-The Malibu Film Society had a banner year, showing almost every film in the running for Oscars but also bringing out the stars to make a pitch for their films. In an Oscar race where there doesn’t seemed to be any breakout favorites, almost everyone is in contention. Actor/producer Kevin Costner came to talk about his movie “Black or White,” which chronicles a custody battle for a biracial child. Actress/executive producer Jennifer Aniston spoke about her movie “Cake,” with Aniston in a very serious role. Actress Rene Russo and husband screenwriter/director Dan Gilroy talked about their movie “Nightcrawler,” a story of a photographer of violent crimes and accidents, all shot at night. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal has already been nominated for several awards for “Nightcrawler.”
-The California Coastal Commission finally got a long desired piece of legislation this year that allows commissioners to levy fines without court interference. They flexed their new muscles against Paradise Cove, which had been charging fees for walk-ins who visit the beach. Paradise Cove was threatened with large daily fines by the CCC and eventually agreed to get rid of its “walk-in” fee of $20, sometimes $40. Coastal access proponents crowed victory while the opposition said this was exactly what was wrong with the legislation: it makes the cost of fighting the Coastal Commission so dangerously high that effectively there is no judicial review.
