Don’t be fooled by the violent title – with stars like Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl, the feel of the movie reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith crossed with the suburban feel of Desperate Housewives.
Valentino: The Last Emperor has been premiering at film festivals and special events around the world since last summer. Last night, I had the opportunity to go to the FASHION Magazine Vancouver pre-screening of Valentino: The Last Emperor, an insightful “behind-the-scenes” documentary filmed by Vanity Fair corresopndent, Matt Rymauer.
Despite capturing the creation of handsewn full length gowns, paraded by elegant models on the runway, and seeing intricate show sets designed and brough to life, the documentary, surprisingly, focuses more on the relationship between Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino’s lover and business partner. A portrait of a business partnership and a romance. Despite being in the shadows of another man’s success, Giancarlo Giammetti describes his supporting role of Valentino as “happiness”.
Celebrating its 5th year of publication, Cinephile (UBC’s film journal) will be screening the award-winning, Canadian zombie comedy “Fido” at the Pacific Cinémathèque (1131 Howe Street) on March 3rd at 7pm. Director Andrew Currie will be in attendance for a Q&A. Guests will be well supplied with beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and a bevy of exciting door prizes and silent auction items.
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The fundraiser is part of Cinephile’s ongoing effort to keep our non-profit graduate film journal (the only one in print in Canada) alive and thriving from year to year. The event also marks the launch of Cinephile’s first 2009 issue: “Far From Hollywood: Alternative World Cinema.”
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Fido takes place in a 1950s-esque alternate universe where radiation from space has turned the dead into zombies. Fido stars Carrie-Anne Moss, Billy Connolly, and Dylan Baker and exemplifies a clever balance of the light-hearted and perverse; it is a darkly comic zombie film layered with genre parody and political commentary about US Homeland security.
Welcome to Willard, a small town lost in the idyllic world of the 50’s, where the sun shines every day, everybody knows their neighbour, and rotting zombies deliver the mail. A corporation was born: ZomCon, who defeated the legions of the undead years ago. Since then, they have domesticated the zombies and made them our industrial workers, our domestic servants – a productive part of society. ZomCon would like the people of Willard to believe they have everything under control…but do they?
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Ticket Information:
$15 for adults | $12 for Students (or 2 for $20) | Frederic Wood Box Office: 604.822.2678
Coffee was an incredibly “Vancouver” film with scenes shot at several local hotspots, including scenes from Bean Around The World and JJ Bean. With constant references to Vancouver culture, perhaps you can spot yourself personified in one of the ten vignettes. I counted at least three mentions of yoga and brief references to Spanish Banks, Burrard Street and Shoppers’ Drug Mart and an overall “gay-friendly” feel (can you spot the rainbow flag in the background with Ed & Geraldine in Part 2/10? Or the over excitement of Patricia in Part 6/10 about her gay best friend?)
Throughout the movie, we see these three forces interact and overlap with each other, both physically and psychologically. Between Batman, Harvey, and The Joker, each face their own demons and must come to terms with their actions. What should take precedence? Justice, or revenge? Nobody is guilt-free and their decisions lead to ramifications from which they will never recover from. The story is more complex than “good vs. evil”. Perhaps it is closer to “evil vs. evil” and the actors give an amazing effort in portraying a realistic look in to the human psyche.
Since 2008, Vanessa has kept her readers and followers ‘in the know’ on local happenings, facilitating for the discovery and support of brands, businesses, and experiences available in Vancouver. Vanessa combines her expertise in living a modern Vancouver lifestyle with a approachable relatability that inspires her followers to think – hey, if she can do it, I can too!
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