Kirk Douglass as Guest at TCM Classic Film Festival 2011

Kirk Douglass with be a special guest at the TCM Classic Film festival in Hollywood this year. After an interview on stage there will be a screening of his most famous work (and one of my personal favorite movies) Spartacus.

Here is a little blurb on the festival: "The multi-faceted TCM Classic Film Festival – which runs from April 28 – May 1, 2011, in Hollywood – will be packed with more than 70 screenings, as well as special introductions, guest appearances, panel discussions and more. Time Warner Cable joins as an official partner, and Vanity Fair once again joins TCM as a festival partner. The magazine will produce the exclusive, opening-night after-party that will follow the red-carpet gala screening of An American in Paris. TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne will serve as official host of the festival.
Throughout the festival, TCM will celebrate movie music, with multi-film tributes to George and Ira Gershwin, composer Bernard Herrmann and singing cowboy Roy Rogers. In collaboration with D23, The Official Disney Fan Club, the festival will also celebrate the musical legacy of Walt Disney, including his Silly Symphonies and Laugh-O-Gram shorts.
Among the numerous films slated for the 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival are Reds (1981), Becket (1964), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), West Side Story (1961), The Parent Trap(1961), Whistle Down the Wind (1961), The Guns of Navarone (1961), The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), La Dolce Vita (1960), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Cabin in the Sky (1943), Went the Day Well? (1942), Citizen Kane (1941), Fantasia (1940), Dodsworth (1936), Hoop-La (1933), The Cameraman (1928) andThe Merry Widow (1925), to name a few. TCM is dedicated to showcasing the best possible projection, including digital, 35mm and 70mm prints.  Most of the films presented during the TCM Classic Film Festival have been digitally restored and remastered."

Sundance London.. Interesting

It was announced yesterday that the Sundance Film Festival will be featured at a London expo April 26-29, 2012. Robert Redford said in a press-release that this side-project would "in essence, help build a picture of our country that is broadly reflective of the diversity of voices not always seen in our cultural exports."
I'm a little ambivalent about the idea of taking Sundance to the UK. To me there is always going to be an attachment of Sundance with beautiful Utah, where I've attended in its various cities the past 4 years. I know this move doesn't really rob Park City, etc of any of its glory, but i guess my loyalty to the name and exclusivity will die a little harder.

In the other vein, I think it will be cool to see how the festival does in April, and I'm excited to see how the films will be received there. I'll keep everyone posted on any developing news with the story..

Fandor - Netflix Meets Sundance

I read about an interesting development in delivering media today, with a new little creation called Fandor. Fandor "the online video streaming/distribution company offers an Internet-based venue for films that have proven themselves through the film festival circuit and have received favorable reviews."

Read more: http://techland.time.com/2011/03/09/introducing-fandor-netflix-meets-sundance-online/#ixzz1GDZN8rSC

The 10 Commandments of Getting a Film into Sundance

Its rare that I repost - but this is good for a chuckle.
Check it out:

http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/436415_film44811878.html

Kevin Smith Is Angry

The director you probably remember from Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob seems to have gone off the deep end lately, angering critics and fans alike after buying his own film "Red State" at Sundance this past january - For $20.

This Horror / Political Satire is supposed to be his latest installment in a more experimental genre, a kick Smith has been chasing with his past few flicks.

After purchasing his own film - he declared in a lengthy tweet that he had other ideas for the route of "Red State."

Smith decided to rent out his own theatres, publicize for free on the internet, and charge any critics admission to see the film.

This is in addition to carrying a placard around Sundance claiming "God Hates Critics" and furthermore claiming the end of his direction is soon approaching after the release of his newest film.

What is most mind-boggling about Kevin Smith's behavior, is how harsh a transition this marks from his previously - happy, comically-critical-of-himself- attitude that made his character as entertaining as his films.

All of this positioning, for whatever end has at least killed the laughter for me for a while..

In the end, I would just rather this bad charade pouting-fit would end and we could to return to the funny Chasing Amy days as soon as possible.

Trial to Begin for Artist Selling artwork at Sundance

The artist Shaun L. Christensen was arrested at Sundance Film Festival for attempting to sell his work at Miners Park during the event.

He was not able to sell his work for long - as a Park City code enforcer shut down his shop for not having a valid license.

Christensen protested, claiming his right to free expression under the 1st amendment was being violated, and was arrested under the suspicion of commiting two related misdemeanors involved with not having a valid business license.

Though the case was later dismissed in state court, Christensen filed a civil suit against Park City, code enforcement, and the two officers involved in the arrest - claiming they infringed on his constitutional rights.

When the case was dismissed again in 2006, Christensen filed an amended lawsuit with a more detailed description of his artwork (as the first ruling claimed his case that his first amendment rights were violated was too vague.)

The case is set for friday with the same Judge Stewart presiding.