Sergei Bodrov's Mongol, In Theatres June 6!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Last night GiantRobot held a special screening of Sergei Bodrov's Mongol at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles! Tadanobu Asano stars as Temudjin, the inevitable Kahn of all of the Mongols. I thought it was very interesting for production companies in Germany, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia to all come together for this production. The film was nominated for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Foreign Languange film as a submission from Kazakhstan.
The film begins with a young Temudjin and follows his earl years and a semihistorical, near accurate portrayal of ancient Mongolia. This film is definitely epic with battle scenes worth of 300 and Gladiator. Loads of blood and barbaric sword slashin' depicts the first disorder and separation of tribes during those early times. It was survival of the fittest of sorts. But with beautiful cinematic scenes of large open mountain ranges, plains, and deserts, it was easy to find a contrast between a land of plunder and deception in a setting so breathtaking.
With the help and unconditional love of his wife Borte (whose role is completely vital, cause she's got strong legs), Temudjin is able to continue on amidst slavery, humiliation and devastating family hardships. It was interesting to see a visualization of all the things I learned about in my history class on that region. It was a great cultural window and the young actors are so great! Look out for Picture House's Mongol in theatres tomorrow June 6th in New York and Los Angeles.
Full Trailer in HD
When will I get to choose my bride?
Labels: Film
New York's Rooftop Films!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
I just discovered something super rad! Rooftop Films! These guys put on awesome independent film screenings, sometimes the world premieres on about a dozen rooftops all over NYC. The Rooftop Films 2008 Summer Series will run every weekend from May 31-September 27 with the opening night coming up this Friday June 6th, with special live music by Dirty on Purpose, presented by Sound Fix! Be sure to check them out! They'll be reelin' 19 feature lengths and over 150 short films throughout the summer series. Check out all the deets and schedule here.
Sound Fix Presents: Rooftop Films Opening Party
@ The Open Road Rooftop Project at New Design
350 Grand Street (btwn Essex and Ludlow) New York, New York
All Ages! Doors at 8pm, Music at 8:45, Films at 9:30
Cost: $8 <---that's cheap fun!
p.s....we need one of these in LA. Feel me?
Wong Kar Wai's My Blueberry Nights OST!
Monday, April 07, 2008
The internationally branded filmmaker, Wong Kar Wai's first English speaking, U.S. shot film, My Bluberry Nights opened Friday in Los Angeles! After a nomination for the Golden Palm and opener at the 60th Annual Cannes Filmfest last year in France, I was for sure this film would be picked up for distro sooner or later, and I was in ultra anticipation for it's release. I finally got to see the film and I thought it was totally awesome and I think what did it for me was Norah Jones' character Elizabeth but I won't give anything away!
One really strong aspects before even viewing the film is the eclectic edge that the film's soundtrack really pushes on. This jazzy blues country pop collage is nothing short of an amazing album. With Wong filming all over the U.S. including LA to NY and Memphis in between, the tones and the imagery are completed with the likes of Norah Jones (duh!), Cat Power, Composer Ry Cooder and Gustavo Santaolalla (+more). Just a great soundtrack to hang out with.
Cat Power - The Greatest
Norah Jones - The Story
Hello Stranger - Devil's Highway
Natalie Portman played a larger role than I previously imagined but she did really great pulling off her character. Others in cast: Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, David Strathairn and Cat Power. Go watch the trailer and check out the film at the Landmark!
Labels: blues, Film, jazz, sountracks
2nd Annual Talent 1 Media Film Fest in Little Tokyo
Friday, July 13, 2007
Talent1Media is the non-profit (503)c organization behind the 2nd Annual Tom Film Fest. Last year's TOMfest was focusing on AIDS in Africa, and they worked with several organizations including World Vision. This year the issue we tackled: Human Trafficking. We invited several organizations including ICare Community, World Vision, Oasis USA, LA Loves, LA Unity Coalition with it's members and JustOne. They were all a great resource for attendees to get involved in practical ways here in the U.S. and over seas.
The festival was held at the George & Sakaye Aratani Theatre in the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles on July 7th. With over 600 in attendance, 9 Films, Free Appetizers & Refreshments, neat Lights (one of them splashing our logo on the theatre), 15 volunteers, our friend DJ Seanzerelli (spinnin' bossa to hiphop) and some well committed individuals, the festival was a success! People were connecting with eachother, resources, speakers and of course the Films! Tan Panda was on the scene as well to help. Come January and We'll be planning the 3rd annual. I'm very excited about it!
bbqchickenrobot
WideEyedEggplant
The GOOD Pants
2Scoops
El-izzle
