Thursday, April 19, 2007

Goodbye National


How bizarre, that I'm choked up about a LA-based cinema that I have never been to. The Mann National is closing tonight with its final show being the 10:10 screening of the alright-picture Shooter.

I wrote an article earlier this week on efilmcritic.com about the cinema's closing (putting on hold my piece on the Austin, TX based Alamo Drafthouse cinemas). There you will find Cinematreasures and Cinematour links to pictures and commentary about the cinemas. I'd fire more links, but I want you to read my article first, silly!

I don't go to LA much (I actually haven't been there since November, 2000!), but I have read many articles, spoke with many LA friends and done much research about the cinema and am very sad to see it close. The closing is also a very important one, as it is symbolic of gala cinemas in larger cities closing because of nearby megaplexes. So while the National is gone in Westwood, you can still go to the Village (which is probably only still surviving because it hosts every second LA premiere) or the smaller Bruin, or head on over to the AMC Century City, the Arclight or the Grove, all of which are swanky megaplexes. Boo.

So if you're reading this and in the LA area, go tonight! I know there will be a bunch of film fans there tonight who are also a bit miffed about this gem of a cinema closing.

Jason
efilmcritic.com

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Short Ends: Lazy Qualicum Beach Sunday


Yay, I was sick again. After getting back from Austin and then getting a cold, I found myself trying to get back to the swing of things by going to movies, being an extra in a music video (see below post) and working hard again. Allergies kept me from updating this blog (yeah, another excuse, I know) but I've still been keeping busy.

So right now I'm sitting in my lazy jogging pants and my Issac Hayes Badass Cinema T-Shirt, drinking tons of coffee as I'm going between blog updating and talking with the parents. Relaxing in good 'ol Qualicum Beach on a beautiful and lazy Sunday morning.

New reviews on efilmcritic.com: The #1 movie of the weekend, Disturbia, as well as Grindhouse, doco We Feed The World & the godawful Canadian picture Love and Other Dilemmas. I also have an upcoming SxSW review of The Unforseen and the recent Canadian doco Sharkwater.

Also my pal William Goss and myself posted an article on why the North American populace doesn't get the recent, amazing Grindhouse experience. With a underwhelming first-weekend box office take, I am truly saddened that this great experience and love letter to cinema is going ignored by easily led automotons that would rather see Will Ferrell and Jon Heder skate gay and PG-13 horror films than inexplicably play on the first night of South By.

What else: Laura Kyle has an interesting new blog that's worth checking out (it reminds me a bit of Go Fug Yourself). Also, if anyone has thoughts on this kickass new camera from Canon, do let me know as I'm obsessed with getting a new camera prior to this year's VIFF.

I also still have an article on the Alamo Drafthouse experience to be posted this week, a bit delayed due to the fevers and coughing. Hopefully the exposure will help open up a few of these up north. *Cough* Vancouver *Cough*

Until next time,

Jason
efilmcritic.com

Monday, April 02, 2007

I am coming to Muchmusic in June!


Well, I'm an extra who's dancing wildly in the background with a group of fellow aged extras, but I am now in a music video. My first music video, and hopefully not the last.

The local recording group Immaculate Machine were back in town to record the video "Jarhand" for their new album entitled "Fables", which streets in early June. Lead singer Kathryn Calder (pictured) is the niece of The New Pornographer's AC Newman, so she has ties to the NP's and has toured with them in the past.

This three-membered band is certainly an up-and-comer. Not only do the ties to the NP's get them a bit more attention, they just returned -- as did I -- from South by Southwest and no doubt they will return for some performances in the future. They play really good indie rock and it's good to hear that their sound is improving with every new song I hear.

But anyway, back to the video shoot. About 20 or so of us met at the Metro Theatre in downtown Victoria to shoot the video for "Jarhand", which is a fun little tune from the group. We were asked to all dance behind the band in the climactic part of the song. About 10 takes were performed and I was getting redder in the face with each one. Which tells me two things...dancing is fun, and good lord is that food from the Alamo Drafthouse is still taking a toll on me. Back to the gym I go!

It will now be my second time on television. The first was when I was interviewed by a local TV network when my sister came to visit for Christmas in 2004. First local TV, next a music video, and then the world!

Tracks available on their site or on their Myspace page: Immaculate Space

Jason
efilmcritic.com

PS. Sorry, no April Fools jokes for today, although Laura's made me laugh.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Short ends: updating, redesigning,


Hey all,

Over this week I'm going to be attempting to spruce up this Blogger page a bit. Widen the columns, get a few new images going and it make it less standard blogger-ish.

I also have an article going up this week in regards to the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas. In the meantime, check out what my pal Scott Weinberg has to say about the Alamo moving to a new location downtown. I think it's incredible news.

Also, check out the extensive links to your right. It has links to my Myspace page which has a pretty sweet musical jukebox (I did the work of finding music to listen to for ya!). It also has a few other blogs and sites that I like to track.

I used to do websites yet this new 'net stuff confuses me somewhat, so bear with me, or else Kate Mara will have to shoot you.

Jason
efilmcritic.com