ANAHEIM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: INHALE

James Harrison (Sam Shepard) and Paul Stanton (Dermot Mulroney) in Inhale.

Organ-ized crime caper closes AIFF 2010

By John Esther

The inaugural Anaheim International Film Festival concludes today. Offering a mixed bag of very good films (i.e. A Small Act; Skeletons; Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story) and sub-par films (i.e. Circo; Mandrill; One Day Less) for a film festival in its first year and only running four days (Oct. 13-17) I was fairly impressed and look forward to the years to come -- especially when AIFF 2010 concludes with a film like Inhale. 

Paul Stanton (Dermot Mulroney) is a rising Santa Fe District Attorney who has a very sick daughter, Chloe (Mia Stallard). With time running out, Paul decides to close a controversial case -- one which his boss (Sam Shepard) agrees he should do for the sake of political expediency -- take some time off and set off into the dangerous world of Juarez, Mexico, in order to find a doctor who may be able to save Chloe's life.

Known as the "murder capital of the world," in Juarez, Mexico, kids Chloe's age die at a staggering rate from gunshots, stabbings and numerous sorts of diseases linked to poverty. Often they die without a caring father or mother around. And they may be the lucky ones. A slum of staggering portions, the children of Juarez are not living, they are merely surviving. 

As Paul searches deeper into the criminal web of the community, he and we see the death of far too many children -- often at the hands of each other. Yet thanks to the film's intelligent narrative, we never forget there is an innocent girl hanging by a medical thread back home. 

An action packed film increasingly offering more and larger dilemmas, director Baltasar Kormakur's film sets itself off for one big payoff that may ignite many an argument as its protagonist works toward what is arguably the grandest sacrifice of all for the better of humankind. I imagine parents will be less forgiving or surprised (if not shocked) at Paul than non-parents. That he is a lawyer working for the "law & order" side only complicates the issues.

A film festival full of gritty films, even if I did not necessarily dig a few of the films here, at least Inhale seems to seal the deal that AIFF is serious about providing smarter, more independent films than your average film festival.

Recommended.

(Inhale screens tonight, 8 p.m. For more information: http://anaheimfilm.org)

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ANAHEIM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: UNDER THE BOARDWALK THE MONOPOLY STORY

Filming Under the Boardwalk. Photo credit: Michael J Maloney.

Getting board not bored

By Miranda Inganni

I must admit that I was underwhelmed at the thought of viewing (much less reviewing) Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story. Eighty eight minutes later, I was refreshingly glad I saw co-writer/director Kevin Tostado's documentary and wished that I had my old Monopoly game to whip out and play.

Delving into the history of Monopoly (created by a woman, sold by a man!), its 75 year international success (used to help American and allied POW's during World War II!) and spotlighting the most recent Monopoly World Championship held in Las Vegas, NV (ESPN actually covered it!), this sweet, geeky, thorough documentary is an homage to the game that has been a family favorite dating back to before the Great Depression.

Highlights include candid interviews with past and present US and international champions and competitors. And boy, what a group it is. From the elementary school teacher in California who uses the game to teach his students math, to the salty and rather sanctimonious guy who thinks he's going to win the championship (if he doesn't he'll be damned if the schoolteacher does!), the movie provides a glimpse into what makes Monopoly lovers tick. (Hank Azaria is a fan of the game, too!)

Honestly, the documentary got me fired up. I wanted to gather around the game board with my family and wheel and deal like we used to growing up. I must buy more hotels! I will bankrupt my older brother and win!

Coincidentally, McDonalds is running its promotional Monopoly game right now, which I have always thought I would eventually win. You can use the real prize money to pay for the liposuction after all those 1/4 pounders with cheese!

(Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story screens Oct. 15, 4 p.m.; Oct. 17, 7 p.m. For more information: http://anaheimfilm.org/films/under-the-boardwalk-the-monopoly-story)

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ANAHEIM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: SKELETONS

Bennett (Andrew Buckley) and Davis (Ed Gaughan) in Skeletons.

Bones about it

By Don Simpson

Bennett (Andrew Buckley) and Davis (Ed Gaughan) are two British guys in suits who are trained to exorcise the proverbial skeletons from people’s closets. The duo traverse the lush rolling green hills of the British countryside until they find a home that matches a hand-sketched picture.

Once they find their destination, they interview their clients and acquire the required signatures and waivers. Then, it’s on with the business at hand. They use a device resembling a Geiger counter to detect the closet (or wardrobe) where the skeletons are hiding; then with magic rocks and fire extinguisher in hands and goggles strapped on, they dive into the surreal worlds where only the deepest darkest secrets reside. It is important to note that this is a task that must be done in pairs as going solo into the dark recesses of people’s memories (especially one’s own memories) has been proven to cause mental problems, even turning one’s brain to mush.

Written and directed by Nick Whitfield, Skeletons is a brain teasing comedy with highly intelligent dialog brimming with deadpan humor and a plot that requires some mental gymnastics on the part of the viewer. (I sense a strong affinity for Monty Python and Terry Gilliam…maybe even some David Lynch.) Whitfield’s cinematic eye is as squeaky clean as his knack for dialogue.

(Skeletons screens Oct. 15, 7 p.m., Oct. 16, 10 p.m. at UltraStar Cinemas at Anaheim GardenWalk. For more information: http://anaheimfilm.org/index.html)

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