FIRST OUTING: A good mix is a welcome thing in a film festival; nobody wants to see nineteen films about people trying to get together but who can't get together due to all sorts of little misunderstandings and missed meetings. (Disclaimer: We actually kind of do love those films, but we top out at about twelve or thirteen of 'em in a single fest.) The West Coast Film Festival, which will unspool in San Juan Capistrano from Aug. 21 through 25, will certainly offer a cornucopia. Gems like "Casablanca" and "Ben Hur" will get the big-screen love, but so will newer, off-beatier fare like "Spork." And several past stars will be remembered, stars like Mary Pickford and Ingrid Bergman (and current stars as well, we'll note; Mr. Clint Eastwood is on that list.)
LOCATION: The Regency on Verdugo is the place to be over that weekend. We'll also say that some local filmmakers will get attention, and we can all sign on for that. If you hail from Capistrano, and you make movies, we can only imagine a certain timeless and lovely quality is present. That is, if people bring a little of where they grow up to their work. We always like it when they do.
