Independent Films at the SFIFF

The entertainment industry is saturated with crappy films that make money. It's not brain science, it's the entertainment industry and sex, violence and high-tech graphics sell a movie. The formula obviously molds to whomever you're targeting. The problem, however,  is that this equation (these days) rarely gets me excited to see a movie -- especially in the theatre at $10 per ticket.

The 52nd Annual San Francisco International Film Festival recently ended. Aside from the fabulous parties put on by Bay Area event planning company Winslow and Associates, the fifteen day festival introduced the finest examples of independent films from around the world.

A film festival like the SFIFF sifts through a plethora of independent films and determines what is different, creative, arguably brilliant and most importantly, worth our time and money. What interests me: how a low-budget independent movie can capture the attention of millions with a powerful and entertaining story. 

During the festival, I had the unique pleasure of attending both the opening night showing (and West Coast premier) of "La Mission" and the Centerpiece showing of "500 Days Of Summer". I enjoyed the films, but the traditional idea of an edgy independent film was lost in hopes of ensuring a national distributor. After all, what's the point in making a movie if it doesn't sell.

Peter Bratt's "La Mission" stars his brother, Benjamin Bratt, and is a story of a single recovering alcoholic father coming to terms with his son's sexual orientation. The film takes place in my very own neighborhood, San Francisco's Mission District, and provides a fresh lens into a complicated issue that all facets of society can relate to.

"500 Days Of Summer", directed by Mark Webb and staring one my all-time favourite independent films stars, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is a romantic comedy deserving of a first-date movie. A low-budget movie, the film utilizes captivating dialogue and a creative timeline that ultimately brings new hope to hopeless romantics (like myself).

Overall, the SFIFF was a huge success. Where else can you walk a couple of blocks to the Castro Theatre, watch an unreleased film, and later attend a party with the cast and crew? And, while I love film, I love parties more -- so thanks again, Winslow and Associates!

In the end, the San Francisco International Film Festival was an excellent introduction to the film industry. Most notably, I learned that any creative film idea requires funding. Money, by its nature, denotes power which ultimately influences the film. For better or for worse, the power to sell a film is just as important as the message itself. Consistent with mainstreaming messages in order to ensure a national distributor, I predict that the future of independent films will be dumbed-down motion pictures that are inexpensive to produce.

The hipster gay? Hardly.

I'm not sure who is turned on to this homosexual personality. It sure as hell isn't me. However, if this is what turns you on, be sure to attend HYP at Club Eight in the South of Market district of San Francisco. Around 75% of the guests in attendance were gay Asian males...

Kinky

I recently had the pleasure of attending a live performance of Kinky here in San Francisco. This five member band from Monterey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico formed in 1998. While the sound was a little off in the venue, the band itself is extremely legitimate and fueled with Latin America passion. What I want to know is what makes Kinky, so kinky?

Preserving Your Luck on Friday the 13th

Luck is a chance happening, or that which happens beyond a person's control. On certain days, like Friday the 13th, luck is all relative and as concerned members of an inevitably superstitious society, we need to watch ourselves and play carefully. For others, Luck can also be a belief in an organization of fortunate and unfortunate events.

Seeing as today is Friday the 13th, I don't know what to expect. How will my "luck" be today? So far, things have been okay. I got to the Bart Station and bang: there was my train! This was not the case yesterday -- where I waited 10 minutes -- so today, regardless of it being Friday the 13th, just might be my special (and potentially lucky) day.

As humans, we consume ourselves with false social constructs. Because we assume that Friday the 13th is unlucky, everything on this auspicious day is plagued by the belief that it's not going right. I for one will not adhere to this false belief. Rather, I see obtaining good luck as a challenge, and while others might think I'm playing with fire, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that today will be glorious!

If you're one those people who live in fear that something horrible will happen because today is Friday the 13th, do not worry. Below are some guidelines for what to avoid and what to ensure is done correctly so that we have a prosperous and fortunate Friday the 13th.

• Do not walk under any ladders.
• Avoid black cats walking perpendicular to your direction. If the cat walks along a building, parallel to your direction, this is not unlucky.
• Avoid opening umbrellas indoors. It's going to be a rainy weekend, but opening umbrellas -- in some cultures, like Ireland -- is considered bad luck.
• It's best you don't touch any mirrors today. However, if you do break a mirror, run the broken pieces under water and you'll be saved from any potential bad luck.
• Be sure to look the other person in the eye during a toast. If you don't, this leads to bad sex for the rest of your life.
• Pick-up as many pennies as possible.
• Horseshoes are wonderful.
• Four leaf clovers are your best friend.
• Watch Lindsay Lohan in "Just My Luck".

Underground SF

Video footage from "Drunk and Horny" -- the party that takes place every Saturday night at Underground SF.

Interesting personalities

I ran into this character outside of Underground SF -- located at 424 Haight Street. He's an attractive guy...what's with the hat? What's more is that I've seen this guy out-and-about before. That means he dresses like this on a regular basis. At least he's confident.

Tunnel Top

I'm always looking for bars that are easy access post work on Friday evenings. Tunnel Top, located at 601 Bush Street (Nob Hill/Union Square), is a pleasant find. While the bar has a hole-the-wall vibe, the chandelier is not only clever, it's one of the most simple and creative uses of the otherwise tired wine bottle decoration I've seen in a while.

The Bar on Church

The infamous Bar on Castro (BOC), beginning tomorrow, is opening its doors on Church street and subsequently changing its name to the Bar on Church (BOC).

The new BOC is opening on the corner of 14th Street & Church. Previously, this corner was home to The Transfer -- aka a "grey" bar because it caters to gay and straight crowds.

On Saturday I looked inside the new location, while it was under construction, and literally kicked out by one of the construction workers. I told him I was taking photos for a blog (this one...) and he gave me VIP passes that get me in for free until April! What a deal!

My prediction for the BOC: The new location is more isolated than the BOC's gay night life competition, Badlands, and therefore the bar circuit will change. The new location is a stones-throw from the 22 bus line and closer to the 16th and Mission Bart station. The new design of the bar -- with a large dance floor and more open space to meet people --is different from the BOC's previous location and therefore better. (I loved the Bar on Castro, but it was a horrible place to meet people -- unless you were in the smoking room.) Located down the street from Amber and Safeway across the street, something tells me that both the New BOC and the Church street bars close by are going to be bumpin' in 2009!

Amber

"This would make a great gay bar" I tell my friend Travis, as we lounge on the over-stuffed couches. "Look around...this is a gay bar!" he shouts back at me. "Mixed" bars with gay and lesbian couples can make trying to determine the sexual orientation of a San Francisco bar challenging.

Located on 14th street, between Belcher St. & Church, Amber is a retro bar with a 70's feel. A vintage sign holder, lit up by Joe Camel himself, lights-up the evenings drink specials. Scattered around the room are ashtrays filled with cigarettes because Amber bar, unlike any other bar in San Francisco, permits smoking indoors.

Whether or not you're into a smokey bar, Amber is super laid back and fun. This is the perfect bar to begin a bar crawl before heading to the Castro.

French food, great bars

Joe -- whom I've known since I was thirteen at Culver Summer Camps -- recently moved to the Bay Area. As a straight male from Indiana, I'm greatly enjoying his company and excited that as old friends, we are reuniting in such a serendipitous way. A mutual friend of ours from high school (Culver Academies) was in town and we decided to explore the city!

We began the night with a dinner at Cafe Calude -- located a 7 Claude Lane. I had the Ahi Tuna, and while it was slightly overpriced, eating dinner while listening to a beautiful female singer is an experience worth the extra cash. There's something about a hot girl singing at a romantic French restaurant that is extremely sexy. This is an excellent bar for a romantic date.

After dinner we went to the Otis Lounge at 25 Maiden Lane. If you're looking for a great bar close to Union Square -- and not gay -- it's ideal. Upon entering the dark bar, tucked away on a small street amidst an otherwise crowded environment, a small bar area with comfortable chairs are in a corner. If you go to the second floor, tables with candles are available for extended conversation. Otis a is a great bar -- especially for people like me that get rosy cheeks!

The final visit on the tour of San Francisco was The Castro. The first bar we went to was The Bar on Castro (BOC). There's so much that can be said about the photo I have posted here. First, look at the buff old guy. Gross. The little twink on the ground is just having fun. The guy behind them, sneering, is the best example of disapproving body language.

The BOC is one of the most popular bars in the Castro, but Badlands is the largest. Mirrors drape the walls in this gay night club with a Los Angeles feel.

An excellent French dinner, a quaint bar in Union Square, and a late evening with gay bars. Just another night in San Francisco.