NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

The American Film Institute Festival Picks

By Pete Allman

Some of the new films shown at The American Film Institute Festival are very entertaining. Some are not that impressive. Certainly A F I's Fest has some of the top young filmmakers making their debut at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

The Loved Ones {Australia} introduces Australian writer-director Sean Byrne; who brings to the screen, the willingness of a father to make his only daughter happy. A high school senior {Xavier Sameul} rebuffs the prom invite of a shrinking -violet classmate {Jessica McNamee}, then ends up the hog led prisoner of her claw-hammer-wedding father.

Byrne's film pays its respect to Carrie, The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre and the late John Hughes while locating a disco hall accented kitchen with blood- stained linoleum floor. It's Hell on Earth. Screening is at Mann Chinese 6, Saturday, October 31ST.

Modus Operandi {USA} was made in Milwaukee where the cost of life was indispensable. That is what filmmaker Frankie Latina shows in a somewhat avandguard way. It's the look of the 70's. Danny ''Machete'' Trejo plays the bad guy (stunts and all), along with Mark Borchardt {American Movie}.

Latina truly presents a mixture of violence and a bit of surrealism in this film.

The plot introduces Randy Russel a CIA agent who takes on a mission that will eventually lead him to his wife's killer. This flick has an interesting feel to it. It's
a combination of a spoof, a hard click gangster and experimental.

No One Knows about Persian Cats {Iran} is a funny film about government censorship and immigration through a comedic filter, making its political points.

There's various musical performances ranging from alternative rock to heavy metal, during which montages of everyday people unfold, showing glimpses of an Iran more complex than the news outlets in America report.

Screening-Mann Chinese6 Monday, November 2ND, 10pm.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com