One of the ways in which I am out of step with Las Vegas is movies. I don't watch them. Of course, I doubt many tourists come to Las Vegas with the idea of seeing movies while in the Entertainment Capital of the World. But nonetheless we are a city obsessed with movies.
In part this is from being so close to Los Angeles. No place sends us more tourists than L.A. and many Las Vegas residents have moved from the Los Angeles area. Obviously, movie stars love to come to Vegas to play and the tourists love to watch them do so. As for the performers on the Strip, almost every headliner has been in at least one Hollywood movie at some point (even if it was "Miss Congeniality 2") and many of the show kids frequently commute to L.A. for auditions.
Meanwhile among the general Las Vegas folk, from casino executives to bell desk clerks, most everyone has a screenplay idea. (Oh, except me again: the only screenplays I've even read are the collected works of Preston Sturges). Still, because of the Strip's constant parade of events it has been difficult growing a true film culture in a town so focused on live entertainment. Las Vegas does not thrive by encouraging people to vanish from gambling for two hours to attend the cinema.
This is finally changing a tiny bit.
There are many movies shot here, increasingly premieres are taking place here, and production companies are being set up here. In recent years, the annual CineVegas film festival (owned by the parent company of the company that owns Las Vegas Weekly where I am on staff, though the connection offers no employee discount to the event) has really taken off as a major happening.
Among the accomplishments of CineVegases past was bringing the late Hunter S. Thompson back to the city for the first (and final) time since he wrote the classic "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." I say accomplishment and not highlight because while he returned to Las Vegas, in classic Thompson style he did not actually attend the CineVegas panel he was scheduled for. Still, the story of his behavior (I seem to recall a cabana incident) will only bolster his legend and this isn't a bad connection for an event that tags itself "The World's Most Dangerous Film Festival." This year CineVegas takes place June 9-17.
My friend Max (from back in the days of graduate school) is living proof of the increasing interest and national buzz the festival in generating. For the first time since I moved here, Max is flying in from Massachussetts and paying hundreds for a pass. (Oh, and he says he wants to stay at my place for free, occasionally borrow my car, and maybe we can have dinner if he isn't too busy.) But of particular interest for locals will be a series called "Vegas Uncovered," featuring two documentaries on the Sin City deal: "Wet Dreams" and "Skin City." The name award winners this year include Helen Mirren, Laurence Fishburne, Christina Ricci and Taylor Hackford.
Anyway, the really cool thing about CineVegas every year is Dennis Hopper. He is technically Chairman of the Board of CineVegas. I've never spoken to him but always feel a little bit cooler and better when I we are in the same room. Who wouldn't?
To get a handle on this year's events, tips on which films to see, and the inside scoop on the challenges and difficulties of staging a film festival in Las Vegas I spoke to the CineVegas director of programming, Trevor Groth. Expect that on the Buffet next week.
One of the ways in which I am out of step with Las Vegas is movies. I don't watch them. Of course, I doubt many tourists come to Las Vegas with the idea of seeing movies while in the Entertainment Capital of the World. But nonetheless we are a city obsessed with movies.
