Daniel Yelsky Movies

The gentle seriocomedy That's What I Am stars Chase Ellison as Andy Nichol, a 12-year-old middle schooler coming of age in California during the mid-'60s. Though exceptionally intelligent, Andy is also shy and backward -- a social outcast among his schoolmates -- and will do virtually anything to avoid ridicule and ostracism. Andy's perspective changes, however, after a popular teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), pairs him up on a school project with an even bigger pariah than he is: Stanley (Alexander Walters), also known as "Big G" -- an awkward boy with thick orange hair, a head that's much too big for his frame, and oversized ears. Both boys find the partnership odd, but learn in time that Mr. Simon has something very definite in mind for them. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

A young man meets his dream woman (and isn't the least bit troubled that she's a washed-up porn actress 30 years his senior) in this independent coming-of-age comedy. Tobe Hulbert (Dustin Ingram) is a 17-year-old high school graduate who is the working definition of a loser -- he's nerdy and socially inept, he lives with his eccentric grandfather (Brian Dennehy), his closest friend, Kenny (Daniel Yelsky), is only 12 years old, and he drives a beat-up hot-dog wagon with a giant frankfurter bolted to the roof. Among his other obsessions, Tobe is fascinated with adult movies of the 1970s and '80s, and his favorite actress is Monica Velour (Kim Cattrall), who in her heyday was the hottest star in porn. When Tobe discovers there's a collector living in Indiana (Keith David) who is willing to buy his wagon for a good price and Monica Velour will be appearing at a gentleman's club nearby, he decides fate is smiling on him and hits the road. However, the "gentleman's club" turns out to be a sleazy dive and time hasn't been kind to Monica; when several patrons begin shouting insults at her, Tobe defends her honor and gets beat up for his trouble. Monica gratefully befriends Tobe and lets him stay at the trailer park she calls home; he begins to imagine he might have a chance with the woman of his dreams, but while she sees Tobe as a kindred spirit, she has bigger things to deal with, including a career that's going nowhere, an ugly relationship with her ex-husband, and a contentious battle to win back custody of her daughter. The first feature film from writer and director Keith Bearden, Meet Monica Velour received its world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi