decadent criminals

Doodles and Doings

2011-09-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

Well summer is drawing to a close with fall fast-approaching. And I have some exciting news to share.

As I've previously mentioned, our friend Jenny Checcia has had her first book of poetry published. Along with being filled with striking and tender poems, this touching tome (titled The Bridge) is peppered with some awe-inspiring artwork - including some doodles by yours truly.

To promote the book's release, Jenny and I participated in a quirky Q&A that you can view here.

The Bridge is now available in paperback, and all proceeds will go to the starvation-fighting charity The Hunger Project. You can buy it now at JennyCheccia.com.

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In other news, Critical Mob has also posted my contributor profile, and there you can find all of the reviews I've done for them thus far, including my latest - a positive review for Gus Van Sant's rough-around-the-edges romance, Restless.

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And over at the Film Stage, I recently had the good fortune to interview Anne Sewitsky, the director of a Norwegian comedy that I absolutely adored called Happy Happy. (Read my review here.)

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In the coming weeks -- aside from some editorial projects that are still hush-hush -- I'll be covering NYFF (the New York Film Festival), taking in films that have drawn notice at Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, and Venice.

Of course, you easily can keep up with all my reviews by following me on Twitter.

One Day and Internet Fame

2011-08-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

So it's been an absulutely crazy week.

Last Thursday I showed Jordan Raup Editor-In-Chief of The Film Stage a piece I'd written on Lone Scherfig's One Day. He was wholly supportive and after some brainstorming we came up with a fitting title:

Why 'One Day' is the Most Toxic Romance of the Year.

Not a review but a feminist evisceration of the film's offensively sexist themes, we posted immediately and the article quickly drew notice -- much to my surprise and delight.

On Friday, the feminist pop culture blog Jezebel asked for permission to republish the piece there. With Jordan and my approval, it was up by Friday night, which as a big Jez fan was very exciting. Through the weekend it was consistently their most popular post, with upwards of 250 people reading it at any given moment. Their message board and ours lit up with impassioned arguments and discussions ranging from sexism in film to the value of film criticism. By now over 52,000 people have viewed the piece, and I've lost track of all the twitter accounts, blogs and tumblr accounts that have reposted 'Why...' in parts or included links.

But here are some of the highlights I've found:

Healthkicker used my piece as a springboard to discuss the bigger issue of sexism in chick flicks.
Both Feminist Film and Cineboobs reposted my article's opening with a link to Jezebel - which links to The Film Stage.
On MSN film critic extraordinaire Kate Erbland referenced and linked my article which she said showed "deep complexity and thought."
CNN's film critic Mark Rabinowitz fervently defended my piece and my chosen vocation in a heated thread of the Film Stage's comment board.
Guardian journalist Hadley Freeman tweeted my article to her 5,000 followers!
And perhaps you're not truly viral until Oh No They Didn't republishes -- without permission and without a byline.(Here one of the more rewarding comment strings were a series of people who remarked they were surprised they read the whole lengthy piece on a film they never planned to see.)

Overall, I'm in awe of the response to this article, which began as an enraged journal entry. The outpouring of passion, support, praise and defense that has come from friends, family, colleagues and total strangers has been overwhelming and deeply humbling. I'm glad to see that an issue that means so much to me has struck such a chord, and I want to thank all of you who have read my piece, commented on it, shared it or linked it. This has been an extraordinary experience.

And lastly, I'd like to thank my husband and partner in crime, Zach Symons, who encouraged me that this was an argument worth perusing with humor and vigor.

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If you find anymore surprising/exciting links to my piece, please do share!

I'm a published illustrator now. *

2011-08-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

Recently my friend, talented writer Jenny Checchia, asked me to contribute some of my sketches to her first book 'The Bridge,' a collection of poetry whose proceeds will go to the hunger-fighting charity The Hunger Project. I gamely sent off an array of doodles (many created with Crayolas) for her to choose from, and three (of my favorites)have made the final cut!

'The Bridge' is currently available in its Kindle Edition at Amazon and Barnes and Noble for only $5!

The paperback edition will hit online stores in September. Get your copy today.

*To be clear this image is not my work - you have to buy the book for mine.

Shamefully Delayed Update

2011-06-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hey gang.

So, it's been nearly five months since I've given any kind of updates on this page. And the simple reason is we've been pleasantly swamped!

Zach's been busy on sets for projects we're to keep mum on at present, and I've been tearing it up cutting shorts, and writing all kinds of film-related features.

But here's what I can share:

Over at The Film Stage, we've started a new column called Now Streaming, which I curate. Each week, the Film Stagers check out what's hitting theaters that weekend, and seek out corresponding features you can enjoy at home on Netflix's streaming service. If you're like me their Instant Watch selection can be overwhelming, so let us help you cut through the clutter.

Aside from being the unofficial Senior Hunger Games Correspondent, and arguing that Jeff Bridges'beard deserves an Oscar, I've had the opportunity to review some wonderfully wild films. Some of my favorites so far:

Earthwork : The underseen gem of a biopic

Win Win : Tom McCarthy's winsome small town drama

Happy Happy : The daffy Norwegian comedy reminiscent of the Coen Bros.

Troll Hunter :The devilishly droll Norwegian adventure - which is currently in theaters!

Orgasm Inc. : The shocking doc about the big bad Pharma industry

Marwencol : The bittersweet doc about the healing power of art

I Saw the Devil : The deeply creepy Korean revenge thriller

Also, I singled out some great Valentine's Day viewing for lovers and haters alike, took the Weinstein's to task for re-cutting The King's Speech, and had the thrilling opportunity to converse with How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor about his directorial debut, Happythankyoumoreplease, which I adored [My review, plus the interview Part One; Part Two]

Then a few months back, I also became a film critic for Critical Mob, a super chic discovery site that features capsule reviews, then provides a wide range of recommendations across all forms of media. For a taste of its greatness, check out my reviews for Super 8 and Bridesmaids.

(Zach & I also hit our third wedding anniversary somewhere in there.)

Okay. So I think that's puts us up to date. Whew! I'll try to keep up on site maintenance, but you can also keep up with me on Twitter!

The Film Stage: The Best of Dec/Jan

2011-01-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

Yikes! It's been a busy couple of months, here's some highlights from my Film Stage work:

I've been penning a weekly column breaking down the Spirit Award nominees.

Put together a rainbow of reading suggestions for your holidays travels.

Revealed my top 10 films of 2010.

Lamented the oddity of film marketing.

And laid out my favorite picks for The Hunger Games.

As ever keep up with me @ The Film Stage or on Twitter.

The Film Stage: Interview with Nigel Cole

2010-11-16T09:03:00.000-08:00

Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down with Made in Dagenham director, Nigel Cole. He was an absolute joy to talk to, and now you can check out the interview at the Film Stage.

Made in Dagenham opens in LA and NYC November 19.

The Film Stage: The Possible Paths of Our Inevitable Destruction!

2010-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

First came Six Degrees of Michael Cera. Then Caged Brilliance debuted. Now, you can check out Kristy's latest movie-related infographic full size at The Film Stage.

Special thanks to Doug Puchko for his part in its creation.

Mother Eve Now Online!

2010-11-09T07:16:00.000-08:00

Last night Mother Eve's Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood's first season screened before an excited and sharply dressed audience in Tribeca. It was a great night full of laughs and lady love.

If you missed out on the big screen debut, no worries because the first episode of our award-winning web series is now online:

And more good news, Season Two is now in preproduction!

The Skeleton Boy Online!

2010-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Zach and I's animated short, The Skeleton Boy has screened at film festivals throughout North America, and now our Boy is taking on the web!

Check out The Skeleton Boy's web debut below:

Happy Halloween!

~Kristy

The Film Stage: 10 Last Minute Costumes

2010-10-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming on fast! If you've been procrastinating about your costume, check out my suggestions for last minute costumes at The Film Stage.

Happy Halloween!

~Kristy

Award-winning Webseries

2010-10-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Mother Eve's Secret Garden on Sensual Sisterhood* (on which Zach was AD and Kristy served as editor) has won its first award!

That's right, Mother Eve and her divine petals have earned an Award of Excellence from The Accolade Film, Television, New Media & Videography Awards!

You can check out Mother Eve's words of wisdom in Insecurity Ragazine, the best online mag around.

Mother Eve's Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood will hit the web in November.

The Film Stage: An Interview with Tom Moore,

2010-10-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Oscar nominated animator/director, Tomm Moore of The Secret of Kells.

You can check out the interview here.

The Film Stage: Mesrine Review

2010-09-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

Check out my review of the two part French gangster drama, Mesrine: Killer Instinct & Public Enemy #1.

Macaulay Video Online

2010-09-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, I co-produced, wrote and cut a promotional video for my Alma Mater, The Macaulay Honors College.

The video (which you can check out below) catches up with several Macaulay alumni, and presents their thoughts on how MHC helped get them where they are today.

I was proud to be a part of this video, and wholeheartedly recommend Macaulay to any student who takes their education seriously and has a fervent interest in learning more about the greatest city in the world.

And once more, I'd like to thank all of the alumni involved with the project as well as the staff of Macaulay. Thank you for your time, patience, and openness. Turns out, Macaulay is still teaching me.

~Kristy

The Film Stage: Evolution of Zombies

2010-09-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

Check out my views on The Evolution of Zombies at the Film Stage.

Above sketch by Kristy Puchko.

The Film Stage: 6 Degrees of Michael Cera

2010-08-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Check the graphic I built for The Film Stage:

Stepping onto The Film Stage

2010-08-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

We're currently in development on some interesting projects, but you can check out some of Kristy's writing savvy now here.

Kristy's joined the crew at The Film Stage: Your Spotlight on Cinema, covering the latest film news Sunday through Saturday.

You can get the latest in film news by liking The Film Stage on Facebook.

Super Heroes & San Diego

2010-07-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

The San Diego International Comic Con kicks off today, and on Sunday July 25th, our Skeleton Boy will be a part of it within the San Diego International Children's Film Festival.

In honor of the Comic Con and the festival, Zach and I have comprised a list of our favorite comic book movies.

Decadent Criminals Top Ten Comic Book Movies

#10

Watchmen

(2009)

True, fanboys rallied against Zack Snyder's altered ending and fey Ozymandias. I get it, but as someone who walked into the movie with no foreknowledge, I loved it! The visuals drew me in and the odd world and delicate character of Daniel Dreiberg (Nite Owl) kept me locked in. Rorschach brought good times violence to the table but Nite Owl brought heart. It's a smart balance. And the performances were overall grounded and interesting, though I think wallpaper has more charisma than Malin Åkerman. But all in all, Watchmen got me. Zach says, as someone who has read the comics, it was a reasonably successful adaptation of a book said to be unfilmable. So, #10 spot.

Batman Returns

(1992)

Tim Burton’s Batman movies are among my earliest obsessions. And while Batman had Jack Nicholson as the gleefully mad Joker, the sequel had Cat Woman. Oh man, Cat Woman. I love everything about her. When the recently murdered Selena Kyle returns to her apartment to eviscerate her stuffed animals, mangle her neon sign and create some deadly DIY projects, I squeal like the third grader I was when I first saw it. She thrilled me then and thrills me now. No man can keep her down. Not for good anyway. Bonus points for Christopher Walken. Always.

Tank Girl

(1995)

Fun, sassy and weird as a Gilliam movie, Tank Girl is set in a future where water is kept from the people, and the world's only hope is a motley crew of hybrid kangaroo-men and a twisted sister with a bombshell bra! Bonus points for the Cole Porter musical number.

The Crow

(1994)

So yeah, Zach and I were Crow kids. I’ve lost count of how many times we watched this in high school. A dark and tragic romance with a revenge plot and a killer soundtrack is hard to beat. Plus the bittersweet motto: “It can’t rain all the time.”

Kick-Ass

(2010)

It’s new, but highly enjoyable. Kick-Ass is about super heroes with no super powers. They are just people with a will to help, and no discernable sense of queasiness. This is one of the more violent films on the list, arguably all the more shocking because most of the cursing and killing comes from pre-teen Hit Girl! Though this film is about tweens and teens, it’s not for the PG-13 set. It’s brutal and dark, and a hell of a good time! Plus, because studios wouldn’t back a movie with such a vicious and crude lil’ kid, this one’s an independent film. Good for the street cred.

(Top 5 after the jump)

Mystery Men

(1999)

Mystery Men is a movie that grows on you. The first time, it’s okay, but by the seventh it's a favorite. Why watch it seven times? Well, there’s Janine Garafolo lugging around the skull of her father in a bowling ball. Hank Azaria with the strangest “coming out” scene ever put on film. Eddie Izzard as a disco-themed bad guy. Paul Reubens – period. And William H. Macy’s egg salad speech.

Plus my favorite line, which comes from the Shoveler's long-suffering wife, “Baby, you shovel better than any man I’ve ever known, but that does not make you a super hero!”

(2003)

Yeah, the X-Men series isn’t incredibly faithful to the comics (teen Rogue what the?), but Bryan Singer made the first two movies a ton of fun. The first one was a blast, but in the second, Singer added in an intriguing political subtext and a healthy degree of sass – like my favorite line when Magneto sneers at Rogue's white streak, “We love what you’ve done with your hair.” Finger snaps for attitude! And bonus points for Nightcrawler!

Dark Knight

(2008)

This one’s higher on Zach’s list than mine, but marriage is full of compromise. Zach considers it to be the best of the Batman adaptations, I argue the flick suffers from the constraints of its PG-13 rating, and the last 45 minutes drag while the first half sprints by. But we both agree, Heath Ledger created a legendary villain. The action’s fun, and the plot is decent. Plus, Chris Nolan is a hell of a storyteller.

Sin City

(2005)

As a violent, gritty neo-noir – Sin City could have gone either way. It could be a daring new take on the genre like Brick, or could prove clunky and dismissive of noir's conventions like Hollywoodland. Happily, Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller helmed the intense and gleefully gory ride about redemption and loyalty. This is one of the few films I have seen in theaters four times. Yeah. Four.

Iron Man

(2008)

So after much discussion and debate Iron Man came out on top. Zach likes the fidelity to the idea of the old comic (whereas in the current comic Tony Stark is literally a self-lobotomizing moron), and I like that the movie’s exploration of consequences and responsibility. In Iron Man, Tony Stark goes from a flippant playboy to self-realized super hero set on using his powers (of science and engineering) for good.

We saw this and Dark Knight in the same month, and where Dark Knight was ghoulish (though in my opinion stilled pulled it’s punches) Iron Man focused on the effects of violence. Plus, nobody is as fun to watch as Robert Downey Jr. He had me at “Jericho.”

Decadent Criminals: Filmographies

2010-07-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

now available after the jump . . .

Shakespeare Sonnet Jam

(February 2011)

A kinetic typography that played as part of a live performance of Shakespeare's Sonnet #60.

Kristy Puchko: Animator

Zachary Symons: Cinematographer; provided footage for a video DJ to intercut live at the event.

Don't Go Against the Family

(January 2011)

Dark comedy short produced by Box 296 Productions

Kristy Puchko: Editor/Color Correct

Macaulay Honors: Where Are They Now?

(May 2010)

Promotional doc short in the vein of the 7 & Up Series, following the trajectories of Macaulay graduates.

Kristy Puchko: Associate Producer/Writer/Editor/Graphic Designer

Mother Eve's Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood
(April 2010)

Episodes 1-6 of Comedy-Musical Web series plus trailer

Kristy Puchko: Editor/Graphic Designer/Colorist

Zachary Symons: Assistant Director

(500) Days of Summer: Kinetic Typography
(March 2010)

An re-imagining of the opening of (500) Days of Summer.

Kristy Puchko: Graphic Designer/Animator

Gold Star Girl
(Feb. 2010)

24 Hour Comedy Short – From Concept to Final cut in 24 hours.

Kristy Puchko: Co-Writer/Editor/Director of Photography

Zachary Symons: Co-Writer

The Sublet
(Oct. 2009)

24 Hour Horror Short – From Concept to Final cut in 24 hours.

Kristy Puchko: Co-Writer/Co-Director/Editor

Zachary Symons: Co-Writer/Co-Director/Director of Photography

The Skeleton Boy
(Oct. 2009)

Animates narrative film short

Kristy Puchko: Co-Writer, Animator

Zachary Symons: Co-Writer

Privileged Minorities: Hans and Demoin Go to the DMV
(Sept. 2009)

Animated Web-Series Pilot

Kristy Puchko: Animator/Editor

Draw Three
(Aug. 2009)

24 Hour Comedy Short – From Concept to Final cut in 24 hours.

Kristy Puchko: Co-Writer/Editor

Zachary Symons: Co-Writer/Director/Director of Photography

How to Swaptree
(June 2009)

Spec Spot for Swaptree.com

Kristy Puchko: Graphic Designer/Animator/Editor

AMDA PSAs
(Jan. 2009)

Public Service Announcements for The American Musical & Dramatic Academy. The PSAs spoofed the genre nostalgically, intending to inform and entertain during Freshmen Orientation.

Kristy Puchko: Assistant Director/Editor/Graphic Designer

Zachary Symons: Producer/Director of Photography

Disgruntled Elf
(March 2008)

Animated Musical Short

Kristy Puchko: Animator/Editor

Smile
(Feb. 2008)

Narrative Short Film

Kristy Puchko: Writer/Director/Producer/Editor/Graphic Designer/Animator

Zachary Symons: Director of Photography/Producer

...Not Again
(Nov. 2007)

Short Film entry in Insomnia Film Festival - From Concept to Final cut in 24 hours.

Kristy Puchko: Editor

Zachary Symons: Director of Photography

Alice and The Devil
(March 2006)

Narrative Short Film

Kristy Puchko: Writer/Director/Producer/Editor

Zachary Symons: Producer/Assistant Director

AIDS: The Forgotten Epidemic
(March 2002)

Documentary Short

Kristy Puchko: Writer/Director/Director of Photography/Producer/Editor

I don't know how to put this...

2010-07-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of a big deal. ~ Ron Burgundy

More news from San Diego: The 7th Annual San Diego International Children's Film Festival has added a second screening of The Skeleton Boy, for all you kids on the West Coast!

You can catch him July 25 at Comic Con International in the San Diego Convention Center, or on August 7 at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego's beautiful Balboa Park.

The Film Festival runs from July 25 to August 22 throughout the San Diego area, with nearly 200 films from around the world, along with animation workshops and other events. The Comic Con's got something for everyone to geek out, whether your tastes are for X-Men, True Blood, The Guild, Star Trek, Star Wars or pretty much any comic under the sun . (My personal geek out involves James Marsters - Spike from Buffy - being on hand at the Lightspeed Fine Arts booth!) But if the fine(r) arts are more your speed, you can catch the screening at the Museum of Photographic Arts which resides near a slew of museums and a zoo!

So, make The Skeleton Boy part of an excellent day - or two!

Photo Courtesy of the Museum of Photographic Art's Facebook page.

The One And Only Matt Miller

2010-07-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

Matt Miller: friend, composer, and mad talented musician of just about any kind of instrument you can think of - has scored several film shorts, including Skeleton Boy.

And now he's come out with a solo album, The One and Only Matt Miller (and Friends) Present(s) The Vienna Noise Choir in Mid-Fi™. And lucky you, you can download it for free HERE!

I'm a big fan. His music is surreal, quirky and beautiful. Perfect walking around music, as I personally tested yesterday in 102 degree weather in NYC.

You're Welcome.

~Kristy

Photo Courtesy of My Idea of Fun

Vote for Mother Eve!

2010-06-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Update: Thanks to all who voted, Mother Eve's Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood has made it to the finals of the NexTV Festival in Los Angeles in September!

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Mother Eve's Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood is in the NEXTV Web Series / Short Films Competition, which means you can vote to get us shortlisted to the finals!

This competition seeks projects that could be adapted for television, and if Mother Eve and her petals aren't ripe for prime time, I don't know what is.

Click THIS LINK RIGHT HERE , click the SHORT CUT TO THE FINALS button and scroll down to Mother Eve, there you can watch episodes and vote!

So, check it out, enjoy and vote! (Bonus points and gold stars for spreading the word!)

Johnstown Film Festival 2010

2010-06-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Check out this Film Festival review by Andy Lasky.

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Saturday was the marked the finale of the 2010 Johnstown Film Festival, and it was a night to remember.

The final night featured the best of the fest, and we're proud that our Skeleton Boy was a part of these diverse and interesting shorts.

Many of the filmmakers are Johnstown locals, and I was excited to see so many different visual representations of my hometown. Whether death-strewn ghost town, home to abstract art and it's courageous creators or a Snatch-like bustling 'hood, Johnstown was the real star of the festival.

And while there was a wide range of films and genres, my favorite was Greg and Donny: Gregeneezer and the Three Monsters, a sharp satire of life in Johnstown, this webisode centers on Greg and Donny, two local yokels, retelling a Christmas Carol - so it's not boring an' at.

I was also lucky enough to meet some of the guys from Hustlebot, and see their entry: Shadows of the Shield, a sharp action-comedy mockumentary that you can you can check out here.

The Johnstown Film Festival is always a good time, and grows more impressive and expansive each year. We're always proud to be featured in this event, and as a audience member, I've always had a hell of a time.

Already looking forward to next year,

~Kristy

Skeleton Boy on the Big Easy

2010-06-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

More exciting news!

The Skeleton Boy will travel to New Orleans as part of the 3rd annual New Orleans International Children's Film Festival. The festival takes place July 31 and August 1 at the New Orleans Contemporary Art Center, and will exhibit film shorts from all over the world suitable for all ages.

We're thrilled to be involved with this festival, which will be Skeleton Boy's Southern premiere!

Skeleton Boy LIVING it up

2010-06-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

Johnstown's Tribune Democrat ran an article about the upcoming Johnstown Film Festival, and look who made an appearance:

Special thanks to Shelley Johansson for alerting us about the article, my mom for putting it on the fridge, and the crew at Puchko Financial for sending me the original to put up here.

~Kristy