Los Angeles Film Festival ’08 – Schedule Update 6/22

Global warming continues to try to kill everyone here with ridiculous heat, but so far so good on the festival lineup. Reviews for yesterday’s screenings will be up soon, while I tackle 3 more films today, along with the X-Files sneak peek panel for the upcoming movie. Would I rather see the actual film rather than some random clips? Yes, of course, which is why if it looks like its going to be a total bust, I’ll just try to catch something else. Only time will tell, stay tuned faithful readers.

Highly Theoretical Upcoming Review Schedule 6/22

Sunday: Man On Wire
The Pleasure Of Being Robbed
Thing With No Name
X-Files : I Want To Believe Sneak Peek Panel (pending)

Monday: Frozen River
Choke

Previously on WAMG:
Well, it’s about that time: summer is officially here, and last night as the druids of England were celebrating the solstice at Stonehenge, I was paying my own tribute to the onset of the season. That’s right, the LA Film Fest has begun its 14th incarnation and I’ll be navigating the vague sense of underwhelmed confusion that is the festival this year. Nestled within the heart of Westwood Village in LA, right off the bat things are off to a slightly sour note, as anyone who has ever had to go to Westwood for anything, ever, will tell you that trying to park there is like trying to find a nice place to sit down in the middle of a wildebeest stampede. Now add to that the frantic delirium of world premieres like Wanted and Hellboy II and you’re almost guaranteed to want to abandon your car in front of whatever building you’re headed into ala ‘Fear and Loathing’ and just call it even.

That said, here in the sultry heat that envelops the sights and sounds there ARE some things to be excited about. This year the fest boasts over ‘175 narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and music videos.’ I’ll be doing my best to chase down as many reviews as I can, with what I hope will be a mix of things you’ve been looking forward to, things that aren’t necessarily on anybody’s radar, and hell, maybe even some short films. The possibilities are high, the free drinks for press supposedly endless, the movies ready and awaiting your approval. Let’s do this thing.

Friday: Baghead
Saturday: The Order of Myths
Encounters At The End Of The World
Elite Squad