Cinematic Titanic Hits GW

Mystery Science Theater 3000 comedians reunited for a live screening and performance.

The comedian alumni of Mystery Science Theater 3000 reunited for a live performance of their famous riffs Thursday at Lisner Auditorium, taking on the notably bad 1976 film "Rattlers."

Cinematic Titanic is the new feature-length movie-riffing show from the creator and original cast of Mystery Science Theater 3000, which earned a place on Time's list of "100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time." Like MST3K, the show was created by Joel Hodgson and features the same team that first brought the Peabody award winning cult-classic series to life: Trace Beaulieu, J. Elvis Weinstein, Frank Conniff, and Mary Jo Pehl. Cinematic Titanic continues the tradition of riffing on the horribly great and just plain cheesy movies from the past.

In "Rattlers," a herpetologist must team up with an attractive war photographer to uncover the mystery behind a spate of killer rattlesnake attacks.

The Show began with introductions and stand up performances by the stars. Despite several technical difficulties with the movie pausing, the comedians kept the nearly packed auditorium laughing.

Joel Hodgson and the rest of the cast met with fans after the show to sign pretty much anything with a smooth surface.

Controversial Kuwaiti Filmmaker Talks Middle East and More

An event titled “Turning Motion Picture into Emotion”, sponsored by GWU’s Institute for Middle Eastern Studies, saw award-winning Kuwaiti filmmaker, Walid Al-Awadi, discuss his documentaries on 9/11, Iraq and Afghanistan Wednesday. Walid’s 1995 chronicle of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait earned him the "Best International Film" award at the Houston Film Festival and his latest film, "Tora Bora," recently premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Initially trained as engineer, one of the two jobs deemed acceptable by his parents, Walid found his true inspiration through filmmaking. Inspiration, he argued, is the most important thing in life and despite facing a “red” bank account on more than one occasion, he remained  committed to the trade.

Walid spoke about his determination to cover the events of September 11th despite voiced concerns that, as a Kuwaiti national, such an undertaking would be too controversial. Despite the success of his initial project, PR reps told Walid to expect 100 people for his screening of ‘Dreams Without Sleep’ at the Lincoln Center in New York City. However, Walid played the film to a packed audience. 

Well-received in the West, Walid nevertheless faced some criticism back in Kuwait for a perceived ‘pro-American’ approach.

For Walid filmmaking is about the characters. "Dreams Without Sleep" told the stories of five people’s different experiences during the events of 9/11. Walid’s recent film ‘Tora Bora’ followed the story of two parents searching for their son who fled to Afghanistan to join a terrorist network.

More information on Walid’s latest project, ‘Tora Bora, can be found here.

Local Independent Theater Strives for Younger Audience (video)

West End cinema, on 23rd and M, shows independent films, shorts and documentaries. The local community has embraced the theater, but the ownership claims many GW students don't even know it's there. Recently, the theater has tried to draw in college students with special promotions and online advertising. To see a list of show times and special offers visit their website.

Created by Joseph Rabinowitz and Bridgett Lynn

Broadcasting Legends Talk Murrow and More With SMPA Students

Former CBS News Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Marvin Kalb and director Robert Vitarelli attended an evening devoted to legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow hosted by SMPA professors Mike Freedman and Kerric Harvey in the Jack Morton Auditorium last night. The evening started with a presentation of George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck” and concluded with a discussion with Kalb and Vitarelli on everything from working with Murrow to the future of journalism.

Kalb and Vitarelli discussed the realistic recreation of the 1950s newsroom in Clooney’s Academy Award-nominated film, especially the environment of fear and suspicion at CBS News during McCarthy era America.

The only major inconsistency between film and reality that the distinguished speakers highlighted was the downplay of Clooney’s Fred Friendly character. While their memories of Friendly are of a larger-than-life personality, Kalb and Vitarelli claimed Clooney made a reasonable choice in his more modest acting approach so as to not distract from the Murrow character.

As the last correspondent personally hired by Murrow, Kalb has quite a unique perspective on the renowned newsman. Kalb advised the aspiring journalists in the crowd to use Murrow as an example of reporting at its finest. “There will never be another Murrow,” said Kalb. “Don’t try to be him.”

Kalb lamented the emphasis on speed over quality in the modern news environment, suggesting the journalism students in the audience take their time and craft well written stories rather than turn in hurried or inaccurate copy.

Kalb and Vitarelli ended on an optimistic note, encouraging the students to value producing a good program over simply getting air time. Kalb concluded that the most important lesson from Murrow and “Good Night and Good Luck” is to fight for a story worth telling.