[ phoenix film festival: the people i met ]

So, at the Phoenix Film Festival, I got a chance to talk to a bunch of producers and directors. But I alsooooo got to meet a few actors. No one incredibly hugely famous, but it was still pretty cool.

First off, Johnny Messner. Now, the only thing I knew him from was a few episodes of The OC, so I won't be shocked if you have no idea who he is. On The OC, he was Julie's ex-boyfriend from way back, and one day he showed up with a porno starring Julie, and then Caleb had him killed. Rockin'. Anyway, he was in The Art of Travel, which I looooooooved.

I actually had two separate, ten or fifteen minute conversations with him: one right after I saw his film, and one during one of the parties. His voice scared the shit out of me, because it's wicked low and gravely, but I wasn't expecting it to be SO low and SO gravely in person. He asked if I liked the movie, and because I did, we talked about it for a little while. He was really nice, and wicked stoked that so many people liked the movie.


Secondly, and probably the one I was most excited about, Jonathan Schaech. If you've ever seen That Thing You Do, he played the lead singer of The Wonders. He was in a horror film called Organizm at the Festival, which I didn't see, because I'm not too big on horror films.

I basically just exchanged pleasantries with him. He was going into a film that I was taking tickets for, so I tore his ticket and told him to enjoy, and he thanked me. After the movie, he left the theatre first, and I got to actually meet him and introduce myself. Woot!


Next is Pras, from the Fugees. He did a Q&A session after his documentary Skid Row showed. Everyone asked questions, and he answered them. I was practically unconscious because it was two in the morning, so I didn't so much meet him as be in the same room with him.


And lastly, Shane West. What I actually knew him from was A Walk to Remember and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but he was also on E.R. for a few years. The first time I saw him, he was coming out of the Q&A session after his film, What We Do Is Secret, but I didn't say anything to him because he was completely surrounded by practically-fainting girls, and I didn't want to add to it. So he just hung out in the hall for maybe fifteen or twenty minutes, and all I did was smile at him as I walked past to leave.

Later that night, I was working the Awards Party, and he was there too, so I did get to say hello and introduce myself. I didn't have too much to talk about, because I didn't really want to say that I only knew him from those two movies, neither of which I particularly liked, and I hadn't been able to see the film that was in the Festival. But we chatted for a few minutes, and he seemed really nice and genuine.


So, yeah... I got to meet a few actors and a rapper. Goooooo me. It was pretty cool. I was proud of myself for not acting like a moron. I was able to string whole sentences together, and not act star-struck, so that's good!

[ found the pictures through google ]

[ phoenix film festival: the movies i saw ]

For the past week and a half, I've been volunteering at the Phoenix Film Festival. I mostly took tickets, directed people to the right place, and answered questions. Because I volunteered at least 20 hours (I think I ended up logging closer to 30), I got to see as many movies as I wanted to for free. I ended up having time to see five films, as well as a collection of College-Student-made Short Films. I highly highly highly highly recommend all of them!

Son of Rambow
This movie was absolutely incredible. The person who described it to me said it was about "two British boys who decide to make a Rambo movie after seeing Last Blood." And I thought, "Oh dear lord, why am I going to see this?!?" But it was so so much more than that. It was an incredible story of friendship and boundaries and coming into your own. It's extremely funny and extremely heart-warming.

Mongol
I never ever in my life thought my brain would create the thought "I feel bad for Genghis Khan," but this film made me think it. I have to admit it. It's a biopic about Genghis Khan's life, before he was Genghis Khan. It covers his life from the time he chose his wife and lost his father, at around age 9, up through the battle that sealed his destiny. It really is an amazing and beautiful movie. It makes you remember that everyone is human.

The Art of Travel
This is one of my new favorite films. It follows a young man named Connor, who is about to marry his girlfriend and go off to college, when his whole life turns around. He ends up in Nicaragua by himself, with no money. When he eventually makes it to Panama, he meets two people who will change his life forever. It is an exquisitely done film, starring Christopher Masterson. The scenery is just amazing, the story is so well-done. It made me want to go to an airport and get on the next international flight, no matter where it was heading.

Skid Row
This one was intense. Pras (from the Fugees) lived on Skid Row in LA for nine days, with no money and no help from his crew or friends, filming the entire experience with hidden cameras. There is just no way to describe this movie. All I can say is it was at once intense, terrifying and heartbreaking. I actually had to turn away a few times, because I simply couldn't handle what was shown on the screen. It was really well-done, just really horribly sad.

On Broadway
This one actually won the Audience Award at the festival. It stars Joey McIntyre (yes, of New Kids on the Block) and Eliza Dushku, among others. It's focuses on an Irish family in Boston. When Joey McIntyre's character's uncle dies in an accident, it inspires him to write a play about the traditions and connections within the Irish community. Basically everything is against him, but he knows in his gut that he needs to write the play and get it on stage. This film is absolutely beautiful. Heart-wrenching, really funny, incredibly touching, extremely inspiring. I absolutely loved it, and it definitely deserved the Audience Award.

Really great films, all of them. Others that I wanted to see, and were highly recommended by others at the festival: What We Do Is Secret (couldn't find a trailer); Take (which won Best Film); The Life Before Her Eyes; The Visitor; Dakota Skye (which won Best Screenplay); and 11 Minutes Ago.

Stay tuned for a report on who I met!

[ march 29: movies i've watched too many times ]

So, I love movies. I really do. It's a weakness of mine, up there close to my weakness for music. I just love movies. I like most types of movies; pretty much everything except for horror films. I'm not a huge sci-fi enjoyer, but I don't hate it either. And I'm slightly embarrassed to say that not many of the movies on this list of films I've seen more times than I probably should have are really that good. Most of them fall more in the category of so-bad-they're-good. I love them, and own them all!

1. The Princess Bride: As my all-time favorite movie, of course this one is on the list. Can't get enough of it. I can quote a lot of it from memory, and when watching it, can come close to reciting it verbatim.
2. National Treasure: What can I say... I love Riley! This movie just cracks me up, and is so much fun. I totally loved the second one too... "Oh no, God save the Queen!"
3. The Transporter: So incredibly falls in the category of so-bad-it's-good. Completely and utterly ridiculous. It has some very fun music, and is just so fun to watch.
   
4. Gone in Sixty Seconds: Another Nicolas Cage movie, which is kind of funny, because I don't necessarily like him as an actor. This movie is just great though... I love the cars and the characters... the cast is great!
   
5. Super Troopers: I was introduced to this movie at the very end of high school, was told that I wouldn't like it unless I was high, refused to get high to watch it, and absolutely thought it was hysterical. It is one of my favorite movies, if only because it never gets not-entertaining.
   
6. Spaceballs: Just flat-out funny. Cracks me up every time I watch it. I particularly like when they comb the desert.
   
7. Robin Hood Men in Tights: Again, just hysterical. Love the dancing, love the singing, love all the innuendos. LOVE when Patrick Stewart shows up as King.
   

And two movies that are climbing the list, considering I've watched them both several times in only two weeks (and these are actually great films!):

1. Across the Universe: If you haven't seen this, you are completely insane. It has rocketed into my top two favorite movies, second only to The Princess Bride. It's just so visually interesting and stimulating; the musical arrangements and the singing are amazing; the acting is great. I just freaking love it. Yay for the Beatles bringing us so much fantastic music that such a great movie was able to be crafted from it. It makes me want to flesh out my Beatles music collection.
   
2. Stardust: It's just fun. It's a fun and interesting story; it's got some great actors in it (Ian McKellan narrates at the beginning and end; Peter O'Toole has a few minutes of amazingness as the King; Michelle Pfeiffer plays a crazy, scary witch; Claire Danes is the Star; and Robert De Niro plays an incredibly flamboyant pirate named Captain Shakespeare).
   

What movies have you watched a squillion times? Any you're slightly embarrassed to admit?

[ postdated because i was out of town! more on that soon! ]

[ march 16: bodies of work to see ]

There are some people that do such amazing work, that you just want to see every single thing they've done. In the case of television and film, these are those people for me:

• Gary Oldman
• Jack Nicholson
• Morgan Freeman
• Woody Allen
• Denzel Washington
• Julie Taymor
• Audrey Hepburn
• Lucille Ball
• Carol Burnett
• Angelina Jolie
• Diane Keaton
• Meryl Streep
• John Travolta
• Bill Murray
• Scarlett Johansson
• Dustin Hoffman
• George Clooney
• Johnny Depp
• Joaquin Phoenix
• Audrey Tautou
• James McAvoy
• Marlon Brando
• Humphrey Bogart
• Gene Hackman
• Cary Grant
• Judy Garland
• Edward Norton
• Grace Kelly
• Michelle Pfeiffer
• Julianne Moore
  

Well... the list was pretty short, but then I started looking through all my movies, and searching the internet, and it kinda grew. There's probably a hundred more, but I had to stop myself. The links go to the person's IMDb page, in case you want to start a "To See" list (and for my own reference).

Who do you want to see in everything they've done?

[ march 11: movies from gilmore girls ]

Today I'm linking to a list, because it's incredibly long and detailed, and I want to give credit where credit is due. Therefore:

Movies Mentioned in Gilmore Girls AKA Movies to See

[ and the world spins madly on ]

Ok, so I both love and loathe Target. Love it because, um, hi... it's Target. Loathe it because it's one of those stores that you go in for toothpaste and you come out with a new wardrobe, new books, some home accessories, but no toothpaste.

I went to Target for some work clothes. I found one cute outfit for work, and a nice casual top. And then I went for a swing around the rest of the store, because that's what you do in Target.

And I walked out with SEVEN movies. SEVEN! That's so bad.

However, I spent a grand total of $52.16 on those seven movies. That's only $7.45 a piece!!!

Which movies, do you ask?


I freakin' heart this movie. I just think it's incredibly cute. Very funny, great music, fun cast. Lauren Graham is in it, and she's one of my favorite actresses (if only because I want to be Lorelai Gilmore when I grow up). Diane Keaton is a freakin' riot in this... just so over-the-top overbearing.


I'm trying to slowly but surely grow a collection of classic movies and classic books. My movie collection of classics is actually nonexistent, except as an idea in my head. So when I saw Breakfast at Tiffany's for $6.50 (!!!!) into the cart it went! I watched it last night for the first time in forrrrrever, and fell in love all over again. All I can say is, Audrey Hepburn is so amazing, that it can't be put into words.



I'm also a ridiculous fan of 80s movies, and have a small collection of my favorites from that time (The Goonies, The Princess Bride, Labyrinth [seriously... Bowie!] and Clue, so far). That explains why it was absolutely necessary to get Flashdance and Footloose. Classics! Some of the best soundtracks of the 80s. Plus, they came in a sweet two pack, for $9.44!!!


One of the cutest, funniest romantic comedies ever. Totally adored by pretty much every girl I know, plus a fair number of guys. Great movie.


Looooooooove it. This now has a place right next to Spaceballs. Hysterical.


Great movie that I had never even heard of until my friend Kelly came back from break at school with it, and said we all had to see it. I think we may have watched it about a dozen times in the months following! Really great movie... clever, fast-paced, amazing cast.


If this doesn't provide an excellent example of how random my taste in movies is, I don't know what will. Just wait until I describe my musical taste! Another post, for another day. I've got to grab a shower and some breakfast, so I can hit up the Junior League rummage sale, and then get ready for work!


[ images all found through google ]