Authors: JP
Gandu
Gandu is a verboten Hindi term for “ass”, “asshole” or “loser” but this film is none of those. Quixotic Calcutta filmmaker Q (Qaushiq Mukherjee) takes the audience diverse places through a mélange of documentary film, music videos, sex and drug induced hallucinations in this black and white cinema masterpiece. Thank god for Slamdance—Sundance is too sanitized these days—give me blowjobs, heroin, and punk rock music I say, à la “Gandu”. … read more
Road Dogs
Documentaries about bands on the road can be overwhelmingly disgusting given their ultra lavish lifestyles but this documentary is completely disgusting for different reasons. That isn’t to say it’s bad—but watching a man screw his genitals together and face-painted “freaks” do entirely too much coke makes for a disgusting display, indeed. Don’t get me wrong a little blow on the road is a good thing, right? … read more
Bhopali
Bhopal, India is home to one of the worst industrial accidents in the history of the world, the worst in the history of India, and one still happening to this day. After the original thousands of deaths occurred the death toll has mounted and isn’t stopping, this is where “Bhopali” picks up, condemning original polluters Union Carbide and subsequent liability owner Dow. … read more
Superheroes
“Superheroes” adds to Slamdance’s expanding archive of some of the best non-fiction films we’ve seen at festivals. The cogent work follows the travails and (mis)adventures of real-life superheroes (RLSH) in major cities throughout the US—including the SLC. Characters as silly sounding as Master Legend and Mr. Extreme fight for justice alongside the more seriously dubbed likes of Omen, Conundrum, and a nice Jewish boy named Chaim (life in Hebrew). … read more
Beneath Contempt
One mistake behind a wheel while driving can end more than your own life as this feature portrays within the moral obstacle course of blame and death post-manslaughter. Three dead teens and one teen left to blame make for compelling storytelling in this engaging work. … read more
Fred & Vinnie
“Fred & Vinnie” is the true story of a bit actor’s life in LA as his shut-in, baseball card-loving friend moves in to crash on the couch. The unmatched pair of neurotics get on each others’ nerves as only disturbed individuals can—fighting for the bathroom, snore-less sleep, and space of mind. … read more
Little Dragon @ Urban Lounge
I’ve caught the smallest Dragon three times now, and every time I’m reminded how Sweden has not only one of the best reputations in the world but also some of the best music. Lead singer and percussionist Yukimi Nagano is as precious as ever, still donning her alluring veil and dancing about in a bizarre music-fog of awesome. She even busted out some crystal gongs this time that defy description. … read more
DATAROCK(d)
DATAROCK brought us The Most Extravagant Single in History. … read more
3.18.11 @ SXSW Live Team Coverage
Beats Antique’s Street Party Inspiration. Twin Shadows. The Republic Tigers. Kosha Dillz, SLC’s MC PigPen & Street Jesus. … read more
Super Moon Rising: SLUG’s SXSW 2011
To say I was excited for a festival that occurs in a place where shirts stick to backs with humidity would be a great understatement. I made my schedule anyway, boarded the plane with much air-phobia, and arrived with no limo waiting. A shuttle ride later and downtown beckoned outside the hotel window with an amazing buzzing from the SXSW. … read more