Craiglist hilarity, trucker hat guys, downtown LA: In Search Of A Midnight Kiss

Is this ILE: The Movie or something?

I think it kind of is. She even says "so not gonna happen" at one point.

Completely retarded and skated on extremely thin ice of pretension at times ("I take pictures of lost shoes"). Shot on video so looked like ass, and some terrible continuity and editing. But yeah, totally surprised and pleased by this. I came out feeling great (and not just because it closed with Wind of Changes). I didn't think the main guy was that charmless, and apparently I was really lolling at his roommate at times. Probably wouldn't watch it again though.

Hey Alba, settle an argument for me. Is this movie mumblecore?

I wonder if the absolutely terrible name for this movie was in fact a brilliant strategy to make it seem better than you'd think it would be. I liked it a lot, though like Alba I was wondering if the annoyingness of the two characters was ever going to stop. It did, and that transition actually really worked to the movie's advantage. I did wish it had been shot on film but whatcha gon do.

The name is better than one of the films that was trailered before it in my screening: Female Agents.

Note to self: never use the Sony HVR-Z1.

I want to see Female Agents! The French title is better. "Shadow Women" or something.

must see "Female Agents"

It's funny, some of the shots were absolutely gorgeous - the close-ups of her face in the car near the end, for instance. Maybe it's a good camera for hi-contrast stuff but not so much for the rest?

I don't really remember any shots that looked beautiful in a filmic way, although there was some very, uh, atmospheric and pretty documentary-style shots. I guess they were going for this, because if you're distributing in B/W there's so much you can do to replace the digital noise and compression artifacts with something more like film noise, and they didn't bother.

wow, i loved this. i actually found all of the characters mildly-to-very charming, especially the lead guy. i'm totally baffled by the comments on how bad it looked, i thought it was visually striking - i've never seen LA shot like that - and i thought the video approximated fairly well the grain of high contrast film . the only shot that was poor was of the theatre ceiling and, actually, i thought this was the only poor scene in the film (although i could have done without the very depressing music in the subway scene with would have been quite affecting if it was done without music).

admittedly there are a few mis-steps and it should have been shorter.

most of all i loved it because it was one of those rare films that approximates the way that funny people you know are actually funny irl.

"i only brought [the condoms] because i didn't want you to look like a slut!"

it seems to be the done thing in the states to wish people a happy new year on the last day of the year, which is a total no-no in scotland.

What is the Scottish New Year's tradition?

first day of the year, of course!

Hey Alba, settle an argument for me. Is this movie mumblecore?

NO.

I win again!

So. This is being championed as one of the (movement-reviving) Indies-of-the-Year ...

Andrew Sarris croons Midnight Kiss Makes Me Salty-Tongued for Indie Film Once More -> http://www.observer.com/2008/arts-culture/midnight-kiss-makes-me-salty-tongued-indie-film-once-more

...but of course I'm more interested in how it's championing Los Angeleez

" the two travel to downtown where, amid crumbing buildings, faded movie palaces and signs of new, gentrifying life, they walk and they talk, sharing funny and forlorn stories, histories and observations. "

http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/movies/01kiss.html#

Finally, a new cinematic representation of the city - and yet it's being compared to Woody Allen's Manhattan. WTF?

Even if they don't love the film, everyone is clamoring over its downright *romantic* representation of downtown Los Angeles (and how the characters walk and talk, through the subways). Wow, to think: we even have subwats here! The surprise of some of these east coast reviewers!

http://www.nysun.com/arts/in-search-of-a-midnight-kiss-looking-for-love/83004/

http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-07-29/film/in-search-of-a-midnight-kiss-recasts-la-as-romantically-comedic/

"Did Los Angeles sign with a new agent? Heretofore best known for its performances as urban jungle, moneyed playground, and future dystopia, Angel City gets a chance to flex its acting muscles in writer-director Alex Holdridge's enjoyably retro romantic comedy, where it stars as the sort of blissful black-and-white lovers' paradise usually played by New York, London, or Paris. "

Mr Loder - the new David Thomson? - approves. Now who can argue?

http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1591983/story.jhtml

subwats, subways. it's basically a subwat at this point anyway - but we did get the tax increase on the ballot, at least

This left the Laemmle. And is now playing in Costa Mesa. How can I drive to Costa Mesa?

It's playing down here? Weird. Easiest way down is either the 5/55 or the 405, depending on which one you're closer to.

I wasn't being literal :) It just seems like such an arduous drive...past that damned curtain

It's playing here ->
Regency South Coast Village (add to My Theaters)
(Independent) 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-557-5701
Showtimes: 12:15pm | 5:10 | 7:45 | 9:5

Ned I don't know if this at all sounds like your thing but hey..if it's in your hood

Yeah, it's just over by South Coast Plaza. Will keep it in mind!

Want to big screen before it's gone, and it seems like I have il Thursday. If I figure out a definite plan, I will email you in advance :) Maybe you can hop over after work or something

Only a short run? Ah, I'll have to miss it, then -- the week's already booked.

really liked this. was trying to remember the scene in my head where he tries to get the girl to kiss him and it all goes wrong. i thought the girl was a bit too affected at first, but i ended up liking her. it wasnt as consistently funny as i wanted it to be but it was very charming. reminded me of all the indies i used to watch as a teenager in the 90s.