Louder than a Bomb makes Roger Ebert's list of the Best Documentaries of 2011!

Mixed at Another Country

Poetry slams began in Chicago in 1984 and have become an international phenomenon. They're poetry readings as a spectator sport. Individuals and teams are scored by judges on the Olympic 10-point scale. "Louder Than a Bomb" is about the 2008 Chicago-area slam of that name, the nation's largest. Teams and soloists from 60 high schools compete, and the finalists face off in a city-wide slam that fills a theater usually used for rock concerts. The suspense that year initially centered on Steinmetz, a troubled inner city school that had never entered before it won the 2007 Bomb in a thrilling upset. Can Steinmetz and its coach, James Sloan, repeat?

The film was directed by Greg Jacobs and Jon Siskel (Gene's nephew), who followed several competitors for months and guessed well in choosing those they focused on. Like earlier docs about spelling bees and Scrabble tournaments, but with more showmanship and energy, it focuses on individuals and builds great suspense. Shown at Ebertfest 2011.

--Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 12.25.11

Ozzy Osbourne records for Brisk Iced Tea

Rocker and former MTV reality TV star Ozzy Osbourne visited Chicago's Another Country Studios on Thursday to lend his voice to a claymation web film for Brisk Iced Tea. Brisk is bringing back its claymation campaign, which in the past has included Rocky Balboa, Bruce Lee and Elvis Presley. The web film will debut in its entirety on January 16 on Brisk Iced Tea's website and Facebook page.

--Luis Arroyave Chicago Tribune 12.10.10

Another Country's Sound Four

Video by Jay Patton of Dictionary Films