Newport Beach Film Festival

[Ghoulish Delight]

With Crash premiering there last year and going on to win Best Picture, this is likely going to get a lot of attention. This year's festival begins Thursday and runs through the 30th.

A few things have caught my eye so far:

First off, The Muppet Musicians of Breman, at 10:30AM, Saturday the 22nd at the Edwards Island (at Fashion Islan). It's a 50 minute feature made in 1972 by, of course, Henson, Oz, and company and according to the OC Weekly will also be accompanied by some rare Muppet shorts and a film called "Handmade Puppet Dreams II" about puppetry.

Then there's Fvck: The Fvckumentary, a littany of stars discussing the history, meaning, and importance of everyone's favorite word. That screens Sunday at 9PM (damn, can't make it) also at the Edwads Island.

Ten 'til noon is being hailed by at least one critic as the best thing since Pulp Fiction. Clearly influenced by, but not derivative of. Sounds good to me. 6:30PM on Tuesday the 25th at Edwards Island.

And, of course, there's a littany of short collections and other films being shown. Just go to www.newportbeachfilmfest.com to check out the lineup. I think I'll definitely try to make it to the Muppets one on Saturday, and hopefully some animated shorts and other stuff.