Reel 13

Attention New York Indie Film Lovers. Real 13 is a new Indie Film Showcase from New York’s PBS station Thirteen/WNET. Check out this great lineup of independent films they have. It just gives me one more reason to wish that I lived in New York City.

Claire Folger/© Hazelwood Films

Reel 13

Reel 13 is a new showcase for underexposed independent films from Thirteen Network which is one of the key providers of public television in New York City. I have posted the movie lineup for Reel 13 along with some great pictures from the films.

The classic films will still be shown at 9pm (EST) but after the classic film is completed they will show a double feature of independent films. The first film is a viewer’s choice for an indie short film that you can vote for by clicking here. The second is an underexposed indie film. I know that you all are excited about the films, so here is the January Lineup for Reel 13, drum roll please.

Reel 13 January Lineup

January 5

Classic: The Paper Chase

The Paper Chase is indeed a classic. This is one of my favorite films from James Bridges starring Timothy Bottoms and Lindsay Wagner. It is about a law student who has to choose between love and his career. You can watch a clip the film by clicking here.

Short Films: Viewers Choice

Following The Paper Chase, we have whatever film that wins the viewers choice. You can vote for which film that you would like to see by clicking here for the next week.

Indie: American Wake (drama)

Claire Folger/© Hazelwood Films

American Wake is a film by Maureen Foley about finding yourself and your direction in life. American wake tells two parallel stories of a fireman and a musician. Both are struggling to discover the difference between who they are and what they are expected to be.

American Wake Trailer

Here is the American Wake Trailer.

January 12

Classic: A Shot In the Dark

A Shot in the Dark is a Peter Sellers movie that I have always wanted to see but have yet to have the opportunity. Filmed prior to Casino Royale, we follow Insp. Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bumble his way through a murder investigation. You can see a clip from the movie by clicking here.

Short Films: Viewers Choice

Following A Shot in the Dark, we have whatever film that wins the viewers choice. You can vote for which film that you would like to see by clicking here for the next week.

Indie: Rage in Placid Lake (comedy)

© Film Movement

Placid Lake's life has never been normal. From his early years when his mother sent him to school in a dress to challenge the other 5 year old children's preconceived notions of sexuality, he should have guessed that fitting in was not going to be easy.

January 19

Classic: The Robe

The robe is about a Roman tribune named Marcellus Gallio played by Richard Burton wins the robe that Jesus Christ wore when he was crucified in a game of chance. Marcellus is then beleaguered by hallucinations in which he is convinced are caused by the robe.

Short Films: Viewers Choice

Following The Robe, we have whatever film that wins the viewers choice. You can vote for which film that you would like to see by clicking here for the next week.

Indie: Two Harbors (comedy-drama)

Two Harbors is an independent film that I am going to have to acquire somehow. This is a special treat for all of you New York indie lovers. Two Harbors tells the story of “An obsessed sci-fi fanatic uses an impressionable young woman to try to lure extraterrestrials to earth.” This movie sounds like a pulp noir hit to me and I hope that I get to see it at some point.

Vic’s days are filled with selling sci-fi collectibles and the hunt for extraterrestrial life. His search is remarkably unsuccessful until he meets an unusual young woman, Cassie. Vic becomes convinced that extraterrestrials are interested in Cassie, and he sets out to prove it, with tragic results. Two Harbors is actually based on a true story. You can watch a trailer for Two Harbors by clicking here.

January 26

Classic: The Magnificent Seven

We finish the month with one of my favorite westerns of all time. The Magnificent Seven is an American version of Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” in which seven gunfighters are hired by an oppressed Mexican Village to help defend their homes against bandits. You can see a trailer from the Magnificent Trailer by clicking here.

Short Films: Viewers Choice

Following The Magnificent Seven, we have whatever film that wins the viewers choice. You can vote for which film that you would like to see by clicking here for the next week.

Indie: Wilby Wonderful (comedy)

© Film Movement

Wilby Wonderful is a bittersweet comedy about how the residents of Wilby struggle to maintain the normality of their everyday lives in the face of some unusual business. Wilby Wonderland starring Sandra Oh is a gentle, intimate story of hope and the importance of believing that we live in a world of creation, not destruction - in fact, we create that world by believing in it.

That wraps up the January 13 lineup for Reel 13. I know that you all are excited to learn more about this exciting program so I won’t hold you in suspense any longer. You can find more (and better) information on their website. Here is the link to their calendar that gives a break down of when the different movies are going to film.

One last thing, please do not forget to support your public television. You are lucky to have such a fine network. Our PBS station here is very good but it’s nowhere near as awesome as Thirteen is. And stay tuned to the Production Blog for February’s lineup of Reel 13 which we will post as we get closer into February.