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February 23, 2009

The Weekend That Was

Things have changed a lot over the years…

There is a weird competition between journalists about who is going where and who is invited to what. Silly. But there is the ongoing “which ones are you going to” chatter, which was only overwhelmed this weekend by endless conversations about which ones are going… going to unemployment.

One classic exchange was with Bob Strauss, who was reported in LA Observed to be heading out of the one remaining film critics job at the LA Daily News. But the report went too far. Bob, who may well have released the news today, is heading to business side, but in coverage of the film business for the paper. So for him, the freedom not to see every bad studio film for the sake of a review is, understandably, a bit of a relief. And almost as walking confirmation, Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune, who was also pushed out of being the #2 critic at that paper, was flown out to L.A. for the weekend activities and continues to be a vital voice for that paper, years after the unhappy transition.

Also working the room was Mike Jones, who was getting a lot of chatter over a piece he freelances for indieWIRE last week.

The happiest man there seemed to be Geoff Gilmore, who seems invigorated by the change to come, including life in The Big City, where his lady love lives and where they have a great home together.

My favorite sideshow was Mickey Rourke, who left the tent after about 10 minutes and rarely re-entered. He smoked, he took photos with fans, he chatted with Santa Monica cops, he hung out on the steps of the trailer-sized portable men’s room... and when Rainn Wilson did his Wrestler song, he watched it from the outside tent, where a bar (which Mickey was not using in any way) stood with some furniture and two TVs.

Shortly after the song ended, a frantic TV production person came running out. “Mickey… you’re category is up!” He waved her off… “Don’t worry about it, honey.” He wasn’t going anywhere. Frantic Fox Searchlighters tried to talk him into it. But he was clearly scared of walking back into that competitive situation.

The show sent a camera out to the outside tent to get him on camera, even if he wouldn’t come in. And that got him to head in… one step too disruptive. And he made it too his seat, half way across the room, seconds before the camera demanded a live shot of him as the nominees were announced.

And he won.

And he was great.

I am told that he was devastated by the Oscar loss, failing to complete his comeback circle. But that’s really a shame. He really couldn’t have asked for more from this last six months. And he should be happy as hell with that… even in light of the very real loss of Loki.

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I got a little face time with some of my favorite people, just hanging around. It takes a few years to realize that people you meet and have some kind of pleasant connection with are not friends. But now and again, you get to spend time with people with whom you really do have normal, friendly conversations. And that can be a great delight.

It’s a weird thing, because you’re not always sure they know who you are… or care. And it seems so presumptuous to assume that they will, no matter how much time you spent together.

One guy who I wasn’t sure would remember me was Jon Demme, who not only did, but who was just wonderfully at peace with not being competitive in this competitive situation. I guess he has won enough to not worry about winning more. But he was just so upbeat and energetically positive about keeping it all in perspective. Great.

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The Indie Spirits had an off-year, show-wise. But after the weekend ended, it was fascinating just how traditional this once iconoclastic show really was. It was like The Baby Oscars. And The Oscars had more of an Independent Spirit, especially with the Hugh Jackman opening, which was pure ISA.

The post-show party, hosted by IFC, was also cut back a bit… and loud as hell. The cuisine? Heavy-handed poured drinks and tiny hot dogs, hamburgers, and tacos with a side of sushi.

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Miramax/Disney is getting to be the best studio at charming, relaxed-feeling parties around award season. Their rooftop soirée at the Beverly Wilshire for The Globes was a dandy and this London (formerly Bel Age) roof topper was also lovely. The Doubt and Wall-E teams were there in full before they all headed out for an evening of running around.

A report from the dinner party for Sony Classics was that it was charming and quiet and profoundly sane.

And Fox Searchlight, which had a great off-hotel party for The Golden Globes last month would go on to have a pretty low-key event last night as well.

Ah.. sanity.

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The calmness of the Sunday night Fox Searchlight viewing and party, aka The Winner’s party, was surprising. It was, as most parties are, too loud, and there were too many tight t-shirted aspiring actresses wandering around, looking to hand anyone they could encourage a drink.

Finally, at jut before Midnight, the first of the Slumdog team, AR Rahmin, rolled in with his two Oscars. Then, it was Rothman and Giannopoulos. Then, Dev and Freida, Dev being surrounded by a bevy of young women seeking his attention. Then, Peter Chernin. Then the producer, DP, editor, Peter Rice, Nancy Utley, Steve Gilula, and finally, after a burst of pre-teen, post-teen and under-ten actors from the film burst in wearing adorable outfits and taking photos, was Danny Boyle.

There was swarming, yes. But one got the feeling that there were not a lot of strangers in that room. The love fest was a family fest.

The kids, who finally made the trip to the US, overcoming obstacles like no official birth certificates, which made passports a tough get, are spending one extra day in L.A. going to Disneyland. (I don’t think they made a commercial… but it would have been a great idea for Disney and ABC.)

Favorite movies and all aside, there is something lovely about people who are good and decent and well-intended winning the night. And this group, from top to bottom, qualifies. Good people. Good night.

Posted by dpoland at February 23, 2009 05:40 PM

Comments

Posted by: steamfreshmeals at February 23, 2009 07:04 PM

Posted by: don lewis (was PetalumaFilms) at February 23, 2009 07:41 PM

Posted by: Joe Leydon at February 23, 2009 09:53 PM

Posted by: LexG at February 24, 2009 02:00 AM

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