L.A., world movie capital, may indeed suffer from having too much of a good thing

By Scott Foundas, LA Weekly

As wildfires scorched Southern California and Angelenos choked on the ocher air, so too did Los Angeles film culture find itself gasping for breath. First, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art decided to suspend its long-running weekend film series. Next came word that the Mann Theatres chain would be vacating its leases on the historic Village and Bruin theaters in Westwood and was also looking for a buyer for the iconic Grauman’s Chinese in Hollywood. Then the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Director of Programming, Rachel Rosen, announced she would be leaving to take a similar job not at Cannes or Sundance or Toronto or New York, but rather at the San Francisco International Film Festival, which everyone in local and national film circles seems to agree is not just L.A.’s loss but Rosen’s decided gain. It was that kind of summer.

FOR FULL STORY: http://www.laweekly.com/2009-09-03/film-tv/the-long-hot-summer/

Cast: Sylvia Miller (Tricia O’Kelley), Byron ( Patrick J. Adams), Walt (Ryan Devlin), Sherry ( Kaitlin Olson),  Dale Waters ( Mark Harmon), Emily ( Alex Kapp Horner), Jane ( Marin Hinkle), Charles ( Jon Cryer), J.D. (Jane Lynch)  Enrico Colantoni (George) Blair Underwood (Uncredited) Director: Blayne Weaver Producer: Steak House

93 MIN Rated: R

Cliff Notes Summary: Frustrated weather girl for a Seattle morning talk show, commits career suicide by having an emotional on-air outburst during which she confronts her co-anchor boyfriend, accusing him of having an affair with their other co-anchor on the show. Her plan backfires and all in an instant, she’s without of a job, without a boyfriend, without a clear path to her future and without a place to live. As she finds herself, having to start all over again, she finds inspiration, happiness and love in the last place she ever thought she would find it.

There’s been so much talk lately about the older woman/younger man romance dubbed “cougar relationship” in the media. There are reality shows, numerous television series in the works and even daytime television is telling the story as  All My Children’s Erica Kane is set to have a romance with a younger man this summer.  In the mist of all the often, unflattering talk and negative connotation that surrounds this kind of  love story, Weather Girl, a movie about the unexpected relationship between older Sylvia and younger Byron,  is a breath of fresh air. This is not a “cougar” story and thank heavens for that.

The movie starts out  just as you’d expect though. Sylvia, a “sassy” weather girl, who after an on-air meltdown in which she confronts her anchor boyfriend, Dale, about his affair with their on-air co-anchor,  finds herself humiliated,  homeless and unemployed.

With no where else to go, she turns up on the door step of her younger brother, Wade. He quickly gives her a life lesson in how the real world works.  As she realizes that she may never have a career again in broadcast journalism, Wade tells her to look for something to pay the bills. “I have a degree too. We don’t always get to do what we want to do”, he says.    “Grow up”!  Sylvia goes through many struggles;  job hunting, learning to live with a roommate, embarrassing talks with her friends who have it all (money,marriages,  real estate, careers, children, etc)  and aren’t shy about letting Sylvia know that she, herself  is the main reason for the predicament she is in.

The movie, thankfully finds it’s spark, once Sylvia steps into the world of Wade. She meets the wonderful Byron, Wade’s best friend and next door neighbor.  Byron becomes her no-strings-attached rebound guy who she sees in secret. As they agree to not fall in love, Bryon falls head over heels. His observation of her is fantastic as he brings her coffee. “You look like a vanilla latte type”, he tells her and he also dubs her as a “work in progress”  after she returns defeated from a series of humiliating job interviews.  Sylvia, determined to get her old live back, overlooks the obvious signs of Bryon’s love and contemplates returning to Dale and to life in front of the cameras. All of this makes Weather Girl a wonderful ride to the predictable yet satisfying “happily ever after” ending.

The relationship between the three leads has a smart, funny, “Friends-like” vibe as Wade and Bryon are Chandler and Joey to Sylvia’s Monica. The romance of Sylvia and Byron is refreshing. Bryon gets the courage to ask her out by saying, “I’m a pretty good rebound guy” and “you’re kind of sexy in a foreign film kind of way with the angles and the attitude”.

The only slight disappointment of the movie is that it didn’t give us a little more insight into Bryon. What did his apartment look like? Would his family have even liked Sylvia? Could he cook? Did he like The Seahawks or The Sonics, etc? It would have been nice to find out.

The strong supporting cast of familiar faces, both on the small screen and in the movies, makes the film worth seeing as well, especially scene stealer Jon Cryer as the blind date from hell with a fast track.

In theaters July 10th.

(From Business Wire)–Animation greats Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter and directors Robert Zemeckis and Tim Burton will take part in their first ever Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center July 23-24. The filmmakers will be on hand to help Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures showcase a wide-ranging roster of upcoming films, including 3D juggernauts ALICE IN WONDERLAND, TRON and DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and animated gems THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, PONYO and the TOY STORY trilogy. Zemeckis, Burton, Miyazaki and Lasseter will take part in industry panels.

COMIC-CON’S FIRST EVER 3D PANEL — Veteran directors Robert Zemeckis and Tim Burton join TRON producers Sean Bailey and Steve Lisberger on Thurs., July 23 at 11 a.m. for an unprecedented presentation featuring behind-the-scenes filmmaker insights about the highly anticipated 3D adventures DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and TRON. In addition to Q&A opportunities with each of the filmmakers, the 90-minute panel will feature never-before-seen concept art, trailers, actual 3D film footage and other Comic-Con-only footage debuts. In a groundbreaking technical feat, this is the first time ever that 3D footage will be shown at Comic-Con. Patton Oswalt will moderate.

ANIMATION PANEL — Animation legends Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter join veteran animation directors Lee Unkrich, Kirk Wise, Ron Clements and John Musker on Fri., July 24 at 12:45 p.m. for an animation panel which will highlight upcoming animated films, including Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY/TOY STORY 2 double feature, Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY 3, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ half-hour holiday TV special PREP & LANDING, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and Miyazaki’s PONYO. John Lasseter will host the panel and Patton Oswalt will moderate a group Q&A following the presentation, which will include filmmaker insights, trailers and select film sequences.

ABOUT THE MOVIES

PONYO From the Academy Award®-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Already a box-office success in Japan, the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo (voiced by NOAH CYRUS) and her quest to become human features an outstanding roster of voice talent, including CATE BLANCHETT, MATT DAMON, TINA FEY, FRANKIE JONAS, CLORIS LEACHMAN, LIAM NEESON, LILY TOMLIN and BETTY WHITE. PONYO opens in U.S. theaters on Aug. 14, 2009.

TOY STORY & TOY STORY 2 – DOUBLE FEATURE (In Disney Digital 3D™) Disney●Pixar’s TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2 return to the big screen in an exciting double feature Oct. 2, 2009—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. TOY STORY They’re toys, they talk—at least when people aren’t around—and they’re back… celebrating the return of the “Toy Story” franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™! TOY STORY, the film that started it all, takes moviegoers back to that fantastic fun-filled journey, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys— Woody (voice of TOM HANKS), the lanky, likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (voice of TIM ALLEN), the fearless space ranger. The comically-mismatched duo eventually learn to put aside their differences when circumstances separate them from their owner Andy and they find themselves on a hilarious adventure-filled mission where the only way they can survive is to form an uneasy alliance. TOY STORY 2 Disney•Pixar’s TOY STORY 2 picks up as Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (voice of WAYNE KNIGHT), owner of Al’s Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody (voice of TOM HANKS). At Al’s apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show called “Woody’s Roundup,” and he meets the other prized toys from that show – Jessie the cowgirl (voice of JOAN CUSACK), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voice of KELSEY GRAMMER). Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear (voice of TIM ALLEN) and the gang from Andy’s room – Mr. Potato Head (voice of DON RICKLES), Slinky Dog (voice of JIM VARNEY), Rex (voice of WALLACE SHAWN) and Hamm (voice of JOHN RATZENBERGER) – spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody home before Andy returns.

DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL (In Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3D motion picture event. Ebenezer Scrooge (JIM CARREY) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (GARY OLDMAN) and his cheery nephew (COLIN FIRTH). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late. Opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 6, 2009.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (ANIKA NONI ROSE), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements, with music by Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman. Opens on November 25, 2009 in NY and LA, and on December 11, 2009 nationwide.

PREP & LANDING PREP & LANDING is ABC’s first television special produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The half-hour holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing. Every Christmas Eve, this high-tech organization ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared for a visit from the Big Guy (aka Santa Claus). After working tirelessly on Prep & Landing for 227 years, an elf named Wayne (voice of Dave Foley) is upset when he doesn’t receive an expected promotion to be the Director of Naughty List Intelligence. Instead, Magee (voice of Sarah Chalke), the North Pole Christmas Eve Command Center Coordinator (NPCECCC for short), partners Wayne with Lanny (voice of Derek Richardson), an idealistic rookie who has an undying enthusiasm for Christmas. During their Christmas Eve mission, Wayne and Lanny encounter unexpected challenges that push them to their limits.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (In Disney Digital 3D™) Walt Disney Pictures’ magical animated classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST returns to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™, introducing a whole new generation to the Disney classic with stunning new 3D imagery. Opening Feb. 12, 2010, the film captures the fantastic journey of Belle (voice of PAIGE O’HARA), a bright and beautiful young woman who’s taken prisoner by a hideous beast (voice of ROBBY BENSON) in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle’s enchanted staff—a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others—and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior to discover the heart and soul of a prince. Featuring unforgettable music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and an enormously talented vocal ensemble, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was the first—and only—animated feature to receive a Best Picture nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (In Disney Digital 3D™) From Walt Disney Pictures and

Johny Depp as The Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland

visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic 3D fantasy adventure ALICE IN WONDERLAND, a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. JOHNNY DEPP stars as the Mad Hatter and MIA WASIKOWSKA as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes ANNE HATHAWAY, HELENA BONHAM CARTER and CRISPIN GLOVER; Linda Woolverton wrote the screenplay. Capturing the wonder of Lewis Carroll’s beloved “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and “Through the Looking-Glass” (1871) with stunning, avant-garde visuals and the most charismatic characters in literary history, ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes to the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™ on March 5, 2010.

TOY STORY 3 (In Disney Digital 3D™) The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in TOY STORY 3. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. TOY STORY 3 comes to theaters nationwide in Disney Digital 3D™ on June 18, 2010.

TRON (title not final) (In Disney Digital 3D™) TRON is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (GARRETT HEDLUND), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (JEFF BRIDGES), looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidant (OLIVIA WILDE), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction screened at the LA Film Festival on June 25th and 27th to sold out crowds.  The audience seemed to enjoy the movie.

A few bloggers have reviewed the film:

Kate Erbland of Gordonandthewhale.com states “ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction is a hilarious and gory send-up of post-9/11 paranoia and genre clichés.” Read more

Christen from Paradocs Productions says “The cast fires off rapid comedic quips, paired with campy slapstick gore that will make any Evil Dead fan titter with delight.” Read more

Larry Richman from PRO Networks says “ZMD is actually a carefully crafted political statement about the suspicious treatment of Muslims and gays in America post-911. How that odd scenario plays out needs to be seen to be believed.” Read more

Finally, Mike Szymanski of Scifiwire.com describes ZMD as “one of the Los Angeles Film Festival’s audience favorites this year, causing a midnight madness of whooping, screaming and laughing: the comedy ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction.” Read more

This post is dedicated to Desirae Rogers in Team Obama in The White House. Nothing you do Desirae Rogers in service to your nation and its great young leaders is meaningless. You are creating a legacy of love, creativity, vision and hope that will last in your inspiring service to America. Thank you from LA. I see you girl. You rock!

Here’s 10 Hot Entertainment and Celebrity News Posts right now here in Hollywood on Horiwood.Com. They are:

1. NEVER HAVE THERE BEEN MORE AFROS REPRESENTED IN PRIME TIME MEDIA EVER THAN THIS WEEK

2. LEGENDARY ACTOR, KARL MALDEN HAS PASSED AWAY

3. INTOUCH MAGAZINE CELEBRATE BOTH FARRAH FAWCETT AND MICHAEL JACKSON ON THEIR COVER

4. THE LA FILM FESTIVAL IS NOTHING WITHOUT KANYE WEST

5. ROBERT PATTINSON: THE SPARKLY VAMPIRE GOES TO CENTRAL PARK, NYC

6. MICHAEL JACKSON: THE DEATH OF THE ARTIST IS THE BEGINNING OF THE ART & MUSIC

7. MARIAH CAREY AS A BLOKE IS KINDA SCARY!

8. BRUCE WILLIS: BESIDES EVERY GREAT MOVIE STAR, THERE ARE TWO GREAT BODY DOUBLES

9. SELENA GOMEZ SAYS RAISE HOPE FOR THE CONGO

10. YEP… IT’S BRUNO’S GARAGE!

~ Life is a precious gift. Live your legacy for the world~

This is life’s meaning… one of the meanings… anyways.

Because of his artistry as an “artist whose all about the a,” LA knows that the LA Film Festival is nothing without a touch of Kanye West.

Kanye humorously starred in Spike Jonze’s short film, We Were Once A Fairytale, which was a creative take on an egotistical Kanye cutting himself and bleeding rose petals as a live homage to Amber Rose.

Too darn funny!

We <3 Shayne!

“The award for Outstanding Performance in the Narrative Competition went to Shayne Topp for his performance in Suzi Yoonessi’s Dear Lemon Lima,.  Given to an actor or actors from an official selection in the Narrative Competition, this is the sixth year the award has been given at the Festival.”

I just got back from an overnight trip to LA to see the first screening of ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction at the Magestic Crest Theater in Westwood. The screening was at about 80% capacity (sold out for Saturday’s screening). The audience seemed to really enjoy the film and there were several industry professionals in attendance. Had a fun time at a few before and after parties as well. I will post a few images online from the event.

Thanks LAFF for making my weekend great!

Every Now and then a film comes along that just makes you excited that there are still creative people left in the world.  I saw the trailer for this before it got to Sundance and right away claimed it would be a hit.  It is a perfect adaption and satire to Blaxploitation films such as Sweet Sweetbacks bad ass song and all others in the genre.  Every piece of dialogue seems to just have humor behind it. Directed to era perfection by Scott Sanders, and bringing back Micheal Jai White as both the Jive Talkin star and co-writer.  I suggest anyone that has the opportunity to see this Hot item do so.

AND your just in luck, it is playing at the LA Film Fesitval this week on June 25th. So if your in the area go check it out before it hits theaters in December. You can head over to http://www.blackdynamitemovie.com/ for more information, downloads and clips from the film.

More Info on LA FILM FESTIVAL

http://www.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2009/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=5298

Now that the summer quarter has begun and the LA Film festival is in full force, it’s time for our “Pick of the Week”. Outside of the UCLA Extension sponsored “Cold Souls“, I would recommend you viewing the film:

“Where it Was At: A Propaganda and Satellite Films Tribute“

Some of the music videos shown display some techniques that would qualify them as great stand alone short films.

I would consider that at least three of the music videos should be considered three of the greatest music videos ever made. I wonder if you could guess those music videos.

Considering that you will see them on the big screen, it’s a rare opportunity that one should not miss.

Here’s “Drop” by Spike Jonze

I missed my happiness post this week, and maybe last week too? I can’t remember, but no matter!

1. Reading poetry out loud. Maybe it’s the elitist in me, but I love that I know the “correct” way to read poetry – which is nothing really, just following the punctuation rather than line division. It really helps when you’re trying to figure out the meaning of the poem. Whatever, it’s really beautiful either way. Try it, with this poem that is tattooed on one of the Jack Sparrow’s back in Davy Jones’ Locker.

It’s long, so savor the happiness.

Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann in the 1920’s.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

2. People. Sometimes I’m holed up by myself, wallowing in misery, and the idea of being around other people is as attractive as eating a slug wrapped in the skin of a raccoon. The thing is, people always do something that makes me lift my head up again. I’d like to add something that I told Miya today, when she was feeling down. First she said “I feel like nothing I do will ever amount to anything.” I said, “I think that even if someone doesn’t do anything great they’ve been a part of so who is great’s life and thus they have contributed to greatness.” There are quotes about going out and doing things, quotes about keeping your head high and not caring about what others think, quotes about being yourself. But where are the quotes for when you feel like life is useless, a feeling that I know a lot of people get. That summarized eighth grade for me. Oh, wow. I had forgotten about eighth grade until this moment.

3. Books. I have more time to enjoy them now. Books hold so much. Everything they say is true, you could experience the world through a book – but it’s always better to live it for yourself. Still, they have the power to inspire you to go out and live what you see.

4. Photographs. I went to the Annenburg Space for Photography Saturday and I realized that in some ways photography is more beautiful than film. In other ways film is more beautiful than poetry – of course, and film may be more of my medium than photography is. The same goes with prose and poetry, photography and painting. But the silence of photography, and the stillness of it – it’s somewhat breathtaking. Portraits are my favorite – someone’s face, whether you know who they are or not, staring back at you for eternity. And you wonder what was happening in that moment, and what was going through their minds. What made them cry, or smile, or react in that way? Portraits make people vulnerable.

5. Days “out on the town” with your friends. Saturday was jam-packed with things to do, and it was just exciting to hang out with friends in the city. It’s not exciting in Cerritos, but Westwood during the LA Film Fest was a lot of fun. Even not during the Film Fest.

6. Shorts. I live in them now.

7. Nature. I never appreciated nature before, it was always something manmade that held my attention. But nature is so much more beautiful than anything we could create, perhaps with the exception of the office buildings where the Annenburg Space for Photography and my internship coordinator’s office is. That place was breathtaking – a grassy picnic area surrounded by three glass towers hundreds of feet tall. I’d love to work there, perhaps. Anyway, nature is just really complex and recently I’ve been imagining what our world looked like before we came and did whatever we did to it. Whenever I see a glimpse of nature surrounded by civilization, like that puddle (literally) of wetland I found at Huntington Beach yesterday, I clone it all over in my head and see what it used to be.

That’s all for this week. I’ve got to go play Monopoly with my sisters now.

Mine family went to the beach yesterday, and my sisters and I spent the time on the car playing a ridiculous game. It started out with me making strange noises but evolved into a very entertaining game. I prefer it as a one-man pastime, though.

How to play: Say “Abu”, repeating with the addition of a “bu” after each turn. See how long you can go without laughing. Basically it goes like this, “Abu. Abubu. Abububu. Abubuhahahahhahahahahhahaha.”

Shannon suggested rounds, where we go around with each person adding the next “bu”.

I think it’s been invented before. Who knows? It’s fun nonetheless.

Remember how we’ve been planning to stake out the “Public Enemies” premiere for months? Huzzah for failure? I did walk past it when I went to the High School Program 1 screening on Saturday of the LA Film Festival. Mann’s Theater is pretty nice.

Speaking of, the High School shorts were entertaining. They did group a bunch of activist documentaries toward the end, which was when my butt started to hurt.

Summer? It’s okay. I’m studying and working on Ernest greeting cards. The main thing is the stop-motion though. I’d really like to submit it to the LA Film Festival’s Future Filmmakers Showcase next year. It’s hard, though. I don’t know whether I’m oversimplifying the process or overcomplicating it. Still, all the issues real directors deal with – finances, schedule conflicts – it’s happening to me too, on a smaller scale. I can’t help thinking that if I can’t handle this maybe I’ll go crazy if I have to deal with it when millions of dollars are at stake.

Travel show hosts have a great life. They get to go on trips – paid for by their companies – and eat bugs in South Asian markets. I’d like a stint as a travel show host.

I’m working to stay in touch with my prose-writing self, so I’m writing something based off of that thing we talked about at lunch – The Pink Ladies. Old ladies are always wonderful characters, possibly my favorite. All I’m taking from it is the name and premise, though. I couldn’t remember our specific names so I made some up. The plot will be revealed in time.

I’m a little bit scared of finishing On the Road. So many people have shared how it was the book that changed their lives, that if I read it it just becomes a book that I’ve read. So far it hasn’t captivated me yet.

Whell then. I’m off to waste the day away in various activities that will add up to something in the end. Good god I need post inspiration. Any particular topics you want me to talk about?

Hola, it is summer! Hola hola hola. Tomorrow I’m going to the LA Film Festival avec mine journalism internship. Excited? Actually, not that much, despite the fact that I asked for us to go. To be honest, I asked because “Public Enemies” is premiering there – but the $100 ticket price soon dampened my dreams.

I’d like to direct you all to Ernest and La Poo Poo’s blogs, where updates have been posted for you.

Every morning, I wake up and feel like something’s off. Something is off – I should be at school. It’s going to take me a bit of time to get used to this freedom. Usually I’m take no time in adjusting, and it’s at the middle of summer that I start missing school. Oh vell.

Next week I plan to go stake out the “Public Enemies” premiere with some friends. For now I’ll be content with finally doing some reading I never had time for during the school year. I went to Costco and bought three books, two of which are going to be returned tomorrow. The one remaining book is Public Enemies“, I’m almost ashamed to admit. Okay, Johnny Depp did inevitably factor into my reasoning, but I really am interested in reading about gangsters in the 30’s.

I should have known Sundays at Tiffany’s was going to be one big cheesy romance. The title indicates something that runs throughout the book – good writing exchanged for a quick and clever joke that is really just a cliche with a twist. Basically, every character says something clever every time they speak. The book, I’m sorry to say, reads like a mediocre fanfiction. At times I thought I was reading Twilight. The tenses kept switching back and forth. I could forgive the writer if the girl had actually died, but no. It turns out it was her mother, and so the girl’s mysterious vomiting is laid aside. Did I forget to mention there’s an epilogue? A bad sign. Harry Potter 7 had an epilogue, and that book may have been the worst out of the series. Well yes, in this book they have children too.

I’m willing to like a cheesy book if it’s somewhat well-written, even if it’s escapist and romantic. But this book was just a huge disappointment. The premise lures you in. Don’t be lured in.

Okay, book review’s over.

I’m doing my summer cleaning right now. Gah, it is a big fat hassle. I spent today cleaning to the tune of all my old CD’s. Embarassing Disney/nonDisney stuff, to say the least. Whatever, it’s a part of me I guess.

On the last day of school, we walked over to Towne Center and had lunch. Now I know what it feels like to be a hobo, because I only had three bucks on me so I had two things from the dollar menu at McDonald’s. Anyway, we saw a lot of old elementary school buddies, and not so buddies. I’ll just say that I’m grateful for being at my high school rather than the normal one. No matter how weird some of us get, we’re all guaranteed to be somewhat intelligent and sensible.

Then we walked to Sushi’s house and sat with her. Oh, wow. She’s in India right now. She was leaving midnight that day, but we just…walked into her house. And borrowed her wizard costume, huzzah! I hope Jonathan fits into it. Then Angela decided to go home because it was way too hot, so she left and we followed.

Oh yesh, Sushi’s keyboard makes the perfect noises for our soundtrack.

At Angela’s house, we ate her food, as usual. And played Taboo. I’ve decided – we will play at my birthday. Huzzah. Except that everyone kept using me as an example.

Amanda: Katherine is weird, right? So you would tell her to see a…

The answer is shrink, and yes, I got that one. Afterwards we went upstairs and Sunyoung had to go home. Amanda fell asleep for half an hour, Angela watched 90210 on her computer and played facebook games. I read H&M magazine. Did you know you can hire your own paparazzi for a day? Um…it’s the worst part of being a celebrity. But okay, if it floats your boat.

Finally Angela had to return her DVD’s to Ralph’s moviecube box, so off we went to borrow some more. Stupid box wouldn’t work. That’s the second time it hasn’t worked for me. We asked the cashier but she said, “We’re not associated with the box, but if you have any question you can call this number.” Beaurocratic much. I gave her much subtle attitude. Hahaha passive aggressive. No matter, we drove to Wal-Mart, with the much better Redbox, and rented “Tropic Thunder”. Of course we were sad that Redbox did not have “Pineapple Express”, which MovieCube did.

“Tropic Thunder”, as you may have heard, is one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. Ben Stiller, you have redeemed your entire career with one movie.

Thinking of holding a meeting next week with everyone involved in the stopmotion. “Thinking…of putting in French doors actually.” Oh Jack Sparrow, why is your voice so strange in that deleted scene/blooper?

That is all. Goodnight and goodluck, everyone.

The LA Film Festival begins tonight! This year, the event will feature over 200 films that will be screened throughout the LA area. The Film Festival runs from today (June 22) through Sunday, June 28 and tickets can be purchased online or over the phone at 866.FILMFEST (345-6337).

Check out these music-related films:
13 Most Beautiful… Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests
All Tomorrow’s Parties
The Archive
It Might Get Loud
The Silence Before Bach
Soul Power
When You’re Strange: A Film about The Doors

Click HERE for a full list of music films!

Jimmy Page.

The EDGE.

Jack White.

If you’re a guitarist, a music fan or a fan of a documentary film… you will probably want to see this film.

From the director of “An Inconvenient Truth” comes “It Might Get Loud“.

It’s playing Friday, June 19th (7pm) at the Mann Festival. That screening is on ’standby’ status.  An additional screening has been added on Monday, June 22nd at 2pm. That screening is still open for ticket purchases. Review the schedule and all LA Film Festival matters here.

Jimmy Page

The Edge

Jack White

Lunched today in Westwood after picking up my tickets to the LA Film Festival! An excellent meal, for it achieved the triumvirate of restaurant pleasures: good food, good people-watching, good eavesdropping. At a corner table, one enthusiastic film guy to another: “The really wonderful thing is to create a demand for something that isn’t in demand, so that you can deliver absolutely anything you want!“

This brought to mind another great overheard line, in another café:

Heavy chainsmoking man 1: So I’ll send you the footage on Saturday.

Heavy chainsmoking man 2: Great. And let’s see if we can’t kick that rating up to PG13.

In actuality, he said something else that meant “footage” but wasn’t “footage”, but I immediately forgot the proper term, so “footage” will have to do.

When I wasn’t eavesdropping, I entertained my dining companion by drawing for him what I thought were pretty accurate representations of the singers whose music was playing on the sound system:

So, a happy bunny and kitty, and a passionate crocodile (or alligator!) playing guitar. I had a little trouble with the guitar. Maybe it is a lute.

Then I went unsuccessfully antique-ing in Topanga Canyon, “unsuccessfully” because every antique store in all the world is closed on Tuesday. I will try again tomorrow, and inform you of the results.

By Carol Wolfe

The Los Angeles Film Festival is an annual event where, for ten days, some of the best of independent film, both American and International is showcased.

Each year over 100,000 people attend the festival and over 175 films are shown.  This year the festival will begin on June 18th opening with a touching film entitled Paperman which stars Jeff Daniels as a man who regularly speaks to a super hero inside his head (played by Ryan Reynolds)

The festival will also feature the US premiere of the new Transformer movie.  For the complete schedule and information on how and where to obtain tickets please visit: http://www.lafilmfest.com/index.php

I’m Carol Wolfe and nobody does it better.

Michael Mann’s new movie Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp is the centerpiece movie of the Los Angeles Film Festival. The festival runs from June 18 – June 28.

Public Enemies (DIRECTOR Michael Mann WRITERS Ronan Bennett and Michael Mann & Ann Biderman PRODUCERS Kevin Misher, Michael Mann CAST Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Jason Clarke, Rory Cochran, Billy Crudup, and Stephen Dorff) – In the action-thriller Public Enemies , acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp) — the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the public.

For special offers to the attend the festival, click here: LAFEST

Michael Mann’s new movie Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp is the centerpiece movie of the Los Angeles Film Festival. The festival runs from June 18 – June 28.

Public Enemies (DIRECTOR Michael Mann WRITERS Ronan Bennett and Michael Mann & Ann Biderman PRODUCERS Kevin Misher, Michael Mann CAST Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Jason Clarke, Rory Cochran, Billy Crudup, and Stephen Dorff) – In the action-thriller Public Enemies , acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp) — the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the public.

For special offers to the attend the festival, click here: LAFEST

Dom Deluise has passed away. This is news that is pretty much plastered everywhere, but I’d just like to bring my own reasons for his significance in my life. I apologize in advance if my comments seem poopy, but I wasn’t old enough to realize who he was.

For one, he’s Peter Deluise’s dad. How can I put this lightly – he’s six degreed to Johnny Depp through his son and 21 Jump Street, including a guest appearance in “Woolly Bullies”. The more I look at the name of that episode the weirder it looks.

Second, he seems like he’d be right at home in Colm Wilkinson’s version of “High Flying Adored”.

Enough of that. Besides the fact that “Public Enemies” will be the centerpiece film at the LA Film Festival – oh goodness I want to go!

Last night I stayed up late and finished “Angry Asian Man” – the rough draft. When I saw how it looked as a PDF – I wanted to make everything into a PDF.

Just a short update, kind of poopy. I’ll be back soon with Ernest’s gift guide.

I’m off to make Ernest’s christening dress.