TeenTix Blog

Review of Hooked at Seattle International Film Festival by Isabella F.The gnawing human desire for money and power takes over a group of video gamers who have been transformed into professional fighters. After a video game designer tests out his new transforming disks on a group of these video gamers, each of their superpowers brings them into contact with an extremely powerful international organization. Now, the film follows the lives and decisions of these gamers as they are forced to choose between power and what is right. Vampire and his girlfriend Rite decide to stay clean and destroy the transformative disks. Doc leads the rest of the team to attempt to obtain the disks in order to use them.The unpredictable twists of the plot keeps the viewer enticed for the entire two hours of the film. The rupture in the plot seems to be inside the minds of the characters, not outside dangers. Characters have to learn to trust each other in order to survive under the trickery of power. The director, Pavel Sanayev, adds brilliance to the film by fully developing the body language of each character. The transition between the nerdy gamers and the unbeatable fighters also has an emotional toll on the characters which is well outlined in the film.The only qualm I have with the film is the plot is very hard to follow, due to the quick banter of Russian and the distracting scenes. I would give it four out of five stars for lack of a deeper meaning in the message of the film. If the characters had harbored personal issues in the beginning of the film that needed mending the emotional element of the film would have been far more interesting. I would recommend it for ages 16 and up.HookedPart of Seattle International Film FestivalPlaying atNeptune Theatre: Monday, May 30 at 1:45 PMKirkland Performance Center: Friday, June 3 at 9:30 PMMore info at siff.netRecommended for Ages 15+ (contains strong action violence and brief sensuality)In Russian with English subtitles

I think you're referring to Haydn's Symphony No. 6.

Review of Nobody (Kanenas) at Seattle International Film Festival by Iman B.Nobody parallels the story of Romeo and Juliet. Instead of the noble families the Montagues and Capulets entangling in Verona, we observe the intertwining of Russian gangsters and Albanian gangsters in Greece. Car races replace street brawls, but the provocation and bickering remain consistent in both stories. Our Juliet is replaced with an Albanian immigrant named Julia, our Romeo, a Russian mysteriously named Nobody. Their story starts with a bumping-into while Nobody delivers pizza, but their romance doesn't really take off 'til the next night at a dance. The story is brought forth in a way that you may be able to easily predict, but it is told in context of modern times. We see the struggle for a better life through an education, and the striving for a better life in a another country--a concept both gangs can relate to. Staying true to Shakespearean style, the storyline is full of romance and turmoil. Fraternity at its greatest, endless forgiving, and a never-forgetting sense of vindication rule the vibe of this film as the love escalates and the tensions burgeon.This film captures the heart of its audience throughout, and it keeps you engaged and wondering how love at first sight can overcome the oppression of the opposing camps. Accompanied by a soundtrack that is just the right amount not to overpower each moment, but to maintain each scene's poise while stealing the heart of the viewer. This film is able to take the everlasting message of Romeo and Juliet, but present it in such a form that everyone can relate to, even those struggling to make ends meet; sorry nobles, no more exclusive rights on fairy tales. Furthermore, the strength of fraternity is tested when Nobody puts his camaraderie to the test with his pursuit of a law degree and relationship with Julia, whose brother imprisoned a member of Nobody's fraternity. But, we see that the sense of brotherhood between the boys never fails as they remain true to their friend and help Nobody through his trials.It is a given that Nobody is set up to parallel Romeo and Juliet, so the storyline (the dance, balcony scene, quarreling, and running away, etc.) might seem predictable. But the director does a swell job of making the parallels indirect and obscure, and adding his own twists, which make this heart-enchanting film an entertaining must-see for all movie-goers.NobodyPart of Seattle International Film FestivalPlaying atAMC Pacific Place:Friday, May 27 @ 7:00 PMTuesday, May 31 @ 4:30 PMEverett Performing Arts Center:Sunday, May 29 @ 1:00 PMMore info at siff.netRecommended for ages 15+ for gang violence and a scene of sexualityIn Greek, Russian, and Albanian with English subtitles

From our friends at Washington Ensemble Theater:Queer Teen Ensemble Theater, or QTET, is about to start it's 4th production! Founded in 2007, QTET is a city-wide summer theatre workshop that provides a creative outlet for queer teens and their friends to express who they are and where they come from. We bring together youth aged 13 - 19 to create a script from original writing, generative movement, and storytelling techniques developed through workshops with ensemble members and quest artists. The result is a fully produced show that runs during Pride weekend.Applications are open now at washingtonensembletheatre.org/qtetThe program begins May 23rd and goes through June 26th. If you know a queer youth, parent, teacher or leader who might know students who would be interested, please help us spread the word. There is no cost to participants and we help students with limited or complicated schedules find a way to be a part of the program. No theater experience is necessary.If you have any questions please email qtet@washingtonensemble.org.Below are some responses to the program from past participants!"I am becoming a butterfly. But right now is the crusty chrysalis. The caterpillar that scuttles gave me wings. I want to understand the power of these new wings. The power I have envied for so long. Stained glass strength bursting forth from my spine.” from the QTET 2010 production Breaking Character“It had been a long time since I had done any theater. I wasn't even planning to have a very large role in the show~ maybe just a few lines. I'm glad that I chose to participate fully in this production. I was slow to open up at first, but I enjoyed every aspect of the process.” QTET 2010 Alumni“Before starting QTET, I was thinking about working in a hospital. I wasn't seriously thinking about acting or composing professionally, and I didn't see any inroads for me to get there. Now I'm about to take a class at Evergreen called "Teaching Through Performance: American Radical History". . . QTET gave me experience and confidence to help me get there.” QTET 2010 Alumni“I knew my child would be participating and performing in a play but didn't realize how much she would participate in the writing and forming of the presentation. I was amazed at the final production and saw my child perform at a level much higher than she had in any previous theatre experience.” Parent of QTET participant“QTET allowed her to feel at home and meet supportive adults doing something she loves, she was so excited to come back her Junior year.” Parent of QTET participant

Vis-à-Vis Society @ NW Film ForumThe Vis-à-Vis Society debut their newest statistical musical extravaganza, “Hello, Again, Hello.” Investigating topics such as group dynamics of contagious loneliness and bioluminescence, car crashes and the time step, Phone Booth/Photo Booth Uplift Effect (PBUE) and peppy pants, the Vis-à-Vis Society will conduct live poetic research during the show, as well as present findings from the field. Using poem-surveys, graphs, film, song, dance and other traditional scientific methodologies and precepts, the Vis-à -Vis Society reveals the hidden personal through the collective. Some of their favorite instruments: overhead projectors, accordion and glockenspiel, portable record players and snacks. 
Vis-à-vis Society is Sierra Nelson and Rachel Kessler, formerly of (the beloved poetry performance group) Typing ExplosionThursday, May 12 at 08:00PMFriday, May 13 at 08:00PMSaturday, May 14 at 08:00PMMore info at nwfilmforum.org

Review of The Prisoner of Second Avenue at ACT Theatre by Safaa D."Did you call the police?!" Mel Edison asks when he comes home to find his apartment ransacked. "Didn't I say that?" Mrs. Edison retorts. Mr. Edison replies "Did you tell them we've been robbed?!"Allgood and HamiltonPhoto by Chris BennionMel Edison (R. Hamilton Wright) is the average 1970's middle class New Yorker. With two daughters in college, 22 years in the workforce on his resume, and a furnished apartment made complete with a Betty Crocker cookbook, he has what is considered to be a comfortable lifestyle. When his career comes to a screeching halt, his appliances begin to malfunction, and his apartment is robbed, the pressure proves too much and a midlife crisis complete with nervous breakdown sets in: His world and mind are turned upside down.Unable to function and driving his supportive wife (Anne Allgood) nuts, we watch through a comedic lens as he seeks vengeance on his water bearing upstairs neighbor, attempts to make the children's softball team and deals with the loss of his job.The playwright Neil Simon's wit is irresistible and the art of a comedic genius is showcased well in this theatrical performance. Not only can he turn what could easily become a flat joke into something, he has the entire house roaring at a perfectly timed bit of stereotyping we can all relate to. Comedy is not an easy genre, but Simon's full-on humor and beautiful construction of the play makes it one of my favorites.I find it somewhat amusing that, though the script is written with the language structure of native New Yorkers, the two main actors voice the West Coast pronunciation, giving the play a different feel than what I've experienced before. Mel Edison’s estranged and eccentric family (played by John Aylward, Julie Briskman, Kimberly King, and Cynthia Lauren Tewes) all seem to have inherited Big Apple lingo, while their brother Mel has a West Coast lilt.As always, attending ACT is high on my list of favorite things to do with a Friday night, but Neil Simon's Prisoner of Second Avenue gives attending an extra kick. Complete with water raining down from the ceiling, hilarity and only a conservative dose of profanity, the Prisoner is in the house. And he requests visitors.The Prisoner of Second AvenueThrough May 29ACT Theatre

Review of Feltsman Plays Shostakovich at Seattle Symphony by Bethany B. The trumpet is singing, the violins are shimmering, and everything is serene, when BAM! The pianist pounds a single discordant bang on the piano. This is your test, courtesy of Dmitri Shostakovich, to see if you were paying attention. Although, honestly, how you could not pay attention to this masterpiece is beyond me. The night opened with Bohuslav Martinu Toccata e due canzoni. A toccata is a fast-moving, light piece, typically performed with a piano, or plucked instrument. "E due canzone" means "and two songs" in Italian. To be honest, this piece wasn’t anything special. It’s typical, classical orchestra music: beautiful but predictable. However, Martinu was just opening for Shostakovich’s piano concerto. Vladimir Feltsman, the featured performer of the night, is one of the most amazing pianists I have ever seen in performance. His hands fly over the piano, mastering the Shostakovich as if it were child’s play.

Review of Louder Than A Bomb at SIFF Cinema by Sanigiah Y.Louder Than a Bomb- a pen, a page. Poetry- an expression of art; a necklace of words strung into magnificence. In Louder Than a Bomb, four Chicago teens prepare for the universe’s largest poetry slam, Louder Than a Bomb. But the movie is less about the actual competition, but the pathway to the competition. Each teen's troubles, emotions, thoughts, achievements are expressed onto a piece of paper, a practice, and an anthem to people everywhere. Jamar, Nova, Adam, and Nate, four teens who go through everyday, day to day, in every way, express their everything into powerful poems. But these teens don’t go through Louder Than a Bomb alone. Louder Than a Bomb emphasizes teamwork, passion, artistic expression, competition, and the significance of listening to the voice of the youth. Thanks to directors Greg Jacobs and Jon Siskel, the youth can be heard.“Voices can be muffled, but never silenced. Use yours.”- Jamar of the SteinmenautsJamar of the Steinmenauts (formally Steinmetz), is growing as a person and with his group. The Steinmenauts, who won Louder Than a Bomb in 2007, are intent in winning again. They lose focus, and on the way, almost their voice and value. They lose in the semi-finals, but gain the respect they have always wanted. One of their most notorious and collaborative group poems, Counting Graves, oozes out greatness. Unable to go to finals, they realize that “the point is not the point, the point is the poetry.” (Kevin Covall, founder of Louder Than a Bomb,)Nova, of Oak Park, writes about her family and her poems pulls on heartstrings. She writes about all her deep thoughts and advances with Oak Park to the semi-finals. Her poem, Cody, talks about her brother who has a series of health problems. One cannot help but tear up a little and just delve into that emotional state she puts people in.“Breathe now, poet, because one day, you will not breathe and the blood will not go to your brain and you will no longer say anything,” Adam says with so much power that his face turns red, starts to spit, breathes heavily. He admires the Steinmenauts and advances to finals, acknowledging them in group poem. He demonstrates good sportsmanship and the strong bond the poets have through Louder Than a Bomb.Nate, who is experiencing his last year in Louder Than a Bomb, proudly leads his team. A rather quiet child and an outcast in his neighborhood, he recites poems loudly and fiercely. The ending poem and his individual poem is an anthem to the power of his voice which shakes the whole audience. He ends his poem by speaking about his past poems about sex, drugs, violence, and moms, and saying farewells to Louder Than a Bomb.Louder Than a BombSIFF CinemaThrough Thursday, May 12

excellent show

Louder Than a Bomb @ SIFF CinemaLouder Than a Bomb is a film about passion, competition, teamwork, and trust. It’s about the joy of being young, and the pain of growing up. It’s about speaking out, making noise, and finding your voice. It also just happens to be about poetry. Every year, more than six hundred teenagers from over 60 Chicago area schools gather for the world’s largest youth poetry slam, a competition known as "Louder Than a Bomb".By turns hopeful and heartbreaking, the film captures the tempestuous lives of these unforgettable kids, exploring the ways writing shapes their world, and vice versa. This is not "high school poetry" as we often think of it. This is language as a joyful release, irrepressibly talented teenagers obsessed with making words dance. How and why they do it—and the community they create along the way—is the story at the heart of this inspiring film.Louder Than a BombSIFF CinemaMay 6 - 12Director Jon Siskel and Poet Lamar Jorden are expected to attend Friday and Saturday screenings. There will also be local poets with Lamar Jorden performing at 7:15pm before the 7:30pm screenings:May 6 will feature Lamar Jorden, Donte Johnson, and RavenMay 7 will feature Lamar Jorden, Devin McDonald, and Raven

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs @ Seattle Repertory TheatreMike Daisey in front of a famous monument to Deng Xiaopheng, in Shenzhen, ChinaPhotography courtesy of Ursa WazLove your iPod? Ever wonder where it was made and by whom? "Master storyteller" (New York Times) Mike Daisey did. He wondered about it so much that he went all the way to Shenzhen, China to meet the people who work at the Apple factory. What he found out may or may not surprise you, but it will make you think. And while you're thinking, you'll also be laughing, 'cause Daisey is hilarious, even when he's talking about realities we might rather ignore.Our reviewer, Chloe P., calls it "hilarious and chilling...both immensely entertaining and hauntingly relevant...it will stay with you a long time after you leave the theatre." Read Chloe's whole review here.The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve JobsThrough May 22Seattle Repertory TheatreRecommended for ages 14+ for profanity

Review of Jackie and Me at Seattle Children's Theatre by Jamie K.Baseball. It’s America’s pastime. It goes with apple pie and the red, white, and blue. There’s also person that goes with that combination: Jackie Robinson. Robinson paved the way for African-Americans in athletics, being the first black athlete in major league baseball. He faced the terrors of being the only non-white player in Major League Baseball, during the 1940s and 50s. He would have to to eat at different restaurants than his teammates, sleep at different hotels, and go out the back door at the stadium while his teammates went out the front. This play, adapted by Steven Dietz from Dan Gutman’s book, Jackie & Me brings everyone into that hard time in the life of Jackie Robinson.Photo by Chris BennionAt some plays, you know how you’re fidgeting in your seat? You're doing that because the play isn’t keeping you gripped. This was not a problem at Jackie and Me. Never once was I not enthralled with the story that these actors were portraying.Erwin E. A. Thomas, who plays Jackie Robinson, plays the part exquisitely. He looks just like any photograph of Robinson--the resemblance is uncanny. Thomas shows compassion, anger, excitement, and everything in between--a winning recipe when playing an icon such as Robinson. I can’t say enough about Thomas’ excellent portrayal of the great man.Out of the eleven actors that are in the production, only two play just one part, the rest play numerous parts, showing how versatile they all are. Tim Hyland, who mainly plays Branch Rickey, the general manager who brought Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, was another one of my favorites. When watching the scene when Robinson is getting signed by Rickey, you actually think you are there, back in ’47, watching history being made.The one drawback to the production is David Goldstein, who plays Joey, the main character of the play. You like him at some moments, and dislike him at other moments. He plays the part of Joey a little too hyper, except for a few moments. At some points, it's almost as if he's drained two cans of Red Bull, and is just buzzing around the stage.Photo by Chris BennionSeattle Children’s Theatre usually does a great job with sets, and this one hits the bullseye yet again. The set is fun just to look at, with the onstage stadium lights, and the dugouts. The play is very humorous throughout--not just the dialog, but also with the physical comedy. One of the funniest moments in the show is when an actor says that she doesn’t serve Yankee fans. There was a ten-second round of applause coming from the audience. This is the kind of show that everybody should go to. It is one the best all-time productions that I have ever seen at Seattle Children’s Theatre.All around the production is great. From the adaptation by Dietz, to director Shelia Daniels, to the actors. It is utterly fantastic.Jackie & MeSeattle Children's TheatreThrough June 5thAges 8+

Review of NFFTY Opening Gala by Rachel T. NFFTY…is there some dignified way of saying that that doesn’t sound like nifty? I wonder to myself as I enter the Cinerama with friend in tow. The whole place is set up like a mini version of the Oscars, with a hard-to-miss red carpet, photographers squeezing off shots of all the action, reporters scurrying around with microphones, extremely swanky clothes and free Vitamin Waters by the bucketful. I realize as I step into the world of NFFTY, or The National Film Festival for Talented Youth, that the amazing opportunities the organization provides deserve nothing less than an Oscar-esque opening night. NFFTY, which started 5 years ago, has grown drastically since its humble 2007 beginning as a 1-night festival with 14 films. This year, it showed 225 films (chosen from 700 submissions) with filmmakers from 40 US states and 20 countries and lasted 4 days. It is now the largest youth film festival in the world. Now that’s progress. Its goal is to give the opportunity to today’s teens to become the talented filmmakers of tomorrow by allowing their work to be seen by thousands. I get to be one of those thousands as the room goes black and silence breaks over the audience. Six films flash over the screen in the next forty-five minutes. They range from hilarious to heartbreaking to adrenaline-pumping to uplifting. There’s the eerie animated Stop, Rewind, the tale of a murderer recruited as a test subject for an experimental machine. I’m on edge throughout. The Archivist artistically follows a girl and her ponderings on how stock footage came to be. Departure is bluntly realistic, as a young girl discovers a feather that she knows must be from her mother’s angel wing, while her father has other ideas. The Passage relies heavily on stunning special effects to illustrate a boy breaking free of the limbo between reality and fantasy. Signs is a close-to-home piece, done by Ballard High School students Rikke Heinecke, Tony Meyer, and Elizabeth O'Laughlin, featuring a homeless man’s life changed when a stranger gives him something much more special than a handful of pennies. The Lost and Found Shop straddles the line between comedy and tearjerker, chronicling a little girl in search of her favorite memory. For me, what’s amazing about all these pieces is the emotion and intensity they are able to convey considering the limited time they have (the longest of the aforementioned works was 10 minutes). Then there’s the fact that all of these films were done by youth ages 11-22. NFFTY allows young adults to shine and show the world what they’re capable of. Age is meaningless in this equation. NFFTY 2011 is over, but you can watch films and learn about the opportunities that NFFTY creates for young filmmakers all year round at www.nffty.org.

Review of Kinyarwanda at the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival by Safaa D. Kinyarwanda tells the stories of Rwandans during the bloodshed of 1994 and the accomplishments of the people in resolving past issues by forgiveness in order to coexist and heal their nation.Director and writer Alrick Brown along with producer Ishmael Ntihabose draw material from accounts of genocide survivors compiling them into an artfully woven tale. The lens switches between the main characters who are linked to one another through an intricate web of love and hate, peace and violence, and eventually forgiveness and healing. The film begins with a love story between two young people then moves on to a Catholic priest about to be executed and then to the kind old Imam who does all he can to shelter those in need, showing different aspects of life during the Rwandan genocide.Though the streets are dangerous and no one opposing the eradication of Tutsis is safe, life goes on. Parties are held behind drawn curtains, children still play ball and young love does not stop. When the Tutsis and refusnik Hutus must flee the carnage, they take refuge in the grand mosque of Kigali. The mosque is the only safe place for them, as the Mufti proclaims Muslims to be forbidden from taking part in the genocide, instructing the mosques to open their doors to all people who seek asylum.Eventually the main characters, along with hundreds of others come to hide together in the great Mosque of Kigali and Madrassa of Nyanza. The Christians and Muslims, the Hutus and the Tutsis pray side by side, each in their own way. The people of Rwanda come together to protect, respect, and eventually forgive one another. They learn to look past the divisions that caused the strife, and become one people.This film is a rare find with a powerful message of hope and exculpation. It is a masterpiece, showing the human face of love, lurid anger, and the meaning of forgiveness.The chances to view this film are limited, and unfortunately this was the only showing in Seattle. You can go to the website kinyarwandamovie.com to learn more about the film and like them on facebook. If you have the chance, this is a movie that you shouldn’t miss.Even if you can’t see Kinyarwanda, the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival (LHAAFF) is continuing through May 8th. The line up for this year is amazing: Movies, Art, Music, Human Rights and local film makers. I hope to see some Teen Tixers at the Central Cinema during the week, or at the Quincy Jones Theater on Sunday. Don’t miss this opportunity. GO!Langston Hughes African American Film FestivalThrough Sunday, May 8thCentral Cinema & Quincy Jones Performing Arts Center at Garfield High SchoolMore info at langstonarts.org

Review of The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs @ Seattle Repertory Theatre by Chloe P.Photo courtesy of Kevin BerneThe stage design is worthy of any Apple product: sleek and minimalistic, with a simple table and chair set before a frame of LED rectangles. The lights go down, and then back up; Mike Daisey, now occupying the lone chair, wastes no time launching into his monologue, The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs, a stunning work of nonfiction weaving together stories of Apple, Steve Jobs, and the place where our technology is made. During the course of the approximately two hours of Daisey’s performance, he discusses his love of technology, the history of Apple and Steve Jobs, and the harsh reality of the Chinese “special economic sector” where all of our electronics originate. Daisey describes the piece as “examin[ing] our technology through a very personal lens.” He thinks “it’s very important that we examine these objects (technology) and the circumstances under which they are actually built, which we are very, very unaware of. And even when we think we’re aware of it, we aren’t really fully aware.”Mike Daisey in front of a famous monument to Deng Xiaopheng, in Shenzhen, ChinaPhotography courtesy of Ursa WazDaisey is a captivating performer, intense and engaging. His stories are at turns hilarious and chilling. His monologue manages to be both immensely entertaining and hauntingly relevant, as, through his interwoven testimonies, he drives home an unsettling truth behind the technology we use every day, Apple or otherwise, that will stay with you long after you leave the theater. In a time when it is essentially impossible to go a day without using or seeing a laptop, cell phone, iPad, or other piece of technology, Daisey’s message is something everyone needs to hear. As Daisey puts it, you will leave “jail-broken,” with opened eyes and, hopefully, a changed perspective.The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve JobsSeattle Repertory TheatreThrough May 22Ages 14+ for profanityThe Seattle Repertory Theatre is also hosting a miniature Apple museum in conjunction with this performance, featuring various Apple products from the company’s beginnings to the 2000’s.

NFFTY: The National Film Festival for Talented YouthOne weekend only: April 28 - May 1SIFF Cinema, Cinerama & EMP|SFMMore info at nffty.orgWhat is NFFTY? NFFTY is the largest and most influential film festival for young filmmakers (age 22 and under). NFFTY occurs each spring in Seattle, Washington and includes up to 200 film screenings, filmmaking panels, film contests, parties, and opportunities for young filmmakers to network with industry professionals and each other. Young filmmakers from around the world submit feature-length and short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video, experimental, and action sport categories. More than 10,000 film fans are expected at NFFTY 2011, April 28-May 1.To help you sort through the myriad offerings, here's NFFTY's MUST List for the 2011 festival:Panels packed with a Hollywood punch!This year's panels feature bright stars and bright minds such as Dana Brunetti (The Social Network), Valerie Van Galder (The Da Vinci Code, Pineapple Express), Hayden Black (Goodnight Burbank) and Oscar award-winner Martin Strange-Hansen (This Charming Man). These industry pros will discuss the latest in new media and distribution as well as how to put your own spin on storytelling.Sharing Your Vision in the Digital Age: Fri., 4/30, 11:30amStorytelling My Way: Fri., 4/30, 2pmFriday Night & Centerpiece ShortsThe films in these two screenings present some of the best youth-made films, or what many would argue are some of the world’s best short films, period. From comedy to drama, these films touch on everything from death and revenge to the joys of first love and recollections of the past. Heather Morris, Brittany from Glee, makes her directorial debut in the World Premiere of The Elevator. Stephen Baldwin makes a cameo in the coming of age drama The Perfect Hurl.Friday Night Shorts: Fri., 4/30, 7pmCenterpiece Shorts: Sat., 4/30, 7pmLate Night Comedy and Horror screenings (ages 13+)NFFTY is not a children’s film festival as many films deal with mature subject matter. NFFTY’s two late night screenings of suspense thrillers are sure to accelerate adrenaline. Late Night Comedy sponsored by Comedy Central’s Atom.com is full of laugh-out-loud innuendos and below-the-belt taboo. These programs not recommended for those under 13.Late Night Comedy: Fri., 4/29, 9pmLate Night Adrenaline: Fri., 4/29, 11pmOn the Edge of Your Seat: Sat., 4/30, 11pmDocumentariesThe only thing more compelling then a great story is when it comes from real life. The NFFTY documentary screening follows a young boy using music to heal others while he battles cancer, the tale of a young girl’s decision to not eat meat, an inside view of roller derby, and a behind the scenes look at the everyday issues facing Israeli and Palestinian youth.Through My Eyes: Sat., 4/30, 12pmReal Life Documentaries: Sun., 5/1, 11amA Film For Every Fan:LGBT. Foreign. Animation. Experimental. Music Videos. Action Sports. Social Justice.NFFTY 2011 has a film for anyone. A few unique programs:Animation!: Sat., 4/30, 1pmExperimental Cinema: Sat., 4/30, 3pmAction Sports: Sat., 4/30, 9pmMP3’d: Sat., 4/30, 1pmNFFTY Earth: Sun., 5/1, 1pmInternational Showcase: Sat., 4/30, 5pmClosing Night: NW SceneThis year NFFTY features a record breaking 40 films from directors from Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Audiences can view some of the best of these at the closing night screening, followed by an awards ceremony.Closing Night: NW Scene: Sun., 5/1, 6:30pm

Bummer Summer @ NW Film ForumSummer's on its way - you can almost taste it, can't you? Yeah, it's coming, but it's not here yet. Luckily, the Northwest Film Forum has sent you a little lifeboat to tide you over in the form of Bummer Summer, a teen romance made by Olympia's Zach Weintraub. Weintraub also stars as the older of two brothers who are in love with same woman. From the Film Forum:"Winner of the 2010 Local Sightings Film Festival, Zach Weintraub's first feature is a mesmerizing debut. When you’re seventeen, even little things can seem like a major change. So it goes with Isaac, a teenager who, as his senior year in high school comes to an end, stares uneasily into the future. His confusion is compounded by the arrival of his older brother Ben, who comes home for the summer to take up with his ex-girlfriend Lila and set out on one last road trip before entering the world of responsibilities. The harmony the three youngsters seek over the weekend getaway quickly gives way to unexpected complications, as Isaac and Ben realize their shared feelings for Lila. Employing inventive storytelling, sensitive performances and deadpan humor, director Weintraub shows he's a talent to watch with this wry and touching portrait of youthful romance and potential."Watch the trailer:Bummer Summer closes on Thursday, so you only have a couple more days to catch it. Remaining show times are:Tuesday, Apr 26 at 07:00PMTuesday, Apr 26 at 09:00PMWednesday, Apr 27 at 07:00PMWednesday, Apr 27 at 09:00PMThursday, Apr 28 at 07:00PMThursday, Apr 28 at 09:00PMMore info at nwfilmforum.org

Review of This at Seattle Repertory Theatre by Sidney A.Photo by Chris BennionThis, the play written by Melissa James Gibson and directed by Braden Abraham, lives up to the expectations raised by the program, which boasted it to be “a huge hit” and presented it as the “West Coast Premiere.” Many things in life may pale under that kind of pressure, but This stands its ground and definitely comes out on top. This is the epic tale of four friends—plus a somewhat random Frenchman—fast leaving the flexibility of their 30s to wake up to their “real” lives. Loveless relationships, unfulfilling careers, and encroaching loneliness populate the story, potholes that threaten to rip relationships apart, tearing characters from the very friends who keep them together. Set in modern-day New York City, the set of This looks like a loft apartment, one so realistic-looking it appears that the occupants have merely stepped out. It becomes much more as the actors on stage come into their own, manipulating the props and various moving doorways with ease.Photo by Chris BennionThe story is told in fly-on-the-wall perspective, and feels fresh and new. This is a very candid, honest glance into the “dinky” lives of everyday people struggling to navigate in the big, wide world. Though the sets, costumes, and sound designs (by L.B. Morse, Christine Meyers, and Gino Scarpino, respectively) are exceptionally well done, those aspects of the performance are just smoke and mirrors for the heart and soul of the play, the actors and actresses (Hans Altweis, Cheyenne Casebier, Nick Garrison, April Yvette Thompson, and Ryan Shams as the aforementioned random Frenchman) just being on the stage, filling up the space with their bodies and voices. The actors act their parts with a passion and commitment that, for 85 minutes, makes the viewer forget these are real live people with their own real, live families and lives and that the New York City apartment on stage is not, in fact, reality.Photo by Chris BennionThis embroils the viewer into a whirlwind of humor and emotion, sorrow and joy, before plunging them back to earth at the end of the show, still mulling over the insignificant decisions that can so drastically change a person’s life.ThisSeattle Repertory TheatreThrough May 15NOTE: recommended for ages 16 and up for profanity, adult situations

Review of The Merry Wives of Windsor at Seattle Shakespeare Company by Emma Me.Candace Vance as Mistress Ford and Leslie Law as Mistress PagePhoto by John UlmanWhen two high-class English wives are left alone together, how much mischief can they manage to get themselves into? Mistress Ford and Mistress Page discover several sources of entertainment in Seattle Shakespeare Company’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Filled with light-hearted trickery, clever acting, and stunning visual effects, this theater production embodies the true spirit of a Shakespearean comedy.While William Shakespeare is most widely recognized for his tragedies such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, his comedies are equally memorable and entertaining. The recurring character of Sir John Falstaff, a plump old knight determined to acquire money, is of the most beloved Shakespearean characters in terms of comedic value. Falstaff once again becomes the object of hilarity in The Merry Wives of Windsor when he decides to simultaneously woo both Mistress Page and Mistress Ford, two wealthy, married women that supposedly take charge of their husbands’ finances. Confident in his charm, wit, and good looks, Falstaff attempts to lure the two away from their husbands in order to gain money. However, he is unaware that the women know of his plot and have plans of their own involving revenge and humiliation.Sean Patrick Taylor as Host and Gavin Cummins as Doctor CaiusPhoto by John UlmanSeveral harmless pranks are carried out at Falstaff’s expense involving a laundry basket and a rather large dress. As the two women entertain themselves, they must dodge several obstacles such as the suspicion of Falstaff and the unnecessary jealousy of their husbands. Mistress Ford’s husband fears for the future of his marriage so much that he visits Falstaff in disguise and hears of the entire plan. Unfortunately, Master Ford only motivates Falstaff to pursue Mistress Ford further, creating new complications for the wives.As all characters struggle to arrive at a happy ending, their unique personality traits and accents come through, captured marvelously by the actors. The costumes and props perfectly fit the time period, and enhance every scene. Class distinctions become obvious through clothing, especially when the voluminous gowns of the wives are placed side by side with Falstaff’s worn shirt, vest, and boots. The settings also undergo a dramatic shifts between each scene, for a series of backgrounds rotate into place, easily changing from the countryside near a large estate to the inside of the Garter Inn, a pub inhabited by peasants.Candace Vance as Mistress Ford and John Patrick Lowrie as Sir John FalstaffPhoto by John UlmanSimilar to Shakespeare’s other works, many subplots which revolve around the central theme appear as the story develops. From the beginning, Mistress Page struggles to find a suitable candidate for her daughter, Anne, to wed. As multiple men present themselves, each is more peculiar than the last. The true value of this subplot is the manner in which each suitor embraces his role and gives it a unique personality. One man, a French doctor who is ironically prone to injury, divides his time between pursuing Anne and honing his nonexistent sword fighting skills for revenge on a man who tricked him.The combination of entertaining pranks, abundant secrecy, and seamless choreography results in a stunning production of a Shakespearean comedy. Small touches of modern humor throughout the play are integrated into the script by the Seattle Shakespeare Company so as to enhance the original work. Falstaff’s misfortune becomes a benefit for everyone as the noble wives of Windsor plot to remain merry.The Merry Wives of WindsorThrough May 15thSeattle Shakespeare Company

NFFTY 2011Thursday, April 28 - Sunday, May 1 2011 The Seattle founded National Film Festival for Talented Youth is the largest youth film festival in the world. At the end of April, "NFFTY" will be holding its fifth consecutive festival, showcasing 225 films by filmmakers 22 and younger from all over the world. The festival hosts feature length and short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video, experiment and action sport categories. With adult comedy and horror screenings (13 and older), a happy hour with free beer (21 and older), romance films with free coffee, and a family-friendly screening, these youth-made film are meant to entertain all ages. WATCH the NFFTY 2011 trailerphoto by Brandon Baker