News You Need: ‘Awake’ Trailer, ‘Blade Runner’ in Chicago, Sexiest Funny Girls in Hollywood

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CHICAGO – Every year, one out of 700 patients – or an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 of the 21 million patients – experience “anesthetic awareness,” according to a Nov. 23, 2004 Washington Post article by Sandra Boodman.

This event happens “when surgical patients can recall their surroundings or an event – sometimes even pain – related to their surgery while they are under general anesthesia,” according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

On Nov. 30, the film “Awake” will debut in theaters nationwide to expose the surgical event. “Awake” stars Jessica Alba, Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker in the newer “Star Wars” films) and Terrence Howard.

“This film will do to surgery what ‘Jaws’ did to swimming in the ocean,” said Deutsch/Open City Films co-founder and producer Joana Vicente.

“As a victim of [this], I dedicated the last nine years to educating the public to help them understand the scope, sheer terror and trauma involved when awareness occurs,” said Anesthesia Awareness Campaign, Inc. founder Carol Weihrer.

She added: “There is no way to accurately describe to someone how it feels to be ‘entombed in a corpse’ as I was.” (Source: Press release via e-mail)

Men’s entertainment site DoubleViking.com on Oct. 26, 2007 published what it views to be the “five sexiest funny girls in Hollywood”. Visuals follow. (Source: DoubleViking.com)

Anna Faris

Sarah Silverman

Kristen Wiig

Elizabeth Banks

Isla Fisher
The Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 25 announced its three Audience Choice Award winners for 2007 based on ballots over the 14-day festival.

The awards went to “Control” (United Kingdom) from director Anton Corbijn, “Lovesickness” (Puerto Rico) and “Spirit of the Marathon” (U.S.) from director Jon Dunham on the Chicago Marathon. (Source: Press release via e-mail)

“Blade Runner: The Final Cut” has a a limited-run theatrical engagement in select cities through the fall and holiday season in conjunction with the anticipated DVD release.

The film opens in Chicago on Nov. 2 at the Music Box Theatre in honor of the 25th anniversary of Ridley Scott’s science-fiction masterpiece.

The film has been restored with new and improved special effects. It also includes never-before-seen added and extended scenes that Scott created specifically for the new edition. (Source: Press release via e-mail)

1982’s “Blade Runner,” which stars Harrison Ford.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has awarded $450,000 to 20 U.S. film festivals for the 2008 calendar year.

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the Virginia Film Festival will each receive a total of $75,000 over a three-year period.

The Los Angeles Film Festival and the San Francisco International Film Festival will each receive $50,000 in 2007 as part of multi-year grants. The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival will receive $30,000.

The Austin Film Festival will receive $30,000. The Chicago Latino Film Festival and the St. Louis International Film Festival will each receive $20,000. (Source: Press release via e-mail)

By ADAM FENDELMAN Editor-in-Chief HollywoodChicago.com adam@hollywoodchicago.com