Movies

Director and Writer Duncan Jones, who has established a notorious reputation for controversial fare in the advertising arena, started out as a wild-cam operator for Tony Scott (True Romance, Man on Fire), before going on to work as an assistant director for cerebral promo and commercials director Walter Stern. After a stint in the computer games biz, Duncan created the CG/live action commercial Blade Jogger, which won a top award at the UK’s Kodak Student Commercial Competition, and his short film Whistle, which has screened at festivals around the world and numerous times on Film Four in the UK. MORE »

This week’s picks

Thursday, July 2

On the radar: There are a lot of people who still get really excited when Soul Asylum perform, and there are a lot of people who think the Roots are even cooler now that they’re Jimmy Fallon’s house band. If you’re among either of those groups, your evening plans are set. It’s also the annual Hmong Freedom Celebration, and this year emcee Tou SaiKo is helping to organize an all-out two-day hip-hop battle associated with the event.

Under the radar: Fringe favorite Allegra Lingo is at the BLB previewing her 2009 show, and if you really want to feel that out-in-the-street rock ‘n’ roll spirit, there’s a battle of the bands going down on “the legendary streets of Richfield.”

Friday, July 3

On the radar: Tonight, glam and spectacle rule: Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza opens in St. Paul, African fashion show ExtraVaaKhangha rolls out at the Graves 601 (relocated from the suddenly shuttered Trocaderos), and Judas Priest tastes Minnesota.

Under the radar: CONvergence will bring sci-fi fans from all over the country to Bloomington, and our peeps at l’etoile will be there to greet them with smiles, syle, video art, and vodka. If you’re looking for a more conventional evening of entertainment, stop by the Celtic Junction for Pop Wagner’s 60th birthday bash; it also serves as a fundraiser for medical expenses Wagner has incurred after a horse-riding injury. MORE »

Having directed his last four films abroad, director Woody Allen returns to his beloved New York for his 40th feature, Whatever Works, which opens this Friday at the Lagoon Cinema. Many of Allen’s fans will not only rejoice to see New York as his backdrop again, but will appreciate the casting of Larry David to play the “Woody Allen” role that Allen himself played up until the mid-90s: the atheist, neurotic leading male looking for love and disapproving of everyone along the way. (David had minor roles in two previous Allen films; in Radio Days, he played the communist neighbor.) MORE »

Happy B-Day America! As a bazillion of our fellow countrymen prepare to grill hot dogs, drink beer and watch fireworks, you’ll be taking it up a notch thanks to all the hip events this weekend. Shuck the traditional and toss on that Darth Vader suit you’ve been saving for a rainy day and hit up the ConVergence Sci-Fi Convention, or head to the Soap Factory Saturday night for the annual Ten Second Film Festival. There are plenty of rock shows, dance parties and art exhibits to be had as well, so slither into your patriotic party pants and enjoy! MORE »