We disagree with both the Stranger's and Metblog's takes on Made in America. This Crips and Bloods documentary by skater-cum-filmmaker Stacy Peralta is amateurish at best, with some not-so-subtle use of graphics (a target on MLK because he's being hunted by The Man, really?) and seriously convoluted storytelling. The only section in the film that really grabbed us was the Watts Riots, where Peralta finally put all his archival footage to good use; comparatively, the Rodney King Riots were given short shrift---and don't even get us started on the final montage of people crying. After the last screenings at the Film Forum tonight, Made in America will show again, free (with RSVP) at SIFF Cinema May 2nd. So for your money's worth, we kindly direct you to one of the other films on the NWFF bill: The Wild Bunch is Peckinpah's orgy of cowboy outlaw violence, all in the name of being bestest friends ever. more ›

MvB is going to get his pound of opening night hors d'oeuvres after seeing the The Merchant of Venice at the Seattle Shakespeare Company tonight. Saturday, if rainy, may involve an all-day LOTR-athon at a friend's in LQA.
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