You've probably come across some headlines about the indie film Juno, starring Ellen Page (Hard Candy, X-Men 3). The critics adore it — they're calling it "a gust of fresh air"; "a film bristling with vitality and heart"; a movie that sounds "not a single false note." It's been nominated for a Spirit Award and is generating some early Oscar buzz. [Warning: Minor spoilers.]

The box office is just as taken with the film. Even though Juno opened on just seven screens this past weekend, it beat Little Miss Sunshine's first weekend and averaged a whopping $59,124 per screen (Enchanted, for example, averaged $9,233 per screen during its opening weekend).

I'll happily jump on this particular bandwagon. Juno is a moving, charming film, and Ellen Page is fantastic in it. And I mean that both in the sense of "excellent" and in the sense of "based on fantasy." You can't really call the movie realistic, and that's part of why it's so endearing. Who wouldn't like to live in a world where parents and stepparents are supportive and fun, teenagers are both wiseass and wise, and women respect themselves and each other? I much prefer that to realism. … continue reading

Earlier this week, Film Independent announced their nominations for the 2008 Spirit Awards. I'm still puzzled by last year's decision to curtail the name (originally the Independent Spirit Awards), and I always have trouble fathoming the cost of film (these particular budgets have to be under $20 million, which seems simultaneously huge and meager), but I appreciate that the nominations provide a relatively reliable guide to indie work worthy of recognition.

This year's most-nominated films are I'm Not There, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Juno, but it's an altogether strong crowd, including some films popular with AfterEllen.com readers.

Along with Julie Delpy's Best First Feature nod for 2 Days in Paris and the heartbreaking and well-deserved acknowledgment for Adrienne Shelly's Waitress screenplay, there are such usual suspects as cool-straight Cate Blanchett for her turn as Bob Dylan, wacky-straight Parker Posey (Broken English), and reportedly now-straight Angelina Jolie (A Mighty Heart). … continue reading

I recently ran across a Guardian blog about how wonderful and how at-risk independent cinemas are. It opens with a mention of New York City's new fake drive-in, and while that does sound fun, I'm even more a fan of the gimmick-free movie house that's all about good film rather than about the fanciest sound system or fanciest coffee or fanciest stadium seating. (I also love my Harry Potter in IMAX, so feel free to take all I say with a grain of floo powder).

Even though independent films often screen at mainstream chains these days, there's nothing quite like squeezing into a tiny theatre fashioned out of an old fire station, or buying a ticket from someone who's also owner and popcorn vendor, or entering beneath a marquee that hasn't changed since admission cost a quarter.

I started thinking about my own favorite movie houses, and while the Castro is one of the more famous independents, has done a lot for queer film, and was the happy site of my introduction to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg a few years ago, it's not truly close to my heart. (Yet — my trip to the Sound of Music sing-along next month may well tip the scales.) … continue reading