Nightcap 7/19/20 - Random stuff and music

I'm back with more random notes on life, film and Unseen.
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For those who miss the Stay at Home Fest Bonus Films they will return tonight at midnight. As I have said I'm going to program the series until at least September 1st. We'll see what happens after that. Since its supposed to be timed to Covid quarantine I will have to assess the state of things.

The series is going to be a bit all over the place to start but should switch into more regular stuff as it picks up speed.

If you have any film that you think I should include let me know- the only condition is it must be on YouTube or Vimeo for free.
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After being home for four months I am heading back to the office tomorrow (I have done some working remotely).  I am not certain how this will affect coverage of things here at  Unseen. Normally I wouldn't think it would change things too much, however I am also dealing with the aftermath of my dad's death which simply means that real world stuff is going to take the spotlight for the near future.
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Coverage of Japan Cuts is happening now. I am hoping to get coverage of  38 of the 42 films. As of right now I've seen about 25 of the films. I am going to continue to work to get the rest reviewed but it is simply is a matter of finding the time to sit and write. Watching is easy- it's the writing that is hard right now since my brain is in several places.
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I know I've said this but once the next week or so passes a lot of  what is going to be posted here at Unseen is going to be a mix banked reviews of films finally hitting and older titles.

I am getting offered a number of new titles but I am not taking a lot of it. The reason being it's not making me instantly jump. Even allowing for recent events I was backing off since a number of things I've been seeing haven't completely excited me which is making writing about them hard.

I am offered getting offered a lot of series which I simply tend not to take because of the time involved in doing them correctly. I would farm those out but I know if it's not a bingable series interest wanes and I don't et a review.

I will be covering anything that makes me go - YES.  Of course I won't promise that a review means I like a film- only that it interested me enough to try it.
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In the wake of cancellations of festivals like Telluride or the rescheduling like NYAFF, I am getting asked questions about the status of any number of upcoming festivals and why I haven't covered some virtual ones that have passed.

The short answer is I am trying to give information on anything that has comes my way. If I wasn't sent anything or if I haven't stumbled on to anything thing, then I haven't shared it.

The trouble is that the Covid situation has radically changed the landscape. I know some PR people who sent me information have changed what they are doing because of the disease. For example Film at Lincoln Center is currently close and they using outside PR firms  instead of their normal in house people. Likewise earlier this year Tribeca did not go through the normal channels. So I am covering what I get.
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A general thought:
The problem with the on-line festivals is that unless you are hip deep in a group of people talking about the fest the interaction really isn't there, its just watching a film at home- with all the films playing at once you can watch at any time- there is no building excitement.

I miss the controlled menu of a festival

I mean the buffet of the screenings is nice but the feeling of being in a place with people all there for that one film at that one moment is sorely missed
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I need to remind you that while Bully has paused his comic website he is doing TODAY IN COMICS HISTORY on Twitter. Its basically what he was doing on his website but in smaller bites.

It's a really good distraction from the normal headlines and stupid behavior in the news.

Trust me it is a lot of fun.
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Disney + will be running HOWARD on Howard Ashman in August. It is a great film. I will repost the review closer to time as well as link to the Q&A that followed the World Premiere at Tribeca.
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Netflix is doing an animated TV series based on Usagi Yojimbo comic books by Stan Sakai. If you've never read them do so they are awesome story telling.
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I need to mention that Mike Sterling's excellent STERLING SILVER COMICS in California is open and taking every sort of order imaginable. So if you want to see the full comic Bull references in Today in Comics or want to read the run of Usagi Yojimbo hit Mike up.

I know sending people Mike's way on a film blog may seem a bit odd but life is more than movies. Besides Mike is a great friend of Bully's and he has been busting his ass to make sure that comic lovers are being taken care of across the country and the globe.

Details on Mike's services and wares can be found at his store's website.
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I loved Tom Hardy in Locke
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