Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
I don’t do the sports too much here, but 4 games of 50 points or more. 2 games were over 60. What’s going on here? Say something bad about the guy, but this is insane.
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The award presented tonite probably went something like this: “Before announcing the Best Narrative award, on behalf of the jury, I wish to recognize the feature film, Tre, with a special jury prize. Tre is a sophisticated film; an eerily seductive accusation that’s pinned on each audience member willing to be honest about who they are or have been in relationships. Eric Byler continues his uncompromising gaze with this, his third Rohmer-ic installation and we the jury salute him and his ongoing work. And finally, and quite unanimously, we would like to offer the Best Narrative Feature award to a first time (feature) filmmaker. In the Owl and the Sparrow, we saw a powerful piece of cinema verite infused with a documentary’s intention — the visuals, performances and subject matter align effortlessly in this elegant and vital tale of a young girl’s struggle to be free of poverty and an oppressive uncle’s grasp. We the jury congratulate Stephen Gauger and his film, the Owl and the Sparrow with the SFIAAFF’s 2007 Best Narrative Feature award.” Owl and the Sparrow trailer. Also a special mention goes to actor Ken Leung who was in two films, Shanghai Kiss and Year of the Fish. He kicked butt in two films. If you don’t know who he is, imagine, he’s the Quill guy in Xmen, the one who’s face turns into spikes!
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Back in LA now, but this was day 6, it started off with a fire alarm and evacuation of the hotel at 8:30am. I slept for just a few hours and I was still the first one out of my room at that moment. An elderly couple look troubled. I assured them, we were going to make it out of the inferno! I wouldn’t be denied. About halfway down the stairs, there was a homeless dude sleeping in the stairwell. Then “false alarm” came over the loud speakers. It was amazing how clear the voice rang. Met with Alvin Lu of Viz. Then saw the Gap ad with Prison Break dude and Lost dude. The big deal was watching the last two films and deliberating for the prize of the competition. We talked for about less than a minute and had our winner. The next issue was to give a Special Jury Prize, and we actually did. I wasn’t pretty ok with it, but I think I was the lone holdout in the beginning. We also have another special mention and I hope people appreciate that too. There’s a pic of us deliberating in an office. Then the weird time… dinner with Hong Sang-Soo… this is story all of it’s own. In the pics the director seems mellow, but he’s much out of control. Drinks at an establishment at 3am? Buying a bottle for a few hundred? There’s some incriminating shots. The last shot at 4am says it all.
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I saw a couple of more films. American Zombie and Ang Pamana. We deliberated soon after. We talked for a while, came up with a winner and then some. It’s fun doing this and I can’t announce anything here, sorry. But the experience of talking with Jacqueline and Chris Lee and seeing their opinions from their backgrounds is quite great. They definitely see things from different perspectives and they’re smart about film. Sometimes, I think that’s where you can actually learn something, from listening to people’s opinions who you may never cross in your daily lives. In my case, this was one of those situations. A Hollywood producer who probably rolls hard and deep, and Jacqueline Kim who’s acted in Brokedown Palace to many indies, to TV including Star Trek, and now is making her own. Here we are in the office. We sat and talked maybe an hour. It brought great closure to the 12 films we watched. Eventually, maybe I’ll do some capsule reviews on the films. I’ll upload some other photos and tomorrow night is SCRABBEL.
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Saw two films, American Pastime, a Japanese American concentration camp experience film centering around baseball. The showing was a special school showing, so there were tons of kids in the film. Then Baby, a film about gang life in Southern California. Then The Trouble With Romance which features the director who made a short film called Quest for Length featuring Roger Fan (from BLT). Sorry, I’m getting lazy with the links, but I’m not even sure if any of you care. Again, no opinions here. Yet. The first photo was a screening room. Not a pretty one, but it was one. That’s Chris Lee on the right, he produced Superman. He’s also a judge. What do producers do anyway? If you flick thru the pics… you’ll see. Again, Vietnamese food, this time I got to Bodega Bistro on Larkin and Eddy and ate kick ass lettuce wraps with pork, then went to Lee’s – you know what that’s all about. Sammiches… Saw Oreska and 50 Kaitenz, bands from Japan who were on tour from South x Southwest. Both gave up inspiring shows that got fans excited. The last photos are folks I sat with outside of a bar. Tomorrow is the deliberation day, but I have two films before that too.
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