Simultaneously occurring at two separate Chicago locations, the Chicago Cultural Center in the heart of Chicago’s Loop and Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema in the near north neighborhood of Lakeview, two new cinematic works stylishly made their on-screen debuts.

America the Beautiful: Darryl Roberts
The Chicago debut of local filmmaker Darryl Roberts’ (How U Like Me Now and The Perfect Model) documentary America the Beautiful purported to answer the question: Does America have an unhealthy obsession with beauty?

In on-camera interviews with beauty industry experts, fashion and advertising mavens and persons representing the general public, Roberts’ film presented the US’ growing fascination with cosmetic procedures and the compulsivity afflicting both men and women to appear younger than their true age.

Following the film, a reception and benefit fashion show (portion of proceeds went to CIFF’s educational outreach program) entitled “In Reality, All Women Are Beautiful,” was held. In conjunction with Chicago's premier image consultancy, The Image Studios, and to showcase the diverse forms that beauty can take, the fashion show featured women of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Perhaps, a boy from Chicago, being that Midwesterners are viewed as being incredibly grounded in comparison with the likes of persons from the opposite Coasts, is the best to capture contemporary ideas regarding beauty.

Stuck: Stuart Gordon, director
On the others side of town, another Chicago native, writer/director Stuart Gordon known for such horror/thriller/comedic action works as: Space Truckers, The Dentist, and the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids series joined his Stuck leading lady, Mena Suvari (Six Feet Under, American Pie, and American Beauty) as they introduced his latest feature.

Based upon a true story, Stuck follows the story of Brandi Helper, a young retired care-giver (Suvari), who commits a hit-and-run only to find the victim still alive and stuck on her windshield. Stuck is characterized as a splatter comedy.

Always fun to go and see a film that can make light of car accidents and care-giving, This is definitely one of those prized dark comedies whereby you can not help but laugh at the unconventional nature of the situation.

And, no festival coverage on this the eve of the 30th Annual LaSalle Banks-Chicago Marathon would be complete without mention of the US documentary, Spirit of the Marathon. Directed by Jon Dunham, this 100 minute film chronicles the training and actual running of two elite and three amateur marathoners. From Dunham’s perspective, the running of a marathon is one of the greatest athletic feats a human can endeavor.

On a personal note: although the film seems completely gripping and well-executed, in that I plan on running the marathon tomorrow at 8 a.m., I felt viewing the film at any one of three showings this weekend would be a bit unnerving. However, I definitely would like to check out the film should it reappear either in theatres or in other forums at a later date.