Oscars Eligible, Cinequest, Laemmle

Hey guys,

Some new things:

1. "Alberto" is on the Oscars Eligible list.  (Who would've thought having a title starting with the letter 'A' would have the unique perk of putting us 3rd...)
   
   The film is streamable right now at Laemmle Theatre's Virtual Cinema, through March 11th.  Please ask your friends and contacts to check it out and leave their IMDb review.
   
   And March 20th - 30th, it will be playing at...Cinequest!  Which has been voted Best Film Festival by USA Today readers... and is "like experiencing the future of film – today. Cinequest recognizes mavericks, trendsetters and pioneers whose unique visions stand out in the industry."  It also "programs 85-90% of its festival from paid submissions annually, one of the highest percentages of the world's most influential film festivals."
   
   Including Portland Int'l Film Fest, which I mentioned before opens March 5th, you have a few different viewing options.  Do also check out the other films in these programs -- let me know which interest you.
   
   Where should you tell people to see "Alberto"? In general, you can't go wrong!  But email me back if you'd like to discuss and get my suggestion.
   

2. Side note: Cinequest played the debut feature film of one Alejandro González Iñárritu in 2001, Amores Perros. One of my favorites.
   
   His next few films I admired, but wasn't wowed by.  21 Grams and Babel exhausted the triple-storyline approach, and Babel especially was overwrought.  And I remember having great hopes from this Biutiful trailer, but was disappointed that it lost focus and wallowed in brokenness to pump up the drama.
   
   With Birdman, he was finally able to make his stylistic ambitions feel effortless... One of my best NYFF experiences.  The Revenant was good too.  Though hard to watch.
   
   He also worked on some decent Nike commercials: Write the Future. Air Moves You
   

3. An interesting doorman.
   

4. Though I did think Nomadland was a snooze, I've always found Frances Mcdormand intriguing. Here's a new interview.
   

5. Martha Stewart is the original influencer. Researching a project, I also checked out HBO's new doc on influencers -- it lacks insight and takes a simplistic, 1-sided view, which leaves me annoyed that this is what gets an HBO deal, but also optimistic that there's still space to explore...maybe something in this realm can feel fresh? Ingrid Goes West wasn't believable. The American Meme wasn't revelatory. Jawline was probably the most eye-opening, but still had room to grow. Here's the history of another side to celebrity internet culture.
   

6. The 50 most beautiful cinemas in the world

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Chris