Jason gets excited about the first annual Bean Bag Film Fest in San Jose

So I get e-mails fairly regularly from new, small film festivals wanting a little publicity. Normally, while I am interested I'm busy with other things or they conflict with a big film fest I'm already preparing for. But I got an e-mail today for a nice little event to tide me over until SFIFF. And even though I've seen every movie they're playing, it's a pretty awesome lineup and should be a fun three days--if people show up (nothing's more depressing than holding a film festival with no attendees). So here's hoping my friends--particularly my South Bay friends--show up. Below is the full press release e-mailed to me:

The Landmark Ballroom Will Host Inaugural Bean Bag Film Fest in San Jose

San Jose, CA – March 22, 2011 – Giant Creative Services in conjunction with the Landmark Ballroom at the San Jose Woman’s Club, presents the inaugural Bean Bag Film Fest, taking place Thursday, April 14 – Saturday, April 16. The Bean Bag Film Fest will feature three consecutive days of memorable films showcased in the retro Landmark Ballroom at 75 South 11th Street in downtown San Jose. The event, filled with bean bags for patrons to lounge on, will offer a unique social movie going experience where attendees can see films, mingle and enjoy eats from gourmet food trucks and beer and wine for purchase. Each night, the festival will showcase a double feature for $10 with a special $5 discount for patrons who come dressed in character. Nightly themes include “Life After Death,” with Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland; “Story Telling,” with Harold and Maude, andRushmore; and “You’re So Money, Dude!,” with Swingers and The Big Lebowski. The Bean Bag Film Fest is the first of a series of events at the Landmark Ballroom that encourages community members to visit this historic San Jose venue by way of diverse social and cultural experiences.

Event Schedule:

“Life After Death” ~ Thursday, April 14

Ages: 18 years and older

First Showing: Shaun of the Dead, 2004, 99 minutes, R

Time: 7p.m. Doors Open, 7:30p.m. Movie Begins

In Shaun of the Dead a man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead, to eat the living.

Second Showing: Zombieland, 2009, 88 minutes, R

Time: 9:15p.m. Doors Open, 9:30p.m. Movie Begins

In this horror-comedy, two men, Columbus and Tallahassee, find a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. As they join forces with two others, they will have to come to terms with which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.

Gourmet treats will be on sale from Tikka Bytes (http://twitter.com/TikkaBytesTruck), fresh, Indian street food served with an American twist. An assortment of beer & wine will be available for purchase. Attendees who come dressed in zombie attire will receive a $5 discounted ticket.

“Story Telling” ~ Friday, April 15

Ages: 18 years and older

First Showing: Harold and Maude, 1971, 91 minutes, PG

Time: 7p.m. Doors Open, 7:30p.m. Movie Begins

Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.

Second Showing: Rushmore, 1998, 93 minutes, R

Time: 9:15p.m. Doors Open, 9:30p.m. Movie Begins

Rushmore chronicles a year in the life of Max Fischer, a student at one of the finest schools in the country. In the midst of dealing with school, Max and his tycoon mentor become interested in the same woman, triggering a war between the two.

Gourmet taco truck Tac Gos (http://tacgos.com/) will be selling fresh favorites. An assortment of beer & wine will be available for purchase. Attendees who come dressed in theme from the night’s featured films will receive a $5 discounted ticket.

“You’re So Money, Dude!” ~ Saturday, April 16

Ages: 21 years and older

First Showing: Swingers, 1996, 96 minutes, R

Time: 7p.m. Doors Open, 7:30p.m. Movie Begins

Mike came to Hollywood to pursue his career in acting, leaving his girlfriend behind in New York. Instead of stardom, he finds loneliness. After six months of dealing with Mike’s depression, his pal Trent decides it’s time for a change.

Second Showing: The Big Lebowski, 1998, 117 minutes, R

Time: 9:15p.m. Doors Open, 9:30p.m. Movie Begins

The Coen Brothers and their agreeable cast make more fun than sense with this scattered farce about a pothead bowler who is mistaken for a deadbeat philanthropist and drawn into a cluster of kidnappers, nihilists, porn mobsters and Busby Berkeley beauties.

Gourmet eats from BBQ Kalbi (http://www.facebook.com/BBQ.Kalbi.Tacos) will be on sale along with specialty movie themed cocktails. Attendees who come dressed in theme from the night’s featured films will receive a $5 discounted ticket.

Bean Bag Film Fest tickets will be sold at the door and in advance. For additional information, please visit:http://sjwomansclub.org/.