Oscar Short Films Swanking - February 2008
 

Hi, all.

It's Oscar season again, so I present the following for your consideration:

Oscar-Nominated Shorts (and/or Short Films) Swank-tastic Screening.
Clever animated bits. Clever live-action bits. If you're lucky, someone else might show you their bits.

Saturday, February 16, afternoonish to allow those who are going to Lucent L'amour event sufficient time to attend both. Specific time to be determined once the screening times are available.

Lunch fore, or dinner aft, at a Santa Monica location yet to be determined.

Should be good for me!

Sweet! This was my favorite swanking last year (and is always my favorite movie outing every year, too.)

Oooh I'm so happy. I was going to ask this morning when the Oscar Shorts Screening will be. But I forgot.


Yay! (Um, at the Aero this year? ETA: oh, the Lemmle (prounouced "Lem-Lee")

(At a Laemmle. They bounce around.)

We should all wear shorts.

visible GC mojo

In.

Oh. Yes.

It's in, oh yes, oh god it's in!



And we're in too.

Hah, I said "any chow", GD said "dinner aft".

So there's a correction to be made to the original post - it's actually the Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena. Which is well and good - plenty of excellent restaurants and other interesting things there, too.

And, also, a very cool update for people who aren't living in or around the city of angels, the films are playing in a whole lot of other cities that week, too. You can see the full list of theaters here, but heads-up to our LoT pals that there are screenings in San Diego, Berkeley, San Francisco, Sacramento, Tucson, Lake Worth FL, Portland and Seattle among others.

I wanna be in, but it depends what the mouse has in store and what time we're talking about.

So ... do we need advance tickets???

I would think we do.

Yeah - me, too.


Sooooooo? Howz do we's get 'em??

We won't be able to get 'em before the screening times are announced. (Generally a week in advance.) They're the typical screening times, usually. Morning, afternoon, evening showings. One every couple of hours.

want to.

gotta check schedules.

Why don't they ever have these things in OC? I hate traveling to LA.....

However, I did spot this on the calendar:

3/6/2008
Hollywood, CA: Egyptian Theatre

I've always wanted to see something at that historic old theatre. Too bad it's a Thursday. :(

Hey, if you could get all of the film industry to move to OC, I bet they would!

I love the Egyptian (we saw it there last year, actually) but I definitely want to see the short films before the awards (which are February 24) and we always try to see a weekend screening so as many people as possible can go.

I swear I posted - I'm in.

There is GELATO in Pasadena. Just Sayin'...

(btw, there's also excellent gelato in Los Feliz. But that should be in the Mousepod Movie Night thread, heh...)

Glad you're comin', G!

I wias with AndrewP last night and asked about the screenings at the Egyptian. They are doing them, but a week AFTER the Academy Awards. :(

Any chance we can do this on Sunday, the 17th instead of Saturday the 16th? Otherwise, I'm double-booked for the 16th and it would be difficult for me go to the shorts with y'all.

We would be unable to go on Sunday, we've already made other plans around this.

I have other plans on Sunday as well.

Alrighty then.

So this is on Saturday. Did we decide on a time?

I'm out. Mouse wants me at 4, which eliminates pretty much every possibility. But have fun, guys!

I so want to be there but I have Maddy and we need to clean as we're having company for a week. Ugh. I'll have to wait for the dvd :(

So, seeing as it's THIS coming weekend, aren't tickets on sale YET?

Gah, showtimes not available on laemmle or fandango...

I just called. The girl I talked to had no real idea, other than tomorrow is the day that they refresh all of their showtime information.

The only info she had on hand was "some special screening" running Fri-Sun with show times of 12:30PM and 12:55PM. Hopefully that's not it as we cannot attend an afternoon showing.

Not to be too snarky, but isn't this the information upon which we all based our unchangeable plans?

Afternoonish for lunch, late afternoonish film time was the idea. We were planning on skipping lunch and showing up for films and dinner.

Don't know if it is everywhere but I didn't realize they'd be split into animated and non-animated and I'd have to pay twice. $45 (two of us, two shows) is a bit much but if I'm going to all that trouble I want to see them all.

I'll have to think on it. Anyway, for Bay Area people here is the page for the Embarcadero. You can probably find your way to the San Rafael and Berkeley theaters from there, I think they're all Landmark.

Oh, that would suuuuuuuuck.

That would seriously suck.

I too thought we'd be looking at a late afternoonish show and then dinner. Kinda like we did last year.

Ah, I guess they don't have much choice. This year's animated short nominations includes to 30 minute films and all five total about 90 minutes. Last year all five together barely totaled 30 minutes.

Yup, that'll do it.

We can always wait until afterwards and see it at the Egyptian.

Location would be more convenient ... but. waaaa, all of the silly fun Oscar competish excitement would be lacking.

If it turns out we can't do this weekend, I'll still go to the Egyptian. But yeah, I so enjoyed caring last year during the awards. :(

I agree. Let's see what the times are tomorrow and what the price will be.

So people are considering cancelling due to the split program and the time? (My understanding was always late-afternoon-movie then dinner.) We've gone to these at Laemmle theaters before; they were split and they did run all day so I highly doubt it'll only be one screening of each.

Well, no matter what, I will be going this weekend and I hope very much that some of you will join me. I'd much rather see these before the awards, and the Egyptian program is decidedly after.

It's just really difficult to make plans with no specific information.

It will depend on timing. I don't mind paying to see both, as long as it fits in the schedule.

Damnit, I wish I wrote the number down last night. I had to sit through their entire recorded spiel before I got the direct # to a live person.

Yeah, I have no intention of skipping it because of the $. That's not an issue.

I'd just like to know what the showtimes are, and whether we should buy tickets in advance.



Then we can start the endless selection of where to have dinner! :p

I'm so shallow, that I know if I wait until after the Oscars, I'll only want to see the winners.

I don't want to complicate the situation or anything, but do you guys know that there's going to be a one-time screening of all the shorts next Tuesday night (for $5) that will have discussions with many of the filmmakers?

Info right here.

Hmmm, that's a monkey wrench wrinkle if I ever saw one.


Hey, there's a chance Maciek Szczerbowski will be there? Can we fool Big Dan into coming?

Two separate Programs (LA and Anime)
$9.50 pp, per show
Pasadena only
(310) 478 1041 (press 0 for operator)
Call after 2 pm today for show times (they may not be on the site)

I will come up regardless.

That's VERY cool!

The suspense is KILLING ME

Nominated Live action: 4:00PM and 9:15PM
Nominated Animated: 1:45PM and 7:00PM

And I forgot to ask about ticketing.

So it looks like the 4PM, 7PM combo. That means either a "quick for this group" dinner in between, or a late dinner afterwards, yes?

Actually, it'll have to be a late dinner. These are long shorts this year with a total running time exceeding 2 hours for the live action nominees alone.

Wow, those are some long shorts!

I'm in for the 4/7 program... (Tom too.)

Three of them are more than 30 minutes, one is 14, and I can't find a running time for the 5th.

Yeah, I'm not thrilled at the prospect of long-ass shorts.


Ugh, why can't we do 1:45 and 4:00? Or should we just do a group lunch first and then the movies after? Followed by cocktails or something. But dinner starting at 9:30-10:00 seems rather lame.

Because some of us are unavailable for an afternoon screening. The original plan was, as stated, lunch followed by late afternoon screening. We cannot make a 1:45 show.

Perhaps we can do one, or the other then dinner. It would be nice to do both, but that's making for a very late dinner/evening.

Steve's late lunch pre-show and post show cocktails sounds like the best idea. We wouldn't be able to attend the lunch, but that would allow for longer group social gathering while still letting more people make both sets of films as well as leave opportunity for a post gathering for the night owls. Just make sure you eat a big lunch or bring an intermission snack, eh?

I know I'm planning on seeing them both no matter what.

Well, yeah, I'm definitely seeing them both. Those who only want to see one can, for sure - but I'm only up for the pre-lunch and post-hangout... and the sack-lunch snack in between!

Where we meeting for lunch, and at what time?

So, where do we buy our advanced tickets? And, how much are they?

Yeah, who what where when ect?

:p Lisa, you can't ask a ticket question until you select a restaurant for us ... or at least present us with 3 Pasadena dining candidates.

Hey, I'm off Event Coordination duties this year. I've done enough.

Oh, is that why the earth has gone so flat :confused:

I have no idea what is out there.

But I'd like to suggest something inexpensive-mid price range, casual. I'd suggest dim sum but I don't think that would work for iSm.

Hey, guys, I'll come up with options and details by tomorrow morning - I'm in the midst of a big writing gig today so I can't until that's done.

Heidi is my hero.

Mine, too.

i like dim sum.

Okeydokey.

Pasadena restaurants which may be of interest, considering dietary (no peanuts, vegetarian necessary) and monetary restrictions...

Yujean Kang's Gourmet Chinese
Has dumplings and seafood dim sum, among other chinese chow. Yelp reviews on the positive side. Lunch reasonably priced.

La Luna Negra
Spanish tapas and flamenco dancers. Yelp reviews on the positive side. Might be better for post-movie cocktails and nibbles? I can't find the hours open.

Azeen's Afghani Restaurant
Affordable, well-reviewed on Yelp. Unusual, for those wishing to try something new.

Akbar Cuisine of India
Mild-to-positive reviews on Yelp, but it's currently both Tom's and my favorite Indian food in the LA area.

Maria's Italian Kitchen
Reasonably-priced Italian (there are several other locations in LA - we've been to the one on Pico and we like it.) Better for those who aren't feeling adventurous? There's also the well-reviewed (website-less) Gale's.

Crepevine Bistro
Mostly not crepes, as I understand it, but they are available. Reasonably-priced quasi-French food, some vegetarian stuff available. The only less-positive reviews on Yelp were confused about the lack of crepe varieties.

Might I suggest NeoMeze for possible post-cocktails-or-non-cocktails? A Yelp reviewer says the restauarant is not good for groups, and unless their online res system is buggy it's all booked. But otherwise, seems swanktacular for lounging.

TICKETS...

Please note, they have switched the screening to the One Colorado in Pasadena. (It's right in Old Town, I like it.)

Tickets can be purchased here.

We are looking at the 4PM live action, and the 7PM animated on Saturday, February 16.

I vote dim sum.

Just making sure you know - it's just one offered appetizer - it's seafood dim sum. (It was the only dim sum I could find referenced in Pasadena.)

I found another.

Equator Cafe. But so you know - the only thing on the menu Tom can eat is the egg roll. Oh, wait, I guess they have lunch specials too, and there's one other dish for him. We'd have to finish before 3 if you wanted the dim sum.

There's also a Dim Sum Express in Monterey Park - it seems to be a fast-food dim sum.

OMG - Equator!!!
Is this the same place that used to just be a coffeehouse?
I used to plant myself on a stool there just about every weekend, and write all sorts of nonsense, and doodle till my pencils were nubs.

I will offer no opinions on lunch since we are unable to attend, but I like the idea of La Luna Negra for post. I called, they're open until 11. Reservations "recommended".

Yeah, I'd love to try La Luna Negra for post, too.

For lunch, I'm open, though I admit to feeling grumbly about the lack of vegetarian offerings at Equator. If I had to choose, I love trying new stuff so the Afghani restaurant calls.

We will eat anything. We are VERY lo maintenance.

I'm good with whatever. I don't have a CC so hopefully it won't sell out.

I'm too lazy to get off the couch and get my cc.

Thanks for the info H - didn't look at the site.

I'm not picky and I'll defer to your and Tom's excellent tastes.

Mojitos!

Hmmm, inadvertently switched to restaurants in the camping thread ... and it got me ta thinkin' ...


WE NEED A RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH TOMORROW

And if we can get an idea of who plans on sticking around for cocktail hour, we can make a reservation at La Luna Negra.

cocktail hour, eh? what a novel idea.



what is the coktale you speak of???


i'm likely in.

I'll be seeing the shorts on a schedule about 90 minutes ahead of you guys tomorrow.

After each one I'll text message spoilers to one of you. Just because I can.

Two people voiced "yea" for dim sum; Tom says he's fine with his veggie option there if others would like to try the dim sum brunch at Equator. It only runs until 3, though, so we'd have to get there by 2. It's within close walking range of the One Colorado, and there's plenty of other stuff to see nearby.

We're in for before-movie-lunch, movies, and post-movie-cocktails.

Howzabout 1:30? :D



But only if Tom's really ok with it. Otherwise, we can find something else.

Tom's really OK. But thank you for being considerate!

I called to see if they take reservations, and they will since we might be a larger party. Can I get a tentative headcount for lunch and one for cocktails?

I'll copy Cherny's style and start with the ones I know now.

DIM SUM - Equator Cafe, 1:30PM
LSPoorEeyorick
LSPoorTom
innerSpaceman
BarTopDancer
NotAfraid
InternationalManofMeinke
(definitely not Cadaverous Delight or Mousepods)

COCKTAILS/TAPAS post-screening (possibly La Luna Negra if we can get a head count?)
LSPoorTom
LSPoorEeyorick
innerSpaceman
Mousepod
H
Cadaverous
Delight

More?

Ok, so where is this stuff? Equator Cafe? Pasadena's a mystery to me. :confused:

Laemmle One Colorado, Pasadena
42 Miller Alley
Old Pasadena, 91103
626-744-1224

We recommend parking at the structure on Union Street, which is nearby the theater (which, by the way, is tucked into the walking-only Miller Alley area in Old Town.)

Let me photoshop up a map.

Keep in mind that the theater is underground (literally), so cell phones won't work. Be prepared. (I'm talking to you, Lisa - and the stragglers like us and the Cadaverous Delights)

I'm in for cocktails and tapas as well.

Me!

Bornieo, for which part?

For all of it. thanks

I'm in... but I need help:

1.) Are we going to both screenings?
2.) What time are we meeting at Equinox? What is the address?
3.) Is there anyone from OC who wants to carpool?

Thanks!

Yes, my question was more "where's Equinox?" - because that's the first stop, no?

If you'll look up about three posts, you'll see the map I made.

Equator:
22 MILLS PLACE,
PASADENA, CA 91105

Ok, thanks for the addy info- what time are we meeting at the restaurant? Is 1:30 a go?

I am, sadly, out. I have so, so many errands I need to take care of on Saturday, and I'm having dinner with my grandparents, because I missed his b-day.

Can anyone tell me where Equinox is?

Waaaaaa. But 1812, you flaked, er, bowed out of the last thing we were hoping to see you at.


Hmmm, that was a movie, too. Come to something that doesn't involve us sitting in a darkened room together not having anything to do with one another.

Your grandparents are a collective male person?

Oh, c'MON!!!

What event was that? I did show up for Sweeny, at least.

And, I'm a known flaker. Plans change. I'm adaptable like that. Heh. I would love to see you, though. Sometime soon, I hope.

^ Tom's movie at the rollickin' Sunset 5.


And yeah, Kevy's on a roll of even-too-much-for-Kevy.




Yes, we should see each other soon. When's the book swap? (You can't flake on your own event, can you??)

Oh, right. Well, that was another "I have to miss something fun because of work" nights. And I was getting sick. But, yeah, I worked late that night. I missed an event I organized (the "Screaming" film) because of work, too. Heh.

Won't flake on my party. Figuring out dates. Probably in March, but NM may be out of town for some of March, so I still need to figure out what weekend is best.

:D

(inserts shameless party plug here): but will you be at the mousepod Perdita Durango double feature next Saturday?

We're in for lunch but I need to check on what time the 2nd set gets out before deciding on the tapas/drinks thing. We may just come for a quick guzzle and nosh then take off.

2nd set should get out a little after 8:30 (Laemmle has it timed at 1.5 hours)

I will rsvp for sure next week, but I would *love* to join you guys.

Will the shorts have subliminal trailers?

The only reason EH isnt' going is because I am. ;)

(Did that guilt trip work?)

I'd love to go today, but unfortunately, I've been scheduled to work tomorrow, so I only get one day to recharge.

Equator at 1:30?

See everyone at the theater

Equator at 1:30 or Laemmle One Colorado for the films starting at 4. See you all there!

I'll be there!

well, that was disappointing

?

Let's just say it's a shame the Target ads were not nominated...

Yeah, on the animation side the best done in my opinion was rising up to the level of merely not awful. Peter and the Wolf had some moments. I loved the animation for My Love, but not for 30 minutes.

Things were better on the live action side in that I didn't hate any of them. But none of them were home runs either. The Tonto Woman was the best film but was long enough that it felt like an hour-long TV drama and started to drift out of what I think of as a "short." Il Supplente was the only one I'd heard of going into things (and I'd heard good things) but I thought it was the weakest of the lot.

Tango Agentine was the favorite among our group. I think it was the best use of the Short Film form. I really liked The Tonto Woman a lot, but it seemed to be a short only by virtue of having adapted a short story.


To my amazement, the animated films were an even more disappointing lot than the live actioners. Though i felt mostly 'meh' about the animateds ... while i truly loathed the other 3 live actioners.



BUT ... a splendid time was had, as usual. And though we forgot to wear shorts ... short foods such as dim sum for lunch and tapas for late supper certainly fit the theme.



Ah, and the shower in the men's room at the tapas joint was quite refreshing!

;)

Yes, the after party at the David Lynch film set was lots of fun.

With hookers from the 80s!

Let's have a bachelor party with chicks and guns and fire trucks and hookers and drugs and booze!

:confused: Huh?


Agreed, disappointing. The Tango one better win. It was the best SHORT SUBJECT. As for animated, eh, whatever.

But I wouldn't have missed it, and will definitely be back next year.

Yes, we should make a short film. YES. Everyone start writing!

Someone on my pug board posted this pic of their cat. It looks almost exactly like the cat in the animated Peter and the Wolf short.

I've got an idea for a short film.

Hah, that's totally the cat!

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=147250

I MET THE WALRUS TALKING TO JERRY LEVITAN

Interview with LoTscr Winning animated director.

Just more evidence of the mediocrity of the animated shorts. I Met the Walrus was amazing only due to its source material. As a piece of animation, it was entertaining enough, but no more astounding than anything one might find at JibJab or countless other online flash animation producers. Don't get me wrong, had someone sent me a link to it online I would have thought it fabulously awesome. But Oscar-worthy for its animation? Meh.

I need to get the pictures online. I'll try to do that tonight.

I was most happy with I Met the Walrus because it was actually, blissfully short. I didn't find the animation interesting and the ramblings of Lennon only slightly more so.

So I think after a few days' consideration my vote goes to "Peter and the Wolf" simply because it had a few moments where I was actually interested which was untrue of the others.

Peter and the Wolf got my vote as well, for about the same reason.

I want all of them to lose.

"And the Oscar goes to...

No one. Because all of the nominees suck."





That would make for an interesting presentation.

I'm pretty sure pr0n has its own awards show, Matt...

It would be interesting if the Academy Awards had an option for the nominating committees to be like the Pulitzer and Nobel to say "nope, we don't think there is a winner this year. Sorry, check in next year."

When we did our little poll after the screenings, Lisa read out how many votes each film received. I was thinking that that might make the Oscars more exciting.

"Sorry, Tommy, you didn't get any votes..."

That was an interesting short result.

Peter and the Wolf was my choice. But Pickpockets? Really? I mean, it wasn't the worst of the bunch and had its moments. But a winner?

I think i was the only person to vote for "pickpockets" in our group. We were hands-down all for "Tango". Animation was spread a bit more and "Peter" was the winner.

Interesting. Didn't the same thing happen last year, where the LoT vote agreed with the Academy on animation, and completely disagreed with the live action?

Somehow I guessed both winners. (Wouldn't have given it to Pickpocket, but somehow knew AMPAS would.)

I actually fell to the floor in a fit of despair when pickpockets won ... over both Tango AND Tonto.

BAH.


(Heheh, but i "wore" the Tonto Tattoo to tonight's Oscar party! TeeHee)

Found some Youtube of the Animated Shorts for those who've not seen them and can participate in the pain of it all.

I Met The Walrus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL3ZgNOTPhI


Madame Tutli-Putli
(Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE9cTFTYTig
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPeRaAQ_wx0



Même les Pigeons vont au Paradis (Even Pigeons Go To Heaven)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agRX7w-2xRE

My Love (part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2c6GN5eSuI
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faE6mwyX5kI

Peter and the wolf (part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1SzWa3g0Nw
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anfDudtwPNo
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3gYD00_k0I

I am not talking to the Academy right now. First I will make a gloriously bad film starring a child and a couple of ugly Frenchmen, then I will accept my Oscar. THEN I might consider talking to the Academy again.

hmmph.

Wow, that bit of I am the Walrus struck me as a Spike & Mike reject.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0110413/

Nope, they already overlooked that one too :p