Hollywood has made a name for itself all over the world, and not one person does not know about it. Still, in the recent years, films from other countries have been making names for themselves. Perhaps this is part of globalization, but whatever the reason, we know that there are many good movies made in other parts of world other than Hollywood.

And the people in Tinsel Town are not denying this. In fact, earlier this month, the Chinese Film Festival opened in Hollywood. This is actually part of the celebrations for the 30th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries, China and the United States. While our governments may not always see eye to eye about matters such as the economy and the military, it is good to experience their culture through film.

The Chinese Film Festival is featuring 14 movies. According to Tong Gang, the current director of the China Film Bureau:

“In 2008, over four hundred movies were produced in China. But most of them remain unknown to audiences in the United States. So we’ve brought fourteen movies here, hopefully to generate widespread awareness and interest in Chinese movies and culture.”

Indeed, while 14 is not a huge number, especially given that fact that hundreds of movies have been produced last year, it is a good start. At least, those in America who have not previously been aware of Chinese films will be given a glimpse. The hope is that we will find something we like and an exchange can be initiated.

So you don’t feel like paying to celebrate the coming of the New Year? I cannot blame you. I would rather have fun for FREE than to pay a hundred bucks or more to party. Good for us then, that there are other options for New Year’s Eve.

How about going to Citywalk at 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City, California on the 31st of December? They are holding what is dubbed to be the largest FREE New Year’s Eve party in Los Angeles!!! This year, they are going to outdo themselves by lining up two bands to welcome year 2009. The Cinema Plaza Stage will be featuring FAST TIMES while the Globe Fountain Stage will be featuring 80s Rewind. Having these bands will be sure to give you a great party on New Year’s Eve. Of course, there will be fireworks that night – and double the fun, too, as they will be set of at each end of the street.

How to get to Citywalk? Here are the directions from some of the closer areas:

From The Los Angeles International Airport:
Follow signs from the terminal to the 105 Freeway. Take the 105 Freeway East to the 110 Harbor Freeway North. After passing through the downtown area, get on the 101 Hollywood Freeway North. Follow the 101 Freeway to the Universal Studios Blvd. exit. Turn right on to Universal Studios Blvd. and follow the signs to Universal Studios and our parking areas.

From Santa Monica:
Take the 10 Santa Monica Freeway East to the 405 Freeway North. Exit to the 101 Ventura Freeway East/South. (Signs to Los Angeles.) Continue on the 101 Freeway and exit on Lankershim Blvd. Turn right and follow the signs to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Here is another option for a memorable New Year’s Eve for you: the Giant Maximus New Year’s Eve at Downtown Los Angeles. This event is being held for the 3rd year in a row and some say that it is the biggest New Year’s Eve party that you can go to in the whole world. Naturally, some people would argue about that tidbit but it doesn’t matter really.

If you are in the area, you might want to head on over to downtown LA and join the throngs of people that are sure to be present. This event will start at 7 in the evening and end (officially) at 4 in the morning. What is it all about?

Under 3 Climate-Controlled Big Top Arenas, the 3rd Annual GIANT MAXIMUS continues its reign as This Planet’s Largest 21+ New Year’s Eve Celebration!

Situated on a seven-acre private site in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles with the soaring skyscrapers towering above, GIANT MAXIMUS offers 3 Stages with an indoor capacity of 8,500 and a 1,500 capacity courtyard featuring the ‘Monster Midway,’ presented by Monster Energy, with High Flying Acrobatix, Psychedelic Circus Antics, Amusements, Games, Carnival Rides and, of course, the GIANT Ferris Wheel.

Nice, huh? And it is a lot cheaper than the event at Social, which I posted earlier. For general admission tickets, you only have to pay about $80 tops. If you want to be a VIP, then you have to pay double the amount. They also have super extra VIP tickets for even more but hey, if you are on a budget, the general admission looks good enough.

What have you got planned for New Year’s Eve? Don’t call me a loser but I have nothing concrete on my agenda. Let’s just say that I am playing it by ear and will see how things go and then decide when the time is right. After all, adventures can crop up anytime and any sort of planning will just go to the dogs if they do, right?

If you are the type who likes having solid plans before any event, though, here is an idea for you. Why not go to the D.A.S.K. New Year’s Eve Ball 2009? This event is actually an annual thing and is held at the Citrus at Social, 6525 Sunset Boulevard. This year’s bash is going to be held on the 31st of December, naturally, from 8 in the evening till 2 in the morning of the 1st of January.

For the price of $275 – $125 of which you pay in advance (plus tax and service charge) and $150 at the door – you can enjoy dinner appetizers, desserts, and 2 drinks of your choice. The menu that they are offering seems tempting enough (cheese puffs, Michel’s neo-chicken salad, tartine crabs robaire, tuna tartar, Michel’s chocolate bar, chocolate ganache, and more) but I am not sure if the food will be enough if you have not had dinner.

You can also enjoy music and various performances in the multiple rooms that will be open to ticket holders. It sounds like a good party is going to happen that night at the Social. So if you’re not all set for New Year’s Eve, why don’t you check it out – they still have some VIP tables open.

With the Cannes Film Festiva ending today I’m pretty sure you’ll be seeing its logo all over the internet. However, did you know that Cannes is actually VERY strict about who can use their logo and how the logo is presented? To show how strict they are about quality control here’s a list of some of the Cannes Film Fest logo policies.

1. Using the Festival de Cannes identity is strictly reserved to the selected films and official partners.
2. All use of the palm outside of the official logotype is strictly prohibited to all parties other than the organiser and the organiser’s official publications.
3. The logotype can only be used in it’s original form, which means you cannot:

• change the typography
• remove/add any elements to the logo
• print the logo in 2 (or more) different colours
• change the proportion of the elements
• incline the logotype

4. Logotypes for different awards should be printed using the official colours (they specify the colour tones to be used!)

Though tempted to show their logo here what I’ll do is honor their policy and simply show some of their logo type restrictions. I know. I know but they didn’t say that you couldn’t show what NOT to do. I’m actually being helpful right?

The Grammys delivered on its promise of throwing a true Hollywood party, complete with red carpets, gowns, and vizarre acceptance speeches. In the list of winners you’ll find an amazing sweep from brilliant — yet very troubled — singer Amy Winehouse. She performed a song and sent her thanks via satellite, having been denied entry into the US because of her drug history.

The Grammys — which honors the best in the music industry — is the only major event to have gotten approval of the Writers Guild of America.

The 25th annual William S. Paley Television Festival will be honoring writer-producer
Judd Apatow, the genius behind cult classics like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Superbad.”

The event will also be inviting producer director Steve Binder to talk about Elvis Presley’s 1968
comeback special on NBC, and honoring the cast and producers of hit series like “Pushing Daisies,” “Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “Dirty Sexy Money” and “Mad Men.”

It has been seventy five years since it was first thought of. It was a simple parade that was intended to help bring business to Hollywood Boulevard. After three quarters of a century it is now a tradition that has attracted about half a million spectators, creating a bigger crowd than that at the Academy Awards.

This year the Hollywood Christmas Parade there are 16 floats. Michael Bolton, some cast members of High School Musical and various marching bands from different parts of the United States will take part in this event. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce says that this will be their biggest show ever – as it should be since it is the 75th anniversary of the event.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Comedian George Lopes and Honorary Grand Marshal is Regis Philbin. They have quite a task ahead of them. It is the job of the Grand Marshal to attract big name celebrities to the event. The previous years show that that isn’t an easy task to do these days. You won’t see Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie in the parade though some wish they would.

Back in the 1920′s it was simply called the Santa Claus Lane Parade. Santa rode in a one reindeer sleigh with a Hollywood star waving to the crowd beside him. The first actress to star in the parade was Jeanette Loff. Now there is no more reindeer, just a lot of floats and some stars and hopefully a lot of fun and music.
Among the stars who have taken part in the parade are Bing Crosby, Mary Pickford, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, James Stewart, Danny Thomas, Stevie Wonder and Lawrence Welk. Former Grand Marshals include Sammy Davis Jr., Charlton Heston, Bob and Dolores Hope, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and even Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

The parade has expanded to accommodate the increased number of spectators. It now travels along Sunset Boulevard as well as Hollywood Boulevard. Don’t worry though if you are too far away to catch the parade. It gets both national and international coverage so you can catch it from the comfort of your home.

[tags] Hollywood,Christmas,parade,floats,commerce [/tags]

The Queen, the intriguing new British film starring Helen Mirren has premiered at the Venice Film Festival to much acclaim.

Directed by Stephen Frears, the film is set in 1997 , following those tumultuous days following the drama of Princess Diana?s death.

In it, you?ll find out what really (?) went on behind the scenes in what was probably the most publicized event in recent history.

Helen Mirren does a wonderful job as playing the Queen in what was described as an ?eerily strong performance?. Indeed, when I saw her photo in costume, I was shocked at the likeness – not just in the way she looked, but in her entire demeanor. Here are some of the most interesting things said by the Royal couple:

Elizabeth II

“I’ve never felt hated like that before.”
As said to Tony Blair when she sees the public?s emotion outside Bukingham palace.

“This is a family funeral, Mr Blair, not a fairground attraction.”
At Diana?s funeral

“?have they showed you how to start a nuclear war yet?”
To Tony Blair

Prince Philip

“Move over cabbage”
As he gets into bed with the Queen.

“…attracting a chorus line of soap stars and homosexuals”
His description of the funeral.
The film, which critics say is a triumphant attempt to show the human side of the most media-frenzied Royal family in the world, is set to open in the UK next month.