CineVegas set to launch Friday at the Palms

Kirk Baird

Thursday, June 10, 2004 | 8:57 a.m.

CineVegas schedule

For a complete schedule of CineVegas 2004 movies, see its Web site at:

http://www.cinevegas.com/

Jack Nicholson. Sean Penn. Holly Hunter. Dean Stockwell.

That list of actors, which reads like a dream cast of a Hollywood blockbuster, represents some of the honorees at this year's CineVegas Film Festival.

The nine-day festival, which kicks off Friday at Brenden Theatres Las Vegas 14, features nearly 70 shorts, documentaries and feature films (for information, go to: www.cinevegas.com).

Trevor Groth, director of programming for CineVegas, said the festival, now in its sixth year, carries on the tradition of years past.

"We have tried to build on what we've done the last couple of years and learn what works and what needs to improve," Groth said. "We've taken that knowledge and built on it for this year."

The guest list has also improved as well, including:

"We still want the heart and soul of the festival to be new films from young and emerging U.S. filmmakers," Groth said. "But by doing the tributes, we want to generate exposure and interest in the festival itself. And by doing so, people will come and discover these brand-new terrific films."

As for the films, Groth offers these highlights:

"A League of Ordinary Gentlemen"

This documentary follows the travails of the PBA P Pro Bowlers Association P through three legendary bowlers. Then someone from Microsoft decides to buy the PBA and pump new life into it, in part, by having the bowlers become good and bad characters, along the lines of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Groth: "It's a really interesting film and really touching in a way, too. Whether you enjoy bowling or not, for these guys it's their livelihood. And you see these guys fighting to survive and going through the grind of it all -- all for the passion of the game."

"Mitchellville" -- A corporate lawyer with a secret past stumbles upon a case involving a small freedman town in Carolina that was leveled to make a golf course, forcing him to re-examine his life and his beliefs.

Groth: "('Mitchellville') is a really beautifully shot film from a New York filmmaker (John Harkrider) who made the film in his down time from practicing law. (It's) one of the most visually striking and intelligent films I've seen in a long time."

"Until the Night" -- A gripping portrait of modern-day life in Las Angeles and the heartache that happens between people caught up in themselves, and then trying to work through their relationships.

Groth: "It has some really great performances from some recognizable faces: Norman Reedus ('Blade II') and Kathleen Robertson ('I Am Sam')."

"Malachance" -- A young and nostalgic pill seller escapes the streets of New Orleans and runs to Coney Island with a stolen personality in pursuit of his dream life.

Groth: "It really reminds me of early (Martin) Scorsese. It's shot incredibly well, with gritty characters and great dialogue. (Director Gerardo Naranjo) really understands the subtleties of storytelling."

"Luck" -- A man in the midst of depression goes on a gambling binge, betting on an entire hockey season, in an effort to will his life back on track.

Groth: "Over the course of the film, he goes on waves of the highs and lows that gambling can take you on. It features Sarah Polley from the 'Dawn of the Dead' remake."

"Riding Giants" -- A sneak peek of Stacey Parlato's new documentary, which offers a history of big-wave surfing.

Groth: "('Riding Giants') amasses footage of these amazing adventure seekers who live life on the edge and do some amazing feats."

"Napoleon Dynamite" -- A sweet and funny film about the oddness of growing up in a small town if you're sort of an outsider.

Groth: "This guy made it in his small town of Preston, Idaho. It's great, one of the freshest films I've seen in a long time."

"DIG!" -- Winner of the best documentary award at this year's Sundance Film Festival,"DIG!" follows the perpendicular story of two rival bands. One is the Dandy Warhols, who obtained a moderate level of success. The other band is the Brian Jonestown Massacre, which everyone agrees is the more talented of the two, but manages to self-implode.

Groth: "It's an epic tale of music and art and the choices you have to make to obtain success versus remaining pure."