The Movie Guys: CineVegas offers cornucopia of theatrical releases

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appear Fridays in the Sun (Movie Buzz written by Thomas Feeney). They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/ sun/ sunlife/ movies and themovieguys.com.

Las Vegas, are you ready for art? Prepare yourself for a healthy dose of it, because the 1999 CineVegas International Film Festival is back and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The festival will be at the new Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino Monday through Dec. 11. How can they beat last year's festival, which included the world premiere of "Star Trek: Insurrection"? Well, the Movie Guys got a peek at this year's festive film lineup, and we think it's possible.

CineVegas will be offering more than 80 screenings of feature films from more than 35 countries including many American premieres. Film categories are A Taste of Asia, Noches de los Latinos (premiere Latino films), Planet Film (films from around the world), Rebels With a Cause (independent films), Viva Las Vegas! (showcase of Nevada filmmakers), A Walk on the Wild Side (cult, sci-fi and horror), Westerns at High Noon (classic Western films), the Next Generation (youth in film program) and Shorts on the Strip (short film competition).

We've sifted through all of the entries and have come up with a brief guide of what to look for at CineVegas. Of course, this is just a small taste of what awaits you, and the festival promises something for everyone. Even we have caught CineVegas fever and will be hosting the screening of "Stuart Little," the new family film from Columbia Pictures.

Hey, join us for all the fun! For ticket information and festival schedule, call 386-6845 or go to the CineVegas website cinevegas.com. And if you would like to join us for the "Stuart Little" screening, just head to our website, themovieguys.com, for more details.

Here's your chance to mix it up as Hollywood meets Las Vegas. See you there!

On the Marquee: "The Third Miracle." On the Bill: Ed Harris, Anne Heche and Armin Mueller-Stahl. On the Credits: Directed by Agnieszka Holland. On the Storyboard: In the tradition of "The Sixth Sense" comes a film that is all the buzz of the festival. Harris and Heche star in this supernatural thriller that mixes fear with objectionable love. From the award-winning director of "Europa, Europa" and "The Secret Garden" comes a spellbinding and sensual inquiry of faith and reality. (Sony Pictures Classics) On the Calendar: Monday and Tuesday at the Paris Theatre des Arts.

On the Marquee: "Snow Falling on Cedars." On the Bill: Ethan Hawke, James Cromwell and Max Von Sydow. On the Credits: Directed by Scott Hicks. On the Storyboard: Hicks (1996's "Shine") directs this tale of a Japanese-American man (Rick Yune) on trial for murder. Hawke stars as a journalist who is covering the trial and whose childhood sweetheart married the accused. Cromwell plays the judge. Youki Koudoh, James Rebhorn, Sam Shepard, Richard Jenkins and Max Wright also star. Based on the David Guterson novel. (Universal) On the Calendar: Dec. 11 at the Paris Theatre des Arts.

On the Marquee: "Diamonds." On the Bill: Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall and Dan Aykroyd. On the Credits: Directed by John Asher On the Storyboard: Asher directs this dark comedy of an aging boxer (a welcomed return performance by the legendary Douglas) who searches for 13 diamonds with his son (Aykroyd) while reliving his youth. Jenny McCarthy also stars. (Miramax) On the Calendar: Wednesday at the Paris Theatre des Arts.

On the Marquee: "The Cider House Rules." On the Bill: Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Kathy Baker, Paul Rudd, Delroy Lindo and Kieran Culkin. On the Credits: Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. On the Storyboard: Hallstrom (1993's "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?") brings the 1985 pop novel by John Irving to big-screen life. Maguire plays Homer Wells, a man who is tied to the orphanage where he grew up and finds love and fortune linked to his curious past. The sultry Theron and 1998 CineVegas tribute honoree Caine co-star in this coming-of-age tale. (Miramax) On the Calendar: Tuesday at the Paris Theatre des Arts.

On the Marquee: "The Hangman's Daughter." On the Credits: Produced by Robert Rodriguez. On the Storyboard: The third installment to the cult vampire-Western series "From Dusk till Dawn" makes a rare theatrical appearance before heading into the video store sunset. (Buena Vista) On the Calendar: Dec. 11 at the Paris Theatre des Arts.

On the Marquee: "The Searchers." On the Bill: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Natalie Wood and Ward Bond. On the Credits: Directed by John Ford. On the Storyboard: The consummate Western lead by the Duke himself. His relentless search for his abducted niece (Wood) by Indians leads him on a timeless trail. With incredible cinematography by Winton C. Hoch and Ford's own praiseworthy direction, this 1956 classic is a defining chapter in the Western genre and has been an innovative mark for several films that followed. Wayne loved his role so much in "The Searchers" that he named his son Ethan after his character. Don't miss this classic. We will be there with our spurs on, partner. (Warner) On the Calendar: Monday at the Gold Coast Theater.

On the Marquee: "The Birds." On the Bill: Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Veronica Cartwright and Suzanne Pleshette. On the Credits: Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. On the Storyboard: In this terrifying tale of man vs. nature, Hitchcock directs quite possibly his most brutal rampage: Aggressive birds drop in on the small town of Bodega Bay to inflict their deadly revenge. Why they have their feathers all ruffled, only Hitchcock knew, but his trademark suspense and deadly action will have you quivering with fear. Good evening. (Universal) On the Calendar: Dec. 10 at the Gold Coast Theater.

Name That Flick

What was the name of the department store that Santa Claus worked in the film "Miracle on 34th Street?" Renee Savicki was the first to call and correctly guess Macy's. Way to go Renee, and what do you want for Christmas?

For this week, what did Kevin Macalister shoplift from the drugstore in "Home Alone"? (Here's a hint, ask your dentist.) If you think you know, call the Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or log onto our website at themovieguys.com to leave your answer and your name. See you next week!

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