Stalking Santa

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Stalking Santa

Director: Greg  Kiefer
Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santologist. His name is Dr. Lloyd Darrow, the world's foremost, and only, researcher into the existence of Santa Claus. And moreover, Virginia, there exists a film all about his work. If you believe that, if you really believe, then have we got the mockumentary for you. Shot in the tradition of THE OFFICE and ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, STALKING SANTA presents irrefutable archeological evidence, raw polar footage, elf sightings, reindeer aerodynamics, close encounters with a crackpot constellation of territorial talking heads, a rogues' gallery of imposter Santas more numerous than Elvis impersonators and, as a sop to the non paranormal, the long- suffering family of the intrepid, but obsessive, Dr. Darrow - and more. You see what you look for, Virginia. Narrated by William Shatner. (2006, 85 min.)
Showing: May 17, 7pm, Matheson

Run Robot Run!

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Run Robot Run!

Director: Daniel O'Connor
In 1927, Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS gave us one of the earliest and most unforgettable portraits of a robot in human form. In its many variants, the theme of "You Can Be Replaced" by such a humanoid has captivated the imaginations of audiences for four generations. Ezra Pound said, "Make it new."  We say if you can't exactly make it new, make it charming, which is also to say, make it RUN ROBOT RUN!  Set in the near future, Kent Weston, a mechanistic human "more organized than a day planner" schemes against the brilliant and congenial Adam, an all-too-human machine, who has replaced him in both his position and in the affections of Allison, their pretty co- worker. With the help of Garth, a programmer at the dream factory where they work, Kent finally succeeds, after some very funny botched attempts, in frying his rival's circuits. But robots, too, can be replaced as Adam, reprogrammed, returns to give Kent a last chance to reprogram himself. (Canada, 2006, 80 min.)
Showing: May 17, 6pm, St. Anthony's

In This Short Life

NARRATIVE FEATURE

In This Short Life

Director: Britta Sjogren
Filmmaker in person
"A modernist, experimental film with a strong sense of documentary-like time and place, IN THIS SHORT LIFE works the blurry boundary of fiction/ documentary. Focusing on four intertwined lives - an elderly woman ambivalently
embarking on an affair, a mentally unstable man being evicted from his home, a frustrated actor waiting for his breakthrough and a young woman juggling personal and professional aspirations - the film portrays the small and large struggles of daily life and economic survival. The characters' lives connect in unexpected ways: gradually, their stories intertwine, revealing how the past grips our lives and drives us into our future, often blind to alternatives, and to the needs of those close to us." - Britta Sjogren  IN THIS SHORT LIFE will reward those yearning for an independent feature that does not seek to ape the Hollywood Standard. Britta Sjogren is a director to watch. There is a bonus here for fans of Mark Eitzel and The American Music Club: ten of their tunes are woven into the soundtrack. (2005, 96 min.) S
howing: May 18, 11am,  MTC

Full Grown Men

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Full Grown Men

Director: David Munro
Director & Producer in person
"A kid's job is having fun, and I was great at my job." - Alby Cutrera Alby Cutrera (Matt McGrath) yearns for a time when life was carefree and action figures were twelve inches tall. When his wife insults him for being more of a playmate than a father to his young son, Alby heads for safety and tracks down his boyhood pal Elias (Judah Friedlander) whose memory of their younger days is considerably less rosy. They set out on a road trip to Diggetyland, their favorite place as kids, but the search for simpler times turns complicated as the two friends confront the landmines of their past. Journeying through Florida, they encounter a cast of wounded roadside romantics - a disgruntled ex-theme park employee (Alan Cumming), a horny bartending clown (Amy Sedaris), and a delusional ex-mermaid (Deborah Harry) - each one shedding light on the perils of not letting go. FULL GROWN MEN is the bittersweet tale of a man who learns the hard way that the best years of his life may still be ahead. (Produced by Xandra Castleton, co-written by Munro and Castleton, 2006, 80 min.)
Showing: May 18, 4pm, St. Anthony's

August the First

August the First
Director: Lanre Olabisi
Filmmaker in person

AUGUST THE FIRST is the "long day's journey into night" of a middle-class Nigerian American family, gathered in suburban New Jersey home to celebrate the graduation of one of its own, a promising but troubled young man, Tundle Ibirinde. By nightfall, deceptions and half-truths are peeled away layer by layer until hidden secrets are uncovered in what will become the most devistating day the family has ever experienced. Mr. Olabisi's command of his material and, most especially, of a very large cast, is impressive. (2006), 81 min.)

Showing: May 18, 8pm, MTC

Forfeit

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Forfeit

Director: Andrew Shea
Filmmaker in person
Can love be more treacherous the second time around? Frank O'Neal thinks so. He did something terrible 18 years ago but now he seems a changed man. He wants Karen, his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, to give him a second chance. She'd have second thoughts if she knew about his obsession with his roommate's height, that he spends much of his time yelling at one particular television preacher, and his plan to rob the armored car company where he works of every penny in its vault. FORFEIT is a taut and inventive thriller with an Old Testament twist. (2006, 84 min.)
Showing: May 18, 8pm, Matheson