Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "movies"

Put the "art" into film and theater: hollywood film director comes to Sac on Feb. 21

2012-02-08T04:31:42Z

Films always have a particular "look" -- Pirate of the Caribbean has one kind of look, Austin Powers another, and then a quiet drama like House of Sand and Fog has yet another. Sacramento will get the chance to hear from the art director responsible for the look of these films on Tuesday, February 21, when the Capital Film Arts Alliance (CFAA) brings Hollywood art director Drew Boughton to their speaker series.

"Art direction and production design gives the 'look' of a film that defines the mood and atmosphere of the story, and is integral to all movies, and Drew Boughton is a master in the field," said Laurie Pederson, Board Chair for the CFAA. "The Capital Film Arts Alliance is proud to be able to bring Drew to Sacramento to share his craft and expertise with filmmakers, theater professionals, artists, and art and movie lovers alike."

Boughton's talk will be of interest to more than just the filmmakers locally in Sacramento. He has extensive experience in theatrical design as well that will interest the robust theater community in Sacramento, as well as the visual art lovers and designers.

IMDB listing for Drew Boughton: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0099284/
Website for Drew Boughton: http://drewboughton.com/

The February 21 meeting is one of a monthly speaker series from the Capital Film Arts Alliance. Experts in the filmmaking field -- from camera and sound to contracts and funding -- are asked to share their expertise and insights to Sacramento are filmmakers. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm at Art Institute of Sacramento at 2850 Gateway Oaks Dr., Sacramento. For more information about this meeting or the Capital Film Arts Alliance, please contact Laurie Pederson at 916-600-6477 or info@capitalfilmarts.com.

Disclosure: Mary Beth Barber is a board member for the Capital Film Arts Alliance

The Artist

2012-02-03T21:15:35Z

If you’re going to remove the sound from a film, you’d better do it right. Not being able to hear what people are saying is very odd and kind of disconcerting, especially for a modern audience. Luckily for The Artist, there is a way to make it work, and work fantastically at that.

The Artist opens during the late 1920’s, at the height of our star, silent film actor George Valentin’s (Jean Dujardin) career. He’s a loveable guy, instantly showing his charisma at a premier (evoking some shenanigans from Singin’ in the Rain) for one of his movies. After the premier he bumps into Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) a beautiful young dancer who soon falls in love with him. Unfortunately for George, his world is quickly turned upside down by the advent of sound in the motion picture industry. As he struggles and begins to lose his near perfect life, Peppy’s film career takes off. George must then find a way to put his life back together. But don’t worry it’s not as depressing as that sounds...

Like I said it’s not easy to sit through a whole movie with no sound but the phenomenal soundtrack by Ludovic Bource more than makes up for it. It’s wonderfully upbeat, like the music you hear when you walk down Main Street in Disneyland. It’s also jazzy at times, and quite bombastic at times. If it wins best soundtrack at the Oscars I won’t be surprised.

And while the soundtrack is wonderful, the actors are what sell the movie at the end of the day. Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo are incredibly charismatic as they smile, wink, and dance their way through the movie. I completely fell in love with Bérénice Bejo after watching this film. She has such a beautiful smile and wonderfully expressive eyes. She also evokes a sense of eternal joy and fun that permeates every scene she is in.

Dujardin looks like he’s the illegitimate love baby of Hank Azaria and Gene Kelly; and that’s a good thing. He, like his costar, has a great smile and is fantastic at delivering emotions through simple glances and looks. He’s also serious about his career as George, his hubris and his belief that “talkies” are not a serious form of art is communicated brilliantly by Dujardin.

Michel Hazanavicius’s direction is brilliant too. He uses a variety of intriguing shots throughout the film while also evoking the feel of an old silent movie. I especially liked a wide shot he used of an interesting set featuring staircases. Peppy leaves the scene going up the stairs to the next level (just as her career is beginning), while George walks down the stairs to a lower level (just as his career is beginning to die). How often do you see things like that in Pirates of the Caribbean or Transformers? Never.

It’s a rare thing to see a director who can tell a story so well using only the visual aspect of filmmaking when so many rely on expository dialogue too often. “We’re gonna to do this thing next because it will mean that that thing is happening because of this!” Show me! Don’t tell me.

Having seen The Artist I understand why it’s been nominated for so many awards. It’s a beautiful film that evokes the essence of the silent film era while also celebrating the magic of film as a whole. And despite being a silent film, the sheer charm of the leads and the fantastic soundtrack will win you over. 4 out of 5 stars.

Editor's note: "The Artist" is playing at various local cinemas, including Tower Theatre.

Classic “Sunset Boulevard” to Screen at the Crocker on January 5

2012-01-04T19:25:10Z

The Crocker Art Museum will screen the Academy-Award-winning classic “Sunset Boulevard” on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 6:30 p.m. One of the greatest movies about Hollywood ever made, this film is at once film noir, dark comedy, high melodrama, and scathing satire. Tickets are $5 for Museum members and $10 for nonmembers, not including Museum admission.

One of the most successful films of its era, “Time” described it as a story of "Hollywood at its worst told by Hollywood at its best." Gloria Swanson stars as a faded silent screen goddess who dreams of a box-office comeback. William Holden is Joe Gillis, a cynical small-time writer who becomes entangled in her deluded world.

Film scholar Kristen Anderson Wagner will introduce the film and provide a sneak peek of Film Frame features to come in 2012.

Director Billy Wilder’s “Sunset Boulevard,” an ideal example of the Baroque aesthetic on the big screen, is presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Florence and the Baroque: Paintings from the Haukohl Family Collection.” The exhibition features Italian painting and sculpture from the 16th through 18th centuries to Northern California. On view at the Crocker through February 12, 2012, this exhibition is drawn from the largest private American collection of Florentine Baroque painting and features works by key artists such as Cesare Dandini, Jacopo da Empoli, and Francesco Furini.

This screening is part of the Museum’s monthly film series, Film Frame, which occurs every first Thursday evening of the month. Presented in collaboration with local festivals and organizations, films relate to the Crocker’s exhibitions and collections as well as relevant issues in film, art, and society. Screenings are accompanied by commentary from film makers, enthusiasts, scholars, artists, and local arts partners. Watch trailers and learn more about upcoming films at crockerartmuseum.org.

The Crocker Art Museum was the first art museum in the Western U.S. and is now one of the leading art museums in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday.” For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Presents Evening of Inspiring Artistic Cinema with Kurosawa’s “Dreams”

2011-11-29T23:43:35Z

The Crocker Art Museum will present “Dreams,” the visually stunning film from Academy Award-winning director Akira Kurosawa, on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets include Museum admission and are $6 for museum members and $12 for nonmembers.

Comprised of eight separate vignettes inspired from actual dreams of the world-renowned filmmaker, “Dreams” is a collection of fantastic and evocative stories, separate in narrative, but intertwined with themes of nature and spirituality, life and death, and peace and war.

Born in early-20th-century Japan, Kurosawa made his international directorial debut in 1950 and went on to receive numerous accolades throughout Asia and the U.S., including an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1990. Kurosawa has worked in a wide range of genres and influenced countless filmmakers and artists, including director Oliver Stone, who calls the film “haunting, symbolic, and drenched with whimsy and foreknowledge of death.”

Don Roth, executive director of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis, will introduce the film and lead a post-screening Q & A session. The film screening is presented in collaboration with the Mondavi Center, which will feature a screening of Oliver Stone's classic “Platoon” on January 9 and a speaking engagement with Oliver Stone on February 3 More information on these related events is available at mondaviarts.org.

Film Frame is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups. Tickets can be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

The Crocker Art Museum was the first art museum in the Western U.S. and remains one of the leading art museums in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Presents a Mashup of Horror Short Films this Thursday

2011-10-25T21:57:28Z

The Crocker Art Museum will embrace the eerie and capture the creepy with a specially curated night of retro horror short films inspired by the humorous and sometimes grotesque creations in “Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders.” Presented in collaboration with the Sacramento Horror Film Festival, Open Art: Monster Mashup will take place on Thursday, October 27, at 7 p.m.

Horror fans will delight in unique shorts, such as “Night of the Hell Hampster,” “The Sleuth Incident,” “Cannibal Flesh Riot,” “Chainsaw Maid” and more. Festival founder and director Tim Meunier will introduce the films and lead a post-screening Q & A session.

“Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders” is the first career-spanning retrospective featuring the work of the ceramicist, sculptor, and self-proclaimed “mad scientist.” Featuring 180 works and ephemera spanning Bailey's 50-year career, the exhibit is on view through January 15, 2012.

Tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Open Art is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

More Zombie Madness from the Trash Film Orgy

2011-10-16T00:51:53Z

If you're like a lot of people, Halloween is your favorite holiday, and what better way to get your Halloween week off to a rousing start than to see one of the goriest movies about Zombies ever made. Lucio Fulci's 1979 classic, "Zombie," is making its way to the big screen at The Crest Theatre for two screenings, Friday and Saturday, 21 - 22 October at Midnight.

When a young women travels to a remote tropical island in search of her missing father, all hell breaks loose when she and her companions find that a strange epidemic is causing the dead to walk…with an insatiable hunger for human flesh! This Undead classic features some of the most shocking scenes in horror cinema…don’t miss it on the Big Screen!

Brought to you by our local monster mavens at the Trash Film Orgy, this screening is fully remastered and uncut, featuring every classic scene from the original film.

Also at the show will be a zombie make-up table, so you can get your zombification, the Zombie Olympics, which will feature some fun and games. An onstage costume contest will feature fabulous prizes!

The doors open at 11pm, and if you are in an awesome costume, you can ask for the Zombie Discount.

Disclosure: Paul Brown is a long-time volunteer with the Trash Film Orgy.

Crocker hosts screening of “Sickert vs. Sargent” documentary on August 25

2011-08-22T19:18:52Z

The Crocker Art Museum will host a screening of “Sickert vs. Sargent: Britain’s Masters of Modern Art,” on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. A documentary profiling Walter Sickert and John Singer Sargent, this film details the fierce competition that raged between the artists and the legendary work that was created as a result of the rivalry. The film is free with Museum admission.

“Sickert vs. Sargent” was written and directed by renowned British art critic Waldemar Januszczak. The film takes viewers on a journey through the life and art of two of the most influential artists in Britain, highlighting inspirational locations, and featuring their working studios. “Sickert vs. Sargent” also features commentary by artists Frank Auerbach, Leon Kossoff, Paula Rego, and Lucien Freud.

The screening is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups.

Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

We’re Off to Sing the Wizard, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

2011-08-12T00:37:18Z

Come out, come out, wherever you are and meet the young lady, who fell from a star. The Crest, she says, is the name of the star and she brings you good news, or haven’t you heard? The Sing-Along Wizard of OZ is back at last!

That’s right, the Yellow Brick Road has been polished just in time for you to join Dorothy, her three stalwarts and Toto, the Munchkins and witches of every sort as we all break into song, from “Ding Dong” to “Over the Rainbow” in celebration of one of the greatest movies of all times.

The fun starts on Saturday, Aug 13 beginning with Karaoke in the Crest’s Lobby at 1 p.m., followed by an Oz Character Costume Contest and then the screening of the 1939 MGM classic film, The Wizard of Oz at 2 p.m., complete with subtitles.

Contestants of all ages are invited to come dressed as their favorite Oz characters. We had some pretty amazing costumes last year, and Glinda had a hard time picking her favorite, but whoever wins this year will get some pretty cool gifts and cash prizes.

The Wizard of Oz is a musical film directed by Victor Fleming and based on the children’s novel of the same name by L. Frank Baum. The Metro Goldwyn Meyer production used a combination of black-and-white, sepia and Technicolor film. Although it won few honors at the time, it has become the best-known film of 16-year-old ingénue Judy Garland and songs such as “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” “Ding-Dong the Witch Is Dead” and Garland’s signature classic, “Over the Rainbow” have remained popular. It has inspired numerous sequels and spinoffs, including the Broadway hit play Wicked, and has weathered the decades to become one of the most beloved films of all time.

The Crest is on the K St mall at 1013 K St. For more information, call the Crest Theatre at 916-44 CREST or visit OutwordMagazine.com or TheCrest.com

Disclosure: Charles Peer works with Outword Magazine

For the Folks at the Trash Film Orgy, Season Draws to a Close

2011-08-04T15:52:19Z

With the summer slowly winding down, midnight movies at the Crest Theatre are coming to a close, too. The zookeepers at the Trash Film Orgy film festival still have two Saturday night events before the end of this summer’s 11th festival season.

“Werewolves on Wheels,” probably the only biker-werewolf film ever made, will see its midnight screening this Saturday. The film can best be described as the love child between “Easy Rider” and “Rosemary’s Baby,” with some early reality film thrown in for good measure. It stars “Bud” Anderson and Barry “Eve of Destruction” McGuire.

If bikers who become blood-thirsty werewolves isn’t your bag, how about wrestling? Especially the luchadors in “Santo and Blue Demon vs. the Monsters.” Santo is a product of the Mexican wrestling industry and has made dozens of films over his career, which spanned from the 1950s to the early 1980s. “Santo” will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

Earlier films this season included “Return of the Living Dead,” “Humanoids from the Deep,” “Heavy Metal” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Each night's screening includes fun and games in the Crest's lobby, live stage shows before each film and a fun, bizarre mix of video clips and trailers leading up to the night's feature presentation.

Attendees are encouraged to heckle the movie, à la “Mystery Science Theater 3000” or “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” They receive a discounted admission if they dress up in an appropriately themed costume.

The final two installments of the Trash Film Orgy’s summer season are this Saturday and Aug. 13, with doors opening at 11 p.m. at the Crest Theatre.

Disclosure: Paul Brown is a long-time volunteer with the Trash Film Orgy.

Crocker Hosts Outdoor Screening of “The Wizard of Oz” on August 4

2011-08-03T21:19:05Z

The Crocker Art Museum will host an outdoor screening of “The Wizard of Oz” on Thursday, Aug. 4, starting at 8 p.m. The film is $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers and includes admission to the Museum. The screening will take place in the Museum’s E. Kendell Davis Courtyard, and visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs.

Filmed in Technicolor, a process known for high levels of saturated color, “The Wizard of Oz” brilliantly captured the technical and imaginative qualities of color in film in the 20th century.

Tickets for the film are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182. The screening is presented in part by Creative Projection Services.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Vincent: A Life in Color

2011-07-19T04:39:40Z

Vincent Falk’s got eye issues, Freudian parent problems and a very interesting taste in suits.

But how did these characteristics evolve into Falk’s passion for spinning atop Chicago bridges for passing tour boats below?

“Vincent: A Life in Color,” is an award winning documentary by Jennifer Burns that intended to find out.

Falk is deemed legally blind and has had glaucoma since he was a child. He was abandoned at birth and lived in an orphanage until he was eight. Despite less than ideal circumstances, Falk refused to let his trials define him.

In High School, Falk was part of the National Honor Society, the chess club, the debate team, and the diving team. He’s a college graduate, used to be a disc jockey and is currently a retired computer programmer who's out on the road with Burns in order to promote, “Vincent: A Life in Color.”

“...One day, as I stood at the window watching his 1:00 show on State Street Bridge,” explains Burns on the film’s website, “I was struck by the look of sheer joy I saw on his face. I thought to myself, whatever else you have to say about this guy, he has figured out what makes him happy and he does it, regardless of what anyone else thinks.”

Through the documentary’s interviews, it’s obvious that those who've seen Falk in action often get the wrong impression of him, an impression that he may be more than just a little loopy for performing what he deems “fashion shows,” but Falk seems happy with the attention he receives.

In a Q&A after the film, Falk spun in front of the audience, dressed in an oversized violet-pink striped suit, Daffy Duck tie and satin-esque shirt.

“Remember in the movie, I told my mother before she passed away that I’d get a suit to match her blouse? This is the suit that fits that bill,” said Falk, holding out his tie for the audience to get a good look at Daffy Duck.

The audience groaned, laughed and then asked questions.

“Vincent, have you ever thought of designing your own clothing line?”

“No, but there’s lines in this suit!”

The documentary had warned that Falk is quite punny.

Puns aside, Falk has overcome adversity and figured out what brings joy to his life. This is probably something most of us can appreciate, especially in a film; even if the guy does incorporate houndstooth, plaid, horizontal stripes and florescent yellow all into the same outfit.

Zombies invade the Crest Theater

2011-07-11T17:07:03Z

A mob of the living dead invaded downtown Sacramento Saturday night. The annual Zombie Walk started at Sub-Q and ended at the Crest Theatre, where the zombies mingled with K Street’s club- and restaurant-goers in between munching brains.

The 2011 Trash Film Orgy season kicked off its six-week run of sleazy, gory, trashy movies with “Return of the Living Dead,” a tale of punk rockers, zombies and punk rock zombies.

As zombies and Trash fans entered the Crest’s lobby, they were greeted by a variety of interesting characters and sights to see. Guests could browse movie posters, horror and sci-fi DVDs and zombie comics. There were also games in the spirit of the zombie flick, such as “Pin the Bullet on the Brain” and “Tossin’ Brains,” at the Super Trash Funtime Booth. Hungry zombies could even attempt to eat a brain that was dangling from the end of a string, if they could catch it.

Midnight rolled around and the festivities officially began with a zombie makeup artist contest. Three artists and their zombie creations came up on stage to be judged by the pros from “Callson Manor.” Winner David Ainsworth received a contracted makeup gig for the zombies and ghouls of “Callson Manor.” The loser, however, wasn’t very happy and ended up taking out her aggression on one of the judges by disemboweling him.

TFO’s Mighty Tiki played his role in getting the crowd hyped for “Return of the Living Dead” by telling jokes, introducing the skits and getting everyone to chant “trash, trash, trash” before the movie started.

The movie played out as any other TFO flick, with tons of callouts, jeering and jokes to be heard from every corner of the theater. The ruder and raunchier the comment, the better.

No movie is ever complete without previews, and “Return of the Living Dead” was no exception. “Callson Manor” had a new promo spot, and previews for upcoming TFO attractions such as “Werewolves on Wheels,” “Humanoids from the Deep” and “Heavy Metal” were also big hits.

During intermission, German doctor of evil Viktor Von Ubercoolst and his lovely assistant of doom used their zombie-mind-control helmet to call up the zombies to the front of the theater and make them do the hokey pokey. Luckily for all the zombies, TFO staple Big Pink Bunnyman arrived in time to save them from Ubercoolst. Using metal music, he took down Ubercoolst and took the lovely assistant of doom as his own, freeing the zombies to form a conga line back to their seats for the rest of the film.

For the 10-plus years that it has been around, TFO has always been a late-night sleaze fest, perfect for fans of the weird, cheesy and gory. With everything from giant talking tiki heads to large men in pink bunny costumes, it’s sure to be something oddballs everywhere can enjoy.

“My favorite part of the whole experience was probably the jokes that Mighty Tiki was cracking,” said Jennifer Mueller, zombie enthusiast and TFO fan. “It may have just been the rum he was drinking, but he was in good form.”

Next week’s film, “Humanoids from the Deep,” will start Saturday at midnight. A complete schedule of this year’s TFO movies and activities can be found at the Trash Film Orgy website.

Silent Movies Make a Comeback in Old Sacramento!

2011-07-01T19:31:53Z

Starting July 2 and contuning Saturday evenings through August, Old Sacramento visitors will be treated to something quite novel in this day and age -- silent films in the Eagle Theatre every Saturday night! The showings begin at 7 p.m. in the Eagle Theatre in Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

With song slides that encourage audience involvement and sing-along, movies from 1900-1929 will be showcased and presented by the Excelsior Company in association with Red Barn Productions. In addition, talented period performers will delight and amuse the audience with engaging and entertaining songs, mini skits and comedic acts as the silent movies play. Every Saturday night will offer something different and special -- early dramas, comedies, fantasies, and more! All movies and spirited performances will be presented in period appropriate style and Old Sacramento guests are encouraged to travel back in time and dress in the fun and sometimes lavish fashions of the day.

Don’t miss the Saturday night Silent Movie Festival coming to Old Sacramento this summer!

For more information, call 916-808-7059 or visit www.oldsacramento.org/timetravel.

Disclaimer: Traci Rockefeller Cusack represents a number of businesses and organizations throughout the greater Sacramento area including the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation.

L Street Goodwill opens its doors

2011-06-24T19:22:03Z

A new “boutique” Goodwill store has opened its doors on L and 16th Streets, offering area shoppers a well organized, eco-friendly retail experience and deals on merchandise like books, lamps, shoes and purses.

Store manager Noelle McCrea said the L Street location is unique in that its stock is handpicked from Goodwill locations across the country. While other Goodwills accept and sell most all donations, a “boutique” Goodwill strives to feature name brands, high-quality and vintage goods.

Clothing is centrally located and sectioned into garment-specific, labeled racks, like: women’s plus size tops, long sleeve knit tops, lingerie, men’s jackets and men’s dress shirts.

The women’s section is stocked with summery skirts and sleeveless blouses in the $5 range, along with vintage Levis cut-off shorts and skirts for $20.

The “Goodwill Fashionista” racks, located on the store’s front left wall, are targeted toward younger, more trend-conscious shoppers and feature an array of knit tops and juniors-sized jeans from brands like American Eagle, DKNY, Gap and Ralph Lauren, priced in the $20 range.
Susan Finnerman, who came out to the opening in search of skirts, said she enjoys shopping at thrift stores that are well organized, noting that the Goodwill’s women’s shoe section is arranged by size, each shelf labeled with a corresponding number.

Mother of eight, Lisa Farnworth, whose youngest son tipped her off to the opening, said that she has tried to teach all of her children to appreciate the money-saving advantage of thrift stores.

Farnworth added that she’s not necessarily a “big green person,” but that recycling clothes makes sense to her.

“If I can (be eco-friendly), I will,” she said

Shopper Charlie Hamdeh, for whom “style is more important than brand name,” was pleased to find a pair of shiny, black leather loafers in a hard-to-come-by size 13, noting that elsewhere the same pair would have cost him a lot more than Goodwill’s $13 price tag.

Tony Coelho was driving by the store and decided to see what its DVD section had to offer.

Coelho said he “loves the surprises he finds in Goodwill,” and appreciates its selection of “classic movies” not always available in movie retailers like Blockbuster.

Having already found a few candles and a striped blouse, Barbara Wood was on the hunt for a Brandy glass amongst the store’s several shelves of glassware.

“Why pay 50 dollars for a glass when you can pay 50 cents,” she said.

The store’s glassware is slightly more expensive than at some other thrift stores, ranging in price from $3-$5, but the selection is sturdier and more attractive than what one might expect to find second-hand.

The shop’s book selection is vast and varied, housed on four curving, wooden shelves towards the back of the store. Hardbacks and softbacks are organized according to genres including: fiction, fantasy, women’s studies, history, cooking and self help.

Atop the bookshelves sit like-new lamps, in a variety of sizes and styles, from bulbous glass bases to sleek, muted shades, priced around $15.

According to Goodwill employee Nick Hammom, the sales team has been at work gathering stock for the 5,000-square-foot space since February. The team visually assessed every CD and DVD, checking them for scratches and misplaced discs before putting them on the sales floor.

The store’s employees gave soft goods donations the same critical treatment, discarding any items with holes, stains and even fuzz balls, Hammon said.

In addition to its supply of quality goods, McCrea said that the shop’s Midtown locale will likely made it a good source of revenue for Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide “gainful employment and job training” to under-served communities.

“Everyone knows retail is more pricey in Midtown, so we could capture a higher dollar value here,” McCrea said.

McCrea added that she was “thrilled” with the turnout for the store’s opening.

“Goodwill has a huge following. We’ve seen a lot of familiar faces today, and we hope to create a following in downtown Sacramento,” she said.

Planet of the Vampire Women returns to Crest Theatre

2011-05-27T20:28:20Z

It’s not too late to co me back for a second helping .

If you missed the April premiere of Planet of the Vampire Women, the film is coming back to The Crest. Featuring some of the galaxy’s sexiest space pirates reminiscent of the hunks of Hollywood film of the 60's and 70's, the action packed sci/fi adventure film, has three evening shows slated for Memorial weekend, May 27 through 29.

Stephanie Hyden, a Sacramento native plays a playful anime-like character named Astrid in “Planet of the Vampire Women,” which premiered at the Crest Theatre in April. In the movie, her superpowers allows her to change her outfit at the flip of her hip. She credits Amy Slockbower, one of the film producers and make-up artists, Jace Whitman and Vanessa Diaz in bringing her many looks together. Her many costume changes is definitely one of the selling points of the movie.

Acting has always been a part of her life, even as a toddler. Her mother used to dress her up for theater play dates growing up in what used to be the farmlands of Elk Grove. The skits were performed in front of neighbors. This early recollection motivated her to share improv with all levels of actors at an actor's clubhouse where she teaches.

“It is entirely possible to appear in a project in Sacramento even with limited experience,” she said. “You just have to be willing to try new things, take some risks and not be afraid to fail.”

In 2004, she auditioned for a part in “Monster of Bikini Beach” that led to her role in “Planet of the Vampire Women.” Trash Film Orgy Productions, spearheaded by Christy Savage, producer and Darin Wood, director were pivotal in getting her start. She has worked on projects with the TFO cast and crew since. Within the TFO network, they were able to bring together a set that is a cross between “Planet of the Apes,” “Star Trek” and a jazzy bar scene with a touch of “Kill Bill” influence. The set, enhanced by computer graphics, fake-looking monsters and scantily clad women who turn into vampires, brings a cheesy but fresh perspective to the big screen.

In a word, “Planet of the Vampire Women” is fun. Not a single cast person was paid, but they did get rewarded with improved acting and technical skills. The effort is really a labor of love.

Although she admits working pro bono on “Vampire,” has led to other gigs after the release. In the last year, she collaborated with Sean Kime, a local filmmaker from El Dorado Hills. Their combined efforts in writing and directing have earned outstanding 48 Hour film for "Hope" at the Sacramento International Film Festival in April of 2011. They also earned the People’s Choice Award for “5250” at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival in October 2010.

When asked what it takes to be cast as a vampire woman, she said you have to be “fierce, sexy and confident.” She laughed, “I sound like (America's) next top model, but that’s the truth.”

“Support the film because it is local,” she said. "In fact, most of the sets were filmed in a warehouse on 65th and Folsom. We had a lot of fun bringing it together. Hundreds of volunteers, mainly family and friends of the cast and crew collaborated to bring this project to the big screen. They donated food catering, time handing out fliers and doing what it takes to bring a film to the big screen.”

What are you waiting for? Go out and see it.

And, definitely worth a second helping.

The 10th Sacramento French Film Festival (June 17-26, 2011) Unveils its Film Selection!

2011-05-25T23:36:00Z

The Sacramento French Film Festival will celebrate its 10th year in June 2011 and has just unveiled its exhilarating film selection and its inspired and original poster created, as were the nine previous SFFF posters, by talented Sacramento photographer Kent Lacin. See the complete poster collection here.

To be held June 17-26, 2011 at the Crest Theatre in Downtown Sacramento, the 10th Sacramento French Film Festival will present nine new premieres, two Saturday Midnight Movies, three classics, and one Short Film Program. This year the SFFF is also introducing a new category, entitled "The One That Almost Got Away" and aimed to highlight recent films that the SFFF team wished to show in previous years but was unable to, and is very happy to finally share with its audience, proving that it's never too late to enjoy an unforgettable film! Most of the films presented this year are feel good films that will make the audience reflect on the state of the current times while being highly entertained! It is certainly a pleasurable way for the SFFF to celebrate its 10th year!

A prestigious French guest.

This year's guest will be César nominated screenwriter JEAN-LOUIS MILESI, the screenwriter of director Robert Guediguian, one of France's best contemporary filmmakers. Milesi's screenplays include the joyful working class comedy MARIUS & JEANNETTE, presented this year, and the insightful social drama The Town is Quiet (La Ville est Tranquille, 2000) shown at the first SFFF in 2002. Jean-Louis Milesi directed several short films and features and he will present his sensitive feature LINO (2008) on Sunday June 19.

Hilarious opening and awaited closing films.

The 10th SFFF will open on Friday June 17th, with THE NAMES OF LOVE (LE NOM DES GENS) a hysterical comedy about sex and politics, with the bubbly rising star Sara Forestier (winner of the 2011 César -French Academy Award- for Best Actress in a Leading Role) and Jacques Gamblin. The film won the 2011 César for Best Original Screenplay. After seeing this film, maybe you will know more about what it is to be French!

After two weekends of fun, films and food, the 10th SFFF will conclude on Sunday June 26 with a tribute to French icon, singer-songwriter, and provocateur Serge Gainsbourg, in this year that marks the 20th anniversary of his death, with the exclusive and awaited presentation of the award winning biopic GAINSBOURG, A HEROIC LIFE (GAINSBOURG, VIE HÉROIQUE) directed by Joann Sfar, winner of the 2011 César for Best First feature Film. The César for Best Actor in a Leading Role went to Eric Elmosnino for his incredible portrayal of the inimitable Gainsbourg.

Other premieres include six of the best in French cinema today.

-COPACABANA, is a “dramedy”, directed by Marc Fitoussi, about a non-conformist mother (masterfully played by one of France’s most surprising actresses, Isabelle Huppert) who struggles to impress her conformist daughter (played by Huppert’s real-life daughter Lolita Chammah, winner of the Most Promising Actress Lumière Award for her performance).

-THE WOMEN ON THE 6TH FLOOR (LES FEMMES DU 6ÈME ETAGE), is a delightful comedy about conservative French bourgeois and their Spanish maids in 1960’s Paris starring Fabrice Luchini (recently seen at the Crest in Potiche) was a huge critical and box-office success when it was released in France this Spring. Directed by Philippe Le Guay.

-LINO, is an uconventional love story between a two-year-old boy and the man who finds himself reluctantly in charge of him after the death of his mother, by Jean-Louis Miles presented in the Crest Theatre by its director-actor Jean-Louis Milesi with actor Lino Milesi.

-I'M GLAD THAT MY MOTHER IS ALIVE (JE SUIS HEUREUX QUE MA MERE SOIT VIVANTE), the latest drama by Claude Miller (A Secret, Closing Film SFFF 2008, and Alias Betty, SFFF 2003) co-directed by his son, Nathan Miller, is a suspenseful and shocking story – based on true events – of the complicated relationship between a young man and the biological mother who gave him up for adoption.

-ANGÈLE & TONY, is a powerful feel good story of love and redemption set in a small fishing town in Normandy. It is the remarkable first feature by Alix Delaporte starring Clotilde Hesme (The Grocer’s Son, SFFF 2008).

-BEAUTIFUL LIES (DE VRAIS MENSONGES) is the latest vibrant comedy by Pierre Salvadori (Priceless, After You), inspired by Lubitsch and French playwright Marivaux, starring the delicious Audrey Tautou (from Amelie), Nathalie Baye and Sami Bouajila.

The 2011 classic selection is comprised of three wonderful masterpieces.

-THE YOUNG GIRLS FROM ROCHEFORT (LES DEMOISELLES DE ROCHEFORT, 1967) is a colorful musical, and tribute to Vincente Minelli’s 1950’s American musicals, by Jacques Demy, starring Catherine Deneuve, her sister Francoise Dorleac and the legendary Gene Kelly (star of An American in Paris, directed by Vincente Minelli in 1951) in an remarkable supporting role.

-MARIUS & JEANNETTE is Robert Guediguian’s funny and beautiful true love story between two middle age working class people in sunny Marseille( last year Guediguian’s film Army of Crime won the SFFF’s Audience prize). The film’s screenwriter Jean-Louis Milesi, the Festival’s special Guest, will attend.

-PIERROT LE FOU (1965), arguably Jean-Luc Godard’s best film is now considered one of the most important films in the history of cinema! Godard’s original fragmented storytelling, filming and editing styles achieve perfection and critics began talking about a true cinematic revolution. Starring a luminous Anna Karina and a cool Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Two midnight movies for a mature audience: stylish, surprising and crazy.

-THE SENTIMENT OF THE FLESH (LE SENTIMENT DE LA CHAIR, 2010), is a "Cronenbergian" romance by Roberto Garzelli, that will leave you breathless and on the edge of your seat… For those of you who are new to the genre, “Cronenbergian” is an adjective derived from David Cronenberg’s name, the Canadian filmmaker representative of the "Body Horror" genre.

-DON’T LOOK BACK (NE TE RETOURNE PAS, 2009) is a spine tingling psychological thriller by Marina de Van, starring two of France’s most beautiful and beloved actresses, Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci who share the same role.

“The One That Almost Got Away”

The film that the SFFF team is delighted to share with you this year is the quirky romantic and musical comedy, A MAN, A REAL MAN (UNE HOMME, UN VRAI) starring Mathieu Amalric (director and star of ON TOUR), and first feature of the acclaimed Larrieu brothers.

Midweek screenings

Traditionally held over two weekends, the 10th SFFF is adding a weekday evening to its program this year. On Wednesday June 22 there will be a rerun of Guédiguian and Milesi’s comedy MARIUS & JEANNETTE and the premiere of the quirky romance, A MAN, A REAL MAN.

Fun events around films, food and wine!

And as every year, the Festival will be seasoned by fun events. The catered Opening Reception with open bar will feature hors-d’oeuvres and desserts by Sacramento’s finest restaurants and caterers, and music by the Harley White Jr. Orchestra performing French jazzy songs. Midnight Breakfasts will follow the Saturday Midnight Movies and a Petit Déjeuner (French Breakfast) with Sacramento filmmaker Kim Leonard, director of the short PARDON HER FRENCH ~~PARDON MY FRENCH,~~ will precede the Short Film Program on Saturday June 25. And finally a fun champagne and Cake Party will conclude the exciting 10th SFFF. And of course, there will be post screening discussions with film experts and filmmakers including the Festival’s special guest, an art work exhibition curated by Sacramento artist Cherie Hacker, and some surprises…

Passes to the Sacramento French Film Festival are like plane tickets to France… Except that you only have to travel to Downtown Sacramento!

The 10th Sacramento French Film Festival runs June 17-19, 22 & 25-26, 2011 in the main auditorium of the Crest Theatre.
All films are presented in French with English subtitles.

You can find ticket prices, the complete schedule, film descriptions, trailers and more on the SFFF website: www.SacramentoFrenchFilmFestival.org

Disclosure: Cecile Downs is Executive & Artistic Director of the French Film Festival.

Worldwide debut of Disney Fine Art’s Pixar Collection

2011-05-10T05:03:12Z

Calling all Disney lovers! Stage Nine’s “The Vault” and the California State Railroad Museum are hosting the worldwide debut of The Pixar Collection at the museum Sunday. The collection will include artwork inspired by the first 11 films created by Pixar Animation Studios.

Stage Nine, located at 102 K St., is an entertainment store that carries unique collectibles and pop culture memorabilia.

Stage Nine owner Troy Carlson said that he is honored to have the collection’s debut in Sacramento.

“I definitely expect collectors, and there are people traveling from Los Angeles and San Francisco.”

Carlson said that they voiced their interest in hosting the event in Sacramento.

Stage Nine gallery associate Logan Mauro said that Stage Nine was chosen to host the debut because Stage Nine is the closest Disney gallery to the Pixar Studios in Emeryville and “one of the top five Disney galleries in the nation.”

“We have a history of doing large events for the Disney Fine Arts,” Mauro said.

Carlson also said that the California State Railroad Museum was chosen to feature the artwork because he collaborated with the museum in the past. He said he thought it was a great facility and that Walt Disney loves railroading.

“They could hold the amount of people expected to attend,” Mauro said. “(They have) hosted releases in the past.”

The films used for the artwork include “Toy Story”; “A Bug’s Life”; “Toy Story 2”; “Monster’s, Inc.”; “Finding Nemo”; “The Incredibles”; “Cars”; “Ratatouille”; “Wall-E”; “Up” and “Toy Story 3.”

Carlson said that 12 different artists are in the collection, with 11 artists each representing one film and the 12th artist commemorating all of the films.

The 11 artists include Mike Kungl, Rodel Gonzalez, Trevor Carlton, Tim Rogerson, James Coleman, Bill Morrison, Lorelay Bove, Noah, John Rowe, Harrison Ellenshaw and Jody Daily. Click here for Stage Nine’s artist biographies.

Daniel Arriaga created 11 individual paintings and combined them into one composition.

The “Finding Nemo” inspired painting called Come Out and Play, by James Coleman, features Nemo’s underwater world through bright, playful colors.

Harrison Ellenshaw’s A Promise Fulfilled depicts the famous house carried by balloons in “Up.” The painting delivers a new kind of emotion for the film’s memorable scene at Paradise Falls.

“It’s a really interesting collection of different artists and disciplines,” Carlson said. “Each artist has unique qualities.”

Carlson said that the originals will be available for purchase as well as petite, deluxe and premium sizes. He also said that commemorative lithographs of the Pixar storyline will be for sale.

“Each artist paints in a different medium,” Carlson said. “There is a wide variety of different talents.”

Folsom Disney collector Bob Mutchler said that he has been collecting Disney artwork for 30 years and has at least 60 pieces.

“This event is as huge to Sacramento, I think, as a championship athletic game,” Mutchler said. “What this event is doing is very positive to the image of Sacramento.”

The California State Railroad Museum is located at 111 I St.

The event is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mauro said that after the event, Stage Nine will have some of the artwork on display.

Attendees must purchase admission to the museum. If you buy two admissions, the amount of those will go toward the purchase of Stage Nine’s Pixar artwork during the event.

The cost of admission is $9 for adults, $4 for ages 6-17 and free for ages 5 and under.

With the price of admission, attendees can see the artwork, meet several of the artists and have purchased artwork signed.

The Sacramento French Film Festival celebrates French icon Serge Gainsbourg!

2011-03-28T14:29:00Z

2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of French icon Serge Gainsbourg, who died of a heart attack on March 2, 1991. Born in 1928, Gainsbourg would have turned 82 this year. To honor his memory, the Sacramento French Film Festival, Record Club and The Verge Center for the Arts are hosting a tribute party. It all starts at 8pm on Saturday April 2nd at the Verge Gallery and will feature music videos, film clips, live tribute bands and music by DJ’s Christophe and Roger.

Twenty years after his death Serge Gainsbourg is still considered one of the world's most influential popular musicians. If you are not already familiar with his music, it’s not too late to get to know him. He is best known as a singer-songwriter and for his wild personal life, led through a thick haze of Gitanes cigarette smoke and alcohol. Gainsbourg is still today a major figure of France's pop-culture. He wrote not only for himself but also for a number of illustrious singers: his lovers Juliette Greco and Brigitte Bardot, his wife Jane Birkin, his daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg, singers Frances Gall and Vanessa Paradis and actresses Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Adjani, to name only a few. He was also a filmmaker, an actor, a photographer, and an extremely provocative iconoclast, who made sexual advances to a young- and petrified- Whitney Houston on French television and adapted the French national anthem to reggae music.

The Sacramento French Film Festival will pay further homage to Gainsbourg during its 10th edition in June 2011, with the presentation of the acclaimed and award-winning feature film “Gainsbourg: Vie Heroique”- directed by Joann Sfar, winner of two 2011 Césars (French Academy Awards): Best Actor in a Leading Role (for Eric Elmosnino) and Best First Feature Film.

The Gainsbourg party will feature music by DJ’s Christophe and Roger, music videos, film clips and live tribute bands including "the Horrorscopes" and “ the Harley White Jr. Trio featuring Peter Petty".

WHEN: Saturday April 2, 2011 – Doors at 8pm / Bands at 9pm.

WHERE: Verge Gallery – 625 S Street. - Downtown Sacramento.

PHONE: 916 455 9390: SFFF / 916 448 2985: Verge gallery.

TICKET INFORMATION: $5 Admission, to benefit the 10th Sacramento French Film Festival and the Verge Gallery.

Screenwriting Community Grows in Sacramento

2011-02-13T21:43:45Z

The motion picture industry may be centered in Hollywood, but if screenwriter Gary Weinberg has anything to say about it, Sacramento’s burgeoning collective of aspiring screenwriters will soon draw plenty of attention northward.

On February 22nd, from 7 to 9pm, the fourth installment of Weinberg’s popular course, Write Your Screenplay, An Eight Week Intensive, will begin at the Tangent Art Gallery, adjacent to the Coffee Garden at 2900 Franklin Blvd in Curtis Park.

Since May of last year Weinberg has been facilitating the development of nearly fifty fledgling screenwriters, all with aspirations of seeing their ideas manifest on film. His three-class program has been developed to cater to the needs of writers at all stages of their growth, from pure beginners, (Screenwriting 101, an Intro to Art and Business of Screenwriting) to writers ready to pen the first draft of their story ideas (Write Your Screenplay) to writers looking to move beyond the first draft and really perfect their stories (Advanced Screenwriting).

The goal of Write Your Screenplay, An Eight Week Intensive is to have every student finish the course with a completed first draft of either a screenplay of teleplay (television script). The eight classes are spread out over twelve weeks, which gives students the time to incorporate the lessons they’ve learned into their own writing.

In addition to his group classes, Weinberg offers private sessions that provide more personal in-depth analysis. He dissects the writer’s work in a comprehensive evaluation, looking at everything from structure and format to dialogue and character development. He even counsels his clients on how to make the project more accessible to the industry insiders who decide whether or not to “green light” a project. This level of detailed “coverage” helps writers of all levels move their screenplays to the next level. As Weinberg says, “I’m not just looking to help people write a screenplay. I want to help them write a great screenplay. Because the better the script, the better chance you have of actually seeing it made into a movie. And that’s why we’re all here. The movie is the thing. Otherwise, you might as well right a novel.”

With cutbacks at local colleges and universities, Weinberg has seen interest in his classes skyrocket. “There are many great writers in this town. And it’s a personal honor that so many of them have allowed me to guide them. My goal is to help make Sacramento an entertainment industry destination.”

Like Memphis is to “the blues,” Austin to country music, and Seattle to the world of theater, Weinberg envisions Sacramento as a future mecca for screenwriters. “Why not? To do something big, you have to think big. Shoot for the moon! Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars!”

For more information about Weinberg’s classes and programs contact him at cpmaurice@hotmail.com or call him at 818-458-6637

The Sacramento French Film Festival presents a "Cinema-Concert" featuring The Italian Straw Hat, a Classic Silent Comedy, with Live Music performed by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra

2011-01-06T20:08:53Z

For the Sacramento French Film Festival, 2011 is a milestone year: one of the most acclaimed film festivals in town will celebrate its 10th year. This special anniversary will be held at the Crest Theatre on June 17-26 but the team of the SFFF has planned other events to make 2011 the year of French cinema in Sacramento and it all starts this month with a prestigious and one-of-a-kind “Cinema-Concert”, featuring a silent comedy with live orchestra.

On January 29th and 30th, The SFFF will bring to Sacramento the North-American Premiere of Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie (An Italian Straw Hat), directed by renowned French filmmaker René Clair, with a new musical score. For this first-time event, the SFFF is collaborating with the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra. This unique partnership is good news for the local art scene, and not surprising coming from two local arts organizations recognized for their dynamism and the high quality and originality of their programs.

René Clair’s hilarious 1928 comedy, one of the most famous silent French films, will be presented with the new score written by contemporary French composer, Raymond Alessandrini. Alessandrini, who has traveled from France especially for the occasion, will conduct an orchestra of twelve principal musicians from the Sacramento Philharmonic, including an accordion player of course!

Based on a play by vaudeville playwright Eugène Labiche, An Italian Straw Hat is a highly entertaining typically French farce: Fadinard is on his way to his wedding when his horse eats the hat of a married woman who was spending time with her lover in the bushes of the bois de Vincennes... To avoid her dishonor, Fadinard must find the very same rare hat, made out of straw from Italy. This will greatly disturb his wedding plans… for our guilty pleasure. Famous film critic Pauline Kael described An Italian Straw Hat as “One of the funniest films ever made... so expertly timed and choreographed that farce becomes ballet.”

There will be only two performances of this fun-filled event featuring a rare 35mm restored print from the French repository of film archives, the Cinémathèque Française: Saturday January 29th at 8pm, and Sunday January 30th at 2pm, at the Crest Theatre, home of the SFFF since 2003.

Tickets are on sale at tickets.com, by phone at 1-800-225-2277 or in person at the Crest Theatre. Tickets purchased at the Crest Theatre do not incur any fee.

More information can be found at www.SacramentoFrenchFilmFestival.org

Cécile Downs is the Artistic and Executive Director of the Sacramento Frnehc Film Festival.

“White Christmas” Still a Seasonal Joy

2010-12-24T20:33:53Z

The beautiful 1946 Art Deco Crest Theatre is a Sacramento treasure.

Irving Berlin’s song “White Christmas” is one of our most recognizable holiday tunes, played and sung by every performer imaginable.

The iconic 1954 Christmas movie of the same name is a timeless classic, a sentimental love story filled with lavish musical production numbers, beloved stars, gorgeous sets and costumes, and those wonderful Irving Berlin songs.

Presenting the film on the big screen at the Crest for a limited run is a stroke of genius.

Sacramento audiences are treated to a wonderful moviegoing experience whenever the Crest opens her doors for a classic film event. Whether it’s the Singalong Sound of Music, as presented by Outword magazine earlier this year, or a reprise showing of Gone With the Wind, the Crest is the perfect venue for the great movies of yesteryear. From the glorious neon marquee and the cozy ticket booth outside to the gilded, swooping wall sconces and ceiling lighting in the main theater, the Crest speaks to us of a simpler, more elegant age. When theatergoing was a dress-up event and a night out on the town was the only way to see our dreams in Hollywood splendor, the Crest was one of the premier entertainment destinations.

The audience at Thursday’s evening showing of “White Christmas” reflected some of that wonderful sense of community. Most of the not-too-uncomfortable seats were filled, the snack bar was serving amazing quantities of popcorn, and there was much excited chatter. All over the theater, people laughed and snapped pictures with their friends. When the elaborate crimson curtain rose on the Paramount Pictures logo, and the screen assured us that this film was shot in VistaVision, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Over the course of the next two hours, there were many more outbreaks of spontaneous applause. On screen, Bing Crosby crooned, Danny Kaye cracked wise, Vera-Ellen danced her heart out, and Rosemary Clooney sang. Of course the storyline, dialogue, musical numbers, and every laugh were more than just familiar to most of the audience; sometimes the chuckles preceded the jokes.

I doubt that I am giving away any secrets by telling readers that the guys and gals ended up in the correct pairings, the Inn and the general’s dignity was saved, and of course it snowed. The corny, marvelous film is still what it always was: holiday entertainment.

"White Christmas" is showing three more times today: at 1:00, 3:45, and 7 pm. Take the family, sit back, and enjoy a little bit of the holiday spirit of yesterday on the big screen, as it was intended.

The Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street | Downtown Sacramento | (916) 44-CREST (info)

*SPECIAL DEAL*
Everyone attending a screening of this film gets a free skate rental coupon for the Westfield Shoppingtown Holiday Ice Rink!
Advance tickets on sale now at tickets.com, Crest, 1-800-225-2277.

General Admission $9.50
Senior/Student/Matinee $6.00
Playing in Theatre 1

Tollywood movie shoots in Sac

2010-12-08T03:13:17Z

An Indian film company spent some time in Sacramento recently shooting scenes for a love story, with Capitol Mall standing in for the streets of San Francisco and Placerville standing in for Brazil.

Wide Angle Creations is a production company based in South India, whose film industry, Tollywood, is the counterpart to North India's Bollywood.

The company came to Sacramento to work on the film "180," which features Siddharth and Priya Anand. Siddharth, who goes only by his first name, is also in Disney's first Southern Indian movie "Once Upon a Warrior."

In "180," he stars as a successful San Francisco-area doctor who falls in love, marries and encounters trials and tribulations in life.

Like many Indian movies, "180" is a musical romance. Some of the singing may have happened in Sacramento, but Kris Hemenway, a line producer for the movie, couldn't go into too much detail.

"They have done little pieces of song just about everywhere they've gone," Hemenway said Tuesday.

Scenes have been shot in India and Malaysia. But the film takes place mainly in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The name Tollywood is said to predate Bollywood and was reportedly coined in 1932 by an American engineer who introduced talkies to India. “Tollywood” was his name for the budding film industry located in Tollygunge, a suburb of Calcutta or Kolkata in West Bengal.

In the same way that Kolkata is exotic to U.S. residents, California is mysterious and alluring to those living in India.

In addition to the Bay Area, other Northern California cities and the region’s natural beauty are also highlighted, from honeymoon scenes shot in South Lake Tahoe to rescue scenes shot on the American River in Coloma.

"We're kind of their exotic locations," Hemenway said. "They shot from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe and probably got (some of the most) beautiful places on the planet."

The movie is set for release early next year in Tamil, Telugu and English in theaters in India and the United States.

Sacramento's Capitol Mall plays a pivotal role at the start of the movie. On Nov. 28, a quiet Sunday after Thanksgiving, Sacramento Police closed down the entire mall and the crew set up wrecked cars and police cars for a car accident scene where the movie's lead woman meets the doctor she later marries.

The accident allegedly takes place in San Francisco, and the Emerald Tower at 300 Capitol Mall doubles as the woman's workplace. The director really liked the look of Capitol Mall and the striking fall colors there, Hemenway said.

The production company chose to shoot some scenes in Sacramento and El Dorado County because of the locations themselves and because the people here are so friendly, Hemenway said.

"Sacramento PD - they are phenomenal," said Lucy Steffens, head of the Sacramento Film Commission. "They are one of our best resources when it comes to filming."

At least 50 to 70 extras were used here. Cast and crew returned to Sacramento last Saturday to shoot scenes in the Old City Cemetery. Cast and crew dined in Target's parking lot. The director worked hard to keep nearly 40 Sacramento County Jail inmates and their orange jumpsuits out of camera range while they worked in the cemetery, Steffens said.

Many scenes were shot throughout El Dorado County. Various locations there have appeared in dozens of movies, including a river scene in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." The area has stood in for more exotic locations at other times as well, with Highway 50 posing as Europe's Autobahn in car commercials and Placerville depicted as Japan in "Memoirs of a Geisha," said Kathleen Dodge, executive director of the El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film & Media Office.

Placerville was a strong candidate for location shooting for the recent movie "Knight and Day" starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, but the crew shot those scenes in the Los Angeles area instead, Dodge said.

So perhaps it's not such a stretch to hear that historic downtown Placerville is playing Brazil in "180." Other scenes were shot in a private home, Chuck's Restaurant in Placerville, El Dorado Hills Town Center and more.

"We're all complaining about how our money's leaving the country," Dodge said. "Here's a situation where we're bringing money in from another country. It doesn't get any better than that."

Photo of Old City Cemetery by Chris Fryer. Photo of 300 Capitol Mall by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Blue Oaks Cinema 16 opens its doors

2010-11-19T20:55:47Z

The new, locally owned and operated, Blue Oaks Cinema 16 in Rocklin opened its doors today to a waiting crowd. The state-of-the-art megaplex features 16 all digital theaters with high-end Klipsch surround sound. The Theater also features a UDC theater with a wall-to-wall screen, 13.1 surround sound, leather seats and more leg room.

The owner, Dan Tocchini, stated that the theater is the first in the world to feature elevated digital projectors that do not require any projection booth. The technology allows them to maximize usable space and give the audience a better experience. Continuing with the advanced features in the theater, Tocchini stated that every aspect of each theater is controlled by an iPhone looking device: lights, projections, air conditioning and sound can be adjusted instantaneously – allowing for each movie to get a personalized touch.

With an average of 175 seats per theater (individual theaters range from 130 – 290 seat), there is ample room for the growing Placer community. The theater also conveniently offers four ticket kiosks, along with your normal ticket counter, as you enter the doors. These kiosks allow you to purchase tickets or pick-up tickets you purchased online.

For the convenience of families, the theater is offering an Early Bird special for all movies starting in the 10:00am hour. The price for the Early Bird special is $5.50 for general movies and $8.50 for 3D movies.

PRICES:

General Cinema

General Admission $10.50
Children (3 – 11) & Sr. Citizen (60+) $7.00

Bargain Matinee
Any Show Before 6 pm(Mon - Fri
All Shows before 2pm Sat, Sun & all Holidays $7.75

Early Bird
1st Matinee showtime everyday $5.50

Dolby 3D Digital Cinema

General Admission $13.25
Children (3 – 11) & Sr. Citizen (60+) $10.25

Bargain Matinee
Any Show Before 6 pm(Mon - Fri
All Shows before 2pm Sat, Sun & all Holidays $10.75

Early Bird
1st Matinee showtime everyday $8.50

Ultimate Digital Cinema

UDC General $13.25
Children (3 – 11) & Sr. Citizen (60+) $10.00

Bargain Matinee
Any Show Before 6 pm(Mon - Fri
All Shows before 2pm Sat, Sun & all Holidays $10.75

3D Ultimate Digital Cinema

3D UDC General $15.25
Children (3 – 11) & Sr. Citizen (60+) $12.00

Bargain Matinee
Any Show Before 6 pm(Mon - Fri
All Shows before 2pm Sat, Sun & all Holidays $12.75

For more information on Blue Oaks Cinema 16 please follow this link.

Photos by Marc McLaughlin
Marc McLaughlin is a Contributing Writer and Photographer with Sacramento Press

Award-Winning Screenwriter Opens New Slate of Classes

2010-11-10T02:40:03Z

Have you ever fantasized about writing a screenplay? One that could knock the socks off of viewers and critics alike? In award-winning screenwriter Gary Weinberg’s latest round of classes, you might be able to do just that. Experiencing the “Hollywood” dream in Sacramento has rarely been so attainable since Weinberg has expanded his popular two-class screenwriting series into a three-course comprehensive curriculum. And he’s done so on the heels of winning one of Hollywood’s most prestigious screenwriting competitions.

Continuing the tradition he began at the Tangent Art Gallery back in May, Weinberg will again offer Screenwriting 101: A Four-Hour Introduction to the Art and Business of Screenwriting on November 20th from 1 to 5pm. The class is an overview of the screenwriting process, teaching students the basics of screenplay format and structure, plot and character development, how to write great dialogue, and tips on getting a script seen. As Aaron Cheeseman of Curtis Park says, “I really enjoyed Gary’s workshop. And I’m looking forward to the more in-depth series!” Screenwriting 101 is designed to give students an overview of the screenwriting process that is covered more thoroughly in Weinberg’s second class.

Write Your Screenplay: An Eight-Week Program is that second class. Now in its third installment, Write Your Screenplay begins Tuesday, November 30th from 7:00 to 9:30pm. The goal of this class is for each student to end the course having completed the first draft of his screenplay or teleplay. The class will expand in great detail on the concepts presented in Screenwriting 101. The unique format divides the course in half. The first four classes run consecutively, while the following four classes run every other week. This intentional week off allows students the time in between classes to finish writing their scripts. According to Tonya Nash of Folsom, “Gary's screenwriting class has been a wonderful experience, opening up a whole creative outlet for me that I never really knew existed. I would definitely recommend the class to both novice and seasoned writers... Wow! Now I can say that I actually consider myself a writer!”

Advanced Screenwriting: The Next Step is Weinberg’s newest offering. Part workshop, part critical analysis, Advanced Screenwriting offers the more experienced writer a platform for perfecting his or her screenplay. The class is open to any students who have taken Weinberg’s eight-week course and need some additional, ongoing help or guidance, or who would like to hear some of their scenes read out loud. Students will bring short excerpts from their screenplays for just this purpose, and, as a group, will read aloud, analyze and critique what has been read--all under the careful guidance of Weinberg.

“It’s a drop-in workshop,” explains Weinberg. “People can just come by whenever they’re stuck on an important scene, or want to hear how their dialogue sounds at a pivotal moment. At the very least, it offers an ongoing, supportive environment you can work your craft in. A lot of us, especially with our busy lives, need that extra motivation.”

Advanced Screenwriting: The Next Step begins Saturday, December 4th, and will continue on a weekly basis from that date. In addition to Weinberg’s former students, those who can demonstrate that they are facile in the screenwriting form and have completed a screenplay are also welcome to join in.

As far as Weinberg knows, there is nothing like his slate of classes offered in the Sacramento area. “These classes are really like three separate rungs on a ladder. Each step moves aspiring screenwriters from the early stages of the learning process to the completion of the first draft of their screenplay or teleplay and beyond, as they begin to hone and perfect their work. That’s an ongoing process, and I’m there to help and guide my students all the way through it.”

His students certainly appreciate his mentorship. As John M. of Land Park states, “Gary has been an incredible resource to help turn a concept into a real screenplay. We’re lucky to have someone with his experience.”

In addition to helping shape the work of others, Weinberg has also received recent attention for his own. He recently won the fall 2010 Scriptapalooza International Television Writing Competition for his original television pilot entitled The Asylum. The Asylum is an edgy comedy about a group of misfit salesmen--“closers”--in breakneck pursuit of the American Dream, one phone call at a time.
Winners of the Scriptapalooza competition receive not only cash awards but the chance to have their scripts considered by top Los Angeles and New York literary agents, managers, producers and directors. Scriptapalooza is one of the few Hollywood screenwriting competitions that have catapulted many a writer to fame, including the creator of Rugrats, Scott Gray.

In addition to his Scriptapalooza score, Weinberg has also written scripts for other production companies, including Ninja Nun for Cimero Productions and Magical Planet for Bloom From Within Productions. Weinberg, also an accomplished musician and songwriter, is currently finishing work on a musical entitled Whispers Over Persia for the Fairmount Performing Arts Center in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as a one-man show entitled Free-Falling in America.

Screenwriting 101, A Four-Hour Introduction to the Art and Business of Screenwriting; Write Your Screenplay: An Eight-Week Program; and Advanced Screenwriting: The Next Step are all taught at Tangent Gallery, located at 2900 Franklin Boulevard in Sacramento, on the corner of Franklin and 4th Avenue in Curtis Park.

For more information, including fees, costs and materials required please contact Gary Weinberg via e-mail at cpmaurice@hotmail.com, or call him at (818) 458-6637.

Local Halloween Events

2010-10-15T00:32:07Z

Celebrating Halloween is now a month-long occasion. Here are some spooky activities to get your skin crawling and set your nerves on end all the way through the 31st. All events are in Sacramento, unless noted otherwise.

Trash Film Orgy Halloween 2010

Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.
Oct. 31: 8 p.m. (doors open) 9 p.m. (show begins)
All seats cost $10 ($1 discount for those wearing costumes)
Ages 18 and older only
More information: www.trashfilmorgy.com or call 916-44-CREST

Trash Film Orgy presents “Heavy Metal Halloween” at the Crest Theatre. Live bloody stage shows, audience participation, games and costume contests will accompany a showing of the 1986 film “Trick or Treat,” featuring cameos by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne. The bar will be open at 8 p.m. to hydrate a lobby full of crazy games, including a series of interactive games helping people become heavy-metal rock stars.

Haunted Hagan Screampark

Hagan Community Park, 2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova
Oct. 8 - 28: 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Oct. 29 - 31: 7:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Ticket info: www.hauntedhagan.com/default.html

Haunted Hagan Screampark brags of hosting one of “Northern California’s most popular haunts; the Heartstoppers Haunted House.” In addition to having two haunted houses, the Screampark also features a train ride through the woods – operated by the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Museum. The Screampark also promises a generous onslaught of walking dead.

Living History “Ghost Tours” offered by Historic Old Sacramento Foundation

Eagle Theater, 925 Front St.
Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30: 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Adults: $15. Youth (ages 6-17): $10. Ages 5 and under: Free.
More information: www.historicoldsac.org or call 916-808-4980

This walking tour leads visitors through the spooky history of Old Sacramento, dating back to the 19th century. Tour guides are in costume and lead an entertaining and insightful trip through the streets of Old Sacramento.

The Mansion After Dark

Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park 1526 H St.

Oct. 23, 30 6 - 9 p.m.
Adults: $6. Youth (ages 6-17): $4. Ages 5 and under: Free.
More information: www.parks.ca.gov/governorsmansion/ or call 916-323-5916

The mansion is embracing Halloween by decorating its rooms, playing scary music, providing only dim lighting and having costumed characters share stories of past governors. Fortune tellers will also be on-hand to share their predictions regarding the future. Tours through the darkened mansion are self-guided and appropriate for all ages.

The Haunted Fort

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, 2701 L St.

Oct. 29 - 30: 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Adults: $6. Youth (ages 6-17): $4. Ages 5 and under: Free.
More information: www.suttersfort.org or call 916-323-7626

Sutter Fort’s State Historic Park offers this new Halloween-related event for visitors to learn more about the melancholy lives of pioneers from the 1800s. The tour lasts 45 minutes and guides visitors through darkened rooms and through the park as it is illuminated by the glow of firelight.

Spookomotive Train

Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot
Front and K streets in Old Sacramento

Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Adults: $9. Youth (ages 6-17): $4. Ages 5 and under: Free.
More information: www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org or call 916-445-6645

A skeleton crew silently implores visitors to hitch a ride on this Halloween-themed diesel train. With cobwebs hanging uncomfortably overhead, the Spookomotive train transports visitors a total of six miles along the Sacramento River and through Old Sacramento’s streets, which will be decorated for the Fall Harvest Days activities. The ride is described as being “delightful, but not frightful,” so all ages are encouraged to hop aboard.

Blood Moon Regale

The Colonial Theatre
3522 Stockton Blvd.

Oct. 16: 6:30 p.m. (doors open) 7 p.m. (performance begins)
$20 for advance tickets, $25 at the door
Ages 18 and up
More information: www.bloodmoonregale.com/ or call 916-308-9573

Celebrating its 10th year of performing, Blood Moon’s theatrical dance showcase features students from Hot Pot Studios as well as performers from all over the world. Presented by Unmata, Blood Moon Regale’s “Now That’s Fun” includes jump rope, bath time, magic, threesomes, a trampoline, synchronized swimming and so many other bizarre things that it would be counter-productive to list them all here. To understand the intriguing quality of this performance, you will have to go and see it for yourself.

Sacramento Horror Film Festival

The Colonial Theatre
3522 Stockton Blvd.

Oct. 21-24
A full calendar of film showings and ticket packages can be viewed at: www.sachorrorfilmfest.com/

This annual film festival offers an eclectic mix of film screenings, performances and activities all paying homage to the horror genre. Special guests at this year’s event include performances by Jill Tracy and renaissance man Voltaire. A Zombie Beauty Pageant will also be held with prize packages for those who place first, second, and third.

Safe and Super Halloween Monster Mash

Fairytale Town
3901 Land Park Drive

Oct. 22-24: 5 - 9 p.m.
Members: $10. Nonmembers: $7
Children 1-year old or younger have free admittance
More information: www.fairytaletown.org/ or call 916-808-7462

Fairytale Town will feature 17 candy stations and classic monsters, including Dracula, Dr. Jekyll, Frankenstein, witches and werewolves. The park has been made over for Halloween, offering hands-on activities and sets themed after spooky storybook tales. This event provides a wonderful Halloween experience for children and adults young at heart.

Haunted House at Maines Mansion

Midtown
2501 I St.

Oct. 22-31 (except on Monday and Tuesday): Dusk until 10 p.m.
Free admission, but donations are encouraged and accepted
More information: www.myramaines.com/

The Haunted House at Maines Mansion is celebrating its fifth anniversary. About 20 actors and special effects technicians bring the 30-minute show to guests exploring the century-old Victorian home. All donations will benefit Sunburst Projects (sunburstprojects.org) – an organization that helps children and families in the Sacramento area who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

Haunted Stacks

Central Library Galleria
828 I St.

Oct. 22: 7 p.m.
Free admission
More information: www.altlibrary.com/ and RSVP at www.meetup.com/altlibrary/

Be unnerved with an evening of paranormal investigation, a big-screen showing of “Ghostbusters” and an after-hours tour of the Sacramento Room. Participants will seek out the lady in red as they wander through some of the oldest parts of the library. There will also be a sharing time dedicated to some of Sacramento’s most popular ghosts.

Haunted Oasis Bellydance Showcase

Lido Bar & Grill
7739 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Carmichael

Oct. 23: 6 - 9 p.m.
Free Admission
All ages
More information: www.mychelledancer.com/hauntedoasis.htm

Join the belly dance community as it celebrates Halloween. Sacramento’s best belly dancers will be performing “A Night in the Oasis,” with dancers Rak’elle, Nour, Nyla Crystal, Radhia, Badia of Farasha Storm, Kelly, Jewels of the North and more.

Pumpkin Carving Workshop and Contest

Gluten Free Specialty
2612 J St.

Oct. 24: Noon - 4 p.m.
$20 a person, $30 for a pair (registration required)
Register by visiting the store or calling 916-442-5241

Gluten Free Specialty is making space for pumpkin carvers of all skill levels to join in its inaugural pumpkin carving contest. The store allows participants to use carving tools and supplies. A pumpkin is provided with the price of entry, and the store will also be selling pumpkins all week leading up to Halloween. First prize will receive a $50 gift certificate to the store. Photos of the finished product will be posted for customers to view and vote on throughout the week.

One Scary Nite Halloween Party

Sacramento Auto Museum
2200 Front St.

Oct. 29: 9 p.m.
General Admission: $20
VIP Table: $70
Ages 21 and older
More information: www.onescarynite.com/ or call 916-649-2388

One Scary Nite 2 promises to be bigger, better and scarier than before. The night will include live mixing by “DJ Clue,” fire breathers, stilt walkers, jugglers, zombies, costume contests with cash prizes and a large dance floor. This year boasts star attendances like Denise Richards and Stacey Dash, Bobby Jackson, comedian Tony Roberts and more.

Halloween Blackout Skate

Roller King
889 Riverside Ave.
Roseville

Oct. 30: 7 - 10 p.m.
Free admission with any canned food item (skate rental not included)
All ages welcome
More information: www.rollerkingroseville.com or contact David Jacques at rollerking@surewest.net

This all-ages event benefits the Placer Food Bank. Games and prizes will be offered throughout the evening. Guest are encouraged to wear costumes, provided that they are able to safely skate in them.

Midtown Trick or Treat and Pooch Parade

Oct. 30:
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Trick or Treat
Relles Florist, 2400 J St.

2 - 4 p.m.
Pooch Parade
Kennedy Gallery 1114 20th St.

2 - 4 p.m.
Pooch Costume Contest
24th and K Lot

For those who are scared of the dark, this daytime trick-or-treating event, supported by participating Midtown businesses, is the perfect way to get your candy fix. For those who enjoy dressing up their dogs, a pooch parade and costume contest will be taking place in the late afternoon. To enter the pooch costume contest there will be a $10 donation, which goes to the United Animal Nations. The times and locations listed above are meeting points during the day.

Halloween Carnival 2010

6446 Sylvan Rd.
Citrus Heights

Oct. 30: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Free admission
Ages 0-11
More information: www.creativefrontiers.com or call 916-502-6258

Creative Frontiers School and Radio Disney present a carnival full of activities for younger children. The carnival features vendors and food, live performances, raffles, costume contests, face-painting, hay rides, a bounce house, Radio Disney Live and much more.

Exotic Halloween Ball

Cal Expo

Oct. 30: 8:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.
General admission: $34 in advance
VIP Tickets: $100
21 and older
More information: now100fm.radio.com/events/2010/10/30/exotic-halloween-ball/

In its 14th year, NOW 100.5 is carrying on the tradition of 100.5 The Zone by presenting an event for the big kids. This huge party features costume contests, four dance clubs, live music from Wonderbread 5, laser light shows, bikini lap dances, a spanking and flogging stage, human petting zoo, mechanical bull rides and an exotic fun house.

Hallow’s Eve Red Carpet Halloween Ball

Shady Lady Saloon
1409 R St.

Oct. 30: 7 p.m.
Free for executive members, $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers
More information: www.metrospark.net

Come in costume and spend a night with the Halloween-outfitted Shady Lady Saloon. Live entertainment will start around 9:30 p.m., free psychic readings will be provided by Tammy Adams from House of Angels and goodie bags and prizes will be offered throughout the evening. The Harley White Jr. Orchestra will provide the music, and Fall-inspired cocktails will be served.

Dead Rockstars Show

Old Ironsides
1901 10th St.

Oct. 31: 8 p.m.
$8 cover at the door, 21 and older

This annual rock show, presented by Jerry Perry, will feature the likes of Adrian Bourgeous, Ricky Berger, I Scream on Sundae, Breaking Glass, Ol' Cotton Dreary, Crazy Ballhead, The Onlymen, 2 or 3 Guys, Saucer, Jet Black Pope and more.

Halloween Trick or Treat at The Fountains

The Fountains
Roseville Parkway and Galleria Boulevard

Oct. 31: 4 - 6 p.m.
More information: www.thefountainsatroseville.com
Free admission

Each of the retail stores at The Fountains will be throwing a trick-or-treat party. Main Street will be closed off for pedestrian traffic as visitors meander through the many different Halloween-inspired stations.

Trick or Treat Night at IKEA

IKEA West Sacramento
700 IKEA Ct.

Oct. 31: 5 - 7 p.m.
Free admission
Ages 3-12

Rather than getting lost in some real-world neighborhood setting, IKEA open openup to children and provided a series of candy stops throughout its massive store. Come get lost in a maze and mixture of bedroom and kitchen scenarios this Halloween. Kids can get their candy, and you can redesign your living room.

Kids Costume Brunch

de Vere’s Irish Pub
1521 L St.

Oct. 31: 9 a.m-2 p.m.
More information: www.deverespub.com/ or call 916-231-9947

This is de Veres’ inaugural Kids Costume Brunch, giving kids an arguing point for wearing their costumes all day on Halloween. A full brunch menu will be served, with cocktails for the parents. Special treats and giveaways will be available for children in costume. Some of the prizes include 30 passes to the Sacramento Zoo and four passes to the “Boo at the Zoo Party.”

Larry Scholl’s Folsom Ghost Train

City Lions Park
Stafford Way, Folsom

Oct. 22-31: 7 - 9 p.m.
All ages
Tickets are $8

More information: www.larryscholl.net/ghosttrain2010.html

Storyboard artist Larry Scholl put his 20 years’ worth of creative experience – most notably with Walt Disney – to work with the creation of the Folsom Ghost Train. The Ghost Train is the only independent, full audio-animatronic attraction in California.

In-depth coverage of Larry Scholl and the Ghost Train can be found by reading the article below:
www.sacramentopress.com/headline/38412/The_Ghost_Train_offers_scares_for_the_whole_family

Murder and Mayhem Scavenger Hunt

Evangeline’s Costume Mansion
113 K St.

Now through Oct. 31: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Free admission
All ages welcome

More information: www.sacramentopress.com/headline/38078/Murder_and_mayhem_at_Evangelines or call 916-443-2181

A trip to Evangeline’s Costume Mansion provides entertainment for hours, with or without the scavenger hunt. But, in addition to the already-overwhelming stock of costumes, games, trinkets, and funny gadgets, the store now invites visitors to navigate the old mansion in pursuit of clues revealing the identity of murderers from throughout history.
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Photo one: Evangeline's Costume Mansion Scavenger Hunt

Photo two: Ghost Tour

Photo three through six: Trash Film Orgy's presentation of "Trick or Treat"

Photos seven and eight: Larry Scholl's Folsom Ghost Train

Slow Food Sacramento Brings “Lunch Line” to Big Screen

2010-09-24T00:56:33Z

Slow Food Sacramento and Movies On a Big Screen will present the documentary film Lunch Line at the Guild Theater Sunday, September 26th at 7:00 PM. Admission is $6, and tickets are available at the door. The Guild Theater is located at 2828 35th Street, Sacramento.

Lunch Line begins by telling the story of a group of Chicago high school students who have just won a contest to cook up a healthier school lunch. The students get to travel to Washington, D.C. and prepare their winning menu for policy makers. The film goes on to document the history of America’s 64-year-old school lunch program and to examine the difficulties in making substantive changes to it.

Following the film, there will be a panel discussion featuring Julie Raymond of Sacramento Unified School District’s Healthy Foods Task Force, Bill Maynard of the Sacramento Area Community Garden Coalition, Fatima Malik of the Health Education Council, and Paul S. Towers of The California Food Project. The panel is expected to speak about local advocacy efforts for improving school lunches and child nutrition.

At 5:30 PM, before the film, a reception with appetizers will be held at Old Soul at 40 Acres Café, 3434 Broadway, Sacramento.

Time travel, made easy.

2010-09-22T21:28:49Z

Drive-in movies. I have always loved them. Almost more than the movies themselves, I love my romanticized notion of them. I am madly in love with the classic Americana for which the Drive-In is so symbolic. It is hard to describe the way that drive-in movies make me feel, it's something akin to an ecstatic melancholy.

They harken to a simpler time, a time that I never really got to experience firsthand, but one that I can easily imagine while stuffing my face with popcorn and enjoying a movie under the stars from the hood of my car.

I can vividly recall the first drive-In movie I ever attended: "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial." It was the summer of 1982, and I had just turned four years old. It's the second-oldest memory I have that I can put a(n approximate) date to. (The first? I can remember "The Catch" that sent the Niners to their first Super Bowl. More accurately, I remember my parents’ and their friends’ hysterical reaction to the game-winning play. It was so raucous that it disrupted our game of "Hungry, Hungry Hippos." I was pissed.)

I can also vividly recall the second one I ever attended: "The Mask," starring Jim Carrey. It was the summer of 1994, and I was 16. It was the same venue: The Sunset Drive-In in Portsmouth, Ohio. I remember thinking to myself that aside from the movie playing, and the makes of (some of) the cars, it may as well have been 1974. Drive-ins are a place where time seems to stand still. So is Portsmouth, Ohio. Go to a drive-in movie in Portsmouth, Ohio, and you can legitimately claim to have traveled back in time.

Up until very recently, that was it. I was nearly 32 years old, and I'd been to Europe as many times as I'd been to a drive-in. In the Bay Area, where I grew up, "The Great Drive-In Massacre of the Late 20th Century" was as swift as it was thorough. There had been 28 drive-ins in the Bay Area in 1978, the year of my birth. By the time I was 16, there were three that I knew of – none of them near me.

Nationwide, the numbers went from a high of more than 4,000 in 1958 to around 400 today. A bizzaro-decimation of tragic proportions.

Here in Sacramento County, where there were once more than a dozen, only one remains: The West Wind Sacramento 6.

I found out about TWWS6 from my girlfriend’s soon-to-be-10-year-old cousin Anna, who was about to celebrate her upcoming birthday there.

Wait, there's a drive-In movie theater in Sacramento?" I asked, incredulous.

"Uh, yeah" she answered, looking at me askance. The "duh" was implied.

I tried not to let on just how excited this new revelation made me, but I don't think I was successful.

Needless to say, I can vividly recall my third drive-in experience. I saw "Toy Story 3" at TWWS6, and it was glorious.

I also remember my fourth ("The Other Guys") and fifth ("Inception"), and am eagerly looking forward to my sixth,("The Town") this very evening.

I may never go to a cineplex again. Here's why:

-The tickets are much cheaper at the drive-in, $6.75, except on "Family Tuesdays," when they're a 1980-ish $4.75. Kids, aged 5-11, get in for a buck a piece.

-The concessions are marginally cheaper, but you also have the option of bringing anything you can fit in your car into the movie. I've seen people on blow-up mattresses basically watch the movie from bed, lawn chairs, blankets, buckets of chicken, pizzas, beers, whatever. I even saw people with their pets and others with their barbecues. Neither of these things is allowed, per se, but they appeared to get away with it. I'd like to see you try that at the megaplex.

-If you forget to stop at Little Caesars on the way to the show, you can get pizza there. And they'll deliver it to your car.

-There isn't anyone next to you text messaging, talking on the phone, or with one of those Bluetooths in their ear flashing at you. Or if there is, they probably came with you, and you can tell them to knock it off without risk of an altercation.

-You don't have to wear pants. (you probably should, but you could conceivably go without.)

-Necking.

- Did I mention that every movie is a double feature? ’Cause it is! The first movie starts at dusk, the second 15 minutes after the first one ends. On nights when it’s not too crowded, you can even move from one screen to another. Legally.

-It's about the closest you can come to venturing into the past without bending the space-time continuum, which can get messy.

-It may not be here much longer. If we don't support it, it certainly won't be.

Losing this last bastion of Americana would truly be tragic. You don't want that on your conscience, do you?

The West Wind Sacramento 6 can be found at 9616 Oates Drive Sacramento, CA 95827-1607

This Thursday, Sept. 23rd, they are having a free movie night: Live music, and games for the kids start at 6pm. The movies start at 8pm.

Featured will be "Toy Story 3" (fantastic, bring tissues), "Grown Ups" (bring a blindfold? j/k) and "Iron Man 2"(I got nothing)

WEAVE Clients, Staff to Benefit from Oz Sing-Along

2010-08-19T17:17:22Z

Clients, staff and volunteers of WEAVE (Women Escaping A Violent Environment), the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County, will have an opportunity to sing along with Dorothy, Glinda the Good Witch and all their Oz friends Sunday, August 22, at Sacramento’s Crest Theatre, 1013 K St. in Sacramento.

Outword Magazine and Crest Theatre, co-producers of “The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along at the Crest,” are providing complimentary tickets to WEAVE for the family-friendly festivities. The event will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday with Karaoke in the Lobby, followed at 2 p.m. by an Oz Character Costume Contest and screening of the 1939 MGM classic film, “The Wizard of Oz.”

The Crest Theatre will be transformed into the Land of Oz for the occasion, complete with Yellow Brick Road, Emerald City, and Tornado Trivia. Glinda the Good Witch will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. Contestants of all ages are invited to come dressed as their favorite Oz characters to compete for prizes including Barnum & Bailey circus tickets, cash, and ruby-slipper themed commemorative trophies.

Outword Magazine and the Crest Theatre co-produced a highly successful ‘Grease’ Sing-Along event in August 2009. Dozens of leather-jacketed, poodle-skirted Pink Ladies, T-Birds and Scorpions wanna-be’s competed for prizes and crowd applause.

The Wizard of Oz is a musical film directed by Victor Fleming and based on the children’s novel of the same name by L. Frank Baum. The Metro Goldwyn Meyer production was filmed using a combination of black-and-white, sepia and Technicolor. Although it won few honors when it came out, it became the best-known film of then 16-year-old ingénue Judy Garland and launched a number of still-popular songs such as “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” “Ding-Dong the Witch Is Dead” and Garland’s signature classic, “Over the Rainbow.” It has been the inspiration for numerous sequels and spinoffs, including the Broadway hit play “Wicked,” and has weathered the decades to become one of the most beloved films of all time.

For more information about the event, call the Crest Theatre at 916-44 CREST (916-442-7378) or visit the Outword Magazine or Crest Theatre Websites.

Author Bonnie Osborn is a writer for Outword Magazine and assists Outword in promoting community events, including its monthly Drag Queen Bingo events, which benefit local non-profit organizations.

Cinema Insomnia brings horror, comedy to the Guild Saturday

2010-08-12T02:28:43Z

Movies on a Big Screen will host the first live broadcast taping of “Cinema Insomnia” Saturday.

Fans can watch the “1960’s mess” horror film that is “The Undertaker and His Pals” at the Guild Theater, located at 2828 35th St in Sacramento, as horror host Mr. Lobo — a television personality and actor— provides comic relief in between segments.

Movies on the Big Screen is an ongoing film festival, said Robert McKeown who helped start it in September 2006. They show films every week at the historic Guild in various genres including cult classics, documentaries and independent films. Cinema Insomnia is a television series that shows horror films. This is the first time MOBS is teaming up with Cinema Insomnia, although McKeown said it may not be the last.

The concept of a horror movie host is a throwback to the days of creature features, Mr. Lobo said. Late-night horror movies on television would have hosts to keep the audience entertained. Cinema Insomnia will similarly provide a mix of horror and comic relief to give those in the audience a chance to catch their breath.

“I think comedy and horror fit together really nicely because there’s that tension, and then the release of that tension,” Mr. Lobo said. “Not everybody is really a fan of horror movies, so in a weird way, a horror host kind of makes a horror movie more powerful for the general public because you kind of have a way out.”

Mr. Lobo has done TV shows in the past and hosted live shows, although this is the first time he has done both simultaneously. His co-host, Miss Mittens — a houseplant — will help Mr. Lobo guide the audience through the movie.

“She needs to retire soon; she’s been through a lot,” Mr. Lobo said. “That happens when you see a lot of bad movies. It’s hard on the leaves.”

Audience members can expect an array of entertainment throughout the show, including games with the crowd, prizes and even a cooking segment.

“We’ll have barf bags, because this movie has some graphic violence that might unsettle the tummy,” Mr. Lobo said. “In the past we’ve had a hearse parked out front and nurses taking your blood pressure.”

The show will be syndicated nationwide in 30 locations and air at midnight Saturday. To stay true to Cinema Insomnia’s name, fans can also watch the show at any hour of the day or night at cinemainsomnia.com.

Mr. Lobo said this type of late night films are different than other movies.

“The way you appreciate them at 2:30 in the morning is different,” Mr.Lobo said.

Although this Cinema Insomnia will begin at 7 p.m., Mr. Lobo said he will help people stay up.

McKeown began MOBS in September 2006 and has had Mr. Lobo host live shows for them before. He said he expects this show to sell out.

Tickets to Cinema Insomnia, are $7 per person, and can be purchased at moviesonabigscreen.com or at the door on the day of the performance, Aug. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Robert McKeown, Photo 3 by Anthony Bento.

Eight Week Screenwriting Class Starts New Session

2010-08-05T06:36:33Z

   As the first generation of novice Sacramento screenwriters are about to “graduate” from the rigorous twelve-week training intensive, a second session is about to begin. From August 24th through November 9th, Los Angeles writer-actor-producer Gary Weinberg will once again guide Sacramento students through the ins and outs of the art of screenwriting in his class called Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive. Students who take the class will learn the craft and the business of screenwriting, with an emphasis on how these manifest in the current Los Angeles film and television industry.
   Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive will begin with the basic elements of narrative, and then move on to story structure, screenplay and teleplay formatting, and how to write great dialogue and develop strong characters. Weinberg will also present different options that students have for getting their work seen and produced, and will discuss the “unwritten” rules that can help, or hinder, their screenwriting efforts.
   The goal by the end of Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive is for each student to have a completed screenplay. The class runs four consecutive weeks from August 24th through September 14nd, and then every other week until November 9th. This format affords students time to actually write a finished screenplay or teleplay.
   As Weinberg says, “I know what it’s like. As busy, creative people, our lives can be extremely hectic. This is why I have designated the ‘off Thursdays’ in the second half of the class as ‘writing nights.’ Students are not required to show up in class, explicitly so they can spend the evening writing their screenplays instead.”
   And Weinberg is there to help them along the way. “I will be available for students
--in person, by phone, and by email--to help with any questions or challenges they might encounter as they transform their ideas into finished scripts. They won’t be writing alone.”
   It all helps, as many of Weinberg’s current students attest. Michelle Giles of Elk Grove says, “What has been a wild dream until now, appears possible with this class. Gary wraps years of experience in just a few weeks.” Kristen Mackey of Roseville agrees. “The class gave me so much insight…especially in how much I have to learn. But now I’m ready.” Lori Kane of Rancho Cordova was equally effusive. “Gary’s class is extremely informative, fun and creative. I would encourage anyone--from beginner to an expert--to take the class.”
   Co-founder of the film production company Generation Next Media, LLC, Weinberg is an actor, writer, producer and composer. As a screenwriter, Weinberg’s commissioned scripts include Ninja Nun for Cimero Productions and Magical Planet for Bloom From Within. He wrote and directed a pilot for the episodic TV series The Asylum, currently in pre-production as a web series. For Alpine Pictures, Weinberg co-produced the comedy LA Twister, was managing partner for the teen comedy, Daze of Summer, and associate producer on their current film Dorothy of Oz with Dan Akroyd and Jim Belushi. A member of Screen Actors Guild, Weinberg has been seen in national commercials, independent films, network TV, classical and contemporary theatre, concerts, and more. Television and film credits include Dick Wolfe’s Arrest and Trial, and feature films Miriam and My Sweet Suicide. Weinberg was a member of the improv troupe The Lost Marbles, which played regularly at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. He performed in numerous northern and southern California venues such as Wolfpack Theatre Company and Write Act Repertory in Hollywood, and Sacramento Theatre Company and Garbeau Dinner Theatre in Sacramento.
   Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive will be offered Tuesday nights from August 24th through November 9th at the Tangent Art Gallery, 2900 Franklin Blvd in Curtis Park, adjacent to Coffee Garden, at the corner of 4th Avenue and Franklin Blvd. Classes will run 7-9:30 pm.
   For information on Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive please contact Gary Weinberg of Generation Next Media at (818) 458-6637 or at cpmaurice@hotmail.com. For more information on Generation Next Media, LLC, please visit www.GenerationNextMedia.org.

'Wizard of Oz’ Sing-'Along at the Crest

2010-08-01T01:47:33Z

You'll know you're not in Kansas when Outword Magazine and the Crest Theatre present "Sing Along with 'The Wizard of Oz'" on Sunday, August 22. The historic Sacramento theatre, located at 1013 K Street, will be transformed into Oz, complete with Yellow Brick Road,Tornado Trivia and Emerald City backdrop, with Glinda the Good Witch presiding over all.

The family-friendly festivities will begin at 1 p.m. with Karaoke in the Lobby. At 2 p.m. participants of all ages will compete for cash and gift prizes and ruby-slipper trophies in the Oz character Costume Contest, followed by a sing-along screening of the 1939 MGM classic film.

"The Wizard of Oz" is a musical film directed by Victor Fleming and based on the children’s novel of the same name by L. Frank Baum. The Metro Goldwyn Meyer production was filmed using a combination of black-and-white, sepia and Technicolor. Although it won few honors when it came out, it became the best-known film of 16-year-old ingénue Judy Garland and launched a number of still-popular songs such as “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” “Ding-Dong the Witch Is Dead” and Garland’s signature classic, “Over the Rainbow.” It has been the inspiration for numerous sequels and spinoffs, including the Broadway hit play “Wicked,” and has weathered the decades to become one of the most beloved films of all time.

The August 22 event will be the second annual sing-along co-produced by Outword and the Crest. Last summer, a "Grease" sing-along filled the theater, as poodle-skirted and leather-jacketed contestants vied to be the most convincing Pink Ladies, T-Birds and Scorpions.

For more information about “Sing-Along With ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” call the Crest Theater, 916-44 CREST (916-442-7378) or visit outwordmagazine.com or thecrest.com.

Author Bonnie Osborn is a writer for Outword Magazine and assists Outword in promoting many of its events, including Drag Queen Bingo charity fund-raisers held monthly throughout the year.

The tenth annual Trash Film Orgy opens with “Evil Dead 2” and 300 zombie fans

2010-07-13T01:00:12Z

The 10th annual Trash Film Orgy opened Saturday night with 300 zombie fans coming out to see “Evil Dead 2” – the premiere night for the film festival celebrating gore-filled, sleazy, cult classic movies.

Saturday’s screening of Sam Raimi’s low-budget hit “Evil Dead 2” coincided with Sacramento’s downtown Zombie Walk, so there was no shortage of “dead” or evil characters dressed up as zombies in order to get into the spirit.

“I think it’s really a fun crowd, and I can tell there’s a lot of zombies left over from the Zombie Walk, which is really exciting,” said Trash Film Orgy representative Amy. “Evil Dead 2 is really a trash classic, and we have a really fun crowd tonight.”

Not only was the crowd fun, people were also very creative with their costumes. While there were many traditional walking dead, some people adopted themes. There were “prombies” – zombies in prom dresses – the entire cast of “The Wizard of Oz” as zombies and even someone dressed as the rock artist Rob Zombie.

Doors to the Crest Theatre opened at 11:30 p.m., and the line of living dead stretched around the block and behind Pyramid Brewery, even though the movie didn’t start until near 1 a.m.

Upon entering the theater, guests and zombies were treated to a variety of spooky vendors and booths set up to entertain before the movie.
Even though Halloween is still several months away, Callson Manor representatives were there to promote their haunted house attraction in Roseville, which has expanded from last year’s 50,000 square feet to 65,000.

The Manor will feature three main attractions – Callson Funeral Home, Miner’s Revenge, and Vampire’s Crypt, and it gives all horror movie fans something to look forward to this October.

There was a zombie movie trivia booth near the restrooms, and TFO enthusiasts could try their luck at answering horror movie questions to win prizes or suffer the consequences – getting their brains eaten by zombie women. Zombie girls wearing shirts labeled “T,” “F,” and “O” would converge on the losing contestant and ruffle up their hair and pretend to chomp their brain.

The raunchiest segment of the entire evening was the “re-enactment” of “Evil Dead,” the prequel to “Evil Dead 2.” Two actors representing the film’s main characters, Ash and his girlfriend, took the stage and performed a humorous skit to recap the first movie that included the scene where Ash’s girlfriend is raped by a possessed tree.

People cheered when a fake Dio came out and sang a song about the movie to the tune of “Holy Diver,” but they went wild when the Raper Tree, a person in a tree costume complete with a giant prosthetic penis, emerged and “raped” Ash until fake ejaculate squirted out.

“I thought the skit showed dedication to what TFO is all about,” said Kyle Vorst, a guest at the show. “It was raunchy but silly and also really true to the spirit of the event. I felt like it was a good way to start the show because if you weren’t on board and you weren’t sure what you were getting into, that was a good way to gauge whether or not you wanted to stay.”

Before the movie started, there were plenty of trash previews, including one for a locally produced film called “Planet of the Vampire Women,” a movie about a space crew that lands on a foreign planet inhabited by vampire women who can shoot lasers out of their eyes.
There were also previews for upcoming Trash Film Orgy shows such as John Waters’ “CryBaby” and “Galaxy of Terror,” where special guest and actor in the film Sid Haig is slated to make an appearance.

Part of the Trash Film Orgy experience is mocking the films even though they are beloved by the audience.

Most people in attendance had seen the movie many times and knew exactly what would happen next, so as soon as the movie started, so did the jeering and calling. Unlike a traditional movie theater, the more noise people made, the more others enjoyed themselves.

At the end of the night when the movie was over, fan of the Trash Film Orgy and zombie lover Kasi Kresheck said, “It was the best orgy I’ve ever been to.”

Screenwriting class returns to Sacramento on July 17th

2010-06-30T23:16:21Z

Nine students who entered the doors of Curtis Park's Tangent Art Gallery on May 11th will be leaving with something more than a stimulating experience in a room full of eclectic art. They'll be leaving with a ninety-to-one-hundred-ten page document tucked under their arms, and a clear vision of what this sheaf of paper could look like on a big screen.

These nine students are in the process of completing their first full-length screenplay or teleplay, and for every one of them, this journey is the culmination of years of dreaming a story inside them, and longing to get it onto paper.

The class that started it all is called Screenwriting 101, an introduction to the screenwriting process. Screenwriting 101 was the launching pad for a slate of classes on the art and business of screenwriting that began with a three-hour introductory class and continued with an eight-class program entitled Screenwriting: An Eight-Week Intensive. With the eight-week program nearing it’s end, a new cycle is about to begin.

The second offering of Screenwriting 101 will be held on Saturday, July 17th from 1-4:30 pm. It’s being taught by transplanted Los Angeles screenwriter and actor Gary Weinberg. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Weinberg has accomplished the rare feat of selling screenplays in the entertainment industry, an accomplishment he’d like to share with his fellow Sacramentans.

Weinberg lived in Sacramento from 1988 through 1998. A regular on the stages at Garbeau's Dinner Theatre, Sacramento Theatre Company, Theatre El Dorado, Woodland Opera House, and others, Weinberg, along with former American River College theatre arts instructor and director Melanie Smith and Sacramentan Mark Sage, went on to found film production company Generation Next Media, LLC. Since its inception, Generation Next Media has developed a variety of entertainment projects, including documentaries, live action and animated feature films, episodic television, and live theatre.

In 1998 Weinberg and Smith, who are married, moved to Los Angeles, where Weinberg performed in Equity-waiver theatre, got his SAG card, appeared in television, independent films and national commercials, and co-produced movies for Alpine Pictures. He also wrote. Everything from TV pilots to full-length feature films. Now that he’s back, he is eager to communicate what he’s learned about the idiosyncrasies of screenwriting and the ups and downs of the business with local writers.

“One of the first things I noticed after I got back a few months ago,” says Weinberg, “was the amount of people in Sacramento who know how to write. There’s a keen interest here, too, in exploring different styles. I am committed and honored to be a contributing member of the Sacramento writing and film community.”

Screenwriting 101, a three-and-a-half hour workshop, guides students through basic screenplay formatting and structure, plot and character development, how to write great dialogue, and how to get a script seen. It’s a class that is designed to give students an overview of the screenwriting process that will be covered more thoroughly in a follow-up eight-week program.

“If you aren’t able to take the eight-week class,” says Weinberg, “you can still get a solid understanding of what it is to write a screenplay, just from Screenwriting 101. If you are clueless as to how to begin, once you’ve taken the class you’ll not only have a clue, you’ll have a good head start. And for someone with a little more experience--for someone who’s looking for that next step to take in his or her writing process--this class will reveal some of the unwritten rules that are so necessary to know before you dive into the Hollywood arena, the rules that the vast majority of hopeful screenwriters know nothing about.”

Students agree. As Marsha Briggs of Roseville says, “This is a fantastic class! I’ve never had so much fun learning so much. The hours went by way too fast!”

Some students who take Screenwriting 101 are just curious about the process of writing a script for film. Others have had an idea inside them for some time that has been aching to get out. Linda Middlesworth of Curtis Park is one of the latter. A local expert on plant-based diets and an advocate for the humane treatment of animals, Middlesworth has wanted to write and produce a film about these subjects for years. Screenwriting 101 gave her the answers--and the focus--that she needed. “I loved finding out how to structure a screenplay, and how to make characters come alive. I also got tips on how to help my screenplay get seen.”

The “getting it seen” aspect is huge in screenwriting. It’s a two-part process: first you write the script, and then you work to get it into the hands of the people who can make the film. As Weinberg says, “Unlike a novel, the writing of a screenplay is precipitously dependent upon others. The goal for every screenplay is to ultimately become a movie. The script, as a piece of art, cannot, stand alone.”

And although neither Screenwriting 101 nor the follow-up program is entirely devoted to getting the script seen, this aspect is an inherent part of both classes. Students are learning how to write a “spec script”--an unsolicited screenplay that’s dependent upon the blessings of a network or film company story analyst to move it up the ladder towards production. And if you want the story analyst to like it, the screenplay has to be written in a certain way.

“Format is crucial,” Weinberg explains. “Story analysts can smell amateur writing in the first half-page of a screenplay. They read so many bad scripts, just having yours look right, having it follow basic formatting rules, will ensure that the analyst gets through the first ten pages. Then the pull of your story will take over.”

The next step after Screenwriting 101 is to register for the follow-up class, in which students produce that ninety-to-one-hundred-ten page screenplay at the end of eight weeks of production.

Kristen Mackey of Roseville did just that. She took Screenwriting 101, and is hard at work on her screenplay in the follow-up class. “Screenwriting 101 gave me so much insight,” Mackey says, “especially in how much I had to learn. But it also gave me a place to start! Now that I’m in the second class, I’ve gotten the direction and encouragement in my writing that I needed. I’m looking at the movie industry in a whole new light.”

Screenwriting 101 will be offered on Saturday, July 17th at the Tangent Art Gallery at 2904 Franklin Blvd in Sacramento. The Tangent Art Gallery is adjacent to Coffee Garden in Curtis Park, which allows student writers the opportunity to enliven their brains with caffeine and their souls with fine art as they learn the craft and business of screenwriting.

To register for Screenwriting 101, or for more information, contact Gary Weinberg of Generation Next Media at (818) 458-6637 or at cpmaurice@hotmail.com. To visit Generation Next Media, LLC, go to www.GenerationNextMedia.org.

History, Railroad & Movie Buffs Unite!

2010-06-25T21:16:41Z

Light, Camera, Action!

The California State Railroad Museum is set to debut a visually appealing exhibit titled “Rails and Reels: Hollywood, Trains and the Making of Motion Pictures” on Friday, July 2, 2010. The upcoming exhibit will feature a variety of railroad-related artifacts, such as scale models of train cars used for special effect crash scenes in the 1939 epic Union Pacific, a full-size smokestack and headlamp used to “backdate” steam locomotives to represent the “old west,” and station signs used in movies, including “High Noon”; a costume from the 1979 television movie Orphan Train; plus sheet music, movie posters, lobby cards, original film scripts, and other Hollywood-themed promotional items from railroad related films dating from the early 1900s.

The focus of the exhibit is to demonstrate how railroads have played an important role in television and film productions since the very early days of Hollywood, and how they continue to play starring roles in today’s increasingly “virtual” productions. In the early days of motion pictures America was fascinated with westerns, and locomotives often starred alongside leading actors and actresses such as Gary Cooper, Grace Kelley and Paul Newman. Eventually, westerns gave way to different popular culture genres such as science fiction productions and today’s action-packed thrillers, many of which continue to incorporate locomotives into their scenes and backdrops.

The opening of this new exhibit in Old Sacramento is timed to coincide with the completed restoration of the 1891-vintage steam locomotive Sierra No. 3 at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California. A star in its own right, Sierra No. 3 (also known as the “Movie Star Locomotive”) has appeared in more than 100 Hollywood movie and television productions. Some of the films No. 3 starred in will be chronicled in the “Rails and Reels” exhibit at the Museum.

Located in the Railroad Museum’s Mezzanine Gallery, the special exhibit will continue through May 31, 2011.

Resurrecting Classic Cinema In Downtown Roseville.√

2010-06-07T19:44:56Z

If you live anywhere near the Roseville area then you know that not only this town, but this entire region shuts down around 7 o'clock. For year's your evening "hang out" choices consisted of A) Denny's, B) Mel's, C) the random bar or D) your own living room. Residents of this area seem to be forever relegated to driving all the way Downtown Sac for some type of nightlife that isn't the above mentioned choices. That is, until now.

Recently, a ragtag group of people under the leadership of Hector Marquez (A local filmmaker native to Roseville) have decided to start screening classic films in Roseville's iconic Tower Theater (not to be confused with Downtown Sacramento's Tower Theater). They call it Mystic Cinema. "Our goal is not to create yet another place where movies are shown in this area," said Marquez. "We have plenty of those. Rather, we want to give culture and community a place to form and grow. We live here and work here and know how boring it gets at night. We wanted to make a place that we would want to hang out at ourselves. We love old movies and we love the old style of the Downtown Vernon strip so we decided to start there."

And start they did with a big party and one of Hollywoods most venerated films. The screening of the indomitable "Casablanca was a tremendous success!" Marquez said. "More than half of the attendees dressed up in 1940's cocktail party garb. We had authentic Moroccan food catered that night by Jaye's Catering, a red carpet and even a period fashion show put on by Image Provocateur and The Boho Boutique. We're not just interested in making a name for ourselves, we want everyone to benefit from this, local businesses and patrons alike."

It has been that kind of inclusive attitude which has, in two short months, brought a number of diverse and unique businesses together to build something that has, as of yet, not been seen in this area. From the NCCSA (a national non-profit which works to protect children from violent crimes and abuse), to the Sac City Roller's (our very own local Roller Derby league), to various local businesses large and small, they all seem to be catching the fever.

If your a business owner, "we're not interested in simply selling you a slide, cashing your check and calling it a day. We want partners who have a greater vision for what this downtown area could and honestly should be." Said Marquez. For example, a local print shop, Copy Depot has come on board to help with print materials. Edwins, a local coffee shop, has come out and provided gourmet french press coffee to patrons during the shows. The Sac City Roller's have sent out a bunch of their girls to the shows and not only added to the vibe but also gave away some free tickets to their upcoming bouts. Local restaurants like MCYG Elite Celebrations and the soon to open Italian Restaurant "The Place" have also gotten on board by selling meals at the theater before and during the shows. Even local pubs like the Owel Club have gotten on board by hosting after parties for a number of the shows.

"It's so much more than just movies on the big screen" said Marquez. Every show starts off with a personal introduction to the movie by an MC for the evening. The MC then hands out random prizes from the various business partners to people in the audience. "My favorite prize to award is for the person who is best dressed for that evenings event. We really get a kick out of having the audience cheer for the individual they want to win."

Currently Mystic Cinema is open two days a month and screens four movies. One of those days consists of a 2pm matinee show, a 7pm show that is geared towards families, and a 10pm show for the late night crowds. They also have a midnight show on an entirely different day that caters to the local insomniac crowd.

Upcoming Movie Dates and Times are as such:
-June 18th:
   -2pm: Ben-Hur ($5)
   -7pm: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory ($7)
   -10pm: Ben-Hur ($7)
-June 25th:
  -Midnight: Blazing Saddles ($8)

Kid's are always $5. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit their website at mysticcinema.com, or talk to them on facebook.

'Repo!' shadowcast draws the attention of the film's creator

2010-05-25T05:07:47Z

Repo! The Genetic Opera is a feature film released in late 2008 that is challenging to categorize, although it calls itself a “goth opera.” It features classic horror movie staples such as blood, guts, and murder, but it also holds fast to classical roots by being sung from nearly beginning to end in the style of a true opera.

The Amber’s Sweets crew is a group of artists who get together to reenact the film while it is simultaneously projected onto the wall in a theatrical event called a shadowcast . The Sweets’ third shadowcast performance of Repo! took place at the Colonial Theatre Saturday. Although it was only the third time the cast performed the entire production live at the theater, it seemed as though they had been doing it for years.

The Sweets shadowcast has been steadily gaining popularity, and their last performance garnered the attention of one of the film’s creators, Darren Smith, who performed songs from the movie along with his wife.

This time around, the cast was lucky enough to have the film’s other creator, Terrance Zdunich, who also plays the character Graverobber in the movie, in attendance as a spectator.

“[Having Zdunich in the audience] doesn’t really pressure us so much as give us a goal,” said Jessalyn San Gregorio, who plays Amber Sweet. “It’s like we have a creator here, so let’s do our best to impress him.”

“We’re pretty awesome in and of ourselves, so I think [Zdunich will] be happy,” cast member Caitlin Miller said. “He’s seen us before, but we’ve done a lot of fine tuning, so what he saw before was like the rough draft of the rough draft. So I’m really excited that he’s going to be here.”

New additions to the performance included previews of coming attractions. There was a commercial promoting the upcoming Trash Film Orgy, which will be held at the Crest Theatre in the coming months.

There was also a promo for Callson Manor, a new haunted house attraction. Finally, a commercial parodying the old-time happy jingle snack bar cartoons received a lot of laughs when it was transformed into a death metal anthem about how not to behave during a movie.

The audience was treated to a sneak peak of one of Zdunich’s latest film projects, a short “tutorial” about how to create art called “How to Draw a Straight Line.” It instructs viewers on how to overcome the difficulties of crafting such an important piece of art.

As usual, the film’s reenactment featured plenty of gore and special effects, but the most extreme case was the monstrous spray of blood when a character was shot in the head.

“I think that at the beginning when the doctor got shot by one of the hench girls, blood actually splattered on me and my buddy," Zdunich said. "I wasn’t expecting that. They actually had a more powerful spray than what we used in the film. I’m not sure how safe what they were doing was, but it f***in’ rocked.”

Not only did the special effects improve, but the props and audience participation were over the top. The jeers and catcalls were bawdy at the last show, but at this show they were even raunchier. The “splash zone” was extended to the entire theater since characters threw bloody body parts such as hearts and guts not only on the people seated in the front rows, but those in the back as well. Nobody was safe from getting messy.

“I love the crowd’s reaction,” said Justin Boeser, who plays Rotti Largo. “It’s one of my favorite things to hear in theater. It’s something I’ve loved doing since I was a little kid. I’ve always loved hearing cheers and screams.”

It was not hard to tell that the cast had been rehearsing plenty. None of the actors ever missed a cue and the entire show flowed smoothly, even when the aisles were filled with half-nude dancing extras.

“I’m most excited about the fact that I think we have the best energy that we’ve had amongst our cast since the beginning of this," director Ashley Porciuncula said. "I know for a fact that we are going to bring the audience something unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.”

The production value of the show increased tenfold since the first show late last year. Costumes improved, lighting and sound were perfected and the backdrops and scenery were very realistic.

“We’ve gotten better at things,” said Miller, who portrays Shilo Wallace. “More money means more props and more accuracy. We’ve figured out how to fix problems, added more stuff. [The show has] evolved a lot.”

“In the beginning we had a lot of problems with props and costumes and whatnot, but we managed," said Dani Fontana, who plays Graverobber. "Now we keep putting better things in it and it just makes it fantastic. We sold out at the last show and we weren’t expecting that.”

What does the future hold for the Ambers Sweets Repo! crew? They seem to be working on getting other big-name artists starring in the film to their performances. With stars like Paris Hilton, Bill Moseley and Nivek Ogre of the band Skinny Puppy in the film, it’s open to debate who will be next to make an appearance.

“There are definitely big names in the works," Porciuncula said. "I would advise you to check the website amberssweets.com on a regular basis to find out more information as we receive it.”

Following the performance, Zdunich stuck around in the lobby to sign autographs and take photos with fans. He also gave fans the opportunity to purchase his new comic series, The Molting.

“People ask me a lot if I’m sick of [the Repo! popularity] yet, and the answer is no,” Zdunich said. “I think that the fact that it’s living, breathing art, makes every time I see it different. I actually don’t even like watching the film just as a film because I’m so self-conscious. I feel like, ‘Oh, I could’ve done this different. I should’ve done that different. Oh God, that’s me.’ So watching it with the shadowcast, it’s like a totally different experience. It’s like live bastard theater and that’s what we sought out to do in the first place. And the fact that it’s happening, even without our blessing, is badass. I hope it never stops.”

Photographs by Lost Road Entertainment and Peek Media

2 Emmy Wins for Local Television Personality Mark S. Allen

2010-05-17T03:17:45Z

Local television personality Mark S. Allen got his start in radio in the 80's on local station FM 102.5. He then went on to serve as producer/host of a segment called "Dateless and Desperate" on an Emmy award winning nationally syndicated teen show called "Scratch" '90-'94, and hosted "Short Attention Span Theater" '92-94 on Comedy Central (following John Stewart, and before Mark Marin).

After twelve years as Entertainment Reporter and Co-Host of CW 31's Good Day Sacramento, Mr. Allen has certainly made his "Mark" in Sacramento after taking home two (2) Emmy's for his show "Mark at the Movies" to which he serves as Host and Executive Producer. Emmy's were presented at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences ceremony held Saturday in San Francisco.

In additon to his Emmy wins, "Mark at the Movies" ran nationally for the first time Saturday after being picked up by the REELZ network.

You can catch Mark weekdays on Good Day Sacramento and weekends on "Mark at the Movies" both on CW31.

We here in Sacramento are proud of you Mark and celebrate your achievements along with you.

Sac French Film Festival Premieres "Le Couperet"

2010-05-01T03:01:20Z

The Sacramento French Film Festival sponsored a special screening of "Le Couperet" at the Crest Theatre on Thursday. The premiere was a precursor to the 9th Sacramento French Film Festival, June 18-27. "Le Couperet," a social-political thriller and dark comedy, introduced audiences to a new meaning of “survival of the fittest” in the job market.

Jose Garcia stars as Bruno Davert, a middle-aged paper chemist who’s been forced into unemployment by the merger of his company. Unable to find work, he resorts to extreme measures to eliminate the competition in his specialized field. His rationale is that it will increase his chances of securing employment with the only leading company left in the city.

Director Costa Gavras expertly underscores social, political and economic themes with this clever film adaptation of a novel by Donald E. Westlake. Costa Gavras deftly uses this medium to make a bold and effective statement about issues such as outsourcing jobs, corporate downsizing and immigration. Other subjects explored in the film include green energy and recycling, white-collar crime, gender in the workplace, self-purpose and identity.

Although the film is set in Europe and debuted in 2005, well before the economic downturn of this nation, one can’t help but feel that art is now mimicking reality.

Kevin Elstob, French professor at California State University, Sacramento, led the after-film discussion. He referred to this genre as “social fiction” that sets up something that’s not necessarily real but is based in reality.

“Costa Gavras is known for presenting strong social messages in his films,” Elstob said. “With a diverse cast in this film, you get a sense that there are no borders anymore in Europe, there’s an influx of jobs for immigrants … and there’s a much bigger and ambiguous space in how it’s affecting the rest of the country.”

"Le Couperet" challenges viewers to ask, What would happen if people eliminated their competitors because of a steep increase in unemployment? What if they got rid of them because of a job shortage that resulted from outsourcing jobs to foreigners?

The film provides great social commentary and inspires conversation. Audiences will compare the current economic problems of the United States to those depicted in the film.

Elstob pointed out that the novel on which "Le Couperet" is based, The Ax, was set in New England.

Costa Gavras maintains the integrity of the novel's message despite moving the action to France and Belgium. It will make audiences ask themselves whether the ends justify the means. Is the answer affirmative when there is someone more ambitious and cutthroat waiting to oust you from your job?

Complimentary champagne and cake capped off the event, an excellent ending to an evening of French cinema.

Hubble 3D awes at IMAX

2010-04-26T02:47:48Z

3D movies - once rare, now increasingly common for big blockbusters - used to be one of IMAX theatres' main claims to fame. That is no longer the case, as mainstream movie theatres adjust to the desire of audiences to see recent films like "Alice in Wonderland" and "Avatar" (both of which also played IMAX theatres) in 3D.

But IMAX theatres will keep their edge as long as they keep showing films like "Hubble 3D", which opened Friday at the Esquire IMAX in downtown Sacramento. Wow.

The 43-minute film, shot with IMAX large-format cameras in earth orbit and through the Hubble space telescope's own all-seeing lens, is literally breath-taking.

The were gasps from the audience throughout the film's length, as the enormous 60 foot tall screen displayed some of the many millions of images the recently-repaired Hubble have brought to earth. Everyone has likely seen a few of these images reprinted in news magazines and specialty publications, or online. But seeing them on the all-encompassing IMAX screen, coming at you in 3D as though you were flying at billions of miles an hour through space, is something that no one with any interested in the universe we live in should miss.

Watching the images unfold, my jaw dropped open, it occured to me that no one can claim to be a truly educated person without having seen this remarkable display of images. They expand one's sense of where we are more than any images I've ever seen. The absurdly-overused word "awesome" comes to mind.

"The most important scientific instrument since Galileo’s original telescope" is how the press materials describe the Hubble, and after seeing this film, one has to agree. OK, nuclear reactors, perhaps. The microchip, sure. But if science means discovery and perspective on who and where we are, the Hubble has to leap into the top.

The film is well-designed. It starts with images from the Hubble's telescope after it was first launched nearly two decades ago, but then shifts into the drama of repairing the telescope, with great shots of space walks and nervous repairs of the telescope. The film succumbs to the IMAX tendency to get focussed on scientific process and to look for interesting characters to pull the viewer in, feature film-style. Remember, IMAX films are largely targeted at school groups.

But those sequences are interesting on their own, and the drama surround the Hubble's launch and repair is compelling. In fact, the entire film is completely engrossing. But space! We want to go back there, and soon enough, the short film is back probing the impossible distances the Hubble can see, all the way out to the edge of the universe, as well as all the way back in time to the earliest years of its formation.

When the film gets back to the visions offered by the new, improved Hubble at the film's conclusion - of stars and galaxies being born, dying or just being their enormous, gorgeous selves - one is swept right back up in this utterly mind-bending film, as the IMAX's 3D cameras aid in creating a deep, complex sense of the universe surrounding us.

I hesitate to try to describe these visions, as words really don't communicate what one sees. Several times during the film, my friend and I turned to each other, our comically-large, Elvis Costello-shaped 3D glasses on our faces, our jaws dropped, as one remarkable vision after another appeared.

Dazzling film audiences is a goal in contemporary movie-making, especially now, in the era of 3D multiplex movies. But IMAX's "Hubble 3D" is several steps beyond razzle dazzle into something that will give viewers not just a thrill, but a sense of how grand, complex and impossibly beautiful the universe we live in really is. "Hubble 3D" won't just entertain, or perhaps even "just" educate; it has the potential to expand consciousness, to offer a perspective that we miss entirely in daily life.

Do not miss "Hubble 3D."

The Esquire IMAX Theatre is located at 1211 K Street on downtown Sacramento's K Street Mall next door to the Sacramento Convention Center. To order reserved seats and for information on showtimes, please call 916/443-IMAX or visit the website at www.imax.com/sacramento.

Banff Mountain Film Festival to Davis

2010-04-09T04:51:56Z

I started attending the Banff Mountain Film Festival screenings in Davis in middle school as a way to relate to my hyperactive dad.

I tagged along with him to lots of cool things I didn't fully appreciate. I remember sinking with embarrassment when he whispered loudly at me for texting during a screening of "Touching the Void" at the Crest Theatre. He'd take me to the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Davis, and I'd complain that his old farty mountain friends smelled like body odor.

Secretly, I loved every second. The short films and documentaries are fast-paced, shot in the most exotic corners of the world and feature the most compelling, gutsy and mentally strong individuals. The audience is always engaged and happy. Even the BO has its charms.

I'm not alone in feeling this way. The Banff Mountain Film Festival, born in 1976, took its show on the road 10 years later in its first-ever tour through three Canadian cities. Over the years, demand has compelled festival coordinators to expand the festival's tour schedule to hit more cities in more than 30 countries. Next week, BANFF "Road Warrior" Charla Sharp Tomlinson brings the highly anticipated international tour to Davis High School's Richard M. Brunelle Theater.

"Banff Mountain Film Festival has been coming to Davis for 11 years now" said Rocknasium owner and Banff-emcee, Mark Leffler. "It attracts a big mix of people: college students, families, athletes, regular Davis folk."

The short films and documentaries screened on tour represent a greater selection of mountain sport films screened each year in Banff, Alberta. Leffler previews films, reads feedback, and discusses audience reactions with touring Timberlon to lay out the final Davis program.

He said to expect a good solo climbing film featuring local talent.

He also anticipates the screening of "Take a Seat," a Banff Jury Award winner, about a man's 32,000-kilometer tandem bicycle journey from the north coast of Alaska to the southern tip of South America.

"This guy picks up strangers along the way; it sounds like a quintessentially Banff film" Leffler said.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival in Davis is at 6:30 p.m. April 13 and 14 at Davis High School's Richard M. Brunelle Theater, 315 W. 14th St.

Tickets are $12 and available at the Rocknasium by calling (530) 757-2902.

Got a Story? Learn to Write a Short Script and Make a Movie

2010-03-21T09:51:14Z

ACCESS SACRAMENTO presents
New Scriptwriting Class - PCS 2010
By popular demand, we now offer special a scriptwriting class (three Saturdays, 10am - 2pm) on writing "short form" film scripts. Polish your PCS entry or take the short course to further your film writing skills. Limited enrollment - $50 fee per session. Register in advance at Access Sacramento by calling (916) 456-8600 "0" with a credit card. Need not be an Access Sacramento member or Sacramento County resident to sign-up for this class. Sign-up early - class will fill fast. Matt is in great demand as a script writing teacher. The “Place Called Sacramento” script entry deadline is Monday, April 19th, at noon.

Saturdays - April 3, 10, & 17
10 AM-2 PM Nevada City Room

Coloma Center

The rules of conflict- Dramatic structure and beats- Proper screenplay format -

Creating interesting characters- Writing good dialogue- Mastering the short form

Writing means rewriting- Upping the dramatic stakes- "Eight pages, three acts"

Biography
Matt Perry received an MFA in filmmaking from New York University's graduate school of film and is the author of several screenplays. Formerly the A/V Manager for an Auburn, California multimedia company he now runs his own business and teaches Screenwriting and Film Studies at Cosumnes River College and the Art Institute of Sacramento. He is a devotee of kundalini yoga and running.

Matt Perry, filmmojo@earthlink.net

Sign up in the Access Sacramento Office or at (916) 456-8600

Amber's Sweets 'Repo! The Genetic Opera' shadowcast performance

2010-03-01T04:35:09Z

The second Amber's Sweets Repo! The Genetic Opera shadowcast performance took place Saturday at Sacramento’s historic Colonial Theater. The film was projected onto the stage while actors re-enacted the film using special effects, audience interaction and aerial acrobatics.

However, it was not for the faint of heart or stomach. The movie features scenes of disembowelment, sexual innuendo and nudity, so likewise the shadowcast performance had skimpy clothing, swearing, and blood and guts.

There was also a special performance by the film’s co-creator Darren Smith at the beginning of the set. Smith took the stage with his wife, Nancy, who plays Dead Marni in the film, and sang a medley. He played keyboard while Nancy sang a series of songs that she provided backing vocals for in the film. To finish off their mini-performance, Smith and his wife resurrected a song from one of his older 10-minute operas, “Old Tom’s Bar Room,” called “Folding Three-foot Penis Cards in New York City.” The song told the story of Smith’s struggles as a musician in New York, where he had a job folding massive greeting cards.

As the film's re-enactment began, audience members jeered and called out jokes and crude observations.

Darren Smith said of this behavior, known as "calling out": “This is so much akin to live theater because you have the film as your source material but at the same time people are allowed to do their own thing and I encourage it. Go out, go wild, do things. Sometimes it’s weird because there will be a part in the movie where it’s supposed to be a real sensitive scene, and people will be doing shoutouts and jokes and stuff like that. And it’s kind of like, I’m one of those sick guys who would laugh at a funeral, so to me it’s kind of perfect. I’d probably do the same thing.”

The Amber’s Sweets press release describes the film as “a story set in the not so distant future after an epidemic of organ failures has devastated the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family’s mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera.”

Although there are about 40 shadowcasts of Repo! going on around the country, Smith said of his involvement in the Sacramento chapter, “It’s been fantastic. This is my second time up here. I haven’t seen the whole shadowcast that they’ve done yet, but I was here for the Sacramento Horror Film Fest back in October and that blew me away, just with the couple of scenes that I’d seen … So I’m really excited. And then the other thing is I really click with these guys. They’re some of my favorite people out of the 40 or so shadowcasts throughout the world. So I’m really happy to be up here again.”

The shadowcast performance allowed fans of the film to see their favorite characters brought to life on stage.

Popular characters such as Pavi Largo, played by Tristan Christ, appeared in full costume. From behind his Largo mask, Christ said his favorite scene to re-enact is the “night surgeon” scene because “it shows how messed up Nathan [the Repo Man] really is. He’s trying to hold back, but in reality he can’t because he’s got a job to do … I just love how all of the characters are so violent. They’re enjoying everyone’s death.”

Probably the most beautiful scene is the one in which Blind Mag, played by Camille Niello, hovers in the air and sings an operatic song. She swings midair from a harness while mimicking Blind Mag’s movements.

“The first time [I was suspended in midair] was crazy because I normally don’t like heights at all,” Niello said. “I’m one of those people who climb halfway up a rock wall and freak. But I was totally comfortable with it.”

Even if the movie is a bit unconventional, the actors are like a family. Their attitude toward the project and each other is reflected in the fun atmosphere.

“It’s been a good experience,” said Dani Fontana, who plays Graverobber. “I’m so glad to be in this, to be involved. All of these people are awesome. The actors are all awesome. It’s been a really cool experience.”

The next Amber’s Sweets shadowcast performance of Repo! The Genetic Opera is scheduled in May at the Colonial Theater on Stockton Boulevard. For more information, visit www.amberssweets.com.

Photographs courtesy of Amber's Sweets Website and Ashley Porciuncula

Indie Comics and Indie Movies

2010-02-19T07:52:07Z

Disclaimer: the contributor of this and his wife run Movies on a Big Screen, Sacramento’s weekly screening series of documentaries, general independent film, classics and cult titles. The following is blatant self-promotion of a MOBS event.

On Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 7:30 PM, Movies on a Big Screen will be presenting the documentary, Independents: A Guide to the Creative Spirit and director Chris Brandt will be in attendance for a Q&A. Additionally, local comic book artists, along with local artist, Skinner (who’s short film will also be shown) are scheduled to be there. See the end of this "article" for the full line-up of who's currently scheduled. This will all take place at The Guild Theater, 2828 35th St, Sacramento, and admission is $5.00.

About the documentary, Independents:

Why does one choose to become an "artist?" What makes an artist "independent?" Where do they get their ideas? Twenty-four respected creators unveil the secrets of the artistic mind, by talking about their favorite medium, the lowest of the low-brow arts: comic books.

From cave paintings dating back 35,000 years to the graphic novels of today, sequential images have been used to tell magically influential stories. In examining an art form that has, until recently, not been accepted as "art", and discovering what it is these passionate creators find appealing about comic books, a bright light is shed on ALL independent creators, whether they work in graphic novels, film, music, or basket weaving.

And look at this list of who's featured in the film: Jessica Abel (ArtBabe; Life Sucks); Trevor Alixopulos (Quagga); Scott Allie (Sr Managing Editor, Dark Horse Comics); Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Heavy Metal); Gary Groth (co-founder, Fantagraphics; Editor-in-Chief, Comics Journal); Eric Jones (Super Scary Monster Stories); Keith Knight (K Chronicles; (Th)ink); Erik Larsen (co-founder, Image Comics; Savage Dragon); Batton Lash (Supernatural Law); Scott McCloud (Zot!; Understanding Comics); Carla Speed McNeil (Finder); Linda Medley (Castle Waiting); Tony Millionaire (Maakies); Scott Mills (Space Devil); Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise; Echo); Wendy Pini (ElfQuest); Eric Powell (The Goon); Johnny Ryan (Angry Youth Comics); James Sime (Isotope Comics in San Francisco); Craig Thompson (Blankets); Dan Vado (Slave Labor Graphics); Landry Walker (Super Scary Monster Stories; Batman: Brave and the Bold); Brett Warnock (Top Shelf Productions); Mike Wellman (Z-Blade; Gone South; Mac Afro); Shannon Wheeler (Too Much Coffee Man); Robert Williams (Zap!; Juxtapoz); and Jim Woodring (Jim; Frank). Whew!

We also are planning on showing the short music video, Hell Dream, featuring the art of local artist Skinner, whose work has been shown in galleries around the US.

Here's who's currently scheduled to be there, in addition to filmmaker Chris Brandt:

Skinner: Take fantasies of pop culture, cartoon & comic book land, twist them into a subconscious horror-surrealism of lurking wizards, evil unicorns, horror films, Dungeons & Dragons and other wild and hallucinatory visions and you get the art of Skinner. http://www.theartofskinner.com

Ben Schwartz - Founder of ECV press, a Sacramento based comic book company who produces the comic books The Continuum, The Hunters, Relic & Ego, Triad, and Little Kori in Komaland. http://www.ecvpress.com

Paul Allen - Artist & Co-Writer of the horror/comedy comic book BrAiNs. He's also available for commissions of disturbing images. http://www.myspace.com/brainscomic

Anthony Leano - Co-writer of BrAiNs and founder of the From The Land Beyond, Horror & Sci Fi Show and Indy Euphoria- Indy Comix, DIY & Vinyl Toy Convention. http://www.sacramentocomics.com/indy

Stephen R. Buell - Buell is currently working on the sci-fi thriller comic titled Alien Echo, a punk rock homage to They Live, a comic titled American Juice and a comic about a virus that effects super-humans titled Elephant Cage. He previously illustrated the graphic novel, Fragile Prophet, which was named Best Independent Comic of 2006 by Ain't It Cool News. http://www.stephenrbuell.com

Mike Hampton - Artist/writer of Hot Zombie Chicks, Captain A-Hole, and Zodiac Killers. Mike is known to draw caricatures of attendees as zombies for commission. http://www.916halo.com

Sunday, February 21, 2010
7:30 PM
Admission: $5.00
Movies on a Big Screen at The Guild
2828 35th St, Sacramento, CA

http://www.moviesonabigscreen.com
http://www.facebook.com/moviesonabigscreen

Crazy Heart

2010-01-24T19:42:03Z

The sun was finally making a comeback in Sacto. My girl and I decided we wanted to see a movie, so we went to the Tower Theater. First, we walked around the Old Land Park neighborhood to soak up a little sun and outdoors, then went to the movie.

Crazy Heart is a story about a country singer who has come to a point in his life where change is coming, but he doesn't want it, at first. Jeff Bridges is Bad Blake, and he was once a popular country star, but now he drives his old GMC across the Southwest, playing in bowling alleys and honky tonk bars. I was at once reminded of a country singer I knew as a kid in Sacramento when I played the drums in my garage that looked out at a gravel road. This singer was the father of one of our band members, and I admired him since he lived the music and road life. He taught me a lot about performing music. Bad Blake also lives the road life, but he downs tequila and bourbon regularly and sometimes has to exit the stage to purge outside in a trash can. He can sing the cowboy blues, though, and he can write songs that can move you emotionally.

Then comes a young, pretty journalist who writes for the Santa Fe local. Played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, her name slips my mind now, but the character is a strong presence. If you can get past the fantasy of a pretty young woman interested in an alcoholic 50 something year old man, she and Jeff Bridges become a couple. The pretty young journalist has a young boy, and she at first is intersted in interviewing Mr. Bad Blake and learning about his life as a country singer. The pair drinking whiskey on Bad's motel bed is set on fire by Bad's line "I was just thinking how much you make this room look bad". The deal is clinched, and forgive the innuendo.

Bad Blake's career is in the shadows, but then a one time protege of his comes along and offers him an appearance at a 12,000 seat theater as an opening act. First he doesn't want it, but Bad finally goes and takes his grumpy old man who can sing and play act on the stage and the scene is really a burst of life for him. He and the journalist are in love, and her young boy loves Bad. Everything seems to be turning around for Bad, and then comes an accident in the high desert when he falls asleep at the wheel, thankfully alone. Alive but injured, a doctor reveals to us an Bad that he is in bad shape without the injuries, alcoholic, emphysema, and walking a thin line. Bad knows and conveys this by his attempts to reach into his past and fix things and to reach out in the present and value love and relationships. But of course, he frumps it up. Some more scary and tragic events follow, he loses the girl, gets sober, and finds his niche in the music world. Mr. Blake can take it and get up and give some more.

Jeff Bridges did a great job as Bad Blake, and did his own singing. Maggie Gyllenhaal is truly magnetic as the pretty young journalist, and Robert Duvall plays Bad's good friend who supports him through the storm. A great story, with some good music. I give this movie five looksees out of five. A looksee is, well, a look and see recommendation. Playing at the Tower.

Later.

Topical Bi-Racial Film Script gets Reading in Sacramento

2010-01-14T19:01:58Z

Wagner Media Group presents a reading of its latest film project, For the Love of Ivy, Sunday, January 17th at the Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento at 2 pm. For the Love of Ivy is a bi-racial love story, told in flashbacks, that begins a few days prior to the arrest of Rosa Parks, on December 1st, 1955. The central character, Ivy, is a young black maid who has impressed Tyler Madison and his wife June, who have just moved to a small Southern town from the more liberal North.

Author John Wagner has made his story very topical by framing it with scenes of President Obama being sworn into office in the beginning and the end. We see Ivy as an elderly woman who can’t believe what she’s seeing. The rest of the script makes one realize why she feels this way.

After his wife dies unexpectedly in childbirth, Madison helps Ivy learn to read and write, and, in the process falls in love with her. Their relationship becomes sexual.....and dangerous......since sleeping with a "colored" woman was against the law in most of the Southern states then.

Word leaks out to the residents of their small town, creating a firestorm of disgust and hatred. Eventually, Tyler and an unlikely ally, find justice for Ivy, who has nearly recovered from a life-threatening assault. Finally, Ivy asks Tyler to come with her to Montgomery, Ala., to "meet this Rosa Parks".

Wagner has assembled an experience cast of local actors for this project including film actors like Bonnie Antonini who appeared in the TV show Trauma as Nurse Rodgers. Other local actors include Raul Bustamante, Charmaine Jackson, Gary Agid, Mark Hoffman, Kelley Ogden, Mark Halverson and Ann Tracy.

“I’ve found that African American actresses are often overlooked for their talent”, Wagner said when asked about writing For the Love of Ivy. “These women have a unique ability to provide compelling performances on screen. I also tapped into the local African American community by working with Suzanne Brooks (http://www.naymz.com/suzanne_brooks_1836150). I plan to produce this with the financial assistance of several investors who I’m not at liberty to name just yet.”

Wagner is no stranger to film, having been an independent film producer since 1992. His feature-length films include The Gourmet 1998, The Cheapest Movie 2000 (which premiered at the Crest) and The Mafia Chronicles 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPY-jzTtc7E). He has worked as a writer, director, on-line digital editor, director of photography, casting director and occasional actor

He has been a commercial photographer in the Sacramento area since 1970, including a stint as staff photographer for Sacramento Theatre Company for several years. His photographs have appeared in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento Spotlight Magazine The Sacramento Bee and Theatre Craft Magazine. For more information, contact John Wagner (916) 256-5558 fortheloveofivy@yahoo.com

Lights, Camera, Action!

2009-12-19T01:17:31Z

Sacramento turned into the new Hollywood this week. At several locations scattered throughout the downtown area, Deon Taylor Enterprises has been busy filming their next big-budget comedy/thriller movie.

The crew spent two nights filming on K Street around the 2300 block and scattered along J Street. The last day of filming, December 17, wrapped in the industrial warehouse district off Richards Boulevard.

“As a filmmaker, when I write the scripts, I know where I can get a certain look at,” said director, writer and producer Deon Taylor, a Sacramento resident. “If I want water, I know the Delta is close by. For a colder, darker feel, I come to Richards Boulevard.”

This is the fourth movie produced by Deon Taylor Enterprises in the Sacramento area. Their last movie, Hustle, also featured actor David Faustino.

“Sacramento is a great city," Faustino said. "I try to see as much as possible when I'm here, but the filming schedule makes it difficult. I love the food here, though."

The production has a crew of 35, most from the Sacramento area. Enough local residents have been trained throughout the filming of the previous movies to limit the amount of outside help needed from places like Los Angeles. Deon Taylor Enterprises also trains at-risk teens in the movie industry in jobs such as gaffer and grip. The teens are all local to the Sacramento region.

“This gives the teens a skill, a marketable skill," Taylor said. "No one cares about your background here. You are looked and judged for how well you can do your trade.”

The program to train at-risk teens has been running for two years. By Taylor's estimates, over 10 teens have learned a trade and are now employed in the film industry.

Taylor has already written the script to his next movie. It, too, will have primary shooting location scattered throughout the Sacramento region. Taylor plans on employing close to 100 locals in various positions such as crew, catering, grips and extras.

The next step for the movie is post-production. Sound effects and voice-overs will be recorded before release. The movie is scheduled to be released late next year.

A week of "El Santo" films at La Raza Galeria Posada

2009-10-26T07:12:08Z

Rodolfo Huerta, lucha libre wrestler and one of Mexico's most beloved film icons, is known as El Santo, or "The Saint." What's surprising though, is that the masked wrestler-cum-actor lived up to his exalted moniker on and off the screen.

El Santo "saved" the Mexican film industry as it was on its deathbed, creating films that drew patrons back to the big screens, said Fred Dobb, film curator at La Raza Galeria Posada. When El Santo died in 1984 at the age of 66, thousands watched as the famous actor/wrestler was buried in his signature silver mask.

For one week, starting Monday, La Raza Galeria Posada will show an El Santo film every night. The free series is sponsored by the Consulate General of Mexico.

El Santo was a poor child and sacrificed to get into wrestling, Dobb said. After his career took off, he was turned into a comic book hero, then became a film superstar.

Dobb described the familiar plot of El Santo's 50-plus films: The good guy, El Santo would fight a number of enemies, which included monsters, vampires, werewolves, martians, evil geniuses and Nazis.

"These films are unique in that they combine genres (such as) sci-fi, horror, action, adventure and wrestling," Dobb added. "His first film was in the early '50s, during the end of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema."

"Lucha libre is next to soccer and before bullfighting (in significance) in the cultural psyche of Mexico," said Michael Collett, the gallery's education manager and photographer. "It has elements of prime-time soap operas and WWF."

Although entry, popcorn, beer and wine are free, donations are welcome. Films begin at 7 p.m. at La Raza Galeria Posada, 1022 22nd St. On Thursday, Dobb will speak about El Santo's life and legacy.

The films are:

Monday: Anónimo Mortal (Anonymous Mortal), not subtitled

Tuesday: Santo y Blue Demon en la Atlántida (Santo and Blue Demon in Atlantis), subtitled

Wednesday: Santo vs. Las Lobas (Good vs. The Wolf), subtitled

Thursday: Santo en el Museo de Cera (Ghost in the Wax Museum), subtitled

Friday: Santo y Blue Demon vs. Los Monstruos (Santo and Blue Demon vs. The Monsters), not subtitled

If that's not enough lucha libre films, on Halloween the gallery will show Revolucha, a 2007 documentary about a lucha libre match in Detroit. It stars El Hijo del Santo, the only one of El Santo's 11 children who became a professional wrestler. Costumes are suggested.

Sierra Snowboard hosts Forum’s “Forever” movie premiere October 24

2009-10-22T19:05:24Z

Free Sugar Bowl lift ticket and the chance to meet Forum Snowboards Pro Team Riders included in $10 ticket price.

With a dusting of snow in the mountains around Lake Tahoe already and the promise of an El Niño-fueled season on the way, Sierra Snowboard is celebrating the start of winter with an anniversary sale Oct. 24-25, and the Sacramento-area premiere of Forum Snowboarding’s latest release, “Forum Forever” on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

Riders and skiers looking to gear up for the 2009-10 season will want to arrive early for Sierra Snowboard’s anniversary sale Oct. 24-25, as the first 100 shoppers in the door each day will receive a free Core Card from Sugar Bowl Resort — good for one free 2009-10 lift ticket as well as discounted tickets all season. In addition, every shopper will get 20 percent off the new 2010 snowboard and ski gear in stock now at Sierra Snowboard.

Looking to get even more stoked? Get your tickets now for the Forum “Forever” movie premiere, hosted by Sierra Snowboard, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The first 800 people in the door at the premiere will receive a free lift ticket to Sugar Bowl (limit one lift ticket per person), as well as a chance to meet the Forum Snowboards Pro Team riders.

Tickets to the Forum’s “Forever” premiere are $10, and are only available at the Sierra Snowboard store (5400 Date Avenue, Sacramento, Calif.). The premiere will be presented at the Holiday Inn next door to Sierra Snowboard (5321 Date Avenue, Sacramento). Check out The Board Room forum within the SierraSnowboard.com community forums at Sierrasnowboard.com/forum for more information about the premiere.

Forum’s “Forever” is the sixth Forum team movie, and features riders such as Pat Moore, Joni Malmi, Eddie Wall, Peter Line, Nic Sauve and John Jackson. With a solid soundtrack and a nice mix of everything from backcountry freestyle to urban jibbing and a closing segment with enough powder to get everyone amped for winter, rumors have it that “Forever” could be a contender for video of the year awards. Watch the trailer online at http://vimeo.com/4430792.

Founded in 2004, Sierra Snowboard is a progressive snowboard company and online community. With over 130,000 online community members, Sierrasnowboard.com has the most widely used product reviews and forums on the web. We carry only the best brands such as Burton Snowboards, Lib Tech & Forum. We have the most deeply discounted snowboard sales, offering cheap snowboards to riders around the world. Visit us daily at www.sierrasnowboard.com, or for more information call (800) 401-1751, or stop by the store at 5400 Date Avenue, Sacramento, California.

Zombieland Will Chew on Your Funny Bone

2009-10-08T00:57:25Z

Zombie films work on one basic principle: catharsis. The unbridled joy of putting oneself in the blood-caked boots of the movies' protagonists as they discover new and creative ways to bring the walking dead to a satisfyingly gruesome demise is what has kept the genre (ahem) alive since George Romero first applied makeup to severely underpaid extras in 1968's "Night of the Living Dead." With "Shaun of the Dead" a few years ago, undead flicks got an unsolicited but hilarious reanimation by mixing slapstick comedy into the genre's already darkly humorous styling.

Enter "Zombieland." Though a zombie comedy (now a bonafide subgenre with its own portmanteau: zomcom) like its British counterpart, that's where most comparisons end. "Zombieland" is the young, hip, wisecracking hotshot to "Shaun of the Dead's" intellectual, mature take on Z-Day. A thinking man's comedy "Zombieland" is not. What it is, however, is the unexpected feel-good film of the year.

Ruben Fleischer finally makes the next step from directing music videos for the lies of Kanye West and M.I.A. in his feature film directorial debut here, and while the requisite jitters aren't completely absent, he takes chances few in his place would have the confidence to take, bucking numerous trends in the name of comedy.

"Zombieland" begins by planting the viewer firmly in the action. No eerie establishing scene or character introduction at the outset means instant transportation straight to the core. Our protagonist, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), narrates us through a crash course in the beginning of the end of days, and after that it's back to the plot and problems at hand.

A running gag from the opening scene is a set of rules compiled by Columbus to help him and anyone watching survive in a world inhabited by ravenous brain munchers. The rules are presented on-screen throughout the film in similar style to that of the recent Volkswagen ads, with the words hanging from different objects as the characters pass by and continue with the action unabated by the cues.

Seemingly, the purpose of this breaking of the forth wall is an attempt for the movie to completely ignore another zombie film convention: suspension of disbelief.

"Zombieland" knows it's a movie, and it wants its audience to know that it knows. Had this been a darker film like some heavier handed fare ("28 Days Later" and its sequel), the device wouldn't work at all and would serve to remove the viewer from the tension present. Instead, this makes the whole presentation a high-fiving romp through an otherwise desolate world. Parts even feel like a video game, which is a compliment in this case, as opposed to past fodder like "Doom."

Shortly after the introduction, Columbus crosses paths with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), his devil-may-care foil. Harrelson was made for his oneliner-dropping, natural born zombie killer role. He not only gets some of the biggest laughs, but his character also relishes every chance he gets to crush skulls, resulting in some truly vicious action sequences.

Not long after Columbus and Tallahassee meet, we are introduced to two decidedly gun-loving sisters, Wichita (Emma Stone) and the younger Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). By now, the pattern of naming has become apparent. Each character is signified by his or her hometown, as opposed to a real name, for the purpose of not getting too attached to one another in the event someone gets a nice helping of flesh gnawed from his or her bones during the adventure.

Each of the characters is given time for enough backstory to make them relatable, but not too much to slow the film down. The group eventually forms a family of sorts, despite the girls' trust issues that enable them to take advantage of Columbus and Tallahassee's misguided views on women in the apocalypse. Wichita and Little Rock score just as many kills as the boys, and the comedic effect of a preteen girl who won hearts in "Little Miss Sunshine" just three years ago now wielding a rifle with deadly accuracy against throngs of rabid moving heaps of putrescence is completely delivered on.

As for our lovable, rotting villains, they are strictly of the new-school style of zombies. No longer content to simply shuffle along haplessly in search of their next meal, these undead are smarter than your average flesh hunter. They not only run, but also are capable of ambushing the survivors at their most vulnerable, quite literally catching people with their pants down, which leads to Columbus' wariness of restrooms and backseats.

Above all the drama of most recent films in the genre, fun is the name of the game in "Zombieland." A cameo halfway through the movie featuring a legendary comedic actor is the best surprise since Tom Cruise's role in "Tropic Thunder." Other reviewers have given his identity, but we'll leave it a secret for full effect.

If "Zombieland" has any shortcoming, it's that the film is too short. The old saying is "Always leave them wanting more" and the 81-minute run-time will leave many viewers clamoring for another scene of lighthearted but no less visceral mayhem. But then again, who doesn't want to further explore the fine art of undead destruction?

Escapism is "Zombieland"'s gift to moviegoers. In a year with no clear Oscar contender, it's refreshing to see a film sidestep the fray and go for sheer entertainment before the heavies come in to make us exercise the very same grey matter those pesky living dead crave so much.

8/10

Crocker Presents Soaring Voices Film Festival October 17

2009-10-06T00:05:24Z

This fall the Crocker Art Museum will host a daylong festival of contemporary films by female directors exploring the roles of Japanese and Japanese American women. Held to coincide with the Crocker’s exhibit of contemporary ceramics by Japanese women, Soaring Voices, the festival will include four film screenings at the Guild Theater, located at 2828 35th Street, on Saturday, October 17. Local filmmakers, artists and scholars will introduce and offer insight on each film.

“Soaring Voices tells the story of Japanese women breaking into the male-only ceramic world, and these films expand on that story by looking at the position of women in Japanese society as a whole,” commented Christian Adame, manager of life-long learning at the Crocker Art Museum.

The festival will kick-off with a screening of From a Silk Cocoon at 9:30 a.m. Woven through censored letters, diary entries and haiku poetry, this documentary recounts the story of a Japanese American couple whose shattered dreams and forsaken loyalties led them to renounce their American citizenship while held in American internment camps during World War II. Local director Satsuki Ina will introduce the film.

Wool 100% will start at 11 a.m. Combining live action, puppetry and animation, this drama is about two aging women who live a solitary life collecting discarded items from a nearby town. One day they return home to find a young girl knitting a red sweater in their house. Each time the girl finishes her sweater, she mysteriously unravels it and starts again. Classical pianist Natsuki Fukasawa will introduce this film, directed by Mai Tominaga.

In Shinjuku Boys, showing at 1 p.m., directors Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams explore the complexity of female sexuality in Japan today. This film introduces three “onnabes,” women who live as men but do not usually identify as lesbians. All three, who work as hosts at the New Marilyn Club in Tokyo, talk frankly to the camera about women, sex, transvestitism and lesbianism. Cindi Sturtz Sreetharan, Ph.D., assistant director of the Asian Studies Program at Sacramento State will introduce the film.

Starting at 2:25 p.m., Sacramento Area Youth Speaks will perform original works and recitations based on the Soaring Voices exhibit.

The final film, K-20: Legend of the Mask, will be screened at 2:45 p.m. Director Shimako Sato combines a top cast with stunning visual effects to depict a story of a Ninja-like thief who lives in a very different version of 1949 Feudal Japan, where World War II never happened. This film will make its Sacramento premiere at the festival. Jenny Stark, associate professor of film and video at Sacramento State, will introduce the film.

Guests can mingle with speakers during the festival’s after party starting at 5:30 p.m. at nearby 40 Acres Art Gallery.

All day passes to the festival are $10 for Crocker Art Museum members, $15 for nonmembers and $12 for students and seniors. Light fare and refreshments will be available for purchase. Festival goers are invited to attend a pre-festival tour of Soaring Voices on Friday, October 16 at 4 p.m. This Festival is supported by VIZ Pictures, Inc., Cinema Epoch and Women Make Movies.
Reservations are required by October 14. To register for one or more films, call (916) 808-5499 or email education@crockerartmuseum.org. Passes will be available for purchase at the door. Visit crockerartmuseum.org/film for more information.

TFO: Totally Friggin Owesome

2009-08-11T03:03:38Z

We at the Sacramento Press have already spent several hundred words poking and prodding you readers to imbibe in the blood-soaked, cleavage-filled, heavy-metal hilarity that is the Trash Film Orgy. Now, we have escalated to drastic measures and must insist that you attend the last TFO screening of the season Saturday at the Crest Theatre -- at the stroke of midnight.

If you have ever yelled at your television, scoffed at overacting, jeered at cornball love scenes, marveled at excessive violence and explosions or shrieked with laughter at super low-budget special effects, the TFO is for you. For the last nine summers, TFO has shared its impressive collection of exploitation, grindhouse and horror films with punky, belligerent, 18+ audiences exclusively at the Crest.

TFO selects its films not simply for being 'bad,' but for their overlooked potential for cult status. TFO member Amy Slockbower said she thinks 'bad,' is a misnomer anyway.

"I don't think any of these movies are sub-par by any means," Slockbower said. "They're great in their own way, and not 'so bad it's good,' like a lot of people say. These movies are under-appreciated and misunderstood."

TFO films can be monster movies, zombie films, survival horrors, imported action films, or 'butts in seats' classics like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Movie production companies actually give their OK to these screenings and provide for-real movie reels.

"We're the Trash Film Orgy, so we keep it on celluloid every time we can," Slockbower said. Sometimes this means scratchy prints that are dissolving with time - for classic and authentic 'technical difficulties.'

Behind TFO is a vast collaborative of local comedians, DJs, artists, models and midnight movie buffs who share their campy energies to bring Sacramento residents a night of pure rock-and-roll entertainment. While at the 'straight' movie theater, customers will buy their tickets, sit quietly, watch the feature and leave, TFO is a completely different organism. For the $10 ticket price, you'll be entertained from the moment you get in line until the drive home, when you'll still be smirking, joking and laughing at the whole experience.

The TFO audience is, suffice to say, quite colorful. Attendees range from TFO virgins to nine-year veterans, and you're sure to spot a plethora of punk-rockers, zombies, schoolgirls, metalheads and goth kids as you buy tickets and enter the lobby. The Crest's posh lobby gets renovated/vandalized every week into 'Trashville,' a carnival-esque series of painted wooden booths where you can try your luck to win kitschy toys, take snapshots with TFO's friendly and foxy group of costumed models or listen to a rousing sermon from Lucifer himself.

"Interactivity is a big part of TFO. We like to keep things involving and fun," Slockbower said.

Crest's main theater becomes a nifty meet-and-greet lounge before the show where you can mingle with your TFO peers to the beat of awesome live DJ'ing, courtesy of TFO's long list of musically-talented friends. Occasionally, TFO will play host to cult celebrities, and famously drew Bruce Campbell to the theater for a 2001 screening of "Evil Dead 2."

Before the film starts, you'll be introduced to your emcee deity, the Great Tiki God, who will shout out some context for the night's movie and work the crowd. Stage shows generally follow. Improv comedians and friends of TFO will perform hilarious skit-comedy -- last week's sketch was 'Cannibal Cowboys,' a dramatic tale of people-wrangling zombies filled with heartbreak, betrayal and new beginnings - and some slapstick cap-gun duels.

An intermission brings another chance for audience participation with some form of contest. Last week saw a hot dog-eating competition that ended with more wieners stolen or thrown than digested.

Every week's movie brings a different theme, but the audience tradition of yelling out riffs, jokes or profanity never changes. As soon as the movie begins, the shouting starts. Last week's feature, 'Lady Terminator' was an import film that blended traditional Indonesian mythology with modern Hollywood themes of boobies, pop music and gunplay. The result was a train-wreck, brain-dead bloodbath that had the crowd howling.

The film starts and ends with shouting. As the projectionist sets up, the crowd chants "Gary! Gary!" As the opening credits roll, the crowd mocks silly-sounding names and production companies. Terminator's 'Chuchu Productions' brought a flurry of train noises.

When a character gets eaten, gets naked or gets blown apart, the audience chimes in or cheers. As the movie ends, watchers share closing thoughts.

The sole surviving male protagonist in the Indonesian 'Terminator' was a blonde Caucasian, who stood triumphant with his new love interest. The crowd shouted: "Man, it sure is great being white!"

If you're already a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 or the Rocky Horror Picture Show, this will sound endearingly familiar.

Walking from the theater into the K Street Mall at 3 a.m., (don't worry, you'll be fine,) you may get a warm fuzzy feeling from participating in a truly unique and community-driven experience. For those with a strong stomach and a campy sense of humor, I give the Trash Film Orgy my highest recommendation.

Go next week for Black Belt Jones, the kung-fu asswhoopin' finale of this year's TFO!

Outdoor movies pop up in Sactown

2009-08-09T16:12:54Z

Sacramento's first Outdoor Film Festival opened Saturday night, showing "Rebal without a Cause", starring James Dean.

According to Robert Hayes, president of Creative Projection Services, " The SOFF (Sacramento Outdoor Film Festival( will feature state-of-the-art projection and sound to create the most mind-blowing outdoor cinema experience you have ever experienced. This will include an outdoor 5.1 surround sound system for our last screening August 29th. As far as we know this will be a Sacramento first."

Every night, Chavez Park opens at 5pm. Hoppy Brewing Co. supplies all the beer, wine, soft drinks, hotdogs and popcorn that you can stuff in your mouth.

The movie begins at 9pm.

For complete info, please visit: http://sacoutdoorfilmfestival.com/schedule.html

Photos | Kati Garner

Outdoor film festival out to impress

2009-08-08T00:43:48Z

Beginning Saturday, Cesar Chavez Park will host the first inaugural Sacramento Outdoor Film Festival, produced by Creative Projection Services and its subsidiary, Sacramento Outdoor Movies.

Starting at 5 p.m. and running every Saturday in August, the festival will provide food, fun and games for all those attending, with a movie at 9 p.m. to close out the night.

This week's featured film is Rebel Without a Cause, the 1950s classic drama starring James Dean and Natalie Wood. Other festivities include various sponsor booths for home theater supplies and computer games, a video game competition, and Sacramento's Hoppy Brewing Co. will host a beer garden with food and drinks for the event.

The video game compeition will feature a Guitar Hero tournament at each week. The two best performers will then play head-to-head on the main screen on Aug. 29, the last night of the festival.

Creative Projection Services had organized events for younger audiences in the past. This year, however, president and primary organizer of the Sacramento Outdoor Film Festival, Robert Hayes, wanted to try something a bit different.

"They had been geared towards little kids with animated features," Hayes said. "But I decided, 'This is a cool thing, so lets show a few movies for the big kids,' and that's kind of how the concept for this came out. No one was doing that."

The other three movies featured for Aug. 15, 22 and 29 are Rudy, Best in Show and Spiderman, respectively. Hayes said he wanted a good mix of genres to appeal to all different audiences so there is something for everybody in the end.

Hayes also said that they would be trying an experiment with Spiderman that could either heighten or hurt the watching experience.

"We're going to try and do it in 5.1 surround sound outside," Hayes said. "Spiderman has some cool effects that would work with better sound, so we're going to take a gamble and see what happens."

There will be seating for about 300 people for the movie. And there's also space for people to spread out blankets or brings chairs on the grass if they prefer.

"The grass and concrete are about 50-50, so we'll put the chairs on the concrete so people can bring stuff for the grass," Hayes said. "Everything is free except for the food and drinks, so people should come out and enjoy themselves. If we get around 400 people, we'll consider it a success."

"Buffy" at the Trash Film Orgy

2009-07-31T07:20:03Z

The ninth annual TRASH FILM ORGY series is halfway done, with three weeks remaining in this year's blood-soaked rock & roll monster extravaganza! If you haven't had a chance to visit this year's TFO, you already missed FLASH GORDON, SATAN'S CHEERLEADERS and CHOPPING MALL...but it's not over yet! This week's offering is the original theatrical version of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER!

If you haven't been to the Trash Film Orgy before, it is more than just a movie--it is a whole experience! The "Trash Action Sideshow" features fun activities in the lobby, the "Retro-Trash Lounge" features entertaining artifacts from RETROCRUSH.COM, and pre-show and intermission on-stage performances and contests make TFO an amazing, unique and often profoundly weird entertainment value! The TFO is a hotbed of local musical, comedic and dramatic talent. Several TFO alumni have moved on to careers in television, stand-up comedy, modeling and late-night horror hosting. Its organizers are working on their second feature-length film, PLANET OF THE VAMPIRE WOMEN, and its current performers include members of two local comedy troupes, "ICUP" and "I Can't Believe It's Not Comedy!" Come see the best of Sacramento's late-night cinema entertainment at the TRASH FILM ORGY!

SEE the 1992 film that started the Buffy phenomenon! With Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry, Paul Reubens and Hilary Swank. And don’t miss the incredible VAMPIRE PROM!

TRASH FILM ORGY-the World’s Most Amazing Midnight Movie Show returns for its 9th incredible season!

Bringing you the best in 35mm Exploitation and Cult Cinema, TFO promises the ultimate theatre experience! With LIVE Bloody Stage Shows, Original Shorts, Audience Participation, Games, Costume Contests, Prizes and much, much MORE-you won’t believe your eyes!

This year’s festival features many exciting surprises… including the return of special guest stars and the TFO’s original host FRANCOIS FLY!!! You’ll be sure to cry your eyes out if you miss ANY of these exciting shows!

It all happens SATURDAYS at MIDNIGHT in the Fabulous and Historic CREST THEATRE located at 1013 K Street in Downtown Sacramento. 916-44-CREST
COME EARLY! Doors open at 11:30 for the Incredibly Interactive Trash-Action Sideshow and Music!

The TRASH FILM ORGY is adult fun for trash fans 18 and Over ONLY! And for trash fans 21 and over, the RETRO-TRASH LOUNGE serves beer and wine!

Tickets are $9.50 per show.
Cool Kids that come in Awesome Costumes can save $1 on admission. We recommend DECADES for all your costume needs!

www.trashfilmorgy.com has all the details about this year's series, plus photos of past shows if you want an idea of what to expect!

(In the interest of full disclosure, the author of this article is a participant in the Trash Film Orgy.)

Screen on the Green begins Saturday

2009-07-31T05:03:20Z

Babe the sheep-herding pig and his talking farm friends will revisit the big screen Saturday night at East Portal Park in East Sacramento.

The '90s classic Babe is the first film to be featured at Sacramento's fifth Screen on the Green free movie series, held in different local neighborhood parks for four consecutive Saturdays in August.

Founded by City Councilman Steve Cohn, Screen on the Green has grown immensely in attendance each year since it first began five years ago, said District Director Sue Brown. Although anyone is welcome to attend, the films are geared toward families. Last year's films included Charlotte's Web, Hairspray, Ratatouille and The Goonies.

Screen on the Green is simply "good, fun, free family entertainment," Brown said.

All screenings begin at sundown and are free and open to the public.

Families and friends are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks.

East Portal Park is located at 1120 Rodeo Way, at 51st and M Streets. Babe is a G-rated film.

Other screenings scheduled in August include:

Aug. 8 – Grant Park at 205 21st St. – Bee Movie

Aug. 15 – Babcock Park at 2400 Cormorant Way – Beauty and the Beast

Aug. 22 – Glen Hall Park at Sandburg and Carlson Drives – The Parent Trap (1961 version)

For more information click on this link.

Image provided by Screen on the Green.

10-minute action in 10 days

2009-07-11T06:57:22Z

The race is on as local filmmakers scramble to produce a 10-minute film in less than 10 days.

This year marks the sixth annual 10 x 10 filmmaker's challenge, and the theme is 'milestones and markers.'

Local filmmakers, actors and film crew members form teams annually to compete in the challenge, using the year's specified theme and an assigned prop to create a 10-minute-long film in 10 days. The films will be presented in a three-hour gap during the closing weekend of the 10th Sacramento Film and Music festival at the Crest Theatre on August 1. Submissions will be judged by a jury for overall production quality.

Participants showed up Thursday evening at the Crest Theatre to find out this year's theme and receive an assigned team prop from Tony Sheppard and Nathan Schemel, co-directors of the Sacramento Film and Music Festival. This year's 19 teams now have until July 19 to produce a complete short film.

Sheppard, who has been involved in the SMF festival for the past seven years, came up with the 10 x 10 concept six years ago as another way to encourage involvement of local filmmakers. Instead of challenging local filmmakers to a 10-hour constraint as he had seen done in other cities, Sheppard came up with the 10-minute film creation in 10 days.

"It was still very fast from a filmmaking perspective because it was absolutely frenetic," Sheppard said. "People ended up with two weekends to work on a film, and most people involved are people who have other jobs and other things that they're doing."

Sheppard said the competition attracts a diverse crowd in terms of expertise and experience. A challenge in more ways than one, participants not only have to work under pressure in groups of varying expertise to fulfill the assigned theme, but they must also creatively incorporate their group's assigned prop somewhere in the film.

The assigned props are "things that seemed wild and wacky while shopping at the dollar store," Sheppard said.

This year's props include a dinosaur soap set, front bumper from a wrecked car and inflatable pool animals. Sheppard said filmmakers are awarded for best use of their team's prop. "We're not impressed if the camera pans across the room and it's lying on a table."

Local filmmaker Joaquin Murrieta and local actor Galen Howard, who are working collaboratively on a team this year, will begin shooting their film in Midtown this weekend.

This is Howard's third year participating in the challenge; he said that the time constraint of the competition pushes him to focus as an actor. "People's energy is different knowing you only have so much time to spend," Howard said.

Murrieta worked on not one, but two films as director of photography in 2007 over a weekend within a 20-hour period, where he said the challenge included staying awake and on his feet.

"It was pretty crazy," he said. "It's like a dare, it kind of burns creativity."

For information on the Sacramento Film and Music Festival and the screening of the 19 films, visit this link.

Image provided by the Sacramento International Film and Music Festival.

Hawa Arsala contributed to this article.

Martians and Paris at French Film Festival opening

2009-06-22T06:41:26Z

A man wearing a red beret, spandex shorts, black motorcycle boots and a black leather vest posed for photos, and local DJs Christophe and Roger spun French music in the background at the Crest lobby during the opening reception of the Eighth Sacramento French Film Festival Friday night. Meanwhile, French film enthusiasts sampled wine, cheese, chocolate fondue, wraps and flatbreads from local restaurants and businesses.

The man’s unmistakably French attire may have caught your eye while passing this year’s SFFF posters around town, on which he appears equipped with a Martian helmet and an Eiffel Tower gun wearing the same costume, with the words “It came from Bordeaux!” above him and a space invasion setting behind him.

In an entertaining staged skit during the evening’s opening ceremony, the poster’s two stars – the French space invader and his victim damsel-in-distress shown on the poster – were asked a series of questions in French about the film release of It Came from Bordeaux!, to which the two replied in English “There is no movie,” “We’re not actors” and “It’s just a poster!”

Enough people mistook this year’s festival poster for an actual movie scene, as the interviewer had done, that the poster’s designer made an announcement that he has decided to turn his poster concept into a locally made film that will be shown at next year’s festival.

Kent Lacin, a local professional photographer and the SFFF poster designer, said he has no plan yet for the film’s plot and is still pondering questions such as “What would the French alien ship look like?”

Following the opening ceremony, a screening of Cedric Klapisch’s 2008 film Paris played to a packed theater house.

A dramatic comedy, the film focuses on nightclub dancer Pierre, played by Romain Duris, who discovers he has a potentially fatal heart condition and recedes into isolation in his apartment overlooking the city. Around Pierre and his sister Elise, played by Juliette Binoche, emerge a web of interconnected Parisians and their confrontations with aging, loneliness, death and above all, sex and intimacy.

Some of the film’s most convincing and uncomfortable moments show a college professor’s obsession with his student, Pierre’s struggle to find a sex partner and a spontaneous evening spent between models and market workers.

The film provides an unromanticized, authentic sense of Parisian life as each character reveals their experiences in the local marketplace, the pastry shop or their apartments.

“Paris, you have a thousand faces,” says one character – “trashy Paris,” “happy Paris” or “singing Paris.”

The festival could not have been opened with a more appropriate film. With midnight around the corner, audience members filed out of the theater, while a small crowd stayed for coffee and a discussion about the film conducted by Kevin Elstob, professor of French at CSUS.

The French Film festival will resume this Friday.

For more information on the French Film festival, visit this link.

To see more articles on this year's festival, see these links: SFFF begins and SFFF day 2.

*Author's Note: Image 2 courtesy of the Sacramento French Film Festival. All other photos courtesy of Denis Rouleau. You can see his work here and here.

French Film festival opens tomorrow

2009-06-19T04:50:12Z

"French trash" vacationers, a late-in-life marriage, a self-taught painter gone mad and Beauty and the Beast will take to the screen at the Crest Theatre this weekend.

Usually occurring in July, the eighth Sacramento French Film festival has an early start this year with its opening reception tomorrow night. The festival is held annually at the Crest Theatre as a project of the Alliance Française de Sacramento; it will run Friday through Sunday this weekend and Saturday and Sunday next weekend.

Cecile Downs, co-founder of the SFFF, said the festival's selection will include comedies, dramas and thrillers as well as "midnight movies" — one is the erotic film A l’Aventure by Jean-Claude Brisseau, and the other is Fear(s) of the Dark, a collection of animated, nightmare-inspired stories.

"We try to have a really big variety so that everybody can find something they want to see," Downs said.

This year's opening film, Paris by Cédric Klapisch, will play tomorrow evening after the reception. Considered a huge success in France, the dramatic comedy features an "all-star" cast including Juliette Binoche and Romain Duris in a Parisian setting.

Next weekend, the film Séraphine will run both nights, based on the servant and self-taught painter Séraphine de Senlis, who lived during the Great Depression and World War II.

"I'm very excited to show this one," Downs said. She added that it won seven Césars (French Academy Awards).

Other films will include French classics such as Jean Cocteau's 1946 film Beauty & the Beast and Rules of the Game by Jean Renoir.

I Do, by Éric Lartigau, is about a middle-aged man forced to marry late in life, and features French comic Alain Chabat — currently starring in U.S. films Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

Saturday night, Le Cirque de la mode, a fashion show presented by Opaline’s Closet featuring Sacramento designers, boutiques and salons, will precede Max Ophüls' 1955 Lola Montès, based on the 19th century dancer, actress and courtesan.

This year's closing film is Welcome, by Philippe Lioret. "It's a film that was in the news because of its subject, it's [about] illegal immigration," Downs said. "It's a beautiful film, [and] there's a love story." A champagne party will conclude the festival next Sunday night after the film.

For more information on the films, show times and tickets, visit this link.

*Author's Note: Photos courtesy of the Sacramento French Film festival.

Sacramento's Up All Nite TV

2009-05-29T23:36:57Z

UP ALL NITE is an entertainment and nightlife show described as entertaining and edgy. The show is produced by Deon Taylor Enterprises, a film and TV studio that’s shaking up the entertainment scene locally and nationally. The 30-minute, Entertainment Tonight style show features a celebrity host, Craig Jackson host of VH1's I Love Money, guest celebrities and field reporters covering the hippest entertainment, music, nightclub, restaurant, sports, fashion and pop culture news in the Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto broadcast markets. UP ALL NITE has inked a deal with News10 to air there. The show’s exact time slot is 1:07am early thursday mornings.Episode 1 debuted May 7th.

Director Deon Taylor, whose film catalogue includes the soonto-be-released Chain Letter starring Nikki Reed (Twilight) and Keith David and The Hustle starring Charlie Murphy, Al Shearer and David Alan Grier, says the show is like nothing Sacramento has ever had – and will wow viewers.Taylor also is the director-writer behind Nite Tales, an ironic, eerie TV series in the style of Twilight Zone soon coming to cable and hosted by flamboyant hip-hop legend Flavor Flav.

The UP ALL NITE website UpAllNite.TV feature a rotating lineup of restaurants, nightclubs, recording studios, venues and events and be the go-to place for what’s going on in the region.

Downtown dinner and a movie for $30

2009-04-27T05:55:59Z

With Esquire IMAX Theatre's summer dinner deal, Netflix and Blockbuster rentals might sit around unwatched for a few extra days.

Starting Sunday, May 10, diners who have spent $20 or more at any downtown or midtown restaurant can see one of three movies for only $5. Dinosaurs Alive 3D, African Adventure 3D and Under the Sea 3D are all available for $5 as long as guests bring along their receipt from dinner.

For the other films that are being shown, including Monsters vs. Aliens 3D, Night at the Museum 2, Star Trek or Transformers 2, guests can receive a $5 discount off the full-price ticket.

The offer lasts until Monday, August 20, and is valid all days of the week except Saturday at the Esquire IMAX Theatre in Downtown Sacramento.

The IMAX tickets need not be purchased the same night as the restaurant dinner, however, tickets must be purchased within seven days of when the receipt was received.

The maximum amount of discounted tickets is four for one receipt.

The Esquire IMAX Theatre is located at 1211 K St. For more information, call 916-443-IMAX or visit the website at www.imax.com/sacramento.

Dinosaurs Alive in Sacramento's IMAX theater (in 3D!)

2009-04-22T07:26:18Z

Dinosaurs Alive 3D (IMAX)

Written and directed by David Clark and Bayley Silleck

Sacramento Press was fortunate enough to preview Dinosaurs Alive 3D in the Esquire IMAX theater. Narrated by Michael Douglas, this movie journeys from the breathtaking Gobi Desert in Mongolia all the way to the Ghost Ranch in New Mexico.

Through archival footage, the film tells the history of American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, an Indiana Jones-style adventurer who traveled to the Gobi Desert and discovered a large repository of dinosaur fossils. It then follows a team of modern-day paleontologists and their graduate students from the American Museum of Natural History in New York as they retrace Andrews' path.

Although younger audience members may find this film exciting, and it may give them the inspiration to become scientists, archeologists or fossil hunters, the older crowd might see through the contrived narrative of the film.

The part of the film shot in Mongolia is done in a very nationalistic, glamorous and melodramatic fashion with grad students and paleontologists carrying their American flags through the desert. Though its purpose is supposed to be to educate, the paleontologists speak in scripted dialogue that is supposed to appear spur of the moment, but it is clearly prewritten.

Andrews (as shown in black and white archival video footage), who stole dinosaur fossils from another country is an underappreciated hero, says the narrator, because he inspired Americans to research dinosaurs.

Clearly Andrews was simply heroic for being the first to venture into remote areas of the world in motorized vehicles, and discovering some of the worlds oldest dinosaur fossils. Yet it still remains that in some people's opinion he (as was normal in his day for explorers, scientists, and tomb raiders) stole another country's natural history, and this film glances over this.

In other words, the film seems to perpetuate the idea that Mongolia's desolate Gobi Desert, seldom explored since Ghengis Khan, is hiding important findings needing to be hand plucked for our own museums.

If you can get past this film's "Great Game" mentality (where Central Asian land, artifacts and fossils are merely up for grabs) the visuals alone are what makes the movie worth the time.

There was exciting and unique computer generated imagery (CGI) illuminating in realistic detail how dinosaurs interacted with their environment. Also, the modern shots of the desert landscape both in New Mexico and Mongolia are among the most beautiful 3D IMAX footage ever shot.

Dinosaurs Alive 3D also illuminates some common Hollywood misconceptions of dinosaurs - like the fact that velociraptors are usually portrayed as scaled in Hollywood films, but they were actually feathered dinosaurs.

Overall, it would be a great film for teenagers and children under 12 interested in seeing gigantic dinosaurs or learning about how cool paleontologists' work is.

Dinosaurs Alive 3D makes its Sacramento premier at the Esquire IMAX theater, located at 1211 K Street on April 24.

More Stuff to do in Sacramento

2009-04-13T20:50:23Z

I missed last week, but here's a big list of stuff coming up this week. Lots going on this coming week -and this only a sampling!

Ongoing:
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Live Theater
Fridays and Saturdays, 8:00 PM; Sundays, 2:30 PM through May 9, 2009
Admission: General: $15.00; Students/SARTA: $12.00 (April 17-19, all tickets are only $10.00!)
Big Idea Theatre
1616 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA
(916) 960-3036
http://www.bigideatheatre.com

A comedy that includes scenes from Hamlet involving the prince's two unwitting friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and combines them with a "Waiting for Godot" sensibility, resulting in a thought provoking show and a knee-slapping good time.

SPCA Spring Book Sale
Saturday, April 18 - Sunday, April 26, 2009
Mon-Sat: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sun: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Admission: Free
Marketplace at Birdcage
6123 Sunrise Blvd
Citrus Heights, CA
(916) 383-7387, ext. 9103

Features thousands of new and used books at dog-gone great prices! The sale, one of the largest book sales of its kind in Northern California, will include 40 categories, including fine and rare books, fiction, children and teens, mystery, adventure, science fiction, biography, history, westerns, art, reference, business, cultural issues, foreign language, humor and home and garden

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Mahogany Urban Poetry Series: Seth Walker
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Queen Sheba Restaurant
1704 Broadway
Sacramento, CA
http://mybmsf.com/mahogany/

The notorious Houston poet comes to Sacramento!

Thursday, April 16, 2009 and Friday April 17, 2009
The Davis Feminist Film Festival
7:00 PM reception/8:00 PM show
Admission: Students: $12.00 single night/$20.00 both nights; General: $18.00 single night/$30.00 both nights (slightly cheaper if purchased in advance at The Beat)
Veterans Memorial Theater
203 E 14th St
Davis, CA
http://femfilmfest.ucdavis.edu

The Davis Feminist Film Festival is a grassroots festival of short films featuring filmmakers from around the world. Mixing narrative, documentary, and experimental styles, the films focus on issues of gender and sexuality often missing from mainstream media and highlight the links between local, national, and international social struggle.

Friday, April 17, 2009 - Saturday, April 18, 2009
Indian Arts & Crafts Market
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission: General: $2.00; Youth (6-17): $1.00; 5 & Under: Free
California State Indian Museum
2618 K St
Sacramento, CA
Indian artists and crafters from all over California will participate. Items to fit every budget include: artwork, jewelry, hand-crafted dolls, baskets, soapstone and elkhorn carvings, drums, decorated gourds and more.

Friday, April 17, 2009, Saturday, April 18, 2009, Friday, April 24, 2009
Keith Lowell Jensen Live CD Taping
Doors at 7:00 PM, Taping Begins at 8:00 PM
Admission: $10.00
Luna's Café
1414 16th St
Sacramento, CA
http://rockass.net

Keith Lowell Jensen, co-headliner of The Coexist? Comedy Tour, featured guest on Brian Malow's Science Comedy Tour and one of Sacramento's best known comics will spend three nights taping original material at Luna's Cafe in downtown Sacramento for an upcoming CD.

The taping is divided into three categories over three nights, club comedy, atheist/religious themed comedy and the third night will be the wild card leaving room for KLJ to riff, ramble and if need be, totally make an ass out of himself because he already has two nights of tape so to heck with it right?

The venue is small. This will sell out, so advance tickets are the only way to guarantee a seat. They can be obtained at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/55720

Saturday, April 18, 2009
R5 Records Celebrates Record Store Day with a Rock n' Roll Garage Sale, Live Music and More!
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
R5 Records
2500 16th St
Sacramento, CA
http://www.r5records.com

R5 will be hosting live music, a Rock n' Roll Garage Sale and swap meet, and offering refreshments, giveaways and lots of other surprises from 9am to 5pm. R5's entire inventory will also be at sale price for the entire day. KSSU, the on-campus station at Sac State will also be on hand hosting the "Big Vinyl Spectacular" featuring live DJ sets throughout the day. Guest DJs include Shaun Slaughter, Trina Latrine, Danny Secretion, Nick Brunner and others.

The Rock n' Roll Garage Sale will take place in R5's parking lot facing the Tower Theatre. Vendors will be selling used vinyl, music memorabilia, posters, toys, buttons and more. The vendors are all private individuals or small businesses selling at garage sale prices.

During the day students from the Met School, a charter school within the Sacramento Metropolitan School District, will be staging raffles to raise funds to build the music program at their school. As a further aid to this venture R5 will be collecting new and used musical instruments for the Met School throughout Record Store day.

Record Store Day is a national celebration of local independent music retailers. Now in it's second year, RSD came about as a way to spotlight the wide range of music and services offered by independent music retailers.

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Screening: Trembling Before God
2:00 PM
Admission: $5.00 suggested donation
Congregation B'nai Israel
3600 Riverside Blvd
Sacramento, CA
(916) 446-4861
http://www.bnai.com

The acclaimed 2001 documentary chronicling the struggles of gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews who are trying to integrate their sexual orientation into their faith, even as some have been abandoned by their families. Also showing is the short sequel Trembling on the Road, a documentary about the controversy, protests and dialogue that has accompanied screenings of Trembling Before God in Jewish communities around the world.

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Poetry with Traci Gourdine & Quenton Duval
7:00 PM
Admission: $5.00 donation
Time Tested Books
1114 21st St
Sacramento, CA
(916) 447-5696
http://www.timetestedbooks.net

Quinton Duval is the author of three books of poems: Guerrilla Letters, Dinner Music, and Joe's Rain. He teaches English and Creative Writing at Solano Community College and is the editor and publisher of Red Wing Press.

Traci Gourdine is a poet whose work has appeared in Calliope, ZYZZYVA, and other small magazines. She is the co-editor of "Night is Gone, Day is Still Coming," a collection of work by young American Indian writers. Her letters to poet Quincy Troupe have been anthologized in the book "Letters to Poets." He currently teaches English at American River College.

Monday, April 20, 2009
Author: Andrew Sean Greer
Doors: 12:15 PM; Reading at 1:00 PM
Admission: Free
CSUS University Union
6000 J St
Sacramento, CA
http://www.csus.edu/union

The bestselling author will discuss his work and will read from The Story of a Marriage, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. His newest novel, The Story of a Marriage, is a lyrical story about love and longing, and the political, sexual and racial tensions set against the backdrop of the early 1950s. Greer also is the author of The Path of Minor Planets, How It Was for Me and The Confessions of Max Tivoli. A lecture preview will be at 12:20 with Sac State English professor Sheree Meyer.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Safe Ground Rally
2:00 PM
State Capital, South Steps
http://www.sacloaves.org/SafeGround/
Rally to help benefit and legalize a safe campground where homeless folks can live and have running water, bathrooms, and trash services until proper shelters can be provided.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Support Local Growers: Farming as if Nature Matters Inspiring Panel Discussion
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Admission: General: $15.00; Co-op Owners: $10.00; Children Under 12: $5.00
24th Street Theatre
2791 24th St
Sacramento, CA
(916) 455-2667
http://www.sacfoodcoop.com
Featuring Trini Campbell, Riverdog Farm; Gretchen Ceteras, Blue Heron Farm; Annie Main, Good Humus Produce; Gena Nonini, Marian Farms; Bu Nygrens, Veritable Vegetable, and Judith Redmond, Full Belly Farm.
A benefit for Soil Born Farms and the Good Humus Land Preservation Project.

Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sacramento Ballet Dancers' Event
7:00 PM
Admission: $10 advance; $15 at the door
Vizcaya Mansion
2019 21st St
Sacramento, CA
(916) 552-5800
http://www.saveoursacballet.com

The dancers have organized an evening of fun with performances by the ballet, live music by Camerata Capistrano, the CSUS Baroque Ensemble, wine, food, fundraising games, and a silent auction with inexpensive and luxury items such as a signed Greg Kondos print, a weekend at a Tahoe cabin, and a delta cruise. Come hang out with the company and support the ballet at the same time!

Short Shorts at the Crest Theater

2009-02-06T00:57:26Z

Looking for octopi, out-of-body experiences, and a romance that takes place entirely in a public restroom? You'll find them in some of 2009's Oscar-nominated short films, which will be showing at the Crest Theater from the sixth to the twelfth of February.

Ten animated and five live-action short films are being presented, with entries from all around the world. The live-action and animated films are being shown on different programs, with each program requiring a separate ticket for admission. In addition to the five Oscar-nominated animated films, five "Commendable" films are also being shown on the animated program.

Many of the films have already gotten critical acclaim, among them "Oktapodi," an animated short by the French Director Julien Bocabeille, which follows two octopi as they attempt to escape from a restauranteur, and "New Boy," a live-action short by Irish Director Steph Green, an adaptation of a short story about a nine year old African refugee named Joseph experiencing his first day of school in Ireland.

The Crest Theater is located at 1013 K street, with parking available in the garage on 10th and L streets. Movie times and other information on the Crest's upcoming events can be found by calling (916) 442-7378 or by visiting the Theater's website.

Will any readers be attending? Does anyone have a story or opinion about the Crest or any of the short films playing?

Is Tower and Crest Closing Still a Threat?

2009-01-20T00:06:55Z

It has been a topic of discussion in the area for years, could the Tower and Crest Theaters have to close? With new giant movie chains in the area and the economy how it is, it’s a very real possibility. They have always seemed to be on the brink of closing, the Crest has closed before in the 80s, and the marquee on the Tower reads "savethetowertheater.org". So this threat must be pretty real.

A large banner on the Tower reads "SAVE THE ALHAMBRA", that is; the huge gorgeous theater that the city was unable to buy and save in 1973, it was soon demolished and made way for the Safeway that resides on Alhambra blvd today. The only thing that remains of the Alhambra is a fountain on the south side. Could this be a foreseeable future for our other theaters? Well perhaps if we don't do anything about it.

I admit, I don’t make it out to either as much as I should. Usually only go to Crest for the Trash Film Orgy or Sacramento Film Festival, and Tower even less. But sadly, the last few times I have been have left me feeling disappointed. The Tower has seen better days; it has become rundown and has poor quality projection, seats, and structure in general. I have to believe that if their attendance were up they would have the money to fix it up.

With the news of the Sacramento Ballet being in peril, the arts In Sac could quickly disappear if we aren't careful. If you’re in the mood for something artsy, indie, or foreign, or just don’t feel like supporting big movie chains and you want to help out local buissneses. Come downtown and make sure we keep theaters like this in Sacramento.

Film group discusses business

2009-01-19T23:39:12Z

Many people are surprised when they hear that California doesn’t have a film commission that offers incentives to film production companies to film in the state. 44 states do, as do many countries, but California, well...we have HOLLYWOOD!

But film production companies are leaving the state to shoot in much lower-cost locales, many of which are cheaper because the local governments offer tax breaks and other incentives to lure production to their jurisdictions. California, argues state Assemblyman Paul Kerkorian (D - Burbank), needs to institute such incentives.

The members of the Capital Film Arts Alliance agree, which is why the 750-strong Sacramento area filmmakers organization has invited Kerkorian to speak to its first meeting of the new year, tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 20) at the Art Institute of Sacramento, 2850 Gateway Oaks Drive. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Kerkorian will speak on the importance of establishing incentives such as those that are luring production out of California. That loss of revenues costs the state tens of millions of dollars, argues Laurie Pederson, a local film producer who is hosting Kerkorian’s visit.

“44 other states subsidize film production,” she says. “I can spent $10 million in California, or I can do a $10 million film for $6 million two states away. It makes a difference in whether you can cast Mary Lee Jones or Charlize Theron in your film.”

In general, production costs are roughly the same everywhere, says Pederson, because it’s dictated by the number of people and number of production days. Hotel and other costs vary some, but that’s not what makes the difference.

But, she says, “If you give incentives, you reduce the costs to the producer. There are creative ways to do it. Most of the incentives are a tax incentive or rebate, or a politically-authorized or -funded savings. It ranges from 25-45 percent, it’s huge. Canada will hand you 50 percent, and guarantee that their people have a large role in the production.”

In California, local film commissions court producers, and some communities do pretty well, San Francisco being the obvious case. But that’s because if you want a film set in San Francisco, you’ve got to go to San Francisco. Sacramento is a different matter, a harder sell. And Sacramento doesn’t have a film commission. We get films done here, occasionally, but not often. And it’s costing us.

“For every dollar spent, you will see a return of $3-6 to that community,” says Pederson. “Food, recreation, lodging, transportation - there are a huge number of expenses that stay in a community. Most political people see this in terms of brick and mortar: If we bring in this big box store, we’re going to get this much in taxes or whatever.

“Films are different,” she says. “It’s like pitching green energy, because it’s new and it’s hard to understand. So they don’t fight for it. So for us, it’s an education process that has to begin somewhere. If we don’t start it and keep at it, it’s not going to happen.”

Pederson cites the Sacramento area’s most successful film producers as an example.

“Redwood Palms Pictures is based in the El Dorado Hills-Folsom area,” she says, “And they’ve got multi-million film productions. But they film everything out of state, because their business is not being pursued here. The Redwood Palms guys would love to stay here and put their money back in the community, but they have to go out of state to stretch their budgets.”

And, it might be added, they DID get Charlize Theron, for their 2008 film, “Battle in Seattle.”

“So we’re working to just continue to draw attention this, to beat that drum,” says Pederson. “We’re building this film community so that when all the storms converge, the timing will be perfect, and we’ll have the organization and process together.”