Folks outside of the LA rock scene may not know the individual that is Karen Centerfold. But that should all change with the release of the documentary Centerfold Centerfold.
The subject of this forthcoming documentary is the unique, uncontainable, enigmatic Hollywood/LA rock scene fixture Karen Centerfold - known mainly for her presence on LA cable public access TV and at local rock shows (in addition to political activist, adult model, and office worker).

"If you spent any time at weird rock and roll shows in LA you probably have a Karen Centerfold story. As for me she always insisted on introducing one of my bands everytime we played.  She would then always get the name wrong and spend most of the show smacking us on the ass.," my friend Brandon Perry (aka WFMU DJ Marty McSorley & fka KXLU DJ Paula Poundstone) from the defunct band Explogasm [mispronounced "Explorgasm"] recently told me. Perry continued that the "gender-bending destroyed puzzle of a human that only LA could create" is exactly as she appears in the documentary trailer below and that she typically will  "show up, be loud, sometimes try to take over shows, and just try to cause a scene in general!". The film is directed by Eckse, with production and editing duties handled by Xenia Shin, Angie Meng, and Margot Padilla.  Responsible for the film is longtime LA underground promoter Sean Carnage - the documentary's executive producer. This week I caught up with Sean Carnage to ask him about himself, his film, and of course its colorful subject. That interview follows the trailer for the film below.
 

It's hard to believe that we've reached the end of the 2011 festival! I'm so glad I was able to squeeze in as many screenings as I did. Thursday's Robert Ryan double was certainly the high point for me-- Caught has one of the most bizarre endings I've seen in any pre-1970's film.

Tonight features a Glenn Ford double alongside a visit from Mr. Ford's son, Peter. Framed is primo James M. Cain penned paranoid pulp while Mr. Soft Touch is more lighthearted fare.  Sunday looks to be a great crime picture double; Cry Tough features a very young John Saxon while Down Three Dark Streets features beautiful LA locations and Broderick Crawford as an FBI agent. Wednesday closes the festival out with a couple of female led thrillers; Gaslight is an absolute classic and brought Ingrid Bergman an Oscar for her portrayal of a woman haunted by the unsolved murder of her aunt. My Name is Julia Ross ends it all with great B-movie suspense from director Joseph H. Lewis of Big Combo & Gun Crazy fame.

We're now deep in week 2 of the 13th annual Film Noir Festival and have some great pairings to look forward to!

Tonight features a couple of classic tough guy performances from Charles McGraw and James Cagney in Loophole and Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.  Sunday brings a great "women's night" with scarce films featuring Gloria Grahame, Maureen O'Hara, Susan Hayward & Jane Greer-- how much more beauty could you squeeze into a double feature?!? They Won't Believe Me is a top notch dramatic thriller produced by the trailblazing Joan Harrison, Hitchcock protege & one of only 3 female contract producers working in Hollywood during the classic noir years.  A Woman's Secret is one of Nicholas Ray's most rarely screened films, making this night a must see! Female on the Beach & Hazard continue the focus on the ladies. Joan Crawford and Paulette Goddard lead with memorable performances by Jeff Chandler, Jan Sterling, Charles McGraw & Percy Hilton.  These films screen on Wednesday.

The Japan Film Festival Los Angeles gets underway today with screenings in Hollywood, Irvine and Little Tokyo and goes until April 17th. Directors Kinshiro Ogino, Katsuhito Kobayashi, Kenji Kobayashi, Lisa Takeba, Hidetaka Inazuka and producer Shoichi Kawahara are scheduled to appear at various events. Click here to check out the website for scheduling, tickets and plot descriptions.