| FANTASTIC FEST 2007 |
[Sep. 9th, 2007|12:49 am] |
My new favorite time of the year is just around the corner. Last year was my first experience in the festival atmosphere, and I'm now forever an addict. 8 days of some of the best genre pictures around, from all corners of the world, from all levels of production budgets, and from the minds of vastly different sub-genre fanatics. Crime, gore, violence, monsters, animation, asians, severed limbs, martial arts, naked women, beer, and artery-clogging food for eight straight days. It's Hannukah, Alamo Drafthouse style.
Last year's festival brought upon the likes of some of the most entertaining films released this year, such as THE HOST, SEVERANCE, the recently released HATCHET, and PAN'S LABYRINTH, along with my favorite film of last year, THE FOUNTAIN as the closing night film. Not to mention an impromptu addition of a nearly complete version of APOCALYPTO about 3 months before its official release, and with Mel Gibson (fresh off his drunken meltdown) in attendance for a Q&A afterwards, which I was not able to see because I did not have a VIP pass to get in for the viewing. This year, I do, so nothing is getting by me.
I saw over twenty films last year, with maybe 4 or 5 that were forgettable. That's a damn good batting average for festival quality. This year, they're adding an earlier show time throughout each day, so my schedule for this year's fest will run nearly 35 total films to watch. Of those 35 films, one is to be the new George A Romero zombie film DIARY OF THE DEAD as the opening night film, with none other than the genre master and zombie god Mr. Romero in attendance for an after Q&A session. Of the remaining 34 films, there are four that are being kept completely under wraps from the festival attendees, and if all goes as planned by Tim League and the AICN staff the titles to said films will not be announced until the lights dim just before showtime. Those dicks.
Considering the amount of coverage AICN has been privy to over the past year or so the possibilities could include BEOWULF, THE MIST, the new Rian Johnson (BRICK) film, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, or the long awaited second outing of DONNIE DARKO director Richard Kelly's film SOUTHLAND TALES. Other possibilities could range from the Coens' NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, Takashi Miike's WESTERN DJANGO, or even something from the very hush-hush 1/18/08, but that's very wishful thinking.
In any case, no matter because the real purpose of this post is to notify those who read it, and for some reason trust my judgment, that I will be trying my best come the week of the festival to write as much as possible (for my fun, and your benefit should you choose to take it) on each film that I see. The good news is that for each film that I write about in the first four days or so will be getting a second go around the following four days at the Alamo Drafthouse, and every single film at the festival they will sell tickets for if the house has empty seats (which most of them will, especially the second half of the festival). Each film is played twice, except for the opening and closing night films, the three super secret films, and a few others from the lineup. And, almost all of the films on the bill this year will have someone in attendance for a Q&A, be it the director, writer, producer, actor, or a combination of those. So, within the first four days I plan to see:
AACHI AND SSIPAAK
Anime picture about a future civilization whose primary source of energy is human feces. Yes, you read that correctly.
THE BACKWOODS
Supposedly a survival horror type picture akin to STRAW DOGS and DELIVERANCE, starring Gary Oldman.
THE RUG COP
Asian comedy from the director of THE CALAMARI WRESTLER, in which a detective harnesses the powers of his toupee and uses it as a projectile to fight crime.
THE ENTRANCE
Supernatural thriller involving a 1600's exorcism, and a modern day drug dealer's account of a kidnapping that somehow become connected. Nominated for a trio of awards in Canada.
WEIRDSVILLE
Comedy from the director of PUMP UP THE VOLUME about a pair of heroin addicts. Has drawn comparisons to Danny Boyle's TRAINSPOTTING.
DOG BITE DOG
Asian film about a man from Cambodia raised in the life of backwoods fighting to the death, and a cop over the edge. Supposedly is quite brutal and relentless.
GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME
Winner of the Japanese equivalent of the Academy Award for best animated feature. It's about a 17 year old girl that discovers she has the ability to travel back in time. She uses it to correct things as small as tiny blunders, to finding out answers on exam questions. But, the changes in the timeline cause wrinkles in the present day that lead to more complicated troubles, and a growing distance from her true love. This is one of my most anticipated films of the festival.
ALONE
Asian horror film about a girl who is read her fortune and learns that something that she has lost is going to return back to her. Apparently, though, the lost item is her deceased conjoined twin sister.
SEX AND DEATH 101
Directed by the writer of HEATHERS, and co-starring Winona Ryder and Patton Oswalt. A young, soon to be wed man receives an email just before he ties the knot containing the information of all of the women that he has ever slept with, and eerily all of the names of the women that he will sleep with in the future.
EXTE: HAIR EXTENSIONS
Asian horror film about murderous hair extensions...
KILTRO
Martial arts film from South America, starring the next big thing in action films apparently. The star is the man who did all of the stunt work for The Rock in THE RUNDOWN. So, when I say the next big thing, I mean literally the next "BIG" thing.
There are also going to be about 3 or 4 other films that I haven't scheduled as of yet because I'm awaiting feedback on the films as to which I should choose to see over the other, and then also 4 other films that will only be playing one time.
So, if you wish to see the rest of the Fantastic Fest lineup you can view it here. So, for Julian, Colunga, and whomever is in the Austin area that reads this, check out the schedule and see about trying to make it in to the feature as an outside attendee. As Julian experienced last year with SHINOBI, there isn't much trouble getting tickets to the films that get two showings. If any of you would care to join me for any of the showings I would love some company. |
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