Screenings: 3/3, 6:45 PM (Cam 12); 3/5, 4:00 PM (Cam 12); 3/6, 4:00 PM (Cam 12)
Jay Holstein is a Jewish studies professor at the University of Iowa, an ordained rabbi, a gun enthusiast, and one of the most brilliant, charismatic people on either side of the lectern. He captures his students with a blend of self-effacing humor and drill-sergeant antagonism, and expounds to them on both the subject at hand and on life in general. This documentary gives us a look at Holstein both in and out of the classroom, and in his roles as professor, rabbi, and husband. He's a compelling, complicated figure, and this is a film not to be missed.
Screenings: 2/24, 6:00 PM (Cam 12); 2/25, 1:30 PM (Cam 12); 3/1, 7:00 PM (Cam 3)
6 Wars. 10 Recipes. 60,361,024 Dead. Here is a documentary about war in the 20th Century as you've never seen it: through the eyes of the people who cooked, and the soldiers who ate. Six wars: World War II, Algeria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, the Balkans and Chechnya. We learn about recipes, about improvisation when rations are lacking, about what it's like to cook for (and poison) the enemy. The stories told range from hilarious to horrifying, from curious to touching. This is a must-see for anyone interested in food, history, or the military.
Screenings: 2/2, 9:15 PM (Rep); 2/27, 11:59 PM (Cam 12); 3/1, 9:15 PM (Cal)
This film seems to fancy itself a cross between "Waiting for Godot" and "American Psycho," but it fails on both fronts. Sure, it has long, rambling, pseudo-intellectual discussions between its protagonists, and it's offering a commentary on American culture, but it's a commentary that doesn't come together with its story in any meaningful way. That's a pity, because the cast is amazing. Matthew Modine ("Weeds") and Callum Blue ("Smallville") are Mr. Jack, who talks endlessly, and Sweet Stephen, who is a serial killer. Zach Galifinakas plays the owner of a porn store whose robbery Mr. Jack and Sweet Stephen wind up involved in. Adam Baldwin ("Chuck" and "Firefly") plays a cop whose investigations interweave with Sweet Stephen's crimes. The acting is almost all good, but the script doesn't live up to the same standard.
Screenings: 2/2, 6:15 PM (Cam 12); 2/27, 11:30 AM( Cam 12)
The New York Board of Trade floor is, aptly, called The Pit: a chaotic, loud circle where traders shout and signal to each other to complete trades. In the internet era, this century-old system is starting to vanish. Director Johanna Lee gives us an inside look at this disappearing form of capitalism in a documentary which is by turns funny, touching, and thrilling. The film focuses on coffee brokers, showing us their work styles and lifestyles, as well as their dreams. These men and women rely on their brains and their daring to make money, and sometimes they lose everything. If you've ever wondered what things are really like on Wall Street, this film will give you a taste.
Screenings: 2/24, 9:30 PM (Cal); 2/26, 4:00 PM (Cam 12); 2/27, 11:15 AM (Cal)
Ex-cop P.I. Brenner has been sent to a little country inn to repo the car of one Mr. Horvath -- but nobody at the inn is willing to admit they know of Mr. Horvath. Then Mr. Horvath's car vanishes. Rather than give up and go home, Brenner gives in to his cop instincts that something is not at all right in the little community and stays on for a while. He's right, of course, and as the secrets keep being revealed, this comedic thriller gets increasingly complex and entertaining. Add to the violence and laughs a touch of romance and some genuinely touching moments, and you have a very good, if a touch strange, movie.
Screenings: 2/27, 9:30 PM (Rep); 3/2, 6:45 PM (Cam12); 3/5, 12:00 PM (Cam12)
All Gaila ( Lili Mirojnick, "Cloverfield") wanted was to pick up some coke from her dealer, Lyle, and leave. But when an argument with him ends with Lyle dead on the floor, her plans for the day require some serious changes. She calls her friend Soti (Katerina Moutsatsos, "The Hangover") to come help her, but Soti proves to be less helpful than Gaila had hoped. When Lyle's wife Cardamosa wakes up, the three women wind up joining forces. Cardamosa hated Lyle, and knows where his stash of money is. The three of them can split the money, they just have to dispose of Lyle's body. This is a black comedy which has some darkly hilarious moments, but it never quite gels into a cohesive whole.
San Jose's annual maverick film festival, Cinequest, turns 20 this year, and its organizers are pulling out all the stops. With more than 200 film screenings, including 76 U.S. and World Premieres from 45 countries, special events, and parties , there's something to suit every film lover's palate. Those looking for something new, something surprising, something to entertain and astound must not miss this festival.
Cinequest 20 opens Tuesday, February 23 with a screening at 7pm at the California Theater. A party at E&O Trading Co. follows. The opening night film is the US premiere of “The Good Heart,” starring Brian Cox (“The Bourne Identity”) and Paul Dano (“Little Miss Sunshine”) as a cantankerous bar owner and the young homeless man he takes under his wing.
There are multitude of screenings each day of the festival, as well as special events. This year's Maverick Spirit Award recipient is Benjamin Bratt, who will be receiving the award at a special screening of his new film, “La MISSION” on Thursday, March 4 at 7pm at the California Theater. The film will be followed by a 30 minute conversation with Bratt.
The Life of a Maverick Award is being given this year, for only the fourth time in the festival's history. The recipient is Deepak Chopra, who has recently begun working directly in screenwriting and producing, collaborating with his son and other filmmakers on several new projects. The award event will be held Tuesday, March 2, at 7pm at the California Theater.
This year Cinequest presents several Maverick Artist and Innovator Forums, covering distribution, 3D, and filmmaking workflows. There will also be a Day of the Writer, Friday, March 5 with events including How To Write Comedy for the Big Screen (with Richard Walter, Lew Hunter, and Hal Ackerman) and Comedy Writing for Television (with Marly Sims and Fred Rubin).
Both Fridays of the festival will feature silent cinema at the Californa Theater, presented by the Stanford Theater Foundation. Friday, February 26, see Erich von Stroheim's “The Merry Widow,” and Friday, March 5, see Ernst Lubitsch's “The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg.”
Cinequest closes on Saturday, March 6 with a screening at 8pm at the California theater, followed by a party at South First Billiards. The closing night film is “Mother,” a South Korean film about a mother's quest to clear her son's name when he is accused of murder.
There are several levels of passes, as well as individual tickets available for screenings (see sidebar). Cinequest is a festival not to be missed, particularly if you enjoy film but are tired of the same old stuff coming out of Hollywood year after year.
Individual tickets:
General Admission: $10
Matinee (weekdays before 5pm): $7
Student: $5
Film Lover Pass: all regular and encore film screenings. $145
Mavericks Pass: all forums, Maverick Spirit Events, Day of the Writer Events, opening and closing screenings and parties, all regular and encore film screenings. $250
VIP All Access Pass: All soirees, VIP Lounge access, plus all amenities in the Mavericks and Film Lovers Passes. $500
Express Line Pass: Add to any pass to get priority seating for screenings and events. $100
Special event tickets vary by event.
Visit www.cinequest.org, call 408-295-FEST (3378), or visit the box office at Camera 12 to purchase tickets or get more information.