Cow Town/ Hot City

Maureen McNamara at the Sunday afternoon opening of her film Hot Town/Cool City in the MFAH's refrigerated basement auditorium.  A lot of people I know are in it, but the Oscar for best performance easily goes to a stranger: the sleepy guy at the Vietnamese sandwich shop.

This is McNamara's first film, and it's a big one. It's a great first attempt, but Hot Town/Cool City was squeezed out on a tight budget, and it shows. Little filler clips, cover abrupt transitions. The people interviewed on camera never have a chance to get really comfortable before their time's up. It's also lopsided; the film features many of the funky, arty spots I frequent, but then I'm a middle-aged white guy involved in the arts. I moved to Houston from Northampton, Massachusetts to escape being surrounded by people like me. 

also by Bill Davenport

• Art as Anesthesia: Schlesinger's "Along Here and There" Eases a Trek in SA - May 14th, 2013
• IMAS Director Joe Bravo Resigns, Leaving 17 Page Letter - May 13th, 2013
• Heavy Rains Delay Today's Art Car Parade - May 11th, 2013
• YouTube Introduces PayTube: Subscription Channels Get Test Run - May 10th, 2013
• NEA Spring Grants Announced: Texas Visual Arts Orgs Share $382,000 - May 8th, 2013