Hey folks, Harry here with our first report from this year's CINEQUEST.... a damn fine film festival that takes place in the mighty world of San Jose, which was the last known whereabouts of my former cel phone.... Our fine cousin... or as he likes to be called Tio Miguel.... has a great rundown of how the show has been shaping up so far with most notably this new Rob Morrow flick... Check it out folks!
Harry,
Long time fan, (almost) first time poster.
I've spent the past couple of days hanging out at the San jose Film Festival (aka Cinequest) and have seen a couple of pretty good flicks (and one that sucked). It's still going on throughout this weekend (Spike Lee tribute/Q&A, among other things, is on my short list). I'll send you another update or two when it's all over.
By the way, there may be spoilers in here. I just write what comes to my puny mind.
MAN OF GREASE: A very cool documentary about Tony, an older Greek immigrant to Montreal, who runs a small cafe. He's been in Canada for 34 years and is finally taking a vacation (to Greece) for the first time since then. This guy loves talking to the camera, loves telling stories (ending most of them with, "Thankyouverymuch!") and loves attention. He works nonstop all day cooking breakfasts, potatoes, and "mish-mash" (an amazing concoction that appears to contain about a million calories). The real treat of the film is watching him in Greece, meeting old friends, showing off his relatives and, finally, unwinding and relaxing. A really fun movie.
EL REY DE ROCK N ROLL: El Vez is a character created by Robert Lopez almost as a fluke: part Elvis Impersonator, part pop-culture and social commentator, full time Mexican (his words). This documentary starts off slow, but gets much more interesting as it goes along and you get to know Robert/El Vez, see how the character matures and changes, watch his stage shows. Lopez sees El Vez as a very strong symbol of Mexican Heritage (albeit a little campy). This movie made me want to see him live on stage. High praise indeed
MAZE: The best film I've seen so far. Rob Morrow directs, stars, and co-wrote this story of a man afflicted with OCD and Tourettte's Syndrome, who is also a very talented artist. Morrow's best friend (Craig Sheffer) picks up and goes away to be a "Doctor Without Borders" and treat people in third world countries, leaving his pregnant girlfriend (an incredible Laura Linney) to become friends (and more) with the artist. Morrow has done a terrific job portraying the artist and his affliction, and has a very good sense of what to do with his camera and his fellow actors. There was not one false move or unnatural piece of dialogue. This is a terrific movie and I hope it gets a wide release sometime soon. I was even getting a bit misty-eyed at the end.
PRESTON TYLK: Run away. If you pay to see this steaming pile, you deserve it. Luke Wilson (who appears to be Owen Wilson's less talented and perpetually constipated brother) hires a detective (Dennis Farina, the only bright spot) to find a video tape of him killing someone, who he thinks killed his wife, who he found dead right after she told him she was cheating on him. The brother of the guy Wilson killed is now out to kill him and keeps popping up when it's convenient and not when it's logical. I guess he read the script cuz there's no way in hell he could have known about a few of those hiding places. Anyway, at 92 minutes it's about 140 minutes too long. One of the few times I wish I could turn back the clock.
That's it so far. If you're so inclined, I'll have more stuff by the end of the weekend. Until then, you can call me:
Tio Miguel
