RECENT BLOG POSTS

Jul
28
2010
Cinémathèque 2.0
Posted by: matt at 9:53 am
criterion collection, Local Short Films / VOD, mubi, scorsese, social networking, the auteurs

Yes, I know, because you absolutely need just one more social networking that connects you with absolute strangers to join. But if you're into film, then there's a strong chance percentage you will be into this. And if you're not into film, well, then there's a strong chance percentage you're on the wrong website.

MubiMubi

Allied with Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Foundation and partnered with the Criterion Collection (speaking of, the number of Criterion DVDs I own are the new benchmark by which I will measure success in my life -- currently I own 2 / 540), MUBI allows users to screen both mainstream and hard-to-find feature films (for ≤ $3) and engage in clean and civil discussion forums (looking at you here, IMDb).

Because you can't get enough of us, here are the profiles of some HIFFy bloggers you can follow:  Matthew, Dana, and Chris.

Add new comment 0 Comments Read more
Jul
22
2010
Life in a Day
Posted by: dana at 10:37 am
24 hour, Call For Entries, life in a day, YOUTUBE

Hey guys, here's another great opportunity brought to you by Youtube.  If you missed out on our 2010 HIFF Fall Festival deadline (which, by the way, is still open to high school students and younger), you may want to check this out.  The call seems pretty open ended as far as content goes, so let's get real weird with it everyone!

Oh and PS, did I forget to mention that the most interesting and compelling footage will be used in an experimental documentary, directed by Kevin Macdonald (THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND) and produced by Ridley Scott (this guy literally has 33 projects in production).

 

 

Life In A Day is a historic global experiment to create the world's largest user-generated feature film: a documentary, shot in a single day, by you. On July 24, you have 24 hours to capture a glimpse of your life on camera. The most compelling and distinctive footage will be edited into an experimental documentary film, executive produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.

For more information, visit youtube.com/lifeinaday.

Add new comment 0 Comments Read more
Jul
13
2010
COMING THROUGH! FASHION IN ACTION
Posted by: matt at 2:09 pm
Celebrities, david lynch, dior, fashion, film, marion cotillard, short film, trends

Flip through the pages of Vogue / GQ / that-indie-fashion-rag-"only-you"-read and you've probably noticed a trend you can't exactly strut down the catwalk. Or if you haven't, then take off those wayfarers or aviators or wayfarer-ed aviators (whatever it is we're supposed to be wearing these days) and you'll see this blog isn't talking head-to-toe denim-on-denim here, people, but "Fashion Films."

In terms of "cinematic advertising," we haven't seen torque like this since BMW's glossy high-budget campaign, THE HIRE, almost 10 years ago. And while recruiting the talents of Hollywood stars and directors isn't an original marketing move or anything, with the mainstreamed-Internet and YouTube, well, why not?

Dior looks to be a cut above the rest (remember this patisserie cupcake of an ad from Sofia Coppola?) with their latest campaign LADY BLUE SHANGHAI starring legend-in-the-making Marion Cotillard, directed by already legendary David Lynch. And Prada's FIRST SPRING by filmmaker Yang Fudong leaves its mark by mixing minimalist-existentialism in a way I'm sure can be deconstructed a la Chuck Klosterman, but they're playing really awful local covers of Crosby, Stills, and Nash in this coffee shop, so I'm not in the mood right now. Oh yeah, and I'm not Chuck Klosterman.

Full of Lynch signatures: smoky dream-like logic, wide shots of drab set design with a vomit color scheme (by John Galliano, an added bonus), flickering electricity and HEAVY DRAPES EVERYWHERE.

Read more for 'Part 2' and Yang Fudong...

Add new comment 0 Comments Read more
Jul
07
2010
Surf's UP
Posted by: dana at 3:27 pm
Doris Duke, Fiberglass and Megapixel, Film Festival, HAA, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Special Events, Spring Showcase 2010, Surf Film Festival

Recently it's been hotter than a cat on a tin roof, which has been a blessing for people who actually enjoy water fun, beach bumming, being outside in general and all those other really warm things.  For those of us with less melanin and more hobbit-tendencies, it's almost tempting to go to this refreshing "beach" thing I keep hearing people talk--but now we don't have to!

Thanks to the Doris Duke Theater, this Friday premieres the 3rd Annual Surf Film Festival which runs from July 9th thru July 31st.  This year the Doris Duke will be showing 10 surf-packed films, including Fiberglass & Megapixels which premiered at the 2010 HIFF Spring Showcase. 

Opening night is this Friday at 6PM, with free drinks by Kona Brewing Company and Barefoot Wine, food for purchase by Da Spot and entertainment by Dr. Zaius.  Get there early as the opening film Lost Prophets: Search for the Collective (which looks pretty fab) starts at 7:30.

Add new comment 0 Comments Read more
Jul
06
2010
G, M, R, X? - The Origin of U.S. Film Ratings
Posted by: chris at 3:57 pm
HIFF 2010, Hollywood, Motion Picture Production Code, MPAA Film Ratings

Have you ever wondered how we arrived at the current film rating system in the United States? The current ratings are: G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17, listed in order from general to restricted audiences. If you're interested in learning more about the history of these film ratings, read the full article below.

Add new comment 0 Comments Read more