Moving on down the Road

Thursday, February 08, 2007

So I'm all filmed out....Think I'm suffering 'Film Festivalitis' - square eyes, crinked neck & sore bum. But I've had a brilliant week and saw some wonderful new films: After the Wedding (Excellent and moving Danish film & 2007 Oscar nominee), Golden Door (Sublime Italian film set in early 1900's about immigrants to US starring Charlotte Gainsborough), Hounddog(Controversal new US Indie starring Dakota Fanning & Robin Penn Wright), Little Children (Todd Field making yet another excellent cinematic statement - & was enthralled during the revealing Q&A with yet another Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley), 49 Up & Thunderheart (So enjoyed the Q&A with Michael Apted), Blood Diamond (Excellent Q&A with oscar Nominee Djimon Hounsou) and many more. Celeb's sited apart from the aforementioned Q&A hosts and Will Smith were Tom Cruise (will re-arranged his hair), Helen Mirren, Sasha Baren Cohen, Dermont Mulroney and Forrest Whittaker. Checked out the town of Santa Barbara during the week and frequented some excellent local Bars for dancing and drinks - (Indochin & Wildcat), ate at a few cool restaurants - the requiste, infamous Super Rica (Julia Childs Fav'), Galanga, Natural, and also hung at Java Jones, and the James Joyce (plus Borders) - all great vibes - and generally enjoyed the hospitality of the locals, and second host Spencer (my new South American Guru). One aspect that has captured my attention is that there's a strong contingent of local homeless who hang on State Street here, upsetting the designs of the civic council no doubt to make this town a perfect tourist spot! - Everything in SB is well constructed and, well - 'nice'.Architecture is approved period 'Spanish', trees are but a few selected palm species, parking is a cinch with 75 mins free everywhere around the main drag, and all local purveyers are uniformally welcoming. But the homeless, dotted along the main street, are quite vocal (and sometimes incisive in their comments) about their lot in life and the failings of the bodypolitic & society in their homeland. To face them daily and interact seems to be an essential part of the reality of the American dream.. hard luck hits so many... Anyway- now it's time to stretch Charley's legs and mosey on down the road a piece to Ventura for the weekend, then back to LA to pick up my Social Security Card and go to some meetings....onward and upward. Currently watching: Thunderheart Release date: 29 September, 1998