Category Archives: All

I

I will host a screening and post Q&A of the restored John Waters’ film FEMALE TROUBLE at the amazing Palace Theater in Chattanooga, TN. Also my newly restored version of LOVE LETTER TO EDIE.

FEMALE TROUBLE was my first film with Waters, and it is quite the piece of 1970s underground culture. Autographed copies of my book LOW BUDGET HELL: MAKING UNDERGROUND MOVIES WITH JOHN WATERS and LOVE LETTER TO EDIE Blu-Rays– and other goodies available on site!

Sunday January 27 2:00 PM

A presentation of Justin Savage Arts

Netflix has some great non-mainstream cinema to offer, but theycan hard to find in the thousands of ever-shifting titles. Google “best films on Netflix”, and you’ll get dozens of returns. Like so much Internet junk, many just use algorithms of the most popular titles, counting stars, likes, etc.– not very helpful. Others are click bait saturated with ads that make it nearly impossible to get any useful information– frustrating.
I don’t like most algorithms, so by actually watching films, I’ve found many hidden gems. Here’s my newest list of titles, to help others find unusual, engaging, and informative pieces of cinema art that are very watchable.

NEW RECOMMENDED FILMS ON NETFLIX (12/21/2018)

ROMA
BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
HAPPY AS LAZZARO
BREATH
THE CREW
GABRIEL AND THE MOUNTAIN
THE MOST HATED WOMAN IN AMERICA
OUTSIDE IN
THE GIANT
THE INFORMANT

This seminar includes five uniquely cinematic films. They are thought-provoking “art films” that explore filmmaking’s greatest potential in acting, music, sound, cinematography, and innovative storytelling. They are multi-award winners, critically acclaimed, and very watchable.

The films will be shown in The Warehouse PAC theater in Cornelius, on its 10 x 20 ft. screen with 5.1 Dolby surround sound, to provide an authentic large screen experience. 

Each film will be introduced, screened, and followed by Q&A and discussion.

Films and class schedule:
All classes 6:00pm-8:30pm

Wed Nov 7 TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL Documentary, US Independent, dir Jeffrey Schwartz 2015

Wed Nov 28 MOLLY’S GAMEDrama, US, accurate reenactment of a woman’s venture into the ‘male’ business world; Jessica Chastain, dir. Aaron Sorkin 2015

Wed Jan 16 KING OF MARVIN GARDENSDrama, US, 1960’s ground-breaking indie film about small-time crooks. Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Ellen Burstyn, dir. Bob Rafelson 1972

Wed Jan 30 HUNTER GATHERERDrama/Comedy, US Independent African/American theme dir. Joshua Locy 2016 

Wed Feb 20 THE GREAT BEAUTYDrama, Italy, Oscar Best Foreign Language Film, in Italian w/English subtitles 2015

Seminar leader, Robert Maier, is a founder of the Davidson Film Club, Studio C Cinema, and The Warehouse PAC Cinema. He worked 30 years in film production as a writer, producer, director, and was chair of the broadcasting department at Gaston College. Maier has published three books on film production, and writes and lectures on cinema. 

Class size limited– early registration recommended.

To register, please contact Robert at rgm234@gmail.comor 704-996-7724.

Cost is $45.00 including all films.

Robert Maier is a writer, producer, educator, specializing in cinema.

I just watched a movie yesterday with an MPAA rating graphic warning that some scenes included  “Smoking.”  Was that a joke?  I mean as a progressive liberal, I’m all for government regulation, but this needs further explanation.  Smoking is a public activity.  It’s bad for you, but so are many other activities.  Will scenes of people eating pancakes require warnings?  Will there be a list of foods that diabetics should avoid watching, lest they pounce on the snack bar if a shot of Raisinettes appears?  Will the new rage be Odorama-like on-screen warnings for chocolate sundaes or chili-cheese fries?  Will we be warned if a scene shows a reckless driver?  A sign on a nearby walking path has a list of user instructions 2 feet long.

If people are so weak that they cannot be trusted to watch someone smoking on screen,  what will we do when the Chinese Red Army begins streaming across the the Canadian border?

Read more about Robert Maier’s fifteen years working with John Waters in the new book “Low Budget Hell: Making Underground Movies with John Waters.”  Available on Amazon.com and other booksellers around the world.