Premier: Some Days Are Better Than Others
March 25th—Hollywood Theater
Some Days Are Better Than Others is the highly anticipated debut feature of local filmmaker, Matt McCormick. It is notably his first narrative piece as well, but do not expect a story as blithe as its writer/director. Actually, it’s more like 4 stories: James Mercer, Carrie Brownstein, David Wodehouse, and Renee Roman Nose each play the lead in their own separate– but also connected– worlds of longing. This “sad valentine to the forgotten discards of a throwaway society” is dramatically different in format from his other work, but conceptually and aesthetically it’s unmistakably Matt McCormick.
If you live in Portland, it is likely that you are already familiar with Matt’s work. You may have watched one of his music videos or short films, or seen his new installation, The Great Northwest (on display now at the Elizabeth Leach Gallery.) You may have also noticed a very bearded version of him dealing drugs to Will Oldham in Kelly Reichardt’s’ Old Joy– a movie that, like Some Days, casts our beloved region as a central character. “I really appreciate the progressive-yet-self-reliant population, and I love the color palette, especially in the winter, when everything is pretty much different shades of green and gray.” says McCormick about Portland. He references the significance of the city more than anything else, when speaking about his first feature film. As a guy who has “always been fascinated with society’s discards,” he has certainly found the right home. Portland is dripping with Matt’s particular brand of creative fodder. Those accustom to the boarded-up buildings, overpasses, and breathtaking landscapes of McCormick’s mind, will not be disappointed in Some Days.
He has been showing his movie at various festivals and limited screenings around the country, but March 25th at Portland’s own Hollywood Theater is its official, long-awaited premier. Director, cast, and crew will be present for Q&A at both the 7:00pm and 9:00pm showtimes.
McCormick notes that within the population of people who have already seen Some Days, it appears to generate a very polarized reaction. An audience member’s response to the movie is often extreme, but it’s not very easy to predict which end of the spectrum they’ll arrive at by the time the credits are rolling. “Sensitive people will like it,” says the director, “One of my goals was to make a movie that had the same characteristics of that sad love song you listen to over and over when your heart is broken.” The movie’s title is in fact pulled from such a song, by the now defunct Seattle band, Carrisa’s Wierd. McCormick was heavily inspired by their music in the creation of this film. Themes of loss and abandonment are woven throughout the stories, as the 4 main characters all try desperately to fill an unnamed hole their lives. As far as the polarized reaction to such themes, McCormick laughs and summarizes, “Maybe it’s that the heartbreakers hate it and the heartbroken love it.”
When asked about the premier, he replied with simple sincerity, “I just want to make the home town audience proud.” Let’s do the same for him, and go see Some Days Are Better Than Others on March 25th, to show our (collectively heartbroken) support. And if you’re an asshole, you should probably just stay home that night, and have a good hard think about all the pain you’ve caused those of us in the audience. Or, you know, go see Hall Pass instead.
Some Days Are Better Than Others Screenings:
March 25th Special Premier!
Hollywood Theater, 7:00pm and 9:00pm
(Director, cast, and crew will present/host Q&A)
Portland, Oregon: March 25–31– Hollywood Theater
New York City: March 29–30 — Museum of Modern Art
Chicago: April 1–7 — Facets Cinematheque
San Francisco: April 15–21 — Roxie Theater
Seattle: April 15–21 — NW Film Forum
and more to come…
