As the Santa Barbara International Film Festival nears its end, there are still plenty of films to see and celebrities to stalk. Here is a short list of what is still to come and what should be worth your valuable time and money.
Check out the festival’s centerpiece (read: most expensive and probably best) film, “Dogville.” Set in a Rocky Mountain mining community, it stars huge names like Nicole Kidman, Paul Bettany, James Caan and Lauren Bacall. Screens Thursday, 7 p.m. at the Granada Theatre.
Director Nelson Antonia Denis tells his own story of being a 70-year-old Puerto Rican running for Congress in East Harlem in “Vote for Me.” This is sure to be a riot as he takes the risk of his life in stride, so don’t miss it on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Victoria Hall Theatre, downtown.
“Mayor of the Sunset Strip” is coming to the Metro 4 Theatre on Friday and Saturday for your viewing enjoyment, This film will document the life and times of Rodney Bingenheimer, an invited guest on both evenings, who is responsible for launching the careers of Joan Jett, No Doubt, Coldplay and Oasis, among others. Screens Friday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 2:15 p.m. at the Metro 4 Theatre.
If you have frequented Seattle over the past 20 years, then you probably know of Richard Peterson, street musician extraordinaire. This autistic trumpet player struggles for acceptance in his big-screen debut in the aptly titled “Big City Dick: Richard Peterson’s First Movie.” This film will be introduced by Jeff Bridges. Screens Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Victoria Hall Theatre.
Love Metallica? Hate them? Great, either way you will get a kick out of this documentary, titled “Metallica: Some Kind of Monster.” After a six-year break, Metallica is attempting an original studio album and decides to participate in group therapy to help with addiction, fatherhood, interpersonal problems and fan backlash. Screens Saturday at 11 p.m. at the Metro 4 Theatre.
For further ticket or time information, visit www.sbfilmfestival.org.