Brian Huskey, star and co-writer of A Better You – Photo – Jack Burke
Releasing Friday, October 9th, this hilarious, low-budget indie relies on the talents of many Upright Citizen Brigade comedy theater alums and their friends. With a stellar cast that includes star and co-writer Huskey, co-writer and director Walsh, and Walsh’s wife, Morgan Walsh, the film is a fresh look at the often-crazy reliance on self-help gurus that is part of the Los Angeles scene. Supporting cast includes Review‘s Andy Daly and Brooklyn Nine Nine’s Joe Lo Truglio, and SNL‘s Horatio Sands, but it’s Huskey’s movie and he runs with it.
Matt Walsh – director/co-writer of A Better You and wife/co-star Morgan Walsh – Photo – Jack Burke
Dr. Ron Knight (Huskey, Veep, Neighbors, Another Period) portrays a Los Angeles hypnotherapist with an self-published self-help book, a bevy of suggestible clients, and even more ads on bus stop benches. Maybe he’s onto something with his fast-track hypnosis and his call to patients that they should “wake up, wake up, wake up,” but maybe he’s not. He’s definitely clueless when it comes to his own marriage and relationships.
In the throes of a divorce from wife Margo (Morgan Walsh, Hot Wives of Orlando), Huskey reaches out to his handyman (Sanz), his patients – including pretty young Lindsay (Erinn Hayes, Children’s Hospital), and even his hilariously anal, pompous, and generally obnoxious neighbor (Daly).
Along with Dr. Ron’s misguided, sometimes poignant misadventures, the film pokes genial fun at the uniquely Los Angeles alternative help craze – it’s not just the M.D. or the shrink you can turn to when you have gurus and personal trainers peddling their quick fixes as well.
A Better You is director/co-writer Walsh’s second feature, and along with Huskey, the pair created the frame work for the fully improvised script, following the precepts of sketch comedy that UCB has made famous in LA and NYC. Funded on Indiegogo, this low budget fun-fest among talented friends will keep you laughing in the theater or on VOD; theatrical release in Los Angeles will be at Laemmle’s Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
Dances with Films dances with pure delight. If you have to pick one film festival to attend, pick this one. Indie films you won’t see anywhere else, some as perfectly honed and crafted as anything you’d see in the multi-plex – except more interesting; others showing a more home-made vibe. But every one worthy of watching.
I’m a veteran of Sundance, the Los Angeles Film Festival, and AFI – and I had no idea what to expect out of Dances with Films. What I got was an eclectic, lovingly curated explosion of cinematic story-telling from shorts to features, screened over eleven days. Founded eighteen years ago by filmmakers Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent, the festival more than lives up to its goals of being a prime source of great talent.
Held late May through early June at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, there were a lot of standouts in the 2015 selections.
Cast and Crew of Echo Lake
Echo Lake, written and directed by Jody McVeigh-Schultz, is a poignant, taut coming-of-age-late and getting in touch with your demons story about a 30-year-old functioning alcoholic, an inherited cabin, and a lost – and found – dog. It’s a vibrant, heart-filling film with a lot of laughs in with the darkness.
Strangers love in Fools
Benjamin Meyer’s Fools is a chance meeting love story set in Chicago about two strangers who randomly come together, live together, and fall in love. Witty, sharp, both romantic and decidedly unromantic, this is a relationship story that takes you along for the ride.
In Stereo is all about relationships – and relationships in New York
Mel Rodriguez III is the force behind In Stereo, the tale of David and Brenda, who may or may not be perfect for each other, even after they rekindle a past romance. This very New York tale dissects the human condition and gets under your skin the way the main characters get under each others.
Superior acting makes the film Superior a mighty coming-of-age treat
Edd Benda’s 1969-set Superior takes a 1,300 mile bike ride around Lake Superior, two best friends, and the looming shadow of the Vietnam War, and blends them seamlessly into a moving comedy drama about hard choices and true friendship.
Lots of laughs and screams in Bad Exorcist
Bad Exorcists, filmmaker Kyle Steinbach’s horror comedy about awkward teens making a horror movie and igniting their lead actress’ own possession, is fresh, funny, and scary, too.
Powerful film-making for Wildlike
If I had to pick one film as a favorite, it would be the astonishing Wildlike, an unlikely and breathtaking drama about a troubled teen’s escape from an abusive uncle, her survival in the Alaskan wilderness, and her moving friendship with a recent widower. Frank Hall Green has written and directed a simply stunning film – see it in theaters and VOD this October. Star Ella Purnell is poised to be a breakout.
Barn Wedding was a do-it-yourself affair
Also viewed: infidelity and a home-made, Pinterest-style wedding cross paths in the comedy-drama Barn Wedding; an estranged brother and sister must solve their deceased father’s annual treasure hunt to receive their inheritance in The Last Treasure Hunt; Lola’s Last Letter is a compelling micro-budgeted tale of an ex-con’s confessions on camera; Kathleen Behun’s 21 Days is the length of a nail-biting, scream-inducing paranormal challenge to stay closed in a haunted house.
Micro-budget meets multi-talents in Lola’s Last Letter
La Toya Jackson lends her support to writer/director Kathleen Behun’s chilling supernatural 21 DaysFestival Shorts captivated
The shorts program was equally compelling, with standouts including Madam Black, the surprisingly sweet and funny tale of a dead cat and true love; The Girl in the Green Dress, a Stepford-wives-esque tale of repressed feminism and sexual liberation; the buzzy Shevenge, directed by Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Amber Bensen, a short but hilarious comedy about women’s revenge on their men; and Selling Rosario, detailing the hard choices made by a family of migrant workers and their faith in a brighter future for their daughter.
Look for these films and these filmmakers; and get ready to dance with films yourself in 2016.
Genie Davis; all photos Jack Burke (copyright Jack Burke)
The Sundance NEXT Fest was in full swing on Friday night at the Theater at the Ace Hotel, with a screening of Noah Baumbach’s new dramatic comedy, Mistress America. Channeling the talents of his Frances Ha star Greta Gerwig along with Lola Kirke, the film is a pleasantly acerbic slice of life about Tracy, a budding writer and college freshman (Kirke) disappointed by her first semester experience at Barnard. Gerwig is her free spirited soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke – a constant source of energy and more zany half-baked ideas than adult plans. The two quickly become close as Brooke struggles to find funds to start a restaurant. The duo’s friendship, a falling out after Tracy writes of their misadventures, and their reconciliation are the backdrop for witty gems of dialog, wonderfully wacky moments of fearless screwball comedy, and a great score by Dean Warham and Britta Phillips. In classic Baumbach style, this is a film about the virtues and faults of being young in New York City, and about the energy of the city, impassioned if misguided youth, and a vibrant female Zeitgeist that infuses the film.
And after the film came more female energy in the form of Sky Ferreira and her strong backing band. Ferreira offered The Ace a strong set of upbeat alternative pop rock. Tight percussion and rhythm performers in addition to dreamy synth sounds created a good-time vibe which ebbed and flowed like the mood of the crowd. Standout singles such as 24 Hours and Boys set up catchy hooks worth downloading and repeating. The pairing of music and film were seamless, both filled with upbeat energy and a certainpoignant edge.
The Theater at the Ace itself continues to be a big player in Los Angeles’ Sundance NEXT events, with great acoustics and hip, soaring art deco architecture. Check out Baumbach’s film starting up at the Landmark this week, and hit the Ace to explore this historic venue whenever you can.
Nicole Saari, Genie Davis; all photos by Ben Saari
#LAFF2015 Ready for the release dates of Los Angeles Film Festival Award Winners? Reviews are coming soon.Kristen Schaal at Funny or Die comedy awards winners. She took on Emily Dickenson…“Puerto Ricans in Paris” Luis Guzman brings twist to cop buddies/fish out-of-water scenario.“Infinitely Polar Bear” – discussion with star Mark Ruffalo, writer/director Maya Forbes, and producer/moderator J.J. Abrams who didn’t get “Lost” taking about “Star Wars.”
