CineVegas unveils anniversary lineup

Two movies about has-been entertainers on the comeback trail bookend the 10th anniversary edition of the CineVegas Film Festival from June 12 to 21 at the Palms' Brenden Theatres.

The world premiere of "The Rocker" -- a comedy about a failed rock drummer ("The Office's" Rainn Wilson) who joins his nephew's band -- will open the festival.

The festival's closing-night feature: "The Great Buck Howard," with John Malkovich as the title character, a "mentalist" who's seen better days, and Colin Hanks as his new assistant, a law-school dropout with visions of showbiz glory. Las Vegas native Matthew Gray Gubler joins Tom Hanks (Colin's dad), Steve Zahn and Emily Blunt in the cast of the Sundance Film Festival attraction, which filmed briefly in Las Vegas.

In between, the festival will spotlight a variety of in-competition world premieres, add a new documentary competition, focus on emerging Mexican filmmakers in its "La Proxima Ola" section, preview new independent features and showcase Nevada filmmakers.

"CineVegas has evolved into the festival we have always wanted it to be: an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind experience for film lovers and an intimate, supportive environment for innovative films and filmmakers, as well as a dynamic launching place for studio releases," artistic director Trevor Groth said in a news release. "This year's program continues our history of championing films that take risks, challenge audiences and push the artistic limits of filmmaking."

The festival's competitive "Jackpot Premieres" section will include the neo-noir musical "Dark Streets" and Bill Pullman in the sci-fi outing "Your Name Here."

CineVegas' new documentary competition will feature, among others, the U.S. premiere of "King of New York" director Abel Ferrara's "Chelsea on the Rocks," about the artistic voices that have emerged from New York's legendary Chelsea Hotel, plus world premieres from "Lost in the Fog," about a champion race horse, to "Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong."

A separate "Vegas Uncovered" documentary section will present Vegas-centric documentaries, including the world premiere of "Where I Stand," about late Las Vegas Sun editor and publisher Hank Greenspun.

Other Nevada films premiering at CineVegas will rang from "Primo," about cousins from El Salvador reunited in Las Vegas, to "Women in Boxes," a behind-the-scenes look at magicians' assistants.

"La Proxima Ola," which will become a permanent festival fixture in its second year, will spotlight, among others, actor Gael García Bernal's directing debut, "Déficit," plus the family conflicts of "¿Dónde Están Sus Historias? (Where Are Their Stories?)" and "Cochochi," about two boys searching for a lost horse.

Additional CineVegas information is available by telephone at (888) 883-4278 or online at www.cinevegas.com.

Contact movie critic Carol Cling at ccling@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272.