Pristine Power Rolls Out the Green Carpet for 'The Great Warming'

Midwest premiere of documentary film narrated by Keanu Reeves and Alanis Morissette in association with Kansas International Film Festival. Whole Foods, Sprint / Nextel, The Sierra Club among entities contributing.

Kansas City (PRWEB) August 28, 2006 -- Pristine Power (http://www.pristine-power.com/) announced today that it is hosting "The Great Warming" (http://www.thegreatwarmingmidwest.com/) Midwest premier, in anticipation of its nationwide release in movie theaters later this year. The Midwest premiere will take place on September 7, 2006, at the Glenwood Arts Theatre, Overland Park, KS, at 6:00 PM. Film is narrated by Keanu Reeves and Alanis Morissette and is a non-political, sobering examination of global climate change. It sweeps around the world to reveal how a changing climate is affecting the lives of people everywhere. "The Great Warming" taps into the growing groundswell of public interest in this topic to present both an emotional and accurate portrait of our children's future planet.

"The Great Warming" includes hard-hitting comments from scientists and opinion-makers about America’s lack of leadership in what is certainly the most critical environmental issue of the 21st century, as well as new scenes documenting the emerging voice of the American Faith community urging action on climate change.

“While the coasts have been aware and active in ecological issues for some time now, Middle America must now realize it has a responsibility and a realistic opportunity to help turn things around by embracing new technologies that can transform our nation ensuring our children’s future,” said Joe Spease, President of Pristine Power. “The Great Warming convincingly tells the story while Pristine Power, and our sister company Krystal Planet, provide the real world solutions available today. Our intent with this event is to bridge these movements.”

The objective of the Midwest premiere is to help raise funds to support the nationwide launch and distribution of the new movie THE GREAT WARMING while reaching out to religious, non-profit, government, media and business leaders from the Midwest. Thus furthering the dialogue about what is already being done and sparking grassroots efforts to affect further change.

Prior to the film’s screening a panel of community leaders and experts will speak regarding the issues. Confirmed panelists so far include Annabeth Surbaugh, Chairman, Johnson County Commission, Jerry Meyers, Renewable Energy Engineer, Sprint/Nextel, Elaine Giessel, Chair, Kanza Group, The Sierra Club, Charles Benjamin, Attorney, Friends of the Earth, Jamie Frazier, CEO, Bridging the Gap, Rev. Tom Are, Sr. Pastor, Village Presbyterian Church, Rev. Judy Long O'Neal, Church of the Resurrection, Rev. Ky Weekley, Grace Covenant Church, Troy Helming, CEO, Krystal Planet and Author, "The Clean Power Revolution," Dr. William Shaw, Director of Health, Metabolism and Nutrition Great Plains Laboratory and Chris DeVolder, LEED® Accredited Architect, 360o Architects.

Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) has generously agreed to contribute to the event by providing and serving hors d'oeuvres. The event will feature entertainment by musician Shawn Gallaway, with the hit song “New Energy Freedom”; and end with a book signing by Troy Helming, author of “The Clean Power Revolution.”

A complete list of speakers and current schedule of events may be found at http://www.thegreatwarmingmidwest.com.

The event’s hosts are Pristine Power, Friends of the Earth and the Kansas International Film Festival. Sponsors include and Swiss RE (www.swissre.com), Great Plains Laboratory (www.greatplainslaboratory.com), Sustainable Community Development (www.scdworld.com) and Bushnell Outdoor Products (www.bushnell.com). Non-profit partners include The Sierra Club (Missouri and Kansas), Bridging the Gap, Metropolitan Energy Center, Clean Cities of Kansas City, Concerned Citizens of Platte County, Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition and EarthPeace Systems.

A preview for the documentary film may be viewed at http://www.thegreatwarming.com/video-alaniskeanu.html.

About Pristine Power Corporation

Pristine Power Corporation is a leading marketer of clean power products to corporations and non-profit organizations nationwide. Pristine Power offers wind, solar, hydrogen, bio-fuels and energy- saving products (some of which are not available anywhere else). Located in the heart of America and founded in 2003, Pristine Power serves Fortune 500 customers, and offers clean power fundraising programs for non-profit and faith organizations. On the web at http://www.pristine-power.com.

KEANU REEVES gets animated about A Scanner Darkly

I've heard Richard Linklater say that in the States certain civil liberties are being taken away under the guise of safety - ‘We have your best interests and your protection [at heart]' - and it's becoming more and more not innocent until proven guilty, but you're guilty until proven innocent. I think A Scanner Darkly is kind of quietly dealing with some of those themes. Or something to get out of it is something kind of like, ‘Hey, you know the scene where that man who is on the street with the megaphone is being taken away by the police? You can't dissent.' So there is a little bit of a warning, I think, going on in the film. I think a lot of people, probably in their day to day lives in America now, are ill at ease. I know with my friends and everyone there's a ‘when is the shoe going to drop?' kind of thing. So everyone's not like running around all happy. And in terms of being safe, I don't think people feel at bottom safe."

I've been talking to your director on A Scanner Darkly, Richard Linklater, about subversion. Are you subversive?

"Oh, subversive cinema. What is subversive cinema?"

How would you define it? .

"God, I just set myself up here, didn't I. It's an open question. I would say the Matrix films were subversive cinema in their intent. Subversive tends to be actions outside of practiced norms of change. When do you start calling something subversive I guess is what defines what something is, right?"

Would you call yourself subversive in the sense that you haven't led what one assumes to be the traditional life of a Hollywood star?

[Still pondering the previous question] "Subversive has an intent, right? It has an intent for change. That's good. Subversive means an intent for change. We don't know change what, but that's good. In my life, no. In my work, I'm attracted to it. Um, yeah."

Would you consider A Scanner Darkly to be subversive?

"Again, I think there is a quiet intent. I've heard Richard say that in the States certain civil liberties are being taken away under the guise of safety - ‘We have your best interests and your protection [at heart]' - and it's becoming more and more not innocent until proven guilty, but you're guilty until proven innocent. I think this film is kind of quietly dealing with some of those themes. Or something to get out of it is something kind of like, ‘Hey, you know that scene where the man who is on the street with the megaphone and being taken away by the police? You can't dissent.' So there is a little bit of a warning, I think, going on in the film."

Do you feel protected and safe in the States now or overprotected and controlled?

"Oh gosh, I don't know. Those are really strong absolute definitions and I think life is a little more mercurial than that. I think a lot of people, probably in their day to day, are ill at ease. I know with my friends and everyone there's a 'when is the shoe going to drop?' kind of thing. So everyone's not like running around all happy. In terms of being safe, no, I don't think people feel at bottom safe."

You've been through some dark passages in your life. You know how quickly things can change. How has that affected your approach to life and your outlook?

"Um, I think as you get older you tend to have a richer experience, a feeling and being affected by things, and I'd say appreciative but also, I don't know, I guess it's just a deeper understanding. I guess I can't say that either. Just a richer experience, preciousness, [getting quieter] type of thing."

Did the success of the Matrix films add something to your personal wellbeing?

"Yeaaaah. Really! I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Artistically it was one of the best experiences I've had. So just that, you know? And the friends that I made out of it."

And the admiration of your fans? How was that?

"[Sighs ironically] That was so long ago."

Surely not. Everyone was screaming your name outside here.

"Well we're at a film festival. Hah! That's what people want to do, scream, and they're here to see people. No, I'm really proud of those films and I really love them. I'm glad that people enjoyed them. And in terms of work, from the business side of it, it helps to get this film made. Because of that Warner Brothers had an interest in me so they said, ‘OK, Warner Independent.' I did a film called Thumbsucker, an independent film, and my participation helped other people be more comfortable with spending money. So that's great."

Both Thumbsucker and A Scanner Darkly have drugs as one of their themes. What is your attitude to drugs?

"It depends what part of drugs you're talking about. Do you mind if I smoke?" [With perfect timing he takes a packet of Camels out of his jacket, smacks it on the table to dislodge a cigarette, and takes one out]

So this is your drug of choice?

"This one I don't mind, no. You'd have to be more specific."

I suppose there are all sorts of different uses, whether it be to drop out or get high or . . .

"To get through the day. . .Yeah, they're parts of our lives so they're things to talk about and things to think about. What is their place and how are we using them and all of these kinds of things. Yeah, these are things to think about."

Do you have any experience?

"Some. I don't have much experience with some of these psychiatric drugs like Zoloft or Adivan, I don't really know those. I've done drugs once in a while."

Smoking?

[Reeves lights up]

I don't mean that smoking.

"Are you asking me about illegal things? [Laughs] You want to know if I'm a criminal. And why is that criminal?"

How do you get your highs nowadays?

"Love and life. No, friendships, family."

But you're happy?

"Yeah, yeah. Well, I'm 41 now so . . . The kid days, oy, they're done with."

When you were at your lowest points, which we alluded to earlier, how did you get through that? Did you have a faith to fall back on, drugs, what got you through those very difficult times?

"Well I've learned that grief doesn't go away. That with some of these harder knocks, mortality, things involving mortality, it's like a wound: you can take care of the wound but you're still going to have the scar. I've learned that."

Okay. Is it different acting in this kind of way where you know that it's going to be animated and fixed at the end?

"Well it can't all be fixed. Maybe we hope that."

But there are certain things that can be tweaked, tricks that can be done. Is it more like acting in a theatrical piece?

"Yeah, right. Actually, I found that not because of the animation but it was my first experience in a film working with digital video cameras, because I've always worked with film cameras. Thn you have to change the roll every 10 minutes for a thousand footer, right? So you have to change the film and get the pause, the time; actions and cuts are very precise. But with digital it's a 45-minute cassette, so you don't have to stop. You and I could be having this conversation in a film and, okay, I'd finish, ‘Cut'. With this cassette it was like we could have a conversation and then Richard would walk in and we'd talk, and then he'd just say, ‘Go.' So really the tempo rhythm of performing was different. It was something to adjust to. Sometimes we'd have to say ‘Stop, we need a break'. Which you do, obviously, sometimes in film too, but this was different for me. So that was probably the most different thing."

How did you get along with Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey, Jr?

"Well the funny thing about the film was we never were in the same room at the same time [he's joking]. No, we got along really well [laughs]. It was really fun. Really simpatico. Really it was great. And that comes off on the screen, I think. I really enjoyed their dynamic."

What kind of audience do you think A Scanner Darkly will attract?

"I hope that people don't define who when they review it. Like I hope you wouldn't say, ‘I enjoyed it but I don't know if it's for everyone, it's a cult movie.' I'd rather that didn't happen. I'd rather, and this is true of all films, that films were allowed to exist how they are. But, um, our intent was to make it open. Yeah, who's going to be enjoying that film? I think if you're questioning what's going on in the world, in cities . . . I think it's really a film oriented towards people in cities. Some in the country, but I think it's got something to say about how you live in the West, in the city, what's going of with business and governments and people, rights and society, and how we live and how we are. So that's a pretty open thing."

Are you still into motorcycling and music?

"Um, yeah. I used to play in a band [Dogstar], but I don't anymore. We broke up and it hasn't happened again. Yeah, I still ride bikes. I like Nortons. I've got a couple of Nortons and then I have a Harley chopper. So kind of quieter, kind of hanging out bikes. But the Nortons are my love."

Do you still ride at night without lights?

"Once in a while. On a good day. On a good day. . ."

Pam, Carey and Keanu most powerful Canadians in Hollywood

Pam, Carey and Keanu most powerful Canadians in Hollywood
Friday August 18 2006 17:57 IST

Pam, Carey and Keanu most powerful Canadians in HollywoodFriday August 18 2006 17:57 IST ANI

WASHINGTON: Hollywood funnyman Jim Carey, former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and Speed star Keanu Reeves have been named the most powerful Canadians in Hollywood in a new poll.

Canadian Business magazine rated Ontario-born Carrey, British Columbia beauty Anderson and Reeves - who was brought up in Toronto - top of the survey after considering their salaries, media attention, Google hits and the amount of television coverage they receive.

Meanwhile, new bride Avril Lavigne and actors Brendan Fraser, Ryan Gosling, Kevin Zegers and Shawn Ashmore also appeared in the top 15.

Winona has the hots for Keanu

Winona Ryder has reportedly admitted that she's got a crush on Keanu Reeves.

The Hollywood actress, who stars alongside Reeves in the new animated movie A Scanner Darkly, has revealed that it wasn't hard playing his lover.

She said: "Keanu knows I have a huge crush on him, I tell him all the time.

"My character cares very much about Keanu's character and with Keanu it's very easy to care about him.

"I was frustrated because we didn't get to make out properly."

Adapted from the novel by sci-fi master Philip K Dick, the movie is set seven years in the future.

Reeves plays an undercover cop assigned to spy on the activities of his circle of associates, including Ryder, Downey, Harrelson and Dazed and Confused co-star Rory Cochrane.

Exclusive -- Keanu Stopped By Cops at LAX

Keanu Reeves was pulled over by airport police at Los Angeles International Airport today for a traffic violation, but escaped with only a warning.

It's not the biggest crime in the world certainly, but anything that goes down at airports these days is eventful. Reeves was pulled over for allegedly violating California Vehicle Code 21453(a) -- failing to stop at a signal or, in common parlance, blowing a red light. It happened at 3:00 p.m. PST. The cop did not issue a citation and let Reeves go with a warning.

It's unclear what the "Matrix" star was doing at the airport, although we know he was on the upper level, which is for departing passengers.

A rep for Reeves could not be reached for comment.

Reeves stopped by police at Los Angeles airport

Reeves stopped by police at Los Angeles airport

Film star Keanu Reeves was stopped by police at Los Angeles Airport on Saturday after reportedly running a red light.

The actor was pulled over for the traffic violation and released with a warning, according to website TMZ.com.

The airport is on a heightened security alert after the recently foiled terrorist plot at London's Heathrow airport.

Reeves was pulled over on the upper level of the airport designated for departing passengers.