Boston International Film Festival!

The Sixth Annual Boston International Film Festival happily invites you to join us in supporting independent filmmakers from around the world. We strive to promote international understanding, by bringing a variety of movies to the diverse Boston community.

The festival will run from June 6 - June 14 at the AMC/Loews theater, 175 Tremont St. in Boston Common.

We will be screening over 100 short and feature films from 30 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Tibet, UK, Venezuela, and USA.

Tickets are $150 for an all VIP pass, which includes the opening and closing night galas, $75 for an all screening pass, $45 for opening and closing night galas, and $10 for individual sessions. You can purchase tickets on our website - www.bifilmfestival.com - at the theater - 175 Tremont St - once the festival has started, or at our office - 101 Tremont St. suite 707.

For more information and a complete schedule, you can visit our website at www.bifilmfestival.com or you may contact us via e-mail at info@bifilmfestival.com or by phone (617) 482 – 3900

We look forward to seeing you at the festival!

Bullock's Accident update

Back in April, 64 year old Lucille Gatchell had a small run-in (no pun intended) up in Gloucester. Allegedly, the woman was driving wrecklessly under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, Gatchell hit a vehicle containing The Proposal's Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James. Thank Hollywood no one was hurt in the accident. At the time (April 22), Lucille plead not guilty to charges and thanked Sandra for being so nice about the whole debacle. Well, just yesterday, The Boston Globe reported that Lucille Gatchell has now decided toplead guilty to charges. She has been placed on probation and will complete a safety education course. Which of course only leaves one thing left to say... Lucy....you got some 'splainin' to do!

Boston Schmoozing Tours!

Over the past couple weekends, Boston Movie Tour employees Stephanie Costello (me!) and Nicole Mayne have had quite a few brushes with fame. Between Paul Blart: Mall Cop wrap parties and being in the right place at the right time, we were able to meet some pretty cool people! Check it out!

From Left to Right, John Anderson (Beach Boys crew), Stephanie Costello, Nicole Mayne, John Cowsill (Beach Boys drummer, former member of The Cowsills), half of John Bracken (Beach Boys soun mixer)

John Anderson and Stephanie Costello

Nicole Mayne and Kevin James

Erick Avari of Heroes, Mr. Deeds, the West Wing and The Mummy (among many others) and Paul Blart: Mall Cop extra and BMT friend Eric Ryan

Local band gets time in The Proposal!

Everyone keeps talking about how local businesses and the local economy i s being positively affected by the influx of movies being filmed in Boston. Celebrity sightings have improved business at restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, bars, and several other establishments. Tourism in the city is booming, and locals being hired to work on films are getting a paycheck. This is all true, but recently I heard a story of another way the movie industry has boosted business and morale for a Massachusetts resident. I am lucky enough to actually have a personal connection with this man and I am so happy to be able to tell his story.

Jeff Fraser, a native of Essex, MA, has been involved in music since the age of 5. Even at that young age he had a knack for figuring out songs by ear. His mother realized this and got a piano for the house and signed Jeff up for piano lessons. At the age of 12 Jeff had to have a guitar after hearing "Eruption" by Eddie Van Halen and began practicing away every day for hours After playing in several garage bands and realizing that is was impossible to find a good vocalist, Jeff thought he'd give a try. At the age of 16 he began taking vocal lessons and listening to vocal instruction tapes. Jeff was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 1992 and studied there for a few semesters. He left Berkee to tour with his original rock band "Slyboyz" Jeff has played thousands of shows including hundreds of clubs gigs, weddings and private parties. His wedding band, Men in Black, has been voted #1 wedding band in Boston.

Now, for the past 6 years, I, personally, have seen Jeff perform at several venues around the Faneuil Hall area and on the North Shore. He is one of the most talented people I've ever seen perform and it's always broken so many of our (the fan's) hearts that he's never had his time in the large-scale limelight.

"Wait, did you say you've seen Jeff perform on the North Shore? Isn't that where Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are filming The Proposal?" That's right. And with a name like that, one could assume there's probably a wedding in the movie. Not only is there a wedding (filmed in Salem, MA) but there is also a wedding band! I am proud to say Jeff Fraser and Men in Black were asked to be the wedding band in the movie and I could not be happier for them. Congrats, guys. We all can't wait to see the movie!

For all you Bostonians, you can check Jeff out tonight at Paddy O's in Faneuil Hall, or some other day. Check out the schedule at www.jefffraser.com

Edge of Darkness and Britney to Boston?

A popular TV series is coming to Boston and is being made into a movie. According to the Boston Globe, filming will take place this summer for Edge of Darkness which follows a police investigator whose activist daughter is killed under mysterious circumstances.

Mel Gibson is set to begin filming the flick in August with Boston local William Monahan penning the script. The movie is being produced by Graham King who last worked with Monahan on the Oscar winning The Departed.

Also ,according to another Boston Globe article, rumored to join the cast is Britney Spears. Is Boston ready for Britney? We’ll have to see.

Bride Wars Makes it to Salem

Salem, Ma, known mostly for it's haunted witch past, wasn't so witchy yesterday. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway filmed wedding reception scene up at the Peabody Essex Museum for their new movie, Bride Wars. The movie is about two friends who battle it out after choosing the same day for their weddings.

Movie Tours on Hand for Red Sox Charity Event

Today, Charity Hop launched several new Red Sox wines and Boston Movie Tours was on hand for event. With NESN's Hazel Mae emceeing the event, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek and Kevin Youkilis all spoke about the new wines and their lives as Red Sox.

A portion of each wine sale goes to each player's charity so make sure to pick one up during your next trip to the liquor stoe.

We also got a funny little story from Youkilis about how how he always hears "Yoooouuuuk" no matter where he goes. Even when he drives, Youkilis sometimes gets startled from the shouts of Youk from other drives.

Charity Hop Wines
- David Ortiz: "Vintage Papi"
- Jason Varitek: "Captain's Cabernet"
- Kevin Youkilis: "SauvignYooouuuk Blanc"

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Fans get a little upset at the Today Show

Here at Boston Movie Tours, we always love to hear commentary from Boston fans of any persuasion. Sports, music, movies, or otherwise. Today, I received an especially heartfelt rant about Donnie Wahlberg's appearance on the Today Show. Lexington, MA native, Tracey Desiato wrote in about the segment:

"I just watched an interview from the Today show with the New Kids on the Block. Crazy lady says to Donnie Wahlberg "Like your brother you're pursuing an acting career." Hello........dudes been actin' since '96! Oh man! He didn't correct her. I woulda, Idda set her straight. Okay I'm crazy. But for reals. He was in Ransom, Southie, The Sixth Sense (dude that shoots Bruce Willis in the beginning...MEMORABLE!), Band of Brothers, and Annapolis. Many other things. And my personal favorite... the show BOOMTOWN. Canceled after one season, but it was sweet. I loved it. I Don't even know why he signed back up for New Kids. Craziness. Probably for the monies. Oh well... I love him anyway. Do whatcha gotta do Donnie. PS: The NKOTB's new song, Summertime. I'm totally gonna listen to it cause I'm a loser, but it sounds too young. Come on guys you're in your 30s. Gotta change the sound a little bit. I Feel like I'm listening to LFO here."



Tracey, I couldn't agree more! When you interview someone, ESPECIALLY someone as established as Donnie, you should know your stuff.

The New Kids have just announced a second show for the TD Banknorth Garden for September 28th. Tickets went on sale this week, get yours now!

Backstage with Boston Movie Tours

The Boston Hollywood scene including Boston Movie Tours was recently featured on the award winning Backstage with Barry Nolan.

Sara Edwards takes you on a little movie tour of her own highlighting Boston's filming hotspots. If you live in the Boston area, check it out on Comcast OnDemand.

Otherwise, here it is.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Departs Boston

It looks like the Ghosts of Girlfriends Past starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner wrapped up filming in Beantown last week.

According to the Boston Herald's Inside Track, the filmmakers used a sound stage in Chelsea for some of the final shoots. The movie is expected to hit theaters in 2oo9.

Ricky Gervais ruffles some feathers

Among several other towns, Lowell, Massachusetts is now home to a film cast and crew. For most people, the Hollywood hustle and bustle is new and exciting, but for others, some feathers are getting ruffled. Writer/director Ricky Gervais (of the hit UK sitcom The Office) has been keeping a video blog via YouTube. The Bostonist reports that Gervais was reading local paper The Lowell Sun and curled his lip in a gesture of distaste as he catches a typo. Apparently, in a later blog entry, Ricky shoots a nerf gun at a friend, and the Sun jumped all over it saying "These guys must be dying to shoot. We know we are". This raises questions as to whether or not the production is creating bad blood between the city and Gervais. It will be interesting (and probably entertaining) to see how this Hollywood vs. Small Town rumble works itself out.