Tag Archives: arlington theatre

SBIFF Announces Virtuosos Award Winners

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Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos Award—honoring (clockwise from top left) Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman),
Hong Chau (Downsizing),
 Mary J. Blige (Mudbound),
Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name), Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick),
and John Boyega (Detroit)—takes place on Saturday, February 3, at 8 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. Courtesy photos.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos Award—honoring (clockwise from top left) Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman),
Hong Chau (Downsizing),
 Mary J. Blige (Mudbound),
Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name), Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick),
and John Boyega (Detroit)—takes place on Saturday, February 3, at 8 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. Courtesy photos.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos Award will once again honor many of the most notable performances in Hollywood this year. The award, presented by UGG, takes place on February 3 at the Arlington Theatre.

“2017 has seen a variety of breakout performances,” states Roger Durling, Executive Director of SBIFF. “We are thrilled to celebrate this diverse group of actors who have earned their place as some of the most talented individuals working in the industry today.”

The group will be recognized for their breakthrough roles in 2017 and careers thus far. Daniel Kaluuya gives a star-making performance as the unsuspecting yet resourceful Chris Washington in the speculative thriller Get Out. Bringing to life the enduringly popular comic book character of the same name, Gal Gadot balances formidable prowess and a genuine sense of hope in her role in this summer’s critically praised, conversation-changing Wonder Woman. Hong Chau delivers an inspiring performance in the social satire Downsizing, in which she brings humor and compassion to the role of Ngoc Lan Tran. In Detroit, John Boyega gives a captivating turn as Melvin Dismukes, a security guard who is falsely accused of killing three men on one of the most horrific nights in American history. Based on a true story that he co-wrote, Kumail Nanjiani brings comedy, pathos, and dramatic stakes to The Big Sick as a man whose girlfriend falls into a mysterious coma. In Mudbound, renowned singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige delivers a powerful and solemn turn as Florence Jackson, a mother struggling to maintain land in 1940s Mississippi. In Call Me By Your Name, Timothée Chalamet gives a brilliant and heartfelt performance as Elio, a teenage boy who begins a relationship with his father’s assistant.

Prior recipients for the award include Dev Patel, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Ruth Negga, Alicia Vikander, Rosamund Pike, J.K. Simmons, Eddie Redmayne, Quvenzhane Wallis, Rooney Mara, Melissa McCarthy, Andrew Garfield, John Hawkes, Hailee Steinfeld, Jacki Weaver, Carey Mulligan, Saoirse Ronan, Gabourey Sidibe, Casey Affleck, Marion Cotillard, Viola Davis, Sally Hawkins, Richard Jenkins, Melissa Leo, Ellen Page, Amy Ryan, Michael Shannon, Brie Larson, Jared Leto and June Squibb.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on December 20, 2017.

SBIFF’s Maltin Modern Master Award to Honor Gary Oldman

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Gary Oldman will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award from Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 2, courtesy photos.

Gary Oldman will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award from Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 2, courtesy photos.

Gary Oldman, who is getting critical acclaim and Oscar buzz for his role as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, is set to receive the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.  Oldman will be honored for his longstanding contributions to the film industry and Leonard Maltin, for whom the award was recently renamed after, will return for his 27th year to moderate the evening. The event takes place on Friday, February 2, at the Arlington Theatre.

“Gary Oldman has dazzled audiences for decades with an array of brilliant performances,” states Maltin. “With Darkest Hour, he has once again proven that he is a force to be reckoned with, and a true master of his craft.

The film takes place during the early days of World War II, as the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Oldman), who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds. Directed by Joe Wright from a screenplay by Anthony McCarten, the film also stars Ben Mendelsohn, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James and Stephen Dillane.

The Modern Master Award was established in 1995 and is the highest accolade presented by SBIFF.  Created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through accomplishments in the motion picture industry, it was re-named the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 in honor of long-time SBIFF moderator and renowned film critic Leonard Maltin.  Past recipients include Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Bruce Dern, Ben Affleck, Christopher Plummer, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, George Clooney and Peter Jackson.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on December 19, 2017.

 

SBIFF CLOSES WITH THE US PREMIERE OF NIKI CARO’S “MCFARLAND, USA”

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McFARLAND USA stars Carlos Pratts (left) and Kevin Costner, courtesy SBIFF

McFARLAND USA stars Carlos Pratts (left) and Kevin Costner, courtesy SBIFF

On Closing Night, Saturday February 7 at the Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) presents Disney’s McFarland, USA, directed by Niki Caro and starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello.

Based on the 1987 true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.

For more information, please visit www.sbiff.org.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on February 1, 2015.

Editor’s Pick: Desert Dancer

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SBS_BlogPost_Desert Dance

Desert Dancer is the opening night film for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Desert Dancer Productions

Desert Dancer

Opening night of the 30th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival brings the U.S. premiere of the powerful and true story of a self-taught dancer pursuing a dream in the suppressed society of Iran during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election. Forming an underground dance company, the dancers learn, through banned online videos, from timeless legends like Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St. sbiff.org

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Winter 2014/15.

Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival September 2-7 Features Jay Mohr, Brad Williams, Kirk Fox and More

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Jay Mohr, U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Corwin Colbert, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

Jay Mohr, U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Corwin Colbert, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

We’re getting excited about next week’s Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival. Organizers recently announced the addition of three new headline comedians; actor, comedian and radio host Jay Mohr (8 p.m. on 9/5), actor and comedian Brad Williams (10 p.m. on 9/5) and television host and comedian Kirk Fox (6 p.m. on 9/6). All three of these performances will be filmed at the Lobero Theatre as one-hour stand-up comedy specials for future broadcast. These will be the first 1-hour specials for both Willams and Fox.

Previously announced specials being filmed for broadcast on Saturday, September 6 include “Andrew Dice Clay Presents the Blue Show.” In addition, “LOL Comedy Inc.” will be filming in and around Santa Barbara during the festival to give viewers “the coveted insider’s access to what goes on behind the scenes with some of today’s hottest comics, with the LOL Comedy Festival as its backdrop.”

Other live performances include a premiere screening of Rip Taylor’s documentary Rip Rip Hooray to open the festival on Tuesday, September 2, with Rip Taylor here for a Q&A after the screening at the Arlington Theatre.  Also performing are Russell Peters and his “Almost Famous World Tour” at the Granada Theatre on Thursday, September 4 at 8 p.m. and “Jim Jefferies Live” at the Arlington Theatre on Sunday, September 7 at 7 p.m.

Here’s the entire schedule:

Tuesday, September 2,  8 p.m. • “Rip Rip Hooray” • Arlington Theatre
The premiere of the Rip Taylor Documentary. Rip Taylor will be in attendance for the premiere and will be conducting a Q&A at the conclusion of the premiere. – Tickets: $18 & $25.

Wednesday, September 3, 8 p.m. • “Next-Up Stand-Up” • Lobero Theatre
Featuring the hottest up and coming comedic and musical performances (see website for details), “Next Up Stand Up” kicks off at the Lobero Theatre and will take place at different, locations downtown. “Next Up Stand Up” will be filmed as part of a series to be aired on Hulu and loflix.com. Tickets: $18 & $25

Ben Gleib, courtesy photo

Ben Gleib, courtesy photo

Wednesday, September 3,  10 p.m. • “SuperNaked” • Lobero Theatre
Be prepared for the musically unexpected. SuperNaked lives somewhere between the lines of Tenacious D and Flight of the Conchords with a raw intelligent and masterful comedic flare. With their hit show entitled, “Get SuperNaked!” This will be star-studded with guest comedians & musicians. Tickets: $18 & $25

Thursday, September 4, 8 p.m. – “Russell Peters: Almost Famous World Tour” • Granada Theatre
Canada’s number one stand-up export, Russell Peters will launch his world tour from Santa Barbara and the SB LOL Comedy Festival. Tickets $45, 65$, and limited Box Seats $72

Thursday, September 4,  7:30 p.m. • “Hot, Funny Femmes 1” Bring A Date • New Vic Theatre
Hosted by Latin Diva of Comedy Monique Marvez and BravoTV.com’s Nadine Rajabi, featuring some of the funniest woman in comedy today. Tickets $12, $18

Thursday, September 4,  9:30 p.m. • “Hot, Funny Femmes 2” Find A Date • New Vic Theatre
Hosted by Latin Diva of Comedy Monique Marvez and BravoTV.com’s Nadine Rajabi, featuring some of the funniest woman in comedy today. Tickets $12, $18

Friday, September 5, 8 p.m. • “Jay Mohr” Lobero Theatre 

Comedian, actor, radio host and best selling author, Jay Mohr has been performing stand-up comedy since he was 16 years old. Anyone that has ever seen one of his concerts will be quick to tell you that there is no one better. Comedy Central agrees, having named Mohr one of the 100 greatest stand-up comics of all time. Tickets for each show. $18, $25 and $40 for Gold Circle ticktes that include best seats, meet and greet and signed festival poster from Jay.

Friday, September 5, 10 p.m. • “Brad Williams” Lobero Theatre
Brad is filming his first one hour comedy special in Santa Barbara and has appeared on numerous TV shows including “Legit,” “Live at Gotham,” “the Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Mind Of Mencia,” and “Pitboss.” Brad’s show is high energy and Robin Williams called him “Prozac with a head.” Tickets for each show. $18, $25

Saturday, September 6, 6 p.m. Kirk Fox, Lobero Theatre
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Tennis Anyone?” and “The Test’s” own Kirk Fox will be filming his first one hour comedy special from the Lobero Theatre. Tickets for each show. $18, $25

Saturday, September 6, 8 p.m., Ben Gleib, Lobero Theatre 

ESQUIRE named Ben Gleib one of “Six comedians who could be comedy’s next big thing.” Ben is the host of IDIOTEST, the new comedy brain teaser game show on GSN (Game Show Network,) and for the last 7 years was one of the stars of CHELSEA LATELY on E! with over 100 appearances.  He was recently on tour in arenas all over North America opening for both Chelsea Handler and Dane Cook.  He’s the voice of Marshall the Sloth in “Ice Age – Continental Drift” the #1 animated movie. Tickets for each show. $18, $25

Saturday, September 6, 10 p.m. – Lobero Theatre – “Andrew Dice Clay Presents: The Blue Show”
Coming on the heels of his role in the critically acclaimed, “Blue Jasmine,” and his hit Showtime special, “Andrew Dice Clay: Indestructible,” Dice will present his favorite “blue” comedians on the Lobero stage with Eleanor Kerrigan, Jason Rouse and more. This show is being filmed for Broadcast. Tickets $18, $25, $35

Sunday, September 7 – Arlington Theatre – “Jim Jefferies Live”
The star of the hit show, “Legit,” and international comedy fan favorite, Jim Jefferies will round out the Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival. Show @ 7:00 PM. Tickets $32, $42

VIP Festival Passes and individual tickets are now on sale at lolcomedyfestival.com. For daily updates go to: http://www.sblolfest.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on August 27 2014.

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias at the Arlington

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Comedian Gabriel Iglesias (courtesy photo)

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias (courtesy photo)

Gabriel Iglesias‘s  new world tour, Unity Through Laughter, comes to Santa Barbara this weekend.

Iglesias had a banner year last year,  with Forbes Magazine including him in its “Ones to Watch” list, and The Hollywood Reporter naming him to its “Top Five Grossing Standup Comedians.” In addition, Iglesias’ Comedy Central special Gabriel Iglesias: Aloha Fluffy premiered this past spring and generated the network’s highest ratings for the year.

Season three of his hit series Gabriel Iglesias Presents: Stand-Up Revolution airs in spring of 2014 on Comedy Central. In addition, he can currently be heard as one of the voices in the  family film The Nut Job.  He will next be seen in Marlon Wayans’ upcoming film A Haunted House 2 this April. Iglesias’ other recent film credits include this summer’s Disney animated hit film Planes, and he appeared opposite Channing Tatum in  Magic Mike.

Iglesias appears at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St.,  on Saturday, February 22 and Sunday February 23 at 7:30 p.m.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 18, 2014.

Oprah and UGG Australia: A Match Made in Film Fest Heaven

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Oprah Winfrey (SBIFF)

Oprah Winfrey (SBIFF)

As loyal viewers know, UGG’s iconic sheepskin boots are one of Oprah Winfrey‘s “favorite things.” The classic boots have been featured on Oprah’s “favorite things” show a record five times, so it’s not surprising that UGG Australia president, Connie Rishwain is thrilled to be up on stage at the Arlington Theatre on Wednesday night introducing Winfrey as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival‘s Montecito Award recipient.

This is UGG’s eighth year as a sponsor of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) but its first as the presenting sponsor. When asked why the company decided to make an even stronger financial commitment now, Rishwain expressed gratitude to the company’s corporate base in Santa Barbara.  “UGG has enjoyed great success, as has Deckers, and we’ve consistently put the majority of our philanthropic dollars back into our local community. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s also a privilege to be able to do it. Sponsoring the SBIFF is a way to thank not only the fans of the brand who continue to support us, but also our own Deckers family who live and work here,” she said.  “Last year was a good year for our business and it seemed like an ideal time to become the presenting sponsor of the SBIFF. ”

Connie Rishwain (courtesy photo)

UGG Australia president Connie Rishwain (courtesy photo)

She continued,  “It’s a thrill to have the opportunity to celebrate Oprah Winfrey, and I am honored to be able to thank her in public for all that she has done for UGG.  We’ve been featured on her ‘favorite things’ show five times, and we attribute part of our global success to her love of UGG.  It’s wonderful to be able to express our love and admiration for her and all that she’s done in film, but beyond that, in the way she’s helped us understand our place in this world and how to make it better.  She’s a real inspiration.”

Deckers has more than 400 employees in Santa Barbara, and most of the UGG brand team is in Goleta in the new corporate headquarters.  “We’ve just moved into our new campus headquarters (at Hollister Ave. and Los Carneros Rd.),” Rishwain said, “so it’s an exciting time for us as we bring together people from the four offices from which we were operating, and are all together again under one roof.”

When asked about the company’s local nonprofit support, Rishwain said, “Giving back to our community and causes has been a part of Deckers’ DNA since its founding. We are a lot bigger now, and support nonprofit organizations all over the world because we have Deckers and UGG employees all over the world committed to causes and programs they care about, but the ethos is the same: ‘to whom much is given, much is required.’  We can’t be a successful company without the employees who work with us, the customers who choose to wear us, and vibrant communities in which to work and live, and we take our obligations to ‘do well and do good’ very seriously. ”

The Montecito Award was created in recognition of a performer who has given a series of classic and standout performances throughout his/her career and whose style has been a contribution to film. Previously, the award has been given to such luminaries as Daniel Day-Lewis, Geoffrey Rush, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet, Javier Bardem, Naomi Watts and Annette Bening, who was the very first recipient in 2005. Winfrey, who appeared most recently in Lee Daniels’ The Butler, will receive the award on Wednesday, February 5 at 8 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on February 4, 2014.

World Premiere of “Mission Blue” Opens SBIFF Tonight

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Mission_Blue.1The 2014 Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicks off tonight with the world premiere of Mission Blue, a story of the ever-changing ocean, at Arlington Theatre on Thursday, January 30 at 8 p.m.

The documentary film highlights oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer Sylvia Earle’s life’s work and follows the increasingly urgent international effort, coordinated by the National Geographic Society, to build awareness about the state of our oceans. Called “Her Deepness” by The New Yorker and The New York Times, and a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, Earle has led more than 60 expeditions and logged more than 6,000 hours underwater.

The film features James Cameron and the late Mike deGruy. Both Earle and Stevens will be in attendance on opening night. Following the film, guests over 21 can attend a film-themed gala at Paseo Nuevo, including food, drinks, dancing, and entertainment.

To purchase tickets for these events click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 30, 2014.

 

Bruce Dern to Receive SBIFF’s Modern Master Award

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Bruce Dern, courtesy SBIFF

Bruce Dern, courtesy SBIFF

We received word today that  Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) will honor Academy Award-nominated actor Bruce Dern (who was so fabulous in Nebraska) with the Modern Master Award  on Saturday, February 8, at the  Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St..

The Modern Master Award is the highest honor presented by SBIFF. It was created in 1995  “to pay tribute to an individual who has enriched our culture through his/her multi-faceted accomplishments in the motion picture industry.” Dern joins a prestigious list of past recipients including Ben Affleck, Christopher Nolan, Michael Douglas, Jodie Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Diane Keaton, Sean Penn, Jeff Bridges, Peter Jackson, George Clooney, Will Smith, Cate Blanchett (who will receive this year’s Outstanding Performer of the Year Award on February 1 at the Arlington), Clint Eastwood, Christopher Plummer and James Cameron.

Emma Thompson was slated to receive the Modern Master Award, but according to a press release she is “not able to be in attendance as she is required for rehearsal in London on the New York Philharmonic staging of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, which will be directed by Lonny Price.”

Thompson, who currently stars in Saving Mr. Banks, was not nominated for an Oscar this year.

Dern will be honored for his distinguished career, which includes his most recent role as the headstrong Woody in Alexander Payne’s critically acclaimed film Nebraska. Also being honored by SBIFF this year is Dern’s Nebraska co-star June Squibb (and fellow Academy Award nominee), who is one of the Virtuosos being honored at the Arlington on February 4.

“We’re deeply humbled and grateful to Bruce Dern for accepting this award—he’s not only a Modern Master —he’s a hero. Year after year, performance after performance, Bruce Dern has enthralled audiences and with Nebraska he has given us a character for the ages in ‘Woody Grant.’ It’s his time and we’re delighted to honor him,” said SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.

Through decades of critically acclaimed performances, Dern has acquired the reputation of being one of the most talented and prolific actors of his generation. A celebrated stage actor, Dern was trained by famed director Elia Kazan at The Actor’s Studio and made his film debut in Kazan’s Wild River (1960). He went on to work with director Roger Corman and appeared in several of his classic and decade defining films including Wild Angels. He received critical success for films such as They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? opposite Jane Fonda and Drive, He Said, directed by Jack Nicholson, and went down in history for his role as Long Hair in The Cowboys in which he became the first man ever to kill John Wayne on screen.

His performance in Hal Ashby’s Coming Home that earned him both an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination. Dern co-starred with Charlize Theron in Monster, one of the most critically acclaimed independent films of all time. Most recently Dern has worked with directors Francis Ford Coppola in Twixt and Quentin Tarantino in Django Unchained.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the tribute click here.


—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 28. 2014.

Widespread Panic comes to the Arlington April 3

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Widespread Panic, courtesy photo

Widespread Panic, courtesy photo

Tickets are now on sale for alternative rock band Widespread Panic. The oft-touring American band will play at the Arlington Theatre  (1317 State St.) on April 3 at 8 p.m.

Since their inception in Athens, Georgia, in 1986, Widespread Panic has risen to elite status among American jam bands. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring. Michael Houser and George McConnell have also played lead guitar for the band.

For more information or to purchase tickets click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 24, 2014.