FALL 2006 - HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Elizabeth Reaser as Inge, and Lois Smith as Old Inge in Sweet Land.

HIFF this year will run from October 18 to October 22, 2006.

The opening film has been announced, it will be The Situation, a film about Iraq by Philip Haas, director of Angels and Insects.

Also, the winner of the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2005 Festival, Sweet Land, will be opening in New York on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, at the Cinema Village at 22 East 12th Street, followed by a national release in November.

WEEDS

Weeds comes back for a second season on ShowTime as still one of the best shows on TV.

Mary-Louise Parker is great. She can express five emotions all at the same time. She has a special way of gritting her teeth and smiling at the same time.

This year's story line has the potential to go a bit off track, and lose the sweet balance of normalcy and a slightly criminal sideline. I was a little scared by the sleeping with a DEA agent story line, but somewhat reassured by the quickie marriage in Vegas twist. Still, the process of growing pot, and threats of intrusion by standard villians could wreck the charm of the show.

FALL 2006 - NY MUSICAL FILM FESTIVAL

Spanning a range of genres from rock, hip-hop, and avant garde, The New York Musical Theatre Festival is a three week celebration bringing the next generation of modern musical entertainment to producers, artists and young adult audiences.

Over 30 musicals will premiere at NYMF, with more than 100 concerts and special events, 300 performances and 1000 performers.

Single tickets go o­n sale September 1.

For a copy of the 2006 Official Program, visit the Virgin Megastore in Times Square, where you can collect one of the full color 32 page magazines from either the Theatermania Box Office, or the Virgin front desk.