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Editor's Note By Kelly McCarthy
In the meantime, I've been ranting. Check out Editor's Rant on the home page and find out what's been making me rethink what celebrity means, and the dual and often confusing role of celebrity and philanthropist. Two years ago I'd been promising good friend Maureen "Mo" McFadden to cover the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Maureen does publicity for the big film extravaganza in conjunction with Carol Marshall of PMK. I finally made it. What a treat for a film lover from Philly to get out of the East Coast's February frigid temperatures and mingle with the likes of Charlize Theron, Peter Jackson and Sean Astin in sunny California. OK, so it was more like brushing elbows, but let's not get picky. Along with photographer Tom McCarthy, we saw great films, hung out at fabulous after parties where we spotted Celebs like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Elliott Gould and Jim Sheridan and attended red carpet tributes. Thanks to artistic director Roger Durling quaint Santa Barbara should have been called BARBARAWOOD. Be sure to read Reelwriter.net's coverage of the festival. Also check out my interview with Mary Kay Place, who was the guest curator of Santa Barbara's Women in Cinema section. And be sure to check out first time director Todd Pottinger as he talks about his film Big City Dick, Richard Peterson's First Movie. Can't wait to visit Mo again, in 2005. Santa Barbara wasn't alone in excellence. On February 4th, 2004, I attended the Philadelphia Weekend Film Festival, where Barry Levinson was honored with a retrospective of his career. It wasn't like I was a stranger to his work, but as a refresher I prepared by re-screening many of his films on DVD. I'm a big fan of Diner, (1982). I thought Tom Cruise gave one of his best performances in Rain Man, (1988) and Levinson's heart wrenching yet humorous Good Morning Vietnam (1987), as it did for so many moviegoers, struck a chord. I called Levinson and made my first inquiry. "So Barry, Woody Allen has made New York a character in his films, just as you have given the same homage to Baltimore. What are your reasons for returning to that sense of place?" "Good question," he answered. I was off to a good start. When fifteen minutes turned into forty-five, it was time to end the call and wish him a safe trip to Philly. Be sure not to miss Mr. Baltimore Goes to Philadelphia. There was plenty for cinema buffs to dig into. From first time directors, to seasoned producers and from thespians to film teachers, it's the goal of Reelwriter.net to be informative, thought provoking and hopefully, whenever possible, moving. Which brings me to tell you about Sean Ferrer, Audrey Hepburn's son who so beautifully pays tribute to his mother in the biography: Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit, published by Atria Books. In this well crafted memoir, replete with gorgeous photos, Ferrer gives readers an intimate look at his mother's personal life and professional career. If you're a Hepburn fan you won't want to miss my Q & A with Ferrer. And for more information about Hepburn and her legacy visit: www.audreyhepburn.com. Enjoy! © Reelwriter.net 2006 |
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For the last few years I've been offering my thoughts about film, and hopefully brought you some interesting interviews. Now it's time to hear from you. In 2007 Reelwriter.net will launch Reelfilmcritics.com. At this new site visitors can write their own film reviews. So look forward to that, and get ready to have your voice heard.  |
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