Though the name is Comic-Con, it’s about much more than just comics. It’s about the science fiction and fantasy genres, television shows and big budget movies give sneak peeks, and stars from all over the media spectrum find a way to make an appearance. So what began as a really cool gathering for Comics has evolved into more of a pop culture convention that adheres to a few genres.
One of the more interesting additions to Comic-Con International is the CCI Independent Film Festival. The film festival offers you the opportunity to view many, many hours of quality original films, most of them short films. In fact, it’s getting to the point where you could conceivably show up just for the film festival.
With that in mind, I culled through the offerings and attempted to pick out one film per category per day that sounded like it might stand above the rest. Naturally, our actual mileage may vary, but these films struck a chord. So if you are going and aren’t sure what you want to see, why not take my guide into consideration.
Finally, before we jump in I’d just like to point out that this was incredibly difficult to pull off. There are many, many fantastic-sounding films on the docket, so please understand I’m not trying to throw any of them under the bus. In a few cases, I picked more than one film per category. Once because they both sounded too good to pass up and once because that particular category dominates the whole day and boiling one day down to one film seemed silly.
And with that said, let’s get on with the show…
[For the full Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival list of offerings, click here]
Thursday, July 23
Horror/Suspense
1:45-2:20 Alice Jacobs is Dead -- Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog, Escape from New York) and John La Zar (Beyond the Valley of the Dolls) star in this post-apocalyptic love story. Dr. Ben Jacobs helped mankind fight back against the Z-virus, which nearly destroyed civilization entirely. Now, in the aftermath of the crisis, he's trying to cure the last victims of the virus. But what will happen when he brings his work home? Panelists include writer/director Alex Horwitz and producers Jacob Robinson and Ariana Mufson.
Action/Adventure Category
2:20-2:45 Soccer Mom -- Don't cross these moms the wrong way. When Carla steals Janet's parking space out from under her, it turns into a full- blown catfight of epic suburban proportions. Who will emerge victor? Participating panelists include director Leetal Platt and producer Andrew Rubin.
(Though Hurricane Fist sounds like a better choice for traditionalists who aren't looking for humor)
Documentary Category (Pop Culture-Oriented)
6:10-7:50 Every Other Day Is Halloween -- An uplifting feature-length documentary detailing the career and impact of television personality Dick Dyszel, whose popular characters Bozo the Clown, Captain 20, and the iconic Count Gore De Vol inspired generations of fans and artists. Appearing: C. W. Prather (director/producer), Dick Dyszel (Count Gore De Vol, Captain 20, Bozo the Clown), and Jerry Moore II (Karlos Borloff from Monster Madhouse Live).
(Three films in this category tonight and they all sound great).
Friday, July 24
Animation
Note: Because this category dominates Friday, I've picked out five that sounded like can't miss films. It wasn't easy though, as Friday looks like an animation-lover's dream day.
12:15-12:45 The Bone Orchard -- From award-winning filmmakers Steven & Whitney Boe comes this stop-motion adaptation of an ancient tale where a king accepts the invitation of a stranger, finds himself in a spectral burial ground full of macabre magic, and learns the secret of the universe through a series of mythic challenges. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Mark Hamill, and Lance Henriksen. With Original puppets designed and created by Brian & Wendy Froud.
2:30-2:55 Max the Hero -- From the minds that brought you Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Rifftrax comes an animated comedy about a superhero who is kind of a jerk and whose best friend/roommate decides to be his archenemy. This one promises to be a great time. Watch it, or we'll banish you to deep space and make you watch old movies. You know the drill. Produced and directed by Mike Salva, written and performed by Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Michael J. Nelson.
4:10-4:25 Caney Mountain -- A dark tale based upon a mysterious legend of the Ozarkian mountains, Caney Mountain is a disastrous tale of greed and vanity as told through the eyes of a magical suitcase. The short film is set to the music of the Ha Ha Tonka song of the same name. It reenacts the destruction of an innocent and ignorant farming community via colorful and flat, almost storybook like animation. Participating panelist will be co- director/designer/animator Brian Simpson.
5:10-5:20 Horn Dog -- This the fourth film in Bill Plympton's famed Oscar-nominated "dog" series. In this misadventure, our plucky canine fends off an obese dog, attacking oysters, and a wayward killer violin bow while trying to win the love of his heart's desire. Appearing to discuss the film will be animator Bill Plympton, creator of Mutant Aliens, Idiots and Angels, and the new DVD collection Bill Plympton's Dog Days.
6:05-7:00 Little Spirit: Christmas in New York -- When a friendly cabbie (Danny DeVito) tells two young sisters the story of a boy named Leo who moved to Manhattan with his family, a magical adventure begins. While adjusting to the big city and enjoying the days leading up to Christmas, Leo accidentally loses his dog Ramona in Central Park. Leo is devastated by his loss until a magical creature named Little Spirit appears and takes him on a quest to find Ramona. Leo and Little Spirit venture out on the journey of a lifetime, taking in the festive surroundings of the city and meeting people from all walks of life. By the time Leo is reunited with Ramona, he has an eclectic group of friends that make the strange city seem like home.
Documentary Category (Pop Culure-Oriented)
7:00-8:40 Zombie Girl: The Movie -- A documentary covering the two years that it took 12-year-old Emily Hagins to write and direct her feature-length zombie movie, Pathogen. Participating panelists include co-director Aaron Marshall, title designer Deborah Allison, and documentary subjects Emily Hagins and Megan Hagins.
Saturday, July 25
Comics-Oriented Category
11:30-12:00 The Book of Tomorrow -- Young Billy Allen is pulled into an incredible adventure when he discovers a forgotten chest containing a comic book with unimaginable powers that he must learn to master to avert disaster coming to Robertstown. Participating panelists include writer/director David Yohe, Mike Noble (visual effects), editor Johnnie Martinez, producer Vong Chea, and executive producer Thom Spitler.
Humor
3:20-3:40 Super-Anon -- Behind every superhero, there's a neglected sibling. For them, there's Super-Anon, their very own support group. Director Stephen H. Plitt (Testimony: The Fanny Crosby Story) and actor/producer Debra Sears talk about the film.
Documentary Category (Comics-Oriented)
7:35-8:50 Last Son -- Your alien father abandoned you. You grow up feeling different. You become a reporter to impress a girl. You want to save the world. Sound familiar? But this story isn't fiction. Last Son is the shocking new documentary about Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and how (and why) they really created Superman. Q&A with writer/director Brad Ricca.
Sunday
Science Fiction/Fantasy Category
2:10-2:30 Afterglow -- In the aftermath of a failed alien invasion, two men from the newly formed militia are challenged with determining if the threat died with the invasion or if it lies manifest in a once familiar territory. Participating panelists include writer/director Andres Anglade, executive producer Melissa Scotti, and visual effect artist Blaise Hossain.
3:40-5:15 Schrödinger's Girl -- Rebecca Hunter is a disgraced scientist conducting research into alternate universes. She discovers a way to travel between realities, and finds that her parallel-world counterparts have their own agendas. Panelists include writer/director Huw Bowen, Abigail Tarttelin (Rebecca in Schrödinger's Girl and Fenella in The Butterfly Tattoo), Damian Hayes (Matthew in Schrödinger's Girl), and Amelia Tyler (the voice of Q in Schrödinger's Girl).
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