Think Local! with 5 Flicks at the Cinematheque

This week, we interview local American Stories filmmaker Rob Lucas. He's but one of five featured directors in the Cleveland Cinematheque’s “Think Local!” Film Festival running this Friday and Saturday, August 17-18. The festivities include screenings of Joe Ostrica’s B-movie homage The Horror Convention Massacre, the Campbell Brothers’ action-packed comedy Cordoba Nights, Ted Sikora’s quirky superhero decoupage Hero Tomorrow and Bill Johns’ psychokiller suspense thriller, Madness. Sound intriguing? Then head to http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque and learn how you can soak up all five local flicks for one low price. Want to know more about these cinematic works? Read Peter Chakerian’s capsule previews of all the films shown this weekend.

Created by Cle filmmaker Sikora, Hero Tomorrow centers on a ganja-lovin’, dreadlocked comic-book artist named David (Perren Hedderson) who brings a masked crusader called Apama to life from the pages of his self-penned comic book. A Cle-based artist, David is your prototypical slacker – lackadaisical, unmotivated, unwashed, and doing yardwork and other odd jobs to make a living because he’s just not great at marketing and self-promotion. But things change once he decides to dons the suit and hit the streets. The results are oddly hysterical and inquisitive. What begins as a precise view into David’s world expands into a comical pseudo-superhero flick. http://www.herotomorrow.com.

Cut (natch) from the cloth as When a Stranger Calls and the quintessential 1980s horror/slasher films, Johns delivers an intense suspense thriller called Murder. With a great blend of slice-and-dice intrigue and a blood-runs-cold plot, Johns gives you the best of the suspense and horror genres -- and he gets two great performances from the lead actors, Jami Ross and the maniacal Michael Rose. Madness offers an fright night where five beautiful college girls get trapped in a mansion and struggle to survive as the young lead (Rose) teeters on the brink of insanity. As with most horror flicks, expect a slate of graphic violence and sexual situations. http://www.wheremadnesslies.com.

Lucas's tale American Stories offers a smashing look at an indie band called the Little Devils -- in the midst of an Ohio tour when they encounter some mechanical problems with their ride. With some great tongue-in-cheek performances from Tim Regan, Jeff France, Matt Cassidy and Ben Gmetro, each band member reveals truly outrageous things about themselves while waiting for the mechanic. We'd tell you more, but it's just too funny to give away. Keep an eye out for a hysterical turn by character "the Ripper" and great tunes by the Dreadful Yawns, Mike St. Jude and the Valentines, Lords of the Highway, the New Lou Reeds, New Planet Trampoline and Southeast Engine. There should be a soundtrack album for this fun comedic romp -- part 90s Clerks meets Swingers, part quintessential road movie. http://www.americanstoriesmovie.com.

On a much different wavelength is Cordoba Nights, a comedic action flick by The Campbell Brothers that opens the festival. With some familiar faces (Duane Whitaker of Pulp Fiction stars, as does Joe Estevez -- Martin Sheen's little brother), Cordoba tells the tale of a dirty city boy and pizza delivery guy named Finn. He waxes on about his old life, even as he exists burnt out and spent in his current life. That all changes when he meets an interesting girl named Ally with a lust-for-life attitude. Next thing you know, Finn and Ally are on the run with gangster thugs squarely on their trail. And things get a lot more complicated before they get easier. http://www.cordobanights.com.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is Ostrica’s B-movie homage The Horror Convention Massacre. It’s not everyday you get to watch a real blood-and-gore horror flick. Filmed at a previous incarnation of the Cinema Wasteland Horror Convention, this original concept for a splatter fest had its premiere at the very same convention it was filmed at. A maniac is on the loose there, and they're taking out visitors and employees at the host hotel. Brutal murders, scantily clad babes, drugs, funny dialog and a lot of it from a conventioneers' point of view! Well done, with another zesty soundtrack and a fine turn by local faves Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival. http://www.ossfilms.com.

The "Think Local!" Film fest is the first of its kind at the Cleveland Institute of Art's Cinematheque. All five shot-in-Ohio features by local filmmakers will be featured; the directors will all be on hand for the screenings as well. Check out all five flicks for a superfrugal "Think Local!" pass, on sale now at the box office. Check out the screening schedule at http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com
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