I liked both of the Paranormal Activity movies. Sure the second one was derivative but they kept what made the first one scary; they let tension build. They let things happen that you catch out of the corner of your eye. In real life that is what makes you JUMP.

But I am curious, and suspicious, if they can maintain the spookiness in a third movie. The trailer is, however, promising. Check it out HERE.

Midwest Independent Film Fest does a lot of neat stuff and I always mean to post their premieres and always wait too long. Well NOT this time. On August 2 their First Tuesday film is the Chicago Premiere of Meet Monica Velour, with Brian Dennehy, Dustin Ingram and Kim Cattrall (presumably not playing a mannequin).

This indie premiered at Tribeca and was shot in Michigan. That’s awesome. Screw Hollywood! Up with Detroit!

Live From Tokyo is coming out on DVD on Cood Charamel Records. The release will include a digital download of the soundtrack. It all hits the streets August 23. Yeah, so this is music but since it is a movie? I consider it appropriate for the movie section.

The Tokyo underground scene is noted for pushing the envelope and for being, by subjective standards, weird. There is no specific genre involved. There are many. Lewis Rapkin directed this documentary that also looks at Japanese society in addition to the eccentric musical culture represented. Bands include; Nisennenmondai, Tenniscoats, DMBQ, PARA , Shugo Tokumaru, Sexy-Synthesizer, Sajjanu, KIRIHITO, d.v.d, Optrum, Uhnellys, Samm Bennett, W. David Marx, Tokyo Pinsalocks and others.  

For more information head to www.GoodCharamel.com.  

Filmmaker Kenneth Hughes has several projects “in the can” (that is film person talk for “done). One of them is the vampire musical, The Bloody Indulgent. I have not seen it. But I keep thinking I really should. I have no information on when it will be in a festival or theater near you but should I find such information I shall endeavor to pass it on.

Kenneth Hughes is an actor, director, producer and dancer. He is also a desert topping and a floor wax (I am trying to communicate using only old Saturday Night Live quotes) He has worked with; Eric Stolz, Michael Bay, Christopher Columbus, the Coen brothers, Matthew Ralston, Tracy Ullman, Martin Landau and ISO Dance. His films have been featured at Canne, Sundance and he has been a teacher at CalArts.

For more info on Hughes head to www.kennethhughes.com.

Educational & Industrial films are often entertaining—although often for reasons that would seem a complete mystery to the people who made the films. They were not supposed to be entertaining or funny but they are.

Lew Ojeda, a Facets Personal Video Consultant, Copywriter and VP of the Underground Multiplex, presents a primer on these films and a screening. Edupalooza; The Educational/Industrial Film Fest and the Chicago Connection takes place at 11:30, July 16 at Facets, 1517 West Fullerton in Chicago. Cost is $5. Films that will be shown will include; Lunchroom Manners, Grill Skill and The Flintstones Sell Busch Beer. I am sure Fred fires up a Marlborough during that last one.

This is part of Facets Multimedia’s “Night School” presentations.

Writer, Rob Elder, and Director, John Waters, are presenting The Wizard of Oz at the Music Box Theater at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday June 11.

This is the first in a series based on Elder’s book, The Film That Changed my Life. Waters is introducing the film and Elder will interview him on the film after the screening.

Tickets are available and they are disappearing fast. Go HERE for more tickets. And keep an eye on Elder’s website for info on upcoming screenings.

Cineaste’s new issue is out and this month’s editorial focuses on Iran and the government efforts to eradicate independent cinema in that country.  You can sign a petition HERE or participate in the Cine Foundation International initiative.

But that isn’t all that is in this issue, the coverage includes an article on Robert Redford’s latest film , The Conspirator,  an article on Argentine director Lisandro Alonso and something on gay porn zombies (I am not making that up). Of course there is a lot more in this issue and you should go out and grab one. Read the details at the Cineaste website.

It is kind of hard to believe but Brian Eno “1971-1977: The Man Who Fell To Earth, is the first ever documentary about Eno. He is, without any doubt, one of the most important figures in rock music both as an artist, and maybe even more so as a producer. This documentary follows not only his career but his life from the early to the late 70s. This is Eno before he quipped that U2’s Unforgettable Fire (which he produced) sold more records in minutes than he had in his entire career.

The film includes interviews with musicians, writers and more as well as archival footage. If you are not familiar with Eno then this might be a good place to start. The DVD comes out May 17. You can order HERE.

Ernie Kovacs is a television legend. But, like many who garnered fame mostly from a talk show environment, once they are off the air? Their star fades. Of course, Kovacs did skit comedy that was way way ahead of its time… think proto-Montly Python… The skit comedy of Kovacs is still hilarious today.

Anyway Keith Olbermann moderates a panel with Joel Hodgson (Mystery Science Theater 3000, a certain descendent of Kovacs), Roger Smigel (comedian and writer), George Schlatter (of Laugh-In), and Jolene Brand (Kovacs cast member). Other guests are planned for this panel, titled, It’s Been Real: The Works Of Comic Genius Ernie Kovacs.

The event will include screenings in addition to the panel. Kovacs work has been archived at the Paley Center since the eary 70s.

For more info head to www.paleycenter.org. or to www.erniekovacs.com.

Miami Beach Cinematheque is reopening. Folks who uses to frequent Espanola Way may recall the little theater there. NOW...it is a bit fancier. Check out Rene Rodriguez' article at Miami.com.