AFI Dallas..."Brothers Bloom" to kick-off glitzy Gala! Adrien Brody, Rian Johnson & Robert Towne to appear on red carpet! March 26th!

Opening night at AFI DALLAS is gearing up to be a must-attend event of the season, as festival organizers get down to the nitty-gritty to ensure the evening's festivities go off without a hitch.

In addition to the red carpet premiere of Rian Johnson's "Brothers Bloom", a handful of high-profile directors and actors will be in town to catch screenings of their landmark films being spotlighted by AFI Dallas commencing March 26th thru April 2nd.

When the glittering gala kicks off on the eve of March 26th at AMC Northpark - actors Louis Gosset Jr. and Adrien Brody - in addition to Directors Robert Town, Rian Johnson, Christopher Wong, Nicole Terre, and Aaron Marshall - are expected to trot down the carpet to the delight of filmgoers currently snapping up tickets.

"The Brothers Bloom" (Rian Johnson) is a fun romp about two of the best con men in the world who swindle millionaires in a haze of complex scenarios that make the head spin," according to the producers.

In one last job - in what amounts to a swan song - an eccentric heiress finds herself swept up in a romantic adventure that traverses the globe.

Actually, AFI Dallas is going to be like old-home week, to me.

Recently, I attended a mini-fest that Rian Johnson held at the New Beverly Cinema Hollywood.

During the Q & A, Johnson offered up a fascinating peak into the intriguing world of trickery and magic which was the inspiration for "The Brothers Bloom".

Post: 03/10/2009

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/03/rian-johnsonbrothers-bloom-director-top.html

In addition to Johnson, Peter Bogdanovich will be honored at the prestigious Festival with the AFI Dallas Star Award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in cinema.

Just a few weeks ago, I also attended screenings of two of Bogdanovich's films - which he hosted locally - and was able to pen an informative article on his insightful thoughts on directing, industry professionals he's worked with, and other delightful musings on life.

Post: o1/24/2009

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/01/peter-bogdanovichcher-pain-in-says-mask.html

The presentation will be made during a special Texas Day celebration of film that will honor the rich history of movies in the Lone Star State.

The legendary director will be presented with the award by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

I'll be front-row-and-center at the ceremony applauding the film genius wholeheartedly.

I also managed to have a word or two with James Toback a couple of months ago about much-anticipated documentary "TYSON".

On that occasion, he amused the rapt audience with a lot of scuttlebutt about Tyson, the making of the documentary, and his thoughts on the man.

Post: 07/28/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/07/natassia-kinskiattends-screening-of.html

AFI Dallas will also be hosting a screening of TYSON on Thursday, April 2 (2009) at AMC NorthPark 15, which I plan to attend.


Tobak will be on hand in at a Q & A afterwards.

Thereafter, there will undoubtedly be a post and/or review of "Tyson", so stay in touch with this site.

This year, there will be a special tribute to the films shot in Texas.

And, it's going to be a big "to do".

"AFI DALLAS is proud to join forces with AT&T and Governor Rick Perry to throw the spotlight on the many film classics that were filmed in this state and the many wonderful film artists who call Texas home," an AFI spokesperson noted for the record.

For example, "The Last Picture Show" (which the festival organizers feel is a quintessential Texas Film) will be screened at the Texas Film Day Celebration at the tail end of the AFI Dallas event.

The Texas Day Film celebration is basically a capstone to the 2009 Festival, which will essentially promote and bring awareness to filmmaking in the great state of Texas.

The high-profile event kicks off with a lluncheon and panel discussion at the AFI DALLAS Festival Lounge in Victory Park and will be sponsored by Women in Film Dallas and the Dallas Producers Association.

Governor Rick Perry and other VIPs will put in much-ballyhooed appearances later at a cocktail reception AFI DALLAS at The House in Victory Park sponsored by the Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Studios at Las Colinas and the Texas Association of Film Commissions.

The paparazzi will probably turn out in droves for the red carpet arrivals at AT&T Plaza.

After Governor Perry makes a formal declaration about Texas Film Day, he'll summarily present the AFI DALLAS Star Award to Peter Bogdanovich in recognition of his extraordinary
contributions to modern cinema.

A screening of "Great Texas Moments in Film" on super-sized-screens in AT&T Plaza crown the ceremony.

The evening will be topped off with a star-studded gala and celebration Neiman Marcus.

All Texas Day events at Victory Plaza will be free and open to the public to participate and enjoy.
Whew, I'm going to be in a real tizzy, if I don't get organized tonight!

Later!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Nastassja Kinski...attends screening of "Exposed" as James Toback holds court with Tarantino playing foil!

Rudolph Nureyev was hungry for at least three butch men a day, Harvey Keitel sequestered himself in his trailer in a deliberate attempt to totally "inhabit" his role, while Jim Brown stumbled over dialogue (ironically) crafted with his idiosyncrasies in mind.

Those were a few of the juicy tidbits filmgoers were treated to at a double-bill of "Fingers" and "Exposed" last night at the New Beverly Cinema.

Writer/Director James Toback essentially held court over the festive occasion as a high-spirited (at times mischievous) Quentin Tarantino played foil.

Nastassja Kinski almost slipped into the Theatre unnoticed, until someone spied her.

The fans were ecstatic!

The bill-of-fair was an intriguing mix.

In the earlier film - "Fingers" - a younger Harvey Keitel surprised me with a few moments on film which didn't ring quite true. But later - in "Exposed" - turned in a characterization that underscored his greatness as an actor.

Likewise, James Toback's celluloid offerings were a bit ragged, on occasion.

In the opening scene of "Fingers", for instance, Toback holds a "wide shot" for an excessively long few minutes, then pans in. Not before the trained professional senses there has been a slip-up, of sorts.

In fact - a handful of shots signaled his lack of experience behind the camera - at that juncture of his cinematic career. In a couple of the scenes, the set-ups were quite studied, for instance. Camera pans were quite noticeable, too. On occasion - I was distracted by the movement of the lens - which is generally not a "good sign".

When I asked Mr. Toback if he'd take a different approach to "Fingers" today - given the wealth of experience under his belt since the original release - curiously he noted he'd change scenes which happened to be those that jarred my own filmmaking sensibilities.

But, I have to admit, in - "Exposed" - he redeemed himself. The transitions there were smooth and seamless and allowed the audience to be drawn into the storyline naturally. The down-to-earth director also noted he was inclined to allow the actors to work comfortably within a framework (which was evident by a chord of truth that was struck).

Although from a technical and artistic viewpoint - "Exposed" was a more highly- polished project - there were too many distractions which ultimately derailed the film.


Rudolph Nureyev - cast as a love interest for Nastassja Kinski's character - was a hysterical notion, for example.

During the lively discussion - in fact - Quentin chided Toback about the choice. And, Toback confessed, it was problematic.

"Nureyev was such a flamboyant gay man. No overlooking it."

As to his acting, well!

In one scene he breaks into a young lady's apartment and she angrily confronts him. Instead of turning on his heel and making a normal exit, he simply swings open the door with one hand - steps backward a foot or so (still facing her, mind you) - then pulls the door closed with a deft flip of his wrist. That may have worked on stage - but on the wide screen - no way!

The audience cackled!

Toback's fans were titillated when he revealed the dancer's man-size appetite for - well, um - men. And, they roared in disbelief when the easy-going director divulged that Rudolph slept with women, too.

Toback alleged that Nureyev slept with over three hundred women - if only because it was too difficult to say "no" - to 'em. Yeah, those sympathy fu**ks go a long way when it comes to selling ballet tickets!

There were revelations, too, about the underbelly of the "business".

After proudly noting to a backer that he had negotiated a deal for distribution of the film, the funder scolded him for getting involved in "matters" which were beyond his realm of involvement.

"To you it is a film. To me, it's a pair of shoes I'm selling to the highest bidder."

That was a rude awakening, 'fer sure!

Of course, Toback was quick to lament that "Exposed" was misunderstood when it was first released.

But, he was fast on the uptake.

"Jacqueline Kennedy 'got it'."
Allegedly, Jackie arranged for a private viewing of the film. At the end - unlike the others who hurled insults at the screen - the former 1st Lady gasped out loud and wept openly.

For me, it was a different reality.

I wondered inwardly - why is it that characters go to such great lengths in high-speed hair-raising car chases to track down and shoot their arch rival - then carelessly turn their backs on 'em before confirming they're dead as a doorknob?

You figure out the end scenario. A cop-out by a lazy writer?

Talk about Jim Brown - who appeared in a role that fit like-a-glove in "Finger" - garnered a wild raucous reaction from the audience.

There was a lot of scintillating gossip about drugs and orgies at Brown's digs, for instance.

"And, in the midst of the goings-on, it was disclosed that little Mike Tyson (all of eighteen) wrestled on the sidelines lapping it all up.
Funny that," laughed Toback. "With my documentary due out on Mike in February, it appears that after thirty years everything has come full circle."

Toback also joked about how frustrated he was at the time when Jim Brown's dailies came back and he was confronted with a "rotten tomatoes" performance that was stiff and unnatural.

Ironic, that!

The writer made copious notes - after observing Brown in conversation with friends, family, and hangers-on - to ensure he got the rhythm of the actor's speech patterns just so. Even still, Brown couldn't get a handle on the dialogue. Go figure!

As I strolled up to the lobby for a snack at intermission, I bumped into Ms. Kinski snapping up a soft drink and popcorn in anticipation of the second show.

When I queried her about potential acting projects on the horizon, she shrugged politely, and noted she's just a mom now with three children.

Not a bad accomplishment - at all - Nastassja.

But, in view of the luminous performance I witnessed on screen last night that captivated the audience, it's undoubtedly a great loss to the Cinema!

http://www.julianayrs.com