I was lucky enough to see approximately fifteen films over the course of four days. Unfortunately I missed Winter's Bone, the opening night film, which won Best Narrative. I heard nothing but high praise from all who saw it.
Here are some of my favorites:
Alamar -- Part documentary, part narrative about five year old Natan who embarks on a journey with his Mexican father, Jorge, before he is taken back to Rome to live with his mother. Through their experiences, Jorge instills in Natan a sense of his Mayan heritage. It is a moving bittersweet film with breathtaking scenery.
Black White and Blues -- Jefferson Bailey, a troubled blues musician with a bad case of stage fright, travels from Austin, Texas to his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama to collect an inheritance left to him by his grandfather. He is accompanied by a a mysterious stranger (Augy), played by Michael Clarke Duncan, who claims to work for the attorney handing his grandfather's estate. As their stories unfold, they discover they are connected in an unexpected and life altering way. Directed by Mario Van Peeples.
Interesting note: Tom Skerritt plays a bar owner called Santa. During the film I noticed a gentleman sitting three seats over from me who looked VERY familiar. I finally realized it was Holmes Osborne, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0651660/ (That Thing You Do and many other roles) who during the Q & A, said that he had read for Tom Skerritt's role.
Happythankyoumoreplease -- A romantic comedy that hits all the right notes about six New Yorkers balancing friendship, romance and life's intricacies. Josh Radnor of "How I Met Your Mother" makes his directorial and screenwriting debut. He plays Sam, a struggling writer who sees a young boy separated from his family on the subway. He takes the child home with him intending to contact the authorities, then cannot bring himself to do it. I loved this film and hope it gets a theatrical release.
I Am Comic -- A documentary about stand-up comedy narrated by Ritch Shynder who was at the top of his comedic game in the 80's during the heyday of stand-up. Shynder gets so jazzed by the energy of the comics he interviews and the atmosphere of the clubs, he decides to try stand again himself. A penetrating look behind the scenes at the life of a comic. This film can be seen on Showtime this month.
American: The Bill Hicks Story -- A documentary about the life and comedy of Bill Hicks whose died in 1994 of pancreatic cancer at the age of thirty-two in Little Rock. He grew up in Houston, Texas, but his parents moved to Little Rock and still reside here. His in-your-face cutting edge comedy about politics and social mores never caught on in the US like it did in the UK and Europe. His ground breaking commentary has paved the way for the likes of Jon Stewart and Bill Maher. The Q & A featured Mary and Steve Hicks, Bill's mother and brother. They said a feature film about Bill's life is being discussed and Russell Crowe is interested in playing the lead.
Table at Luigi's -- A sparkling romantic comedy about the chef in an Italian restaurant who spices his gourmet creations with a little magic. The Feature Film Making Class at the University of Central Arkansas produced this enchanting film and they did an excellent job. I was very impressed by the screenplay, the acting and the production values.
Documentary Short: In Queso Fever: A Movie About Cheese Dip -- I am relieved to know my obsession with cheese dip is shared by the entire state of Arkansas. Of course everyone interviewed allowed as how their taste for the cheesy concoction was influenced by an Arkansas institution, Mexico Chiquito. The Tex Mex restaurant opened in Protho Junction in 1935 with dirt floors. In those days people came from all other the state to dine there. When questioned about putting cheese dip on his menu, the Head Chef at Ashley's in the Capital Hotel, was nonplussed, but then admitted that most Arkansas restaurants do have cheese dip on their menu, even if they serve nothing else even remotely Mexican. We do love our cheese dip!
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