FANTASTIC FEST '06 REPORT PART 2

FANTASTIC FEST '06 REPORT PART 2 Note from Devin: Thanks to Travis, a volunteer at this year's Fantastic Fest, for taking some time to write up what he's seen. Many films at Fantastic Fest don't get wider releases, which means I won't be seeing them at press screenings, so it's great to have an early word on some interesting and weird movies.Check out part 1 of Travis' great coverage right here.As Fantastic Fest nears its finale Id like to enclose a checklist of must-haves to any brave troops daring the trip to Austin in 2007. The most essential item (besides your obvious virginity) is most certainly a pair of haggard denim shorts. Whether its a pair from Dr. Funkes wardrobe or something a tad longer, no one can question your credentials in a snazzy pair of carpenter pant cut-offs (this can be accented nicely with a backwards Devils Reject s fitted cap as wellif you feel like going for broke).Item two on the list is pale skin topped off with an obscure anime t-shirt two sizes too small or three sizes too big.

'The Best Man' reasserts its political shrewdness

'The Best Man' reasserts its political shrewdness

There has been no shortage of terrific contenders for "top-of-the-ticket" in this fall's highly competitive local theater campaign. But this particular delegate from Chicago is proudly and unequivocally casting her ballot for the spiky, savage, wonderfully sophisticated Remy Bumppo Theatre Company revival of "The Best Man." Gore Vidal's clipped, cutting, brilliantly insightful evocation of the American political scene -- and the array of flawed creatures who buzz around it -- is a winner on every level.

Though Vidal's play bowed on the stage in 1960 -- as the Eisenhower years were about to cede to Kennedy's "Camelot" days -- it retains the delicious smell of fresh ink and hot blood. The characters' clothing may be vintage (credit designer Cybele Moon), but there's little else that is not very much of the moment -- whether it's talk about the candidates' character, the careful massaging of image, the impact of polls, the temptation for mud-slinging, the propensity for womanizing, or the do's and don'ts of political wives.

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