Media in the Movies— The Guild Cinema in Nob Hill will be offering the local premiere of Portland, Ore., director Tonje Hessen Schei’s new documentary Independent Intervention. The film will show twice only, on Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14, at 2 p.m. Schei will attend the May 14 screening for a question and answer session. Independent Intervention focuses on the human cost of the war in Iraq by analyzing its U.S. media coverage. Among the people interviewed in the film are Noam Chomsky, Amy Goodman, Norman Solomon and others. Tickets are only $5 and can be picked up at the Guild box office (3405 Central NE). Check out www.independentintervention.com for more info (including a trailer).
Reel World
The Return of Elvis– I just got word from former Albuquerque native Peter Ettinger that his first feature film is getting underway. Ettinger has been laboring in the slave pits of Hollywood for years now (editing such films as The Horse Whisperer, The Fast and the Furious, The Bourne Identity and Secondhand Lions ). Ettinger is finally taking the bull by the horns by shooting his first feature. He’s chosen a fine project. Ettinger will be writing and directing an adaptation of Albuquerque Tribune writer Steve Brewer’s hilarious Albuquerque-based detective novel Lonely Street . The story follows comic private eye/Route 66 motel owner Bubba Mabry, who is called upon to serve as a bodyguard for a “mystery celebrity.” Who should it be but Elvis Presley, still alive and kicking and trying to keep a low profile? The cast, so far, includes comedian Jay Mohr as Bubba and actor Robert Patrick ( The Terminator 2 ) as Elvis. The film is expected to start shooting here this summer. Check out the film’s very cool website (www.lonelystreetthemovie.com) for all sorts of up-to-the-minute info.
Reel World
More Than Meets the Eye— Speaking of films shooting in New Mexico, the state is all abuzz at news that Michael Bay’s mega-budget, live-action version of Transformers: The Movie will be shot here in state. Most of the production seems like it will be located down south near White Sands Missile Range. The film’s cast has been slowly building up and, so far, consists of Josh Duhamel (”Las Vegas”), Bernie Mac ( Ocean’s 11 ), John Turturro ( Do The Right Thing ) and Shia LaBeouf ( Holes ). Still no word on who will voice Optimus Prime, however.
