ONE HELL OF A LINEUP

The U.S. premiere of the animated “Star Wars” film “The Clone Wars,” as well as a sneak preview of the Quentin Tarantino-produced biker romp “Hell Ride” and the Egyptian Theatre’s 85th Anniversary double feature of “Alien” and “Aliens” highlight the American Cinematheque’s 8th Annual Festival of Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction.

Also highlighting the festival’s 12 nights of programming at the Egyptian and Aero Theatres in Los Angeles are a “Lord of the Rings” marathon, a tribute to Stan Winston, a Euro horror triple feature, the world premiere of Norman England’s documentary “Bringing Godzilla Down to Size,” and a night of fantasy, horror and sci-fi shorts.

The fun gets underway July 31 at 7:30 p.m. with a return to the grindhouse as a sneak preview of “Hell Ride” jump starts the festival. Directed by Larry Bishop, the film tells the story of Pistolero, the leader of the motorcycle gang called the 666’s, exacting revenge for the murder of his “old lady” and “comrade.” “Hell Ride” stars Bishop (“Kill Bill: Volume 2”), Michael Madsen (“Sin City”), Dennis Hopper (“Easy Rider”), Eric Balfour (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”) and Vinnie Jones (“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”). Executive produced and edited by the genius behind “Pulp Fiction,” “Jackie Brown,” “Death Proof,” and “Reservoir Dogs,” “Hell Ride” has been called “every bit a film Quentin Tarantino would have in his personal collection,” by Neil Miller of FilmSchoolRejects.com. A discussion with Bishop and other cast and crew members will follow the screening.

While the gang wars of “Hell Ride” open nationally on Aug.8, the galactic battle in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” blasts off with a special fundraising event for the American Cinematheque at 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. Follow along as Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda take on the dark side in this animated release that was executive produced by George Lucas. General admission tickets for the screening are $45, students or seniors are $40, while children and Cinematheque members get in for $30. Director Dave Filoni and producer Catherine Winder be in attendance and there will be free popcorn and soda, as well as trivia contests for prizes and family-oriented pre-show activities in the courtyard at 2 p.m.

If you’re into more sinister sci-fi, then make sure to not miss the “Alien” (1979) and “Aliens” (1986) double bill on Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Both films originally premiered at the Egyptian Theatre, so what better way to celebrate the theater’s 85th anniversary than with this powerhouse of a double feature? Director Ridley Scott’s “Alien” reinvented the monster-from-space movie and introduced the American action heroine with Sigourney Weaver’s tough-as-nails Ripley. Seven years later, James Cameron directed the sequel.

If you prefer you monsters super sized, check out the giant monster night on Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Not only is “Bringing Godzilla Down to Size” screening, but “War of the Gargantuas” (1966) and “Mothra” (1961) will play. There will also be a discussion with the “Bringing Godzilla Down to Size” producers Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski sandwiched between films. “Bringing Godzilla Down to Size,” narrated by cult filmmaker Alex Cox (“Repo Man,” “Sid & Nancy”), goes behind the scenes of Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah and other monsters via interviews with actors, filmmakers, special-effects artists and stuntmen from the golden age of Japanese sci-fi.

Speaking of imports, the horror triple feature on Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. is a don’t miss for fans of low budget Euro horror from the 60’s and 70’s. The uncut and uncensored 35mm print of “The Vampire Lovers” (1970) plays along with “The Vampire and the Balerina” (1960) and “The Tell-Tale Heart” (1960). Directed by Roy Ward Baker, “The Vampire Lovers” was the first in Hammer Studios’ infamous lesbian vampire trilogy based on J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic story “Carmilla.” Renato Polselli directed the Italian gothic classic “The Vampire and the Balerina,” which finds a troop of sexy ballerinas stranded in an abandoned castle, falling prey to a creepy vampire. “The Tell-Tale Heart,” yes, a take on Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale, is a rare moody piece directed by Ernest Morris.

Looking for great up and coming talent? Check out the 90 minute roundup of fantasy, horror and sci-fi shorts on Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Screening will be Robert Cosnahan’s “Psycho Hillbilly Cabin Massacre” (19 minutes), Mike Williamson’s “In the Wall” (22), Paul Bickel’s “Hollow” (9), Floris Kaayk’s “Metalosis Maligna” (8), Ray Griggs’ “Lucifer” (8), Nick Brandestini and Steve Ellington’s “H.R. Giger’s Sanctuary” (19), Andrew Huang’s “The Gloaming” (4) and Aideen McCarthy’s “The Formorian” (6). The night will wrap with a discussion with filmmakers Cosnahan, Williamson, Biggs and Huang.

If indie short films just aren’t your thing because they’re not spectacular enough, perhaps one of the Stan Winston double features the American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre is holding will be more to your liking. The masterful visual effects artist behind more than 40 films is paid tribute with double bills Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The first night will feature “Aliens” and Winston’s directorial debut “Pumpkinhead” (1988). Director John McTiernan’s “Predator” (1987) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Stephen Hopkins’ “Predator 2” featuring Danny Glover make up the double feature the following night.

For the best bargain of the festival, make sure and catch “The Lord of the Rings” marathon on Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. All three of Peter Jackson’s films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure of good against evil - “The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001), “The Two Towers” (2002) and “The Return of the King” (2003) – will screen for a special admission price of $3.00 at the Aero Theatre. The event will be introduced by illustrator artist Greg Hildebrandt - known for the original “Star Wars” movie poster and his “Lord of the Rings” artwork.

Also during the festival, you can catch screenings of the Pang Brothers’ latest release “Re-Cycle,” a Jack the Ripper double feature, new prints of Hammer films starring Christopher Lee, a Peter Cushing sci-fi triple feature, classic American sci-fi/horror with special effects from Ray Harryhausen and a post-apocalyptic weekend, featuring the classics “Damnation Alley,” “A Boy and his Dog,” “The Last Man on Earth” and “The Omega Man.”

The festival will screen a ton of others not mentioned, so make sure to check out the the American Cinematheque’s official site for the full schedule, as well as for any updates on screenings, appearances, etc. or to purchase advanced tickets.

- CCF, July 2008