I want to move to the Whedonverse

Found this article from NYpost about the forthcoming series Dollhouse on-line. There's some more cast info, but still no commitment on a release date yet (Fox is the ultimate commitment-phobes though aren't they? maybe that's why I've always had a soft spot for that network)

"Dollhouse" Tv Series - Heir to "Slayer" - Buzzing over Joss Whedon's New ShowDollhouse

April 25, 2008 — ’BUFFY" fans have a reason to celebrate - their hero, executive producer Joss Whedon, is back at work.
Production began this week in Los Angeles on the first episode of his new series, "Doll- house," which reunites him with Eliza Dushku, beloved in the "Buffy" fan community - known as the "Buffyverse" - for playing the role of Faith in both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel."
Fans of those shows revere Whedon, who created them both. They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Dollhouse," for which Fox has ordered seven episodes. The network won’t say whether the drama series will premiere this summer or next fall.
Whedon, 43, wrote the first episode and is also busy directing it this week and next. He was unavailable to speak to The Post, but he described the fanciful series in an interview with eonline.com last November, before the writers strike.
"The idea is [that] those with the money or connections can access this secret, highly illegal facility where they can basically fulfill their greatest fantasies," Whedon said.
The facility, known as the Dollhouse, is populated by people "programmed" to "become the person you want them to be," Whedon said. "They don’t [merely] act like that person, they are not a robot pretending, they become that person, and then they forget all about it."
Dushku, 27, plays Echo, one of the fantasy figures. "The problem is that the character of Echo . . . stops forgetting," Whedon said. "She doesn’t completely remember, but she does realize she is a person, and that she might have been a person before she did this."
Also starring in "Dollhouse" are Tahmoh Penikett (Lt. "Halo" Agathon on "Battlestar Galactica"), Fran Kranz (Josh Flug on "Welcome to the Captain"), Enver Gjokaj and Dichen Lachman.
Gjokaj and Lachman play other "dolls," Kranz plays the guy who "programs" them, and Penikett plays an FBI agent who tries to prove the existence of the Dollhouse.
Dushku’s last series was the short-lived "Tru Calling," in which she played a morgue attendant named Tru who had the ability to talk to corpses.
Whedon most recently directed two episodes of "The Office."

I also found these spoilers from io9.com :

Here's a ton of leaked spoilers/rumors about Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse, starring Eliza Dushku: The Dollhouse, home of the amnesiac "dolls" who can be anyone or anything, is in Los Angeles. There are two types of "dolls," Actives and Inactives. Dushku's character, Echo, is an Inactive.
In one scene, Adelle, the "ice queen" who runs the Dollhouse, meets with a Senator who's considering "buying" an Active doll to use as an "escort." She convinces the Senator the Active will be better than any human escort, because the emotions will be real to the "doll" and she'll be programmed to want it as much as he does.
The geek who programs the dolls, Topher, calls Echo's "handler" Boyd, because he's noticed that a group of the mind-wiped dolls has sat together at lunch at the same table for the third time within a week. Dushku's character, Echo, seems to be initiating this clique, which means she may be evolving beyond her mind wipes. There is definitely something unusual about Echo, compared to the other "dolls." If Adelle the boss finds out, she'll have Echo killed.
Topher the geek and Boyd the handler have differing opinions about their work. Topher believes it's purely programming and sort of morally wrong (even though he enjoys doing it.) But Boyd thinks it's healthy for the "dolls" to get to experience every possible human emotion through their programmed personalities. [Blank_Dolls community]

I am eager, very very eager to finally see this show, smitten kitten that I am for all things which spring forth from the imagination of Joss Whedon

New York Magazine: Dancing Zombies at 'Thriller''s 25th

The only thing that would have made this video of Thriller night better, would have been if I were in it!

For no mere mortal can resist the evil of the thriller

So, this evening the Tribeca drive-in (the north cove at the world financial center) had Thriller night!
Here's the official description of the event:

Join filmmaker and "Thriller" video director John Landis for a special 25th anniversary screening of Michael Jackson's epic 1984 music video, plus the classic Making of Thriller. Learn the Thriller dance and take part in the world's largest zombie disco. Become a zombie at the Thriller face-painting station. Cast your ballot at our Michael Jackson look-alike contest. We're kicking off the evening with a classic Solid Gold Dance Party. . . and bringing out the ghouls as soon as the sun goes down.

If there is anything you know about me., it's my love of zombies, so as soon as my friend Steven told me about this, I knew I had to check it out!
As soon as we entered the park, what to my wondering eyes should appear? But John Landis being interviewed. Don't worry I played it cool as a cucumber, I only loudly announced "Hey look it's John Landis!"
Those souls brave enough to partake in the zombie face painting looked really cool. As much as I wanted to get done up as the un-dead, I just couldn't muster up the courage to take the express bus home like that.
There were white "MJ" gloves handed out, (quite an appropriate favor, but I was really hoping for the red leather jacket) free popcorn, and free bottles of some new snapple drink who's name I can't quite recall, expect that it was quite refreshing to my palate.
Before the film, there was a choreographed dance sequence (by the cast of step-up-and dance, I was told but I can't verify that because even I have limits as far as television programming is concerned) of the Thriller dance in full zombie get-up.
John Landis introduced the films. There was a short film where will-i-am interviewed Quincy Jones and some of today's music stars weighed in the importance of Michael Jackson.
Then the moment everyone was waiting for. The Thriller video. Yes. I sang, and bopped along to the song in my seat. It was great. Next up was the making of Thriller film. Which I didn't stay for the entirety of. So alas I missed out on the zombie disco, about which Mr. Landis intoned: "I thought there was going to be more room for you guys to dance, just clear some of these seats out. We're going to show those Philippine prisoners they aren't the only ones who can do the Thriller dance. We're gonna show them how it's done."
And I sure hope those who stayed did.

Mystery Solved, Put that Baby to Bed

Yes, kiddies my vacation is coming to a close and the work week is once again drawing nigh, but I can safely say I feel fully rested, if not a bit wistful for the week of freedom that was.
What better end to this birthday-o-rama week of fun than with a mystery birthday bash, celebrating with good friends, good food and good drinks? Not one even I could dream up darling- and trust me I'm a truly talented dreamer, able to turn even my waking life into one enormous lucid dream scape. (because reality is overrated and escapism is the best "ism" there is)
So, anywho my day started bright eyed and bushy tailed, or at least awake and caffeine fueled, saucily skipping to the bus stop to joyfully begin my trek to that wonderland forever known to all us denizens of the outer boroughs as "the city" (as if anyone who doesn't live in Manhattan is just a simple country bumpkin, plowing fields, making moonshine and overwhelmed by the fast cars and big buildings of those glitzy city folks-which is actually kinda true, I'm not afraid, I'll call a spade a spade, as I sit here typing away in my overalls, chewing on a piece of straw)
Of course the absolutely beautiful Spring weather yesterday brought the tourists out in droves. Burying my nose in a book wasn't even sufficient enough to block them out, so overwhelming was their presence. There is no greater misery than being herded onto the ferry on a weekend, pressed uncomfortably close to tourist flesh, fannie bags digging into to your midsection, in the confusion and mass hysteria the opening of those doors induce in confused visitors' minds. Akin I can only imagine to the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
Stewing quietly in my annoyance (as I am wont to do) I hardly even noticed as I almost stumbled onto a movie set on Water Street downtown, awakened just in time by the barks of one of NYCs finest.
I opted to avoid the subway and take a cab to my brunch destination, and pleasantly came to find even NYC cab drivers like the show "cash cab"! In fact so happy was my cab driver to find a common thread with me in our love of that wacky game show, he awkwardly fumbled through his Taxi newsletter (yes they have a newsletter) to show me the picture of Ben Bailey(the show's host) at the annual awards ceremony that is held for taxi drivers who have an exemplary driving record for an entire year. Which "is really hard to not get a ticket or in an accident" my driver informed me as he simultaneously drove and frantically pawed through the paper. However, as a true testament to his driving abilities, I made it to my destination safe and unscathed.
Brunch was wonderful, but then a breakfast burrito and 5 frozen strawberry margaritas always are. After a lesiurly round of eating, drinking and bullshitting I was given my first "clue" of what my next stop entailed. A gold box with deliciously smelling body cream and soap. Then off we were whisked to stop 2, The Vada day spa. As if a relaxing mani/pedi, more than a few glasses of white wine and a gift certificate for a future chocolate facial wasn't enough, Fran, Christine and Kristie then surprised me with an assortment of Crumbs cupcakes. Oh, to know such sugary bliss munching on those favorite vices of mine in the salon amidst jealous stares of crumb-less patrons. Could the day get any better? You bet your sweet tuckas it could, and did.
Next up? Kanvas, a cool martini lounge for chocolate martinis and yumma licious appetizers. Where I received my next clue, chocolate from that sexy bald man himself (yes, even sexier then Telly Savalas) my dream man; Max Brenner.(See I have this recurring fantasy where Max and I run off to some secluded island, where we live in paradise and luxury, existing solely on the sensuous chocolate concoctions created by our diminutive minions (which in my mind closely resemble oopma loompas), discovering chocolate really is the key to eternal youth and happiness) Which, is where we ended our night, myself munching on a sinfully delicious Marshmallow, chocolate crepe, delivered to me with a single lit birthday candle.
As I sat in Max Brenner, laughing, indulging and reveling in my child-like sugar utopia, Chris Isaak's "Wicked Games" playing in the background, I realized how lucky of a girl I really am. To have such truly great friends, to celebrate in such a truly great city, to celebrate turning 30 in the most truly splendid and fitting way. To not be diabetic.
Ah. life is in fact grand.
I'm ready for my work week Mr DeMille.

This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time. ~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

This week is an hour glass. The minutes like grains of sand slowly trickling away the days of my motherfucking life, or so the voice over in my mind keeps repeating. Fully conscious of the fact that next week I will once again be stuck in the stagnant waters of corporate America, a feeling I can't abate keeps slowly creeping over me that I should get out there, mix it up, explore, endeavor, move, something. God, that lovable prankster, decided to further compound my indecision by throwing some absolutely delicious weather at me. "Tempting, isn't is Jenn to get out there, in this beautiful day, huh?" he questions, leaning back in his chair, fingers steepled, giving me that omnipotent grin of his. I sit there, resplendent, bathed in my ambivalence, languorously smoking my cigarette. "It's in the upper 70's y'know, but breezy and there is sunshine aplenty." he says with a lascivious grin as he sweeps his arm across the vast expanse of the day outside the window. Contemplation flickers across my face, as we sit across from one another, eyes locked in silent contention. Knowing full well his stare is more than able to discern the truly sentient and maudlin nature of my being. I mean he *is* God after all. A moment or two pass, or maybe it was an eternity, in silence, before he leans forward and earnestly once more puts forth his entreaty, "Jenn, really, the day is too beautiful to waste. I do believe your slothfulness is one of my major no-nos, I'll have to have my people check on that. C'mon! That's a friggin' masterpiece I've created out there. Don't you want to worship it, or me or something?" He sinks back defeated in his chair. I slowly exhale the last of my cigarette, the bluish grey plumes of smoke undulating about my head as I lean forward to stub it out. "Soooo, my child have you reached a decision?" I muster every ounce of my reserve, look him square in the eye, inhale deeply as I open my mouth....and then
My truly torpid brain wakes up.
I hate when I fully disconnect from reality like that! Especially when my daydreams aren't quite enlightening. I guess I could go out. I mean what's the harm? But, then again that just sounds too much like work. That four letter word isn't until next week. Besides I kinda really am in serious like with bad daytime television. And I'm quite sure there's a barrage of active people out there roller-blading and bicycling and ultimate hacky sacking or whatever it is those kind of people do. I truly am blissfully contentedly completely happy doing nothing.
Now it's time to nap, I've exhausted myself.

The Summer Concert Season

Humidity. Hordes of humanity. Over-priced luke warm beer. $35 t-shirts. $5 bottles of water. Stocking up on paper products and purell for use in public rest-rooms (because people are really fucking gross.) Ahhh summer concert season is fast approaching. Not being the kind of girl who likes to miss out, I've already got tickets to two concerts to tide me over until the summer season really gets underway.
Stone Temple Pilots May 31st at Pnc; and The Cure June 21st at Radio City.
The cure? Well going to that concert was a given. Seeing them live has been a more than a decade in the making. No, I'm not a petulant, brooding, loner (at least not on purpose) but how could I not jump at the chance to see The Cure live? They are such a seminal band, their 3+ decades long catalog of music playing at times a soundtrack to my life. Hearing they were touring and coming to town in June induced in me a frenzied scramble to procure tickets akin maybe only to the fervor of an 80 year old devout Catholic hitting up every local parish for tickets to see the Pope's, LIVE one night only limited engagement.
It was a no brainer.
Stone Temple Pilots on the other hand, well that's a different story. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to the show. I didn't even know a newly sober (?) Weiland had parted ways with Velvet Revolver, let alone reunited with STP, until a cab driver clued me in the other night. While I always would have jumped at the chance to see The Cure, I'm fairly certain my younger self would have turned her nose up at STP. You see, when I was younger I was, well I won't mince words I was a music snob, pure and simple. STP were too mainstream, too commercial, too whatever. Did I like some of their songs? Yes. Do I own a couple of their cds? Yea. But, I never would have openly admitted to it as a young, cool indie music purist. Age has a way of mellowing a person out I guess. Seeing live music outdoors on a nice evening has a narcotizing effect, so of course I'm looking forward to the show. Maybe it's a generational thing. A band from my youth, who I really had lukewarm feelings for, reunites so I must attend to the show for Gen-x, or Gen-y or whatever Gen I am solidarity and support. I'm kinda thinking this is the connection I'll make with like minded concert goers that evening.
In any case, I think my summer concert experience is off to a pretty good start. I've got my ears and eyes plugged into the collective music consciousness waiting to see who else the summer will drag out on tour.
My biggest summer concert wish is to see Trent again, who always delivers and always puts on a good show (I've never been disappointed by him) After not touring to support NIN's last album, and putting out an instrumental album this year, maybe just maybe my wish will come true. Double fingers crossed!

Medulla Oblongata

Ever wonder what your insides look like? Ever wonder about the mysteries of the human body? Bored with biology text books and diagrams? Well, then Bodies....The Exhibition just might be for you. Yesterday, finally I made the trek to the South Street Seaport to check it out. It was pretty interesting. Especially since all of the exhibits showcase real human subjects.(talk about donating your body to science huh?) A process known as polymer preservation was used on the cadavers to prevent decay. Some of the specimens are posed participating in various activities like playing basketball to showcase the body in motion. There are in total nine (damn number nine always messing with my ka-tet, there's also an exhibit in "Turtle Bay" exploration park in California, coincidence? hmm?) galleries to explore. Visitors begin in the skeletal room, and in each successive room (muscular, digestive etc) another layer is added to the body. There are various organs dissected. My favorite part of the exhibit though, had to be the arteries and veins, dyed red and blue without the rest of the body. It was weird and also very fascinating to see how intricate and delicate (and a bit alien looking without the rest of the organs) they are.
I opted for the non-tour ticket, and it took me just under an hour to navigate my way through. I'm sure as much as I took in, there was plenty that unintentionally went overlooked. Upon exiting the exhibit, Morgan Freeman appeared out of nowhere and kindly reminded me to "cross that off your bucket list little girl.", which I thought was a little odd, but whatever, I mean I've always been of the mind that when Mr.Freeman speaks, you listen, and so cross it off I did. It was very cool. I'm very glad I finally got to see it, and I feel it was a perfect start to my vacation from the call center (which in all truth being off for a week is perfection in and off itself)
I also saw The Ruins and my review? Save your money for something more enlightening, like crack. I mean the movie tried, it really did to be a horror film, and so I felt bad not enjoying it so much. Maybe if I read the book I'd have had a better understanding about exactly what was going on at those wacky ruins. Or, why there was a tribe of people who lived at the base of aforementioned wacky ruins in fear, quarantining all those stupid Americans who dared try to find them. It wasn't gory. The vines coming to life were stupid. They didn't even explore the ruins, except for the stupid well the stupid German fell down. I did learn an invaluable lesson however. Which is, if you ever meet a German at your resort while on vacation don't listen to his or her "good idea", it will lead to inexplicable ends. The highlight definitely had to be finally seeing the Dark Knight and Iron man trailers on the big screen. They somehow seemed infinitely better and again have me losing patience for their releases. Or maybe the highlight was when the movie started a little later then scheduled and an older gentleman in the audience started frantically intoning "Do you work here? Does anyone work here? Why isn't the movie starting? Look who runs this place! *turns and faces the projection booth shaking fist* What are you smoking your crack pipe up there?" And in perfect NY fashion I merely sunk into my over-sized theater chair and dug into my over-sized bucket of popcorn thinking :"hmm actually, I think you got the show started already sir." I love this city!

My Mystery

Host:

Christine and Fran

Location:

The Big Apple New York, NY US

When:

Saturday, April 19, 1:00PM

We don't know anyone we would rather celebrate more....Jenn's 30 and we need to mark the occasion!! What better way to say hello to her 30s than with indulgence and good times!!!!Jenn - we will go through the specifics when you get there, but plan on spending the day celebrating your day!!!!



I've got my Nancy Drew hat on (under my birthday hat that is, yea yea I'm still belaboring the birthday point so sue me) I received this e-vite the other day and am patiently waiting for Saturday to hurry up along and unravel it's inherent mysteries to me. Waiting sucks. Even when the waiting is worth it (as I'm more than sure it will be) it still sucks. What can I say I'm an impatient gal. I always found my Christmas presents early, I always read ahead before choosing in a "choose your own adventure" book. I believe I mentioned once that my complacency kills me, yea well so does waiting. Anyway, here are the facts thus far: Brunch, 1pm. Mexican food and mucho margaritas. Hey, me gusta mucho frozen strawberry margaritas. Me gusta alot. I believe much like a secret covert operation my invite said I would be filled in on the "specifics when I get there." Hmmmm........Fran, Christine and I have been friends, well since forever it seems and just being able to get together and catch up is really reason enough to look forward to Saturday. But, you throw that extra element of surprise in there and my unlimited imagination starts working overtime. Parachuting, into the Amazon to find rare diamonds? Traveling through a tear in the time space continuum to celebrate in the decade of my choice ?(I'm leaning towards the 1920's, Paris or Berlin some smoky boozy lounge)I am nothing if not more than a bit fascinated by the riddle I cannot solve until Saturday. How many more days is that? God, waiting sucks.

I always wanted to visit st.olaf!

Which Golden Girl Are You?

My Result: Rose

A rose by any other name wouldn't be as sweet — or as funny. So maybe you didn't grow up on a dairy farm in good old St. Olaf, and you don't regale everyone with endless stories of back home. But like Rose Nylund, you've got a heart of gold and are a super sweetheart.


A compassionate and sympathetic soul, you're a great friend who's always willing to lend an ear and a helping hand to your loved ones, strangers, and stray animals alike. The world is a better place because of you. So keep up your good deeds and positive attitude. It's a great addition to any scene.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=goldengirlogt&c=50652

Guitar Hero World Record (CBS News)

I love how not humble this kid is: "I didn't imagine being this good *chuckles* but I guess I am, it feels great!" That's right don't act modest, that's for adults. I can't decide if this kid(I'm 30 now anyone under 25 is hereby refered to as a kid) has too much free time, or is really awesome. I myself love guitar hero, but cannot manage to play any songs above medium level. I just need more practice time man, that's all. This news clip really reminded me of the South Park episode. I kinda want to post that episode so as to compare and contrast reality with it and see just how on target those guys came again.

The divine language of Music

Last week on my lunch break I was feeling a little restless. Some days bullshitting in the break room just isn't appealing. Thursdays (payday-my reason for living) we get an extra 15 minutes for lunch, and I needed to get out and do something to quell my overwhelming boredom. So, I decided to go check out the Museum of the American Indian. I've worked downtown for five years, often passing by this impressive looking building wondering what's inside. There's no admission fee so why not get lost in the silence of the vast exhibit halls for a little while? As impressive (and a bit overwhelming) as the building looks from the outside, it's just as impressive (and a bit overwhelming) on the inside. With two immense floors of exhibits I was sure I wouldn't be able to go through everything on my lunch break, but what I did see was truly impressive and interesting. The intricate carvings, paintings, woven textiles, clothing, headdress, ect. Art and spirituality are so interwoven into the essence of the Native people's culture. It's truly beautiful. I don't think I could adequately express that beauty. Life, death, love, war, peace, all these intricate universal themes expressed so complexly in the simplicity of a carving or painting, or dance.What spoke to me most though, was the importance of music to Inuit peoples. Music is an integral part of their culture and daily lives. Songs are used to express everything from birth, death, marriage, a welcoming to visitors, a successful hunt. Songs are used to express emotions from joy, love, loneliness, hatred, comedy, insults. Individuals have ownership of certain songs as a sign of life experiences. However, some songs were commonly owned, not by any one individual. A person could also give their ownership of a song to another individual as a sign of respect or appreciation. This concept of giving the ownership of your song, your life experience over to another person just struck me as such an immense act of love and respect for that person. It's almost like you would in essence be giving a piece of your soul to someone else to own.
Music has always spoken to me on some visceral level. Awe struck as I have always been by the power music has to divide or unite people. It really is a universal language that transcends cultures or differences. I've always been happiest in my life when I surround myself with it. Whether with the various music lessons I begged my parents to sign me up for as a child, going to a concert, or just listening to the radio, music has always been where I find my peace. Maybe that's why I carried that part of the museum with me above all else. In any case, I was glad I finally endeavored to explore the museum. Maybe one day I'll go back when I have more time and get lost for a little while to see what else I find.

Movies movies everywhere and not a decision in sight

Alrighty, I've perused the Tribeca film guide and made a few preliminary cinematic choices. The following is a list of those choices who's tiny blurb of an explanation caught my attention. My goal is to see at least one of these flicks, but however am I to choose? Is there some mathematical equation to employ? Should I consult the oracle? I've got choices choices choices to make. (Trust me it was hard enough narrowing the list down to what it is here) I present for consideration my short list of Tribeca films, someone get Price Waterhouse on the phone, maybe they know how I should choose the winner:


War, Inc.


[WAINC] Spotlight Feature Narrative, 2006, 106 min Interests: Action, Comedy, Middle Eastern, Politics, Satire, Thriller A hit man is sent to a fictional war-torn Middle Eastern country where the United States is waging the first fully outsourced war. John Cusack (who co-wrote and produced), Joan Cusack, Marisa Tomei, Hilary Duff, and Sir Ben Kingsley star in this biting satire





The Wild Man of the Navidad


[WILDM] Discovery Feature Narrative, 2008, 85 min Interests: Drama, Horror, Thriller, Violence Based on real-life journals, this intelligent retelling of an old urban legend, shot in a '70s-style B movie aesthetic, focuses on a Texas community terrified by a mysterious creature inhabiting the nearby woods.





Yonkers Joe


[YONKE] Discovery Feature Narrative, 2008, 100 min Interests: Crime, Drama, Family Issues, New York A small-time con man's search for the perfect scam is disrupted by unexpected family challenges. This heartwarming drama features memorable performances by Chazz Palminteri and Christine Lahti.





Waiting For Hockney


[HOCKN] Discovery Feature Documentary, 2008, 78 min Interests: Art/Literature, Documentary, Female Directors At 38-years-old, aspiring artist Billy Pappas is the ultimate dreamer. Checkoway chronicles the 10 years Pappas spent meticulously drawing his masterpiece in his parents' attic-and the success or failure he believes hinges on his ability to show his work to his idol, artist David Hockney





The Wackness


[WACKN] Spotlight Feature Narrative, 2008, 110 min Interests: Comedy Summer of 1994. The streets of New York are pulsing with hip-hop and wafting with marijuana, and Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is spending his last summer before college selling dope, trading it with his shrink (Ben Kingsley) for therapy, and crushing on his stepdaughter (Olivia Thirlby)





This Is Not A Robbery


[ROBBE] Discovery Feature Documentary, 2008, 75 min Interests: Aging, Biography, Coming of Age, Crime, Documentary One morning, J.L. "Red" Rountree woke, ate breakfast, went for a drive, and robbed a bank. He was 87. This is the unusual story of how this devoted family man and law abiding senior citizen became one of the country's most notorious serial bank robbers.





Love, Pain & Vice Versa


[LOVEP] World Narrative Feature Competition 2008, 86 min Interests: Drama, Latin American, Psychological, Romance, Sex, Suspense, Thriller This stirring and moody psychological thriller finds two strangers subconsciously linked when their recurring dreams begin to topple their reality. Featuring strong performances by the sizzling Bárbara Mori (La mujer di mi hermano) and Leonardo Sbaraglia (Intacto).





Let the Right One In


[LETTH] World Narrative Feature Competition 2008, 114 min Interests: Adaptation, Coming of Age, Drama, Horror, Suspense, Youth Based on Lindqvist's bestselling novel, this beautifully touching tale tells of the first romance for bullied 12-year-old Oskar and the girl next door, Eli… who also happens to be a vampire





Idiots and Angels


[IDIOT] Encounters Feature Narrative, 2008, 78 min Interests: Animation, Drama, Experimental Oscar®-nominated animator Bill Plympton sketches a David Lynchian dark comedy about a morally bankrupt man scrabbling to hide the good in himself-which manifests itself in a pair of angel wings that just won't go away.





Hotel Gramercy Park


[HOTEL] Encounters Feature Documentary, 2008, 80 min Interests: Art/Literature, Documentary, Family Issues, History, New York Keeve explores the family drama of the longtime owners of this infamous hotel--once a drug-fueled haven for the likes of Bowie and Blondie--as they prepare to turn it over to hotelier Ian Schrager. Is the transformation a redefinition of cool or the demise of a New York icon?





From Within


[FROMW] Midnight Feature Narrative, 2008, 90 min Interests: Psychological, Suspense, Teens, Thriller, Violence Evil comes from within in this smart, supernatural thriller, set in a small extremist evangelical town that is mysteriously afflicted with serial suicides. Up-and-coming cast includes Elizabeth Rice, Thomas Dekker(Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Laura Allen (Dirt), and Rumer Willis





Finding Amanda


[FINDI] Spotlight Feature Narrative, 2008, 100 min Interests: Drama, Dramedy, Family Issues, Sexual Politics In Tolan's (co-creator, Rescue Me) hysterical feature directing debut, a successful TV writer (Matthew Broderick) struggles with his addiction to gambling, drugs, and alcohol, making it that much harder to travel to Las Vegas and convince his troubled niece (Brittany Snow) to go to rehab





Dying Breed


[DYING] Midnight Feature Narrative, 2008, 92 min Interests: Action, Drama, Horror, Suspense, Thriller, Violence Inspired by the legends of a 19th-century cannibal and an extinct tiger, this brutal horror-thriller centers on four friends who find out that something--or someone--more murderous than a tiger lurks in the rain-slogged Australian bush





The Caller


[CALLE] Encounters Feature Narrative, 2008, 95 min Interests: Crime, Drama, Film Noir, Returning Filmmaker, Suspense Frank Langella gives a tour-de-force performance as an energy executive who tries to expose his corporation's corrupt practices in this quiet yet chilling neo-noir thriller. He hires a private investigator (Elliott Gould) to forward his efforts, but who is investigating whom?





Bitter & Twisted


[BITTE] Discovery Feature Narrative, 2008, 88 min Interests: Coming of Age, Drama, Dramedy, Family This quirky, multidimensional drama of longing and loss starts with the death of a young man and flashes forward three years to assess the toll it took on his parents, brother, and ex-girlfriend. A vivid style and nuanced performances add an unusual charm to this confident debut





Boy A


[BOYAZ] Spotlight Feature Narrative, 2007, 100 min Interests: Adaptation, Crime, Drama, Psychological, Suspense A former juvenile offender released from prison after 14 years reenters society with the help of his counselor. Newcomer Andrew Garfield gives a stunning performance as the hesitant 24-year-old who must catch up with his peers while keeping his past a secret.





Bart Got a Room


[BARTG] Encounters Feature Narrative, 2008, 80 min Interests: Comedy, Coming of Age, Dramedy, Family, Teens It’s ticktock ticktock for Danny as the prom approaches, and he still doesn’t have a date. With the help of his plain-Jane best friend and likable but wacky parents (Cheryl Hines, William H. Macy), his hopes for that “special” night may come true in this colorful and quirky comedy





The Auteur


[AUTEU] Midnight Feature Narrative, 2008, 80 min Interests: About Cinema, Comedy, Sex, Spoof With a body of work that includes Five Easy Nieces and My Left Nut, Italian auteur Arturo Domingo is the foremost artist among pornographic filmmakers. In this hilarious spoof, Domingo hopes to revive his sagging career by reuniting with his former lead actor for his greatest film yet

Tyrannosaurus Rex

I love the insanity which is Rob Zombie. I haven't seen a movie by him I have not liked yet. I loved his Halloween re-make/re imagining and have been patiently waiting for something new. Hmm, mayhap the wait is almost over??

New Rob Zombie Movie Plot Revealed?
posted Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 02:36:00 PM by Diamond Oz. (thanks Blabbermouth)The Pulse of Radio reports:
More information has possibly crept out about the next movie from rocker-turned-filmmaker Rob Zombie, titled "Tyrannosaurus Rex". According to Bloody-Disgusting.com, the movie is about a semi-professional wrestler named Tyrannosaurus Rex who is being pursued by a "biker gang from hell." If that is in fact the premise, it closely resembles a comic book that Zombie co-authored a few years ago, called "The Nail". Although a film version of "The Nail" was reportedly in the works at one point, nothing ever came of it. Zombie created "The Nail" with hot horror comics writer Steve Niles, author of the graphic novel "30 Days of Night". Zombie told The Pulse of Radio at the time how the partnership began. "We got together and we're like the same age, and we sort of have the same background, you know, he was in these DC hardcore bands, and somehow we just were very similar," he said. "So we started working together and, I don't know, it just worked. 'The Nail' is pretty ridiculous, it's sort of like ('70s biker horror film) 'Satan's Sadists' meets ('70s Peter Fonda horror movie) 'Race With The Devil'." Zombie has not made any public announcements about "Tyrannosaurus Rex" except for the title. The film is due out on August 28, 2009 and will follow his hit 2007 remake of "Halloween". Zombie's upcoming animated film, "The Haunted World of El Superbeasto", was also based on a comic book character he created.

No Big Deal

So, it's my last weekend as a twenty-something. And, no my stomach isn't cramping from anxiety, not just yet anyway. It's really not as big a deal as I thought it would be, but then again is anything in life ever really as big a deal as we ever think it'll be? Maybe I'll feel a trifle bothered and irritated when, in a few years I have to check the next age bracket box on forms. Moving into the next age group might be a bit daunting and soul crushing. I dunno. All of my thirty-something friends and acquaintances made me think this "return of Saturn"(if you will) was such a monumental event. I thought maybe I'd be granted an epiphany or audience with the Dali lama who'd then impart the meaning of life to me. But. so far it's just another birthday to me.
Like when I turned 21
or 25
or 18 even
I guess I just don't get the big deal.
I mean is there something I'm not getting, or something I'm just not feeling? Should I feel like it's more important than I do? I guess I could fake it. Just so people aren't offended when my response to their inquiry: "so how's it feel to be 30 huh?"(of course aforementioned questioner has a loopy, all knowing grin plastered on their face anticipating my gloomy answer) Is a resounding shrug.
But I digress.
Here's what has me jazzed about my birthday. I took the week after next as vay-cay. I'm getting icecream cake(I hope, because I really love icecream cake-the kind with real cake and icecream that is) I'm going to go see "The Ruins" (my friend Steven recommend it. He said it was "really gory and about people quarantined on a Mayan ruin, and the surrounding vines are alive!") I mean I love gore and ancient Mayan ruins! I'm going to go see bodies the exhibition! finally! And of course food. Good food. I want to find a fabulous tapas bar. I'm obsessed with tapas. Y'know in Spain they go tapas bar hopping? How cool is that? Keep your liquor fueled bar hoppin' nights folks, I'd much prefer appetizer hopping thank you. Plus they siesta. I'm seriously considering a move to Spain. But, most importantly, I'm looking forward to doing whatever the hell I fancy, and not a thing that even resembles work.
I'm still kinda holding out for that epiphany though.

Tenacious D at American Idol

Hey dog, this is the only cool thing that has ever happened on American Idol.

The Coolest 83 year old Lady

My job consists of speaking with the elderly, infirmed and the insane daily. It's not nearly as glamorous as it sounds. That demographic is not especially know for their overall pleasantness. Sometimes I can't say I blame them for their curmudgeonly attitudes though. All they want is a simple answer or simply to have their claims paid and they get bounced from one office to another, one person to another getting a different answer at each stop along the way before their unhappiness comes piping through my headset invading my brain and testing my well of patience. Every once in while, a great while sometimes, I get to talk to a caller who makes me laugh, makes me glad I could help them. I sometimes enjoy when an interesting caller tears down the thin veil of customer service and lets some humanity shine through. The following is in part the diatribe of one such caller I encountered the other day. This lady was bounced to 5 different offices before she was transferred to me. Her inquiry was simple enough and I was able to easily answer her question. After helping her and before ending the call she had the following to say. I have dubbed this lady the coolest 83 year old lady in the world. Keep in mind this call was at 11am:

"Thank you! That was so simple. I don't understand why no one could tell me that 2 hours ago. Y'know it's amazing to me. I'm 83, and I'm still with it. As I'm sure you can tell, I still know what's going on, I can understand a lot of things. I was a scientist. I used to invent things. These young kids today don't know anything. They just stop learning. Yet, they think they know everything. I told one young kid, "y'know what? I knew more at 80, then you'll ever know in your entire life!" So, I thank you. Now I'm done with these phone calls for the day. I'm going to go have some wine!."

If I could be guaranteed to have all my mental faculties about me like this lady at 83 and spend my mornings putting younger fools in their place and drinking wine I wouldn't fear growing old so much anymore. I would in fact welcome it with open arms!