Ahhhh, here's a report on THE USA FILM FESTIVAL that took place last week in Dallas. So here's what our guy at the fest had to say about it... heeeeeeeeerrrrrrrreeeeeeeee's the Vinman...
Vinman reporting in. The USA Film Festival in Dallas ended last week, but I had to do a little active duty for the National Guard so my report is late. I got to attend a few films before I had to leave and since it was my first film festival, I thought I would share my thoughts about the festival and the movies I saw:
About the festival- Some film geeks are just fucking weird. I happen to be a film geek so I think I should have free reign to speak my mind. I am new to the line-people concept, so it was rather shocking to see the eclectic people. But, every now and then, you see someone that makes you want to slink back into the shadows and pray to God he finds another target. This one guy kept running up to different celebrities and touching them and trying to whisper in their ears. The police escorted him out pretty quick. I think my girlfriend shit a brick at that one. Overall though, it was pretty fun. Now on to the movies.
1st movie- "Hacks" starring Stephen Rea, Dave Foley, John Ritter, Ileanna Douglas, Ryan O'Neal, Tom Arnold, Lisa Kudrow, Jason Priestly and more. Plot is about a TV writer who gets a 22 show commitment and has no idea what to write about. All of these "hacks" try to cozy up to him to get a job and their names on the show. It has a lot of inside the biz jargon that might fly over some people's heads, but when you have people trying to backstab and fuck each other over I think everyone can appreciate it. I liked it and recommend you checking it out. The director was there (can+t remember his name but he+s a TV writer) and said it was heading for release in the fall.
2nd movie- "Clockwatchers" starring Lisa Kudrow, Parker Posey, and Toni Collette (Muriel+s Wedding). Plot is about a bunch of temps who work in a office and deal with all of the office bullshit that I put up with on a daily basis. Pretty funny stuff, but got a little bogged down in this whole "someone is stealing shit at the office" subplot. Anyone who has ever had to put on a tie or dress and kiss some corporate ass will enjoy most of this one. Don+t know about a possible release date.
3rd movie- "Rats" by the same guy who did the documentary about the toads that overpopulated Australia. This movie is about the war between the 8 million New Yorkers and the 8 million rats that live with them. It+s mostly from the rat+s perspective with insight from some people who have been in the battle. Some of these people are just fucking hilarious to watch on the big screen. The director was in the theater and explained how the rats in the documentary had to be flown in from Chicago. Even rats get the red carpet treatment when it comes to filming. He also said that it would most likely end up on the Animal Channel. Keep an eye out for it.
4th movie- A screening of "Sophie+s Choice" starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline and Peter MacNichol (the Biscuit on Ally McBeal). Peter was in attendance to give the Great Director Tribute to Alan J. Pakula who was also there. The movie as you already know is pretty damn good. It was nice to see Meryl back when she was actually a hot little babe. One thing about Alan J. Pakula- that mother never stops talking. Someone would be asking a question and he would cut them off and commence to speak forever. I guess when you+re old and famous you enjoy hearing yourself talk until everyone in the room passes out. Peter was cool so I guess it was fun.
5th movie- "Courting Courtney" starring Dave Gould (???) and assorted TV stars like the non-Jethro friend on Drew Carey and the psycho-redhead on Suddenly Susan. Plot is about some dude who decides to make a documentary about his best friend+s dating troubles, a chick named Courtney. Of course the guy is going to end up falling for the chick and vice-versa. It had some funny parts to it and you could tell the budget wasn+t very big, but it really started to suck as it dragged on and on and on. The moral is never think you have to use every frame of film just because it cost so much to make it. Skip this one.
6th movie- "Five Wives, Three Secretaries and Me" by Tessa Blake. This documentary is about a rich old Texas fart who loves a bunch of different women and makes a shitload of money. Sounds like a Texan to me. Tessa is his daughter and you have got to see this. He is one opinionated som+bitch. The documentary follows the family history with the old fart as the central figure. Don+t want to give away any of the juicy stuff, but I highly recommend this one.
Last movie- "Gunshy" starring William Peterson (Manhunter), Michael Wincott (bad guy in The Crow with a great sounding voice) and Diane Lane (man I want to spend a few quality moments with her). Typical plot of burned out writer meets mob guy, wants to learn a new business so why not the mob, secretly falls in love with mob guy+s gal, oh shit doublecross kind of movie. But it actually was kind of interesting to watch. There were a few of the "no way does that ever happen in real life" kind of moments, but I enjoyed it. The director said it would be released in the fall. Not great, but worth a twilight price.
Later on Harry¦
Vinman
