By “Cinema” Dave
http://cinemadave.livejournal.com
With much disappointment from both the publishing and motion picture worlds, Dan Brown’s Inferno made less than 20 percent of the film’s production budget. Inferno features the same formula we’ve already seen in The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. The new film offers a new wrinkle in which our hero, Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), suffers from memory loss. With great location shots in Florence and Venice, Inferno is not a bad movie, just a tired one.
High energy will be needed for the next three weeks as the 31st Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicks off this Friday evening at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Dreamland is the feature film and it is truly a family affair. Directed by Robert Coppola Schwartzman, Dreamland features his mom Talia Shire and Beverly D’Angelo, who are expected to be in attendance for a Q & A and the opening night party. Most of the 43 feature films, 62 shorts and 20 plus student films with be screened at Savor Cinemas Ft. Lauderdale and Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood. Savor Ft. Lauderdale will host an Italian Film and Party Sunday night at 6 p.m. and there will be the usual cruise on Sunday.
Seeking to be fair and balanced, Festival Director & CEO Gregory von Hausch will be screening Michael Moore’s Trumpland and Dinesh D’Souza’s Hillary’s America on Monday afternoon.
Later that evening, Chief Zabu will make its east coast premier. Produced over 25 years ago, this offbeat comedy features character actor Allen Garfield and Zack Norman (who also directed) as real estate developers who seek to build on a small Polynesian island.
On election night, the Savor Cinemas will feature a “Nail Biter Buffet” and live election coverage. Regardless of political affiliation, this should be a fun night for both winners and losers.
Veteran’s Day weekend will keep FLIFF’s tradition of interesting programming. Besides appearances from Arlene Dahl and Bailee Madison, there will be a free screening of Fury, a World War II drama about tank combat.
For ticket prices, times and all locations, contact 954-525-FILM or visit www.fliff.com.
