A SPECIAL HERO OF THE DAY!
Name: Michael Moore
Age: 64
Occupation: filmmaker
Last Seen: Traverse City, MI
Awarded For: another great film festival
Age: 64
Occupation: filmmaker
Last Seen: Traverse City, MI
Awarded For: another great film festival
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After years and years of wanting to go, the wait was over. I finally saw a movie at the Traverse City Film Festival.
For years, I had to deal with money troubles and a lack of a good place to stay. Situations resolved, I had a great three days in the Cherry Capitol last weekend. Granted, I did other things than watch movies - like go to Harbor Days in nearby Elk Rapids since it was my childhood festival - but it was all worth dodging road construction and slow drivers to finally make it to one of the best reasons why I'm proud to be from Traverse City.
The movie I saw, by the way was "Cracked Up", the documentary about SNL comic Darrell Hammond. The movie dealt with Hammond's rise to being the show's longest-serving cast member to sudden downfall because of drug problems and self-abuse brought on by the horrific abuse brought on by his mother as a child. Hammond was supposed to be there with the film's director, Michelle Esrick, but did not show up due to his flight being delayed seven hours. Nonetheless, it was a very important movie and is a must-watch if it ever hits theaters.
Hammond, absent or not, was not the Festival's big attraction by far. It was none other than Jane Fonda, who was there to promote her documentary, "Jane Fonda in Five Acts". Of course, her appearance came not without controversy since northern Michigan sadly has long been politically divided. Many are still pissed over her actions during Vietnam almost 50 years ago. However, there were more Fonda supporters than those on the opposition.
Despite its year-round population of 15,000, Traverse City has long been a popular getaway for celebs. Decades ago, there was the old Cherry County Playhouse, which the likes of Burt Reynolds, Florence Henderson, Jo Anne Worley and Gene Rayburn all appeared. It was once run by Pat Paulsen, the comedian and satirist known for his many failed runs for president.
Of course, not everybody up north likes Mike. Some laughed when he and his wife divorced and they sold their mansion near Bellaire (some even joked about the gym, stating that it was "rarely used"). Some are pissed over the fact that former vendor Boston Light and Sound are suing them for $160,000 over unpaid bills, though Mike claims that the lawsuit will be settled. Some are mad over their termination of former director Deb Lake and so on. But, the truth is that the TCFF brings millions of dollars to the local economy in Traverse City yearly. Hell, Mike claims that Republicans hug him for helping TC's economy.
I remembered when TCFF began, there was a nasty old ho from Suttons Bay who created some stupid Patriot film fest that nobody attended. Yet, since TCFF was created, many beloved stars like Madonna, Susan Sarandon, Patton Oswalt, Chaz Ebert (Roger's widow), Lena Dunham and Tom Morello have all been guests. And to think that TC was a hick town not long ago.
So thank you, Michael Moore, for bringing Hollywood to northern Michigan. There's a part of me that wishes that I still lived up there, but that's one thing they have to work on: making it cheaper to live there. Hell, I heard that a ROOM in TC now costs $800 per month!! I pay way less than that here at my apartment in suburban Grand Rapids. Plus, jobs are more plentiful here. New retailers open up here and there in TC, but let's face it: if you make $25,000, you're in the poor house in TC. Hell, you might as well live with the ingrates in Manceltucky.
But at least the State and old Con Foster Museum - now the Bijou By The Bay - are no longer abandoned eyesores.
---
After years and years of wanting to go, the wait was over. I finally saw a movie at the Traverse City Film Festival.
For years, I had to deal with money troubles and a lack of a good place to stay. Situations resolved, I had a great three days in the Cherry Capitol last weekend. Granted, I did other things than watch movies - like go to Harbor Days in nearby Elk Rapids since it was my childhood festival - but it was all worth dodging road construction and slow drivers to finally make it to one of the best reasons why I'm proud to be from Traverse City.
The movie I saw, by the way was "Cracked Up", the documentary about SNL comic Darrell Hammond. The movie dealt with Hammond's rise to being the show's longest-serving cast member to sudden downfall because of drug problems and self-abuse brought on by the horrific abuse brought on by his mother as a child. Hammond was supposed to be there with the film's director, Michelle Esrick, but did not show up due to his flight being delayed seven hours. Nonetheless, it was a very important movie and is a must-watch if it ever hits theaters.
Hammond, absent or not, was not the Festival's big attraction by far. It was none other than Jane Fonda, who was there to promote her documentary, "Jane Fonda in Five Acts". Of course, her appearance came not without controversy since northern Michigan sadly has long been politically divided. Many are still pissed over her actions during Vietnam almost 50 years ago. However, there were more Fonda supporters than those on the opposition.
Despite its year-round population of 15,000, Traverse City has long been a popular getaway for celebs. Decades ago, there was the old Cherry County Playhouse, which the likes of Burt Reynolds, Florence Henderson, Jo Anne Worley and Gene Rayburn all appeared. It was once run by Pat Paulsen, the comedian and satirist known for his many failed runs for president.
Of course, not everybody up north likes Mike. Some laughed when he and his wife divorced and they sold their mansion near Bellaire (some even joked about the gym, stating that it was "rarely used"). Some are pissed over the fact that former vendor Boston Light and Sound are suing them for $160,000 over unpaid bills, though Mike claims that the lawsuit will be settled. Some are mad over their termination of former director Deb Lake and so on. But, the truth is that the TCFF brings millions of dollars to the local economy in Traverse City yearly. Hell, Mike claims that Republicans hug him for helping TC's economy.
I remembered when TCFF began, there was a nasty old ho from Suttons Bay who created some stupid Patriot film fest that nobody attended. Yet, since TCFF was created, many beloved stars like Madonna, Susan Sarandon, Patton Oswalt, Chaz Ebert (Roger's widow), Lena Dunham and Tom Morello have all been guests. And to think that TC was a hick town not long ago.
So thank you, Michael Moore, for bringing Hollywood to northern Michigan. There's a part of me that wishes that I still lived up there, but that's one thing they have to work on: making it cheaper to live there. Hell, I heard that a ROOM in TC now costs $800 per month!! I pay way less than that here at my apartment in suburban Grand Rapids. Plus, jobs are more plentiful here. New retailers open up here and there in TC, but let's face it: if you make $25,000, you're in the poor house in TC. Hell, you might as well live with the ingrates in Manceltucky.
But at least the State and old Con Foster Museum - now the Bijou By The Bay - are no longer abandoned eyesores.
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Bee-otch of the Day is a production of Chuck69.com, Grand Rapids' site for Stern, politics and more!
Bee-otch of the Day Archives can be seen on http://beeotchoftheday.blogspot.com
Bee-otch of the Day is a production of Chuck69.com, Grand Rapids' site for Stern, politics and more!
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