Category: Articles

Film Independent Announces Award Winners of 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival

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Today Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced its 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival award winners at a special event, presented by Target. The Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by The Los Angeles Times, ran from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 28.

“One of our goals at Film Independent is to help filmmakers build an audience for their work, and the Los Angeles Film Festival does just that,” said Film Independent Executive Director Dawn Hudson. “We hope recognition at the Festival will allow these filmmakers to continue to find broad audiences for their terrific films.”

The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Target Filmmaker Award and Target Documentary Award, each carrying an unrestricted $50,000 cash prize for the winning film’s director. The awards were established by the Festival and Target to encourage independent filmmakers to pursue their artistic ambitions.

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Episode Review: Star Trek:TOS – 1×02 – Charlie X

Naomi Starsiak Leave a comment

Captain’s Log, star date 1533.6. Now maneuvering to come alongside cargo vessel Antares. Its Captain and First officer are beaming over to us with an unusual passenger.

So much is made of Cap. Picard’s dislike of children, but in this episode we get to see that Kirk’s seems to have the same opinion; in the first scene Kirk’s tells the kid he’s being rude, then after that he tries to avoid the boy as much as possible.

Unfortunately, Charlie’s got a crush on Yeoman Rand, and some freaky mind power, which means Kirk gets sucked into playing Dad.

Things That Stood Out:
Uhura’s song about how seductive Spock is, and Spock’s sly little grin while she’s singing.
Kirk’s red workout tights.

So You Think You Can Dance – Top 16

Naomi Starsiak Leave a comment

This episodes fluff bit was “If you weren’t a dancer…”. We had dreams of being a jewelry maker, pilates instructor, set and lighting designer, banker, model, costume designer, teacher, newscaster, soccer star, inventor and actress.

Karla & Jonathan – Hip Hop
This was a rather bland program. True, there were some cool partnered moves, but over all there was nothing to pull me in.

Asuka & Vitolio – Jazz
Mandy Moore created an amazing routine, but it was lacking the almost frantic energy needed to match the song.

Melissa & Ade – Rumba
What a stunning dance! The emotional connection was just smoldering, the technique was wonderful and Malissa’s costume was beautiful.

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Jet Blue and Superfly Marketing Group are Bringing the Music

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jetblue-logoI enjoy traveling. Well, the traveling itself. The packing and making sure everything is in order is for the birds. But, I enjoy the traveling. And of course, like most Americans, I’ve said to myself: “you know what airport travel needs? A concert!”

Right?

Okay, maybe I’ve never thought of that, but I wish I had.

The good folks at Jet Blue (seriously, it’s one of my favorite airlines to ride — I wish they went more places) and Superfly Marketing Group are bringing concerts to JFK with Live from T5.

Live from T5, a six-month, 12-date live music concert series at the airline’s new Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The concert series, which takes place on select Fridays throughout the year, will feature hand-picked emerging artists from around the U.S. as well as bands chosen based on public votes in a national online competition hosted by OurStage.com.

According the the press release, “Today through July 22, aspiring artists can upload one original song to www.OurStage.com/go/jetblue for a chance to win one of five acoustic gigs at the JetBlue terminal in New York. Winners will be announced during the first week of August. In addition to a show during Live at T5, the top artist as determined by JetBlue and Superfly will also perform as the opening act for a headlining artist at Bowery Presents’ Terminal 5, the popular concert venue in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, or another Bowery Presents show.”

So Jet Blue has managed to merge two of my favorite things – a live concert and flying out somewhere. My only disappointment is it’s New York and not Los Angeles. I have to give this marketing campaign props. Not only is it a hip and fun way to add something unique to your image (I mean all airlines fly, not much you can do to change that), but it extends their mission to be entertaining for their passangers. And who doesn’t like a good acoustic concert? AND they’re supporting small time artists. Win, win and win.

So the next time you’re in JFK and think you’re hearing music playing Eli Stone — it might not be in your head.

Episode Review: Star Trek:TOS – 1×01 – “The Man Trap”

Naomi Starsiak Leave a comment

Captain’s log, Stardate 1513.1. Our position, orbiting planet M-113. On board the Enterprise, Mister Spock temporarily in command. On the planet the ruins of an ancient and long-dead civilization. Ship’s surgeon McCoy and myself are now beaming down to the planet’s surface. Our mission, routine medical examination of archaeologist Robert Crater and his wife Nancy. Routine but for the fact that Nancy Crater is that one woman in Doctor McCoy’s past.

The episode really does pack a punch – lost loves, alien life forms and an ethical struggle.  The alien costume seemed kind of corny now, but the effects, like Nancey’s transformations, still hold up.

Things That Stood Out:
Uhura’s silver nail polish and Jance’s woven hair-do. They’re both just too cool.

“He’s Dead” count: 2

Stagedoor Manor Celebrates Sondheim

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sondheimThanks to my love of Joss Whedon, I realized my love for composer/writer/awesome person Stephen Sondheim. His musicals like “Into the Woods” and “Sweeny Todd” have crisp, hauntingly beautiful songs that will stick with you long after the performance is done. To celebrate his work Stagedoor Manor, a creative summer program for kids between the ages of 10 and 18 can hone their creative talents with professional-level training in the performing arts, announced today their summer is centered on honor Sondheim.

A celebration at Stagedoor, aptly titled “A Weekend in the Country with the Music of Stephen Sondheim,” will showcase and pay tribute to Mr. Sondheim’s amazing contributions to music and the theater.

During “A Weekend in the Country with the Music of Stephen Sondheim,” Stagedoor students will mount six full-scale productions of Sondheim plays: Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Into the Woods, Side by Side by Sondheim, and current hit revival on Broadway, West Side Story.

Learn more about Stagedoor Manor by visiting their website.

Kodak wants to give Yellow Rose Boy Another Chance with Megan Fox

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Perhaps in one of the greatest “missed connections” in social interaction, a courteous young boy with a delicate rose missed his moment with destiny on June 16, 2009, when his attempt to give a yellow rose to actress Megan Fox at a movie premiere in London, England missed its mark.

Although this thoughtful gesture fell victim to “the wrong place at the wrong time,” Eastman Kodak Company believes that fate has other plans for this idealistic young lad.

In an attempt to foster a new relationship with two amazing people, Kodak urges the “Rose Boy” to come forward and identify himself so that the company can help arrange a real rose exchange. To help accelerate his prompt identification, Kodak will offer $5,000 to the first person who can provide verifiable information that enables Kodak to make this connection happen. Kodak will also cover travel costs for the young man and his family to help allow destiny to take its course, and provide cameras for him to capture the moment.

“It’s amazing how just a photograph can connect and change the lives of two complete strangers,” said Leslie Dance, Vice President of Kodak’s Worldwide Brand Marketing & Communications. “If this photo is any indication, this boy was really hoping to meet Megan Fox and give her that rose, and we’d love to help make his fantastical wish come true.”

Please send us an email at yellowroseboy@gmail.com if you have any information or can help turn the rose boy’s dreams into reality.

Source.

Pre-order the Twilight: New Moon Soundtrack from Amazon.com

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new-moon-twilight-series-5141864-600-873Amazon.com is now taking pre-orders for Twilight: New Moon Soundtrack due to be released on on October 6, 2009. Why so early? I guess they’re trying to capture the Twilight hysteria.

If you have a burning desire to pre-order feel free, and remember the awesome thing about Amaon pre-ordering – if the price drops, you get the lower price.

Twilight: New Moon is due in theaters November 20, 2009.

For more information check out New Moon in IMDB or watch the awesome trailer.

Snow Patrol Announce U.S. Fall Headline Tour

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snow_patrolMulti-platinum Fiction/Polydor/Geffen recording artist Snow Patrol have announced dates for their upcoming headline tour of the U.S. The tour starts September 10th in St. Paul, MN, and will criss-cross the U.S. and Canada before finishing up in Los Angeles on October 20th. The band, led by frontman Gary Lightbody, has been keeping some high-profile company: They are currently on the road with pop megastars Coldplay and will also support fellow Irishmen U2 on their 360 Degree Tour this fall.

Snow Patrol are on the road in support of their current album A Hundred Million Suns, which was produced by Jacknife Lee (U2, R.E.M., Bloc Party). The follow-up to 2006’s worldwide smash Eyes Open, the album debuted at No. 2 in the UK, where it has been certified Platinum, and climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard album chart in the U.S. Praised by All Music Guide as “the group’s best work yet,” A Hundred Million Suns has also earned raves from The Daily Telegraph, which proclaimed it “an epic, widescreen, decidedly modern rock record.” In its grade-A review, The Onion declared “A Hundred Million Suns might just be Snow Patrol’s biggest, most genuine effort yet.”

A Hundred Millions Suns has spawned two No. 1 Triple A radio hit singles, “Take Back the City,” and “Crack The Shutters” and is on pace to become the band’s third multi-platinum-selling release in the UK, following 2003’s Final Straw and 2006’s Eyes Open, featuring the smash single “Chasing Cars,” which has sold 2.5 million downloads in the U.S. alone.

“There aren’t many songwriters who capture the vulnerability and humor of being stupid in love as masterfully as Snow Patrol singer and main songwriter Gary Lightbody.”

— The Los Angeles Times

DON’T MISS SNOW PATROL ON THE ROAD THIS FALL!

9/10 St. Paul, MN Myth (on-sale June 27)
9/12 Chicago, IL Soldier Field (with U2)
9/13 Chicago, IL Soldier Field (with U2)
9/14 Detroit, MI Fillmore (on-sale June 27)
9/16 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre (with U2)
9/17 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre (with U2)
9/18 Montreal, QC Metropolis (on-sale June 27)
9/20 Boston, MA Gillette Stadium (with U2)
9/21 Boston, MA Gillette Stadium (with U2)
9/22 New York, NY Beacon Theatre (on-sale June 27)
9/25 Washington, DC Constitution Hall (on-sale July 10)
9/26 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre (on-sale June 27)
9/27 Columbus, OH LC Pavilion (on-sale June 27)
9/29 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater (July 11)
9/30 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian (on-sale June 26)
10/2 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium (on-sale now)
10/3 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle (on-sale June 27)
10/5 Houston, TX Warehouse Live (on-sale June 27)
10/6 Austin, TX Stubb’s Bar-B-Que (on-sale June 27)
10/7 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom (on-sale June 27)
10/9 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium (on-sale June 27)
10/10 Salt Lake City, UT McKay Events Center (on-sale June 27)
10/11 Boise, ID Knitting Factory (on-sale June 26)
10/13 Portland, OR Schnitzer Concert Hall (on-sale June 27)
10/14 Seattle, WA Paramount Theater (on-sale June 27)
10/16 Oakland, CA Fox Theater (on-sale June 28)
10/17 San Diego, CA Open Air Theatre (on-sale June 27)
10/20 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre (on-sale June 27)