The SB Post

Day 11: Sunday, February 5th

Guest bloggers, Noelle and Jen, share some of their Film Feast and Film Fest favorites from the weekend's events!

Screened: We arrived to a very full house at The Arlington on Friday night; everyone was arching to get a good look to see which celeb would grace red carpet for the Virtuoso Award. This was one of the most anticipated events at the Fest as it brought together a handful of seasoned and up-and-coming actors and actresses. Before each interview, several clips were shown that displayed each actor's recent work. I had only seen a few of the films, including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Bridesmaids, but the short clips made me want to hit the theaters to see the rest. I was particularly moved by the clip from A Better Life with Demian Bichir. I hadn't heard of the film previously, but I could tell that it was a powerful movie and I definitely want to watch it in its entirety.

Savored: We selected Cadiz, the new Mediterranean restaurant on State Street, to enjoy a Film Feast bite before spending an evening among stars at the Film Festival. The restaurant was quiet upon arrival, but picked up quickly and was soon filled with laughter from fellow diners and delicious aromas. There were two options for the Film Feast menu at Cadiz so my dining partner and I opted to order both options and share (I love sharing!). We started out with the Riviera Salad which was decorated with bell pepper, haricot vert, green olives, frisee, and drizzled with a light red wine vinaigrette. With it, we enjoyed their Roasted Chestnut soup with golden raisins, olives and pistachios. It was quite savory and had a nice texture and crunch with the olives and pistachios, overall very delicious! The second course was a yummy Grana Padano Risotto that was just as colorful and flavorful on the plate as it was in my mouth. It had flavors of pumpkin and sage and was rich, creamy and hearty. The entrée was beautiful and every tasty bite of the dish was validated by the presentation. The second entrée we shared was the Local White Sea bass with lentils, sun chokes, green olives and tarragons with an heirloom carrot reduction. It was beautifully presented and extremely well balanced. The Sea bass was perfectly grilled with a flavorful crust. The accompaniments paired beautifully and had a great variety of flavor and texture. The sparkling glass of champagne (included in the Film Feast menu) was a perfect complement to the meal and cleansed our palettes before the final course...drum roll...dessert. The server brought out the Crème Brûlée, which can be described in two words: simply amazing. Under the caramelized crust was a sweet, tangy and creamy center. The dessert was accented with juicy berries and a buttery cookie. Ahhh...perfection. The flavors were perfectly married and I enjoyed every last bite. Although extremely satisfied, we were presented with the Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit Compote. Another unique offering with a refreshing tang to it. Alas, we would be too full for popcorn at the Arlington!

Spotted: The honorees of the Virtuoso Award were in attendance, including Demián Bichir, Rooney Mara, Patton Oswalt, Andy Serkis and Shailene Woodley. Unfortunately, Melissa McCarthy could not attend due to laryngitis. A low "awww" swept over the crowd upon this announcement. I have to admit I was disappointed because I was eager to see her and hear what funny and sharp remarks she would make during the interview. Demian was charming and his thick accent made his words seem even richer. Rooney was beautiful and soft spoken but blushed and smiled at a few questions and I was surprised to see that she had a very pronounced dimple in her cheek. I suppose it was because her dark character in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo never smiled. Although I loved her in the film, it was refreshing to see a different side of her in person. Patton Oswalt was hilarious and kept the crowd laughing throughout the interview. Prompted by a funny crack that Patton made during his interview, Andy Serkis entered through the Arlington stage door and came out the other side shirtless! The crowd roared and I don't know if they were more surprised at how quickly he de-shirted, or how he sat through the entire interview sans top. He was charming however and very comfortable on stage (clearly). The final interview was Shailene Woodley and she was captivating. Although a young actress, she was self assured and handled the interview like a seasoned pro. All in all it was a wonderful night that didn't disappoint.

DAY 10: Saturday, February 4th

Screened: As I made my way to the Lobero Theatre on one of those glorious, sunny, 72 degree February afternoons not unusual to Santa Barbara, I must admit I felt slightly guilty about spending two hours inside a dark movie theater. That quickly passed, however, as soon as I stepped inside. The Lobero Theatre is California's oldest, continuously operating theatre, rebuilt in 1924 and recognized as a state and city landmark. Ironically, I was there to see a special screening of The Artist, a (mostly) silent, black and white film starring Cinema Vanguard Award honorees Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival wound down. Nominated for several Oscars, The Artist follows the relationship of two movie stars from the late 1920s silent film era into the 1930s world of "talkies." I had to wonder whether a full length silent film could hold my interest, but I was pleasantly surprised. What fun! It's brilliantly shot, the acting is superb (John Goodman is also memorable in a supporting role, and the most adorable Jack Russell Terrier I've ever seen steals the show!) and it's set to an incredible score. Taking in a movie so uniquely steeped in history in the setting of the Lobero made it all the more entertaining, as I imagined the hundreds of Lobero moviegoers who might have enjoyed an identical experience many decades ago during Hollywood's glittering golden age.

Savored: It's hard to resist taking advantage of the city's Film Feast offerings, but last night I headed to check out Cielito, one of Santa Barbara's newest restaurants located on State Street in La Arcada Court. Cielito offers mostly tapas-style authentic Mexican and South American cuisine, as well as a raw bar. The large, two-level space is thoughtfully designed; warm woods and leathers are punctuated by pops of color, with cozy seating inside, small intimate vignettes upstairs, and a sexy outdoor terrace. Attention has been paid to detail and there are a lot of cute, original touches. The restaurant and bar were buzzing with a nicely sophisticated crowd of fest goers. Most of Cielito's dishes are a perfect size to share, so to start, my dining companion and I enjoyed the Ceviche Peruana: a delicious medley of sea bass, aji amarillo pepper, red onion, red jalapeno pepper, cucumber, ginger and sweet potato, served with tortilla and plantain chips. For my main course, I chose the Tamal de Requeson y Acelgas, two flavorful, soft mini corn tamales with fresh Ricotta, Swiss chard, thick cream and tomatillo. The bar offers some enticing signature cocktails made with craft ice, along with a nice selection of tequilas and wines by the glass. But you can't go wrong with the house margarita, a perfectly balanced pleaser made simply with freshly squeezed lime juice, a splash of agave nectar and Tres Agaves blanco tequila. Una mas por favor!

Spotted: Santa Barbara silver screen legend Kirk Douglas, wife Ann and family enjoying dinner in the main dining room at Cielito, the second spotting of the day for my dining companion, who had found herself lunching next to "The Artist" himself - Jean Dujardin - earlier in the day at Tydes at the Four Seasons Biltmore.

DAY 6: Tuesday, January 31st

SCREENED: Last night's film, Splinters, was another great addition to the world of both independent documentary and surf culture. The movie premiered at the Arlington Theatre to a full house, perhaps because the film was a) fantastic and b) directed, produced, filmed and edited by Santa Barbara native, Adam Pesce. Splinters follows the budding local surf culture of Papua New Guinea. The film was a unique variation on the standard socio-cultural documentary as well as the typical action sports film in its exploration of the impacts of surfing on local tribal communities as their budding surf stars take to the waves in the hopes of finding new opportunities through sport. A great story arch, wonderful characters and impeccable editing made the film a winner. In the Q and A following the film, Adam confided that he had no real film experience before heading to the small island country. He landed in "PNG" with two cameras, hundreds of tapes, a few surfboards and a vow to return with a film. The result is a truly engaging look at a variety of topics told through the eyes and hearts of some of surfing's most loyal constituents. I highly recommend it.

SAVORED: I must say, my wallet is loving all of these Film Feast deals. My waistline, not so much. Maybe it was the fact that I was screening a surf film that had me craving some true wharf food. Mac's Fish & Chip Shop provided with a cup of old school English clam chowder, some legitimate fish and chips and a glass of Santa Barbara winery wine. It was the perfect way to wind down a beautiful Santa Barbara winter day and gear up for 95 minutes of cinematic surf.

SPOTTED: Last night's celebrity sighting might not mean that much to most, but to a select few, it was a pretty big deal. To both introduce the film and follow it up with some Q&A with Adam, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival pleasantly surprised again by bringing Shaun Tomson on stage. The former World Surfing Champion, bestselling author, inspirational speaker, environmentalist and filmmaker completed a fulfilling evening of surf culture.

DAY 5: Monday, January 30th

SCREENED: Monday night of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrated another one of Hollywood's finest at the Arlington Theatre with the presentation of the American Riviera Award to a man who continues to keep the industry on its toes year after year with extraordinary film making: Martin Scorsese. "Marty" accepted the award, humbly, but then went on to show off his chatty side, offering up insider nuggets, such as his long-standing friendship with Robert De Niro, how his 12-year old daughter suggested he make Hugo, "But only if you make it in 3-D, Dad!" and some of his favorite filmmaking moments. The ceremony included video snippets of his acclaimed career and gave insight into his NYC upbringing-a cornerstone element to many of his greatest films.

SAVORED: If you're craving authentic south-of-the-border flavor, like I was last night, Santa Barbara is a melting pot of culinary goodness. I opted for Blue Agave's special tasting menu, which starts with a Caesar salad then moves onto steak tacos with oaxacan style chimichurri sauce. Sirloin steak with carmelized rajas, wrapped in home-made tortillas and more of the delicious oaxacan style chimichurri sauce, served with poblano chile, rice and black beans. Finish the meal with some southwestern style churros with whipped cinnamon cream. All of this for just $32/person means that reservations are recommended. The secret is definitely out about this Film Feast favorite find!

SPOTTED: Of course, Marty was the celeb sighting highlight of the evening. Santa Barbara is wonderfully unique as a film festival hosting destination this way. Locals get to as up-close and personal to the star-studded action as the Hollywood execs and box office stars do and the result is an inclusive, inviting film festival atmosphere. For example, Sir Ben Kingsely presented the award to the Hollywood great, which made not so much for a show of star-studded ego, but instead a genuine recognition of one friend's accomplishments by another in a room full of like-minded folks who were really all there for the same reason: a love of good film.

DAY 4: Sunday, January 29th

SCREENED: When it comes to the SBIFF, there's one person in particular we turn to for the ultimate in industry insight: Geoff Alexander, Santa Barbara's Film Commissioner. When I asked Geoff what he was most looking forward to seeing at this year's event, his excitement was palpable, "I never miss the writers and directors panels. They're incredibly engaging and the most for your money!" I asked Geoff to tell our readers a little bit more about why these two Santa Barbara International Film Festival keystone events are not-to-miss:

In my opinion, the most engaging, unpredictable, and satisfying two events at the SBIFF are the writers' and directors' panels. Each year, the festival manages to attract multiple Oscar nominated writers and directors and each year these folks, at the absolute top of their game, put on a fascinating discussion about the creative process. And, sometimes, they go off the script and tell great stories which are definitely not studio approved.

This year, the writers' panel featured hometown boy Mike Mills who wrote Beginners, JC Chandor, nominated for his script for Margin Call, Tate Taylor for The Help, Will Reiser for cancer comedy 50/50, and Jim Rash, also nominated for The Descendants. If there was any single message to be taken away from the panel, it was that success in Hollywood is achieved in a marathon, not a sprint, and that the willingness to say "no" is an invaluable skill. The writers discussed their work with great humor and openness and even provided some unexpected windows into how quickly films can come together, or fall apart, as when JC Chandor and Will Reiser shared a tale of battling each other over trying to land actor Joseph Gordon Levitt for their respective movies, though neither knew it at the time

It's film community and camradarie like this that makes the Santa Barbara International Film Festival so special, truly setting it apart. If you missed the writers' panel, you can still get tickets for the directors' panel, which takes place on Saturday, February 4th.

SAVORED: The beauty of Film Feast is the diversity in the special offers and local flavors that one can try during the Film Festival. Although tempted by the many incredible tasting menus in downtown Santa Barbara, I opted for a different type of tasting this time around and headed to Kunin Winery where they're offering three tastes-red, white and dazzling dessert wine-for just $5/person. If you're looking for an affordable dose of some Santa Barbara viticulture, this is a great deal and the wine is fantastic!

SPOTTED: You know him best as the sultry, sometimes sneaky Sawyer from ABC's acclaimed LOST, but it appears that Josh Holloway has taken a turn for the indie screen as he was seen dining out at Arigato in downtown Santa Barbara during this weekend's festivities.

SBIFF DAY 3: Saturday, January 28th

SCREENED: Saturday found me taking in some of the best of this year's independent film. There were some hits and some misses, but overall, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival did not disappoint. A few highlights:

• Starbuck: This dramedy was a fast Festival favorite. Following the life of David Wozniak, "a trainwreck of a middle-aged man," who continually loses at life-disappointing family, flaking out on his girlfriend, always in debt to thugs-learns he has fathered no fewer than 533 children via his one and only talent: donating sperm. The treasured tale that follows as David begins to interact with his extremely diverse children offers movie goers a rich and unique appeal. I laughed. I cried. It was truly a joyous movie experience.

• Also on tap was Vinyl. Think Spinal Tap meets School of Rock. Based on true events, Sara Sugarman's VINYL tells the remarkable story of an '80s punk band teetering on the edge of obscurity when it reunites to write a hit song and make an unforgettable comeback. Once the song receives immediate air time, aging UK rocker Johnny Jones enlists a rowdy bunch of teenagers to pretend to be the face of the song, securing its top spot on the record charts. The result is a heartwarming rock mockumentary.

• Not a film per say, but still a coveted Santa Barbara sight of visual art, is the Lobero Theatre Courtyard, where you'll find the Filmmaker Lounge in the Rosebud Lounge. The lounge club vibe, swanky interior and aerial dancers at the Lobero Theatre take the visual experience 3D-on't want to miss it.

SAVORED: With a back-to-back lineup, I didn't have time to dine out, so instead, I complemented my Film Fest experience with a classic snack: freshly popped, salted, buttered popcorn.

SPOTTED: This year's Modern Master Award honored Christopher Plummer. The acclaimed thespian's unwavering charm as he accepted the award and answered interview questions for attendees put him at the top of my Celeb Spotting list. Truly charming. Samuel L. Jackson, who was in town to walk the red carpet for the world premiere of The Samaritan, was hard to see through the sea of flashing bulbs and pleading paparazzi, but the booming voice was impossible to miss.

SBIFF DAY 2: Friday, January 27th

SCREENED: Friday night marked one of the most anticipated of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival: the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award. This year, the esteemed honor went to The Help's Viola Davis just days after her Oscar nomination was announced. The event took place at the Arlington Theatre on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Also in attendance was Davis' costar, the fiery Octavia Spencer. Much like their on-screen dynamic, Davis was quiet, reserved and humbled in accepting her award, while Spencer complemented with a much louder personality.

SAVORED: I couldn't resist the famed, authentic Italian flavors at Ca'Dario, especially with its special Film Feast offer. To wit, the Santa Barbara staple eatery won the Santa Barbara Independent's Best of Readers' Poll seven years in a row so taking advantage of the restaurant's Film Feast menu deal was a no brainer. Featuring both a lunch ($25/person) and dinner ($35/person) special, which includes a choice of one salad, one pasta, one glass of wine or coffee with biscotti, I opted for the Ravioli al Burro e Salvia-"pasta pillows" filled with spinach and ricotta, brown butter and sage sauce. ‘Nuff said.

SPOTTED: As if catching a glimpse of the elegant Viola wasn't enough, another Hollywood heavyweight was out and about in Santa Barbara on Friday night. An outsider no more, Parks and Rec front-man and Santa Barbara spokesman, Rob Lowe, dazzled at the Filmmaker Happy Hour. More to come as the Festival continues!

Film Fest: Day 1

Welcome to this year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival special blog series. For the next 11 days and nights, we'll be taking you behind the scenes, providing the scoop on the best of the Fest, including movie screenings and reviews, delicious dishes as 30+ restaurants participate in Film Feast with special prix fixe menus and cocktails, and celebrity sightings.

Make sure to stay tuned for updates on what not to miss!

DAY 1: Opening Night, Thursday, January 26th

SCREENED: The Festival opened with Darling Companion. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan (Body Heat, The Big Chill, Wyatt Earp), and co-written with his wife, Meg Kasdan, the film is a story of a woman who bonds with a stray dog, loving the dog more than her husband, until the husband loses the dog. The movie packs some serious star power with Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins and Sam Shepard starring.

Overall, our filmgoers enjoyed the movie. Darling Companion is a genuine, light-hearted look at love and the evolution of family relationships and the ensemble cast helms the movie with sincerity and vigor, making for a very watchable story. Based in Colorado, but filmed in the mountains of Utah, the backdrops are beautiful. If you're looking for a fun film by one of Hollywood's great writer/directors, add Darling Companion to the watch list.

SAVORED: Opal hits a home run again! Their Like Water for Chocolate Film Feast menu was "amazing" and the signature drinks "to die for." The special prix fixe menu in three takes:
Take One: Shredded phyllo wrapped tiger shrimp with an Asian napa cabbage salad and a sweet coconut curry dipping sauce.
Take Two: Grilled Kurobuta pork loin on an asparagus truffle beurre blanc with gratin yukon gold potatoes and a warm artichoke mushroom relish OR grilled fresh salmon filet on a homemade crispy potato crepe with a wild mushroom madeira cream sauce and a roasted corn-wild mushroom salsa.
Take Three: "Like Water for Chocolate" Surprise.

Priced at $35.95/person, this menu is nothing short of mouth-watering. On a budget? The helpings are hearty and could be split between two people if you're looking to stretch your Film Feast dollar.

SPOTTED: The red carpet was flush with Hollywood heroes, including Diane Keaton, Kevin Klein, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins and one of my all-time favorite actors, Sam Shepard, many of whom attended the Opening Night Gala at the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center in downtown Santa Barbara after the show.

And those are just a handful of the celebs one is sure to see at this year's event. According to event sponsor, The Hollywood Reporter, "Because SBIFF is held each year right around the time that Academy members receive their final ballots, and because more than 100 Academy members are believed to live in and around Santa Barbara, many Oscar nominees make the short coastal drive up from Los Angeles to participate in the festival, either as an tribute recipient, presenter, or panelist.

Indeed, over the course of the next 11 days, the festival will host no fewer than 21 of this year's Oscar class, including: best actress nominee Viola Davis (The Help) on Friday night; best original screenplay nominee J.C. Chandor (Margin Call) on Saturday afternoon; best supporting actor nominee Christopher Plummer (Beginners) on Saturday night; best director nominee Martin Scorsese (Hugo) on Monday night; best animated feature nominee Gore Verbinski (Rango) next Friday afternoon; best actor nominee Demian Bichir (A Better Life), best actress nominee Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), and best supporting actress nominee Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) next Friday night; and best supporting actress nominee Berenice Bejo and best actor nominee Jean Dujardin (The Artist) next Saturday night."

With a lineup like that, it's safe to say that this year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival is not to be missed.

Film Feast Officially Begins: Don’t Miss the Hottest Ticket in Town!

Today marks the highly anticipated kick off of the 27th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. From January 26th through February 5th, film fanatics join this year's hottest stars in Santa Barbara to screen some of the best in box office and independent film but the action doesn't stop there.
Santa Barbara has once again rolled out the red carpet for another edition of Film Feast, a special tasting-menu program coinciding with the Festival and California Restaurant Month. Film Feast offers festival goers a special preview of the best of Santa Barbara's renowned culinary culture. A stellar cast of restaurants, bars and tasting rooms serve up three-course tasting menus-many of which are movie-themed-spotlighting local cuisine, inventive cocktails and Central Coast wines and beers.
In addition, Santa Barbara's best resorts, hotels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts are offering cinema-centric lodging specials as part of Film Sleeps. Enjoy star treatment with discounted rates, special amenities, upgrades and more. View a complete list of participating Film Feast and Film Sleeps participants.
Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter (#FilmFeast) or check-in on Foursquare for the latest in Film Feast fun, including tips, lists, posts and Tweets on where to find Film Feast dining deals and Film Sleeps special offers!

Oscar Nominees Set to Hit the Red Carpet in Santa Barbara Starting Thursday

With the 2012 Oscar nominees announced today, Hollywood is atwitter with box office buzz. Awards Season is upon us and if you're looking to get in on the action, consider the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, January 26 - February 5 in Santa Barbara, California. Now in its 27th year, the Festival has long been known for its knack for predicting Academy Award® winners. This year is no different, with more than 23 Oscar contenders slated to attend a variety of film screenings and festival events. Notable names and award recipients include:

• Viola Davis (joined that night by Best Supporting Actress nom, Octavia Spencer and writer/director Tate Taylor): Outstanding Performer of the Year
• Christopher Plummer: Modern Master Award
• Martin Scorsese: American Riviera Award
• Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo: Cinema Vanguard Awards
• Viruosos Award Nominees: Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) and Demian Bichir (A Better Life) as well as director Gore Verbinski (Rango)

Stay tuned in the coming days for Festival news, events and big announcements, including the official kick-off of this year's Film Feast!