Hey Spielberg Jr., don't forget the tripod
Keeping up with The Joneses while dancing with the Houston housewives atWorldFest
Dancing with the housewivesPhoto by Rhodri Lewis
Hunter Todd, left, and Doug MankoffPhoto by Rachel Hanley
With a mariachi band, art cars, and red carpet, AMC 30 is looking the part of a Houston theater hosting a film festival. Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival opened with the Texas premiere of The Jonesesstarring Demi Moore and David Duchovny.
Doug Mankoff, a producer of The Joneses, attended and stayed for a Q&A at the end of the movie Friday night. Mankoff told the opening-night crowd that the film's total cost came in at $9 million (nothing by Hollywood standards). Watching The Joneses, you would think it was much more — it's a fabulous movie.
One way they were able to cut cost was Duchovny and Moore didn't charge their normal movie star rates. They approached the producers and offered to be in the film simply because of its merit. Funny enough, Richard Gere was originally slotted for the lead role, but that fell through. I wouldn't have it any other way as Moore and Duchovny work well together.
The film is about a marketing firm that puts together a perfect family to sell their clients' products. The "family" moves into a high-class neighborhood and by becoming what everyone wants, sell products associated with their happiness. It's a great message for a consumer-driven country.
The film was shot in Georgia and one of The Real Housewives of Atlanta makes a cameo. Also, while the film acts as an advertisement for many real-life brands (despite its anti-consumerism message), Mankoff informed us it actually made no profit from its advertising. In the beginning of production, it looked like they might make money, but the economy declined and they settled for permission to use products.
Still, the irony can't be missed that while being told about the evils of materialism, you're being advertised to on the big screen.
A champagne reception at the Renaissance Hotel, Greenway Plaza followed the WorldFest premiere. Mankoff attended and film lovers got an opportunity to meet and speak with him. Hunter Todd - WorldFest's chairman and founding director — also mingled in the crowd and I had the opportunity to speak to him about his love and passion — short films.
Todd explained that he loves short films because they are so much easier to judge than full-length features. Within two minutes, he knows if it's something worth watching or not. Apparently, WorldFest receives a lot of subpar submissions. Todd groaned that many would-be budding directors miss the most elementary skill — using an tripod.
Also at the reception, were what appeared to be a gaggle of self-glossed celebrity housewives of Houston. I was confused, but received a flyer detailing the group's upcoming film which "celebrates divorce Texas-style." It was all very funny to me, so when the opportunity to dance "The Cupid Shuffle" with them arose, I leapt into action.
All four of the ladies in this short film were there and after I began dancing, wondered if maybe I was a little young to be part of this group.
Still it was a good time, and I'm more intrigued about this short than ever. Those housewives can sell while they dance. If personality makes a movie, their flick should do well.
If you love film, check out the WorldFest schedule. There are a lot of interesting films playing over the next week and one more showing of The Joneses — 5 p.m. tonight.
