Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Tinsletown Tidbits

The November 6-9 Ojai Film Festival in Ojai, California attracted a huge crowd of film creators, critics and people who just love film. Renowned World Author Ray Bradbury was honored by the 2008 Ojai Film Festival with a Lifetime Achievment Award. Bradbury is also the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation, the National Medal of Arts, and the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, amoung many other honors.

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT
Voor een paar knikkers meer
(For a few marbles more)
Jelmar Hufen

Honorable Mention
Viola: The Traveling Rooms of a Little Giant
Shih-Ting Hung

CLINT EASTWOOD TO RECEIVE FAMED MODERN
MASTER AWARD AT 24TH SANTA BARBARA
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Clint Eastwood has been selected to receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s highest honor, The Tribute will take place on Thursday, January 29, at the historic Arlington Theatre.

The Modern Master Award is the highest honor presented by SBIFF. Established in 1995, it was created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through his/her accomplishments in the motion picture industry. Past Modern Masters recipients include Michael Douglas, Peter Jackson, Jodie Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sean Penn, Jeff Bridges, Diane Keaton, George Clooney, Will Smith, and Cate Blanchett.

Eastwood is a cinematic icon both in front of and behind the camera. His presence on screen is quiet yet powerful, as seen in the drama “Gran Torino,” marking his first film role since his Oscar®-winning film “Million Dollar Baby.” In “Gran Torino,” Eastwood stars as an iron-willed and inflexible Korean War veteran, living in a changing world, who is forced by his immigrant neighbors to confront his own long-held prejudices. When directing, Eastwood’s films tend to possess an unforced naturalism of manner that is glad to bend, even break, with strict realism as well as with strict generic conventions, evidenced in his most recent film, “Changeling,” a drama starring Angelina Jolie in the true story of an infamous 1928 kidnapping case that rocked the LAPD, which he also produced.

His passion for film is clearly visible by the projects that he chooses. The films Eastwood attaches himself to always have thought and meaning within them, such as “Bird,” the biopic of the famous jazz musician, Charlie Parker, for which he won a Golden Globe in 1993 for Best Director and the revisionist western “Unforgiven” in 1994 which went on to win an Academy Award® for Best Picture and garnered a Best Director win. In 1995 Eastwood produced, directed and starred opposite Meryl Streep in “The Bridges of Madison County.” In 2003, the critically acclaimed drama “Mystic River” starring Sean Penn and Tim Robbins went on to earn six Academy Award® nominations , including two for Eastwood for Best Picture and Best Director. In 2005, Eastwood won Academy Awards® for Best Picture and Best Director- his second in both categories- for “Million Dollar Baby.” He also earned a nomination for Best Actor for his performance in the film opposite Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. In 2007, Eastwood earned dual Academy Awards® nominations, in the categories of Best Director and Best Picture, for his acclaimed World War II drama “Letters from Iwo Jima,” the companion film to his widely praised “Flags of Our Fathers.” Eastwood will next direct and produce the historical drama “The Human Factor,” starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman in the role of Nelson Mandela.

The festivities will take place at the historic Arlington Theatre with a multimedia presentation produced by Paul Fagen of P. Fagen Productions. Tickets for the Modern Master Award will go on sale today and can be purchased at a 20% discount through December 20 at www.sbfilmfestival.org or through the Lobero Box Office, 805.963.0761 and the Arlington Theater Box office, 805.963.4408. Festival Platinum and Cinema Passes are currently on sale exclusively at the Lobero Box Office. Box Office fees will apply for all Film Festival Passes, Mini-Paks, and event tickets.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, set to run January 22 through February 1, 2009, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. The SBIFF presents quality American and world independent films, Latin American and Asian sidebars as well as documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a premier tourist destination. The SBIFF is also committed to education through its Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 70,000 viewing more than 200 films over its eleven-day run, the SBIFF attracts an affluent local and national consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.sbfilmfestival.org.

A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR AT
THE LEGENDARY PLAZA HOTEL
New York’s Famed Plaza Hotel Celebrates its First Holiday Season With Another NYC Icon, The Radio City Rockettes

New York’s legendary, Plaza Hotel, a Fairmont Hotels & Resorts managed property has teamed up with famed precision dance company, The Radio City Rockettes, to celebrate a Christmas Spectacular with guests. The hotel’s “Christmas Spectacular” package promises guests a quintessential holiday experience in the Big Apple and includes Premier seating for two at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, luxurious accommodations in a Plaza guest room or suite and a special Christmas Spectacular-themed holiday dessert to be devoured in The Palm Court. This special package is available through December 30th, 2008, with rates beginning at $875 per night.

Both iconic New York City institutions, The Rockettes and The Plaza Hotel provide the perfect combination for a memorable holiday season getaway. Guests will be captivated by the Rockettes famous eye high kicks and exciting show stopping numbers and can take the opportunity to bask in the renovated glow and timeless elegance of The Plaza which also features new additions like The Rose Club and The Champagne Bar, venues perfect for a relaxing winter evening of drinks. The Plaza’s Retail Collection also offers specialty boutiques like Demel, Vertu and Caudalie Spa, a shopper’s paradise for those looking for that very special gift unavailable anywhere else.

The Plaza Hotel which underwent a full renovation 3-years ago to the tune of $400 million returns for its first Christmas and holiday season celebrations since its unveiling with 282 stunning hotel rooms and suites. Enjoy further festive celebrations in The Plaza’s Palm Court for intimate dining or exquisite Afternoon Tea. The Plaza Hotel boasts the ultimate in luxury lifestyle living and white gloved butlers will also ensure all your holiday wishes and requests are met around the clock complemented by other exclusive services such as the hotel’s chauffeured Phantom Rolls-Royce.

The Plaza’s “Christmas Spectacular” package is subject to availability with a minimum seven days advance notice required for bookings and is based on double occupancy. Show tickets are non-transferable. Reservations for this package must be made through in-house reservations by calling 212-759-3000.

The November 6-9 Ojai Film Festival in Ojai, California attracted a huge crowd of film creators, critics and people who just love film. Renowned World Author Ray Bradbury was honored by the 2008 Ojai Film Festival with a Lifetime Achievment Honor. Bradbury is also the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation, the National Medal of Arts, and the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, amoujng many other honors.