The One With Kiff's Film Festival Debut

 

 

 

Kiff's film festival debut occurred earlier today at DHS. The school, in a partnership between DECCA and The Danvers Accessibility Commission, hosted what will hopefully be an Inaugural 504 Film Fest.

 

Emmie and I attended to festival, which started at 10:30. We were fortunate to see three amazing movies from three very different view points about 504 Plans. Kiff's was shown last and starred his close friend, Hope, with cameos from Adrian, Lauren, Ms. C, and others. 

 

Having seen the film before, I knew what to expect. But in that setting, with other students (who applauded as he was introduced, which was so cool to see), the movie was powerful. And the actual event, was, too. There was an introductory video about 504s, a guest speaker in the form of the chair of the Danvers Accessibility Commission, and a chance for all of the filmmakers to speak. It was amazing!!!

 

Kiff also won first prize in the contest, which was an added benefit (along with a prize). However, I think what he enjoyed most - as did we - was the chance to talk to the chair of the committee who is a film-maker himself and gave Kiff some amazing pointers.

 

It is probably the first of many film festivals we will get a chance to see Kiff attend!!! 

The One With the Micca Preview

 

 

We went to see the MICCA preview show earlier tonight at DHS. The preview featured three songs from the DHS soundtrack for the MICCA performance this year, which will be in two weeks.  Now, the band is performing a little bit early so there is some time to make corrections in the performance.

They performed really well in their three songs. They represented a diversity of styles and types and included a final song that lasted nearly nine minutes. Amazing!!!

 I can't wait to see the real snhow. 

The One With the Academy Award Shorts

 

 

Kiff and I went into the Kendall Square Landmark Theater to see the Academy Award live action shorts. While I wasn't too sure what to expect, Kiff was excited and I looked at it as an opportunity to have some fun.

Unlike last year when we saw it in the small Salem Cinema with about ten other people, we were in a larger theater with many more people checking out the potential award winner.

There were five strong performances:

1. The Singers - about men in a bar singing and how it brings them together on a dreary day. It was good.

2. Two People Exchanging Saliva - about a woman who kisses another woman in a society where all kissing has been banned.  It was really good.

3. The Butcher's Stain - about reverse discrimination of a Palestinian butcher in Israel. Great show.

4. A Friend of Dorothy - about a young black man who, while trying to retrieve a ball, befriends an elderly lady named Dorothy and how the friendship impacts them both. Great show.

5. Jane Austen's Period Drama - about what the title says it is. A man is about to propose to a woman when he notices blood on her dress. What unfolds is a hilarious story about the subject of periods and how men, especially in the 1800s, had little awareness of periods.  Amazing show and just like a SNL skit.

Great movies and a great take!!! 

 

 

The One Wit Dramafest Preview show

 

 

 

Last night, Kiff took the stage in his long awaited debut. Emmie had made him vow to be in a play sometime, back when he was in 5th grade. Well last night, it came to fruition. 

Kiff has a part in the student written and student directed production "Dreamscape." We - along with many students, other parents, and several DHS teachers, watched the preview show to see what it was about. And, it did not disappoint.

 It tells the story of a girl (played by one of Kiff's friends) who lives a tough life and is taken into a dream world where her sister lives. However, it soon becomes clear that the dream world is devoid of emotion. Kiff played one of the characters who shows the sister that, while her old life was tough, it did indeed have emotion.

Kiff has a blast doing it and wanted to take it on, knowing that, as a future director, it is important to be able to relate to actors. 

He did a great job and it was an honor to see him on stage. Their production goes to the official Dramafest competition tonight. 

The One With When Harry Met Sally

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, Kiff, Emmie, and I went to the Somerville Theater to see the latest in their "feel good series" - movies from the past that they rerelease. For this show, we went to see When Harry Met Sally one of Emmie's favorite movies.

Now, an interesting note. Before the movie began, someone introduced the movie. He asked if there were people in the audience who had not seen the movie...and there were many!!!

While I have seen parts of this movie over the years and , when put together, I've seen the movie about twenty times, I am not sure if I fully watched the whole thing from beginning to end. And, I am glad I did. I was a great movie.

And the buttered popcorn was not half bad, either. 

The One With Crime 101

 

 

Last night, we saw the Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry movie Crime 101. Overall, it was an interesting, methodical movie.

It tells the story of Chris Hemsworth's character, an unusual criminal who embarks on high price crimes along the 101 highway in California. His calling card is to rob from people who will be insured and make sure not to hurt anyone in the process.

Mark Ruffalo plays the detective trying to solve this puzzling case that his police force is trying to deny exists. Ruffalo is convinced that the crimes that have been committed all follow a pattern. He becomes so obsessed that it ruins his partnership, the faith the police force has in him, and his marriage.

 What unfolds is a slightly convoluted, but in the end, entertaining plot with these two characters intersect with Halle Berry in a series of events that actually helps all of them out while also hindering the people who are against them. 

Overall, I'd give it a B. Great acting and the return of Nick Nolte to a movie help propel a complicated plot.

The One Where Bri Makes Dean's List

 

We got a pleasant surprise this week. We found at that during her first semester, Bri made the Dean's List at college.

We were not surprised. She put in a ton of work and spent hours doing homework, as well as studying at the library. 

Congratulations Bri. Great work!!!