AFI Fest...whimpers to a close! Rinky-dink film par-tay a joke!

At the end of last week, the AFI's circuit offering, limped to a sorry close in Los Angeles!

What was the general consensus of film-goers - who attended the much-anticipated red carpet previews - in the end scenario?

The annual oft-ballyhooed event lacked - oomphf! - in the final analysis.

And, it was in large part due to the hit-and-miss attitude of the organizers, who failed to recognize that the medium of film  is capable of - not only entertaining - but, uplifting the human spirit, as well.

In a nutshell, the AFI Fest staff didn't know "snuff" about the Hollywood film industry, its in's-and-out's, who the players were, or how to put on a quality show under the big top!

In fact, their idea of the Hollywood "Dream" factory was a nightmare, from the get-go!

For example - one piece of celluloid trash the AFI staff screened (which was conjured up by a demented first-time-out Danish filmmaker) - couldn't help but stir up a nasty controversy.

Post:  11/11/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/afi-festscreens-sick-debauched-danish.html

"Smut masquerading as Art," was the way I put it - and, believe me - most who attended the preview of the sick flick wholeheartedly agreed!

Bob Gazzale - "doesn't know his a** from a hole in the ground" - some loudly lamented about the current disreputable President & CEO (as I rubbed my hands with glee on the sidelines).

The assessment was bang on, if 'ya ask me!

And, the Fest suffered miserably as a result, in the final analysis.

Of course, the program was plagued with bad omens, from the very start.

At one panel discussion (focusing on young up-and-coming rising superstars in the film industry today) - mics persistently sputtered beneath washed out film clips - in the midst of incompetent staffers who attempted to steer the derailed program back-on-track with little success.

Post:  11/06/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/la-times-actors-panelcarrie-mulligan.html

Actually, the fest's problems first festered up, when film buffs attempted to book tickets on the AFI web site which was ill-equipped to handle ticket reservations for the ten-day event to be held at a handful of prestigious venues such as Manns Chinese, the Egyptian, and-so-forth-and-so-on.

I was personally taken aback when tickets I reserved for - "The Black Swan", "Love & Other Drugs", and "The King's Speech" - were not forthcoming.

In fact, the ticket reservations vanished into thin air.

What a fiasco!

In the end scenario, I ended up with four tickets to Circus Kids, in spite of the fact I just ordered one lone ticket for the early morning screening at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

And, there were other snafus to contend with, as well.

For instance, I was issued double the tickets I requested for Mon Oncle, Hour of the Wolf, Amigo, an Industry Panel Discussion featuring up-and-coming stars (aforementioned), a Sony Seminar on 3D filmmaking, etc. etc.

Whew!

Talk about a rinky-dink outfit, eh?

Film buffs who turned up later at the box office in person to sort out the snafus - like moi! - wondered aloud where the celebrated guest Artistic Director - David Lynch - was in their hour of need.

Certainly not at the helm, that's for sure!

Judging by the AFI promos that sputtered to life at a handful of screenings - then, off again - he was obviously off on a drunk somewhere!

Post: 11/06/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/david-lynchaudiences-laugh-washed-up.html


Next year I'll pass, thank you very much, Mr. Gazale!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Mann's Chinese Theatre an AFI venue in 2010

AFI Fest....screens sick debauched Danish film! Filmgoers shocked!

Last night I attended a screening of "Nothing's All Bad" at the AFI Fest - an Independent Foreign Film - that was directed by Mikkel Munch-Fals.

For the first time ever - I half-expected the Vice Squad to break down the Theatre door at Mann's Chinese Theatre, confiscate the reels of film, and haul all the filmgoers off to jail for participating in a screening of vile lewd material that was disgustingly pornographic in nature.

But, because the sick debauched tale about a handful of sexually-depraved degenerates was screening at an alleged prestigious film festival, the authorities must have assumed that the Danish flick was "high brow" or at least one of the Artsy-fartsy variety.

Wrong!

Everything about "Nothing's All Bad" was "bad".

For example, in one scene - a teenager is standing at a urinal chewing gum and taking a whiz - when a forty-something piece of rough trade strolls into the men's room and stares him down.

"Can't you do something better with those pretty lips," he snarled at the sexy young dude.

Without batting-an-eyelid, the hustler plucks the gum out of his mouth - and sticks it to the gritty wall - as he drops to his knees to give the pervert a nasty bl** job.

In another vignette (!) a woman loses a breast to cancer. 

Shortly after the operation, she sinks to the depths of depression when she suffers rejection from the men all around her in social settings, who can't deal with her physical abnormality.

One day, she strolls into a porn shop and stumbles on a couple of DVD's, which feature amputees and individuals who have been mutilated.

To satisfy her yearning for acceptance (and love ?!), she agrees to act in one of the low-budget sex flicks.

When she arrives on the set the day of the shoot, she is forced to squat on all fours - with a rubber bit stuffed in her mouth - as a young male mounts her from behind and fu**s her up the ass!

And, it gets worse!

The last time I reacted so negatively to a film was on the occasion when I took in a double-bill of two features - that turned out to be basic snuff films - at the New Beverly Cinema a couple of years ago.

Post: 08/07/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/08/chaos-and-murder-set-pieces-shocking.html

What shocked me the most about this AFI fest celluloid offering?

For starters, the fact that the film was not rated (restricted or otherwise), and was given the seal of approval for screening (in spite of the fact the Film Fest is supported by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, a handful of Government Arts Councils, and a mainstream auto-dealer - AUDI - with a moral responsibility to the community).

I am thoroughly incensed that the aforementioned agencies (and individuals who acted on their behalf)agreed to screen this filth - which ultimately - degrades the body and demoralizes the human spirit.

Today, we need films that inspire a civilized society, not trash it!

The film should be - banned, burned, or confiscated by the local police - to prevent this kind of smut from seeping into the community at large in the future.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

AFI...announces 10 best films & TV programs of the year!

The American Film Institute (AFI) just announced the year’s most outstanding achievements in film and television.

For those who are not familiar with the AFI Awards, each year a select jury consisting of respected professionals in the creative field, single out film and television ensembles to be honored as a whole.

In essence, the tribute acknowledges the collaborative nature of film and television, and hands out kudos to artists both in front of and behind the camera.

The AFI AWARDS were selected this year by virtue of a unique 13-person jury process which included scholars, film artists, critics and AFI trustees.

During closed-door sessions, the discriminating team discussed, debated and determined the most outstanding achievements of the year.

In addition, the committee - rightly so - provided a detailed rationale for each selection.

Two AFI juries (one for motion pictures and another for television) convened in Los Angeles for two days of deliberations at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.

The identity of the jurors remained confidential until yesterday, the day I received the news release from the office of publicist, John Wildman.

The creative ensembles for each of the selections will be honored at a luncheon sponsored by Hewlett-Packard on Friday, January 9 (2009) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles (CA).

Start sweet-talking whoever you know at the AFI if you'd like to attend the prestigious affair; after all, the luncheon is by invitation only.

Hewlett-Packard, an AFI sponor, created scholarships for the AFI Conservatory in conjunction with their support of the AFI AWARDS.

The AFI Conservatory is world-renowned for its advanced training of the next generation of storytellers.

"AFI AWARDS honors the community of artists who come together each year to create films and television programs of excellence. They are not competitors at an event, but colleagues, in a world that needs art and entertainment more than ever," commented Bob Gazzale, AFI’s President and CEO.

The honorees listed in alphabetical order are:

AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR / OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Frost/Nixon, Frozen River, Gran Torino, Iron Man, Milk, Wall-E, Wendy and Lucy, and The Wrestler.

AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR / OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Breaking Bad, In Treatment, John Adams, Life, Lost, Mad Men, The Office, Recount, The Shield, and The Wire.

In the Motion Picture category, the jurors were Leonard Maltin (Entertainment Tonight), Jeanine Basinger (Wesleyan University), Mary Corey (USC), Mark Harris (author), Jim Hosney (AFI), Rick Jewell (USC), Elvis Mitchell (The Treatment), Danie Petrie, Jr. (writer/producer/director), Tom Pollock (producer/AFI Board of Trustees), Richard Schickel (Time), Vivian Sobchack (USC/AFI Trustee Emeritus, Anne Thompson (Variety), and Robert Towne (writer/director/producer).

The AFI Jury for Television included Richard Frank (AFI Trustee Emeritus), Neal Baer (writer/producer), John Caldwell (USC), and Jean Picker Firstenberg (AFI President Emerita).

Just a few short weeks ago, I attended the annual AFI Film Fest which was set amid the old world charm of the Roosevelt Hotel.

For press reports and reviews of films check archives: http://www.julianayrs.com/

AFI came into existence primarily due to the efforts of President Lyndon Johnson.

The politician signed legislation in the Rose Garden at the White House in 1965 - and with that mighty stroke of the pen - created the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts.

On that auspicious occasion, he noted for the record:

"We will create an American Film Institute that will bring together leading artists of the film industry, outstanding educators, and young men and women who wish to pursue this 20th century art form as their life's work."



AFI's original 22-member Board of Trustees included Chair Gregory Peck, Vice Chair Sidney Poitier, Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Jack Valenti and other representatives from the arts and academia.



Under the leadership of AFI's founding director George Stevens, Jr., the institute established a training program for filmmakers known as the Center for Advanced Film Studies, where the first class included Terrence Malick, David Lynch and Paul Schrader.

A repertory film exhibition program at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the AFI Catalog of Feature Films - the definitive source for American film history - were also created in the first five years.

Today, AFI is not only a National Institute that provides leadership in screen education, but a respected one that celebrates excellence in the art of film, television and digital media.

Under the leadership of Jean Picker Firstenberg (2nd AFI Director) the institute's eight-acre Hollywood campus was purchased and the film training program grew into the renowned AFI Conservatory and accredited graduate school.

In essence, AFI trains the next generation of filmmakers, maintains America's film heritage through the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, and explores new digital technologies in entertainment and education through the AFI Digital Content Lab and K-12 Screen Education Center.

The AFI AWARDS honor outstanding motion pictures and television programs annually.

In addition, the AFI's 100 Years series, brought extraordinary renewed public interest in classic American movies.

Today, AFI's Life Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed on an artist in film.

Honorees over the past 35 years have included John Ford, James Cagney, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Billy Wilder, Sidney Poitier, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, George Lucas and Al Pacino.

In November 2007, the AFI Board named Bob Gazzale (a film historian and television producer) the institute's President and CEO.

The AFI has been major cultural force in this country for the past forty years.

Arclight...Red Ribbon "Opening Glitch". Mockingbird screens mit out sound!

The Arclight celebrated the opening of its new Cinema at the Galleria last night with a lot of glitz and fanfare at a "Red Ribbon" cutting ceremony.

In tandem with the event, the American Film Institute invited special guests to screen one of three great films.

One of the offerings was a very oldie - but goodie - "Fast Times at Ridgemont High".

Audiences were also given a golden opportunity to take in a sneak preview of a captivating documentary about X-treme Skiing - "Steep" - which I caught at a screening just recently at the Fine Arts Theatre. Superb filmmaking!

Gregory Peck starring in - "To Kill a Mockingbird" - was the third choice and difficult to resist.

Yes, I opted for the classic!

The head of the Mid-Valley Chamber of Commerce, Nancy Hoffman, was on hand to present a certificate to Arclight CEO - Christopher Forman - to recognize the Theatre chain's contributions to the community.

"I witnessed the filming of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" here at the Galleria," Hoffman chirped excitedly.

"Yes, I'm a Valley girl," she beamed proudly to an eclectic mix of attendees which consisted of a handful of savvy local politicians, film personalities, and die-hard AFI film buffs.

Mr. Forman thanked everyone for turning out and noted that Arclight would continue their commitment - to not only screen movies that "people valued" - but endeavor to offer up a broad range of genres that appealed to a wider taste base.

The charismatic exec was quick to point out that were it not for Arclight, intimate movies like "JUNO" and "ATONEMENT", may have stalled in distribution talks.

Through two programs - POV (Point of View) and Arclight Presents - he underscored that bold-faced efforts to focus on quality and specialized bill of fare would continue to be a top priority.

Forman then introduced AFI CEO, Bob Gazzale, to the excited filmgoers.

Right off the bat, he blew AFI's horn a little.

To a rapt crowd, he noted that "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" was directed by Amy Heckerling, who was an AFI graduate.

The chatty exhuberant man proceeded to expound on AFI's new partnership with Arclight.

"Why Arclight?" he pointedly asked the tony crowd.

In answer to his own question, he offered up a snappy response.

"Because Arclight and AFI have the same goals and set of standards."

He capped the remark by boldly asserting that everyone is keenly aware that Arclight provides the finest filmgoing experience in the city.

In January, for example, AFI (in collaboration with Arclight) will screen a series of Classics of yesteryear for the theatre-going public to experience in a state-of-the-art theatre setting - "Vertigo", "Gone with the Wind", "Dr. Zhivago", "The Apartment", and "2001: A Space Odyssey", to name a few.

After thanking Mrs. Peck for attending (who waved graciously from the sidelines), he noted that in a recent poll, Mr. Peck's character - Atticus Finch - ("To Kill a Mockingbird") was named by film enthusiasts as the greatest hero of all time in the cinema.

At this juncture, Bob Gazzale parted with an anecdote.

He fondly recalled that when he aired a montage of clips from the AFI film archives at an event at his son's school - and Gregory Peck's face lit up the screen - one quizzical student excitedly asked.

"Who is that man? He's so handsome!"

He noted that it was a particularly poignant moment.

After all, one objective of the AFI was met.

In this instant case, an actor's image had been preserved for the enjoyment of the next generation.

Unfortunately, there was a hitch in last night's gala festivities.

When the lights faded and "To Kill a Mockingbird" sprang to life on the screen, it did so "mit out sound".

Yeah, the projectionist screwed up!

It boggled my mind to fathom - especially on "Opening Night" with all the big-wigs hobnobbing in the elegant foyer - how management could fail so miserably in this regard.

No quality control?

Most theatres instruct ushers to remain in the theatre until it is well-established that all the elements of the film are in sync and humming along smoothly at a screening.

Not at Arclight!

An oversight?

Hopefully, Management will iron out the glitches before the Theatre is unveiled on Friday to the theatre-going public.

Otherwise, all the glowing tributes flowing trippingly off the tongues last night, amount to nothing but empty promises.