So here is a summary of 15 movies that describe my time in LA and a brief reason why:
Star Trek:
This was the first movie I watched in theaters this summer (I know right??) and I watched it on a stormy night after a relaxing couple of episodes of LOST at this sweet little dollar theater outside of Denver, CO. During my day off so I could recover from driving the whole way from MN to CA all by myself. I figure if I'm going to watch one movie this past summer...this was a good one to hit.
Inglorious Basterds:
Sooo, the first day of LAFSC activities like everyone in the center (except for about 5 of us) went to this movie and raved about it for the entire semester. I ended up finally watching it in January. But I feel like it was still a big part of my time in LA either way
(500) Days of Summer:
My first paid movie of the semester (one of four only @14.50 a movie you don't pay that often when you don't have a job...but a plus there are a ton of advanced screenings and free movies in LA) and I went to this with my 3 roommates and another guy that lived in LA and knew my roommate. Yes, 5 guys went to this movie alone, and we were all proud of it. Also, my first movie at the Arclight in Hollywood. I feel like anyone who loves movies should go to at least one movie there in their lifetime. Anyway...Great soundtrack. Awesome movie. My love for this movie may deserve its own post hmmm...
The Hangover:
Ok so when I had the opportunity to intern at WB, before my interview I had to find a way to watch their biggest hit of the summer so I could potentially have something to talk about and so I was knowledgeable about the company that I wanted to work for. Of course I agreed with the large number of people that found the Hangover genius and hilarious. I also list it here because I got to do a minor amount of graphic design on a Hangover poster.
Wizard of Oz:
The 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz came while it was in LA and while I didn't go to its re-release in theaters: I bought tickets for my parents to go as an early Christmas gift because my mom loves it and was jealous when she heard of screenings in the LA area. But I did pick up a DVD copy at WB and also a Bluray collector edition ranked #9000-something out of 250,000ish that one is still in the plastic packaging as I'm debating opening it or not...
Zombieland:
My first taste of free advanced screenings. While writing/filming an in sequence no sound film in 3 hours for class we were stopped by someone handing out fliers for a free screening in the area. I was skeptical and we were on a time crunch but I took the flier and called the number. The screening filled up before I called but they called me a couple weeks later after my first day of interning at WB. I quicked detoured (thanks to my GPS) to the theater. Free movies are awesome, especially when they are Zombieland. Had no idea what to expect and found it quite amusing.
The Invention of Lying:
My first red carpet premiere and first chronological free advanced screening. Just thought it was an advanced screening found at my first experience at GoFobo and it turned out to be the red carpet at Grauman's Chinese Theater no less. Sat 4 rows behind the film's star Ricky Gervias and 7 behind Rob Lowe. Within weeks of getting to LA I was in this situation...crazy
Surrogates:
My first LA Weekly free screening passes. Saw many posters for this but didn't know a lot about it. Needless to say I was thrilled to recieve these passes in my email and check it out! I emailed almost every LA Weekly screening possibility there was in the next 4 months. But I really thought the film brought up some interesting points of reliance on technology (like my senior sem film did too...haha).
A Serious Man:
One of my first paid for films in LA again at the Arclight. It was the new Coen brothers film. And it was set and filmed in MN. Nuff said. Very trippy. A lot of processing was needed afterward, it felt good. Also, b-e-a-utiful cinematography.
Where the Wild Things Are:
This was not one of those books that was an imperative part of my childhood. However I really connected with this film, and while I don't believe it is a film for kids, it is more a film for adults about being a kid. I also saw this at the old huge screen at the cinerama dome at the Arclight. Maybe not the best film to take advantage of the special theater experience but was so good. Another awesome soundtrack here too.
2012:
Had a nice little Man-date with Jeremy T. Navarro to watch this on the big cinerama dome screen. This was the one to catch in the dome. 2 hours and 40 minutes flew by in this disaster movie. The LA film crowd laughed at a few of the cheesy lines (its a disaster movie people, they've got to be in there somewhere) but it was a lot better of a disaster movie than I expected. Loved Woody Harrelson's appearance in this film and I think it had a very decent plot and wasn't just all special effects and CGI - which were AWESOME, thanks for asking.
Gentleman Broncos:
Not really that memorable of a film. But more the events surrounding this free screening (thankfully I didn't pay money for this one). First off it was the Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day red carpet premiere so that was cool to observe that there. As well as seeing: BJ Novak, Chuck Liddell, Carelton (from Fresh Prince of Bel Air), and Audrina from The Hills with whom I got a picture with and ended up getting on a paparazzi camera as we got into the same elevator in the parking garage with her...my small claim to "fame". Oh, and the film was introduced by Jermaine Clement (from Flight of the Concords) who was in the movie and introduced it as his character in the movie. It was so awesome.
The Blind Side:
This was a film that I heard a lot of buzz about before it was released around the office. Including possible best actress for Sandra Bullock in her performance, which she ended up winning and I feel she definitely deserved. I also so a couple executives at the screening who acknowledged me and chatted a little bit which was awesome of them I and definitely respect those people. And it was another movie that I simply enjoyed and was glad to watch it become so successful. And I even cheered for the Ravens a little bit more than I used to. A side note here: we saw this film in Westwood near UCLA, parking is nuts around there, hardest place to find a space in all of my LA semester.
Ninja Assassin:
My second red carpet premiere at the Chinese theater. Recognized a lot of the WB personnel attending the event.
Sherlock Holmes:
Now I didn't see this out in LA but there was a lot of promotion for it going on as it was the big WB Christmas film. I even got to read a little bit of the script in the office, a perk of being in story/development. Never saw it in theaters but the Easter Bunny brought me a copy, and I have posters I got in LA of both Sherlock and Watson which were a good item to remind me of my time in LA.
And while they aren't exactly reviews its what I've been watching and enjoying over the past fall and making up for my absence from this blog. Hopefully I'll be getting more frequent again and that this helped explain out some of my stories from LA as well as giving ya'll some ideas for some possible new DVD rentals.
-Dav3
