I'm letting my inner fangirl out to tell y'all about something TOTALLY AWESOME coming to SIFF Cinema at the Uptown, starting this Friday, January 13!!! In Dreams: The Films of David Lynch is going to screen from 1/13-1/19, which means everyone gets a chance to see a retrospective of Lynch's work on the big screen, including my two faves: Mulholland Drive and Wild at Heart. 

Ticket prices = $10 | $5 SIFF Members | $9 Youth (20 & under) and Seniors (65+) | Matinees: $7 | $5 SIFF Members

Here's a quick guide to what's playing (in case you want some imaginary tips from a longtime Lynch fan): 

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{Tomboy opens in Seattle on Friday, January 6 and screens at SIFF Cinema at the Uptown through January 12}

Coming-of-age stories are hard to pull off without resorting to oft-used cliches, which is why I think Tomboy kind of blows most of them out of the water. Focusing on adolescent identity and exploration, this film pulls you close with astonishing performances and intimate camerawork. 

Director Celine Sciamma searched for unknowns for the kids' roles because she wanted the movie to feel as genuine as possible -- and it does. Each one delivers such naturalness to the screen that it almost feels like you're spying on something private. 

10-year-old Laure (Zoe Heran) sports a short haircut and prefers to wear boy's shirts and tees, rather than girly dresses and lacy skirts. New to the neighborhood, when Laure meets the local group of kids and they think she's boy -- she just kinda rolls with it.

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Note: SIFF has announced that they SOLD OUT of the initial tix in a few hours, but they have released a small number of additional seats. VIP tickets to the dinner, however, are still available. 

I, along with several friends, are VERY excited about the release of spy-thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - and now SIFF has given us one more reason to get excited: GARY FREAKING OLDMAN IS COMING TO SEATTLE!!! 

On Sunday, 12/11, Mr. Oldman will take the stage for a Q&A session after the film. And if that weren't enough - there's a special bonus for people who are feelin' fancypants (and/or rabid Oldman fans. *hand up!*). For a mere $200, you (or me, if anyone wants to buy me a ticket! HINT HINT) can dine with Gary in Volterra's Drawing Room on a sumptious feast prepared by their award-winning Chef, Don Curtiss. That ticket also gets you the VIP treatment, with reserved seating for the film and Q&A. 

An Evening with Gary Oldman
Sunday, December 11 @5:30pm
SIFF Cinema at the Uptown
Tickets: $25 each, $20 for SIFF Members

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UPDATE: This event is coming up...and fast. Make sure you snap up tickets while you can to see one-of-a-kind awesomeness this week! You know you wanna.... 

Stock up on those tissue boxes! SIFF announced today that the new documentary Bob and the Monster is coming to the Uptown on October 27. If you don't know who Bob Forrest is, you either never saw any live show footage from the 80s and 90s, or you never watched Celebrity Rehab. Both of which I refuse to believe.

But hey, I'll humor you: Forrest is the frontman of post-punk band Thelonious Monster, who thrashed clubs and caused some seriously gnarley mosh pits. He's also famous for being a complete drug-addicted mess on stage. Now sober, Bob has become one of the most infleuential addiction counselors around -- and it's easy to see why (yes, I watch Celebrity Rehab. What about it?). He's compassionate and kind, while still being able to call you on your bullshit. Anyway, Bob and the Monster is all about his struggle with his disease, and ulitmately, his triumph. In other words, it is a weeper, people. You can tell just from the preview.

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I would like to take this moment to announce that I think SIFF purchasing the Uptown Cinemas and rescuing them from languishing in certain doom is the best thing that they have ever done, ever. EVER. 

Okay, now that I have that out of the way - let's get to the good stuff. The Uptown is having its Grand Reopening this week! Starting Thursday, 10/20, there will be a serious of Sing-Alongs (Hedwig, Purple Rain, and Grease) as part of the Heineken City Arts Fest, and then they're gonna show a whole bunch of awesomeness -- officially known as Uptown Cinema Classics -- starting on 10/23.

You can view the full schedule here, but the films I'm most excited about are West Side Story, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Royal Tennebaums, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, LA Confidential, and The Godfather. They'll also be rounding out the week with Bob & the Monster (which we heartily recommend you get tix to!). Even better: all these films are only $5 - OR FREE with a same-day receipt from any Queen Anne area business. omg. what. 

Anyone up for drinks at The Mecca followed by a film? 

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There's a ton of stuff hitting local theaters this weekend, but I wanted to call your attention to a smaller release that's worthy of your hard-earned dollars. Namely, Silent Souls at SIFF Cinema (note: this is the NEW SIFF Cinema, at the Film Center, not the one located in McCaw Hall).

This Russian story of love, loss, and friendship screened earlier this year during the Festival, but I missed it. If you did too, here's a second chance to watch a stunningly beautiful film with strong performances. In a nutshell: two best friends go on a journey to lovingly dispose one of their wive's remains -- apparently a common occurence in the town they're from. What follows is a striking, heartfelt film dotted with bright, and at times surreal, imagery. Overall it's a great (and thoughtful) way to spend 75 minutes of your time.

Silent Souls starts screening tonight, 10/14, and runs through 10/20. $10 general admisson | $5 for SIFF Members 

{Best of SIFF 2011 screenings take place June 17-19 at SIFF Cinema.}

You may have noticed we've hushed up about SIFF these last couple of days. That's because SIFF 2011 is a thing of the past. Did you miss out, despite our daily urgings to see this Alaskan crime thriller or that Spanish period drama? Are you kicking yourself for foregoing Seattle's month-long megalomaniac cinemathon yet again?

Well, you have a few chances for redemption. That's right, just when you thought it was safe to go back to Seattle Center, an action-packed three-day Best of SIFF 2011 program invades SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall this weekend (6/17 - 6/19), and will feature a mix of (mostly very deservingly-honored) Jury Award winners, Golden Space Needle Audience Award winners and fest favorites. So, you can partake of films you missed the first time 'round (shame on you) or revisit your SIFF favorites one more time (on the big screen instead of Netflix).

The full lineup, along with the intrepid TIG SIFF team's takes on the selections we reviewed, after the jump.

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Well, it's OVER once again! SIFF 2011 was a whirlwind of great films, Q&As, gabbing with other film nerds, happy hours, and parties. I'm sad it's over, but like most SIFF fans, I probably need a break before it starts all over again next year. In total, I saw 26 films (which honestly pales in comparison to say, Imaginary Rich, who is probably somewhere near 80), but there was so much goodness that I was able to pick ten favorites.

Watch for these to get locally-released, on demanded, or DVDd: 

A Cat in Paris: An awesome kitty cat named Dino lives a double life on the rooftops of Paris traveling between two houses: one, a police officer and her daughter, and other a crafty cat burglar. Beautiful animation, a swingy retro jazz soundtrack, and a funny/moving story. LOVED, loved, loved this.

Beginners: (this one is playing right NOW at The Harvard Exit!) Both quirky romance and a love letter to family, this one manages to be touching without being cloying. McGregor, Laurent, and Plummer all rock it - and the dog adds just the right touch of cute. 

Late Autumn: A woman let out of prison for 48 hours to attend her mother's funeral and a gigolo who's on the run from a customer's angry husband connect when they run into each on the bus. Depressing? Sure. But lovely all the same, plus lots of great Seattle scenery.

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I have to admit I was skeptical about this based on the description as it could have easily been cheesy and cliche, but Poupouidou (Nobody Else but You) turned out to be an atmospheric French thriller with some pretty fantastic performances.

Detective novelist David Roussea (Jean-Paul Rove) travels to the snowy town of Mouthe for a will reading when the murder of local cheese model/weather girl Candice Lecouer sparks an idea for his next book. It seems Candice believed she was the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe (and her path to fame and death certainly mimics the tragic star's own story).

While reading Lecouer's diaries, Roussea starts to fall for her and becomes determined to solve her murder - which proves problematic when the killer starts targeting him as well. Beautiful scenery, and I'm not gonna lie - a beautiful actress (Sophie Quinton is fantastic) - completely suck you into this film, and even though you think you know where the story's going, you're in for a few surprises.

{Poupoupidou screens at SIFF one more time, Sunday 6/12, 1:30pm at the Neptune}

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Ghost stories with legitimate scares are hard to come by - but this one definitely does it up right. The Village of Shadows starts out by telling a story within a story as two carloads of friends are headed towards a secluded town called Ruiflec for a nice, relaxing vacation-- until they get there and discover it's totally abandoned and CREEPY AS HELL.

The film jumps right into the action when one group discovers the other's empty car in the middle of the road, doors open, and covered in mud. As if that weren't disturbing enough, the vacation house is a depressing pit of despair and a haven for spirits that seem to possess the power to kill. Ohheygreat.

With overtones of both El Orphanato and The Devil's Backbone, plus a ghosty kid that rivals both Sadako from Ringu and that creeptastic dead boy from Ju-on, this French/German horror flick has got it goin' on. Nice atmosphere, and nice job with the twists - not to mention some seriously scary protagonists (the makeup and wigs from the flashbacks will haunt me FOREVER). Go see it!

{The Village of Shadows screens at SIFF on Saturday, 6/11, midnight at The Egyptian, and again on Sunday, 6/12, 9:15pm at The Neptune}

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