By Christopher K House

Uncertain is a documentary from directors Ewan McNicol and Anna Sandlands. It is set in a small Texas town with a population of 94 and follows the lives of three very unique men. Each with their own story and problems. We meet Wayne, an ex drug addict that retreated from the world and is a wild boar hunter, after his 'white whale' Mr. Ed the horse faced pig. Wayne's story is sobering as he recalls the day he was driving intoxicated and took the life of a young man while driving under the influence. Henry is a simple man looking for peace with God and himself for all his sins. Fishing brings him closer to God and gives him hope. Henry has his own sad past, his life today is one of turmoil with his family and his gold digging girlfriend. Last we are introduced to Zach AKA Geek. a young man living well below the poverty level and is dealing with a severe case of diabetes.

We feel empathy for each of these men, even though they are considered "bad' men by the rest of the world. McNicol and Sandlands are able to capture true human spirit in this heart breaking look into the small Texas town. Not much backstory is told about the town itself, that would have been interesting. All along, we wonder how it got the name 'Uncertain' and, how the town came to be. That doesn't distract from the subject of the film however, each of the men is fascinating. The cinematography was breathtaking, capturing the fog on the bayou as henry sat, isolated in his boat fishing. Also, when Wayne was hunting his elusive prize Mr. Ed the pig, the back woods was beautiful to behold. The film leaves you wanting more however, We are left wanting to learn more about these men, a follow up since filming wrapped perhaps. We were proud to partner with this film for this year's Milwaukee Film Festival. Uncertain is a film worth checking out, if you are a fan of documentaries, this is for you.

Grade B+  

Every day during the festival we will try to fill you in on what we will be seeing and what our pick of the day is. We might not be able to make it to the festival everyday but there is always something to see.

Day 3 and we are not able to make it to a whole lot of movies. You will find Steve with his family at the Kids Shorts: Size Small this morning.  One thing that is great about the film festival is that there are plenty of family friendly events that kids can be apart of.  

Then Chris and Steve will be out to see the Pick of the Day Finders Keepers. 
How could you not be fascinated about a man who finds a leg in a grill and a lawsuit that goes all the way to TV's Judge Joe Brown.  This is one of those stories that are so bizarre you wouldn't believe it if it wasn't real.  
Hope to see everyone there.  

by Stephen Milek

Neptune is coming of age film set on an island in Maine and is playing as part of the Cream City Cinema Program at the Milwaukee Film Festival.  It is a great film written by local screenwriter Matthew Konkel.  

Neptune is about Hannah (Jane Ackerman) a 14 year old girl who was raised by a priest on an island off the coast of Maine.  After the death of a boy in her class she becomes obsessed with the boy and it changes the way she sees her life.  Not knowing who her true parents are all she knows is the priest that took her in and church.  But her fascination with the boy opens up a new world as she goes to work on the lobster boat with the boys grieving dad.  As her eyes are opened to other experiences she begins to question everything she knows.  Eventually she needs to make a decision to either go to the Episcopal School the priest wants her to go to or make her own way in life.  

by Stephen Milek

It has begun.  The Milwaukee Film Fest kicked things off last night with it's opening movie Youth and the after party.  We got a lot planned these next two weeks and we will try to write reviews for as many reviews as we can so expect quick short reviews.  

The Film Festival started off with not so much a bang but in a thoughtful meditative state.  Not saying Youth was a bad movie but it's not for everyone. 

Youth is about a group of people staying at a resort in the Swiss Alps.  The focus is on two old friends a Fred (Michael Caine)  a composer and Mick (Harvey Keitel) a screenwriter as they observe people and struggle with their legacy.  Fred's daughter Lena (Rachel Weisz) stays with him and takes care of him.  The resort is filled with colorful guests that include an American actor (Paul Dano) researching a role, a group of screenwriters working with Mick, a massage therapist, a mountain climber, a Buddhist Monk,  Miss Universe, and many others.  It is an eclectic group for sure.  

The first full day of the festival with lots to see.  We are only going to be able to make it to one show today and that is our Pick of the Day and it the movie we partnered with this year.  

Uncertain looks at the life of 3 men in a very small town in Texas.  With a Southern Gothic feel the movie looks like it can deliver visually as well as emotionally. 


Come check it out and be sure to shout loudly when they announce Milwaukee Movie Talk as a sponsor.  

Every day during the festival we will try to fill you in on what we will be seeing and what our pick of the day is. We might not be able to make it to the festival everyday but there is always something to see.

by Stephen Milek

One of the best things about film festivals is that sometimes the director, cast, and/or crew of the film show up to answer questions after a screening.  Well today we finally got the list of special guests that are scheduled to appear.  The list is really long and hopefully you will be able to attend one of the screenings that has a guest.  Some of the big names attending this year is Raven-Symone who stars in the movie A Girl Like Grace. Stanley Nelson Jr. director of past festival hits Freedom Riders and Freedom Summer will be attending to present his newest documentary The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution. 

This year there are a lot of foreign directors making an appearance like Argentinean Natalie Cristiani director of Nicola Costantino: The Artefacta with the subject of her documentary Nicola Costantino.  Also the subject of The Russian Woodpecker Fedor Alexandrovich will be in attendance for a screening of that movie. The number of foreign people making the trip to Milwaukee is good news that the festival is growing in prestige throughout the world. 

Not listed is John Boyega who is staring in Imperial Dreams, so we won’t be able to ask him any questions about Star Wars, but the director of Imperial Dreams Malik Vitthal will be in attendance so we can ask if he has any gossip. 

For the first time that I know of there is a dog listed.  The Great Alone is about musher Lance Mackey and his quest to conquer the Iditarod.  He and his dog Amp will be present to answer question.  So brush up on your doggy speak. 

Be sure to check out the full list below and try to plan on seeing one of the movies.  

by Stephen Milek

We had the honor of being the official bloggers of the 17th Annual Milwaukee Short Film festival on September 11th and 12th.  There were a total of 53 movies that played over 2 days.  Unfortunately we were not able to attend all the screenings but we were able to see 37 out of the 53.  The experience was pretty awesome.  You can check out the recap of the movies we saw here. While I would love to write up a review of every movie we saw there were just too many and that would take too long.  So I was going to write a review of 10 of my favorite movies which turned into 15.  Making the list is really difficult because there were so many great movies we saw.  While these are my favorite movies there is no way I could possibly rank them so they are going to be in the order they played at the festival.  

By Christopher K House

Recently, The Milwaukee Short Film Festival wrapped up its 17th annual session. This year, the featured spotlight was the Voices Heard! session Friday night. The fest was filled with an eclectic variety of films from talented film makers from all corners of the Earth. Each year, the festival hands out a Pacesetter award to a local who is involved in the advancement of filmmaking in Wisconsin. This year's honoree was Jared Stepp, a 48 hour film project veteran.

The fest, divided into sessions began with hostess Natasha Nafrini introducing session 1. Featuring 9 short films, session 1 started with "Space Cadet" A rousing comedy by Colin Perkins, featuring witty humor and fantastic day dreams. The first film in a fest usually sets the mood, this was a great pick to kick off the night. Next up was "Dream Trip"  by Vito Valenti. By contrast, this was a very different film from "Space Cadet", changing gears this was a wildly imaginative trip through the mind's eye. "Hi Neighbor" was the third film in the session. This was my pick of the session, my favorite. The film by T.C. De Witt and Kris Schulz was nothing short of hilarious. The film told an age old story of an annoying neighbor and, the fantasy of killing him of out of frustration. A comical romp, "Hi Neighbor" featured local talent Chad Halvorsen as "Gordon" the annoying neighbor with a Mohawk and a passion for his neighbors. With a twist ending, "Hi Neighbor" was the standout in my opinion. Next up, "Rocket Science" from Dirk Van Sloten was a quirky look at technology and the frustration we all share when it doesn't work. The last man on earth is close to the evacuation ships that are about to launch into space. Trailing the others, he calls the automated service number to hold the launch. Only to be frustrated, the man learns his fate is tied to a less than perfect computer. Next up was "Quack" by Joan Van Slyke featuring local favorite Robert WC Kennedy. Set in a bar, "Quack" was about a man who looses his seat to another when he fails to call "quack quack seat back" when leaving to use the bathroom. This was a small film but, the humor and irony were potent. "The Map Of Maps" was next. a fascinating documentary from Sangsun Choi about an old map of Korea that found it's way to Milwaukee, it followed immigrant families and their visit to the map. Touching and poignant, This was a heart warming short documentary. "A Dubious Night" followed from director Tony Oliveras. Filmed in black and white, the film was a story of a group of people in a local tavern. Each with their own story, each with their own problems. Little did they know, their world is not what it seems. The film reminded the viewer of "The Outer Limits" or "Twilight Zone". "The Survivor" followed up next. A very short film, it reminded us that life can go on even in the worst circumstances. Finally "Excising The Heart", the last film of session 1. From director Samuel Karow, the film was a visual voyage through man's relationship with mother nature.

"Voices Heard!" was next up for the fest. This is a new program spearheded by local film maker Rubin Whitmore II. The goal is to feature multi-cultural local films. This was the featured program for the fest this year and, was a sold out crowd. First up was Whitmore's film "Death After Life", a powerfully effective look at the current hot topic of black lives and police shootings.  This was my favorite short of the session, the film was told from a unique angle with masterful execution. Next up was another favorite "Fight Night Legacy" from Hisonni. A boxing film with a slick look, the film engulfed the viewer. "Something Under The Christmas Tree" was a horror short brought to us by Danny Villanueva Jr. Yet another favorite of mine, the film was a creepy look at Santa and his evil elf. "Redemption" had it's world debut, from director Jezse Galan. A dramatic story about a man, redeeming himself after a prison sentence. Darren Cole's "Adolescence" followed the dramatic theme. Told from a deceased child's perspective. The film warns against the use of drugs and alcohol. Audience favorite "Spare Change" was next. From director Kenny Lawrence, a woman wakes up in the streets without memory of who she is. With the help of a homeless man with a good heart, she survives. "D Is For Dezire" was another dramatic journey for the viewers. Bonnie Janelle's film was about a young boy who channels his emotions and energy into drumming, shutting out the painful world around him. "Modern Romance VI: from director Sergio Espino followed. Lighting up the mood, this was a romantic comedy about a looser named Dave who is looking for love. Finally, the session ended with the film "Grass Between My Lips".  Amardeep Kalexa delivered a very impressive film. Telling the story of an African woman faced with the custom of female circumcision, the tense drama was another audience favorite. Overall, the opening night was an extremely stimulating collection of film.

Night 2 we were able to attend session 5 and 6 with session 6 being the jury selection. Session 5 opened with the Milwaukee premiere of "Super Deluxe" from director Mark Maj. "Super Deluxe" was a fun comedy featuring a cheesy lounge singer that named himself Super Deluxe and, has a lust for the ladies. Starring Robert WC Kennedy as the title character, Super Deluxe was one of the highlights and, is my pick of the session. "Jesarus Rex" from Mark Irving was next, a documentary short about an artist with a talent for ironic humor. "Winterlude" followed next, from director Gregory Bishop. An avant garde film with striking visuals. This cerebral film was one of the sharpest looking shorts of the fest. Bryce O'Boyle's "Interplanetary" followed next. An experimental film striking in its approach, "Interplanetary" was an interesting piece of film making. "Jerk Chicken", a comedy from directors Greg Kuper and Jared Crooks had some laugh out loud moments. With irony in the title, it featured a man that was both a jerk and a chicken at the same time. Next up was a short visual presentation "R.P.M. @" from director Ryan Fox. What would you see if you strapped a GoPro camera to the wheel of your car and drive around? Apparently a visual bonanza. This was a very interesting film for being so simple in execution.  "I Thought I Told You To Shut Up!" no I'm not being rude, this is the catch phrase of Reid Flemming, the world's toughest milkman. Director Charlie Tyrell brings this documentary of the iconic cartoon character and his creator. A comic nerd like myself found utter fascination here. "The Great Outdoors" from Anthony Wood and Claudia Tyrell was a comedic parody that reminds the viewer of old Pink Panther films. Featuring a dim witted man who decides to go camping. Narrated with witty dry delivery, this was a delightful short film. "Random Thoughts" was next from director Eivind Landsvik. This short film from Norway made it's Milwaukee debut. A look back at memories can be a fascinating journey. The final film for session 5 was "The Birds" from JJ Sullin. A documentary featuring 3 men who collect and raise pigeons. It was an interesting look into this hobby turned into passion.

Session 6 was the closing program for the fest. This was the Juried selection. Anthony Meyers who was our host for the evening had great energy and held the crowd's focus. Session 6 was the crème de la crème of the fest, the best of the best. First up was "Modern Romance" as seen earlier, it was just as fun as it was the first time. Next up, "Little Gary's Mole" from Wil Loper and Dustin Hardy. A quirky comedy about a door to door salesman who has some troubles. This was the winner of the Milwaukee 48 Hour Film Project. Cedarburg native Dick Grunert's "The Trap" was next in line. A witty comedy about a man who built a trap for aliens. Showing off to his friend, the man has more than a few secrets. This was my pick of the session, the short film was clever and, the execution was fantastic. Milwaukee's own Van Campbell brought his film "Hero In Limbo" next. The somber film was dramatic and authentically real. Starring local actor Moe Pull who won Best Actor for his part. This film was an absolute highlight. Campbell also won best Wisconsin film, deservedly so. "Dreamers" followed up. J.J. Backes'  surreal film about a man with dreams of a woman and his desire for happiness. "Test" was next, from director Jay Lifton. This film, reminiscent of David Lynch was a dystopian view of the world. Jolane Lentz and Bobby Hewitt's "Here's Jane" was a comedy about a woman who isn't the brightest but, has a good heart. With a great cast, this was an entertaining, lighthearted comedy. "Wozek" (The Cart) was next. This Polish film from director Patrik Eriksson was a dramatic telling of a girl and a cart. Leaking and heavy, the girl defies everyone by pushing it to it's destination. The final film of the evening was "Dark_Net" from director Tom Marshall in the UK. In the vein of films like Shaun Of The Dead, the film starring Johnny Vegas told the story of a hapless man who hires a hitman on the internet. Was it a good investment?

In the end, season 17 of the Milwaukee Short Film Festival was a huge success. The new venue at Comedy Sportz was a fun atmosphere. After parties were held at the bar with cast and crew members mingling with their fans. Local film maker Ross Bigley turned his passion for film and created this event for Milwaukee. Rubin Whitmore II's Voices Heard was a welcome addition to this year's line up and, I do hope it makes a return next year. Keep an eye out for more detailed reviews of selected shorts from the festival.

To recap my personal picks from each session:

Session 1 - Hi Neighbor
Session 2 - Death After Life
Session 5 - Super Deluxe
Session 6 - The Trap

By Stephen Milek

Tonight is the opening night of the Milwaukee Short Film Festival and I wanted to write a few things about short films. 

As I have previously stated I have not always been a fan of short films.  I always thought they were silly and not worth my time.  But one year at The Sundance Film Festival I had a block of time where I had no movies scheduled and the only thing I could get tickets for was the Documentary Short Program.  Not knowing what to expect I decided to check it out.  And I was wowed.  It turns out that shorts are pretty amazing piece of filmmaking.  The next two times I went to Sundance I always made the documentary shorts a must see. 

One day I saw an advertisement looking for volunteers to be on the selection committee for the Milwaukee Film Festival.  I applied hoping to be on the feature film selection committee but instead got on the short film selection committee.  Not what I wanted but was still cool to be on the inside of the film festival (and I got free tickets to the festival).  When you are on a selection committee you basically sit in a room for a few hours watching movies.  What I learned is that when dealing with short films you can watch a lot of movies in 2 hours. And there are some amazing short films out there.  Now short films are a main stay in my movie watching.  I try to watch the short films that are nominated for Oscars, I watch short films online, and I always see a short film program at a film festival.