Back From Vacation

It's been a long summer, but well worth it. My staff & I discovered a whole slew of new independent filmakers from all over the world that we will present here in the next couple of months. It is good to be back at the office- James K. Edwards

"Salvation Alley" (1949)

"Salvation Alley" (1949) Malcolm Poe’s post World War II fantasy. Jessica, a 12 year old German girl, suffers from traumatic depression in the days following the end of the war. Her parents missing, she is left to fend for herself in what is left of her former neighborhood. Her friends gone and no family to speak of, she is all alone...until one day she meets a young boy who can not remember his name and has no recollection of his past. As their friendship developes, Jessica starts to piece together the mystery about the boy that leads to a very surprising revelation. "Fans of M. Night Shyamalan and Guillermo Del Toro might want to take a look at Poe’s early cult masterpiece" -the London Cinema Almanac. (86 mins.) B&W

"Feary Tales" (1982)

"Feary Tales" (1982) Vladimir Chevski’s quartet of fairy tales with a twist of horror and suspense. Tiara Switzer plays a baker who gets an unexpected visit from two not so innocent children in "Gunsel & Gretal", Gaylord Hucks as a exiled prince in "Sinderella", Francis Alexander as "The Boy Who Fried Wolf", and in one of the scariest short films ever, 4 year old newcomer Kelley York, as the creepiest Jill ever in "Jack Never Came Back" A spinetingling film from this acclaimed Russian director. (80 mins.)

"The Clue" (1996)

"The Clue" A research lab assisitant (played by Carolyn Vardo) recieves a package in the mail from her father, a scientist who disappeared 20 years ago. In it are 7 items, each of which is a clue that will lead to the discovery of an ancient Chinese potion that promises immortality. A low budget film by newcomer Lei Ling-Robinson, this has a feel of a big budget Hollywood production through the clever use of San Francisco locations to recreate settings of Hong Kong, Paris, & incredibly Egypt. Winner of the 1997 Oceanside Independent Film Festival.

"Get Crazy" (1983)

"Get Crazy" (1983). Allan Arkush gives us a loving if not zany tribute to the Filmore East New Year’s Eve shows of the 70’s. Allan Garfield plays a Bill Graham type of concert promoter, who plans to put on the biggest New Year’s Eve show ever. Ed Begley Jr. ruthless millionaire out to sabotage the show in order to tear down the theatre in order to build a business hi-rise. Malcolm McDowell plays a Mick Jagger type (don’t miss the scene where he talks to a certain part of his anatomy), Bill Henderson as a Muddy Waters blues singer (who is accidentaly saddled with a Jews band instead of a Blues band), and Lou Reed as a Bob Dylan recluse, who after never leaving his apartment in 15 years, struggles to make it to the show. One of the funniest, most underrated spoofs of Rock & Roll ever made. Not available yet on DVD, this one cries out to be released. 92 mins.

"Tramps Like Us" (1979)

"Tramps Like Us" (1979) Gary Hullet’s hour long documentary on the fanaticism of Springsteen fans back in the 70’s. Today Bruce Springsteen is considered one of the true icons of Rock & Roll and his place in the history of music is well established. However, back in the 70’s, the world was not yet aware of Bruce & the E Street Band, and were considered an East Coast phenomenom. In those days his followers were not merely admirers, they were fanatics. Where many music fans are satisfied with seeing one performance of their favorite artists, his fans would attend multiple concerts, night after night. The reason for this devotion had to do with the band’s performances, four hour long demonstrations of pure Rock & Roll frenzy, the involvement between the artist and audience, and the feeling of when it was over that one had just gone through a religious experience which left you feeling emotionally high for days after. Hullet reportedly got the idea for this film, after a friend of his came up to him in 1978 and asked, "What’s this thing about Bruce Springsteen that makes everyone so CRAZY?". Not much actual footage of the band here, as the focus is on the fans who attended these shows and who in those early days seemed to be in on the best known secret of Rock & Roll.. (60 mins.) B&W

"The Osaka Plan" (2006)

"The Osaka Plan" (2006) Henry Matsudo's political sci-fi thriller. Yuko (Olivia Koshino), a young girl who buys an out of print video game called "Assasination". After playing the game, she begins to notice government officials around the world are getting killed off. When she tries to alert a high ranking official (played by Hisako Seto, star of televisions "Kayoko's Gang") that he could be the next target, Yuko suddenly finds herself plunged into a conspiracy that threatens her life. The Sankei Shinbun calls this movie "The First Great Sci-fi Film of the Twenty-First Century" (92 mins.)

"On Va A Paris" (One Goes To Paris) (2000)

"On Va A Paris" Jean-Luc Theroux's romantic romp against the backdrop of beautiful Paris. Caroline and Christine are Americain sisters who pack their bags and travel to France seeking out the love they can not seem to find in America. However, through an unforseen mishap, their luggage arrives in Paris, but they do not, setting into motion a series of romantic mis-adventures that neither of them had dreamed of. A true love letter from one of France's leading underground directors, Thereaux's film gives us one of the most romantic film in decades. Lina Poussard and Remy Lafleur star. (86 mins.)
note: Keep a quick eye out for French character actor Paul Cordier as the street painter.

"The Contents" (2005)

"The Contents" Robert Cannon's film version of the Kell Maxwell novel. A young woman recieves a mysterious box in the mail with nothing but a key in it. With no return address on the package, she dismisses it as junk mail & throws it out. The next day the package reappears on her kitchen table. This tautly directed thriller features a stellar performance by Lynn Jennings. (111 mins.)

"Unearthed" (1994)

Unearthed. Jaime & Gretchen are two sisters who one day dig up a strange rock from their yard. Everything is fine til a week later 5 year old Jaime is speaking several languages & 3 year old Gretchen is solving the New York Times crossword puzzle. Their parents are about to take them to the hospital to have them checked out, but the girls unleash a terrifying chain of events that threatens the whole town. "A Horrifying Fairy Tale Not To Be Missed" -New York Entertainment Times (90mins.)

The 24th Lantern

Director Harold Pysone's religious medevil thriller. In the 12th century, a local craftsman was commisioned to make 50 gold lanterns for the King of England. After completing the 24th, the lantern maker was murdered and that lantern disappeared. Now in present day, a young woman discovers her grandfather's notebook detailing the actual reason why the lantern was taken, the man murdered, and a secret hidden by the Church of England for hundreds of years. (88 mins.)

The Eye (2003)

Forget the American version, see the original Chinese version. THE EYE, directed by twin brothers Danny and Oxide Pang, is a Chinese/Thai horror film that focuses on Mun (Sin-je Lee), a cornea-transplant recipient who has been blind most of her life. As Mun adjusts to her newfound sight, she begins to see haunting visions of dead people. As these terrifying visions become more frequent, Mun turns to a young psychiatrist, Dr. Wah (Lawrence Chou), for help. Eventually the two track the identity of the deceased eye donor to Thailand, and there the mystery is finally brought to light. With THE EYE, the Pang brothers enter the increasingly populated subgenre of contemporary Asian horror. Although the "I-see-dead-people" plotline has been investigated numerous times, THE EYE manages to put a different lens on the idea through subtleties in the story and the charismatic performance of the radiant Sin-je Lee. Featuring scenes that will make all viewers wary of elevators, hospital recovery wards, and calligraphy, this film offers truly startling moments that will linger in the mind's eye for a long time. (99 min.)

"Nebraska Odyssey" (1977)

Linda's husband has just run out on her. Harry's wife has run out on him. Linda lives in Los Angeles. Harry lives in New York. On the same day each jumped in their own car heading for the opposite coast only to find each other on a stretch of highway where fate takes a hand. First time director Janice Campbell introduces us to two people finding faith in a most unusual landscape. "Director Janice Campbell delivers one of the most romantic movies in years!"-Glen Rendell, The Los Angeles Observer (115 mins.)

"Spider & The Diamond Of Death" (2006)

Based on the novels by Christopher Musgrave, this film chronicles the exploits of Spider Jackson, a renegade treasure hunter who breaks all the rules in the book of archeaology. An old Professor of Spider's old Alma Mata is killed, but not before sending him a package containing one piece of a diamond. A Diamond that legend has it gives the possesor the ability to will his or her enemies dead on sight. A race through the jungles of the Amazon, with an ancient deadly cult on his heels, has Spider leading viewers on a non-stop, heart thumping adventure. Starring newcomer Jason Harris as Spider Jackson. (95 mins.)

"The Dream Reaper" (Director's Cut) (2009)

Sakiki Rei's director's cut version of his 1989 Japanese horror film about Ryuu, an accountant, who meets Yioki, who seems to be the perfect girl. After several dates, Ryuu begins to realize there is something terribly wrong with Yioki, and soon understands the real meaning of undying love. While not as graphic as "Audition" this new version, with 23 additional minutes, will have you squirming in your seats. The Teddy bear scene is not for the faint-hearted. (117 mins.)

*(note- originally scheduled for a 2006 release, the director's cut version has been pushed back to 2009 amidst legal disputes between Rei and his production company the Manami Film Group).

"Corruption" (2001)

French director Claude LeCroix's American political thriller. Amidst the background of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, LeCroix weaves a tale involving the murder of a senatorial aide, the CIA, various members of the Mafia, and local inhabitants of O'Malley's Southside Bar. When Jimmy Callahan (Frank Wesler) stumbles upon the notebook of the murdered victim, he is suddenly thrust into a serious of cryptic events that seem to indicate a future assasination plot. Even more upsetting is the realization that he is being set up as the assasin! Fine performances by all, especially newcomer Natasha Wu's chilling portrayal of a psychotic hit woman known only as "the Nun". Filmed in Black & White. (143 mins.)

"Book Of Tomorrows" (1996)

A fantasy film from the mind of director James Kane. Residents of Lincoln, Nebraska wake up one morning to find themselves thirty years in the future and experiencing what their life would have wound up being like had they not made certain wrong choices when they were younger. Based on the novel "One Day Too Late". Starring Kenneth Dennotto and Fay Nero. 112 mins.

Roma Roma (2003)

Independent filmaker Carlo Petrocelli directs in his own surreal style, a film of love, hate, revenge & murder. Lina, a waitress in Rome, has been dumped by her drug dealer husband, robbed of her savings by her brother, mentally abused by her mother, and otherwise having one terrible life. That is till she meets the mysterious stranger Gina. Gina seems to have miraculous influences and powers over everyone she meets, and soon turns the tables on all of Lina's adversaries. But Lina eventually realizes there is a terrible price to pay for all this new found happiness. A taut thriller from one of Italy's unknown masters of suspense. Starring Gina Rosetta as Lina and Tino Grecco as the spinetingling Gina. 104 mins.