Michael Kastenbaum Movies

Actor and comedian Harry Shearer makes his directorial debut with this mock documentary about the slightly sordid pastimes of some of America's wealthiest and most powerful men. Zambesi Glen is a private resort in Northern California whose highly exclusive membership rolls includes high-echelon politicians, leaders of America's military, owners of the nation's biggest corporations, renowned and respected political thinkers, and a handful of celebrity guests; the club's membership is overwhelmingly white and exclusively male. Once a year, Zambesi Glen holds a week-long retreat for its members, and while this gathering features the occasional group discussion of political and economic issues, most of the week is devoted to swilling booze, staging comic skits, performing odd rituals not out of place at a Boy Scout camp, doing business with the prostitutes imported for the festivities, and generally carousing like frat boys on a bender. However, not all is well in this playground for the power elite; feminist groups are protesting Zambesi Glen's "men only" membership policy, and far more embarrassing, a television reporter has found a way to smuggle cameras into the well-guarded resort, giving the world a less than flattering look at what America's leadership likes to do for a good time. The revelers at Zambesi Glen are played by a top-shelf comic cast, including Michael McKean, George Wendt, Henry Gibson, Kenneth Mars, Fred Willard, Howard Hessman, and Bob Einstein; among the female interlopers are Morgan Fairchild, Joyce Hyser, and Ming-Na. Teddy Bears' Picnic was inspired by Harry Shearer's visit as a guest to Bohemian Grove, the real-life men's-only retreat whose members are said to include George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Dick Cheney, Malcolm Forbes, David Rockefeller, Casper W. Weinberger, and William F. Buckley, though the film's opening credits humorously disavows any resemblance between Zambesi Glen and Bohemian Grove. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Nice girl falls for bad boy and lives to regret it in this independent coming of age drama. Katie (Megan Wilson) is a high school student who's bright, pretty, and has never been in any serious trouble. That changes when she meets Boyd (Brian Vaughan), who is handsome and charming, but also a magnet for trouble, often on the run from the police and a bit reckless in his use of drugs. Despite his dangerous side, Katie finds herself infatuated with Boyd, and they strike up a friendship that soon grows into a romance. However, the more deeply Katie becomes involved with Boyd, the farther she's drawn into the dark side of his world, and it becomes obvious that she needs to give him up for her own good. Winner of the Golden Starfish award at the 2000 Hamptons Film Festival, Falling Like This also features John Diehl and Patricia Clarkson. Ani DiFranco contributed to the soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Norman Ollestad's erotic drama Malibu Eyes begins with a young woman discovering that her parents and her boyfriend will not be joining her in the Malibu beach house in which they were to vacation. The young woman begins to spy on the sexual shenanigans of the neighbors, even going so far as to videotape them surreptitiously. Soon these actions stir up feelings in her, and she becomes embroiled in the various couplings and uncouplings going on in the community. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Jon Jacobs wrote, directed, and stars in this fantasy drama set amid Beltane, a Druid celebration. Seeking a mate, wizard descendant Jason (Jacobs) returns to Earth, arriving in New Orleans where members of the local witch coven concoct spells to attract Jason. Eight years earlier, Jason had a child with witch Lucinda (Christina Fulton), now a coven dropout and a prostitute who seeks legal custody of their child. With a clever blend of coven comedy and supernatural social drama, this film won the Golden Warrior prize at the "Cannes You Dig It" alternative sidebar event held during the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

A female vampire is on the loose. She mostly preys upon those who try to exploit her in this low-budget horror movie dedicated to Fritz Leiber (the movie is based upon one of his short stories). The story begins in 1937 as the beautiful Louise, a popular fashion model who also owns the Tides hotel, commits suicide. She is despondent when she discovers her fiance and photographer has been lying and cheating. The film switches to the present. The hotel is abandoned and rapidly decaying. Louise returns and is obsessed with restoring it. She has also come back for revenge against all men who treat her as an object. She keeps up her vendetta until she meets a sensitive Cuban refugee, Carlos, who is also a photographer. They begin a strange relationship. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Dom DeLuise's son Michael holds the directorial reins in the direct-to-video Almost Pregnant. Onetime "Charlie's Angel" Tanya Roberts plays a woman who'll do anything to become pregnant. Since her hubby Jeff Conaway can't deliver the goods, she decides to rely upon a surrogate. Her first new partner turns out to have had a vasectomy-and this is only the beginning. The director's dad makes an amusing appearance in this strident but undeniably funny bedroom farce. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide