a key part in Stingray Sam but this time out Willa and McAbee's young son Huck will be taking the leads as the titular Crazy & Thief.A seven year old girl takes her two year old brother on a voyage of chance and fantasy. They begin their journey by following a star chart that they had created by splashing paint on an old envelope. They search city streets, store windows and garbage for star shaped images that coincide with the dots on their map. On their adventure...
- 4/12/2012
- Screen Anarchy
As 2012 dawns and the conversation in the film (and greater artistic) community shifts from ‘Diy’ to the advent of the ‘artist-entrepreneur’, I find myself pondering the meaning of all this in my own career and life, while thinking about one of my most enduring inspirations to go it my own way, my friend Cory McAbee.
The bulk of this post was originally drafted in the fall of 2009 right after the release of Cory McAbee’s film, Stingray Sam, and was written simply as a fan of Cory’s work and aesthetic. I was first introduced to Cory’s work when The American Astronaut garnered some notoriety out of the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. It was a film that, after a single viewing, locked me in as a true fan. I absolutely loved it. Everything about it. From the film itself, to the accompanying music, all the way down to the DVD packaging and design.
The bulk of this post was originally drafted in the fall of 2009 right after the release of Cory McAbee’s film, Stingray Sam, and was written simply as a fan of Cory’s work and aesthetic. I was first introduced to Cory’s work when The American Astronaut garnered some notoriety out of the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. It was a film that, after a single viewing, locked me in as a true fan. I absolutely loved it. Everything about it. From the film itself, to the accompanying music, all the way down to the DVD packaging and design.
- 12/31/2011
- by Gregory Bayne
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Writer/director Todd Rohal‘s latest film, The Catechism Cataclysm, is a genuine discovery. Quirky doesn’t begin to describe the film, which despite some wackier elements, is more of a comedy than anything else. The Christian-tinged farce about a priest and his idol going on a canoe trip is downright hilarious. The social awkwardness of Eastbound & Down‘s Steve Little carries the film as his idol Robbie [Robert Longstreet] tells many stories-within-a-story that continually deliver laughs. All of it is capped with a perfect song about God f-cking you up if you do bad things. Yes, it goes there.
When I got the chance to interview Rohal I had to jump on it and below you can find our conversation. We touch on the oddity of the title, the crazy stories within the film, how it all started, what kind of freedom he had, the involvement of Kickstarter and the support he received,...
When I got the chance to interview Rohal I had to jump on it and below you can find our conversation. We touch on the oddity of the title, the crazy stories within the film, how it all started, what kind of freedom he had, the involvement of Kickstarter and the support he received,...
- 11/1/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Before we dive into the first installment of “Now & Then”, I want to just take a few moments to explain exactly what it is. In “Now & Then” movies, both horror and non-horror will be analyzed from the point of view of seeing the film at a younger age and then the point of view of watching it in the present. The movie I have chosen for the first installment is a movie that is very important to me and influenced me immensely growing up the 1996 independent classic Glory Daze from writer/director Rich Wilkes.
Glory Daze is the story of a group of tight knit friends in college who find themselves two days away from graduation. Jack (Ben Affleck) is starting to panic as he starts to contemplate what the future holds for him and begins to worry that the last few years were the high point and everything else...
Glory Daze is the story of a group of tight knit friends in college who find themselves two days away from graduation. Jack (Ben Affleck) is starting to panic as he starts to contemplate what the future holds for him and begins to worry that the last few years were the high point and everything else...
- 8/13/2011
- by Ted Brown
- The Liberal Dead
It's coming, oh yes it is. Fans of iconoclastic film director and musician Cory McAbee have been waiting quite some time now for his Werewolf Hunters Of The Midwest. McAbee actually began work on the project before his feature debut The American Astronaut and, therefore, well before cult sensation Stingray Sam and there have been trickles of news on the film for years. But now it's really happening. It shoots in the spring, it will - once again - be a sort of cowboy musical, though this time of the horror rather than science fiction variety, and McAbee and his cohort Bobby Lurie have just released a song from it online. Check it below.
- 10/31/2010
- Screen Anarchy
It's coming, oh yes it is. Fans of iconoclastic film director and musician Cory McAbee have been waiting quite some time now for his Werewolf Hunters Of The Midwest. McAbee actually began work on the project before his feature debut The American Astronaut and, therefore, well before cult sensation Stingray Sam and there have been trickles of news on the film for years. But now it's really happening. It shoots in the spring, it will - once again - be a sort of cowboy musical, though this time of the horror rather than science fiction variety, and McAbee and his cohort Bobby Lurie have just released a song from it online. Check it below.
- 10/31/2010
- Screen Anarchy
The director of To Kill A Killer is auditioning for and is close to a full cast for his next film, tentatively titled "Frankenstein: The Day of the Beast". The titular doctor hires a group of mercenaries to protect him from the film's more feral Monster, giving the flick a more Predator-esque angle. Click through for the film's official Facebook page: Frankenstein 2011.
In an interview with The Independent, director Ridley Scott revealed possible details a two-part 3D prequel to the original "Alien" that focuses on the origins of the infamous xenomorphs, 30 years prior to the first flick. Lost scribe Damon Lindelof is reworking a script Ridley described as being about "...gods and engineers. Engineers of space."
The Deadline reports on meetings between a pool of possible directors for their upcoming adaptation of Suzanne Collins bestseller Hunger Games. David Slade (Twilight: Eclipse), Gary Ross (Pleasantville) and Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road) are...
In an interview with The Independent, director Ridley Scott revealed possible details a two-part 3D prequel to the original "Alien" that focuses on the origins of the infamous xenomorphs, 30 years prior to the first flick. Lost scribe Damon Lindelof is reworking a script Ridley described as being about "...gods and engineers. Engineers of space."
The Deadline reports on meetings between a pool of possible directors for their upcoming adaptation of Suzanne Collins bestseller Hunger Games. David Slade (Twilight: Eclipse), Gary Ross (Pleasantville) and Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road) are...
- 10/7/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Life is good for fans of Cory McAbee, the writer-director of cult hits The American Astronaut and Stingray Sam. Why? Because his long rumored werewolf musical Werewolf Hunters Of The Midwest is a go, with location scouting under way and principal photography scheduled to begin in early 2011. Why else? Because according to his blog, McAbee has also just completed a new micro budget feature, which he is currently remaining tight lipped about beyond the fact that it exists and he is proud of it. For conclusive proof of why this is awesome I present below Fredward, from Stingray Sam.
- 9/17/2010
- Screen Anarchy
On this week's episode of The Golden Briefcase, Tim and Jeremy are joined by Massawyrm (C. Robert Cargill) of Ain't It Cool News to discuss the latest picks of the week (including Tim and Cargill gushing over Avatar: The Last Airbender, the Nick show, not the movie), the newest in DVD and Blu-Ray releases, new trailers for Doug Liman's Fair Game and Case 39, recommend Cory McAbee's The American Astronaut and much more! The main topic of the night was a recap of Summer 2010 in movies. The guys talk about some of the strengths and weaknesses of this summer's films and offer a brief recap of all of the tentpole releases. The Golden Briefcase is also broadcast Live on Tuesday nights starting at 6:30Pm (Pst). You can listen in via our Ustream page or by visiting our own live page right here on Fs. The podcast is...
- 8/26/2010
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Typically lost amongst all the big media hoopla of panels, booths, celebrity appearances, etc., is that San Diego’s annual Comic-Con hosts an International Independent Film Festival that runs concurrently along with the convention, which will be this year on July 22-25.
This is a full-fledged fest with short and feature-length films from all over the world that are typically either genre or comic book related. The full lineup of films screening this year is listed below. Screening blocks are broken up by genre: Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics, Horror, Documentary, Humor and Science Fiction.
Not listed below are the assorted panels that will be held specifically for the festival. Plus, on Sunday there will be an Awards Presentation followed by repeat screenings of all the winners.
The festival is doing something a little bit differently this year in that it’s not going to be held in the actual convention center.
This is a full-fledged fest with short and feature-length films from all over the world that are typically either genre or comic book related. The full lineup of films screening this year is listed below. Screening blocks are broken up by genre: Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics, Horror, Documentary, Humor and Science Fiction.
Not listed below are the assorted panels that will be held specifically for the festival. Plus, on Sunday there will be an Awards Presentation followed by repeat screenings of all the winners.
The festival is doing something a little bit differently this year in that it’s not going to be held in the actual convention center.
- 7/15/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Is it a revelation or a revolution? It’s both! The Revelation Perth International Film Festival is tackling the theme of “Revolution” when its 13th annual edition begins violating Australia on July 8-18. Get set for 11 days filled French zombies, Belgian cowboys, outer space outlaws, Beat poets, cat ladies, gospel musicians and other revolutionaries.
Actually, one of the main features of the festival this year is a slew of music documentaries, mostly spotlighting both American and Australian music. On the U.S. side of things there’s Wheedle’s Groove, a look at the history of Seattle funk; Rejoice and Shout, which examines gospel music’s impact on African-American culture — and vice versa; Tom Dicillo’s Doors documentary When You’re Strange; plus The Family Jams and 72 Musicians. And, from Australia, there’s Megan Simpson-Hubberman’s classic concert film The Night of the Triffids.
There’s lots more than music docs,...
Actually, one of the main features of the festival this year is a slew of music documentaries, mostly spotlighting both American and Australian music. On the U.S. side of things there’s Wheedle’s Groove, a look at the history of Seattle funk; Rejoice and Shout, which examines gospel music’s impact on African-American culture — and vice versa; Tom Dicillo’s Doors documentary When You’re Strange; plus The Family Jams and 72 Musicians. And, from Australia, there’s Megan Simpson-Hubberman’s classic concert film The Night of the Triffids.
There’s lots more than music docs,...
- 7/2/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
It's been ridiculed everywhere, but James Nguyen's labour of love is anti-mainstream film-making at its most convincing
The question "What movies are you looking forward to?" is common enough in chats about film, but I've struggled with it this year. Over the past couple of months, however, I've found the answer: Birdemic: Shock And Terror.
Birdemic is already being hailed as one of the worst films ever made: the acting, dialogue, special effects, pretty much everything about it has been held up to ridicule. But while I am sure I'll be giggling along with the rest of the audience at the movie's shortcomings, that's not why I'm looking forward to it. I like what it represents. It's a truly independent production in times when "indie film" means as much as "indie music" – a tag, a label far removed from its original meaning; all the major studios have long had their fake indie imprints.
The question "What movies are you looking forward to?" is common enough in chats about film, but I've struggled with it this year. Over the past couple of months, however, I've found the answer: Birdemic: Shock And Terror.
Birdemic is already being hailed as one of the worst films ever made: the acting, dialogue, special effects, pretty much everything about it has been held up to ridicule. But while I am sure I'll be giggling along with the rest of the audience at the movie's shortcomings, that's not why I'm looking forward to it. I like what it represents. It's a truly independent production in times when "indie film" means as much as "indie music" – a tag, a label far removed from its original meaning; all the major studios have long had their fake indie imprints.
- 5/26/2010
- by Phelim O'Neill
- The Guardian - Film News
The fifth annual Haapsalu Fantastic Film Festival has come to an end and I write this from the Tallinn airport lounge while massively sleep deprived. This proved to be a trip with minimal wifi - hence the lack of updates - but stacks of fantastic people.
After the previously mentioned kick-off - a zombie walk and an outdoor screening in the magnificent ruins of a 13th century castle - things got going in earnest on Saturday. The day began with a brief break from the dominantly hard edged horror theme with back-to-back screenings of Cory McAbee's stellar scifi cowboy musical Stingray Sam - which left me, once again, singing the theme song incessantly for the next two days - and Yoshihiro Nishimura's delirious splatter comedy Vampire Girl Versus Frankenstein Girl.
Swedish slasher Detour was an overly-familiar and weakly plotted bit of work saved - to the extent it...
After the previously mentioned kick-off - a zombie walk and an outdoor screening in the magnificent ruins of a 13th century castle - things got going in earnest on Saturday. The day began with a brief break from the dominantly hard edged horror theme with back-to-back screenings of Cory McAbee's stellar scifi cowboy musical Stingray Sam - which left me, once again, singing the theme song incessantly for the next two days - and Yoshihiro Nishimura's delirious splatter comedy Vampire Girl Versus Frankenstein Girl.
Swedish slasher Detour was an overly-familiar and weakly plotted bit of work saved - to the extent it...
- 4/26/2010
- Screen Anarchy
One of the many things we love around here are the pair of retro-future space-western rock-a-billy noir-tinged musicals of The Billy Nayer Show's Cory McAbee. Yes you have read us gush over both The American Astronaut and Stingray Sam in these pages many times. But have you spent the time tracking down these ultra-indy films? With the handsome face-lift of the American Astronaut website which has a tonne of new stills and a new audio commentary for the film, along with behind the scenes test-footage, storyboards and other fixin's there are digital copies to be had of both the adventures of Samuel Curtis - As American Astronaut comes up to its 10th Anniversary, they've gone ahead and digitally remastered the film - and his newer more sprightly cousin, Stingray Sam. Space is not such a lonely town anymore!
The new website is here.
The new website is here.
- 4/8/2010
- Screen Anarchy
You like new and different movies. We like new and different movies. That’s why it is such a privilege to be allowing a handful of you the chance to see on of the most innovative and fun films I saw all of last year. As my CineVegas review can attest, Cory McAbee’s Stingray Sam is not only the best sci-fi/western/musical/comedies out there, it’s one of the best times you’ll have with independent cinema.
And, not only are we giving the DVD away to a lucky few of you, we are also throwing in the film’s highly original soundtrack on CD to boot.
Here’s all you have to do:
Follow this link (Stingray Sam) to Cory McAbee’s official “about” page. In the player that pops up on the right side, play the song “Fredward” from Stingray Sam. Leave us a comment...
And, not only are we giving the DVD away to a lucky few of you, we are also throwing in the film’s highly original soundtrack on CD to boot.
Here’s all you have to do:
Follow this link (Stingray Sam) to Cory McAbee’s official “about” page. In the player that pops up on the right side, play the song “Fredward” from Stingray Sam. Leave us a comment...
- 3/12/2010
- by Kirk
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Oh, Stingray Sam is not a hero, but he does do the things that folks don't do that need to be done ...
It's amazing how many people didn't get that right - particularly when it's right on the DVD cover pictured to the left and in our original contest post - but Donivan Arnold and Mike Langlie certainly did and, as the first two names drawn with the correct answer both have just won themselves a copy of Cory McAbee's Stingray Sam on DVD plus a soundtrack CD. Congratulations!
It's amazing how many people didn't get that right - particularly when it's right on the DVD cover pictured to the left and in our original contest post - but Donivan Arnold and Mike Langlie certainly did and, as the first two names drawn with the correct answer both have just won themselves a copy of Cory McAbee's Stingray Sam on DVD plus a soundtrack CD. Congratulations!
- 3/5/2010
- Screen Anarchy
"Stingray Sam is not a hero..." but musician-filmmaker Cory McAbee's drolly inventive sci-fi/western/musical has made a heroic self-distributed leap to DVD. [Official site here.] From my original review last year:
Rocketing through another monochrome corner of the gently surreal, weird-humored universe shared by his lovely, Lynchian 2001 intergalactic musical The American Astronaut (any film with characters named "The Blueberry Pirate" and "The Boy Who Actually Saw a Female Breast" makes my cut in this decade's cult canon), musician-filmmaker-actor Cory McAbee again follows his heart and whimsical mind to the outer limits with Stingray Sam. Modeled after old Buck Rogers serials and the like, McAbee's musical space-western yarn spans six serialized episodes, each "presented" by fictional every-corp Liberty Chew Chewing Tobacco, a satirical stand-in for the annoying overlap between entertainment and consumer culture (commercials, ubiquitous product placements, having to whore oneself to make a living).
GreenCine Daily has a Stingray Sam DVD...
Rocketing through another monochrome corner of the gently surreal, weird-humored universe shared by his lovely, Lynchian 2001 intergalactic musical The American Astronaut (any film with characters named "The Blueberry Pirate" and "The Boy Who Actually Saw a Female Breast" makes my cut in this decade's cult canon), musician-filmmaker-actor Cory McAbee again follows his heart and whimsical mind to the outer limits with Stingray Sam. Modeled after old Buck Rogers serials and the like, McAbee's musical space-western yarn spans six serialized episodes, each "presented" by fictional every-corp Liberty Chew Chewing Tobacco, a satirical stand-in for the annoying overlap between entertainment and consumer culture (commercials, ubiquitous product placements, having to whore oneself to make a living).
GreenCine Daily has a Stingray Sam DVD...
- 3/4/2010
- GreenCine Daily
We do love us some Cory McAbee here at Twitch and we're more than happy to say that we've just been offered up two copies of McAbee's latest film odyssey Stingray Sam on DVD along with a pair of soundtrack CDs to give to you, the lucky Twitch reader. This one is only open to residents of North America but if you want to stake your claim to be one of our two lucky winners of a DVD / CD combo then email me here and answer me this question: If Stingray Sam is not a hero, then what is he?
Winners will be drawn Monday.
Winners will be drawn Monday.
- 2/24/2010
- Screen Anarchy
The soundtrack to Stingray Sam, the Fantastic Fest fave that had people singing for days afterwards, is now on sale. Written and performed by director Cory McAbee and co-produced with Robert Lurie, it's full of delightful absurd and often deconstructed songs like "Lullaby" or the progeny naming song "Fredward."
The episodic interplanetary adventure musical is still on the festival circuit, wowing crowds with its old-school serial wrapped in Western sensibilities. Both the soundtrack and the movie itself are available for purchase online at corymcabee.com, as digital media downloads or as discs.
To celebrate, we're giving away DVDs and soundtrack CDs. Find out how to win after the jump.
read more...
The episodic interplanetary adventure musical is still on the festival circuit, wowing crowds with its old-school serial wrapped in Western sensibilities. Both the soundtrack and the movie itself are available for purchase online at corymcabee.com, as digital media downloads or as discs.
To celebrate, we're giving away DVDs and soundtrack CDs. Find out how to win after the jump.
read more...
- 2/15/2010
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
Diary Of A Bad Lad is a no holds barred, unflinching look at the British underground crime scene told through the eyes of a cinephile documentarian who finds him self in too deep with the subjects of his latest project. Having a limited five day release on the dailymotion.com website last year, Diary Of A Bad Lad was viewed by over 167,000 people which created a wealth of interest in the film. Mr. Williams kindly spared some time to discuss the film and to also reveal that UK & Ireland distributor Classic Entertainment is set to give the feature a UK theatrical release targetted for late April, with UK & Ireland DVD across the Hight St release late May/early June. The film’s web-site can be found here.
How would you describe Diary Of A Bad Lad to Reelloop readers not aware of the project?
It’s a no-budget film about what happens when documentary filmmaker,...
How would you describe Diary Of A Bad Lad to Reelloop readers not aware of the project?
It’s a no-budget film about what happens when documentary filmmaker,...
- 1/25/2010
- by Kieron
- ReelLoop.com
Hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas, whether it's a holiday you celebrated or not. Or at least a better one than me, I had the flu. Movies were watched, just not in the theater. I still need to see The Road. I couldn't even muster up the concentration to watch my new District 9 Blu-ray.
Hollywood has no movies opening this week. The only films that aren't simply switching theaters or times are two special engagements at the Alamo Ritz.
Stingray Sam opens for a special three-night run. This crowd pleaser is an episodic space musical about Stingray and his friend the Quasar Kid, who are compelled to rescue a little girl from a planet with a surprisingly twist on genetics. This homage to old-school sci-fi serials as well as musicals has catchy music you'll be singing to yourself for days after. The twinkle in director/writer/star Cory McAbee...
Hollywood has no movies opening this week. The only films that aren't simply switching theaters or times are two special engagements at the Alamo Ritz.
Stingray Sam opens for a special three-night run. This crowd pleaser is an episodic space musical about Stingray and his friend the Quasar Kid, who are compelled to rescue a little girl from a planet with a surprisingly twist on genetics. This homage to old-school sci-fi serials as well as musicals has catchy music you'll be singing to yourself for days after. The twinkle in director/writer/star Cory McAbee...
- 1/1/2010
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
Rocketing out of the furthest reaches of the galaxy to stir up a massive amount of shocked reactions at Fantastic Fest 2009 was the manic intergalactic comedy musical Stingray Sam from writer/director/star Cory McAbee (The American Astronaut). Well, we decided that there was no better way to strike out against a new decade than with additional screenings at The Ritz (this Sunday through Tuesday) of this aggressively unique slab of movie insanity.
The Story: A dangerous mission reunites Stingray Sam with his long lost accomplice, The Quasar Kid. Follow these two space-convicts as they earn their freedom in exchange for the rescue of a young girl who is being held captive by the genetically designed figurehead of a very wealthy planet.
“McAbee’s incredibly engaging story, not to mention the beautiful black and white photography, makes it just about the most fun you’ll have in the independent theater this year.
The Story: A dangerous mission reunites Stingray Sam with his long lost accomplice, The Quasar Kid. Follow these two space-convicts as they earn their freedom in exchange for the rescue of a young girl who is being held captive by the genetically designed figurehead of a very wealthy planet.
“McAbee’s incredibly engaging story, not to mention the beautiful black and white photography, makes it just about the most fun you’ll have in the independent theater this year.
- 12/29/2009
- by brad
- OriginalAlamo.com
When Cory McAbee’s American Astronaut debuted at Sundance in 2001 critics where all tripping over themselves to attribute superlatives to the genre-bending film whilst struggling to describe exactly what they had just seen. Having made numerous appearances at Sundance for the better part of two decades, McAbee returned earlier this year with Stingray Sam. The David Hyde Pierce narrated sixty minute feature once again baffled but delighted critics. Both features are now available exclusively at Cory McAbee’s web-site and you can also follow him on Twitter. Mr. McAbee generously donated his time to discuss his work.
You’ve made a name for yourself as one of the most original voices on the independent film scene with projects such as American Astronaut and Stingray Sam, both available at your website, across scores of festivals. Both projects are unique in that they blend genres that aren’t seen as natural fits to create whole new paradigms.
You’ve made a name for yourself as one of the most original voices on the independent film scene with projects such as American Astronaut and Stingray Sam, both available at your website, across scores of festivals. Both projects are unique in that they blend genres that aren’t seen as natural fits to create whole new paradigms.
- 12/18/2009
- by Kieron Casey
- ReelLoop.com
It's been over a week since the last edition of Slackery News Tidbits, so it's time to play catch up.
Fantastic Fest favorite Stingray Sam will return to Austin on January 3, 2010. Folks enjoyed this quirky film from Cory McAbee so much that many festival go-ers saw it twice. Check Alamo Drafthouse for screenings. Austinite Kayla Kromer, known for her creative custom beds, like the Hamburger Bed, has gained the attention of Star Wars fans worldwide with her Millenium Falcon bed. Kayla and her latest bed have now appeared on the official Star Wars Blog.
Team Alamo has launched the American Genre Film Archive (Agfa) to preserve 35mm prints of exploitation and horror films. This non-profit is so new, the site is only a placeholder, but it does include a paypal link to make tax deductible donations. Earlier this year, the Alamo Drafthouse helped save nearly 200 Shaw Brothers films that would have been destroyed.
Fantastic Fest favorite Stingray Sam will return to Austin on January 3, 2010. Folks enjoyed this quirky film from Cory McAbee so much that many festival go-ers saw it twice. Check Alamo Drafthouse for screenings. Austinite Kayla Kromer, known for her creative custom beds, like the Hamburger Bed, has gained the attention of Star Wars fans worldwide with her Millenium Falcon bed. Kayla and her latest bed have now appeared on the official Star Wars Blog.
Team Alamo has launched the American Genre Film Archive (Agfa) to preserve 35mm prints of exploitation and horror films. This non-profit is so new, the site is only a placeholder, but it does include a paypal link to make tax deductible donations. Earlier this year, the Alamo Drafthouse helped save nearly 200 Shaw Brothers films that would have been destroyed.
- 12/16/2009
- by Contributors
- Slackerwood
Well, it's October now, and just as all sites set their... well, sights on all things horror, Horror Squad's been ahead of the curve by covering it all year round! A-ha!
Seriously, though, as Weinberg told you, we've kicked off our Fates Worse Than Death series -- today's entry from yours truly regards that ever grisly Event Horizon. (Your suggestions are also welcome.) Peter's got the latest on the best in this week's genre discs (Trick 'r Treat, ho!), and newbie Brad McHargue keeps up the Fantastic Fest coverage with his look at Jake West's horror-comedy, Doghouse.
Mind you, the Sci-Fi Squad crew ain't slouching either, whether it's concerning their new genre DVDs of the week, their Fantastic Fest interview with Stingray Sam director Cory McAbee, their wonderfully gonzo glimpse at next month's disaster-tastic 2012, and a gallery of the downright geekiest tattoos I have ever seen.
So get crackin'!
Seriously, though, as Weinberg told you, we've kicked off our Fates Worse Than Death series -- today's entry from yours truly regards that ever grisly Event Horizon. (Your suggestions are also welcome.) Peter's got the latest on the best in this week's genre discs (Trick 'r Treat, ho!), and newbie Brad McHargue keeps up the Fantastic Fest coverage with his look at Jake West's horror-comedy, Doghouse.
Mind you, the Sci-Fi Squad crew ain't slouching either, whether it's concerning their new genre DVDs of the week, their Fantastic Fest interview with Stingray Sam director Cory McAbee, their wonderfully gonzo glimpse at next month's disaster-tastic 2012, and a gallery of the downright geekiest tattoos I have ever seen.
So get crackin'!
- 10/7/2009
- by William Goss
- Cinematical
Cory McAbee is not your average indie filmmaker. He's more of a self-taught Renaissance man who paints, writes, composes music, and also directs mind-bending films. At Sundance earlier this year, I had a slot to fill in my schedule and I thought Stingray Sam sounded interesting. Science fiction meets the Western? Sign me up.
What I didn't know was that I would be treated to a bizarre musical that was sliced up into a serialized format, complete with dance numbers, elaborate 60-second long handshakes between partners, and social commentary on everything from the U.S. prison system to tobacco companies. It's great stuff, and the songs will stick with you long after the movie ends.
Cory is no stranger to film festivals, having been at Sundance with three different films. I spoke with Cory at Fantastic Fest, where he was screening Stingray Sam. Check out the full interview after the break.
What I didn't know was that I would be treated to a bizarre musical that was sliced up into a serialized format, complete with dance numbers, elaborate 60-second long handshakes between partners, and social commentary on everything from the U.S. prison system to tobacco companies. It's great stuff, and the songs will stick with you long after the movie ends.
Cory is no stranger to film festivals, having been at Sundance with three different films. I spoke with Cory at Fantastic Fest, where he was screening Stingray Sam. Check out the full interview after the break.
- 10/4/2009
- by Kevin Kelly
- Cinematical
Not many official films today, as the festival is winding down, at least for me. I didn't manage to catch Yesterday as planned because a press screening started late. I can't say much about that, but I think I can say that if you like Vampire stories, you're in for a special treat for the Closing Night film.
I did manage to catch Stingray Sam after having had a nice chat over at the Highball with director/star Cory McAbee (shown at left). Chris Holland and I introduced him to the wonder that is Dublin Dr. Pepper, which the pharmacy next door stocks. If you haven't had one, it's very good, and made with real cane sugar. Nice guy, and he looks like he should be a regular at the Highball.
Anyway, Stingray Sam is a lot of fun, and people applauded throughout this episodic film. When I mentioned seeing the film to other festgoers,...
I did manage to catch Stingray Sam after having had a nice chat over at the Highball with director/star Cory McAbee (shown at left). Chris Holland and I introduced him to the wonder that is Dublin Dr. Pepper, which the pharmacy next door stocks. If you haven't had one, it's very good, and made with real cane sugar. Nice guy, and he looks like he should be a regular at the Highball.
Anyway, Stingray Sam is a lot of fun, and people applauded throughout this episodic film. When I mentioned seeing the film to other festgoers,...
- 10/1/2009
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
That's right folks, we reported just a few days ago that auteur Cory McAbee's latest film, Stingray Sam will be premiering online today at 7pm Pacific time. (That's California time) Scifi? Western? Comedy? Musical? Genius? Check.
You can read our review here and watch the trailer here.
To boot, Stingray Sam is still running the fest circuit and it will be screening here in Colorado in what we all affectionately (*cough*) call the Republic of Boulder this Friday, September 18th at 7pm as part of the International Film Series. I will also be there, so if you want to meet up, use our contact form.
Tickets are available here.
You can read our review here and watch the trailer here.
To boot, Stingray Sam is still running the fest circuit and it will be screening here in Colorado in what we all affectionately (*cough*) call the Republic of Boulder this Friday, September 18th at 7pm as part of the International Film Series. I will also be there, so if you want to meet up, use our contact form.
Tickets are available here.
- 9/15/2009
- QuietEarth.us
That's right folks, the man behind one of the greatest films ever made (American Astronaut, like I need to tell you that) will be releasing his latest film online on September 15th in a live broadcast complete with Q&A afterwards! Our own NY correspondent Bob Doto saw the film at a private screening and loved it. You can read his review here
What is it? A genre-bending pastiche of humor, science fiction and western from one of the most overlooked talents this side of the globe.
But it gets better. If you head over to the official website, theres a link at the bottom of page to download the first episode. Unfortunately in it's in an ipod format (which those of us who run a Real operating system like linux can't play, ahem!), but most of you should be able to play it.
A dangerous mission reunites Stingray Sam with his long lost accomplice,...
What is it? A genre-bending pastiche of humor, science fiction and western from one of the most overlooked talents this side of the globe.
But it gets better. If you head over to the official website, theres a link at the bottom of page to download the first episode. Unfortunately in it's in an ipod format (which those of us who run a Real operating system like linux can't play, ahem!), but most of you should be able to play it.
A dangerous mission reunites Stingray Sam with his long lost accomplice,...
- 9/8/2009
- QuietEarth.us
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