MOG

Andrew Bujalski is a indie director that makes charming black and white films with friends and fellow filmmakers in the key roles.

His first movie was Funny Ha Ha. Living in Lansing, MI and not really being up on my indie/cool/New York film directors I picked up this film coz it looked interesting and no awareness of who Bujalski was. His films have been compared to early Linklater (Slacker), early Jarmusch, and Cassavetes.

It was a little hard to get used to at first--black and white, low key, naturalized acting (some people might read this or understand this to me bad acting), no huge plot to follow. His usual scenes are either a couple or a small group just sitting around talking. The plot follows the sort of aimless wanderings and life of Marnie. One critic described Kate Dollenmayer( who plays Marnie)'s presence as such: " her drab, ill-postured screen presence suggesting a post sex-change Wiley Wiggins. " One of the main 'plots' is that a co-worker, played by Bujalski, is in love with Marnie but she is not interested in him as more than a friend.

I liked the movie and Bujalski's filmmaking style and when I heard about Mutual Appreciation, his new film, I put in on my netflix queue.

As with any movie I watch it takes me about 3 or 4 different viewings to get through the whole thing. (I can only really watch my movies after all children have gone to bed and I can have the tv all to myself.) You know how the main menu of dvd can have music? Well, Mutual appreciation's main menu played a song from the movie and as soon as I heard the song I was in love.

The main character is named Alan and has moved to New York to pursue his music career. He has previously lived in Boston and was in a semi-popular indie band that broke up. In New York he hangs out with his college buddy Lawrence (played by Bujalski) and his girlfriend Ellie and searches for a new drummer and plays a show.

Alan is played by Justin Rice who is a member of the band, Bishop Allen(one of the other members of the band was in Funny Ha Ha as one of the main characters). Get it Alan really in Bishop Allen? And in the scene where he plays a show with his new drummer he plays some Bishop Allen songs and some of his own.

I definitely think if you like movies and you are looking for something new you should rent either or both of Bujalski's films BUT you also need to listen to some Bishop Allen.

Watching the film put me on a search for some Bishop Allen. The songs used in the movie are Coupla Easy Things and Things Are What You Make of Them and they are both wonderful. Both are off their album Charm School.

Here is a video to give a taste of Bishop Allen.

I am in musical love. I needed a new musical love.