A Special Report From The Oconto County International Film and Motion Picture Movie Festival in Little Suamico, Wisconsin from our In-House “Art-House” Critic Dedston Domenico
The site of the “fest,” moments before the grand opening unveiling
A little touch of Tinseltown glamour brightened the streets of the “Little Bolivia” section of Little Suamico this past weekend as the (94th Annual!) OCIFMPMF kicked into high gear. One of the most anticipated events of the year, the “fest” is an opportunity for Ocontoans from all around the region to show the world their stuff, from the many local food vendors to the aboriginal street musicians to the girls from Miss Heavenly’s Academy for Exotic Dancers to the many fine and talented filmmakers who make this their home.
Mayor Gary M. Garym himself presided over the ceremonial “cutting of the projector,” along with the late Darren McGavin (Kolchak: The Night Stalker) and Entourage star Debi Mazar. Opening night’s “Crowned Polished Hat of Excellence Covered In Gilt Goldleaf D’Pommes” selection was Oh, How Green Was Your Rooster (about which below), and director Peter Bogdonovich introduced his work with a short speech and several handstands.
And thus began the fest! I saw upwards of a thousand movies over the weekend, so I couldn’t possibly review them all here, but I wanted to spray some attention all over a few of the more notable features, both good, bad, and extremely ok.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank the good people of Little Suamico and the greater Oconto County area: Thanks, troop, and see ya at next year’s oat fry!
The Minstrel of Saturn: Directed by Edie Brickell; starring Ol’ Poppy Eubanks, Sheryl Lee, the Muppets
This quiet, sad little movie follows the adventures of a former clown and prizefighter as he traverses the blighted urban areas of Cleveland, Ohio, saving children with laughter and boxing. The script is both zippy AND peppy, and a subtly obtrusive score is provided by The Knack. The uplifting climax (wherein the punchdrunk clown’s dementia is finally relieved) is reminiscent of Truffaut, Renoir, and Lamaze.
Many Miles to Rogersville: Directed by David Clayton-Thomas; starring Hope Davis, Kathy Bates, Edwin “Eddie” Meese
In his nineteenth feature, “DCT” examines the toll taken by a labor dispute in Rogersville, TN. A ruthless group of Native American (Indian) terrorists have kidnapped the daughter of a wealthy magnet magnate, Rex Magnette, and it’s up to the steelworkers’ union to raise the ransom. A quietly stunning, edge-of-your-seat meditation on life, family, and weight loss.
How Cheese Is Made: Directed by Florence Tabbermouth
A documentary about how they make cheese. Overlong at 230 minutes, it nonetheless features strong, crisp narration from Hugh Laurie and a stunning soundtrack courtesy of Pantera’s Philip H. Anselmo.
Taut: Directed by Glenn Schwartz; Starring Melissa Joan Hart, Mark Linn-Baker, Terence Trent Darby
A taut thriller about Gerry Taut, a stout, loutish trout-fisherman suffering from gout while living in Terre Haute, where he scouts mail routes and counts outhouses for a dowdy kraut named Count Blaute, known to flaunt his clout. Mesmerizing.
Call Me Gail: The Gail Richards Story: Directed by Gail Richards; Starring Gail Pelth-Richards, Mindy Richards, Kenny Pelth
As everyone knows, Gail Richards is the woman who claimed to have invented the answering machine in 1993 and sued several major corporations before taking a major league softball team majorly hostage in the famous Clauding Day Incident of that year. This, then, is her story, told mostly through sloppily animated flashbacks and “talking head” interviews with her family members, who tend to wear pro-Gail t-shirts (“Gail was Right!”, ”Gail Rules!”, “Gail Is My Mom!”, etc.). A sparkling credits sequence comes courtesy of Gail’s friend Sherry Lindstrom (who also produced).
Where Your Meat Comes From: Directed by Layla Dennis
A documentary about where the meat we eat comes from. Feels a little “undercooked” at 23 minutes, but it is well-narrated by Alan Cummings and features a thought-provoking score courtesy of Debi Mazar.
Embarrassing Bing Dunting: Directed by Bryan Ferry; Starring Karen Black, Ray Liotta, the Muppets
Bing Dunting (Garry Shandling) has a problem. Specifically, he has a drinking problem, and much of the movie follows Bing’s disastrous (drunk) attempts to win back his estranged wife Inga (Debra Messing), who died in a bear accident years earlier. Undeterred, Bing travels to Mexico where he believes she’s hiding, and discovers a daughter he never knew he had (Dakota Fanning)! But is this family reunion just a drunk delusion? Probably. Anyway, a heartwarmingly disorienting romp.
A Pencil for Ruttiger: Directed by Bobby Slayton; Starring George Segal, Beanie Sigel, Steven Seagal
Young Ruttiger Nelba is trapped in his own mind, having been the victim of an experimental sonic weapon when he was a young infant living alone on a military base. Without the use of his arms, legs, eyebrows, collarbone, or larynx, he is forced to communicate with the world using a piece of chalk and a blackberry. That is until a mysterious stranger named “J. Esus” meets him at a Jackson Browne concert. The movie combines moody atmospherics with pinpoint period detail (it takes place in mid-2009). Will Smith shines as a forlorn Chinaman.
Where Did My Baby Go? Oh, There It Is: Directed by Penny Marshall
A documentary about women who lose their babies and then find them a few moments later. Clocking in at exactly 92 minutes, this charming film is the perfect length, but is somewhat marred by Brad Garrett’s heavy-handed narration.
