Category Archives: Movies
Nashville Film Festival sets another record year!
It’s sad to say that another Nashville Film Festival has come and gone. This year I got to see more movies than ever, attend several parties and even check out a panel. I wish this festival was year round! I know there are nearly 27,000 other people out there that would agree, as another record attendance was reached. There is no way I could go over all of the educational, inspirational, artistic hours that were crammed in this past week so I put together a few of my favorite highlights.
The 2012 festival kicked off with Tennessee in the spotlight. The Nashville rollergirls (Hell or Highwater) skated on to the red carpet keeping things classy in their dresses, I also chatted with Eddie George (He Aint Heavy) and Bill Brummell (Erasing Hate).
Nicole Kidman, Lizzy Caplan, Beth Grant, Carrie Preston, Famke Janssen, Blayne Weaver and Natalie Morales walked the NaFF Red Carpet Saturday. The Evolution of Women Behind the Camera panel saw a sold out crowd as well as the screenings of The Godmother of Rock & Roll, Louder Than Love and Hollywood to Dollywood.
Lee Ann Womack, Mark Chesnutt, Jeannie Seely, Beegee Adair, Mandy Barnett and others came out Wednesday night for Hank Cochran: Livin’ for a Song.
I caught up with my boys Old Crow Medicine Show Thursday night as their film Big Easy Express closed out the week.
The 43rd annual Nashville Film Festival presented by Nissan wrapped with a closing night party at the W.O. Smith School and the announcement that the The Intouchables and Beauty is Embarrassing grabbed the two major Southwest Airlines “Freedom to Choose” Audience Awards.
Check out some of the weeks highlights and interviews in our video above!
“Erasing Hate” film documents gang member’s life change
I cover the Nashville Film Festival every year, but it’s rare that I actually get to see a film. This year I was able to catch several, but the one that kept my attention the most was “Erasing Hate.”
The documentary follows the transformation of a violent Neo Nazi skinhead to a working family man, from the outside in. Bryon Widner’s face, neck and hands were covered with racist tattoos. He undergoes two dozen surgeries at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to remove them. The tattoo removal was just the outward sign of an inner transformation. “Erasing Hate” chronicles both, in a film that takes viewers inside the dark world of racist skinheads, yet offers hope in the story of one man’s struggle to escape a life of addiction, bigotry and hatred.”
I caught up with the director, writer and producer Bill Brummel at this years Nashville Film Festival. He told me Bryon continues to receive threats for leaving the gang and has had to move out of Nashville. Brummelis also under a deadline to raise funds to spread this films message. You can click HERE to help fund the campaign.
Nashville film fest kicks off with Tennessee in the spotlight~
The 43rd annual Nashville Film Festival kicks of Thursday with another packed week of awesomeness. This year, Tennessee films and film makers will shine in the spotlight as the festival hosts “Tennessee First.” Festival organizers say there are more local films showing than ever before. Beauty is Embarrassing, The Story of the Nashville Rollergirls, Music City Underground and Erasing Hate are a few that put the Volunteer State on the cinematic map. Some of the actors and filmmakers will be on Thursday nights red carpet.
Academy-award winning actor Nicole Kidman is among those taking part in a panel discussion Saturday afternoon. Kidman, who produced, in addition to starring in, 2010’s acclaimed “Rabbit Hole,” will join actors-turned-directors Famke Janssen (“Goldeneye,” “X-Men” Trilogy), Carrie Preston (“True Blood,” “Doubt”) and Beth Grant (“Sordid Lives,” “The Artist”), who have all directed films in the festival, for “The Evolution of Women Behind the Camera.” Tickets for the general public are $25 and are available online at nashvillefilmfestival.org.
The red carpet will be rolled out again Saturday night for BRINGING UP BOBBY director Famke Janssen (“Goldeneye,” “X-Men” Trilogy), THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID director Carrie Preston (“True Blood,” “Doubt”) and THE PERFECT FIT director Beth Grant (“No Country for Old Men” “The Artist”); 6 MONTH RULE writer, director and lead actor Blayne Weaver, with cast members Martin Starr (“Party Down”, “Freaks and Geeks”) and Natalie Morales (“Parks and Recreation”, “Wall Street 2″); QUEENS OF COUNTRY’S actress Lizzy Caplan (“Mean Girls,” “The New Girl”) and more.
“BIG EASY EXPRESS” a documentary and concert film featuring Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Old Crow Medicine Show and Mumford & Sons will close out the night with a free showing at Centennial Park.
It’s not too late to buy a week long pass to the festival or you can buy single movie pass tickets. There is also a long list of events going on at some of Nashville’s music venues, visit nashvillefilmfestival.org for more information because there is no way I cold tell you ALL of it!
Johnny Depp Seen in the City!
Actor Johnny Depp was spotted by Steph spies over the weekend at the music venue Center Stage. I got a tip that he was spotted at the venue off of 8th Ave both Friday and Saturday night. Saturday night the venue hosted Viva Music Artfest.
Depp recently played a cameo role in comedian Ricky Gervais’ new TV series ‘Life’s Too Short.” Just last week he made a New York premiere of his new movie ‘The Rum Diary.’
Steph spies say they believe he is shooting a movie here, or is Depp looking to make Nashville another home? Guess we will have to stay tuned to see. If you have any celeb scoops you want to share Email me HERE!
Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban seen in the city~
Following her hubby’s birthday, Nicole Kidman was seen shopping at Ash Blue in Nashville. Steph spies say the multi-talented red head was shopping, at the small boutique in Green Hills, with her mother and father. Apparently, they bought a couple of items including some earrings as gifts.
I’m assuming the rents were in town for her hubby, Keith Urban‘s birthday. On Tuesday night he sang his hits for a sold-out Opry House audience. After the CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee performed his first song of the night, “Sweet Thing,” fans who were gathered near the stage serenaded him with “Happy Birthday.” Urban, who concluded his Opry set with “Making Memories of Us” and “Where the Blacktop Ends,” is scheduled to return to the Opry twice next month.
This Saturday Opry member Charlie Daniels will be celebrating his 75th birthday at the Opry.
Kidman photo courtesy of people.com, Keith Urban Photo by Chris Hollo
If you have any celeb scoops you want to share Email me HERE!
Photo from the set of Val Kilmer & Harmony Korine movie~
As I previously posted, Top Gun‘s Val Kilmer and Nashville’s Harmony Korine (Gummo, Kids) have joined forces for their latest film. Here is a photo from the set. Steph spies say Wednesday was a long day of filming at the Brentwood Skate Center.
Val plays a motivational speaker in the flick. Sources say they did several takes, but that Val spewed off his memorized nearly twenty-minute speech without a problem. They also apparently opened the floor for the extras to ask questions. Some asked about his film career while other boasted, ” I want to have your baby.”
Val blogged not long ago mentioning that he will “create an experimental film with Harmony.”
Oh and apparently Val didn’t do any skating!
Thanks to my readers for the tips! If you have any celeb sightings email me by clicking HERE!!!
Val Kilmer & Harmony Korine film in Brentwood~
Top Gun‘s Val Kilmer is filming his latest work near Music City. Steph spies report being on set with the actor Wednesday. Sources say Val is working on a short film in Brentwood (some 20 minutes from Nashville). Nashville’s Harmony Korine (Gummo, Kids) is apparently directing the film.
Val blogged not long ago mentioning that he will “create an experimental film with Harmony.” He also mentioned his roll as a motivational speaker and filming in a roller skating rink.
Hmmm wonder where they could be? Sounds like they are in my old Friday night stomping grounds.
If you have any celeb sightings or tips email me by clicking HERE!!!
Hollywood Glitz at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre~
Hollywood glamour was front and center at the Belcourt Theatre Sunday night, as Nashville patrons walked the red carpet donning tulle, sequins and jewels with the return of OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA. Guests experienced the excitement of the 83rd Academy Awards on the two movie screens at Nashville’s only officially sanctioned OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA party and one of only 50 official parties sanctioned by the Academy. WKRN’s Joe Dubin emceed the event that is the largest fundraiser for the historic Nashville theatre in Hillsboro Village. A new addition this year included the VIP patron area, which featured a lounge-like atmosphere and premium drinks. Party patrons nibbled on Hors d’oeuvres, sipped cocktails and placed bids on an assortment of top-notch items. I do believe this was the best auction yet, with items like a week-long stay at a rustic cabin in Provence, France, clothing by Manuel, autographed items from Oscar-nominated films and even a pygmy goat. Congrats to the Belcourt on having another sold out affair!
Among those pictured are: Irene Ritter & Carolyne Hadden, Diane Distagio & Rose Mary Gorman, WKRN’s Tiani Jones, Bridget Damberg Shaw, Randy & Sonata Rayburn, Kathy Dozier & Adam Dread, Morelia Cuevas & Lynda Evjen, Miriam Dreman & Sandra Holt, Stacy Andrick & Kathy Machachlan, Carrie Rollins & Currey Hall, Louise Uskavitch, Tania Carter & Lori Marty, News 2′s Joe Dubin & Stephanie Langston, Ingrid Hofman, Kris Bush & Kyle Minnehan and James Cathcart
Nicole Kidman at the Belcourt~
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Academy Award-winning actress and producer Nicole Kidman will attend a special screening of her new film, “Rabbit Hole,” and will participate in a question and answer session moderated by WSMV news anchor Demetria Kalodimos on Jan. 8. The screening begins at 3 p.m., immediately followed by the Q&A session at 4:30 p.m. at the Belcourt Theatre.
For more information about tickets and the Belcourt Theatre, please visit belcourt.org
Photo credit: The Inquisitr
