Saturday, April 5, 2014

Phil's Favorite Films from Cinequest 24- March 20, 2014

Hello again everybody and welcome back! Now that Cinequest is all over and done with, and I've some down time to catch up some well deserved rest, I decided it was now time to give you my Favorite Films of Cinequest 24! Now thanks in large part to my OCD, I have listed my favorites under three categories: Best North American Film, Best Foreign Film, and Best Documentary. So ladies and gentlemen, here are my Favorite Films of Cinequest 24!

BEST NORTH AMERICAN FILM - ETERNITY: THE MOVIE
This should come as no surprise! The film tells the story of Todd and BJ (Barrett Crake and Myko Olivier repectively), two inspiring R&B singers who want to make the best music ever created. Soon this dynamic duo is known as Eternity, the greatest 80's R&B band ever! But their friendship is put to the test as they both fall in love with the same woman (the beautiful Nikki Leonti). Can the guys survive this or will Eternity will be nevermore? Like I said in my original review, "ETERNITY: THE MOVIE is the greatest 80's film never to have been made in the 80's!" Both Crake and Olivier were awesome in their roles and had perfect on-screen chemistry. The production values were top notch!You are not going to find a better indie film than this! To learn more about this indie gem, visit the film's official website at www.eternitythewebsite.com (also make sure to buy the totally radical soundtrack)! Also follow the movie on Facebook and Twitter!

BEST FOREIGN FILM - THE DESERT FISH
The equivalent of reading a poem captured on film! This stark and poetic drama is about a nine-year-old boy named Ahmad who's been having visions of his dead mother, who was lost at sea years ago. While his father dismisses his son's idea, Ahmad decides to travel to his parent's old village by the sea to seek out his missing mother, with the help from his uncle who he hasn't seen in years. Director Mohammad Ghorbankarimi crafted a magnificent film! With its sheer size of emotional heartbreak and the sweeping landscape of Iran, which has never been captured on film before, the movie is a reminder of what art looks like. The combination of the beautiful scenery, amazing  directing, perfect cinematography, astounding script, and riveting performances, THE DESERT FISH is my favorite foreign film of the festival!! To learn more about the film, visit the official website at http://cine4d.com/the-desert-fish and follow the movie on Facebook as well.

BEST DOCUMENTARY -  THE RUGBY PLAYER
What an amazing documentary! This doc focuses on the life of Mark Bingham, one of the heroes aboard the United Flight 93 on 9/11. The film talks about his early life, his time as a rugby player for Cal Berkley (Go Bears!!), his coming out as a gay man, and his act of heroism that inspired a nation. Told through candid interviews by those who knew him and personal video footage shot by Bingham himself, the documentary tells the real story of a local man who became a national hero. This is local history that I knew a little about, but now thanks to the film, many more people will come to know of the courage of Mark Bingham, who has now become a local hero and an inspiration to many. For coming out gay, he broke the common stereotypes that are acquainted with being a gay man. He was a successful business man, a rugby player, a son, a friend, and now a national treasure. My favorite documentary from Cinequest 24!! To learn more about Mark Bingham and his life, visit the film's official website at www.therugbyplayerfilm.com. Also follow the film on Facebook and Twitter.

And folks there you have it! My Favorite Film Picks from Cinequest 24! So be on the lookout for any of these films in your local theater, on cable, or VOD, or any other media outlet! Also, if you would like to learn more about Cinequest, their mission statement, their Picture the Possibilities program, and how to make a donation, please visit www.cinequest.org.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!