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 Festival...David Lynch guest Artistic Director! "Love & Other Drugs" premieres!

Celebrated film director David Lynch (myspace friend) is taking the reins as guest Artistic Director at the prestigious AFI Festival this year slated to run November 4th thru November 11th.

Festival organizers announced this past week that the much-anticipated feature film - “Love and Other Drugs” (a film by Edward Zwick) starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway - will premiere at the opening night Gala.

Darren Aronofsky’s intriguing Ballet Drama - Black Swan - is scheduled to close-out the Hollywood-based Festival sponsored by AUDI.

Curiously - Lynch, Zwick, and Aronofsky - are all alumni of the AFI Film Conservatory.

As usual, I expect to be reporting on all the gala events, red carpet blow-outs, behind-the-scenes scuttlebutt, featured films, and so much more!

See ‘ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival...Shannon Lee, Bai Ling & Julia Ling dazzle filmgoers on red carpet!

Julia Ling a doll on red carpet!

Shannon Lee chatted up the paparazzi about a Tribute to her action-hero father (Bruce Lee), exotic Bai Ling did what she does best (posed for phtographers amid a frenzy of blinding flashbulbs), and pretty Julia Ling enchanted excited fans who pined for her on the sidelines.

Once again, the Asian Pacific Film Festival kicked off its annual week-long event at the DGA (featuring several smart venues around town and in the heart of West Hollywood) with a lot of fanfare.

The red carpet was teaming with a roster of artists which included such notables as - Susan Hirasuna (Fox 11 News), Elizabeth Bond (Bones), Dir. Chris Tashima (of the Oscar-winning "Visas and Virtues"), Amy Hill (Glee), and Dir. Arvin Chen (Au Revoir Taipei) -  to name a few.

In fact, if a journalist was to scan the list of talent provided by David Magdael (PR) and peruse their credits, it would be obvious that Asian-American performers have broken free of old show-biz myths and stale stereotypes..

Today, casting directors tend to be color blind (race is no longer a criteria unless called for specifically in a script for plot reasons) and more imaginative in their casting choices.

For example - when a role is being cast for a Nurse, a Policeman, and so forth and so on - it is no longer a prerequisite (according to old Hollywood standards) that the actor be a "male" or a "female".

Likewise, the door is wide open in respect to race, as well.

For the aforementioned reasons, and due to the efforts of Film Festivals such as the Asian Pacific, actors have been able to break that stifling mold.

As part of the opening night festivities, film buffs were treated to a world premiere screening of Alvin Chen's feature "Au Revoir Taipei".

I penned a review on the flick shortly after I caught a private screening last week.

Post: 04/21/10

Movie Review / Au Revoir Taipei

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/04/asian-pacific-film-festivalau-revoir.html

An informative Q & A followed with the director, the editor, and one of the actors.

When that session wrapped, excited guests dashed out into the lobby for the After-party to let off a bit of steam.

A dynamite DJ elevated the mood continually throughout the night with an electic mix of 80's hits and a far reaching selection of music that spanned over the decades right up to the current trends.

This year, the Festival offered up delectable desserts from a handful of local caterers (cupcakes from "Yummy Couture" were tasty ) and a trendy selection of alchoholic beverages (imported beer pour moi!) provided by the sponsors.

The buzz in the room became deafening as die-hard fans of the Asian Pacific Cinema partied boisterously into the festive night.

A good time was had by all!

The gala opening was quite the blow out, in fact.

I managed to capture a number of exciting entrances on the red carpet with my HD Video camera and expect to post a few of them on my site @ YouTube in the next couple of days.

Check it out, eh?

Screenings to catch the upcoming week include:
*The People I've Slept with
*Clash
*The Actresses
*The Mikado Project
*Bodyguards and Assasins

Info:  www.vconline.org/festival

http://www.thetattler.com/

AFI FEST...Gala premiere in "DOUBT". Hoffman and Streep no shows? Red Carpet event fizzles...

Well, I reported earlier in the week that last-minute there was a lot of excitement over the announcement that "DOUBT" - adapted for the screen from the award-winning play by John Patrick Shanley - would kick-off the AFI Fest's gala opening night.

Festival-goers were thrilled at the prospect of mixing and mingling on the red carpet with two of the celebrated stars - Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman - who grace the screen in "DOUBT".

But, looks like the premiere has lost its luster and is fizzlin' out.

At press time, it was confirmed that Streep and Hoffman would be no-shows at the premiere.

According to PR Director John Wildman.

Who wants to kibitz with a bunch of suits from the studio - or the stuff-shirts from AFI - on what was supposed to be a glittering star-studded gala event?

Without any tinsel on hand, what's the point?

Notwithstanding, DOUBT will be screened as an uncut unpolished version that isn't ready for public consumption, yet.

Were the AFI Fest organizers stuck, in a bind, or what?

I guess when "The Soloist" bowed out this past week, AFI was left holding an empty bag and the big-wigs had to scramble for a replacement.

DOUBT looked like a good prospect for the gala initially, but at this late juncture,it appears to be a losing choice for the Fest Event.

Maybe DEFIANCE will have a little more pizazz on Friday Night.

Or, at least a bit of titillating red carpet fodder to write about.

I'll keep you posted on the curious goings-on at the AFI FEST events which are slated to start-up at the end of this week and run for eleven days at a handful of venues around Tinsel Town.

At the moment, AFI is off to a shaky start, though.

AFI Publicity Director John Wildman screwed up.
Streep did walk the red carpet last night.
Talk about egg on the face!
(Edit 10.31.08)