The Starz Denver Film Festival has always been about the moviesand the occasional star. But let’s not forget the parties. They start early, they go long. They leave many a filmgoer voiceless by the Last Reel.
Let’s start Nov. 13 with a VIP champagne reception for board members and BIG supporters at Below, the subterranean nightclub in Larimer Square. Then it’s off to the screening at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House of “The Brothers Bloom” — directed by Denver native Rian Johnson.
Johnson will be here for the red carpet, but don’t expect the stars — Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo — to show up.
The movie is trailed by the opening-night party at Suite 200 on Larimer Square. Then it’s on to the Argonaut Late Night Lounge in a secret house on Delgany Street. That goes every night from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. — booze, food, music and famous people.
Once the fest gets going, the days pass pleasantly at the Filmmakers’ Lounge, noon to 10 p.m., in the space that once held the Rattlesnake Club in the Tivoli, home of Starz FilmCenter. More booze and food.
The Big Night, Nov. 15, starts with a very private party at the Corner Office, then a screening of “Slumdog Millionaire,” then a wild and glitzy Hollywood party at the Seawell Ballroom.
Closing night, Nov. 22, starts with the Mayor’s Reception in the Ellie’s upper floors, then a screening of “Last Chance Harvey” starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, then it all wraps up with a party at Mile High Station. After that, one last stop at the Argonaut Late Night Lounge.
And here’s your best deal: $500 gets you a Supporter Package, which gets you into all the parties and VIP lounges, the red carpets and six movies. Think of it as an open bar and free food for 11 days. Everything you need and more is at .
Micro music
DeVotchKa, Denver’s gypsy-mariachi-Eastern Bloc indie rockers who made big news with the soundtrack of “Little Miss Sunshine,” have their music featured on the new 60-second Microsoft Xbox ad campaign, “Gears of War: Last Days.”
The spot debuted on Sunday night’s NFL game, then on Monday Night Football, and it continues to roll out around the world. You can catch it at .?v=jn3gftUy0_k.
Un-stuck
Frasca Food and Wine master sommelier and co-owner Bobby Stuckey ran the New York City Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 2:45:06. He even shaved 10 seconds off his time last year — which ain’t bad for a 39-year-old guy who drinks wine for a living. He finished 244th in a field of about 40,000, 103rd in his age division, and I’ll drink to that.
City spirit
Economic downturn? Not at the 35th Annual Men’s Event at the Palm on Nov. 17. More than 150 guys have each shelled out $750 for the steak dinner, which benefits the AMC Cancer Research Center. And 200 are expected to plunk down $100 for a raffle ticket to win a two-year Mercedes lease. Call 303-698-1151. . . . Chuck Morris’ mother died Friday at age 95. The funeral is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Feldman Mortuary, 1673 York St. . . . Sez who: “We have nothing to fear but sanity itself.” — Robin Williams
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at his next column at .
