This week, I am zipping off to the land of the midnight sun, for the unveiling of the feature - "THE ROCKER" - at a dazzling red carpet event which kicks off the CineVegas Film Festival in the desert oasis.
Probably, the hottest ticket of late on the festival circuit, this year promises to be a high-energy sparkling affair that will undoubtedly wow the most jaded of film buffs and glittering jet-set elite.
There will be a smattering of boffo soirees set in the exotic heart of the dynamic Las Vegas strip for starters.
An opening night extravaganza will be hosted by Rain (Palms) and followed-up with a festive 10th Anniversay celebration the next night at the picturesque Palms Place Pool.
Not be be outdone - the Venetian, Wyn Hotel & Casino, the Palazzo, and Planet Hollywood - will crack open the bubbly for a scintillating round of dazzling party-chasers, as well.
The "In Film We Trust" bash will be a crowd- pleaser at Tao Beach on the 17th - while the Cinevegas Pool Party on the 14th and the soiree at Blush on the 16th - are sure to be a blast, too.
Vegas hasn't seen such sizzling action since Bugsy Seigel tore up the town in fancy three-piece suits!
There are a number of media events slated for the morning - gosh - after those late-night parties rubbing elbows with the tony elite.
Will I manage to drag myself out of a comfy bed bright eyed and bushy-tailed to attend?
Hope so, the series looks intriguing.
I am looking forward to attending the "Get Smart" screening.
After all, the telephone booth promo already sold me on project that was lifted from the sixties TV comedy series and upgraded to the wide screen, starring funnyman Steve Carell.
I'll have to do a little research on the new feature film - "Great Buck Howard" - since I am in the dark to date about that projects.
But, bear with me.
There's only so much a party-hearty toy-boy can keep up with!
I did take a peak at one flyer, though, for your sake.
The "Great Buck Howard" was directed by Sean McGinly (USA) and is about a law-school dropout Troy Gable (Colin Hanks) who answers an ad for a "personal assistant to a celebrity performer" not knowing that the performer is Buck Howard (John Malkovich).
Buck is apparently a formerly well-known "mentalist" (infamous for sixty-one appearances on NBC's Tonight Show) who has been reduced to a has-been magician in need of a pretty big trick to get him out of a slump.
But, I'm really looking forward to tripping-the-light-fantastic on the red carpet premiere of the soon-to-be released feature, "The Rocker".
The Rocker was directed by Peter Cattaneo (USA) and tells the tale of a failed drummer who is given a second chance at fame.
Other projects strewn out over the film festival landscape add a lot of pizazz to the eclectic mix.
There will be a set of celluloid pieces that organizers are touting as the - "
Pioneer Documentaries" - for example.
The series is a competitive entry for documentaries that explore new territory and world perceptions.
"BEAUTIFUL LOSERS" - Aaron Rose’s feature documentary celebrating the independent spirit that unified a loose-knit group of underground American artists is one such entry slated to screen.
Abel Ferrara’s feature - "CHELSEA ON THE ROCKS" (U.S. premiere) - looks like a real hoot, too.
It's about the personalities and artistic voices that emerged from the legendary Chelsea Hotel.
"THE END" - in which Nicola Collins explores the lives of her father and his friends in the violent underworld of London - looks intriguing if you're into tales of the mob (like moi).
For a complete run-down on the pioneer docs check the listings at the web site.
"
La Próxima Ola" - on the other hand - highlights the best films from first and second-time Mexican filmmakers.
The section includes: Jonás Cuarón’s Año uña (YEAR OF THE NAIL), a love story set in Mexico; "COCHOCHI", a humble story from directors Israel Cárdenas and Laura Amelia Guzmán about two Raramuri boys and their efforts to find a lost horse; and "DÉFICIT", actor Gael García Bernal’s directing debut in which he follows complex characters at a house party just outside of Mexico City.
In "
Vegas Uncovered" - (Documentaries about Las Vegas) - CineVegas will screen a doc on celebrated local hero, Hank Greenspan. "WHERE I STAND" focuses the lens on one of the last great crusading newspaper publishers. Directed by Scott Goldstein.
"
Diamond Discoveries" features the best new independent films available for U.S. distribution.
This year’s program includes: "EXPLICIT ILLS", Mark Webber’s tale of young love, drugs and poverty; "FINALLY, LILLIAN AND DAN", director Mike Gibisser’s meditation on young love; David Zellner’s "GOLIATH" follows a man as he searches for his missing cat; and Abel Ferrara’s strip club comedy "Go-GO TALES".
"
Sure Bets" focuses on advance screenings of independent studio films. (see listings at web site)
"
Nevada Filmmaking" puts the spotlight on features and shorts produced in Nevada by local filmmakers.
Slated for screening are: Francisco "Menéndez’s PRIMO" (world premiere) about cousins from El Salvador reunited in Las Vegas; "SONIC YOUTH: Sleeping Nights Awake", a vérité documentary by a group of Reno teenagers from director Michael Albright; and "WOMEN IN BOXES" (world premiere), the Phil Noyes and Harry Pallenberg’s behind-the-scenes look at magicians’ assistants.
The CineVegas 2008 lineup includes - "
JACKPOT PREMIERES" - which are a collection of highly anticipated world premieres including:
"Big Heart City"
Director: Ben Rodkin (USA, 2007)
An indolent gambling addict attempts to pick up the pieces after the unexplained disappearance of his pregnant girlfriend.
"Dark Streets"
Director: Rachel Samuels (USA)
A stylish noir film featuring blues music, seduction, and murder that is set in a visually dazzling fantasy of the early 1930’s.
"Happy Birthday, Harris Malden"
Directors: Juan Cardarelli, Ben Davidow, Nick Gregorio, Matthew Sanchez
In this surprise feature, Harris Malden has an obvious secret. He fakes his facial hair.
"Memorial Day"
Director: Josh Fox (USA)
A wild Memorial Day weekend takes an unexpected turn in this brutally-thrilling roller coaster ride through over-exposed national obsessions.
"She Unfolds by Day"
Director: Rolf Belgum (USA)
What began as documentary becomes fiction. What began as fiction becomes a study of nature.
"South of Heaven"
Director: J.L. Vara (USA)
A man returns home from serving his country and must search for his missing brother who is caught up in a crime spree in the Wild West.
The Festival will also feature a selection of student films from the CSN and UNLV programs. These short films embody the creative nature of independent filmmaking.
The films will be mixed in with the festival events throughout the program. A handful will be shown before features, while a handful will be combined with others to make feature-length programs.
A PARTIAL LIST INCLUDES:
Alex and her Arse Truck (Director: Sean Conway, 2007)
Alternate Ending (Director: David Fenster, 2007)
A Catalog of Anticipations (Director: David Lowery, 2007)
Chonto (Director: Carson Mell, 2007)
The Clay Head (Director: Tom Barndt)
Clear Glasses (Director: Sam Green)
Cowboy (Director: Matthew Modine)
I’m Pretty, Too (Director: Matt Jespersen)
Mr. P (Director: Jacob Vaughan)
Plot Point (Director: Nicolas Provost, 2007)
Sick Sex (Director: Justin Nowell, 2007)
The Sleuth Incident (Director: Jason Kupfer)
Info: http://www.cinevegas.com
Although Viggo Mortensen is mainly known as an actor to the American filmgoing public, the talented man is also a highly accomplished actor, poet, photographer and painter.
Sam Rockwell is a dynamic actor known for taking on challenging roles and creating memorable characters in the process.
