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| What could be better for a film festival in the desert, where the balmy winter temperatures beckon visitors to the tennis court, the golf course, the swimming pool, or even the boulevard for some of the best shopping in the country? Well, how about dark, brooding skies and some of the worst rains in decades? That’s just what festival organizers got as the PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL kicked off January 6th in Palm Springs last week.  “Rain is the perfect weather for a film festival”, Congresswoman MARY BONO joked, at the kickoff cocktail party hosted by the newly renovated Parker Meridien Hotel Friday night as guests were hustled into the event by umbrella toting hotel staff. “That’s what we call spin in Washington.”BONO was beaming as she repeatedly told the assembled news crews how proud SONNY would have been. Former congressman, and mayor of Palm Springs, SONNY BONO founded this festival, and dreamed one day it would grow to bring back the golden days of the desert when the Hollywood elite would regular convene to blow off a little steam and otherwise wallow in the charms of the Coachella Valley. "He would have said 'I told you so'. Early on when he talked about a film festival here, most people thought he was crazy...It was like pulling teeth. People said it really wouldn't happen and in our first few years we really struggled."
Oscar winner and silver screen legend CELESTE HOLM told us JACK BENNY got her, FRANK SINATRA, BING CROSBY and GRACE KELLY to “blow out to Palm Springs after the wrap party” for HIGH SOCIETY. HOLM, who starred in ALL ABOUT EVE, HIGH SOCIETY and won her Oscar in GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT, exuded the class and style of old Hollywood as she walked the red carpets over the weekend.
PAUL REISER and PETER FALK were on hand for the world premiere of THE THING ABOUT MY FOLKS. REISER wrote the film about his relationship with his family, and his father in particular, and FALK was his first choice. “PETER really is just like my father,” REISER told the press. One of the devices to get the celebrity attendance is the Saturday night gala and awards show, held the first weekend of the festival. In years past, the event has attracted big names, like SEAN CONNERY, VANESSA REDGRAVE, KEVIN COSTNER, SCARLETT JOHANNSON and SOPHIA LAUREN. This year, there were a bevy of categories, and thus a fine crop of stars.
NICOLE KIDMAN received the Chairman’s Award from ALEJANDRO AMENEBAR, her director in THE OTHERS. KIRK DOUGLAS, a former resident of Palm Springs, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by ANGELICA HUSTON. DOUGLAS commented he was glad to be getting the award so he could begin work on his next career. MARY BONO presented the SONNY BONO VISIONARY AWARD to KEVIN SPACEY for his work in writing, directing and starring in BEYOND THE SEA, the BOBBY DARIN biopic. LYNN REDGRAVE was on hand to present LIAM NEESOM with the DESERT PALM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for his work in KINSEY. LAURA LINNEY won the actress counterpart award. ALEXANDER PAYNE received the DIRECTOR AWARD from VIRGINIA MADSEN, who looked stunning in a low cut lime green gown. Newcomers ADAM SCOTT and BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD won RISING STAR AWARDS presented by ADRIEN BRODY.
NICOLE KIDMAN landed at the Palm Springs airport around 5:30 pm just in time to be paraded down the carpet. She was escorted by her father, ANTHONY, and said it was her first time in the valley. Other celebrities at the dinner Saturday included a perky SUZANNE SUMMERS who was escorted by her husband ALAN HAMMEL; a beautiful DIANE BAKER; CHARLES DURNING who was less than impressed with the list of stars; ANNE FRANCIS who told us of her days working with BARBRA STREISAND in FUNNY GIRL; EION BAILEY, the new ER star whose film GLORY DAYS about a track and field star with a drinking problem played in the festival; LANCE BASS who revealed he is working on a sitcom pilot for air this summer; FRANCES FISHER who said she drove down to support KEVIN SPACEY; SANDRA OH, who stars in the most talked about film of the year SIDEWAYS, and whose husband ALEXANDER PAYNE was being honored; TRISTAN ROGERS, the GENERAL HOSPITAL heartthrob and Palm Springs resident who is a long time supporter of the festival; PATRICK WARBURTON who also had a film in the festival; LANIE KAZAN who told us she had some Plam Springs stories to tell but not on television: and BARBARA SINATRA looking glamorous as ever in her fur.
SAMUEL L. JACKSON whose film COACH CARTER opened the festival Thursday night was also there.
The PALM SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL runs through January 17, 2005. For more information go to: http://www.psfilmfest.org/ |
Mr. Blackwell’s Fabulous Fashion Independents of 2004:
The Worst Dressed Women of 2004
The 45th Annual Worst and Best Dressed Women Lists "From a movie legend to television favorites to rock divas to press-hungry "it" girls, 2004 was a mind-boggling mix of The Bad, The Sad, and The Downright Ugly."—Mr. Blackwell Welcome to my annual merry-go-round of Wardrobe wrecks, Designer check and the women who fell under a Fashion hex-—the 45th ANNUAL WORST-DRESSED WOMEN LIST. Without question, this was the year of the "Wardrobe Malfunction," although what was considered the biggest fashion faux pas of the year – Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl peekaboo flash – was a total Tempest in a Teapot as far as I’m concerned. If you really want a stylistic scandal, look no further than the Ten Terrors "gracing" this year’s List. From a movie legend to television favorites to rock divas to press-hungry "it" girls, 2004 was a mind-boggling mix of The Bad, The Sad, and The Downright Ugly. Narrowing down the potential candidates to a manageable Ten was almost as difficult as trying to pronounce "Meet the Fockers" without offending Grandma. Next to impossible, indeed . . . Before the fashion fatalities are revealed, let it be said that the finalists in my Society of Style-Free Shame won their place in WORST-DRESSED infamy purely on the basis of their overall wardrobe – or lack thereof. They may have talent to burn, but in this case, it’s their wardrobes that should be reduced to ashes. Of course, in this wasteland of taste, 10 Best-Dressed Women also emerged like shining stars on a rain-soaked night, hence my Fabulous Fashion Independents List, which has been celebrating glorious women for 45 years as well. Take a tip from these Divas of Design the next time you need instant inspiration. Fashion flip-flopped all over the place in 2004. Color was back in a big way; bling-bling was bigger than ever, while retro femininity also (thankfully) figured in the fashion landscape. Everyone wore sunglasses (sometimes even in daylight), sportswear was de rigeur, and boots, bangles and brocade brimmed to the forefront once again. 90’s minimalism was finally laid to rest, while low-slung jeans, masochistic midriffs and neo-gothic no-no’s are finally on their way out. At least we can be grateful for that! Here’s hoping 2005 takes the ultra-feminine look to new heights. Elegance, classicism and restraint are never out of style. Neither is a good 3-way mirror. It’s obvious the 10 WORST DRESSED WOMEN of 2004 should have invested in one before they left the house. After all, in this fashion-focused world we live in, dressing well is the best revenge. With love, Mr. Blackwell |
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