If you’re an aspiring screenwriter, the Writers Celebration on Friday, March 9 is a must. Panels and events held at San Jose Repertory Theater from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm will cover pitching your screenplay, the business of writing, and more. There will also be a the presentation of a Maverick Spirit Award to Philip Kaufman, who is based in San Francisco. Kaufman is a writer and director of such films as “The Right Stuff” and the upcoming “Hemingway and Gelhorn.”

Later Friday night, there will be a showing of “Faust,” F. W. Murnau’s silent film about the temptation of a devout alchemist. “Faust” was Murnau’s last film before leaving Germany for Hollywood, where his next film was the highly celebrated “Sunrise.” This screening of “Faust” will be accompanied by live music played by the Filmharmonica Duo — Dennis James on the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ and Theremin, and Mark Goldstein on the Buchla Lightning Wands.

Saturday March 10 brings the Adobe Youth Voices screening at 11:00 am at Camera 12. These films were made by young people in underserved communities around the world, with help from the Adobe Youth Voices philanthropy program. This free event will give you a glimpse into the minds of young people through the medium of film.

Saturday is also the last day of the festival, which closes with the 7:00 pm screening of “Deep Blue Sea.” Terence Davies (“The House of Mirth”) brings us a tale about a woman (Oscar winner Rachel Weisz) struggling to choose between her mundane marriage and a dashing affair. After the film, Davies will be presented with a Maverick Spirit award and chat about filmmaking. Following the closing night showcase, there’s a party at the Tech Museum.

If you missed some of this year’s films or are hoping to see some films from past years, check out Cinequest’s online film library at www.cinequestonline.org. The website offers DVDs and downloads of more than 60 independent films ranging in style and subject.

Cinequest also provides mentoring and education programs for young people during the year — visit the festival’s website for more information: www.cinequest.org

“Portrait of a Zombie” is one of those films that really ought to be fantastic, but doesn’t quite make it. These aren’t uncommon at Cinequest, but they’re always a little saddening when you run across them.

The premise is gold: a zombie apocalypse is winding down in Ireland, and an egotistical American filmmaker shows up to do a film about a family keeping their zombified son in their house. The film opens promisingly in mocumentary style, including interviews with the parents and some other people. The fellow’s mother comments that when he was a teenager, Billy would eat just about anything — “and in that way, not much has changed!” There’s a streak of very dark humor running through the film, and I was all set to have a blast.

Unfortunately, regular horror-movie type sequences show up, disrupting the  mockumentary feeling and making it sometimes hard to tell just what is going on. By the time the film comes to its not-entirely-surprising end, it’s hard to avoid feeling wistful for what might have been. A Spinal-Tap-style mockumentary about the same subject could have been a fantastic satire on overprotective parenting, for example.

Instead, we have an uneven movie that can’t quite decide what it is. The special effects range from fantastic to laughable, and the tone wanders between pitch-black humor, actual drama, and silliness. The acting, particularly from Geraldine Mcalinden as the zombie’s unlucky mother, is good, but its hard for the actors to do much with such an uneven script.

If you’re a hardcore zombie fan, you still will likely want to see this, as catching an independently made Irish zombie flick on the big screen is a rare opportunity. Most other folks, especially those who were hoping for a proper mockumentary, should stay away.

Remaining Screenings:
3/5 9:30 PM Camera 12
3/10 4:30 PM Camera 12

There’s a certain kind of audacity that makes a film likable, regardless of its technical abilities. “The Ghastly Love of Johnny X” is a big love song to a long list of film tropes and genres. The titular Johnny X owes a lot to Marlon Brando’s “The Wild One.” The whole film is an homage to the cheesy, terrible black-and-white science fiction movies of which “Plan 9 From Outer Space” is the most memorable. There’s a romance between a bad girl and a square soda jerk, a desperate ploy to save a rock concert after its star up and dies, and to top it off, the whole film is a musical.

The plot is too ridiculous to sum up, but it follows the efforts of a leather-jacket-wearing group of juvenile delinquents from outer space to earn the right to go back home. The musical numbers are charming (if not always toe-tappingly great), the acting is solid, and — perhaps most importantly — the fellow playing Johnny X has charisma dripping out of his ears. As a bonus, Creed Bratton (of “The Office” fame) steals most of the scenes he’s in, even under a thick layer of corpse makeup.

This is a wild ride of epic proportions, and Cinequest offers you the rare opportunity to see this sure-to-be-cult-oddity on the big screen. If you can’t tell after reading the above whether you want to see it or not, you’re probably not the target audience. If, on the other hand, you think the idea of a 50s-style musical about teenage delinquents from outer space sounds awesome, don’t miss it!

Remaining screenings:
3/6 7:00 PM San Jose Repertory Theatre
3/10 4:45 PM San Jose Repertory Theatre

Filmmakers love to make movies about making movies, and “Salt” is the kind of film we get as a result. It wanders a bit, unsure of its purpose and footing (or maybe I just couldn’t figure out what the purpose was), and although it meanders through interesting and engaging territory, its ending is not particularly satisfying.

Would-be director Sergio can’t get producers to buy his film: they don’t like the script. After being told yet again that there’s no life in his story and it reads like he’s never been to the setting, Sergio sets off to visit the locale again for research: the Atacama Desert in Chile. Once there, he finds himself mistaken for a small-town hero and is plunged into a battle he has nothing to do with. Desperate to get enough of a feel for the place to make his script salable, Sergio stays, and endures bar brawls, kidnapping, torture, and even an old-fashioned showdown with six-shooters.

“Salt” plays with the familiar Western tropes, and its characters are engaging as much because of the fact they are stereotypes as in spite of it. There are moments that can be difficult to watch — this is definitely a Western in the brutal, bloody school — and Sergio’s likability only adds to that. He does his best once he gives up and embraces the role of unwilling hero, but he’s ultimately a writer, not a cowboy.

If you’re curious about what a Western made by a Spanish filmmaker would look like, don’t miss this.

Remaining Screenings:
3/4 4:15 PM Camera 12
3/8 4:15 PM Camera 12

Every spring, the Cinequest Film Festival takes over downtown San Jose, filling it with film lovers and film makers from all over the globe. This year is the twenty-second for the festival, which focuses on encouraging and empowering maverick filmmakers. This is the place to be if you are interested in reaching beyond the familiar flicks Hollywood churns out, are an aspiring filmmaker who wants to learn more about the art and tech of moviemaking, or love interacting with actors, directors, and movie crews.

Whatever your angle, if you’re interested in independent film Cinequest is well worth checking out. With over 155 films from 40 different countries and 60 US, North American, and world premieres, the festival is the place to be to see movies impossible to find anywhere else.

This year’s Maverick Spirit Award recipients are writer-director Terence Davies (The House of Mirth), writer-director Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff), actor Elliott Gould (Ocean’s Eleven), and celebrity chef Michael Mina. There’s also an Emerging Maverick Award going to chef Michael Miller. Check out the various special events dedicated to each at www.cinequest.org.

Cinequest is also continuing its tradition of screening significant and interesting silent films by screening F.W. Murnau’s “Faust” on March 9th. The horror-fantasy film will be accompanied by Dennis James on the Wurlitzer Theater Organ and Theremin, and Mark Goldstein on the Buchla Lightning Wands.

Below are brief guides for some of the many sorts of folks who might enjoy attending. Be sure to check the Films and Events listings at www.cinequest.org to confirm times, check out new additions, and buy tickets.

Buying Tickets and Passes

Buy Tickets or Passes at www.cinequest.org, by calling 408-295-FEST (295-3378), or at the box office of Camera 12, San Jose Repertory Theatre, or the California Theatre. All box offices open 45 minutes before the first screening of the day.

General Admission – $10
Silent Cinema Screenings – $10
Matinee – $7
Students – $5

Cinequest Venues:
* Camera 12 Cinemas – 201 S. Second Street, San Jose
* San Jose Repertory Theatre – 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose
* California Theatre – 345 South First St, San Jose
* San Jose State University’s Hal Todd Theatre – E. San Fernando St. at 5th St., San Jose

General Guidelines

* Unless you buy the Express Line Pass ($100), which gets you into the express line, be sure to show up early for films. I usually plan to show up at least 30 minutes ahead of time, pass or ticket in hand.
* There are plenty of places to eat downtown, though many of them are a bit pricey. Remember to schedule time to eat if you’re planning to see a lot of movies in a row, even if you just stick a granola bar in your pocket. Water is also important — most venues will allow bottles of water with sports tops.
* The events and forums can sell out, so unless you want to depend on rush tickets, get your tickets as far in advance as you can.
* Parking is usually scarce and pricey during Cinequest, so if at all possible, take public transit. There are park-and-ride lots at many light rail stations, and light rail drops you off right in the heart of the festival. Save money, time, and the environment!
* Unless you’re attending screenings and events all at the same building, wear comfy shoes for walking. It’s farther from the Camera 12 Cinemas to the California Theater than you probably think!
* Not sure what to see or what to avoid? Check out www.ealasaid.com/cineblog for reviews.

Film Lover

You’re sort of person who makes up such a big portion of Cinequest’s attendees that there’s a special pass just for you. It will get you into any film screening (provided you get in line early enough that they don’t run out of space before you get in) without having to buy tickets.
Planning: Check out the list of films at www.cinequest.org/films.php and the reviews at www.ealasaid.com/cineblog to make a list of films you’re interested in seeing, then cross-check them with the evenings you’re available on the schedule at http://cinequest.org/schedule.php
Tickets: If you’re going to see more than 14 films, get a Film Lover Pass ($145.00) to get the most bang for your buck.

Film Maker

Love movies, and love learning about making them? You’ll want to see as many movies as you can as well as attending the forums.
Planning: There are forums about various aspects of filmmaking throughout the festival. Check the schedule to see what all is covered — it’s an impressive range this year. Also be sure to take a look at the film schedule to see what you can take in! Plus, every night through March 9th, there are Maverick Meet-Ups (no tickets necessary!), where you can hang out with filmmakers and film lovers of all stripes. See www.cinequest.org for the locations.
Tickets: For movie tickets, see Film Lover above. The forums are $10-$20/day. If you’re planning to attend all the forums and a bunch of movies, consider the Mavericks pass ($250), which will get you into all the films and forums.

Festival Junkie

Don’t want to miss a single thing at Cinequest? Forums, films, events, parties, even the VIP lounge? Well, there’s a special pass just for you, if you have the time and money.
Planning: Schedule a vacation from work and look through the entire schedule online at http://cinequest.org/schedule.php to see what all you want to attend.
Tickets: The VIP All Access Pass ($500) is the way to go. It gets you into everything.

Movies like “Sunflower Hour” are why I love Cinequest so much. It’s well-made, nothing like the movies Hollywood turns out, and frequently made me gape at the screen before collapsing in astonished laughter.

Mockumentaries are a delightful genre when they’re done right, and this one is definitely done right. It brings us the dark underbelly of children’s television, taking us behind the scenes of a contest to find the newest puppteer for popular kids’ show “Sunflower Hour.” The gal running the contest is married to the sleazy, horrible producer of the show, and uses it as a way to get revenge, bringing the four weirdest and most inappropriate puppeteers from the preliminary auditions to a final round on the show itself.

We meet David, a sweet but very neurotic and bullied young man with a real gift; Satan’s Spawn, a teenage goth who auditions to “make a point;” Leslie, a devout Christian who wants to use the show as a platform for God’s Word; and Shamus, whose relationship with his puppet is anything but healthy.

The actors are all solid, committing to their characters’ lunacy a hundred and ten percent. As with the best mockumentaries, the cinematography is a character in itself. This is a top-notch film, and one hopes that it will be one of the handful of Cinequest films that get wider distribution each year. It deserves it.

“Sunflower Hour” makes “Avenue Q” look like “Sesame Street,” and is not for the faint of heart or the uptight of humor. This is a no-holds-barred dive into the seediest of shows, and nobody will escape with their innocence intact.

Showtimes:

3/3 5:00 PM Camera 12
3/4 9:15 PM Camera 12
3/8 11:30 AM Camera 12

Computers are ubiquitous in today’s culture — we use them to get our news, buy everything from books to groceries to clothes, keep in touch with friends, do our banking, and countless other tasks. Because every interaction with a computer is essentially data that can be stored, hackers have an unprecedented trove of data to mine. “Code 2600″ looks at the history of hacking, starting with phone phreaking and following it to the kinds of international hacking going on today.

This documentary feels at times a bit like it’s trying to stir up the audience’s paranoia and the music is frequently a bit overwrought, but the film contains a lot of good information and some guests who make excellent points. If you’re curious about the people who are pushing the edges of communication technology and testing security methods, this is a must-see.

3/2/ 9:15 PM Camera 12
3/5 7:00 PM San Jose Repertory Theatre
3/8 2:00 PM Camera 12

Director: Deanne Foley
Cast: Marthe Bernard, Robb Wells, Tony Nappo, Andy Jones, Daniel Beirne, Janet Kidder, Mark O’Brien, Laura Dennis
Country: Canada
Language: English

The story of the boy who runs away to join the circus is an old one, but how about the girl who ran away to join the pro-wrestling tour?

Fran is a young woman who has only one dream: to wrestle. Her washed-up wrestler father is dead-set against it, and when she’s finally had enough of him, she runs away to follow her heart. Unfortunately, nothing is what it seems in the wide world of Canadian professional wrestling, and Fran has to deal with her father’s attempts to get her to leave as well as behind-the-scenes politics and conniving among the other wrestlers.

“Beat Down” has its flaws and lacks polish, but it has a huge heart. It’s easy to root for Fran as she learns to navigate the world of adults and refuses to stay down for the count. The actors all give their best, and the matches are a blast. It’s also fun to see what goes into the “fake” wrestling matches of the pro circuit. It may be decided in advance who wins, but the strength, skill, and guts of the wrestlers are as real as it gets.

Showtimes:
3/2 7:15 PM Camera 12
3/4/ 2:15 PM Camera 12
3/5 12:45 PM Camera 12
3/7 1:45 PM Camera 12

Friday brings us the Day of the Writer at San Jose State’s University Theater. There are three presentations in a row. The first is Crafting the Heart of Sci-Fi: The Story. Featuring Howard Suber (author of The Power of Film), Suber will use films like “2001,” “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” and “The Terminator” as examples as he delves past the flashy special effects to reveal the importance of the underlying story.

Next is The Science Fiction Writing Comprehensive, which examines the process of creating a science fiction screenplay, from idea to finished product. Screenwriters Paul Chitlik (“The New Twilight Zone”) and Steve Cuden (“Stargate Infinity”) will have a discussion moderated by Robert Phelps.

The Day of the Writer closes with a Maverick Spirit Award presentation and discussion. Previous Maverick Spirit Award winner and two-time Academy Award winner David Webb Peoples (“Bladerunner”) will be joined by this year’s Maverick Spirit Award winner for a conversation moderated by James Dalessandro, whose screenplay for “1906″ is in production — it will be Pixar’s first live action feature film.

Friday night brings the screening of F.W. Murnau’s horror masterpiece, “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” at the California theater.

Cinequest wraps up with the Closing Night festivities on Saturday night. “Soul Surfer” will be the night’s film, followed by the presentation of this year’s Emerging Maverick Award to its star, AnnaSophia Robb. The film is based on the life of Bethany Hamilton, a competitive surfer who lost her arm to a shark attack. After a trip to help tsunami victims in Thailand, she returns to competition determined to not only overcome her own challenges, but help others do the same. Following the film and presentation, don’t miss the closing night party at South First Billiards.

If you missed a film you wanted to see, or want to show your friends the fantastic films you discovered during the festival, check out www.cinequestonline.org.

Peter Stormare (“Fargo”) is almost unrecognizable in this character-driven film. He plays Walter, a once-violent, now born-again police chief in a small Mennonite town in Ontario. When a woman’s body is found, his new life is at risk — the prime suspect is the new squeeze of his ex-girlfriend, an unpleasant fellow who is all too happy to push Walter’s buttons. Will Walter be able to keep his brutal impulses in check? Will his personal history with the people involved jeopardize the investigation? “Small Town Murder Songs” is gripping, perfectly crafted and has just the right balance of violence and quiet.