Tampa Film Fan

no laboring over labor day weekend

I’m taking a long weekend (four glorious days!) away from Real Life. Back on Tuesday. See ya then.

more wasserman wackiness

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click here for the backstory.

Another Sunrise Cinemas supporter and local filmgoer gave me permission to print his/her email to Wasserman Vornado and Sunrise Cinemas, plus the responses s/he received:

Dear Mr. Wasserman,

I am writing to express my disappointment with the choice Wasserman Vornado has made to build condos in the Hyde Park location currently occupied by Sunrise Cinemas and the Wine Exchange. I feel that an independent movie theater that shows films that are not in wide release can only be an asset to the Hyde Park/South Tampa area. I often travel from St. Pete to attend films at the Sunrise theater and usually shop or eat in Hyde Park before or after the film. Without such a unique theater in the Hyde Park village, I would probably choose to spend my leisure time elsewhere. I also feel that I am someone that your firm would like to attract to your condo development. I am a young professional looking to buy a condo or town home in an area that is close to shops, restaurants and other entertainment. Having recently moved to (location removed by Tampa Film Fan) , I can say that I loved living in an environment where I could walk to places and find something to do at any time of the day or evening. Unfortunately, Hyde Park has no real night life to speak of with the exception of the movie theater and a couple restaurants. If you remove Sunrise Cinemas from the area, that’s one less thing you have to attract potential residents to Hyde Park. I just can’t see the logic in taking away a selling point such as Sunrise Cinemas. I’ve also read about your solution to put a 75 seat theater in the Hyde Park area. This certainly wouldn’t be able to house the number of releases that Sunrise currently offers, and furthermore I am curious as to why Tampa Theater (a non-profit) would agree to program a theater that would be in direct competition with their own. Sunrise is well known in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area and I have always been impressed with the professionalism and programming offered at their theaters. I hope you’ll reconsider your decision to develop on the property occupied by Sunrise.

Sincerely,

(name omitted by Tampa Film Fan)

********************

This is David Wasserman’s response:

Thanks for the note. Sunrise leaving and the redevelopment of the property are not connected. Their business didn’t make it. That’s not our doing. You may not know but amc failed in that spot before.

********************

This is the response received from Sunrise Cinemas:

Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, it was not our decision.

George Kaspriske

********************

Interesting, no? If anyone else wants to send me any emails received from David Wasserman, send ‘em to tampafilmfan (at) aol.com. I’m starting a scrapbook.

what’s up with wasserman?

For those of you just tuning in, here’s a recap:

*January 31, 2006: The St. Pete Times reports that Wasserman Vornado now owns 75% of Hyde Park Village and plans many changes, including figuring out “how to build an 11-story tower on the site of the dated seven-screen movie theater.” Article posted on Wasserman website.

**********

*February 3, 2006: An article in the St. Pete Times about David Wasserman’s plans states “He acknowledges that the theater, a popular draw for locals, will have to go.” Article posted on Wasserman website.

**********

*March 22, 2006: A Weekly Planet article states “No one’s talking much about this yet, but published reports have revealed that the gazillion-unit condo project planned for Old Hyde Park will straddle the exact spot where Sunrise now stands.”

**********

*April 7, 2006: An article in the St. Pete Times includes the quote “…the theater doesn’t appear on the retail center’s $100-million improvement plan.”

**********

*April 10, 2006: I email David Wasserman the following:

Dear Mr. Wasserman,

I’m writing to ask you to reconsider putting condos in the space currently occupied by Sunrise Cinemas in Old Hyde Park Village in Tampa, Florida. Sunrise is the only multi-screen theater in the Tampa Bay area that offers independent and art-house films. That theater is a great supporter of local film festivals as is an important part of the local community. Furthermore, having a movie theater in that shopping district is beneficial. People very often make a day of shopping, eating out, and going to the movies at Sunrise Cinemas.

Sunrise Cinemas is much beloved by the local film community, and rightly so. Please reconsider your plan to remove Sunrise from Old Hyde Park Village.

Thank you,

Lisa Ciurro

**********

*April 13, 2006: I write about Sunrise Cinemas here on this blog and mention the above two articles.

**********

*April 19, 2006: I post part of Wasserman’s email response here on this blog.

I didn’t post the entire email because I thought it was nasty and unprofessional, and I didn’t want to post such things about Sunrise, even if those words weren’t mine. Since today is Sunrise Cinemas’ last day, I guess it doesn’t matter much anymore. Here’s the email response I received from David Wasserman on April 11 in its entirety:

Hi. Sorry but I don’t own and operate the theater. They are failing as a business and its not my option. I am going to do a 150 seat 2 screen community theater that I hope to have the ‘tampa theater’ run and program. Good?

**********

*April 26, 2006: An article on Tampa Bay’s 10’s website includes this quote “The latest project being talked about is the idea of tearing down the Sunrise Cinemas in Old Hyde Park Village. “

**********

*August 18, 2006: The Tampa Tribune reports that Sunrise Cinemas has announced the closing of its Hyde Park Village on August 31 and states “…Wasserman has said in the past that it plans to replace the buildings housing Sunrise Cinemas and Brooks Brothers with condo towers.”

**********

*August 18, 2006: I post here on this blog about Sunrise closing. Someone named Edwin posts a comment letting me know that he’s started a website called www.savethesunrise.com. Over the next several days, I add suggestions and email addresses to his website.

_________________________

Now, on to the new stuff:

*August 28, 2006: Someone in the local community forwarded me the email response they received from David Wasserman. I’m posting it here with permission, with the sender’s name omitted, as requested:

Sender’s email to David Wasserman August 27:

Mr. Wasserman,

I have just recently moved to the South Tampa area and live just blocks from Hyde Park. I decided to move to this area of Tampa for the community and cultural aspects. My favorite attraction to this area is the Sunrise Cinema, which is a beautiful, comfortable theater, that shows independent and foreign films, which can not be found anywhere else in the city. I believe people, like myself move to this area, because of these special and unique venues.

It would be a great tragedy to lose a gem in this area for the sake of more condominiums. I am not against development, however, tearing down the reason(s) that draw people to an area for the sake of more living space, defeats the propose. No one will want to live in this area when the treasures, such as the Sunrise Theatre, are torn down. Please reconsider your plan for the new development in Hyde Park. I am sure that a solution can be reached m to allow the development of new condos while keeping culture of Hyde Park alive.

Sincerely,

(name omitted by Tampa Film Fan)

**********

Here’s Wasserman’s email response to this person on August 28:

Thanks for the note. Sunrise leaving is unfortunate and has absolutely nothing to do with the redevelopment of the shopping center. They will not be replaced by housing but rather by another user. It is always tough for us to lose a tenant. We hope to find a way to find a new dynamic user who will be successful in the project and be a positive impct on the community

**********

*August 28, 2006: I email David Wasserman and others at Wasserman Vornado the following:

To Whom It May Concern:

It has been in the local news for several months that Sunrise Cinemas isn’t part of Wasserman Vornado’s plans for the revamped Hyde Park Village, but building condos in that location is. Please don’t do this. Sunrise Cinemas is vital to the Village and to the Tampa Bay area, both economically and culturally. This theater has been successful and is beloved by the community. Because of your plans, they are closing the theater on August 31. Don’t force them out. Let Sunrise Cinemas stay and be part of your revised Hyde Park Village. Local filmgoers, the community and other stores in the Village will thank you for it.

**********

Here’s Wasserman’s email response to me:

The redevelopment of hyde park village and sunrise leaving are not connected in any way. In fact that space wil be refilled with another tenant. Sorry for the miinformation

**********

So, I wrote him back:

Thank you for your response. Why did you email me in April to say that Sunrise is failing as a business and that you are going to establish a 150-seat theater that you hope will be run by the Tampa Theatre? Why have you not objected to all the news stories by local media over the last six months that link the closing of Sunrise Cinemas and your redevelopment plan?

**********

To which he replied:

It doesn’t sell newspapers and it just isn’t logical if someone looked at our plans to see that retail is being replaced + some

**********

Huh? First of all, I don’t really understand what the last part of his last email to me means. What’s he talking about?

Second of all, the man should really take the time to spell-check his emails before sending them.

Third, he didn’t answer my question about why he told me months ago that Sunrise is failing as a business. If that’s true (which I don’t believe is the case), what does it matter as long as Sunrise is paying the rent on time? If it’s not true, then it’s very unprofessional of Wasserman to say such things to people.

Fourth, how can Wasserman expect anyone to believe that Sunrise Cinemas’ leaving Hyde Park is absolutely unrelated to his redevelopment plan — the plan that’s been referenced by the local media for months? Is he saying that he’s been misquoted by all local media all this time? That they’ve made up that part of their articles? That they are victims of a mass hallucination? Or is he now trying to backtrack on his original plan based on the response from the local community?

I think we all want to know (I certainly do): What’s up with Wasserman?

www.floridasbeachfilm.com now interactive

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Film Commission has made some great changes to their website. Here’s the press release for the full story:

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Film Commission is now offering a new service to clients and citizens. On FloridasBeachFilm.com home page, there are now three new buttons: Industry News, Industry Classifieds, and Industry Events. Users can sort information by month, subject and by state. The service is interactive. Therefore announcements will be able to be posted immediately.“This new service will have all sorts of information on casting calls, meetings, film festivals, equipment sales, tradeshows, meetings and much more,” said Jennifer Parramore, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Film Commissioner. “The industry will find this service invaluable. It also enables our staff to disseminate a tremendous amount of information in very little time.”In addition, the film commission website provides information on film commission services, location shots, production support services and credits of projects that have been shot in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.A department of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Film Commission markets the area to producers of film, television, commercial, print and digital media. From its picturesque beaches, variety of unique towns and the #1 beach in the United States for 2005, Fort De Soto Park North Beach, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area has unique and varied locations for film production. Film, television and print production have a direct impact of more than $4 million annually to the Pinellas County economy.

ten at the top in tampa bay

Doesn’t this documentary sound wonderful? I can’t wait to see it.

Pre-production has begun on Ten at the Top in Tampa Bay, an independent documentary film that celebrates 10 extraordinary women who have gained unprecedented power in government. Never before have women simultaneously served in such leadership positions in the Tampa/Hillsborough County region, making this a unique moment in history. This film will serve as a mentoring tool to young girls who may not realize that they too can aspire to such echelons of public service.These women are: Hillsborough County County Administrator Pat Bean*, School District of Hillsborough County Superintendent MaryEllen Elia*, Clerk of the Circuit Court Pat Frank, Postmaster of Tampa Nancy Fryrear*, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Julianne Holt*, City of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio*, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County Executive Director Dr. Luanne Panacek*, University of South Florida (USF) President Dr. Judy Genshaft, Hillsborough Community College President Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson and MacDill Airforce Base Commander Colonel Margaret Woodward. This collective force of women sets the direction of our city and county, promotes the welfare of our children, helps strengthen our economy, shapes our educational and court systems, and protects our national security. Renee Warmack, a native of Tampa who holds a master’s degree from USF in Public Administration, is producing this film. The film is supported by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and has an anticipated release date of March 2007, which is Women’s Awareness Month.

*Women noted by an asterisk have agreed to be interviewed for this film.

For more information or to track Warmack’s progress, visit www.tenatthetop.com.

the sentinel on dvd today

Because I enjoyed seeing The Sentinel so much in the theater a few months ago, the M80 promotional team sent me a DVD of The Sentinel to review. I have to say, I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. The DVD’s bonus features include:

• Alternate Ending
• Four Deleted scenes
• Audio commentary by director Clark Johnson and writer George Nolfi
• The Secret Service: Building On A Tradition Of Excellence featurette
• In The President’s Shadow: Protecting The President featurette
• 2 Theatrical trailers

The two featurettes were incredibly interesting and enjoyable. Here’s the plot synopsis from the website:

Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria and Kim Basinger head up “the perfect cast” (CBS-TV, Sacramento) in this gripping suspense thriller that delivers “nonstop action around every turn!” (NBC-TV, Houston). There’s never been a traitor in the United States Secret Service…until now. And the evidence points to Pete Garrison (Douglas), one of the most trusted agents on the force. Now on the run, with two relentless federal investigators (Sutherland and Longoria) hot on his heels, Garrison must fight to clear his name and thwart an attempt on the President’s life before it’s too late!

Here’s the link to my review back in May, if you’re curious. Hope you enjoy The Sentinel as much as I did.

The Sentinel is out on DVD today.

final day specials at sunrise cinemas august 31

Received via email:

Final Day Specials at Sunrise Cinemas at Old Hyde ParkTampa, FL: Sunrise Cinemas is throwing a “Thank You Party” Thursday, August 31, 2006, the last day of its operation in Hyde Park Village. Celebrating a successful run at the historic and well-loved Tampa Bay movie theatre, Sunrise Cinemas will be offering all concession items for only $1.00 each all day long while supplies last.Guests will be able to buy any size popcorn and soft drink, hot dogs, nachos, candy, coffee, pretzels, bottle waters, iced tea, and, yes, even beer and wine for only $1.00 each.In addition, Sunrise Cinemas Loyalty Card holders will be able to purchase a ticket to any movie showing that day for only $5.50 each. Normal ticket prices will apply for all other guests.

40 birthday movies for lady wordsmith

Lady Wordsmith turns 40 today. In keeping with her creative and artistic personality, she has requested a most unusual birthday present. I hope I’ve risen to the challenge.

40 Birthday Movies for Lady Wordsmith

1. Birthday Girl Nicole Kidman is the Russian mail-order bride celebrating her first American birthday.
2. Parenthood When the clown for his son’s birthday party shows up drunk, Steve Martin improvises, dressing up as a cowboy and entertaining the kids.
3. Happy Birthday Gemini A gay comedy starring Madeline Kahn and Rita Moreno.
4. Ring 0:Birthday A Japanese horror flick that’s the prequel to The Ring and The Ring 2.
5. The Omen Damien’s nanny makes his 5th birthday party extra special by hanging herself from the highest window of their mansion while everyone is watching.
6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie always gets a Willy Wonka chocolate bar for his birthday. This year it comes with a golden ticket.
7. The Birthday Aaaah, Corey Feldman in a horror flick. Good stuff.
8. Liar, Liar Jim Carrey’s son uses his birthday wish to wish that his dad (Carrey) can’t lie for a day. Who knew telling the truth was so troublesome?
9. Birthday Boy A Korean animated short film from 2004.
10. City Slickers Getting a “rodeo camp” visit for his birthday is what started Billy Crystal down the path to wackiness and Jack Palance.
11. My Best Friend’s Birthday A comedy short written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in 1987.
12. Stephen Tobolowsky’s Birthday With a tagline like “If you only celebrate one birthday this year, make it Stephen Tobolowsky’s!” it has to be good.
13. 13 Going On Thirty A 13-year old girl uses her birthday wish to wish to be 30 and wakes up as the goofy but beautiful Jennifer Garner.
14. Birthday Party Robert Shaw stars in this William Friedkin-directed film.
15. Misty Cam’s Birthday Party An adult film that I have NOT seen, but I’m getting desperate for forty movie titles for this list.
16. Sixteen Candles Perhaps the best birthday movie of them all. Because Molly Ringwald’s sister is getting married, her family forgets about her birthday. Oh yeah, there’s Long Duck Dong, teen angst and Anthony Michael Hall asking for Ringwald’s panties.
17. Happy Birthday To Me Melissa Sue Anderson makes a complete 180 from her role as Mary on Little House on the Prairie to star as one pissed-off birthday girl getting revenge in this horror flick.
18. 18 Again! An 81-year-old wishes to be 18 again while blowing out his birthday candles, which instigates a Freaky Friday switcheroo with his 18-year-old grandson.
19. Lord of the Rings:The Fellowship of the Ring Bilbo Baggins’ birthday bash was da bomb.
20. Toy Story If Buzz Lightyear hadn’t arrived as a birthday present, there wouldn’t have been a movie.
21. Secrets and Lies A 21st birthday party is where the secrets and lies are unveiled.
22. Alice in Wonderland And a very merry un-birthday to you.
23. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof When gathering to celebrate Big Daddy’s birthday, this Tennessee Williams family puts the “fun” in “dysfunctional.”
24. The 6th Day How does Arnold Schwartzenegger know he’s got a doppelganger taking over his life? When he peeks through the windows of his home and sees himself – his other self – blowing out the candles on his son’s birthday cake.
25. Mommie Dearest Well at least little Christina didn’t receive any wire hangers as birthday gifts.
26. Bloody Birthday An 80’s slasher flick. Apparently, birthdays in the 80s inspired murder and mayhem.
27. Birthday Suit A short film that screened at the Tidal Wave Film Festival in 2003.
28. The Birthday Cake A short Dutch film from 2000.
29. The Game Michael Douglas’ brother gives him a most bizarre birthday present, which puts him on the run for his life.
30. Logan’s Run Turning 30 here really sucks. You don’t have time to be depressed, though, because you’re dead.
31.Betty Boop’s Birthday Party An animated short from 1933.
32. The Surprise Party In this comedy/romance, Oscar is turning 30 and wants to celebrate by asking his girlfriend to marry him.
33. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Maybe the best surprise birthday party scene ever. Upon entering her home, Annabelle Sciorra, screaming furiously, accuses her husband of having an affair based on evidence planted by the evil nanny Rebecca De Mornay, only to turn around to see her family and friends gathered in her living room and the evil nanny holding a birthday cake. Surprise!
34. All About Eve Fasten your seatbelts for Margo Channing’s bumpy birthday night.
35. Signs One sure way to confirm that aliens have landed is to see them on the TV news attending a Brazilian birthday party.
36. On Golden Pond It’s Henry Fonda’s birthday, so gather round.
37. To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday Yes, it’s a depressing movie about a man missing his deceased wife on what would have been her 37th birthday. But, hey, it’s got “birthday” in the title, so I couldn’t leave it off the list.
38. The Birthday A short drama from 2002.
39. In Good Company The second-best surprise birthday party scene ever (see #33 for Number One).
40. Middle Age Crazy Bruce Dern turns 40 and lives to tell about it.

Happy birthday Lady Wordsmith!

the campaign to save sunrise cinemas

A local film fan and Sunrise Cinemas supporter has started a website called www.savethesunrise.com to get a grass roots advocacy campaign started in the local community to fight the Hyde Park Village redesign plan to replace Sunrise Cinemas and the Wine Exchange with condos.

This website has a call to action plan with suggestions of what we can do to show our support. We can contact the Architectural Review Commission, our City Council members, Sunrise Cinemas management, and Village owner Wasserman Vornado to let them know we don’t want condos. We want Sunrise Cinemas to stay! This site lists many email addresses and links, so you don’t have to do research yourself. You are also welcome to update www.savethesunrise.com with your suggestions and information.

Visit www.savethesunrise.com NOW. Then send those emails, and then send some more emails to let your friends and neighbors know about this community effort. It’s up to us.

(cross-posted at Sticks of Fire)

liveblogging the emmys:part four

10:22 p.m. In Memoriam…always moving and sad. There’s always a couple of people who passed away in the past year that I forgot about. The Husband swears that he didn’t even know that Don Knotts had died.

10:30 p.m. Helen Mirren won for Elizabeth I. She is the epitome of aging gracefully with class and glamour. I don’t have HBO, so I’ll have to check on when this movie’s coming out on DVD.

10:35 p.m. Mariska Hargitay won! I’m glad she’s finally getting some much-deserved attention for her talent. Hopefully Christopher Meloni will win too. SVU is one of my favorite shows.

10:42 p.m. Ray Liotta looks a little funny around the eyes…has he had plastic surgery? Has he lost weight? He looks different, but I can’t figure out why.

10:44 p.m. The second touching thank-you speech of the night — Kiefer Sutherland.

10:51 p.m. The Office won Best Comedy! Now if Pam and Whatshisface can just get together, all will be right in the world.

11:03 p.m. Tropical Storm Ernesto might be heading our way. Damn….