Happy Friday everyone!! We’ve still got a couple of days worth of festivities before TCFF wraps, but sadly today is my last day covering the film fest as I’m flying to NYC on Saturday morning to attend my sister-in-law’s wedding. No fret though, I’ll still be posting some of the reviews from both days, as well as the interviews with two short film directors I’ve promised you by the week’s end. Before I get to that, check out some photos from the last 8 days:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

October 25 – Day 9 Films

…

Gladiators: The Uncertain Future of American Football
Friday, October 25th at 1:45 pm (2nd screening)
An historical film that tells the story of a game that was always dangerous, and whose dangers, though controversial, were also desired.  View my full review
…

Tapia
Friday, October 25th at 4:00 pm
TAPIA takes us inside the tortured soul of Johnny Tapia, the 5-time world champion boxer whose unprecedented success was overshadowed by a volatile drug addiction brought on by the brutal rape and murder of his mother at the young age of 8 years old. Director Eddie Alcazar candidly reveals Tapia’s public struggles through his intimate last interview, archival footage, and photos that showcase his vivacious personality ad child-like gusto.
…

Delivery
Friday, October 25th at 9:45 pm
Special Guests: Brian Netto, Director and Co-writer & Adam Schindler, Co-writer

In this unnerving chiller, Kyle and Rachel Massy are a young couple who have agreed to document their first pregnancy for a reality show. During the production, a series of unexplained phenomena start plaguing the couple, eventually derailing the production of the show. Rachel, growing increasingly paranoid, starts to believe that there might be something seriously wrong with their unborn bundle of joy.

…

Closing Day Highlights

Here’s what the Saturday schedule looks like when you visit TCFF official site:

Our artistic director Steve Snyder said this is THE best day he’s ever scheduled in the entire four years programming for TCFF. Nine feature films/documentaries and a myriad of educational panels/events to enjoy all day long! Here are some you don’t want to miss:

Remote Area Medical documentary

Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 10:45am

Directed by Jeff Reichert & Farihah Zaman

A debate over health care has been raging nationwide, but what’s been lost in the discussion are the American citizens who live day after day, year after year without solutions for their most basic needs. REMOTE AREA MEDICAL documents the annual three-day “pop-up” medical clinic organized by the non-profit Remote Area Medical (RAM) in Bristol, Tennessee’s NASCAR speedway. Instead of a film about policy, REMOTE AREA MEDICAL is a film about people, about a proud Appalachian community banding together to try and provide some relief for friends and neighbors who are simply out of options.

Pollywogs

Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 1:00pm (Filmmaker/talent attending)

Directed by Karl Jacob & T. Arthur Cottam

On the heels of a bitter breakup, Dylan travels home to Minnesota for a family reunion. There, he runs into his childhood sweetheart, Sarah, who was relocated to a religious compound when they were young. In the very place he discovered love for the first time, Dylan confronts the fantasies of his youth and realizes that the past may hold the key for what lies ahead.

Last Vegas

Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 3:00pm

Directed by Jon Turteltaub

Starring four legends like you’ve never seen them before, LAST VEGAS tells the story of Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam (played by Academy Award-winners Michael Douglas, De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline), best friends since childhood. When Billy, the group’s sworn bachelor, finally proposes to his thirty-something (of course) girlfriend, the four head to Las Vegas with a plan to stop acting their age and relive their glory days. However, upon arriving, the four quickly realize that the decades have transformed Sin City and tested their friendship in ways they never imagined. The Rat Pack may have once played the Sands and Cirque du Soleil may now rule the Strip, but it’s these four who are taking over Vegas

…

Wild Blue

Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 5:45pm (Filmmaker and select cast member attending)

Written and directed by Josh Hope

After his release from the foster care system, a young man leaves his small Oklahoma town for the first time to travel across the country with a strange woman he meets by chance.

Nothing Without You

Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 8:30pm

Special Guests: Xackery Irving (Director) and Emily Fradenburgh (Lead Actor)

Jennifer Stidger, a young psych-patient, is accused of killing the wife of the man she is stalking. No one, including her court-appointed psychiatrist, Charlie Branham, believes she is innocent. When she breaks out of the psych ward, Charlie becomes her only connection to reality as she struggles to prove her sanity and find the “real killer”. This fast-paced thriller will keep you guessing until the very end, what is real and what is Jennifer’s delusional fantasy?

Oh and there’s another screening of

August, Osage County – Saturday at 6 pm

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwestern house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name made its Broadway debut in December 2007 after premiering at Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre earlier that year.

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is directed by John Wells (The Company Men) and features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, Sam Shepard and Misty Upham.

It’s the kind of film you see just for the cast… but after seeing it last night, I can confidently say that the film is as stellar as the cast. Well the film is stellar because of the cast’ amazing performances. Meryl is in top form as always. As much as I’d love seeing other actors being nominated, let’s just say I won’t cry foul if I see her name amongst the nominees. ALL the performances were excellent, but the stand outs for me were Margo Martindale, Julia Roberts and Benedict Cumberbatch. I have to admit Benedict was another main draw for me to see it despite his small role, but it was well worth it! I thought he was excellent playing completely against type and his American accent is pretty darn good. Oh and he sings too!!

There’s still time to get your tickets!
General Admission $10; Opening/Closing Gala $20; Centerpiece Gala $20; Sneak Preview Galas $20. Festival Passes can also be purchased: Silver $50 for 6 films; Gold $70 for 10 films; or Platinum $120 for 12 films + 2 tickets to Opening, Closing or Gala. (Silver and Gold Packages do not include Opening, Closing or Gala Tickets).

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.twincitiesfilmfest.org.

Stay tuned for TCFF reviews and interviews. So which films featured above you’re looking forward to most?