Guest blogger Amanda Krotki here:
A movie fanatic would have no problem scheduling a blissful weekend at The Charles, but sticking too faithfully to said schedule could cause that same cinephile to miss out on several unexpected delights. I've been known to walk out of screenings that weren't sparking my interest, head to the lobby and peruse the timetable for the next available film -- no matter what it's about. And, those instances often lead to my seeing some great films. One other note on my schedule this year: I often make it a must to see whatever John Waters is presenting, but after watching "United 93" alone and sobbing for the duration of the film and being depressed for a week after, I'm going to have to sit out this year's selection.
Here's my Maryland Film Festival 2010 plan (such as it is):
Friday:
4 p.m. -- "Wheedle's Groove" (Love Seattle, love soul, love the '70s)
7:30 p.m. -- "Family Affair" (Both "Crazy Love" and "Capturing the Friedmans" were scary dysfunctional family docs. Hoping this is of that ilk)
9:30 p.m. -- "Daddy Longlegs" (Fits the schedule. If I don't like it, I'll duck out for "Putty Hill" at 10 p.m.)
Saturday:
11 a.m. -- "Jesse James vs. The Daltons" (It's William Castle! It's in 3-D!)
Break to go to Fells Point for the Squidfire Spring Art Mart
5:30 p.m. -- "And Everything is Going Fine" (I'm a big Spalding Gray fan from way-back and Steven Soderbergh on the festival circuit is never something to sneeze at.)
7:30 p.m. -- "Bass Ackwards" (Looks quirky)
10 p.m. -- "Until the Light Takes Us" (I like to learn as much as I can about musical genres I'm not entirely well-versed in.)
11 p.m. -- "Total Recall" (Only if I can't sit through another minute of black metal)
Sunday:
Have to start the morning brunching with mom; it's Mother's Day
1:30 p.m. -- "Gabi on the Roof in July" (Another possibly quirky comedy)
4:30 p.m. -- "Putty Hill" (Baltimorean Matthew Porterfield's latest, might swap out with "Dogtooth")
7:30 p.m. -- Closing night film: "Mother and Child" (If my burning eyeballs and sore bottom can go the distance)
Some alternates: "Tiny Furniture" and "American Jihadist"
How's your schedule shaping up?
Also see: Mike Sragow's Film Fest picks and Chris Kaltenbach's Film Fest picks.
Pictured: "Until the Light Takes Us," courtesy Variance Films