The Method Fest

Shorts Program

3 and 4

Review

by

KE Monahan Huntley

Don Franken, the genial man behind The Method Fest, a film festival focusing on the role of actors in independent film, creates a familial atmosphere among filmmakers and goers alike — even if it means early morning screenings during daylight savings. The result? The feeling of watching home movies with, if not quite friends and relatives, at least, then, people who share the same sensibility.

And like many a family affair, favorite anecdotes are drawn from Christmas past, pet cemeteries, Hollywood endings, and the random men's room attendant. Highlights include:

A Family X-Mas — The best part of writer/director/producer Warren Eig's Old School Mafia meets Old Saint Nick story was meeting veteran character actor John Capodice (Dog Day Afternoon) — a true Italian gent.

Stuff That Bear — Taxidermists and taxi dancers in Paris, oh moi!

The Goldfish — Henry Gibson is back on-screen in beautiful downtown Burbank in the world premiere of this groovy little fish story.

The Old Man and the Studio —

Larry Mann: We're talking about the Grand Kahuna, Bob, the great white whale. Did you ever read The Old Man and the Sea?
Bob Walker: No.
Larry Mann: Oh, well, then forget about it. — The Big Kahuna

Writer/director Eric Champnella did not forget his high school Hemingway with this very droll insider send-up of the industry. Aarmadillo Award for Best Short.

I Am Stamos — Can there ever be too many Clint Howard cameos? Nevah! The super fabulous and talented Rob Meltzer and Alex Eastburg's witty bit, about a supporting character's sad sack wish to photograph just like John Stamos, is a new spin on identity theft. John Stamos in his black leather jacket — unholy wrath never looked so divine.

Most funny and frightfully realistic line: "All good producers carry guns."

Rent-A-Person — Imagine weaving washroom attendants, rush hour traffic, and photo frame models into a fresh and original story. Writer/director Kurt Kuenne's tale of a lyrical loo is 12 minutes of black and white brilliance. Christie Digital Audience Award for Best Short.