Where's William?

2006-06-24

Watching Boy Culture (2006-05-26)

The first of three films spawned in Seattle--a total of four local films--that I watched, Boy Culture was a witty adaptation of the book. The hot "boys" included Darryl Stephens, who we would later see in Another Gay Movie.

Watching Wah-Wah (2006-05-26)

Wah-Wah needs a trailer that emphasizes its drama more than its comedy. While the SIFF web site describes it as a "dramedy", the comedic aspects are more apparent in the trailer. In one scene Ralph and his father, Harry Compton (played by Gabriel Byrne), block his mother's entrance and gesture the maid away. In the film the scene is sad while in the trailer it appears funny. Alternatively, the movie could end before his father drops and breaks the china cup; there is sufficient tragedy in the earlier parts of the film.

2006-05-26

At The Illusionist Opening Night Gala (2006-05-25)

It may be challenging when tired to blog every screening we see in SIFF (and, later, every weekend away in Europe), but I like the idea so I'll start with The Illusionist. This was an entertaining, inoffensive film, unlikely to produce the disgust that some felt for the transgressive Opening Night Me and You and Everyone We Know or the tears some shed for the sentimental Opening Night The Notebook. The Illusionist reminded me of The Usual Suspects, with more magic and fewer fatalities, though I liked The Usual Suspects better.

At the Paramount screening were director Neil Burger, leading actress Jessica Biel--whom I've only seen before in Stealth (which looked like it wanted to be Top Gun for the 2000s)--and 2500 film fans, including us and two friends. Edward Norton (see Rounders, American History X, Fight Club, Keeping the Faith, The Score, Frida, and The Italian Job!) was not present. (As an aside, Red Dragon is still my least favorite Ed Norton movie.) Afterward we walked to the old Seattle Public Library for a party that was again too large and too loud. I prefer the smaller galas, but I still had an entertaining evening.

2006-05-19

On Ferry to Seattle (2006-04-30)

In Jarrell Cove State Park (2006-04-30)

Along Pickering Passage (2006-04-29)

At Beach House (2006-04-28)

2006-05-13

At SIFF Member Box Office (2006-05-13)

We exchanged our Early Bird vouchers (a Special Holiday Gift Pack, a Film Buff 20-Pack, two Secret Festival Memberships, and a Gala Pass) and some additional money for 13 vouchers and the following screenings:

--05-25 19:00 The Illusionist Opening Night Gala
--05-26 16:30 Wah-Wah
--05-26 19:00 Boy Culture Gay-la Extravaganza
--05-27 23:55 The District! [added 2005-06-25]
--05-27 18:30 A Prairie Home Companion Gala Presentation
--05-28 11:00 Secret Festival #1
--05-28 18:30 Wordplay
--05-28 21:15 A Summer Day
--06-02 21:30 3 Needles
--06-03 18:30 Factotum Gala Presentation
--06-03 23:55 Destricted [noted 2006-06-24]
--06-04 11:00 Secret Festival #2
--06-08 21:30 Shinobi [noted 2006-06-24]
--06-06 21:15 Gay Discovery
--06-09 18:45 The Iceberg
--06-09 23:55 Another Gay Movie
--06-10 18:30 Perhaps Love Gala Presentation.
--06-11 11:00 Secret Festival #3
--06-11 13:30 The Man Who Cheated Himself [noted 2006-06-24]
--06-13 21:30 We Go Way Back [added 2005-06-25]
--06-15 20:00 Face the Music Rock Party
--06-16 16:00 Expiration Date
--06-16 21:00 C.R.A.Z.Y.
--06-17 19:00 Strangers with Candy Gala Presentation
--06-17 23:55 Sneak Midnight Movie [noted 2006-06-24]
--06-18 11:00 Secret Festival #4
--06-18 18:30 The Science of Sleep Closing Night Gala

What else shall I see? Ryan suggested the following films (roughly in order of decreasing preference):

Queens, a Spanish film with advertisements in TÊTU
Monster House, animated fun
Russian Dolls, the sequel to L'Auberge Espagnol, which I liked
The District!, wicked Hungarian animation
20 Centimeters, a Spanish musical also with advertisements in TÊTU
Backstage, a French film, since we're going to France
Linda, Linda, Linda, a Japanese film
Whole New Thing
Kirikou and the Wild Beast, French animation
Combat, a French film
The Line of Beauty
In Bed, a Spanish film
The Birthday, a French film

There isn't time for all of these, of course. Separately, I considered the following films (roughly in order of decreasing preference):

How shall we use the remaining 13 vouchers? Please post a comment with the films you're considering!

2006-05-11

Buying Air Canada Tickets (2006-05-05)

Ryan and I bought September 27 and December 4 tickets to and from Paris at STA Travel. We arranged to stay October and November with a Paris host family through France Accommodations & Culture. During these months Ryan will study in the University of Washington Department of Comparative Literature Fall Quarter in Paris and I'll work remotely. We hope to travel Europe on long weekends. We think it is a great opportunity, and we're excited!

At SIFF Annual Members Preview (2006-05-11)

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) Annual Members Preview was last night at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI). We saw previews for 10 of this year's 418 films (from 62 countries), and heard about dozens more from SIFF staff. The following films looked or sounded interesting [links added 2006-05-29]:

In addition, I'm eager for the following special events and galas:

Opening Night Gala featuring The Illusionist
Saturday Galas: Prarie Home Companion, Factotum, Perhaps Love, Strangers with Candy
Gay-la featuring Boy Culture
Closing Night Gala featuring Science of Sleep

For those that have had time to decide on films, the box offices open their doors to members today.