A LAND OUT OF TIME is a call to action! This was another heart pounding, get mad as hell stimulus and education about what the current administration is allowing, promoting and doing to our most precious lands by fast-tracking gas and oil drilling, even literally, right in our back yard, the Roan Plateau and throughout the Rocky Mountains. This is not sensationalism or fallacy, this is fact and it is up to each of us to make choices in our elected officials who represent future generation's and our best interests. Conservation is the most responsible personal or political choice and act that we can demonstrate each day!
I suggested that perhaps a theme that might have been revealing itself was shifting but, talk about a slap in the face . . . JESUS CAMP, Friday's first offering at noon got my blood boiling and that was the intention of this powerful documentary. This expose' certaily gave Evangelical Christianity a voice, but the message that came across, even to this open mind, is frightening. We've all heard terms like indoctrination, brain-washing and mind-control, words we usually associate in a negative context with cultism. I am not one to use these words casually, but I can just as easily ascribe them to Jesus Camp as to an Islamic terrorist camp. Different content of course, but same intensity, emotionalism, control and rigor! Outrageous!
Upon reading that a grizzly bear was sighted with two cubs near Independence Pass, my cosmopolitan, high-brow reality was lost to the sense that I was a mountain man, a modern day Jeremiah Johnson living in the remote and wild Rocky Mountains. The sense was fleeting, as I was sipping a café-au-lait at Jour de Fete at the time, but the idea was exciting nonetheless.
Danger Will Robinson . . . there have been nine awesome films in three days and five on the slate for today. My head is spinning, but still anticipating what's next because it does just keep getting better and better!
Wow, this week is getting away from me already, but what an enriching experience. One of the things that I most appreciate and love about film is the personal expansion that I experience as the essence of a film is integrated into my consciousness. Is that too woo-woo for you at this hour? Too bad for you and you'd know what I am referring to, especially if you had the privilege of seeing yesterday's Aspen FilmFest 2006 offerings.
The horrendous hostage-taking and murder of Emily Keyes, a student at Platte Canyon High School in Colorado, reminded me of something that happened with my son not long after the killings at Columbine High School
I was a single parent and my son and I were going through a difficult time. Columbine was in the air and it had somehow put the worst kind of thoughts into his head about what he could do to those who would do him wrong at the school. He started talking about searching the Internet and weapons and things so disturbing I could not believe there were coming from my one and only son.
I went down the block thinking of a healthy feast at Explore Bistro – but the ‘FOR SALE’ sign out front stopped me dead. I shuddered from a chill that had nothing to do with the wild winter temperature. Just the thought of the lights out for good at the Bistro and bookstore was enough to scare me away.
I could not even take solace in a hot bag of popcorn in the square facing the Wheeler. The Wagon was closed, lights and popcorn popper turned OFF for the off season.
There is an upside to down – and the one thing that most definitely turns me ON about the OFF season are the downsized prices at many of the open eateries, all vying for a a slice of a very limited off season market share.
Did you notice the buzz in the air last night? Well, I know where it was coming from . . . I was there! It was coming from the Wheeler Opera House and opening night of Aspen FilmFest 2006! The excitement and anticipation were palpable! And it wasn't just about the new seats at the Wheeler. I will reserve judgement about the seats until I've spent a little more time with my butt settled there! First impression is - generously wide, but somewhat stiff and upright, though much improved legroom! I believe some break-in time will help.
Welcome to an insider's, that is, my look into, the experience of, judgement about and/or exclamation of Aspen FilmFest 2006! The festival runs from today, Tuesday, September 26 thru Sunday, October 1. Venues range from Aspen & Carbondale to Glenwood Springs.
You might ask, what qualifies DrBill to inflict his opinions on this space? Well, I have been a huge filim fan since college days, an even bigger fan of Aspen FilmFest since moving here ten years ago, participating in everything FilmFest produces (ShortsFest is actually my favorite), participating with the screening committee for several years and . . . I CARE!
