Next weekend most of us will hunker down with our Oscar polls/ personal recommendations and watch as we replay the last five months of movie watching – on just a smaller screen. If you’re looking to jazz things up a little bit this year be sure to check out the Hotel 1000 Oscar Party: “An Evening With The Stars, the Swankiest Party of the Year”

Image courtesy of Hotel 1000

Your $75/per person ticket gives you heavy appetizers from the Hotel 1000 BOKA Kitchen + Bar, cocktail upon arrival, two drink tickets, a swag bag, legit red carpet photos, prizes for best celebrity look-alike and best outfit, entertainment and, of course, the telecast of the event. Buy tickets here. Hotel 1000, 1000 First Avenue, Downtown Seattle, 206-957-1000, www.hotel1000seattle.com.

Beginning at 4 p.m., guests will arrive on the red carpet featuring photo opportunities just like the Hollywood’s best celebrities. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of champagne and then escorted into Hotel 1000′s expansive event. At 5 p.m., a live telecast of the Oscars will begin featuring red carpet arrivals and this year’s Academy Awards hosted by James Franco and former Disney darling Anne Hathaway.

Proceeds from the event benefit Reel Grrls, an organization which offers a variety of hands-on workshops for teenage girls in specific skills including animation, cinematography, script writing and more. http://www.reelgrrls.org/

My Oscar picks:

• Best Picture: The King’s Speech
• Best Actress: Natalie Portman
• Best Actor: Colin Firth

When I wrote my very first post explaining who I was (and am), and the types of things you’d hear from me, you knew you’d be hearing about lots of movie-related items.

In the first post not devoted to myself, I covered one of my favorite theatres in Seattle – The Big Picture. I teased the fact that Big Picture is my second favorite theatre, alluding that I would eventually write about my favorite theatre. That time has come.

Seven Gables is one of the most unique theatres I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. As they say on the Web site, most everyone just knows it as “that theatre above the Italian place” (which happens to be Mamma Melina’s, that Britt wrote about here).

It’s a small, intimate place that used to be an American Foreign Legion dance hall. It remained under their control from 1925 to 1976, when Randy Finley purchased the building, and converted it into Seven Gables Theatres’ flagship and corporate office.

Although it seats a lot less people than modern theaters, it is equipped with Dolby Digital sound and stadium seating. The movie selections trend more toward independent film or foreign language cinema, with the occasional “Hollywood” film added into the mix.

It’s just a neat little place that I love, nestled in the University District. It is very fitting that it should be the subject of my last post, as it gives me a feeling of coming full circle.

I’ve sincerely enjoyed sharing my favorite places in the city. I hope that my insight has provided you, the reader, with a few new spots to hit, and a bunch of ideas on how to get the most out of the city you call home.

I am going to dearly miss this bustling metropolis that feels like a plethora of small tight-knit communities, as opposed to a large, scary city. I’ll be moving to a Lilliputian town in Southern Arizona, but if you want to keep track of me, follow me on Twitter (@FilmScoreAddict) or check out my movie blog (Cinematic Fanatic).

It has been a pleasure. Don’t get too comfortable, Emerald City; you never know when I’ll be back!

Are you looking for a way to add glitz and glamour into your movie-going experience? Would you like to feel as if you have the best home theater on the planet, without spending a ton of money on fancy equipment? If you don’t mind heading across the pond, I have just the place for you.

Gold Class Cinemas in Redmond Town Center offers a stylish venue, an exquisite menu and a luxurious movie experience.

Belly up to the bar in the lobby for some beer or wine, or perhaps a delicious cocktail, and try an awesome appetizer fit for a fine restaurant. The Bleu Cheese Potato Chips are especially fantastic, but with other appies like Maine Lobster Rolls and Calamari, it’s a difficult decision to make.

Before your movie begins, head into the intimate cinema (that has 40 seats or less, in a theater that could potentially seat up to 150 people), and sink in to a plush chair with a dimly lit table for food and drink.

Your seat is also equipped with a call button, so you can call for food or drink, blanket or pillow without having to get up from your fully-reclining seat. The silent but efficient wait staff will bring anything you request directly to you.

The last movie I watched there was Sex and the City 2 and believe me, I wouldn’t have seen it at any other venue. Everyone was dressed up, ordering Cosmos, and generally feeding on the excitement building in the bar (others’ excitement – I was more excited about the food and the experience, not the movie).

It’s sometimes difficult for me to sit through movies in the theater, because I have really bad knees. Not a problem in the least bit at Gold Class, though. I was relaxed and got up after the movie feeling refreshed.

Gold Class offers the chance to combine a lot of my favorite activities – watching movies, drinking cocktails, eating (ambrosial) food and meeting friends – into one intense night out.

If you’re a fan of even one of the activities listed above, I highly recommend spending your next special occasion, or night out with the girls (or guys) at the Gold Class in Redmond Town Center.

The abundance of crazy movie theaters with interesting histories in this town pretty much astounds me. Landmark Theatres, the company that owns (in my opinion) the best and the brightest around the city, purchases architectural gems throughout the Emerald City, and turns them into pieces of (different) history.

In particular, The Egyptian Theatre on Capitol Hill takes the cake as one of the most unique places in Seattle to experience film.

Independent film, foreign language, documentary and oft-forgotten classics are the bread and butter of this one-of-a-kind movie house. The building is strait out of the 1910s (built in 1915), and has been operated by Landmark since the late 80s. In the early 80s, it became one of the sites that played host to the Seattle International Film Festival, and hasn’t changed its festival ways since.

The first thing you notice about the Egyptian is its plain and unassuming exterior. If you happen upon the theatre on the night of a particularly popular midnight movie, though, it is anything but plain.

You may wonder what all the fuss is about. You might head home from a night of clubbing downtown or on Capitol Hill and think to yourself, “Why is there such a line? It’s LATE for goodness sake.” Well, I’ve been one of those late-night people, and it’s an experience to say the least.

My first late-night screening was (stop judging me) for a Buffy musical episode Sing-A-Long. They gave out favors to use to each patron, and it was a truly memorable night.

It seems like a normal theater when you purchase your ticket, but when you step into the auditorium, you realize the difference. The inside is decorated and painted like the inside of an Egyptian tomb (hence the name), with ankhs and hieroglyphs throughout.

Whether you’re catching the latest cool independent film, or re-watching a memorable oldie like Jurassic Park, you can’t deny the charm of this Seattle classic.

As everyone knows by now, I’m a huge fan of film, the Seattle International Film Festival, and anything that supports SIFF.

I posted about the festival a couple of weeks ago, but before things come to a close, I’d like to extend the invitation once again. There’s one more week jam-packed with awesome movies from all over the world, and cool events that cater to cinematic fanatics.

If you’re a fan of glitz and glamour, there are still two big parties to attend. The first is the Gay-La on June 9th, a presentation of the film Violet Tendencies at 7pm at the Egyptian Theatre. The film is a comedy about a lady who acts as a sort of “queen mother” to her gay friends, and the director and one of the actors are scheduled to attend. The movie is followed by a dance party at Re-bar, where DJ Queen Lucky will be spinning 70s hits.

The final party is the Closing Night Gala on June 13^th, which will feature the film Get Low. Get Low boasts an all-star cast that includes Robert Duvall, Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek. A recluse comes into town with a shotgun and a lot of cash to arrange a “living funeral,” and the story that follows is a comedic “tale of forgiveness and redemption.” The night begins with the film at Cinerama at 6:30pm, and then moves to the Pan Pacific Hotel for live music, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and complimentary cocktails.

A couple of other interesting goings-on include movies in IMAX and 3-D, as well as a sing-along. The Wildest Dream is the story of George Mallory, the first man to attempt Mount Everest, and Conrad Anker, who found Mallory’s remains 75 years later. The movie is showing in IMAX at Pacific Science Center on Friday and Saturday, and Anker is scheduled to attend. “There are worse things I could do…” …than go to the Grease sing-along at SIFF Cinema next Saturday at 3:45pm (Dinah Manoff, who played Marty, is expected to attend!). Tickets for all the events can be found here.

Need any more incentive to go to the festival? How do a couple of free tickets sound? If you’re one of the first people to come and find me when I’m working one of my volunteer shifts either today or tomorrow (in the afternoon, at SIFF Cinema), I’ll give you two vouchers.

You can trade the vouchers for tickets to festival films, or save them to use throughout the year at SIFF Cinema (they’re good until next May). Ask for Tracy, and then say you knew to come because of the Seattle Belles. If you’re one of the first few, you’ll get tickets! Hope to see you soon – “Go Inside Film, Get Outside Yourself.”

This past week, one of the events that I wait for all year finally began! The Seattle International Film Festival opened its latest since the first festival in 1976.

Not many people know this, but SIFF is actually the biggest film-focused festival in all the world. This faire runs longer than any other festival – from May 20th to June 13th – and shows more films than many other (more well-known) fests the world over.

Primarily supported through film-loving volunteers (like myself!), SIFF is a wonderful way to dive into international culture and independent filmmaking.

Prefer glitz and glamour? SIFF provides the goods there, too. Attend one of the events hosted throughout the run of the festival, like the Centerpiece Gala, the Closing Night Gala or the Tribute to Edward Norton.

The Centerpiece Gala takes place on May 29th, and features a film called Farewell. Tickets for the whole night are $25 for non-SIFF members, and include entrance to the film, followed by a party at the DAR Hall on Capitol Hill. I volunteered at the party last year, and things were crazy until the wee hours of the morning. Absolutely everyone (even us lowly volunteers) had an amazing time.

The Tribute to Edward Norton is on June 4th, and features his latest film, Leaves of Grass, followed by an on-stage interview that includes clips from his body of work. There are also tickets available for the “pre-Tribute” which is a more intimate event, and Ed will be there as the guest of honor! As a continuation of the honoring of Mr. Norton, there will be special late-night screenings of three of his best films (25th Hour, Fight Club, and American History X).

The Closing Night Gala takes place on June 13th and features Get Low. Tickets include a couple of drinks, entrance to the film and entrance to the fabulous party at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Aside from the awesome location, the Gala will have food from Seastar and Long Provincial.

As a volunteer, you get vouchers for the hours you’ve worked. It’s a wonderful way to experience the festival for free, and give back to (what I believe) is an important cause. The vouchers are good for an entire year, too. So, if you can’t make it to SIFF this time around, you can still see movies at SIFF Cinema for free. There are shifts available, so if you’d like to volunteer (and you SHOULD), get all the information here.

Trust me when I say that SIFF is something you don’t want to miss. Even if you only make it out to one movie, it will be worth it. I’ve seen films I’d never have a chance to see elsewhere – movies from countries all over the world – from Bolivia to Uruguay. Movies that have big stars like Bill Murray and Robert Duvall, and movies that star people you’ve never heard of from countries you didn’t know existed.

Any way you slice it, the festival is an opportunity to expand your horizons and dip your toe into the fantastic world of film.

In the heart of Ballard, there exists a wondrous family-run, three-screen movie theater that delivers the audience back to a time when a night at the movies was an affair to remember.

The trip begins as you stand under the traditionally styled marquee at the Majestic Bay Theatre. After you purchase a ticket to your cinematic adventure, be sure to check out the handcrafted fused-glass fixtures (created by a local artist) in the lower lobby.

As you continue to your plush chair, you may notice a nautical theme that is prevalent throughout the building. This is a nod to the customs of older movie palaces in the Northwest, which all paid homage to the difficult lifestyle of the fisherman.

After taking your seat, a waterfall curtain rises at the start of the presentation – the largest waterfall curtain made in Seattle since the early 1970s. You won’t be bombarded with ads, as in most other cinemas around the world, you’ll only be treated to coming attractions. Upon the completion of the previews, the curtain falls and rises again to signal the start of the film.

In keeping with the legacy-style, before the film is a signature (a short identity film that plays before the movie). It is simple, a replaying of series of pictures taken by Eadweard Muybridge to prove that a horse’s feet don’t all leave the ground when they gallop (he was wrong).

The signature works perfectly for the theater, as owner Ken Aldadeff used to love helping out at his grandfather’s successful Thoroughbred stable – Eltteas Farms. Ken even named his company Eltteas Theatres in honor of the farm (Eltteas is Seattle spelled backwards).

The family vibe is apparent in every nook and cranny, especially at the beginning of certain shows. A few summers ago, I was there on opening day to see a big summer movie that was completely sold out. Before the previews began, Ken himself went to the front of the theater and handed out prizes to people who could answer movie questions, or those who were sitting in specific seats.

After the film has ended, be sure to check out other curiosities around the building. The restroom doors have likenesses of Ken’s parents, and the hallway on the third floor showcases annual top-grossing films and community events. One of the 100 pigs created to celebrate Pike’s Market’s centennial resided out front for a time, but now lives upstairs. The pig is dressed as a traditional movie usher on the front half, with popcorn painted on the other. Lastly, don’t miss one of the steerage benches used on the set of “Titanic.”

Whether you’re interested in the tradition of the place, or simply want to catch a movie at a convenient time, you shouldn’t ignore the chance to take in the wonders of this Ballard gem.

But let me back up, because this Thursday is not just the day our Sounders will be facing off against FC Dallas.  April 22nd is also Earth Day!

For those who, through some misshapen twist of fate, are unaware of what Earth Day is:  Back in 1970, the Republican Senator of Wisconsin proposed and persuaded fellow conservationists to designate one day out of the year to place particular emphasis on protecting and appreciate the environment.

I’m sure that most Seattle-ites pride themselves on caring for and appreciating the environment all 365 days out of the year, rather than just one.  But if you’d like to do something a little extra this Thursday to show love to our planet, here are a couple of ideas:

• Disney’s Oceans comes out in theaters.  Catch it at any one of these establishments, get inspired, and then attend the event below.

• Seattle Aquarium, April 22 at 6:00PM:  Protect Washington’s Coastal Waters and contribute your voice to the public forums NOAA will be holding regarding fish farming in waters that are held in public trust.  Note:  There are diverse viewpoints on this subject but, FYI, fish farming is not at all as sustainable as you might think.

• Feel like something a little more hands-on?  Then go to the Arboretum, April 24 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM and assist in trail-building, invasive plant removal, and restoration.

And if you’d like to do more, see more, if you’d like to attend an event but aren’t sure which one – here are a few more ideas.

Now that that’s out of the way.

Those  Sounders rock my socks!  This past Saturday, our friendly neighborhood Seattle Sounders triumphed over the Kansas City Wizards, defeating them 1 to 0 in the 92nd minute of the game.  It was my first Sounders soccer game and it was just amazing.  All of Qwest stadium was fraught with frenetic energy, covered in face-painted, full-throated, scarf-waving superfans dressed in the trademark Sounders green.  Just unbelievable – especially because we didn’t score until so very late in the game.  I hope none of you are from Kansas City, because, yeah, we sent those foot-weary, butt-hurt, wannabe-Harry-Potters packing.  It was great.  Our next home game is May 1st – if you haven’t been to one yet, attend and join the rave green army!  You won’t regret it.  EVER.