The lineup for the Nov. 10-20 Starz Denver International Film Festival is no starry night. The red carpets won’t bring Joan Rivers to town, but the screenings at the magnificent new Ellie Caulkins Opera House should wow even the jaded.
The fest opens at the Ellie with a gala dinner from Kevin Taylor, then the screening of “The World’s Fastest Indian,” an inspirational biker flick starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. Big positive buzz on the flick – but no word yet whether Hopkins or director Roger Donaldson will attend.
A far cry from last year’s “Ray” premiere, with Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, director Taylor Hackford and actress Regina King in attendance. But let’s not forget local moneyman Phil Anschutz bankrolled the biopic and made it all happen in Denver.
“Casanova” is the Big Night flick on Nov. 18, also screened at the Ellie with a party following on the opera house stage.
Again to the Ellie for closing night Nov. 19 with “Brokeback Mountain.” LoDo resident and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx penned the short story and will be in attendance, along with director Ang Lee and screenwriter Larry McMurtry. What we’re missing in glamour here is made up for with some stellar talent. The closing night party moves to the Ridgeline Restaurant in the Pepsi Center after the flick.
So far, wattage will have to be supplied by David Schwimmer (“Friends”) and character actor Philip Baker Hall, who you’ll recognize as library detective Lt. Bookman from “Seinfeld.”
“Remembering the Legendary Gonzo Writer Hunter S. Thompson” will bring fans to the Denver Press Club to tell stories, drink and watch the world premiere of Wayne Ewing’s doc on the recent funeral service for Thompson.
If you want to do the fest big time, get the $3,000 Benefactor Circle package for two, which gets you into every party and every movie, including tonight’s kickoff party at the Onderko/Doherty’s Cherry Creek digs and entree to the Pearl Vodka Late Nite Lounge.
Film fest artistic director Ron Henderson admitted he was a tad disappointed at the lack of star power. “We raised the bar pretty high last year. But we’re still working on possibilities, and the three red carpet event movies are highly anticipated motion pictures.”
Romo
I ran into former Bronco Bill Romanowski Sunday afternoon at Barnes & Noble on South Colorado Boulevard. He was leaving a thinly attended book singing for his controversial new autobio “Romo: My Life on the Edge – Living Dreams and Slaying Dragons” that was skedded for 2 p.m. The Broncos vs. Giants game started at 2:15 p.m. On Saturday afternoon, he had a signing in Boulder during the CU game. And he had a signing in Colorado Springs during Monday Night Football.
What bonehead set this schedule?
City spirit
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s daughter, Nell Newman, at the Glendale Wild Oats on Wednesday with her Newman’s Own organic coffee … Sobriety House’s annual funder is Saturday at Stapleton Renaissance Hotel, Mike Nolan is the speaker, $50, call 303-722-5746 … Sez who: “Gray hair is God’s graffiti.” Bill Cosby
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears on Fox 31 News. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
