Tampa Film Fan

bram stoker awards announced

Apparently, a lot of horror awards come out during the summer….

The Horror Writers Association has announced the 2004 Bram Stoker Awards winners (named after Bram Stoker, author of Dracula):

For best screenplay there was a tie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind by Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth; and Shaun of the Dead by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright.

international horror guild award nominations announced

The International Horror Guild Award nominations, for best literature, film and TV from 2004 in the realm of horror and dark fantasy, have been announced. The nominated films are: Hellboy, The Machinist, The Passion of the Christ, and Shaun of the Dead. The nominated TV series are: Carnivale, Charmed, Kingdom Hospital, and Lost. Winners will be announced at the World Fantasy Convention on November 3.

I have to admit, I find it very disturbing that The Passion of the Christ was included on this list. I’m glad to see The Machinist get recognized. That movie was extremely disturbing, absolutely brilliant and had one of the best “ohmygosh” endings ever. Plus, the ending wrapped everything up in a way that made sense. I hate forced endings that leave alot unexplained.

julia roberts to make broadway debut

I’ve seen this info on several websites (including the St. Pete Times): Julia Roberts is going to star in the Broadway play Three Days of Rain next spring. I had planned to write a witty yet scathing smart-mouth comment about this, but I think I’m going to go throw up instead.

august film fan fun

There’s a lot going on in August…check out the “August Film Fan Fun” links if you don’t believe me. There are foreign films, independent films, classic films, free films…big films, small films, red films, blue films….

Plus all the movies playing at local theaters.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love living in Tampa?

independents’ film festival lineup posted

The Independents’ Film Festival (September 16-17) website has been updated to include the names and descriptions of this year’s films. I recognized several local directors’ names, including Chris Woods of Icon Studios. Looks like a good lineup this year.

film fan fun at the clearwater public library

The Clearwater Public Library has a film series at 2 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month called Films on the Bluff. The August 16th film is Songcatcher.

On August 2, they kick off their Women of Mystery Series with a free screening of the film Women of Mystery at 7 p.m. Women of Mystery profiles mystery writers Marcia Muller, Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky.

free premiere screening of indie comedy in clearwater july 30

According to the Green Room Orlando website, the 80’s-style indie comedy Mandatory Overtime will premiere at a free screening at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Brick Town 54 in Clearwater.

bruce campbell book signing and film screening august 18

Bruce Campbell (from the Evil Dead series, like I have to explain who he is) will be at the Tampa Theatre on August 18 at 6 p.m. to sign copies of his new book Make Love* (*the Bruce Campbell Way). Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event and through Inkwood Books.

At 9 p.m. on August 18, Tampa Theatre will screen Campbell’s new movie Man With the Screaming Brain. Event tickets are $10.

film series in lakeland

I continue to be amazed at the number and variety of film series offered locally. Today, I came across a film series offered by the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland.

According to their website, on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. they offer a free film screening geared toward children and families.

On Saturdays at 2 p.m. they show a “less mainstream” film, such as an alternative, foreign or independent film.

On Sundays at 2 p.m. they screen a big-budget, commercial film.

On Wednesdays at 2 p.m. they show a classic film from the 1950s–1990s.

All films are free with regular museum admission ($5.00), and free all the time to museum members. I’ve included their August schedule in the “August Film Fan Fun” sidebar calendar.

movie theaters moving towards digital technology

BBC News reports that major film studios have agreed upon a standard for digital projection of films. Showing the films digitally (via computer) will save theaters a great deal of money, since they won’t have to pay huge shipping fees to send and receive heavy reels of film. Of course, there will be an upfront cost for installation of the technology. I hope that cost doesn’t get passed on to moviegoers. I spend a good chunk of money at the theater as it is!