Paper Moon, King of Kong, Weeds

James Vasquez
Filmmaker-actor, Daisy 3 Pictures, readyokmovie.com

Paper Moon, shot in B&W, features an Oscar-winning performance by 11-year-old Tatum O’Neal. Director Peter Bogdanovich takes his time telling this funny father-daughter story, often with long static shots, highlighting the brilliant performances.

As a child of the ’80s and self-professed Ms. Pac-Man fanatic, the documentary King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (about the battle for the Donkey Kong world record) had me laughing, crying, and feeling nostalgic. It brought out the video-game geek in me. As good, if not better, than a Christopher Guest mockumentary — only real!

Weeds is a brilliantly written Showtime series featuring outrageous twists and turns. Mary-Louise Parker gives what could be considered a master class in acting. Plus, a cool theme song performed by different artists every week.

Paper Moon
(USA) 1973, Paramount

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
(USA) 2007, New Line

Weeds - Season One
(USA) 2005, Lions Gate

Mark Holmes
Producer-editor, Daisy 3 Pictures, daisy3pictures.com

Session 9: Brad Anderson’s indie tale of ghosts, insanity, and mystery, takes place in an actual Victorian mental hospital abandoned in the 1980s. The hospital is one of the creepiest locations ever set to film. The spare yet menacing sound design has to be heard to be believed. Try watching it with headphones, alone, in the dark.

The Devil’s Backbone: Guillermo del Toro’s companion piece to his much wider known Pan’s Labyrinth. Also set in the Spanish civil war, it tells the story of a little boy’s ghost through the eyes of children. For fans of traditional ghost stories that rely on what isn’t seen rather than shock and gore, this is a must-see.

The Celebration: This Danish film from the Dogme movement shows what can be achieved with a good location, a group of talented actors, and a tiny camcorder. For independent filmmakers, a true inspiration.

Session 9
(USA) 2001, Universal

The Devil's Backbone (Special Edition)
(Spain/Mexico) 2001, Sony Pictures

The Celebration
(Denmark) 1998, Universal

Carrie Preston
Filmmaker/actor/executive producer, Daisy 3 Pictures

Nothing captures the heart of regional theater and all that it entails better than the Canadian import Slings and Arrows. The clever, beautifully studied insights into what goes into producing a Shakespeare play are funny and moving at the same time. And the way the themes of the Shakespeare plays echo the action of the characters in the series is truly inspired.

David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive is the best depiction of the devastation that Hollywood can inflict on actresses. It’s haunting, enticing, and unbearable all at the same time. A surreal, cautionary tale.

As a filmmaker, I’m inspired by all of Nicole Holofcener’s films, so I recommend Friends with Money. I’m inspired by how undaunted she is by dialogue, relationships, and complexity of character. She stands for the idea that movies don’t have to be loud, violent, and male-centric to be effective.

Slings & Arrows: The Complete Collection
(Canada) 2003, Acorn Media

Mulholland Dr.
(USA) 2001, Universal

Friends with Money
(USA) 2006, Sony Pictures