I got the chance to attend the Newport Beach Film Festival, which ran from April 23 - 30. This year was the 10 year anniversary of the festival, and featured over 400 films. I saw seven. For a college student living about 90 minutes from the festival, I thought that was a respectable amount. Regardless, here is the review of the seven films that I saw .
1. "Lymelife" "Lymelife" was the opening night film for the festival, and was probably my favorite film out of all the ones I saw. It's a basic coming-of-age story with a great ensemble cast, starring Rory Culkin, Kieran Culkin, Alec Baldwin, Cynthia Nixon, Jill Hennesy, Timothy Hutton and Emma Roberts. Rory Culkin is in love with his neighbor, played by Roberts, whose father has Lyme disease. Set in the '70s, the dark comedy grapples not only with the themes of young love and sickness, but with infidelity, family flaws and the American dream. The acting was superbly done in this film; Baldwin nailed his role as the powerful businessman, without drawing too closely to his "30 Rock" character. The Culkin brothers are outstanding; Kieran's role is smaller than Rory's, but whenever the two of them are onscreen together you can't help but smile because the chemistry is so natural and genuine. The biggest surprise of the film is how great of an actress Roberts is. I know she has Hollywood blood in her, but I also put her in the Miley Cyrus/Jamie Lynn Spears category, so I didn't expect much of a performance. I think she's going to be shedding her tween image very soon once this movie is out. Goodbye "Nancy Drew." "Lymelife" is out now and playing at the Hillcrest Cinemas.
2. "Spooner" What attracted me to "Spooner" in the first place was a) the fact that the trailer featured Goddamn Electric Bill, and b) that it starred Matthew Lillard (of "Scooby-Doo" "fame"). When I saw his name, I had to read it again, because honestly, what has this guy done since starring in a handful of late '90s high school rom-com's as Freddie Prinze Jr.'s ever faithful but dopey sidekick? I was intrigued, so "Spooner" it was. Lillard plays Herman Spooner, who is coming up on 30 and still living at home with his parents while reluctantly working as a car salesman. Spooner is awkward, to say the least, and seems to have a Forrest Gump-esque mentality. Spooner's life seems to be pretty bleak, his parents have given him a move-out deadline on his birthday, and his boss has threatened to fire him if he doesn't bring his numbers up. His worries all take a backseat when Spooner meets the girl of his dreams, played by the adorable Nora Zehetner. The two share sweet moments and conversation over the course of two days, until she tells Spooner that she is leaving to go teach in the Philippines. I loved this movie; it was sweet and simple, and had a great soundtrack. There is no release date yet, but hopefully it will come out sometime within 2009.
3. "World's Greatest Dad" I think with all festivals, there are always those offbeat movies that you end up seeing. "World's Greatest Dad" was the one for me. Taking the term "black comedy" to a whole new level, "World's Greatest Dad" starred Robin William's as a failing novelist and single dad whose son dies in a freak accident, how he deals with the aftermath of the situation and the ridiculous turn of events that ensue. I love me some Robin Williams, but this movie is not going to be for everyone. The humor is extremely foul and perverse and it's hard to like any one character throughout the film. For those that like twisted humor, this is the film for you. Otherwise, this movie will leave you feeling a little unsettled after viewing. "World's Greatest Dad" will be released August 21.
4. "Into Temptation" Another one of my favorite films of the festival! After realizing that I wouldn't get to see my first choice at 4 p.m., I popped into "Into Temptation," and I am so glad I did. Jeremy Sisto stars as a priest in a poor parish, going about his routine until a beautiful prostitute (Kristin Chenoweth) walks into his confessional and tells him she is going to kill herself on her birthday. The next 90 minutes follow Sisto as he tries to track down the woman, going into a world far removed from the parish. He literally goes "into temptation," talking to hookers and visiting adult shops. There is no release date yet for "Into Temptation."
5. "Easy Virtue" A British period piece starring Colin Firth? How original. But nonetheless, true, and suffice it to say, quite well done. "Easy Virtue" stars Jessica Biel as a sassy young American woman who marries the only son of an uptight British family, and the culture collision that ensues when he brings her home. The first half of the film bored me, mostly due to Biel's annoying chipper attitude and the immaturity of the son. As the film went on, the plot got a little more intense and once Biel seemed to calm down a little, so did I. While I didn't love this film, I did like it. It was entertaining and fun, and had a few laughs sprinkled in. "Easy Virtue" will be released May 22 in select theaters.
6. "A Film With Me In It" "A Film With Me In It" was the "Irish Spotlight" film of the festival, and I went into it with no idea what it was about, yet was pleasantly surprised. Another "black comedy" about two out of work friends (one a filmmaker and one an actor), who must deal with the accidental deaths that occurred in their flat. It's pretty much the worst day ever, with comedic outcomes. The violence in this film is quite graphic, but also extremely theatrical and hilarious. Along the lines of the humor found in "Death At A Funeral," except perhaps a bit darker, "A Film With Me In It" was surprisingly delightful. Unfortunately, this film has no plans to be released in the United States anytime soon.
7. "The Brother's Bloom" I was lucky enough to be able to see this film last fall at the San Diego Film Festival, and a second time last week. "The Brother's Bloom" is probably my favorite film of the year, and I can't wait to talk to more people who have seen it once it arrives in theaters this month. The film is about two brothers who are world-famous con-men, until one brother decides he's had enough and wants instead, "an unwritten life." They go on one last con, to swindle a beautiful but socially inept millionairess, played by the wonderful Rachel Weisz. The two brothers are played by Adrian Brody and Mark Ruffolo. Both deliver excellent performances, but Ruffolo really takes it away. He creates the character of Stephen Bloom as a likeable bad-guy; he's witty, sharp and tough, yet has a soft spot for his younger brother. Brody, as the younger brother Bloom, is the perfect antithesis to Ruffolo's loud character. He's quiet, thoughtful and charming. Any girl is crazy if she doesn't walk out of the movie completely in love with him. "The Brothers Bloom" will be out May 29.
