Cinema Speakeasy

On Strike

Saskia — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:21:52 +0000

We’re doing our part to protest American censorship of the internet. Consider this a metaphorical blackout.

This is to protest “the Senate version of the House’s Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). In the Senate the bill is called the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). SOPA has gotten more attention than PIPA because it was moving faster in the legislative process. But PIPA is just as dangerous, and now it is moving faster.”

This especially messes with artists (filmmakers!).

As Fight For the Future writes: “Copyright law exists to promote the arts, but the new penalties in PIPA could be used against the new social media channels we depend on to make a living, and endanger freedom of expression. [It can] be abused to attack legitimate sites we rely on. Many trailblazing social media websites could look like piracy havens to judges unfamiliar with the Internet. In the past, music and film companies have attacked many new technologies – like the VCR and MP3 player – claiming that they were tools for piracy. Recently, these same companies have sued video hosting platforms like Veoh and YouTube. We use online video sites, file hosts like Dropbox and Mediafire, and online music communities like Soundcloud to host our work, collaborate with others, and build a community. We fund our work with services like Kickstarter and Flattr. We publish our work on sites like Tumblr, WordPress, and Blogger. Any one of these services could be sued under PIPA.”

Find out more here: http://www.fightforthefuture.org/pipa

‘Funny Shorts To Drink To’: PS, Jan. 15

Saskia — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:22:52 +0000

Cinema Speakeasy returns to Ace Hotel for another round. This time, we’re tackling comedy.

With some of our old favorites, plus some new offerings hot off the 2011 presses, we think this will be a program worth laughing to, and – most importantly perhaps- drinking to.

On that note, we’re screening these shorts right above Ace Hotel + Swim Club’s beautiful outdoor bar. Dip your toes in the water as you sip your gin and tonic, play some ping-pong, and – most importantly – join us on January 15th!

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Sun. January 15th, 2012
Program starts at 9:00PM
ACE Hotel & Swim Club (701 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92264)
at the poolside bar
Tickets: Free at the door, 21+ only
Alcohol: ACE’s mixologists will brew up their funny juices to help you get the yuks flowing.
Bring cash, and tip your bartenders.

To RSVP for the screening at Ace Hotel and Swim Club:
Email heythere@cinemaspeakeasy.com and tell us who’s coming!

Holiday Break

Saskia — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:27:26 +0000

Hello Speakeasy-ers.

We here at CS hope you are enjoying the ramp up to the holiday season as much as we are. Our trees are twinkling and our menorahs are lit, and we’re wearing our slippers and pyjamas. All month.

We’ll see you in the new year in LA, SF and Palm Springs, with our usual jet of turbo-radness. In fact, we have so many good programs lined up that we feel confident saying that 2012 – our third year of programming – will be our best year yet… Consider it your new year’s surprise.

In the meantime, eat, drink, be merry in our honor. Also, send us stuff to watch!

See you in 2012!

‘They Live’: SF, Nov. 3

Saskia — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:32:37 +0000

Thursday, Nov. 3rd
Occupy GAFFTA!
John Carpenter’s They Live

Hey 99%-ers! What if we told we had these magical sunglasses that you could put on to see that the upper 1% were really free enterprising aliens from another planet? That’s what happens in They Live (1989). And that’s what you can see November 3rd at GAFFTA.

Directed by Halloween’s John Carpenter, They Live blends action, politics and horror, as WWF wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper chews bubblegum and opens up a can of whoop ass on Reagan-era zombie Republicans. Seriously, everyone should see this movie. Not convinced yet? OK:

1. This film inspired Shepard Fairey’s Obey the Giant campaign. Which sparked a chain of events that put Obama in the White House. Just saying.

2. It also inspired the cripple fight scene in South Park. Over 6 wonderful minutes of over the top fighting.

3. It’s another great movie from the 80s featuring the iconic RayBan Wayfarers. (Free raffle ticket if you wear yours.)

As always, only $5, desirable raffle prizes, and the savviest movie-lovers in San Francisco to kick back, watch a film and have a beer with. Come take notes on how to fight the alien elite upper class before the world goes down the toilet.

When? Thursday November 3.

Where? GAFFTA! 998 Market St at Taylor St.
Time? Doors at 7:30PM, movie at 8PM
How much? $5 (cash-only)

More information!

‘There’s No There, There: LA Films LA’ : LA, Nov. 16

Saskia — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:46:59 +0000

CS + Big City Forum present ‘There’s No There, There: LA Films LA’ 
Weds. November 16, 7:00-9:00 PM, Goethe-Institut
Admission Free

Big City Forum & Cinema Speakeasy present an evening of short films that examine what LA means to those that inhabit it, in a program and discussion about our public urban identity. We will be screening pieces that capture the complexity and reality of living in our de-centralized – yet mythical – metropolis.

Before you moved here, and you thought of Los Angeles, what came to mind? Hollywood? Getty Center? Strip malls and traffic? Urban sprawl? Hardened cops? Gang warfare? Chicks in bikinis filing their nails under towering palm trees?

LA is the constantly shifting metropolis constructed entirely for mass consumption by fantastical and fevered minds with nary a glance at the rich complexity roiling beneath its shimmering skin. From gritty downtown cop dramas to technicolor Hollywood fantasies, it has been omnipresent in American celluloid, but rarely truly captured. It is, in short, the most filmed yet least understood megalopolis in modern American history.   Filmmakers will be on hand for a post-screening discussion about their sense of place, moderated by Saskia Wilson-Brown and Big City Forum.

PROGRAM

Part 1: LA Isn’t a Real City, It Just Plays One on Camera (Observations)
‘I Hate LA’ by Suzy Barrett (TRT 2.5 min)
‘Los Angeles: A Love Poem’ by Dylan King (TRT 2.25 min)
‘Not West of Western’ by Clay Dean (TRT 13.5 min)

Part 2: Interlude (Moments)
‘Javelin @ Bob Baker Marionette Theatre’ by Alex Pelly, Dublab (TRT. 10 min)
‘Mall Mania’ by Joel Fletcher (TRT 4.5 min)
‘Intolerance’ by Lisa Marr and Paolo Davanzo (TRT 2.25 min)

Part 3: A Manufactured Narrative (Stories)
‘Untitled (Perlman Place)’ by Vera Brunner-Sung (TRT 1 min)
‘Dos, Por Favor’ by Fabian Euresti (TRT 15 min)
‘The Worm, Episode 10′ by Austin Young (TRT 10 min)

More information

Need a dose?

Saskia — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:15:23 +0000

LA: You like taco stands, avoid the 10 at 5:30PM at all costs, and yawn when you hear ‘Sunset Strip’? We’ve got what you need. Upcoming LA events here.

SF: You only respect hills that are committed to verticality and you know how the Tenderloin got its name? We know what you want. Upcoming SF events here.

‘Evil Dead’ and ‘Evil Dead 2′ Drink-Along & Zombie Dress Up: SF, Oct. 6

Saskia — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:58:21 +0000

Why are cobwebs all over the corner store? This wine better not be that old. What is with all this orange and black? No one is celebrating the Giants. And why are all horror films just a little more…horrifying? You know why. Halloween is here! Almost.

And we’re here to raise the hairs on the back of your neck with a few cold beers during our next DRINK-A-LONG to the indie cult classic THE EVIL DEAD. Thursday October 6th!

We’re taking horror to the next level by making it a DOUBLE FEATURE: The Evil Dead and EVIL DEAD 2 Costume Party. Wow! We’re kind of scaring ourselves right now. Scared of how incapacitated you’ll be at the end of it.

Marking the 30th anniversary of its release, we’re resurrecting The Evil Dead to witness Sam Raimi make movie magic (and history) with a scary small budget, THEN compare it to the Hollywood budget he had for Evil Dead 2. The basics are the same: a creepy cabin in the woods, some book and audio recording conjuring evil spirits from beyond, and this dude Ash running around in the woods dismembering people possessed by demons. If that doesn’t raise goosebumps on your arms, then you’re probably the evil dead too.

Here are some rules to follow lest YOU get dismembered. Every time:

A human gets possessed by an evil spirit: DRINK!
Someone suggests going out on their own (or something equally stupid): Yell NOOO! Then DRINK!
A milky white substance excretes from someone’s face: CHEERS and DRINK!
You’re a little scared: LAUGH and DRINK! It’ll help. Trust us.

And get your most blood-curdling scream ready, because during intermission, we’ll have a screaming contest! The best, loudest, most terrifying scream gets a spooky surprise! And the winning doesn’t stop there. Come dressed as an evil dead flesh-possessing demon zombie and get a free raffle ticket! (Raffle tickets lead to amazing prizes, as usual.)

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

You know the drill. 5 bucks. Prizes. Beer. Film lovers so sexy it’s scary.

When? Thursday October 6.
Where? GAFFTA! 998 Market St at Taylor St.
Time? Doors at 7:30PM, movie at 8PM
How much? 5 squeamish dollars

Be there, or be haunted by the remorse you’ll feel if you miss out. THAT is scary.

‘Relationship Therapy for the Modern Human’: LA, Oct. 15; PS, Oct. 16

Saskia — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 05:26:01 +0000

Cinema Speakeasy is proud to present a special double screening in Los Angeles and Palm Springs of our newest, edgiest, most ridiculously scandalous shorts program yet.

We’re calling it ‘Relationship Therapy for the Modern Human’. Decidedly not for the squeamish (or the prudish) these shorts examine love in all its facets: How it works, how it’s lived, how it starts, how it ends, how some of us may have just decided to sod it all and commit our hearts to… well… more original things. Hey, it takes all types to make up our world. We’re not judging.

On Saturday October 15^th, we’ll be screening the program in LA at Space 15 Twenty in Hollywood, CA. We’ll start the program at 8:00, but come early for some Umami Burger and lèche-vitrine at Urban Outfitters’ experimental and shop-alicious courtyard of cool.

Since these films will leave you in a love daze, and hopefully, with a foggy hangover, we decided to provide some good old fashioned hair o’ the dog with a second screening in Palm Springs. On Sunday October 16th, grab your homies and homegirls and drive, walk or bike over to the hippest swim club and hotel we know to help us launch our first Palm Springs screening, and our newest collaboration with the legendary Ace Hotel & Swim Club.

The program starts at sundown, and it’s the perfect way to cement the mutual adoration that you KNOW has been budding all day between you and that hottie in the red trunks sitting two cabana chairs over. To seal the deal, Ace’s mixologists will be whipping up love-related alcoholic potions at special rates, and of course the food at their amazing diner (King’s Highway) is delicious.

So come watch some brilliant and sometimes shocking films on Oct. 15^th in Hollywood and on Oct. 16^th in Palm Springs, and help us raise a glass to love, lust or hate. Whichever it is that floats your boat.

—————-

PROGRAM

We combed through just over 100 ridiculously good films to bring you this program. These were just too juicy to pass up.

Seafishing, by Mary Costa, Lauren Randolph, Jessica Kucinskas (1 min.)
Venus, by Tor Fruergaard (8 min)
Two, by Maya Newell (17 min)
Gayby, by Jonathan Lisecki (12 min)
Fancy , by Chris Olsen (3 min)
Love Hurts, by Christian Simmons (5 min)
I Fucking Hate You, by Zak Forsman (9 min)
The Virgin Herod, by Xander Robin (8 min)
Time After Time, by Laurie Thomas (4 min)
Megafauna, by Kaz Phillips Safer (14.5 min)
Porch Casserole, by Douglas Burgdorff (7 min)
Coffee and Cream, by G. Lewis Heslet (5 min)
Love Fucked, by Anthony Ferraro (3.5 min)

—————-

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

LOS ANGELES

Sat. October 15th, 2011
Doors at 7:00PM, Program at 8:00PM
Space 15 twenty (1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028)
Tickets: Free (Suggested donation $5), 21+ only
Alcohol: We’ll keep you posted
Wear a sweater- this screening is outdoors.
Bring $3 for a raffle ticket, and park in the Arclight parking lot

To RSVP for the screening at Space 15 Twenty: Email heythere@cinemaspeakeasy.com and tell us who’s coming! Also, tell us a quick story about love gone wrong, or love gone right. We’ll be reading the best stories at the screenings but don’t worry we’ll keep it anonymous.

—————-

PALM SPRINGS
Sun. October 16th, 2011
Doors at 7:00PM, Program at 8:00PM
ACE Hotel & Swim Club (701 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92264)
Tickets: Free at the door, 21+ only
Alcohol: ACE’s mixologists will brew up their special love potions

Ace Hotel + Swim Club is offering a 10% discount on a Saturday night stay for Cinema Speakeasy guests. Book online or over the phone and enter the code ‘Cinema’.

To RSVP for the screening at Ace Hotel and Swim Club: Email heythere@cinemaspeakeasy.com and tell us who’s coming! Also, tell us a quick story about love gone wrong, or love gone right. We’ll be reading the best stories at the screenings but don’t worry we’ll keep it anonymous.

—————-

PRESS RELEASES, FOR YOUR DOWNLOADING PLEASURE

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR RAFFLE SPONSORS

Plus awesome bags and scarves from Lulu, MAC cosmetics, and more.

‘Humpday’ + Indie Erotic Film Fest Shorts: SF, Sep. 8

Saskia — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:10:17 +0000

This Thursday, September 8: SEXY September!

We’re getting between the sheets and bringing you our Sexy September programming. We’re proud to present our friend Lynn Shelton’s clever comedy, HUMPDAY. L.A. Times writes, “In Lynn Shelton’s comedy, two old college friends decide to have sex with each other for a porn festival. Feelings ensue…Could two straight pals have sex on camera for a local amateur porn festival?” Good question. Check out the trailer here.

To get you excited about independent adult programming, we’ll be starting off the night with a short film or two from the Bay Area’s own Indie Erotic Film Festival brought to you by our pals at Good Vibrations! We’re going to get intimate with shorts from last year’s competition to get your juices flowing for this year’s festivities, starting on September 17 and culminating in the Short Erotic Film Competition on September 22 at the Castro Theater.

Come out on September 8 and GET SEXY. As usual we’ll have beer, wine, awesome raffle prizes, and the best-looking film lovers this side of the Mississippi. Bringing sexy back, one movie at a time.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Thursday Sep 8th, 2011
Doors at 7:30

GAFFTA (998 Market St. @ Taylor St. 94102).
Street parking: Carpool!

$5 at the door
This event is 21+

‘An American Werewolf in London’ Drink-Along: LA, Sep. 10

Saskia — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:08:53 +0000

SORRY WOLFLETS, BUT WE’RE ALL SOLD OUT! RSVP IF YOU WANT TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST: heythere@cinemaspeakeasy.com

On Saturday September 10^th, be sure to stick to the roads and keep off the moors…

The nights are getting longer, the air is getting cooler and it’s time to keep an eye out for things that go bump in the night. That’s right, it’s monster movie season.

This fall will be no exception, as BBQ Films and Cinema Speakeasy partner up and kick it off by bringing John Landis’ American Werewolf in London back home.

On Saturday September 10^th, we’ll be hosting a free bi-coastal pop-up movie night — screening this werewolf classic in NYC and LA — and matching the film with complementary Newcastle Werewolf Limited Edition Ale from our buddies at Newcastle Brown Ale, good werewolf themed munchies (bring a tenner and Eat Catering will make sure your wolfy belly is full), and plenty of new friends.

Come out, raise a bottle, and settle in for a scary classic under the full moon. But listen carefully for a howl — because who knows what will happen tonight…

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Sat. September 10th, 2011
Doors open at 8: Mingle, snack, drink.
Film starts at 9:00.

Address in Culver City to be provided upon RSVP: heythere@cinemaspeakeasy.com

Tickets: Free
Beer: Free
Munchies: Cheap and delicious, courtesy of Eat Catering

21+ ID and an RSVP are required for entry.

Cinema Speakeasy

On Strike

‘Funny Shorts To Drink To’: PS, Jan. 15

Holiday Break

‘They Live’: SF, Nov. 3

‘There’s No There, There: LA Films LA’ : LA, Nov. 16

Need a dose?

‘Evil Dead’ and ‘Evil Dead 2′ Drink-Along & Zombie Dress Up: SF, Oct. 6

‘Relationship Therapy for the Modern Human’: LA, Oct. 15; PS, Oct. 16

‘Humpday’ + Indie Erotic Film Fest Shorts: SF, Sep. 8

‘An American Werewolf in London’ Drink-Along: LA, Sep. 10

‘There’s No There, There: LA Films LA’ : LA, Nov. 16