An Unexpected Debut/TriBeCa Review

Hello and welcome readers!

This debut comes unexpectedly but due to the recent drought of activity at my job I have decided to start my blog today. Those of you that know me well know that griping is something that I excel at and I felt that most of my postings would probably center around that particular pastime.

I guess I'll start by talking about the TriBeCa Film Festival. I attended five films last week and while I enjoyed watching the movies very much I have come to find out that there are TONS of people out there that take movies WAY TOO SERIOUSLY. I seriously doubt Robert DeNiro had this seemingly bureaucratic and proper event in mind when he started it.

My bro Z came out to NYC to see a few films and we went into a latenight screening (a little late, admittedly) and we were informed that there were not two seats together left in the theatre. I noticed some folding chairs in the back and inquired about us using them. I received not a "no" but a "hell no" response to my query. Not literally, mind you, but I was surprised by the "program coordinator" (whatever the hell that is, there was a new one at each movie) giving such a straightforward refusal.

I mean would our use of the chairs breached some kind of quota for asses on seats for the theatre? Were there national security issues that were undislcosed to the movie patrons? Whatever the reason, the desire for two tall blonde men to sit together to watch the movie on cheap folding chairs couldn't possibly be accomodated.

AND, as a result I had to sit in the last seat of a row WAY down front. I had to climb over every person in the row, my ass bumping into the heads of each person I walked by. All that being said, the movie An Omar Broadway film was good but seemingly had mixed viewpoints. Z and I discussed at length and decided ultimately that convicted criminals belong in jail regardless of their ability to covertly become filmmakers.

One other note on another film, Empire II. I can honestly say that this was art on a level that I may not be capable of understanding or appreciating and I'd like to think that I'm not that aesthetically challenged.

I came up with the genre as possibly being an "art epic". THREE HOURS of the same 6-10 shots of Manhattan in various speeds, color schemes, time of the day and year. Does grueling do it justice? I don't know. I do admit, it could be considered, in the words of my friend that joined me, "avant-garde" but for me it was challenging (I only fell asleep twice and he slept through about half of it).

All in all, the festival was a good experience and I may attend again next year but I certainly won't dare to ask about the availability of any folding chairs.

For all readers, I would love to hear your comments and suggestions for topics. I've been told by more than one loved-one that I'm pretty opinionated so I imagine anything you suggest I will easily find that I am able to rant about it.