Yay!!! LolliLove VOD now available on Unbox and XBox
Current mood: hopeful
Greetings LolliLovers!
Exciting news on the video front. I promised there'd be a new, exciting way to see LolliLove, and now it's here. LolliLove is now available for download through Amazon's new "Unbox" feature! That means you can now download the movie directly to your computer, TiVo, or portable device. You can choose to either 'rent' it for $2.99 (you get it for 30 days, but it expires 24 hours after you press 'play'), or download it to own for $9.99 (the download never expires). If, after buying it and watching it, you don't want to eat up all that space on your hard drive, you can delete it. Amazon keeps track of your purchases. Just log back in anytime you want, and you can re-download it for free.
For more details about the Amazon Unbox feature (and the LolliLove VOD) click here.
Also, for XBox Live users, the movie is now going online for download directly to your game console. Once you download it from XBox (or Vongo or VuDu), you can watch it on your home TV set! It should also be available for Instant viewing on Netflix pretty soon.
Some of these features are technically only available in North America right now, but some of you know how to get around that. Me? I'm a tech idiot.
I've been pushing hard to make our little movie available in a truly 21st century format for some time, and now they've finally done it. Please check out the cool new way to watch movies...otherwise Lloyd Kaufman will point at me and laugh, and I'll have to go back into therapy.
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LolliLove Release date: 14 March, 2006
Just a quick update on the DVD situation. I've received a lot of calls and e-mails regarding the fact that both Troma and Amazon have been out of stock for a couple of weeks now with the DVDs. First off, thank you very much to all of you, since you're the ones who have bought so many copies that we can barely keep up with demand. Second, I just spoke with Jeremy over at Troma, and he gave me the scoop.
Troma, our video distributor, is currently changing over to a new company for the manufacture of the discs. They expected that there would be plenty of DVDs to cover the time during the change, but (as you can see) that hasn't been the case. People just keep snapping them up, which is a good thing. Jeremy says they hope to have LolliLove available again by September first, so keep checking back.
Also, we got a little notice in this month's (August) issue of Premiere Magazine! In an article about Jenna, they mention LolliLove as her directorial debut, touting it as a "hidden gem". Nice, right?
We hope all our LolliLovers out there are well, and will try to post again once the DVDs are back up.
We have a GUEST BOOK that everyone can sign. We love hearing from our fans.
Also James and Jenna have supplied their original designs on LOLLILOVE MERCHANDISE. So now you can have a Felix "No Complainin' Hombre" Shirt or a "You Matter" Sexy Thong and so much more!
Just a quick note to everyone reading the news, that Jenna's recovering fine. She'll be back up and blogging in the near future. I'll leave any further comments on that to her.
On a brighter note, this week I was a guest on theStream.tv's weekly webcast show, "filmnut". It was my first-ever experience on a talk show, and I had a blast. If you've never checked out the Stream, give it a look. They have a lot of interesting shows, but for my money Filmnut is by far the best. It's a show that focuses on the art and craft of filmmaking, and they specifically wanted to interview me about LolliLove.
The host, Jeff Schubert, is a pretty knowledgeable guy and a fun host. It's one of the few shows I've seen on the internet that I think could make a fairly seamless jump to cable television.
The show's producer, Peter Basler, does a great job. As a bonus, Peter and I talked afterward about co-producing a feature together this summer. Stay tuned; I'll try to post more details on that as it comes together.
I'd love to hear what you think. I felt a little nervous at the time. Maybe like I came off a little like a know-it-all, or sounding like I was claiming all the credit for myself on LolliLove. What do you think? Here's the interview:
OMG 2 Blogs in one Day! Jenna Interviews Michelle Martin!
Current mood: energetic
This month Im interviewing Michelle Martin. She is the actress who plays Larry Fitzgibbon's secretary in LolliLove. In real life, Michelle is about to become my new sister-in-law. She was recently engaged to Matt Gunn (my husband's brother). Matt is a writer for Real Time with Bill Maher. And, he was nominated for an Emmy.
Hey future sister-in-law, thanks for taking the time to chat with me today.
Michelle: Sure thing.
Are you excited to attend the Emmy Awards? Its kind of cool that we'll be there together!
Michelle: I'm SO excited! I've been secretly dreaming all year about how great it would be for the four of us to get to attend together - and it's actually happening! I can't wait to walk down the red carpet - it'll be like my trial run without all the pressure and the posing and whatnot. And I hope I get to see you work the press, that would be fun to see live. I wonder - do people actually eat the food at the Emmys? Because what happens if the camera zooms in just as you're slurping up a big gob of spaghetti?
You were involved with LolliLove since the very beginning. How did you get roped into being in this crazy film?
Michelle: Roped? I was roped? Im pretty sure I paid you to put me in it. No, I was thrilled to be asked. Ever since I saw you perform your one-woman magic show (yes, Jenna has a magic show, but honestly it can't be explained) I wanted to have a chance to work on a project with you.
What was it like working on LolliLove?
Michelle: I had a blast. I found it very hard not to break during my scene everyone kept coming up with the most hilarious dialogue, and when you don't know what's coming its tough to react as though this ridiculous thing Jimmy just said was perfectly normal (I mean really, You could come into my private creative space and mix some paints?!)
Yes, I thought that was a nice one. How much of your scene was improvised? Did you enjoy working that way?
Michelle: I was very excited to work on a film that was only partially scripted it was my first experience working without exact dialogue to memorize. We were given the basic idea: that my character was excited about the project and wanted to offer to help. James was the one who started in with the flirting bit and we just went with it. Working with digital film gave us the luxury to go on and on with our improv, which was fantastic. And as a director, you were great at stepping back and allowing us to go with our instincts. It made the atmosphere relaxed and fun, because we could just let things happen organically. Inevitably, we would do a long first take, then we'd remember the good stuff for the takes after that and it just kept getting tighter and funnier.
Wait, were you on set the day the fire alarm went off and we all had to evacuate?
Michelle: Yes it was very exciting. We were probably supposed to leave right away but we really wanted to be able to stay and finish the scene. I thought this is what guerilla filmmaking is like. I remember sitting in the break room on top of a cooler in the dark wondering if the elevators would even work to let us out.
When we made LolliLove you had only been dating Matt Gunn for about a year. Was it weird for you to have your boyfriend's brother flirt with you in a movie?
Michelle: No, because Matt encourages me to sleep with his siblings. Oh God, this is how rumors get started. The Gunns have a very bizarre and twisted sense of humor (which has obviously affected me. I would say its rubbed off on you too, Jenna, but I suspect you had it long before you met James.) So it didn't seem weird to me at the time. But then I saw the next scene, when Jenna barks James comment back to him: Why don't you go mix some paints with Michelle and make it all better! That made me say ew out loud at the screening.
On that same note. You hang out with me and James all the time. How much are we like our characters?
Michelle: Im going to take the Fifth.
Its okay, you can say it. James is a handful. I'm a saint, James is a handful.
Michelle: Well, OK if you must drag it out of me yes, you I mean James can be very difficult. Actually, I must say, you and James have been two of my biggest supporters of my career I dont know what I would have done without all your advice and encouragement. Which is a far cry from what the homeless might say about James and Jenna.
That was very diplomatic. Good move. You can tell the truth after the wedding. What is your favorite LolliLove moment or memory?
Michelle: My favorite scene is when James comes down in scrubs to head out to distribute lollipops. The look on his face when he says that is why God put it in my brain to wear this special suit of mine I found it hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. My favorite memory is seeing our friend Larry - who actually is an important business man in real life - act for the first time. He was such a natural! And so much fun to watch.
People may not know this about you but you are a former ballet dancer and which lead to you doing some work in the upcoming movie The Prestige. What was that like?
Michelle: It was cold. Literally. We were in this gorgeous old theatre in downtown LA the most beautiful theatre Ive ever been on stage in and it has the most incredible flyspace - you look up and the ceiling is hard to see its so far away but we were in corsets and tulle (the film was set in 1903) and it was so cold I could feel my muscles freezing to my bones. We all huddled around a little space heater in between takes. You know what though, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It was so awesome to shoot a period piece in a theatre. There was an atmosphere of respect among everyone in the cast, I think partly because the theatre is where most of us start and you can't let go of that feeling of camaraderie you get when you work onstage. I also got to meet Michael Caine, whom I really admire, and Hugh Jackman, who is incredibly talented and the nicest guy on the planet (plus he has a very cute butt). I really liked the vibe Christopher Nolan and Wally Pfister, his DP, created for the cast and crew. It was a very friendly atmosphere everyone worked hard but it was fun too.
You've studied acting for many years. Can you tell us about your training? Do you have any advice for aspiring actors?
Michelle: I've wanted to act since I saw my very first play. It was Annie at the Wang Center in Boston, and I was six years old. I threw a tantrum because my mom wouldn't let me get up on stage with all the other little girls. I didn't get it! How come THEY got to do it? Its hard not to continue to live that feeling now the longing to play when youre not working. I studied theatre in college, then did an apprenticeship at Actors Theatre of Louisville, then began studying acting on camera. I've made an effort to study a lot of different methods - Stanislavsky, Meisner, Viewpoints, Improv, etc. - with a variety of teachers so I could take bits of technique that work for me and meld them together. At the moment Im working on Linklater voice technique. Studying acting, rehearsing and performing fuel me like nothing else ever has how can you stop if you feel that way about something? Yeah, its hard, there are so many ups and downs. I think patience and faith are key, but also just enjoying the everyday process I'm always striving to learn more, to do as much as I can. My mantra is that for each day I'm not working, I can use that day to grow into an even better performer than yesterday. Also, since it is a business, you need to figure out how people see you. Are you the bitch? The blue collar guy? The lovable loser? The number one comment I hear from casting directors is that they love people who are comfortable in their own skin. They don't read the text as they think it should be read, they read it as themselves. They figure out what parts of themselves to bring to a role and thats that. And they may not be right for that role that day, but they will be remembered the next time because they were authentic. As my acting coach, Robert D'Avanzo says, You are enough.
Robert is also my acting coach, and he's awesome. I'd forgotten that quote. Very cool. You are originally from Boston. What was it like to make the move to LA? What do you miss most about home?
Michelle: My move to LA was a much quieter moment than I thought it would be. I had thought about it for almost two years, and then one day I was out for a walk and I decided, its time. And that was it. From that moment on it was just what I had to do. Its funny, I actually have a whole miss/don't miss list about Boston on my Myspace page. But the short answer is: I miss Dunkin Donuts and my family/friends; I don't miss the Boston winters.
Since moving to LA, do you have a favorite Hollywood moment?
Michelle: I don't have a moment per se, but I do have this uncanny ability to repeatedly spot really random celebrities. Ive seen Andy Dick twice (at a party and at RFD), Danny Bonaduce twice (at Banana Republic and crossing the street) and Angelyne three times (yes, though the billboards are gone, she's still flying around in that pink Caddy).
Finally, are you a member of the Soul Patrol?
Michelle: Woo!
If you want to chat with Michelle, check out her MySpace page in LolliLove's Top 8 or Click Here!
Hello All, Thank you for all your support and it's our pleasure to keep you updated with LolliNews! We enjoy the letters, comments, etc we have recieved thus far.
We are also proud to announce that LolliLove was voted one of the Best DVDs of 2006 So Far by the editors of Amazon.com (click here).
LolliLove is widely available at Amazon and at Tower Records around the US. If you don't see it at a video store near you, ask them to order it.
Here's some never-seen-before pics of James Gunn and Stephen Blackehart making LolliLove, and Jenna Fischer and Peter Alton at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival.
And finally, a shout out to LolliLove SuperFan Maddy, who's gone through all the trouble of making two (count 'em TWO) LolliLove fan videos...
[note from James] The first is a LOLLILOVE fan video, featuring one of my favorite Willie Wisely songs, TOO QUICK TO LOVE. You can see it : here
[again from James] The second is called MISSION: LOLLILOVE, and it puts me in the position I've always known I've belonged: big time action movie star. See it here.
...And a series of pictures (paintings?) inspired by our little film. You can see them here!
Kudos to you, Maddy!!!
Thanks to all of you for the continued, overwhelming support!! Much LolliLOVE to all of you!!!
Jenna Fischer Interviews Jennifer Eolin
Current mood: giddy
Category: Friends
Hi all!Jenna here.I want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has rented, purchased or prattled on about LolliLove to their friends.The response to our little film has been amazing.I think I speak for the entire creative team (myself, Peter Alton, Stephen Blackehart and my husband James Gunn) when I say that we never expected our movie to be doing so well.It is hard to be creatively expressed in Hollywood and this was our way of having our own voice.It was a labor of love.So, thank you, thank you, for your support!
I thought it would be fun if I interviewed some of the people involved in the movie.Well post new interviews every couple of weeks.To start things off, please meet Jennifer Eolin.She is the actress who plays Jennifer, one of the LolliLove volunteers in the movie.
Hello Jennifer!I am pleased to be doing this interview with you today.
Jennifer:Me too!
We should probably tell people that we are friends.I mean, you acted in LolliLove but we are also friends in real life.
Jennifer:Yes, weve been friends for quite some time now.We met in an improv class and we just clicked.I think it was about 6 years ago, time flies!I love our chats over tea.Were like little old ladies already.I consider you part of my family.You keep me sane.
I couldnt agree more.You keep me sane too.My husband thanks you.Can you tell people how you got the role in LolliLove?
Jennifer:Getting the role of Jennifer in LolliLove was a very elaborate process: huge negotiations back and forth on pay, I had to have complete script approval, and most importantly, I needed to know that my posse would be taken care of while I was on set.I was a complete nightmare.
To better understand the process, Ive included a transcript:
INT. JENNIFERS APARTMENT - DAY
Jennifer sits on her couch, the phone rings, she answers it.
Jennifer: Hello? Jenna: Hey, Jennifer, its Jenna. Jennifer: Hey, Jenna. Jenna: I have a question for you.Im making a movie called LolliLove and was wondering if youd like to be in it?
Jennifer: ARE YOU KIDDING, ID LOVE TO! Jenna: Great, Ill get you a script. Jennifer: HOLY CRAP IM SO EXCITED!When do we start?!How should I wear my hair?!
Jenna: Im not sure yet.But Im glad youre on board Jennifer: Im gonna be in a movie!HOLY CRAP!THIS IS SO EXCITING!HOLY CRAP! I GOTTA CALL MY PARENTS!! HOLY CRAP!
Jenna: Im glad youre happy.Ill send a script over later this week. Jennifer: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!AHHHHHHH!AHHHHHHH!
Im seriously surprised you got me to do it because as you can see, I was a total hardass about the whole thing and was completely resistant at times.
What was it like working on the film?What was a typical shoot day like?
Jennifer:It was really fun!Id be in make-up for like 45 minutes (I love people fussing over me!) and then wed start shooting.I remember not being nervous because I was having too much fun and really enjoyed every minute of it.You really kept things moving along too and you never had us there if we werent needed.So there wasnt a lot of waiting around, which kept the pace of the day flowing.But if there was downtime, you had plenty of food (food = donuts) and that completely satiated me.
Also, you were really flexible shooting around my crazy schedule. I was writing for a reality show and that included working on weekends so I had very little free time.But you made it work and I totally appreciate that.
James and I are married in real life.Was it weird seeing us work together?How did we do?(Its okay, you can tell the truth.)
Jennifer:It was funny actually.You guys call each other baby all the time in real life and it was hilarious to hear you guys call each other that in the movie.I loved the give and take between you and James.You guys never fought for the spotlight in a scene. The comedic timing obviously came out of years of being married in real life.
This movie took several years to complete.From an acting perspective, what was it like to be involved in a production that took so long to shoot?I mean, we shot tons of original footage with your character and then years later we shot that new talking head of you in the backyard where you talk about being in an abused womens shelter.Crazy.
Jennifer:I remember shooting the very first version of LolliLove and I had so much fun.When you decided to re-shoot it I was excited to do it because our characters were so much richer in the final version of LolliLove because we had that jumping off point of the first version of the film.
And I love the talking head you added for my character.I dont mind at all that it was years later. As it was before that scene was added, my character, Jennifer, was low status but we never really knew why.So that talking head scene added more power to Jennifers reaction at the end of the movie which was to look at a tree and go to your happy place.
I admire that you got the film done.This was a project that you originally thought would be a 20-minute short and it turned into so much more.I was happy to watch you take the time it needed to be completed.I think it made the movie that much better because you didnt just settle for what it was you kept making it better.
Was there a part of this film that you thought would never get done?
Jennifer: Handing out lollipops to actual homeless people.I thought, Really?Will we really do it?Really? And we did!And it was fine they were all game for it and it was easy.Stevie played such a huge part in making that day go smoothly.I never felt awkward.
What is your favorite LolliLove moment or memory?
Jennifer:I have two moments.The first was when we were in Santa Monica handing out lollipops to the homeless a busload of 20 Asian pre-teen schoolgirls swarmed us thinking that we were huge movie stars and demanded pictures with all of us. You and I took individual pictures with EVERY GIRL.And then that group photo! Do you remember the group photo they took?The girls were in their school uniforms and then you and me in our frilly dresses, gloves and baskets.We were about 2 feet taller than everybody so we looked like these over-dressed giants.And all the girls did this thing where they made sideways Vs with their fingers and put them over one of their eyes.We were so confused by that.What did it mean?It was a sight to behold.
Second moment was talking to Thaddeus Branch about the God of Meat.This guy talked about radios and how that will transmit to the God of Meat for about 7 minutes.Maybe longer, maybe shorter, Im not really sure.All I know is that time stopped as I listened to him.People ask me how I didnt laugh during his speech but I was honestly too stunned at what was coming out of his mouth to process it as funny at the time.About 5 minutes after the interview I burst into laughter.
What are the best things about working with me as a director?(Please, I know you can go on and on and on, but try to keep this one short.)
Jennifer:You were a great director!I cant stress this enough.You had a clear vision, you were patient and you got what you wanted from the actors.
I remember my first scene I shot.Everybody there had done film before and I hadnt.(I was an improviser on stage only at the time.)So my first scene was going off on Sarah and I yelled (which was appropriate had I been on a stage) and nearly blew Petes ears out of his head (as he was monitoring sound as well).Everybody kinda looked at each other and you gently gave me a re-direct and all was well.You were awesome, you had my back and you made me look good.I dont think Ive ever told you this!But I really honor and treasure the time you took with me considering it was my first film.I learned a lot and you helped me to be a better actor.
Wow!Thank you!I guess it is true that you were not really an actor when you appeared in LolliLove.I mean, we met in an Improv class but you were working professionally as a writer not an actor.Did LolliLove cause you to catch the acting bug?What are you up to these days?
Jennifer:SO many questions!Yes, at the time I started in LolliLove I was only a writer.Id been a writers assistant for several sitcoms and even wrote an episode of Its Like You Know (the Jennifer Grey sitcom on ABC for about 2 minutes in 1998).Id actually gotten into improv to improve my writing.But then I fell in love with acting and yes, LolliLove definitely made me want to be an actor.Over the past year Ive done a ton of improv shows and a bunch of short films.
Currently Im still writing for reality television.In 1999, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire came on the air and dashed my hopes for getting a writing gig on a sitcom as they all went off the air.Right now I write for House Hunters on HGTV.It a fun show and it really, really, REALLY makes me want to buy a house.When Im not doing that, I teach improv and creative writing.I perform with TheatreSports and Comedy Sportz.Yeah, thats all.Im totally lazy as you can see.
Is it true that you got married in my backyard?
Jennifer:That question makes me laugh. It sounds like you came home one day and your neighbor said, Hey, while you were out your friend Jennifer got married in your backyard.I thought you should know, and now youre gently trying to find out if its true.
I did get married in your backyard!It was awesome!And you and James were amazing for letting me literally take over your house and backyard.We had the rehearsal there with people you never met before.We lined up 60 chairs in your backyard and took over your entire house on the day of the wedding.I handed you a 7-page production schedule for the week of the wedding and you didnt punch me in the face.Youre a good friend.
Yes, that production schedule was hilarious.It was more organized than many films Ive worked on.What was it like to get married in the same place as your film acting debut?Did you have flashbacks to being hit in the face with a fight pad while saying your vows?
Jennifer:Its funny to think that the scene where we shot the learning to fight off the hobos scene is where I married Seth years later.I just realized that Ive had a lot of life changing moments in your backyard.
During the wedding I dont think I had that clear of a thought process to put that all together though.My brain pretty much read like the transcript of you offering me the role in LolliLove except replace movie with getting married.Obviously, Im an excitable person.
I think its safe to say you are crazy about your husband.Hes a pretty awesome guy.And, also a great improviser.
Jennifer:I love being married to Seth hes just as crazy as I am and we met at the same theatre where I met you!Hooray for improv bringing people together!
What else would you like to tell us about yourself?What are your hobbies?
Jennifer:What else about me?I love improv and all it has to offer.I teach improv now and love all my kids who I teach.Theyve become my friends.I also teach creative writing which makes my heart 100appy.I love writing and believe that everybody has a story in them that needs to be told, so I love helping people find that story and write it effectively.When Im not teaching, performing or writing Im at Target.Or you and I are having tea and eating tiny sandwiches.I work a lot so not much time left over for hobbies.I used to make jewelry and paint, but I havent had time to do any of that in over a year.I miss it actually.
Is it true you and I have a Target addiction?
Jennifer:Shut up!So what if I do?And so what if I can point out my favorite products and sound like a commercial when I speak about them? So what?Theres nothing wrong with me!!THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!
Is it also true that you have an abnormal obsession with shopping club cards?
Jennifer:I hate that you know me so well.YES I only shop in places that I can get a discount of some sort.You always laugh at me when I say, Hey can we go in here?I have a 20ff coupon.I cant help it!My mother is a HUGE coupon person.She makes me look like an amateur.She used to host Coupon Club when I was a kid and all her lady friends would come over and they would swap coupons.She had an orange tackle box filled with coupons when we went to the grocery store and I remember being annoyed with her as we stood in front of the cereals and shed hunt for what coupons she had for cereal (they were all categorized in alphabetical order and expiration date).One time she left the tackle box in the shopping cart at Bombergers (grocery store in PA) and we had to go back and get it and she was in tears at the thought of possibly losing all her coupons.At the time, I thought she was 100 razy.But now I understand.But for the sake of my friends who are in public with me, I dont carry a tackle box.I just bring what coupons I need for that trip.
Finally, I read your blogs.Dont leave us hanging.Have you decided to cut your hair or grow it long?
Jennifer:(Drum roll please) I am going to let my hair STAY AS IT IS!Ta-daaaa!!I know, I know.Everybody has been thinking about it.But its staying the length it is, maybe grow one more inch and then Ill cut it for winter.Phew.Everybody can rest now.I know you were all concerned and I thank you for that.
To keep up with Jennifer, you can visit her at www.myspace.com/jennifereolin or click on her photo in the LolliLove Top Friends.
If you live in LA and are looking to buy LolliLove, you can get it at the Tower Records in the Sherman Oaks Galleria. Thanks to Wendy from Sherman Oaks for letting us know!
[editor's note from Stephen - the review below is written in the now-classic Variety magazine short-hand style. A quick guide to some words: Helmer = director; Thesps = actors; tube = TV; docs = documentaries]
Honestly, Jenna and I made LolliLove, our mockumentary,as a joke in our spare time. It was essentially an improvisational exercise. I thought maybe we'd show it at a couple local festivals...I never once thought we'd sell thousands of copies on DVD and be reviewed by Variety.
I heard last week that Variety was going to review LolliLove, and I was terrified. LolliLove is tasteless, crude, offensive, and we only made it for a couple thousand bucks. It wasn't exactly the kind of film that Variety loves. And I certainly didn't expect the review that follows. Here it is:
LOLLILOVE
A Troma Team release of a Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz presentation of a LolliLove production. (International sales: Troma, New York.) Produced by Stephen Blackehart. Executive producer, James Gunn. Co-producer, Troy DeVolld. Directed by Jenna Fischer. Screenplay, Fischer, Peter Alton. With: James Gunn, Jenna Fischer, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, Judy Greer, Sarah Sido, Jennifer Eolin, Larry Fitzgibbon, Michelle Martin, Bill McCormack, Joan Blair, Lloyd Kaufman.
The superficial do-gooder impulse is eviscerated with spot-on satire in "LolliLove," a chuckle-packed and satisfyingly tasteless mockumentary in which a prosperous young Hollywood couple (real-life spouses Jenna Fischer and James Gunn) endeavor to help the homeless. Cheerfully incorporating their own wedding footage and we're-dead-serious-but-just-kidding personas, Fischer and Gunn are the bantamweight Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes of their generation. Compact and irreverent pic is a treat for anyone who's ever looked askance at celeb altruism, as well as fans of Fischer ("The Office") and Gunn ("Slither").
Helmer and co-scripter Fischer nails the condescending vapidity, manufactured drama and ludicrous self-importance of reality shows and you-are-there TV docs via quasi-candid tube portrait of protags and their charity project.
Eager to atone for their own good fortune by "giving something back to the community," the couple settles on homelessness because other causes have been "done to death" or prove impractical. The Gunns' objective is to make Los Angeles a better place by handing out lollipops to homeless individuals; each sucker will be adorned with an uplifting slogan and James' original artwork.
The "art" may look cartoonish, but it takes a lot out of James. He compares the intensity with which he gives of himself to the struggles of another beacon of personal sacrifice, emphasizing that "The only difference is that Jesus is a completely made-up guy and I'm real."
After many a business and showbiz acquaintance declines to underwrite the cause, James and Jenna find a corporate sponsor. Just as their selfless dream takes shape, the division of labor strains their picture-book marriage. And given compulsive hand-scrubber James' hyper-sensitivity to germs, maybe working with the hygienically-challenged isn't ideal.
Thesps never falter in their deadpan delivery. Excerpts from each spouse's "LolliLove diary" play up the eternal gap between female and male concerns.
Churning bed of generic music is right on smarmy target. Overall look is fitting on a budget of a few thousand bucks.
Camera (color), Alton; editor, Alton; music, Alton, Willie Wisely; sound (Dolby), Noah Blough, Richard Burton; associate producer, Dan Golding; assistant director, Andrew J. Stratmann. Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (market), May 24, 2006. Running time: 65 MIN.
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(James again...)
Weird.
If you're in New York City, you can see a special screening of LolliLove for 5 bucks atthe Anthology Film Archives NewFilmmakers Series on Wed. July 5th at 8:50pm:
Anyone going to the Cannes Film Festival? Be sure to attend the screening of LolliLove. It's on May 24th, at 11:30 AM in the "Palais D" cinema.
In attendance will be Lloyd Kaufman (distributor) and Peter Alton (writer/editor). We have Troma Screenings listed here, including LolliLove. So if any of you happen to be in Cannes, drop by and give LolliLove a shout out!
Can't remember where or when the screening is while in Cannes? Easy, just look for the Troma team (they're easy to spot) walk up, and ask a team member! See last year's team below!
Can you spot Stephen and Mercedes in here?
P.S. - We're selling international distribution rights!!! If you buy movies for international markets, be sure to talk to Lisa Borhoum at the Troma booth (in the Riviera Booth F-13), and ask about Troma's great rates to exhibit LolliLove in YOUR territory! The international sales phone number (in Cannes) is 33 (0)4 92 99 32 22
LolliLove on TV!? And Another Review!!!
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Hello All,
How's the LolliLove viewing been going? We know the DVD is sometimes hard to get a hold of, but we've been getting some great feedback. After the Cannes festival, where the deals for worldwide distribution are made, it should be available in more countries.
So...the latest news:
LOLLILOVE is playing on Time Warner Cable's Movies-on-Demand in many areas for the months of May through July. So if there's a long wait on your Netflix queue, you can try to catch it there. Check your local Movies-on-Demand listings!!!
If you're in the Dallas or Los Angeles areas, look out for the May 28th edition of Hollywood Premieres magazine. It's a CD-ROM magazine that's an insert in the Dallas Morning News and LA Times, plus a few other papers. They just did on-camera interviews with James and Jenna about LolliLove to go with the article, and will feature LolliLove in their new Indie Film section. They're going to have a LolliLove DVD giveaway as part of the promotion...so keep your eyes peeled!
Lollilove's Official site up + 'Easter Egg' Location!!!
Hello all, hope you all are doing well and having a wonderful day!!!
We finally got the official LolliLove internet site up: www.lollilove.net. Check it out. Mercedes put a lot of hard work into it, so we really hope you enjoy it. Like our MySpace page, we plan to keep adding more and more fun stuff. Feel free to leave comments here on how we could further improve the site!
And...Troma (our distributor) has hidden "Easter Egg" features in the LolliLove DVD. The 'Egg' is listed at http://www.troma.com/dvdeastereggs/ . Follow the link to unlock the LolliLove special feature on YOUR DVD!!!
Also, go see SLiTHER while it's still in theatres!!! This week may be your last chance in the US to do so! It's a great movie and will definitely be a cult classic. Jenna is very funny in it (tee hee). If you love James and Jenna's work, or if you just love great movies, hurry to check it out while you still can! Also, Micheal Rooker, the star of SLiTHER has his own MySpace page, which he personally attends. (click here to see it)
Wowzers! The LolliLove Trailer has won the Myspace Users Choice Award for March! Fantastic!!! Just click on the "FILM" link at the top of any MySpace page to see the award. Thanks to all of you, for watching and rating our little trailer!!!!
We've now surpassed 5,000 friends...it really is great to have you all aboard!!! We are thrilled to hear that so many of you like our film. And we certainly wouldn't be where we are today without all of you...so thank you lots and lots (and lots)!!!!
Are you having a LolliLove Viewing Party? Send us your pictures! We'd love to see who's watching, and we'll post the pics in a new blog soon!
Also...SLiTHER (starring James and Jenna, and written & directed by James) is out in theatres this weekend and getting great reviews! We are all so pleased! Here's a recent review from MSNBC. If you're not doing anything today, get some friends and go to your nearest cinema to check it out!!!
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