A Feast of Films

THE MOVIE playing tonight at the Ritz East - "I Sell the Dead" - isn't just the kind of way-out title that typifies Philadelphia's annual film festival's diverse fare.

It could in many ways describe what festival director/re-animator Ray Murray has managed to do in the past month or so - resurrect a festival nearly done in by wrangling (some of it legal) among various factions responsible for staging the popular annual event.

Bottom line for film buffs?

It . . . is . . . alive!

Just call it "CineFest '09," for legal reasons. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy its more than 200 titles (it runs through April 6), most of them reflecting the Murray ethos - offbeat and independent, but above all, entertaining.

"The programming veers a little bit more to the pop side. We don't go after that many pure art films or experimental stuff. The other programmers take my lead and look for movies that tell a story and are entertaining, even if they're in another language, or deal with tough subject matter," Murray said.

Under his guidance, the festival has grown in the last six years from 19,000 tickets sold to 66,000 last year. The festival had grown too big for some, who wanted tighter focus and maybe a little more prestige, but Murray has operated with a mission of something for everyone and then some.

As usual, among the hottest tickets are the "Danger after Dark" series, an adults-only slate featuring the goriest horror movies from around the world.

"Last year, we tried to throw in a few comedies, some action movies. People hated it. They want decapitation, blood, gore, excess," he said.

Advance sales (on par with last year) show audiences are particularly interested in the "20th Century Boys" series from Japan, two films based on manga books about a group of friends whose end-of-the-world fantasies start coming true (screening tomorrow, Sunday, Monday and Thursday.)

Murray says his own bookers love the documentary "Not Quite Hollywood" about Australia's exploitation film industry in the 1970s and 1980s. (10 p.m. tomorrow, The Bridge; 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Ritz 5.)

Fans are always drawn to titles with strong local flavor, and 2009 is no exception. Advance sales are strong for "The Nail, Joey Nardone" (7:15 tonight, The Prince; 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Ritz East) a local indie featuring Tony Luke Jr. as a boxer trying to stay out of trouble after a prison stint.

"Wages of Spin" (6:45 p.m. Wednesday,International House) is a documentary that examines the musical legacy of Dick Clark and "American Bandstand," in a not always flattering light. It features input from Jerry Blavat, Artie Singer, Charlie Grace and Bandstand acts like Chubby Checker.

Another film showing strong advance sales is "Training Rules," a documentary about PSU basketball coach Rene Portland and players, like Jennifer Harris, who believe they lost a spot on the team when Portland learned they were lesbians. The movie screens at 7 p.m. April 4 at the Ritz East and 12:15 p.m. April 5 at The Bridge.

There's a local angle, too, to "Kassim the Dream," a documentary of Philly-based boxer Kassim Ouma, whose life started as a child soldier in a Ugandan rebel army. It screens at 9:30 p.m. Thursday at International House and 4:45 p.m. April 3 at The Prince.

CineFest 2009 has added a series called "Fade to Black," with content reflecting the African American experience. The festival staff loves "Pressure Cooker" (6:30 p.m. tomorrow, The Prince, 4:45 p.m. Sunday, Ritz East) a documentary filmed at Franklin High School, where instructor Wilma Stevenson challenges the students in her catering classes.

Alfre Woodard stars in "American Violet," based on actual events in a Texas housing project where drug raids upended the lives of residents, many of them innocent bystanders. Woodard will receive the festival's Quest Award following a screening of the film at 6:30 p.m. on April 4 at The Prince. She'll also participate in a Q&A.

Jeff Daniels receives this year's artistic achievement award on Monday following the 8:30 p.m. showing of "The Answer Man" at The Prince. Shot in Philadelphia, the film follows Daniels, an author whose purported interview with God makes him a sought-after legend - a problem because he's a bitter agnostic. He becomes less bitter when he falls for his chiropractor (Lauren Graham).

Connie Stevens directed "Saving Grace B. Jones," a drama about a southern family featuring Tatum O'Neal, Penelope Ann Miller and Michael Biehn, and will be on hand for Q&As following screenings at 7:15 tomorrow at the Ritz East and 12:15 p.m. Sunday at The Prince.

Norristown natives Stephen and Timothy Quay will receive the Vision Award (9:15 p.m. April 3, The Prince), for their pioneering work in animation.

CineFest '09 is essentially the same festival artistically that it's been since Murray and his staff first took over, but this year there will be fewer parties and special events. The festival has been forced to make do without state and city grants, and membership revenue is down because of organizers' infighting.

"There were times we felt we weren't going to have the festival, but we kept programming, kept watching films so we'd be ready to go when things resolved," said Murray, who has dropped a lawsuit against former board members.

Pressure to raise money hasn't affected ticket prices, which remain the same as last year. Single tickets are $10, $8 for matinees, $7 for children 12 and under, $15 for opening and closing night. A five-ticket pass is $35, a 10-ticket pass is $90 and all-access film pass is $260. For sales and information, visit www.phillycinefest.com, or call 267-765-9800, ext. 4. *