Another Cinequest has come and gone. This year marked the 15th time that maverick filmmakers and fans of independent film have converged on San Jose, and this was the biggest year the festival has had yet. We learned at the closing ceremony that there was a 34% increase in attendance this year over last year, and that the financial impact (from diners at restaurants, folks staying in hotels, and the like) on San Jose was in excess of $3 million. With well over 200 films of various lengths, genres, and styles shown over 12 days, it's easy to see why so many people came in to enjoy the festival.
Not that it was all perfect. There were a few technical problems, and the overwhelming attendance of the more popular films sometimes caused difficulty in getting everyone seated. But the organizers added screenings when possible and smoothed ruffled feathers, and overall the festival was a rousing success.
Maverick Spirit awards were presented to actors Sir Ben Kingsley and Jon Polito at ceremonies with engaging discussions by the actors. The inspiring Emmanuel Yeboah, who rode a bicycle across his home country of Ghana to raise awareness of the disabled, was presented with the Maverick Life Award. Young Blanchard Ryan of the hit film "Open Water" was presented with the Emerging Maverick Award. Numerous other awards were presented to filmmakers: there were the Viewers' Voice Awards, given to films that won the most votes from online viewers; the audience awards, given according to surveys filled out at screenings; jury awards; and special Maverick awards as well. Most of the awards were given at the sold-out Closing Night Gala, which was followed by a rousing party.
Cinequest offers us an international, top-ranking film festival right in our back yard. This annual event is an incredible opportunity. You can check out what W. Fred Crow and Ealasaid Haas thought of the films they caught at http://www.ealasaid.com/cineblog/ and catch many of the films, both shorts and features, online at http://www.cinequestonline.org.
Another Cinequest has come and gone. This year marked the 15th time that maverick filmmakers and fans of independent film have converged on San Jose, and this was the biggest year the festival has had yet. We learned at the closing ceremony that there was a 34% increase in attendance this year over last year, and that the financial impact (from diners at restaurants, folks staying in hotels, and the like) on San Jose was in excess of $3 million. With well over 200 films of various lengths, genres, and styles shown over 12 days, it's easy to see why so many people came in to enjoy the festival.
Not that it was all perfect. There were a few technical problems, and the overwhelming attendance of the more popular films sometimes caused difficulty in getting everyone seated. But the organizers added screenings when possible and smoothed ruffled feathers, and overall the festival was a rousing success.
Maverick Spirit awards were presented to actors Sir Ben Kingsley and Jon Polito at ceremonies with engaging discussions by the actors. The inspiring Emmanuel Yeboah, who rode a bicycle across his home country of Ghana to raise awareness of the disabled, was presented with the Maverick Life Award. Young Blanchard Ryan of the hit film "Open Water" was presented with the Emerging Maverick Award. Numerous other awards were presented to filmmakers: there were the Viewers' Voice Awards, given to films that won the most votes from online viewers; the audience awards, given according to surveys filled out at screenings; jury awards; and special Maverick awards as well. Most of the awards were given at the sold-out Closing Night Gala, which was followed by a rousing party.
Cinequest offers us an international, top-ranking film festival right in our back yard. This annual event is an incredible opportunity. You can check out what W. Fred Crow and Ealasaid Haas thought of the films they caught at http://www.ealasaid.com/cineblog/ and catch many of the films, both shorts and features, online at http://www.cinequestonline.org.
Based on a popular Finnish series of novels, "Vares: Private Eye" is a high-octane noir thriller packed to the gills with action. Jussi Vares, the titular private eye, finds himself drawn into a conflict between the Russian mafia and a man on the run when the lovely Eeva gets mixed up in the situation. Eeva is in out of her depth, and Vares wants to help her -- but the case is far from simple, and he must confront the head of local organized crime, a corrupt cop, and a pair of darkly comic psychopaths before he and Eeva can get in the clear. Fans of intense, gritty film noir will not want to miss this film. Sometimes touching, sometimes funny, this is a gritty good time with plenty of blood-spattered action.
Based on a popular Finnish series of novels, "Vares: Private Eye" is a high-octane noir thriller packed to the gills with action. Jussi Vares, the titular private eye, finds himself drawn into a conflict between the Russian mafia and a man on the run when the lovely Eeva gets mixed up in the situation. Eeva is in out of her depth, and Vares wants to help her -- but the case is far from simple, and he must confront the head of local organized crime, a corrupt cop, and a pair of darkly comic psychopaths before he and Eeva can get in the clear. Fans of intense, gritty film noir will not want to miss this film. Sometimes touching, sometimes funny, this is a gritty good time with plenty of blood-spattered action.
Every year, filmmakers gather in cities around the world to receive a genre, character name, prop, and line of dialogue. They then have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film incorporating all those elements. The results are often amazingly good, as this presentation of the best film from each city shows. There are surreal mind-benders, side-splitting comedies, action-packed thrillers, and more here, and having the filmmakers around for a Q&A afterwards was a delight. It's inspiring to see what can be done when the clock is ticking, and the quality of these shorts suggests that pressure really can produce some of the most amazing art around.
Every year, filmmakers gather in cities around the world to receive a genre, character name, prop, and line of dialogue. They then have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film incorporating all those elements. The results are often amazingly good, as this presentation of the best film from each city shows. There are surreal mind-benders, side-splitting comedies, action-packed thrillers, and more here, and having the filmmakers around for a Q&A afterwards was a delight. It's inspiring to see what can be done when the clock is ticking, and the quality of these shorts suggests that pressure really can produce some of the most amazing art around.
Roger, a respectable psychotherapist and dutiful husband, has been seeing a professional dominatrix, Suzanne, for two years. When she quits her job to focus on her artwork, he finds himself in a quandry. Dependent on her services and deeply attached to her emotionally, he longs to be with her in any way he can -- but it's against the rules for a dominant and a client to see each other outside the dungeon. Suzanne is willing to break the rule as well - she's become attached too, and besides, she doesn’t work there any more, so it must be all right. However, as she has reminded Roger in the past, the rules are there for their protection, and seeing each other outside that basement dungeon proves to be far more destructive than either of them would have imagined.
This is a stirring, erotic romance although not one for the faint of heart. Both the writing and the acting are brilliant, and the insight of the filmmakers into the psychology of the S&M world is impressive.
Roger, a respectable psychotherapist and dutiful husband, has been seeing a professional dominatrix, Suzanne, for two years. When she quits her job to focus on her artwork, he finds himself in a quandry. Dependent on her services and deeply attached to her emotionally, he longs to be with her in any way he can -- but it's against the rules for a dominant and a client to see each other outside the dungeon. Suzanne is willing to break the rule as well - she's become attached too, and besides, she doesn’t work there any more, so it must be all right. However, as she has reminded Roger in the past, the rules are there for their protection, and seeing each other outside that basement dungeon proves to be far more destructive than either of them would have imagined.
This is a stirring, erotic romance although not one for the faint of heart. Both the writing and the acting are brilliant, and the insight of the filmmakers into the psychology of the S&M world is impressive.
Danny is a tough guy, the son of a leader in Vancouver's Croation mafia. He makes a deathbed promise to his old man to take the family legit, but finds that is far more difficult than he expected. There's a mole in his organization, and the big delivery he needs to make to make the family into an honest business keeps getting ruined. Worse, a chance encounter awakens in him the desire to dress up in women's clothing. A wild infatuation with a hooker who is willing to indulge him turns sour and he winds up being blackmailed.
He is determined to keep his promise to his father and also save face, but that's going to be a lot harder than he thinks. This edgy thriller/romance noir is a gender-bending head trip and not to be missed by anyone intrigued by the cross-genre concept.
Danny is a tough guy, the son of a leader in Vancouver's Croation mafia. He makes a deathbed promise to his old man to take the family legit, but finds that is far more difficult than he expected. There's a mole in his organization, and the big delivery he needs to make to make the family into an honest business keeps getting ruined. Worse, a chance encounter awakens in him the desire to dress up in women's clothing. A wild infatuation with a hooker who is willing to indulge him turns sour and he winds up being blackmailed.
He is determined to keep his promise to his father and also save face, but that's going to be a lot harder than he thinks. This edgy thriller/romance noir is a gender-bending head trip and not to be missed by anyone intrigued by the cross-genre concept.
You've seen actor Stephen Tobolowsky in something. You may not be able to place him right away, but his face will be familiar. He's been in about 150 films and TV shows so far, including "Freaky Friday," "Adaptation," "Memento," "Groundhog Day," and "Basic Instinct." His friends, we learn from this film, know him as a great teller of stories -- both sweetly touching and laugh-out-loud funny. Director Robert Brinkmann gives us a view of his good friend that most folks don't get to see, following Stephen around on his birthday as he goes for a walk, gets food ready for his party, and finally hosts his own birthday party. He is constantly telling stories, some just to the camera, others for the large and appreciative audience of friends and family at his party. Short interviews with folks who know him are interwoven with the stories so that we get a real feel for what it must be like to know this hardworking actor and teller of tales. This is a fantastic documentary, at once touching, hilarious, and utterly wonderful.
You've seen actor Stephen Tobolowsky in something. You may not be able to place him right away, but his face will be familiar. He's been in about 150 films and TV shows so far, including "Freaky Friday," "Adaptation," "Memento," "Groundhog Day," and "Basic Instinct." His friends, we learn from this film, know him as a great teller of stories -- both sweetly touching and laugh-out-loud funny. Director Robert Brinkmann gives us a view of his good friend that most folks don't get to see, following Stephen around on his birthday as he goes for a walk, gets food ready for his party, and finally hosts his own birthday party. He is constantly telling stories, some just to the camera, others for the large and appreciative audience of friends and family at his party. Short interviews with folks who know him are interwoven with the stories so that we get a real feel for what it must be like to know this hardworking actor and teller of tales. This is a fantastic documentary, at once touching, hilarious, and utterly wonderful.
Although not as Maverick as many of the films at Cinequest, "Side Effects" is a scathing look at the pharmaceutical industry from the inside. Written and directed by Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, a former pharmaceutical sales representative, this film gives us an inside look at how the sales end of the industry works.
Young, perky Karly is recruited to be a pharmaceutical sales rep in spite of the fact that she knows nothing about science: she's a good salesperson, and that what counts. Initially distressed by the manipulation, twisting of facts, and outright bribery of her profession, she decides to quit -- but not before going out with a bang. Karly starts telling all her doctor clients the unvarnished truth, and her sales soar. Faced with the prospect of leaving a successful career behind, she finds herself torn between her ethics (and those of Zack, her beloved boyfriend) and her company car and big bonuses. Some of the plot points are fairly standard, but this is a fascinating and insightful look at the problems with the industry that is responsible for protecting the lives of people across the nation.
Although not as Maverick as many of the films at Cinequest, "Side Effects" is a scathing look at the pharmaceutical industry from the inside. Written and directed by Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, a former pharmaceutical sales representative, this film gives us an inside look at how the sales end of the industry works.
Young, perky Karly is recruited to be a pharmaceutical sales rep in spite of the fact that she knows nothing about science: she's a good salesperson, and that what counts. Initially distressed by the manipulation, twisting of facts, and outright bribery of her profession, she decides to quit -- but not before going out with a bang. Karly starts telling all her doctor clients the unvarnished truth, and her sales soar. Faced with the prospect of leaving a successful career behind, she finds herself torn between her ethics (and those of Zack, her beloved boyfriend) and her company car and big bonuses. Some of the plot points are fairly standard, but this is a fascinating and insightful look at the problems with the industry that is responsible for protecting the lives of people across the nation.
Flavia, a schoolteacher as well as a dutiful wife and mother, seems to be an ideal citizen. She is beloved by her students, looks after her baby daughter with gentleness, and doesn't nag her husband, even when he ignores her in favor of his work and computer games. When Flavia meets the young and beautiful singer Yip, however, a part of her that has been dormant since college reawakens and she must force herself to choose between what society and her husband want of her and what she wants for herself.
Flavia finds herself awash in memories from college, when she lived with her girlfriend, Jin, and the two of them were active in political causes and participated in numerous protests. Their relationship didn't end well, however, and Flavia is hesitant to embrace the love she feels with Yip out of fear that history will repeat itself. Plus, of course, she has her husband and child to consider. This lyrical, beautiful film is a quiet examination of a woman who must choose whether or not to weather the storms necessary to live honestly and in happiness.
Flavia, a schoolteacher as well as a dutiful wife and mother, seems to be an ideal citizen. She is beloved by her students, looks after her baby daughter with gentleness, and doesn't nag her husband, even when he ignores her in favor of his work and computer games. When Flavia meets the young and beautiful singer Yip, however, a part of her that has been dormant since college reawakens and she must force herself to choose between what society and her husband want of her and what she wants for herself.
Flavia finds herself awash in memories from college, when she lived with her girlfriend, Jin, and the two of them were active in political causes and participated in numerous protests. Their relationship didn't end well, however, and Flavia is hesitant to embrace the love she feels with Yip out of fear that history will repeat itself. Plus, of course, she has her husband and child to consider. This lyrical, beautiful film is a quiet examination of a woman who must choose whether or not to weather the storms necessary to live honestly and in happiness.
The film that has a great idea but doesn't quite pull it off is almost a genre unto itself, and "Dark Arc" exemplifies that genre. It seems to have been envisioned as an examination of visual arts and their effects on the viewer as well as a commentary on the way the elite manipulate the simpler, lower class. Unfortunately, it largely comes across as dull, plodding, and unutterably pretentious.
The characters all speak like teenagers emulating Byron, the lead actor has exactly two expressions and speaks in a monotone, and the background music is full of doom and gloom - violins, organs, and the like. Although visually, "Dark Arc" is stunning and it is an excellent subject for analysis and discussion, if you're not a student of film or art philosophy, you are best advised to stay away.
The film that has a great idea but doesn't quite pull it off is almost a genre unto itself, and "Dark Arc" exemplifies that genre. It seems to have been envisioned as an examination of visual arts and their effects on the viewer as well as a commentary on the way the elite manipulate the simpler, lower class. Unfortunately, it largely comes across as dull, plodding, and unutterably pretentious.
The characters all speak like teenagers emulating Byron, the lead actor has exactly two expressions and speaks in a monotone, and the background music is full of doom and gloom - violins, organs, and the like. Although visually, "Dark Arc" is stunning and it is an excellent subject for analysis and discussion, if you're not a student of film or art philosophy, you are best advised to stay away.
Repossessing cars for a living isn't exactly an easy job. Rick starts the day off trying to repo a car from a notorious martial artist nicknamed "the Monk." Rick's partner, an old-timer who goes by "The Colonel," is almost as much of a hindrance as a help, but the two manage to pull it off. Unfortunately, they also pull off a later repo job... only to find a major league pitcher, Jim, in the trunk with only three days before he has to pitch in the World Series. On the run from the mob, stuck with Jim, and determined to somehow come out on top in all the craziness, Rick and the Colonel are in out of their depth. This is a charming and very well-made action comedy which definitely deserves a wider distribution.
Shows 3/10, 7:00 pm (California Theater); 3/12, 7:15 pm (California Theater); and 3/13, 4:30 pm (Camera 12).
Repossessing cars for a living isn't exactly an easy job. Rick starts the day off trying to repo a car from a notorious martial artist nicknamed "the Monk." Rick's partner, an old-timer who goes by "The Colonel," is almost as much of a hindrance as a help, but the two manage to pull it off. Unfortunately, they also pull off a later repo job... only to find a major league pitcher, Jim, in the trunk with only three days before he has to pitch in the World Series. On the run from the mob, stuck with Jim, and determined to somehow come out on top in all the craziness, Rick and the Colonel are in out of their depth. This is a charming and very well-made action comedy which definitely deserves a wider distribution.
Shows 3/10, 7:00 pm (California Theater); 3/12, 7:15 pm (California Theater); and 3/13, 4:30 pm (Camera 12).
This is an odd collection of short films and a difficult one to review. There's the creepy coming-of-age tale "La Cabra;" the romantic but eccentric "Lift" starring Dominique Penon (familiar to fans of French movies); the delightful "On a Train;" the beautiful but peculiar "The Perpetual Twilight of Gregot Black;" the unsettling but ultimately sweet "While the Widow is Away," and more. These are definitely enjoyable films, but they also aren't quite what you might expect. "Dark, Dangerous, and Delightful" is a perfect title for this program, as all the shorts it features can be described by at least one of those three adjectives.
3/9, 7:00 pm (Camera 12) and 3/10, 9:15 pm (Camera 12)
This is an odd collection of short films and a difficult one to review. There's the creepy coming-of-age tale "La Cabra;" the romantic but eccentric "Lift" starring Dominique Penon (familiar to fans of French movies); the delightful "On a Train;" the beautiful but peculiar "The Perpetual Twilight of Gregot Black;" the unsettling but ultimately sweet "While the Widow is Away," and more. These are definitely enjoyable films, but they also aren't quite what you might expect. "Dark, Dangerous, and Delightful" is a perfect title for this program, as all the shorts it features can be described by at least one of those three adjectives.
3/9, 7:00 pm (Camera 12) and 3/10, 9:15 pm (Camera 12)
A curmudgeon, the dictionary tells us, is an ill-tempered person full of resentment. Filmmaker Alan Zweig has been pretty bitter and curmudgeonly for a long time, and this documentary is a record of his attempt to not only define what a curmudgeon is in modern society but give curmudgeons a chance to speak up in their own company. The result is an odd string of interviews that are at times hilarious and at times more than a little sad. One gets the sense that most curmudgeons are optimists who have been disappointed a few too many times and lowered their expectations again and again in an attempt to not be disappointed again. Of course, that doesn’t work very well.
The only problem with "I, Curmudgeon" is that it's a little too long and doesn't really come to a sense of resolution. Well, and if you aren't a curmudgeon yourself, you may find it not to your taste. More than a couple people left during the showing this viewer attended, apparently overcome by the tide of negativity coming from the screen. Still, it's an interesting collection with some very witty people spouting off about their dissatisfaction with the world.
Showing with "How to be a Hollywood Player in Less than 10 Minutes," a bitingly funny and very meta take on Hollywood.
Shows 3/6, 6:30 pm (University Theater) and 3/8, 9:15 pm (Camera 12)
A curmudgeon, the dictionary tells us, is an ill-tempered person full of resentment. Filmmaker Alan Zweig has been pretty bitter and curmudgeonly for a long time, and this documentary is a record of his attempt to not only define what a curmudgeon is in modern society but give curmudgeons a chance to speak up in their own company. The result is an odd string of interviews that are at times hilarious and at times more than a little sad. One gets the sense that most curmudgeons are optimists who have been disappointed a few too many times and lowered their expectations again and again in an attempt to not be disappointed again. Of course, that doesn’t work very well.
The only problem with "I, Curmudgeon" is that it's a little too long and doesn't really come to a sense of resolution. Well, and if you aren't a curmudgeon yourself, you may find it not to your taste. More than a couple people left during the showing this viewer attended, apparently overcome by the tide of negativity coming from the screen. Still, it's an interesting collection with some very witty people spouting off about their dissatisfaction with the world.
Showing with "How to be a Hollywood Player in Less than 10 Minutes," a bitingly funny and very meta take on Hollywood.
Shows 3/6, 6:30 pm (University Theater) and 3/8, 9:15 pm (Camera 12)
Victor is sick of his job. It's not that they don't pay him well, because they do. But his boss is a horrible person, his coworkers are annoying, and when the office relocates one floor down, his desk is moved into the bathroom. He ought to be grateful, one of his coworkers tells him. He has all that space, while she's stuck back in a cubicle. Victor tries to resign, but that turns out to be a lot more complicated that you might expect. Meanwhile, he's struck up a friendship with building handywoman Eve as well as with the enigmatic and eccentric owner of the company (and the building), Mr. M. By turns achingly funny and wistful, this is a fable about being true to yourself in the face of the monolithic corporate world.
Screening with "Cog," a peculiar short about the daily repetition in suburban life.
Shows 3/8, 7:15 p.m. (University Theater); 3/9, 9:15 p.m. (University Theater); and 3/11, 11:59 p.m. (Camera 12).
Victor is sick of his job. It's not that they don't pay him well, because they do. But his boss is a horrible person, his coworkers are annoying, and when the office relocates one floor down, his desk is moved into the bathroom. He ought to be grateful, one of his coworkers tells him. He has all that space, while she's stuck back in a cubicle. Victor tries to resign, but that turns out to be a lot more complicated that you might expect. Meanwhile, he's struck up a friendship with building handywoman Eve as well as with the enigmatic and eccentric owner of the company (and the building), Mr. M. By turns achingly funny and wistful, this is a fable about being true to yourself in the face of the monolithic corporate world.
Screening with "Cog," a peculiar short about the daily repetition in suburban life.
Shows 3/8, 7:15 p.m. (University Theater); 3/9, 9:15 p.m. (University Theater); and 3/11, 11:59 p.m. (Camera 12).
In 1987, then-mayor Tom McEnery commissioned a statue of Captain Thomas Fallon to commemorate the man's raising of the American flag in San Jose during the Mexican-American War. The statue was built, but before it could be placed on the triangular island north of a major city park, protests put the project on hold. The statue was warehoused, and didn't see the light of day until 2002, when the process of getting it situated where the public could see it set off another round of protests. The protesters call Fallon a murderer and say the land was stolen by the United States, but historians say not a single shot was fired and that many of the locals were dissatisfied with the Mexican government at the time.
Director Erin McEnery, Tom's daughter, has made a documentary examining the conflict over the statue. The issue is clearly still a sore spot - protesters up the day of the film's premier at Cinequest to hold their anti-Fallon signs and distribute leaflets. This is a fascinating look at a controversey many people -- even residents of San Jose -- aren't at all aware of.
Screens with "The Chick Magnet," a locally-made short about a guy who develops an abnormally strong attraction to women after a moment of confusion in his lab.
Shows 3/5, 3:15 pm (San Jose Rep) and 3/7, 9:30 pm (Camera 12).
In 1987, then-mayor Tom McEnery commissioned a statue of Captain Thomas Fallon to commemorate the man's raising of the American flag in San Jose during the Mexican-American War. The statue was built, but before it could be placed on the triangular island north of a major city park, protests put the project on hold. The statue was warehoused, and didn't see the light of day until 2002, when the process of getting it situated where the public could see it set off another round of protests. The protesters call Fallon a murderer and say the land was stolen by the United States, but historians say not a single shot was fired and that many of the locals were dissatisfied with the Mexican government at the time.
Director Erin McEnery, Tom's daughter, has made a documentary examining the conflict over the statue. The issue is clearly still a sore spot - protesters up the day of the film's premier at Cinequest to hold their anti-Fallon signs and distribute leaflets. This is a fascinating look at a controversey many people -- even residents of San Jose -- aren't at all aware of.
Screens with "The Chick Magnet," a locally-made short about a guy who develops an abnormally strong attraction to women after a moment of confusion in his lab.
Shows 3/5, 3:15 pm (San Jose Rep) and 3/7, 9:30 pm (Camera 12).
This is a delightful, odd, and sometimes touching collection of shorts. The one thing they have in common is that they are animated – some are classic claymation, others are strange digital creations, yet others are regular cartoons. There's the brilliant piece "9," a sort of post-apocalyptic adventure story in which a strange little creature goes up against a terrifying monster. "Guard Dog" presents a dog determined to protect his master from even the most dangerous foes to be found on a walk through the park. A famous philosopher sings and dances in "Spirit of Gravity," while the extremely peculiar "Egg" presents an odd reworking of "Moby Dick." Another famous literary work is redone in "Oedipus" and the damsel in distress fable is re-envisioned in "Ritterschlag." The others are also unusual and beautiful to look at. This is a program to catch if you like animation of just about any kind.
Shows 3/5, 12:30 pm (Camera 12) and 3/7, 7:00 pm (Camera 12)
This is a delightful, odd, and sometimes touching collection of shorts. The one thing they have in common is that they are animated – some are classic claymation, others are strange digital creations, yet others are regular cartoons. There's the brilliant piece "9," a sort of post-apocalyptic adventure story in which a strange little creature goes up against a terrifying monster. "Guard Dog" presents a dog determined to protect his master from even the most dangerous foes to be found on a walk through the park. A famous philosopher sings and dances in "Spirit of Gravity," while the extremely peculiar "Egg" presents an odd reworking of "Moby Dick." Another famous literary work is redone in "Oedipus" and the damsel in distress fable is re-envisioned in "Ritterschlag." The others are also unusual and beautiful to look at. This is a program to catch if you like animation of just about any kind.
Shows 3/5, 12:30 pm (Camera 12) and 3/7, 7:00 pm (Camera 12)
Writers/Directors: Eli Despres, Kim Roberts
Cast: Jeanette Brox, Megan Henning, Ali Humiston, James Morrison
“Wilderness Survival for Girls” is an edgy repast of great, great scenery, modest acting, and a tight and griping script. Three teen girls seemingly with little in common, go up to a cabin in the wilderness to discover themselves but end up discovering an intruder. Wild imaginations and personal fears generate unrealistic thinking that ends in a chilling climax. Actually, the chilling part is after the climax. But I’d have to reveal the story to explain and I don’t do that. An interesting, intelligent film worthy of a better title.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Writers/Directors: Eli Despres, Kim Roberts
Cast: Jeanette Brox, Megan Henning, Ali Humiston, James Morrison
“Wilderness Survival for Girls” is an edgy repast of great, great scenery, modest acting, and a tight and griping script. Three teen girls seemingly with little in common, go up to a cabin in the wilderness to discover themselves but end up discovering an intruder. Wild imaginations and personal fears generate unrealistic thinking that ends in a chilling climax. Actually, the chilling part is after the climax. But I’d have to reveal the story to explain and I don’t do that. An interesting, intelligent film worthy of a better title.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Bruce McDonald
Writer: A. Fraser
Cast: Joely Collins, Hugh Dillon, Ben Bass
United States Premiere
Take a bit of lunacy, mix in a smattering of Pulp Fiction, add lessons from Over The Top Acting 101 and you have "The Love Crimes of Gillian Guess." Surrealistic and camp, this film flopped with me. Not that it didn’t try.
Gillian Guess will do anything for a fix at fame. Even to sleeping with an accused murderer where she’s on the Jury. She then battles wits with a Jerry Springer wanna-be and things go down hill from there. Fame comes at a price and she’s willing to ante up.
The one bright spot for me was meeting young Jessica Amlee (played young Gillian). This little trouper carried her scene whenever she was on screen. She has a great future in celluloid – if she wants it.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Bruce McDonald
Writer: A. Fraser
Cast: Joely Collins, Hugh Dillon, Ben Bass
United States Premiere
Take a bit of lunacy, mix in a smattering of Pulp Fiction, add lessons from Over The Top Acting 101 and you have "The Love Crimes of Gillian Guess." Surrealistic and camp, this film flopped with me. Not that it didn’t try.
Gillian Guess will do anything for a fix at fame. Even to sleeping with an accused murderer where she’s on the Jury. She then battles wits with a Jerry Springer wanna-be and things go down hill from there. Fame comes at a price and she’s willing to ante up.
The one bright spot for me was meeting young Jessica Amlee (played young Gillian). This little trouper carried her scene whenever she was on screen. She has a great future in celluloid – if she wants it.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Writer/Director: David Beaird
Cast: Patrick Warburton, Marie Matiko
“The Civilization of Maxwell Bright” is a film you want to hate, but end up enjoying. The opening is over the top with male chauvinism and violence bravado that I wanted to bop the Maxwell Bright character into unconsciousness. He’s a pig, a prig, rude, crude, and a waste of human flesh. Enter his mail-order bride, Mai Ling, and his studied world of male domination changes as he learns about himself and the world around him. It’s almost as if there were two films. The first half hard to accept, the second half, endearing, compelling, and touching. Warburton is masterful as the dominating b$%^&*d. However, stealing stardom from the entire film is Marie Matiko. She was masterful in grace, a joy to watch, and serene to follow. She keeps her commitment for better or worse, and not much could be worse than being married to Maxwell Bright. The gentle spirited Mai Ling helps bitter and torn Maxwell Bright through some very difficult times. Extremely touching conclusion. Note: The opening was so repulsing that I almost bailed. I’m glad I stayed through to the end. I was rewarded with a solid feature.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Writer/Director: David Beaird
Cast: Patrick Warburton, Marie Matiko
“The Civilization of Maxwell Bright” is a film you want to hate, but end up enjoying. The opening is over the top with male chauvinism and violence bravado that I wanted to bop the Maxwell Bright character into unconsciousness. He’s a pig, a prig, rude, crude, and a waste of human flesh. Enter his mail-order bride, Mai Ling, and his studied world of male domination changes as he learns about himself and the world around him. It’s almost as if there were two films. The first half hard to accept, the second half, endearing, compelling, and touching. Warburton is masterful as the dominating b$%^&*d. However, stealing stardom from the entire film is Marie Matiko. She was masterful in grace, a joy to watch, and serene to follow. She keeps her commitment for better or worse, and not much could be worse than being married to Maxwell Bright. The gentle spirited Mai Ling helps bitter and torn Maxwell Bright through some very difficult times. Extremely touching conclusion. Note: The opening was so repulsing that I almost bailed. I’m glad I stayed through to the end. I was rewarded with a solid feature.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: James Ricardo
Writer: James Ricardo
Cast: James Ricardo, April Wade, Ute Werner, Jesselynn Desmond, Samantha Turk, Mark Wood
World Premiere
”Sunnyvale” held no appeal for me. I gained nothing from its showing.
A whining loser with the wilted personality of the manically depressed robot, Marvin, from “Hitchhikers guide to the Universe,” Ricardo lives off his uncle, lives on junk food, and thrives on porn. Lost in this milieu of drugs, sex, and stupidity are three women who enter his life, the effort being painfully droll. I found the film to be slow and uninspired. The “popping” from scene to scene became too much very quickly. “POW!” let’s go here – POW! Let’s take the audience there…snap black snap black snap black. It was a treatment of transitions from hell. But then, I'm only one insignificant voice of no consequence garbled over the muddled waters of film. See it at your own peril.
Rating: 1 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: James Ricardo
Writer: James Ricardo
Cast: James Ricardo, April Wade, Ute Werner, Jesselynn Desmond, Samantha Turk, Mark Wood
World Premiere
”Sunnyvale” held no appeal for me. I gained nothing from its showing.
A whining loser with the wilted personality of the manically depressed robot, Marvin, from “Hitchhikers guide to the Universe,” Ricardo lives off his uncle, lives on junk food, and thrives on porn. Lost in this milieu of drugs, sex, and stupidity are three women who enter his life, the effort being painfully droll. I found the film to be slow and uninspired. The “popping” from scene to scene became too much very quickly. “POW!” let’s go here – POW! Let’s take the audience there…snap black snap black snap black. It was a treatment of transitions from hell. But then, I'm only one insignificant voice of no consequence garbled over the muddled waters of film. See it at your own peril.
Rating: 1 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau
Writer: Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Lucian McAfee, Dorian DeMichele, Dave Durbin, Temeceka Harris
World Premiere
Better Living through chemical engineering
“Side Effects,” a thoroughly enjoyable film, start to finish. A biting piece covered with touching warmth and humor and a feel good essence. Drug dealer Larley Hert – make that, pharmaceutical sales person Karley Hert struggles between making it big and making her life happy. She opts for the former only to find that she really wants the latter. “Side Effects” is a film about doing the right thing at the right time. Along the way we’re treated to a slipping satire against the worlds biggest drug dealers – the legal manufacturer.
Katherine Heigl was wonderful as Karley. She held the camera when on screen and we missed her when she was off screen. There was chemistry between Heigl and Lucian McAfee (playing Zack). McAfee stayed focused on the simple things of life, while Karley was discentered by easy money and even easier success – all of which comes at a price.
“Side Effects” is a good show, solid, and worth the visit to the theater.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau
Writer: Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Lucian McAfee, Dorian DeMichele, Dave Durbin, Temeceka Harris
World Premiere
Better Living through chemical engineering
“Side Effects,” a thoroughly enjoyable film, start to finish. A biting piece covered with touching warmth and humor and a feel good essence. Drug dealer Larley Hert – make that, pharmaceutical sales person Karley Hert struggles between making it big and making her life happy. She opts for the former only to find that she really wants the latter. “Side Effects” is a film about doing the right thing at the right time. Along the way we’re treated to a slipping satire against the worlds biggest drug dealers – the legal manufacturer.
Katherine Heigl was wonderful as Karley. She held the camera when on screen and we missed her when she was off screen. There was chemistry between Heigl and Lucian McAfee (playing Zack). McAfee stayed focused on the simple things of life, while Karley was discentered by easy money and even easier success – all of which comes at a price.
“Side Effects” is a good show, solid, and worth the visit to the theater.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Annette Sjursen
Writer: Lars Saabye Christensen, Annette Sjursen
Cast: Bjorn Sundquist, Gard Eidsvold, Hildegun Riise
Country: Norway
Closing Cinequest 2005 is the warm hearted and gentle spirited film, “My Jealous Barber,” a quiet comedy peopled with interesting and quirky folk. After ten years with the same barber – and the same hair style – a young fellow strays to another barber. He goes to a stylist. And the new girl in town likes the new look. She then becomes the “other woman” to the barber as the relationship between barber and customer is almost matrimonial. Brrrrr. Bent, the hair client, was pleasant enough, oafish and insecure. Frank, the former boxer, is a tough and tumble fellow who quickly takes umbrage with any who would separate him from his last customer. Susie’s a bit of ditz and takes a liking to Bent.
The story carried an interesting tone. Quiet with subliminal humor. The laughs were knowing nods and smiles. Nothing out loud. The cinematography adept, but the pace/tempo a tad slow. A pleasant experience without expectation. A nice date movie.
English Subtitles
Rating: 3 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Annette Sjursen
Writer: Lars Saabye Christensen, Annette Sjursen
Cast: Bjorn Sundquist, Gard Eidsvold, Hildegun Riise
Country: Norway
Closing Cinequest 2005 is the warm hearted and gentle spirited film, “My Jealous Barber,” a quiet comedy peopled with interesting and quirky folk. After ten years with the same barber – and the same hair style – a young fellow strays to another barber. He goes to a stylist. And the new girl in town likes the new look. She then becomes the “other woman” to the barber as the relationship between barber and customer is almost matrimonial. Brrrrr. Bent, the hair client, was pleasant enough, oafish and insecure. Frank, the former boxer, is a tough and tumble fellow who quickly takes umbrage with any who would separate him from his last customer. Susie’s a bit of ditz and takes a liking to Bent.
The story carried an interesting tone. Quiet with subliminal humor. The laughs were knowing nods and smiles. Nothing out loud. The cinematography adept, but the pace/tempo a tad slow. A pleasant experience without expectation. A nice date movie.
English Subtitles
Rating: 3 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Bill Day
Cast: Mike Foster, Craig Gross, Jimmy D
World Premiere
"Missionary Position" thankfully isn't what you're thinking. The playful title is generated to grab attention. The story is of two ministers who hear a voice saying "porn." They link together a program to draw attention to the plight of those conscripted into porn use, with the intention of offering them an alternative and freedom from porn. The documentary covers two years of pressing their attempts to help others escape the addiction of porn studies.
The film was well organized and played well to their theme. There were times of doubt and depression. There were times of expectation and accomplishment. The film worked in entertaining and in educating.
A good job.
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Bill Day
Cast: Mike Foster, Craig Gross, Jimmy D
World Premiere
"Missionary Position" thankfully isn't what you're thinking. The playful title is generated to grab attention. The story is of two ministers who hear a voice saying "porn." They link together a program to draw attention to the plight of those conscripted into porn use, with the intention of offering them an alternative and freedom from porn. The documentary covers two years of pressing their attempts to help others escape the addiction of porn studies.
The film was well organized and played well to their theme. There were times of doubt and depression. There were times of expectation and accomplishment. The film worked in entertaining and in educating.
A good job.
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Anayansi Prado
Cast: Judith, Telma and Eva
Language: Spanish, English
World Premiere
"Maid in America" is a documentary that highlights the American experiences of three domestic workers; Judith, Telma, and Eva. The work is relentless. The work is personally demanding. The work also keeps them away from their loved ones.
The film, as a documentary was fine. Good transitions, good editing. However, the film came with a bias touching only the neutral to negative impacts of being a domestic in America. The focus was gentle but relentless, consistently pointing toward a statement of propaganda..."The workers are being exploited - Change US policy. Stop the suffering, the inequity." I was looking for the story of the maids, not politics. I was seeking to understand the ladies, not be involved in agendas.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Anayansi Prado
Cast: Judith, Telma and Eva
Language: Spanish, English
World Premiere
"Maid in America" is a documentary that highlights the American experiences of three domestic workers; Judith, Telma, and Eva. The work is relentless. The work is personally demanding. The work also keeps them away from their loved ones.
The film, as a documentary was fine. Good transitions, good editing. However, the film came with a bias touching only the neutral to negative impacts of being a domestic in America. The focus was gentle but relentless, consistently pointing toward a statement of propaganda..."The workers are being exploited - Change US policy. Stop the suffering, the inequity." I was looking for the story of the maids, not politics. I was seeking to understand the ladies, not be involved in agendas.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Jonathon E. Stewart & Phil Thurman
Writer: Bobby Field, Motrya Tomycz
Cast: Bobby Field, Clare Kramer, Jennifer Aspen, Colin Ferguson, Joel Michaely
"Guy in Row Five" is a comedy about an annoying guy who cannot read reality. His landing a bit role on a TV mega-hit series causes him to see things larger in his life than he can support. He's so sure his audition has been accepted and that he's going to be added to the cast, he has camera and sound crew follow him around to record his last day in anonymity.
I found the film too loose, the script a bit sophomoric, and the presentation a tad undisciplined. Other than the obvious self-focused Thess, with the myopic glasses, the characters were left undeveloped, at least, until the last 20 minutes. Then we see the meat and soul of the two leads. Bee-keeper?! Felt like an inside joke. The nude scene was gratuitous and unnecessary. It was distracting more than helping. If it were being used to create conflict with Rose, this was also left undone. As a friend once suggested - the film didn't float my boat.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Jonathon E. Stewart & Phil Thurman
Writer: Bobby Field, Motrya Tomycz
Cast: Bobby Field, Clare Kramer, Jennifer Aspen, Colin Ferguson, Joel Michaely
"Guy in Row Five" is a comedy about an annoying guy who cannot read reality. His landing a bit role on a TV mega-hit series causes him to see things larger in his life than he can support. He's so sure his audition has been accepted and that he's going to be added to the cast, he has camera and sound crew follow him around to record his last day in anonymity.
I found the film too loose, the script a bit sophomoric, and the presentation a tad undisciplined. Other than the obvious self-focused Thess, with the myopic glasses, the characters were left undeveloped, at least, until the last 20 minutes. Then we see the meat and soul of the two leads. Bee-keeper?! Felt like an inside joke. The nude scene was gratuitous and unnecessary. It was distracting more than helping. If it were being used to create conflict with Rose, this was also left undone. As a friend once suggested - the film didn't float my boat.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Lisa Lax, Nancy Stern
Cast: Narrated by Oprah Winfrey
"Emmanuel’s Gift" is a most compelling story of courage and determination.Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's story is told in documentary form. He's a Ghanaian who rises above his disabilities - which include poverty and nonexistent personal opportunities. The filming could be better, but who cares. The story carries all the power to the screen.
Emmanuel received A Maverick Achievement Award at the festival
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Lisa Lax, Nancy Stern
Cast: Narrated by Oprah Winfrey
"Emmanuel’s Gift" is a most compelling story of courage and determination.Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's story is told in documentary form. He's a Ghanaian who rises above his disabilities - which include poverty and nonexistent personal opportunities. The filming could be better, but who cares. The story carries all the power to the screen.
Emmanuel received A Maverick Achievement Award at the festival
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Writer/Director: Scott Smith
Cast: Cory McAbee, Joe Mazza, D. Michael Kane
Entertaining cameo by Jon Polito
World Premiere
"Charlie the Ox" is a locally filmed frolic of 'Good' Bad guys winning out over the 'Bad' Bad guys. It's a story of a big hearted, slow witted criminal who takes offense at not being asked to pull a significant heist. When taken for a ride and left out of the next big score, he plots revenge in his own slow way.
Corfy McAbee (Charlie) has a pleasant screen presence that causes the viewer to root for the underdog. His connectable. You want him to win -ummm, be the successful good Bad guy. Jahnika Blythe enters the fray as Teesha. She has three jobs and goal. Somehow these two get together - exactly how may have ended up on the cutting room floor. They lacked chemestry. The rest of the cast filled their parts nicely. Jon Polito does a couple of cameo scenes.
The story and filming and the overall effect was nice.
rating: 3 feathers out of 5
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Writer/Director: Scott Smith
Cast: Cory McAbee, Joe Mazza, D. Michael Kane
Entertaining cameo by Jon Polito
World Premiere
"Charlie the Ox" is a locally filmed frolic of 'Good' Bad guys winning out over the 'Bad' Bad guys. It's a story of a big hearted, slow witted criminal who takes offense at not being asked to pull a significant heist. When taken for a ride and left out of the next big score, he plots revenge in his own slow way.
Corfy McAbee (Charlie) has a pleasant screen presence that causes the viewer to root for the underdog. His connectable. You want him to win -ummm, be the successful good Bad guy. Jahnika Blythe enters the fray as Teesha. She has three jobs and goal. Somehow these two get together - exactly how may have ended up on the cutting room floor. They lacked chemestry. The rest of the cast filled their parts nicely. Jon Polito does a couple of cameo scenes.
The story and filming and the overall effect was nice.
rating: 3 feathers out of 5
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Nyla Adams, Laurie Trombley
"Amazing Grace: Jeff Buckley" is a documentary on the life and sounds of the singer. Buckley was a man dedicated to creating music for others. Not the media, not the moguls, not the corporations. Hence, he wasn't well known in the US. This was my first experience hearing his work, seeing him perform. His is not my style, but the film was evokative and compelling. The darkness of the film added to the edgy "out there" feeling of the performer. It's a competent treatment on Buckley's life, what motivated him, and what made him.
Rating: 3 out of 5 feathers
W. fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: Nyla Adams, Laurie Trombley
"Amazing Grace: Jeff Buckley" is a documentary on the life and sounds of the singer. Buckley was a man dedicated to creating music for others. Not the media, not the moguls, not the corporations. Hence, he wasn't well known in the US. This was my first experience hearing his work, seeing him perform. His is not my style, but the film was evokative and compelling. The darkness of the film added to the edgy "out there" feeling of the performer. It's a competent treatment on Buckley's life, what motivated him, and what made him.
Rating: 3 out of 5 feathers
W. fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: José Roberto Torero
Writer: José Roberto Torero, Luiz Moura
"Manual for Love Stories" is a comedic farce. The film is basically a an instructional narration, with acted examples, of how to film a love story; including rewinds, retakes, cuts, on screen edits, and a false ending. The narration, in Brazilian with subtitles, is a lot of fun poking fun at the genre of making love story movies. The tongue in cheek strerotypes are everywhere and embraced.
The story is quite good and simple. The acting was okay. The filming was a bit ragged. However, the story carried the audience past that speed bump leaving a wonderful experience.
Rating: 4 out of 5 feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
Director: José Roberto Torero
Writer: José Roberto Torero, Luiz Moura
"Manual for Love Stories" is a comedic farce. The film is basically a an instructional narration, with acted examples, of how to film a love story; including rewinds, retakes, cuts, on screen edits, and a false ending. The narration, in Brazilian with subtitles, is a lot of fun poking fun at the genre of making love story movies. The tongue in cheek strerotypes are everywhere and embraced.
The story is quite good and simple. The acting was okay. The filming was a bit ragged. However, the story carried the audience past that speed bump leaving a wonderful experience.
Rating: 4 out of 5 feathers
W. Fred Crow
ANG Newspapers
This unusual collection of shorts has everything from documentary to action, and gives us a look at people in a variety of cultures. There's "Mujaan," a documentary about the building of a Mongolian yurt. "Fallen Angels" is a strange action piece with guns and swords made in reaction to the limitations placed on on-screen violence in film school. "Skinning" and "The Eyes" bring us tragedy from different viewpoints, while "Helmut" is a surreal comedy. "Little Terrorist" manages to be at once frightening and funny as it follows a boy who mistakenly crosses over from Pakistan into India. The gem of the batch is "Detective Q," a mockumentary about a detective with an unusual gift that is as annoying as it is useful.
Shows 3/6, 9:45 pm (Camera 12) and 3/8, 5:00 pm (Camera 12).
This unusual collection of shorts has everything from documentary to action, and gives us a look at people in a variety of cultures. There's "Mujaan," a documentary about the building of a Mongolian yurt. "Fallen Angels" is a strange action piece with guns and swords made in reaction to the limitations placed on on-screen violence in film school. "Skinning" and "The Eyes" bring us tragedy from different viewpoints, while "Helmut" is a surreal comedy. "Little Terrorist" manages to be at once frightening and funny as it follows a boy who mistakenly crosses over from Pakistan into India. The gem of the batch is "Detective Q," a mockumentary about a detective with an unusual gift that is as annoying as it is useful.
Shows 3/6, 9:45 pm (Camera 12) and 3/8, 5:00 pm (Camera 12).
This collection of shorts includes some real gems. "The Adventures of Big Handsome Guy and His Little Friend" is a delightful look at the friendship between the Big Guy, who gets all the chicks, and his Little Friend, who is constantly in his shadow. When Little Friend has had it, he lets loose -- with unexpected results. "Cut & Run" gives us Delmer, a rough and tough bail enforcement agent whose true calling may be hairstyling. The odd, recursive films "What The" and "Stop!" will make you laugh and turn your view of the world inside out. "Danny Bot" is a reworking of the famous song "Danny Boy." "Billy's Dad is a Fudge Packer" has one joke but works it well in a parody of those old 50s educational films. "Blake's Junction 7" and "Danny Bot" are odd but interesting, while "D.E.B.S." and "Pulled Over" take well-known setups and add an unexpected element. "Spam-ku" is a strange look at life's disappointments and the way the fine print in contests can get you into trouble. Finally, "Fluent Dysphasia" shows us what happens when a less-than-helpful Dad finds himself unable to speak English.
Shows 3/5, 3:00 pm (Camera 12) and 3/6, 11:00 am (Camera 12)
This collection of shorts includes some real gems. "The Adventures of Big Handsome Guy and His Little Friend" is a delightful look at the friendship between the Big Guy, who gets all the chicks, and his Little Friend, who is constantly in his shadow. When Little Friend has had it, he lets loose -- with unexpected results. "Cut & Run" gives us Delmer, a rough and tough bail enforcement agent whose true calling may be hairstyling. The odd, recursive films "What The" and "Stop!" will make you laugh and turn your view of the world inside out. "Danny Bot" is a reworking of the famous song "Danny Boy." "Billy's Dad is a Fudge Packer" has one joke but works it well in a parody of those old 50s educational films. "Blake's Junction 7" and "Danny Bot" are odd but interesting, while "D.E.B.S." and "Pulled Over" take well-known setups and add an unexpected element. "Spam-ku" is a strange look at life's disappointments and the way the fine print in contests can get you into trouble. Finally, "Fluent Dysphasia" shows us what happens when a less-than-helpful Dad finds himself unable to speak English.
Shows 3/5, 3:00 pm (Camera 12) and 3/6, 11:00 am (Camera 12)
"Scary Movie" did it for horror flicks. The "Airplane" movies did it for disaster pictures. Now "My Big Fat Independent Movie" has done it for indie film. This is the story of two hit men, one black and existential and one white and kind of sociopathic, who are hired to pull off a botched robbery in Las Vegas. Along the way, the meet up with a swinger, a strange French girl, a lanky man (played by the brilliant Neil Hopkins from last year's "Walkentalk"), a Greek family, a man with a memory problem, mysterious lesbians, and plenty of other heavy hitters from indie and foreign film.
Will it make sense if you haven't steeped yourself in movies like "Amelie," "Pi," "Secretary," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Swingers," and "Mulholland Drive?" Maybe. But you'll get a lot more of the jokes if you know indie film. Indie fans who enjoy spoofs and meta-comedies will be rolling in the aisles. I know I was.
Shows 3/5, 8:00 pm (San Jose Rep)
"Scary Movie" did it for horror flicks. The "Airplane" movies did it for disaster pictures. Now "My Big Fat Independent Movie" has done it for indie film. This is the story of two hit men, one black and existential and one white and kind of sociopathic, who are hired to pull off a botched robbery in Las Vegas. Along the way, the meet up with a swinger, a strange French girl, a lanky man (played by the brilliant Neil Hopkins from last year's "Walkentalk"), a Greek family, a man with a memory problem, mysterious lesbians, and plenty of other heavy hitters from indie and foreign film.
Will it make sense if you haven't steeped yourself in movies like "Amelie," "Pi," "Secretary," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Swingers," and "Mulholland Drive?" Maybe. But you'll get a lot more of the jokes if you know indie film. Indie fans who enjoy spoofs and meta-comedies will be rolling in the aisles. I know I was.
Shows 3/5, 8:00 pm (San Jose Rep)
Charlie, known as Charlie the Ox, is a safecracker. Or rather, he would like to be. He doesn't get hired to do much work, frequently bungles the jobs he takes on his own, and his specialty (every safecracker has to have a specialty, of course) is a cheap safe used widely to hold mostly useless stuff. Even his mentor, a once-famous retired safecracker doesn't think much of him. So of course, when a local big name boss hires him for a job, he is thrilled even though he is ordered to hold off until they call and give him the go-ahead. But when he discovers that the job was pulled while he was waiting for the call, he sets out to get revenge.
This is a fun little heist/revenge picture, and although it's a trifle uneven at times, fans of the genre will doubtless enjoy it. Charlie is a sweet guy, and it's nice to see a hero who isn't terribly bright and isn't terribly good at his job succeed through sheer dogged determination.
Shows 3/5, 5:15pm and 10:00 pm (San Jose Rep); 3/6, 4:00 pm (Camera 12)
Charlie, known as Charlie the Ox, is a safecracker. Or rather, he would like to be. He doesn't get hired to do much work, frequently bungles the jobs he takes on his own, and his specialty (every safecracker has to have a specialty, of course) is a cheap safe used widely to hold mostly useless stuff. Even his mentor, a once-famous retired safecracker doesn't think much of him. So of course, when a local big name boss hires him for a job, he is thrilled even though he is ordered to hold off until they call and give him the go-ahead. But when he discovers that the job was pulled while he was waiting for the call, he sets out to get revenge.
This is a fun little heist/revenge picture, and although it's a trifle uneven at times, fans of the genre will doubtless enjoy it. Charlie is a sweet guy, and it's nice to see a hero who isn't terribly bright and isn't terribly good at his job succeed through sheer dogged determination.
Shows 3/5, 5:15pm and 10:00 pm (San Jose Rep); 3/6, 4:00 pm (Camera 12)
Two actors received the Maverick Spirit Award, Cinequest's highest honor, this year. The renowned Sir Ben Kingsley, known for his work in films like "Ghandi" and "House of Sand and Fog," and actor Jon Polito, a character actor with over 200 credits to his name, both had separate ceremonies and participated in lively moderated discussions with the audience on Saturday, March 5.
Sir Ben Kingsley shed light on his methods of preparation for a role. He explained that first he must either recognize the character he will play or be curious to get to know him better; then he uses that recognition or curiosity, along with careful reading of the script, to really get to know the man well. He said he found that Don Logan, his character in the popular film "Sexy Beast," was filled with "the rage of the unloved child." Sir Ben also described how he got interested in acting: he was at a performance of "Richard III" at Stratford-upon-Avon, with Ian Holm in the title role and was "overwhelmed by his performance." Due to a combination of incredible heat in the theater and his own emotional strain, he actually passed out and had to be revived by an usher before watching the rest of the play. He became determined to act, and the rest is history.
Jon Polito's talk took place after the world premier of his latest film, "Charlie the Ox," in which he has a small but memorable role as an actor who gets caught up in the battle between a safecracker and the gangster who dupes him. Polito was in top form, cracking jokes and keeping the audience equally fascinated and in stitches. He explained that he doesn't do a great deal of preparation in advance for a role, beyond learning the lines; he prefers to see his costume and bounce ideas off the director and actors before making hard decisions about his part. "I think of acting very much like a game, a sport," he said, "you have to jump in and see who's playing." Having done both stage and screen work, he explained that when he's on stage, he can play to the crowd and it works, but that for film, you can't play to the camera. He actually picks people in the crew, people behind the camera, and uses them as his audience so he can forget about the camera.
Overall, Saturday was a delightful afternoon and evening with two chances to learn from these fascinating, but very different, veteran actors. Although there was some difficulty and chaos around the seating for Polito's event, the repeat screening of the film and a repetition of the discussion allowed just about everyone a chance to see him, and both events were a hit with audiences.
Two actors received the Maverick Spirit Award, Cinequest's highest honor, this year. The renowned Sir Ben Kingsley, known for his work in films like "Ghandi" and "House of Sand and Fog," and actor Jon Polito, a character actor with over 200 credits to his name, both had separate ceremonies and participated in lively moderated discussions with the audience on Saturday, March 5.
Sir Ben Kingsley shed light on his methods of preparation for a role. He explained that first he must either recognize the character he will play or be curious to get to know him better; then he uses that recognition or curiosity, along with careful reading of the script, to really get to know the man well. He said he found that Don Logan, his character in the popular film "Sexy Beast," was filled with "the rage of the unloved child." Sir Ben also described how he got interested in acting: he was at a performance of "Richard III" at Stratford-upon-Avon, with Ian Holm in the title role and was "overwhelmed by his performance." Due to a combination of incredible heat in the theater and his own emotional strain, he actually passed out and had to be revived by an usher before watching the rest of the play. He became determined to act, and the rest is history.
Jon Polito's talk took place after the world premier of his latest film, "Charlie the Ox," in which he has a small but memorable role as an actor who gets caught up in the battle between a safecracker and the gangster who dupes him. Polito was in top form, cracking jokes and keeping the audience equally fascinated and in stitches. He explained that he doesn't do a great deal of preparation in advance for a role, beyond learning the lines; he prefers to see his costume and bounce ideas off the director and actors before making hard decisions about his part. "I think of acting very much like a game, a sport," he said, "you have to jump in and see who's playing." Having done both stage and screen work, he explained that when he's on stage, he can play to the crowd and it works, but that for film, you can't play to the camera. He actually picks people in the crew, people behind the camera, and uses them as his audience so he can forget about the camera.
Overall, Saturday was a delightful afternoon and evening with two chances to learn from these fascinating, but very different, veteran actors. Although there was some difficulty and chaos around the seating for Polito's event, the repeat screening of the film and a repetition of the discussion allowed just about everyone a chance to see him, and both events were a hit with audiences.
When discussing great silent movie comedic actors, three names invariably come up: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. Lloyd has been relegated to third genius status for so long that a television documentary about him in 1989 was titled "Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius." Suzanne Lloyd, his granddaughter and co-executive producer of that documentary, has worked tirelessly since Lloyd's death to not only protect his works but promote them, bringing a wider recognition of his achievements to the world. At Cinequest this year, she presided over an event in his honor which included a double feature of Lloyd films ("Safety Last" and "Movie Crazy"), a Q&A, and a screening of some home movies made on the Lloyd estate.
Suzanne was raised by her famous grandparents at their Beverly Hills estate, Green Acres. After Lloyd's death, she inherited most of his films, and has been working since then to restore them and put new scores to the silent films. Now, after many years of those films being virtually unavailable except at the Stanford Theater, Lloyd fans can look forward to a real resurgence of his work. This year alone, there will be a boxed set of DVDs of 31 Lloyd films, a theatrical release of fifteen features, and the Turner Classic Movie channel will be running a marathon of his films in April, then running them off and on all year. As Suzanne put it, "this will be really great, Harold's going to have a really big year."
Suzanne says that her grandfather "hated seeing his movies on television because he hated having them broken up with commercials -- it would ruin the pace. DVDs are perfect for him, Turner Classic Movies is perfect for him." She is also planning to remake "Safety Last" with Mark Gordon (whose credits include "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Day After Tomorrow") producing. The film is currently in pre-production. This week she will also start a new documentary on her grandfather.
Harold Lloyd very much an independent filmmaker. He owned his own studio and kept his crew on salary at all times, which enabled him to have top-notch home movies filmed at the drop of a hat. He often called his crew in to do home movies so they would keep in practice and the 35mm films shot by them are a wonderful look at his home life.
Lloyd also broke new ground in a number of cinematic areas. He essentially invented the test screening, showing his films in small towns outside Los Angeles to test audience reaction and then made changes to improve the movies. His camerawork was constantly breaking new ground, both in terms of hardware and camera angles. In fact, the famous chariot scene in "Ben Hur" copied the below-ground camera angle from one of Lloyd's films. He was also the first person to shoot on location, and embraced both color and sound as soon as they became available. Indeed, some of the test footage shot by Technicolor was done on Lloyd's estate, and that footage will be available as a bonus feature in the DVD set. It's easy to see why Cinequest, which focuses on mavericks filmmaking, chose to have a tribute to Lloyd.
With a big year ahead, Harold Lloyd's star is clearly on the rise once again. His appeal is universal: "he helps kids, he's kind to dogs," Suzanne Lloyd says, "he's always very kind but also very resourceful." Lloyd's films are always a hit with children, as well, so families will doubtless want to keep a sharp lookout for his films.
When discussing great silent movie comedic actors, three names invariably come up: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. Lloyd has been relegated to third genius status for so long that a television documentary about him in 1989 was titled "Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius." Suzanne Lloyd, his granddaughter and co-executive producer of that documentary, has worked tirelessly since Lloyd's death to not only protect his works but promote them, bringing a wider recognition of his achievements to the world. At Cinequest this year, she presided over an event in his honor which included a double feature of Lloyd films ("Safety Last" and "Movie Crazy"), a Q&A, and a screening of some home movies made on the Lloyd estate.
Suzanne was raised by her famous grandparents at their Beverly Hills estate, Green Acres. After Lloyd's death, she inherited most of his films, and has been working since then to restore them and put new scores to the silent films. Now, after many years of those films being virtually unavailable except at the Stanford Theater, Lloyd fans can look forward to a real resurgence of his work. This year alone, there will be a boxed set of DVDs of 31 Lloyd films, a theatrical release of fifteen features, and the Turner Classic Movie channel will be running a marathon of his films in April, then running them off and on all year. As Suzanne put it, "this will be really great, Harold's going to have a really big year."
Suzanne says that her grandfather "hated seeing his movies on television because he hated having them broken up with commercials -- it would ruin the pace. DVDs are perfect for him, Turner Classic Movies is perfect for him." She is also planning to remake "Safety Last" with Mark Gordon (whose credits include "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Day After Tomorrow") producing. The film is currently in pre-production. This week she will also start a new documentary on her grandfather.
Harold Lloyd very much an independent filmmaker. He owned his own studio and kept his crew on salary at all times, which enabled him to have top-notch home movies filmed at the drop of a hat. He often called his crew in to do home movies so they would keep in practice and the 35mm films shot by them are a wonderful look at his home life.
Lloyd also broke new ground in a number of cinematic areas. He essentially invented the test screening, showing his films in small towns outside Los Angeles to test audience reaction and then made changes to improve the movies. His camerawork was constantly breaking new ground, both in terms of hardware and camera angles. In fact, the famous chariot scene in "Ben Hur" copied the below-ground camera angle from one of Lloyd's films. He was also the first person to shoot on location, and embraced both color and sound as soon as they became available. Indeed, some of the test footage shot by Technicolor was done on Lloyd's estate, and that footage will be available as a bonus feature in the DVD set. It's easy to see why Cinequest, which focuses on mavericks filmmaking, chose to have a tribute to Lloyd.
With a big year ahead, Harold Lloyd's star is clearly on the rise once again. His appeal is universal: "he helps kids, he's kind to dogs," Suzanne Lloyd says, "he's always very kind but also very resourceful." Lloyd's films are always a hit with children, as well, so families will doubtless want to keep a sharp lookout for his films.
Jan and Sofia Laskowski have been attending Cinequest since the first festival fifteen years ago, "back when it was easy -- it was just three days," as Jan puts it. The long-time Mountain View residents have kept up with the changes since then, developing a complicated system to choose which movies they want to see at the festival. They see about 150 movies a year at theaters like the Camera 7 and Camera 12, and they have attended Cinequest every single year, including the one year it was in Milpitas!
The festival has changed a great deal since that first three-day weekend. Cinequest has grown tremendously, both in terms of length and the scope of the films. "One thing you can say about Cinequest," Jan observes, "you end up traveling to a different country every year." Sofia agrees. She travels for business all over the world, and says that films let you see a country "as a local sees it, not as a tourist [does]."
At the Opening Night Gala party, they discussed some of the films they are planning to see. They rate the films themselves, then listen to word of mouth reports from their friends and read the reviews at the official Cinequest website. Finally, they merge those ratings and pick out the films they want to see. "There are so many!" Sofia exclaims, when asked which in particular she's looking forward to. Jan agrees. One thing Cinequest can guarantee: even picky cinephiles will have a wealth of films to chose from.
Jan and Sofia Laskowski have been attending Cinequest since the first festival fifteen years ago, "back when it was easy -- it was just three days," as Jan puts it. The long-time Mountain View residents have kept up with the changes since then, developing a complicated system to choose which movies they want to see at the festival. They see about 150 movies a year at theaters like the Camera 7 and Camera 12, and they have attended Cinequest every single year, including the one year it was in Milpitas!
The festival has changed a great deal since that first three-day weekend. Cinequest has grown tremendously, both in terms of length and the scope of the films. "One thing you can say about Cinequest," Jan observes, "you end up traveling to a different country every year." Sofia agrees. She travels for business all over the world, and says that films let you see a country "as a local sees it, not as a tourist [does]."
At the Opening Night Gala party, they discussed some of the films they are planning to see. They rate the films themselves, then listen to word of mouth reports from their friends and read the reviews at the official Cinequest website. Finally, they merge those ratings and pick out the films they want to see. "There are so many!" Sofia exclaims, when asked which in particular she's looking forward to. Jan agrees. One thing Cinequest can guarantee: even picky cinephiles will have a wealth of films to chose from.
In the big city, lives can overlap and entertwine without the individuals realizing the bigger picture. The hightened level communication enabled by the internet and cell phones increases the strange tangling of individual stories. "Sund@y Seoul" traces the everyday dramas of a wide variety of people, from a bored housewife who inherits a friend's chatroom login to a teenager who falls for a callgirl he finds online. Many questions are left unanswered and the fates of some of the characters are unclear -- but that's life.
An insightful and often unsettling film, "Sund@y Seoul" is a portrait of urban life in a big city. These stories could have happened in any city, and people just like this could live next door.
Shows 3/4, 6:45 pm (Camera 12); 3/5, 5:00 pm (Camera 12); 3/12, 12:15pm (Camera 12)
In the big city, lives can overlap and entertwine without the individuals realizing the bigger picture. The hightened level communication enabled by the internet and cell phones increases the strange tangling of individual stories. "Sund@y Seoul" traces the everyday dramas of a wide variety of people, from a bored housewife who inherits a friend's chatroom login to a teenager who falls for a callgirl he finds online. Many questions are left unanswered and the fates of some of the characters are unclear -- but that's life.
An insightful and often unsettling film, "Sund@y Seoul" is a portrait of urban life in a big city. These stories could have happened in any city, and people just like this could live next door.
Shows 3/4, 6:45 pm (Camera 12); 3/5, 5:00 pm (Camera 12); 3/12, 12:15pm (Camera 12)
We've all met the kind of guy whose optimism and enthusiasm makes him incredibly obnoxious. "The Guy in Row Five" revolves around a guy like that - Thess has moved to Hollywood determined to become an actor. He's already spent three weeks as an extra on the hit show "Rodeo Nights" and is utterly confident that he will be receiving a call from the casting director and landing a role as a new character. With the help of his friend Tony and his girlfriend Kelly, he is making a documentary of his last day of anonymity.
Of course, what he doesn't realize is that his self-confidence far outstrips his abilities. "The Guy in Row Five" is an odyssey across Los Angeles and a charming tale of the way that optimism can turn a person's life around -- even if it's not in the way you hoped. It's easy to see why this hilarious and oddly sweet film won the Viewer's Voice award at Cinequest, earning itself a screening spot by winning votes at Cinequestonline.org, the online screening room of the festival.
Shows 3/8, 9:15pm (University Theater)
We've all met the kind of guy whose optimism and enthusiasm makes him incredibly obnoxious. "The Guy in Row Five" revolves around a guy like that - Thess has moved to Hollywood determined to become an actor. He's already spent three weeks as an extra on the hit show "Rodeo Nights" and is utterly confident that he will be receiving a call from the casting director and landing a role as a new character. With the help of his friend Tony and his girlfriend Kelly, he is making a documentary of his last day of anonymity.
Of course, what he doesn't realize is that his self-confidence far outstrips his abilities. "The Guy in Row Five" is an odyssey across Los Angeles and a charming tale of the way that optimism can turn a person's life around -- even if it's not in the way you hoped. It's easy to see why this hilarious and oddly sweet film won the Viewer's Voice award at Cinequest, earning itself a screening spot by winning votes at Cinequestonline.org, the online screening room of the festival.
Shows 3/8, 9:15pm (University Theater)
"Able Edwards" is a highly unusual film. An odd blend of "Citizen Kane," "The Truman Show," and the issues surrounding cloning and corporate property, it simulatenously entertains and makes you think.
Set in the future, after a biological contaminent has rendered Earth uninhabitable and exiled humanity to an orbiting network of civipods, "Able Edwards" follows the lawsuit by Rosemary Edwards, widow of Able Marion Edwards Beta, against the immense Edwards Corporation. Edwards Beta was a clone of the original Able Edwards, a Walt-Disney-style figure whose works were the origin of the company that bears his name. The testimony of various people for the lawsuit provides the storyline, which traces the development of the clone and his career as the head of the Edwards Corporation.
Filmed entirely in front of a blue screen and using a great deal of makeup and digital effects, "Able Edwards" is on the cutting edge of cinema. Although at times the physical/digital blend is imperfect, it doesn't get in the way of the storytelling in the slightest. This is a fascinating film, both in terms of storytelling and filmmaking.
Screens 3/3, 9:15 pm (San Jose Rep) and 3/5, 11:15 am (San Jose Rep).
"Able Edwards" is a highly unusual film. An odd blend of "Citizen Kane," "The Truman Show," and the issues surrounding cloning and corporate property, it simulatenously entertains and makes you think.
Set in the future, after a biological contaminent has rendered Earth uninhabitable and exiled humanity to an orbiting network of civipods, "Able Edwards" follows the lawsuit by Rosemary Edwards, widow of Able Marion Edwards Beta, against the immense Edwards Corporation. Edwards Beta was a clone of the original Able Edwards, a Walt-Disney-style figure whose works were the origin of the company that bears his name. The testimony of various people for the lawsuit provides the storyline, which traces the development of the clone and his career as the head of the Edwards Corporation.
Filmed entirely in front of a blue screen and using a great deal of makeup and digital effects, "Able Edwards" is on the cutting edge of cinema. Although at times the physical/digital blend is imperfect, it doesn't get in the way of the storytelling in the slightest. This is a fascinating film, both in terms of storytelling and filmmaking.
Screens 3/3, 9:15 pm (San Jose Rep) and 3/5, 11:15 am (San Jose Rep).
"Wetback" is a fascinating look at illegal immigration from the immigrant point of view. There are interviews with border guards and the vigilantes that take over when the guards are stretched too thin, but the stories that hit the hardest are those of the people struggling to cross the border illegally to enter the US and make a better life for themselves here. Not that the American dream is all its cracked up to be -- interviews with immigrants who made it show a side of illegal immigration not many consider. Illegal immigrants have to be model citizens to avoid deportation, regardless of the provocation offered by bored cops and angry locals.
Even so, thousands of people attempt to cross into the US every day. This documentary is their story, showing us the difficulties and perils as well as the rare, shining triumphs. It may not change your mind on the subject, but it may change your opinion about what should be done to solve the problem.
Shows 3/4, 7:00 pm (Camera 12) and 3/6, 1:30 pm (Camera 12)
"Wetback" is a fascinating look at illegal immigration from the immigrant point of view. There are interviews with border guards and the vigilantes that take over when the guards are stretched too thin, but the stories that hit the hardest are those of the people struggling to cross the border illegally to enter the US and make a better life for themselves here. Not that the American dream is all its cracked up to be -- interviews with immigrants who made it show a side of illegal immigration not many consider. Illegal immigrants have to be model citizens to avoid deportation, regardless of the provocation offered by bored cops and angry locals.
Even so, thousands of people attempt to cross into the US every day. This documentary is their story, showing us the difficulties and perils as well as the rare, shining triumphs. It may not change your mind on the subject, but it may change your opinion about what should be done to solve the problem.
Shows 3/4, 7:00 pm (Camera 12) and 3/6, 1:30 pm (Camera 12)
The term "sundowning" refers to the change many Alzheimer's patients suffer at sunset, becoming more aggressive and confused as day turns to night. This film is aptly named, following as it does the effects of several changes on a family of lobster fishermen on a small island off the coast of Maine. The Pritchard men, old Tobey, his son Wayne, and Wayne's son young Tobey, don't always get along but they are a family. Their women have long since died, run off, or never come, and they seem to be at peace. But a simultaneoush shift in their livelihood, the island's population, and their own home life revives old wounds and threatens to destroy them.
A border dispute with nearby Canadian fishermen has the whole island on edge, especially after lobster traps start to be damaged. A woman, Darcy, moves in next door to the Prichards. And worst of all, old Tobey is diagnosed with progressive dementia -- probably Alzheimer's. As he begins to decline more and more rapidly, Darcy comes over to help out. Her presence is a source of both relief and tension, however, and the family must decide how they will move forward in the face of mounting bills and an uncertain catch. This is a beautiful but tremendously sad film about the sacrifices one makes for family.
Shows 3/4, 7:00 pm (Camera 12); 3/6 8:00 pm (Camera 12).
The term "sundowning" refers to the change many Alzheimer's patients suffer at sunset, becoming more aggressive and confused as day turns to night. This film is aptly named, following as it does the effects of several changes on a family of lobster fishermen on a small island off the coast of Maine. The Pritchard men, old Tobey, his son Wayne, and Wayne's son young Tobey, don't always get along but they are a family. Their women have long since died, run off, or never come, and they seem to be at peace. But a simultaneoush shift in their livelihood, the island's population, and their own home life revives old wounds and threatens to destroy them.
A border dispute with nearby Canadian fishermen has the whole island on edge, especially after lobster traps start to be damaged. A woman, Darcy, moves in next door to the Prichards. And worst of all, old Tobey is diagnosed with progressive dementia -- probably Alzheimer's. As he begins to decline more and more rapidly, Darcy comes over to help out. Her presence is a source of both relief and tension, however, and the family must decide how they will move forward in the face of mounting bills and an uncertain catch. This is a beautiful but tremendously sad film about the sacrifices one makes for family.
Shows 3/4, 7:00 pm (Camera 12); 3/6 8:00 pm (Camera 12).
This film about young, lower-class women in the rough part of Jersey City pulls no punches. Oz is a tough gal, and she's staked out her corner where she deals crack and lives large. Marisol, a crack addict, is a single mother whose habit leaves her child with an elderly relative much of the time. Finally, there's Suzette, the sheltered daughter of a single mom. Her first real crush throws her in with a bad crowd and has devastating repercussions for her family.
The stories of these three girls intertwine, crossing at common meeting places like the local juvenile hall and the park where the crackheads hang out. Filmmakers Lori Silverbush and Michael Skolnik spent months working and talking with troubled girls in New Jersey and wove their true stories into the screenplay. The daily fight that girls like these have just to get by is stunning, and whether or not they succeed is as much dependent on their family and coincidence as it is on their own grit.
Shows 3/3, 7:15 pm (San Jose Rep); 3/6, 9:15 pm (San Jose Rep); and 3/7, 5:15 pm (University Theater).
This film about young, lower-class women in the rough part of Jersey City pulls no punches. Oz is a tough gal, and she's staked out her corner where she deals crack and lives large. Marisol, a crack addict, is a single mother whose habit leaves her child with an elderly relative much of the time. Finally, there's Suzette, the sheltered daughter of a single mom. Her first real crush throws her in with a bad crowd and has devastating repercussions for her family.
The stories of these three girls intertwine, crossing at common meeting places like the local juvenile hall and the park where the crackheads hang out. Filmmakers Lori Silverbush and Michael Skolnik spent months working and talking with troubled girls in New Jersey and wove their true stories into the screenplay. The daily fight that girls like these have just to get by is stunning, and whether or not they succeed is as much dependent on their family and coincidence as it is on their own grit.
Shows 3/3, 7:15 pm (San Jose Rep); 3/6, 9:15 pm (San Jose Rep); and 3/7, 5:15 pm (University Theater).
"19 Revolutions," a look at the disaffected youth culture in India, is an odd amalgam of several cinematic styles. At times a comedy, at times a romance, and at times a gritty drama, it ultimately winds up a strange, thought-provoking mishmash. Guru steals from the rich and gives to the poor, but has big plans to end cultural corruption in modern-day India. He enlists Nezar, whose shop he robs, to help him -- and to show he's a good guy, he helps Nezar get close to the girl of his dreams, Shireen. Soon Shireen is in on the plan as well, but it is soon clear that Guru has bigger things in mind than the exciting and ultimately not-too-dangerous small-time theiving he's been doing.
Although it's uneven in spots, "19 Revolutions" provides fascinating fodder for discussion about the ills of society in general, not just in India.
Shows 3/3, 5:00 pm (Camera 12); 3/5, 3:00 pm (Camera 12); and 3/7, 9:00 pm (Camera 12)
"19 Revolutions," a look at the disaffected youth culture in India, is an odd amalgam of several cinematic styles. At times a comedy, at times a romance, and at times a gritty drama, it ultimately winds up a strange, thought-provoking mishmash. Guru steals from the rich and gives to the poor, but has big plans to end cultural corruption in modern-day India. He enlists Nezar, whose shop he robs, to help him -- and to show he's a good guy, he helps Nezar get close to the girl of his dreams, Shireen. Soon Shireen is in on the plan as well, but it is soon clear that Guru has bigger things in mind than the exciting and ultimately not-too-dangerous small-time theiving he's been doing.
Although it's uneven in spots, "19 Revolutions" provides fascinating fodder for discussion about the ills of society in general, not just in India.
Shows 3/3, 5:00 pm (Camera 12); 3/5, 3:00 pm (Camera 12); and 3/7, 9:00 pm (Camera 12)