http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ en-us bbrooks@indiewire.com 2008-05-29T18:27:09-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/017409.html In these crappy times, we oddly enough can look to the French for a little insight on how to raise the mega-euros. America's dollar sucks -- and that's our fault damnit. And, didn't it mostly seem that this year was sort of ho-him fun-wise? Or am I just completely out of the know...? Anyway, let's take a cue from the Cannes hotels and really raise money... Vodka sponsors are great; we all love Andrew Saffir, for instance Stateside (great parties, fab people, and press pacifying), but the real money is in stuff. Take it away Cannes... Sponsored chandeliers (merci Chopard)... 17409@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Pop 2008-05-29T18:27:09-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/017159.html I should be packing right now, but I'm absolutely flabbergasted at the news of the unbelievable demise of both Picturehouse and Warner Independent. I suppose the march of media consolidation moves on, but it's unbelievable to me that such a terrific force in independent cinema is gone. Three cheers to Bob Berney and his team for bringing "La Vie en Rose" to the U.S. and for the Oscar win for Marion Cotillard. Who will be bringing the "Pan's Labyrinth"s and the "Last Days"s or even the damn "March of the Penguins" for that matter? Whatever, I guess I'm just shocked.... 17159@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Biz 2008-05-08T16:08:17-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/016981.html They may have delayed the line up announcement by one week, but the Festival de Cannes unveiled this year's poster promptly. Is it a "Scarlett Johansson" channeling Marilyn Monroe? Or is it just the real thing with a bit of Photoshop magic? Whoever it is, Marilyn has been getting a lot of news lately with the sale of a certain 'video.' She was so ahead of her time.... 16981@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Pop 2008-04-18T11:52:27-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/016612.html Before Ryan Gosling stole my lady away, there was me and my real girl... This was us trying to run away from the paparazzi following the world premiere of her movie "Doll Parts." But alas, the bright lights, fame and money (not to mention all the free love) were just too much for her, and Ryan offered her a more simple existence. So that bastard stole her away from the glare of public love, made her dye her hair and take bowling lessons so she could fit in with his simple kind of life with his family in the... 16612@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Pop 2008-03-04T19:53:28-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/016592.html Time Warner knows how to end a party.... New Line used to have these awesome dinners at Nick and Toni's during the Hamptons Film Festival, but I guess no more... Boo! Robert Altman (with his wife Kathryn, far right) and New Line co-chairman and co-CEO Michael Lynne with his wife Nina.... 16592@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Cool dead stuff 2008-03-03T17:21:28-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/016590.html Sunday night BAM screened Christophe Honore's (he's the one on the right) "Love Songs" as part of a tribute to IFC... The film is great, at least I think so, but there was a bit of dissent. But whatever, it's all about Louis Garrel who stars in the film. He's so absolutely H-O-T!! I might even say hotter then Jake Gyllenhaal if that's possible (is it?) There was one scene where I had to adjust myself in my chair because it was so hot. Anyway, I'm totally shooting myself that I didn't tape the Q&A after the packed screening... 16590@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Movies with hotties 2008-03-03T15:24:38-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/010569.html We've spent $400 billion on a war that's a lie, 45 million Americans don't have health insurance and poverty is rising in the U.S. But, who am I? Some kind of bore? What about Star Jones being fired from "The View?" Well, I don't plead to be 100% political... Since being in Los Angeles covering the LA Film Festival and having access to free wireless Internet in my hotel room at the new Angeleno, I've indulged in some great morning television while working. Bring on the fluff and the cultural diversions!!! First there's "Live with Regis and Kelly" followed by... 10569@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Pop 2006-06-29T20:28:22-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/001064.html I really liked the movie "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster," which had its NYC premiere Wednesday night. At the party afterward, I told an IFC exec (IFC Films is distributing the film) that the doc was great. But then I added, 'I'm a pretty big fan of Metallica, so I can't be the perfect gauge.' At that point, he gave me a bit of an askance look. I wanted to just say, 'yeah, I know it's not the typical gay thing to listen to.' That would've really mixed things up a bit, but instead I woosed out and just said,... 1064@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ poverty jet-set 2004-07-09T15:46:21-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/000836.html Making the scene Sunday night on Ave. A... I wish I could remember their names but I was a bit on the toasted side, but they were living it up in the E. Vill. at 3am on Sunday night. I felt a sudden burst of creative expression with indieWIRE's digital camera after covering the closing night party for NewFest. These are some of the coolios of the night hanging in my hood. I love when people are so willing to make love to the camera. There have been many times when I've taken celeb pics hoping they'd let me photograph... 836@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ poverty jet-set 2004-06-14T13:36:53-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/000535.html If you have to be stuck in front of the computer on a warm sunny day, let's just say it's not so shitty to be hitting the key board at the American Pavilion in Cannes. Basically, it's a large tent with tables and chairs right on the waterfront. Aside from food (not free) and free wireless Internet access (key to our logistics here), there are also going to be a slate of notable speakers coming up this week. Let's just say it's not so bad sitting by the Med in the sun while writing. I can certainly think of worse... 535@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ 2004-05-14T09:23:41-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/000501.html I've been sorely neglectful of my blog, and I was basically told in a nice way that I had better get on with it, so here goes, and I won't bore anyone with a political tirade this time? I guess going to Cannes (the festival of festivals, to which I'm thrilled to be at, but nonetheless does come with some baggage. A sort of 'yellow' baggage). My immediate lead-up to leaving for Cannes was not one of my more brilliant moves. I partied-down pretty decently Sunday night at the closing night party for the Tribeca Film Festival at the Embassy... 501@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ poverty jet-set 2004-05-12T16:32:45-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/000104.html I'm not all that much of a fan of Howard Stern, but I think using terms like "freedom" and "liberty" should mean more then just rhetoric justifying a "moral" rationale for invasion of Iraq. The FCC has levied outrageous fines on Clear Channel, prompting the radio conglomerate to drop Stern's show. Is this freedom and liberty in 21st century America? Stern has charged on the air that he's being punished for his criticism of President Bush. Clear Channel's political action committee and its employees have given $265,800 to Republicans for the 2004 election, more than any other broadcaster, according to... 104@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ John Kerry for President 2004-04-09T11:07:06-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/000079.html It is hard to succinclty describe in a blog what Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain meant to me, and how much it f***ed with me after he died. When I first heard Nirvana, and later saw them in concert in 1992 (I think) at the Cow Palace in San Francisco for a charity concert for rape victims in Bosnia, I thought a revolution was happening. Looking back, I was blissfully naive. Grunge gave way to uber-manufactured pop (which I'll admit, some of which I listen to) and the Clinton era gave way to the Bush coup d'etat. But for a... 79@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ Art 2004-04-06T18:05:15-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/000077.html Must we continue to destroy our way of life at home as we force it on others overseas? The independently-produced film EVERY CHILD IS BORN A POET: THE LIFE & WORK OF PIRI THOMAS, scheduled to be broadcast on the national PBS series INDEPENDENT LENS tonight, April 6th at 10:00 p.m., is right smack in the middle of these new controversial policies. Following the issuance of the new FCC rules, PBS has decided it must edit out of EVERY CHILD IS BORN A POET "obscene? words like "fuck" and "shit." In fact, some PBS affiliate stations are requesting that additional... 77@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ John Kerry for President 2004-04-06T15:53:09-05:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/archives/000059.html Unless you're one of the top 1% in the country in terms of income, you're probably feeling a bit stretched or insecure in the finances since the W seized power in this country. But, since the Democrats do not have the same huge level of deep pocket givers, it's ESSENTIAL that John Kerry taps into small donors. Of course there are deep pockets for the Dems as well, but nothing to compare to Bush's string of $2,000 per person or higher fund raisers that have given him $180 million to help ensure he can buy the presidency. So, if you... 59@http://blogs.indiewire.com/brian/ John Kerry for President 2004-04-05T15:40:58-05:00