#roller town

Wow. So I completely spaced on last weeks post. Probably because I came home from work and immediately passed out. Anyway this is what I would have done for last weeks. So without further ado

Frances Ha- Determined to make it as a modern dancer in New York, Frances pursues her unlikely goal with more enthusiasm than natural talent. The rest of the time, she and her sardonic best friend, Sophie, put off growing up for as long as they can.  I saw this movie the day before I left to go back to school and it really resonated with me. I think it's very apropos that this kickstarted my senior year because I'm incredibly afraid that this will be my future. I absolutely loved this movie but I did not love the fact that there's like no POC despite the fact it takes place in Brooklyn. Also based off the description I thought she was going to be a recent college grad, my friend and I were surprised that she was in her late 20s. If I don't have my shit together by the time I'm here age I should just give up. I also really liked that the film was in black and white. 

What Maisie Knew- In this updated rendering of the timeless Henry James novel, a perceptive 6-year-old girl becomes a bargaining tool when she gets caught in the midst of a toxic custody fight between her self-seeking, childish parents. A beautiful film and the young actress gives an amazing performance. Really should have gotten more mainstream buzz.  Ceasar Must Die- Brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani take their cameras inside Rome's Rebbibia Prison as its inmates stage a production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The film reveals the Bard's power to enlighten as the men connect the play to their own lives. Another black and white film! It's such an interesting idea for a movie. It's not clear from the description but these are real prisoners, not actors. 

Mark Little is a stand-up comedian, the co-creator of Dad Drives, a member of the sketch group Picnicface, and the star/co-writer of Roller Town, a film which everyone should see. He told me about why he loves fake moustaches, the inspiration for Roller Town, and what his prom experience was like.

  Why do you love fake moustaches so much?

I love what they do to my face. They make my eyes sparkle, and everything you say with a big enough fake moustache on sounds sneaky. Since my comedy has a bit of a sneaky vibe to it anyway, the moustache just enhances that. Also, do you know how in clown they say the nose is the smallest mask you can wear? I think that's what they say, anyway, that you can create an entire character by disappearing behind a clown nose. Anyway, that's how I feel about the moustache. It's a tiny thing, but when you put one on, you can just dive into the wildest characters.

Where did the idea to make a movie about Roller Disco come from?

Jason Eisener (director of Hobo With A Shotgun) gave Andy a copy of Roller Boogie, I think. Andy watched it, brought it up with Scott and me, and we all figured that since nobody had parodied this weird genre before, we would.

What about prom appeals to you from a comedic standpoint? Were you inspired by your own prom experience?

Yeah, my prom experience was weird. I went stag, but I dressed in this outlandish green velvet tuxedo with gold lining. I also had a bowler hat and a cane. I was a goof, but that's because I didn't want to take prom seriously, 'cause I thought it was dumb. Looking back, and probably thanks to lots of American movies, I wish I'd taken it more seriously, but that's the point, I guess. It's this weird pivotal moment that happens when you're a teenager. Some people take it way too seriously, and they look silly. Other people don't take it seriously at all, but they go anyway, and they look silly. Everyone looks silly. It's this meeting of teen hormones and adult aspirations and gowns and tuxes and children. It's a comedy goldmine. That being said, Kyle and I touch on maybe 2% of that in our show (Mark and Kyle Go to Prom). Mostly we just goof off with goths and clean rappers and motorcycle demons.

Is Picnicface going to continue to make videos or movies?