Top 10 Films from Newport Film Fest

Starring 350 movies from around the world and backed up by a supporting cast of posh after parties and red carpet events, the Newport Beach Film Festival gave us a taste of Hollywood without having to sit in traffic to actually get to Hollywood.

The film festival is over for this year, but the films remain. Take a look at my favorite flicks from the fest.

1. : This zombie comedy had three screenings (two of which were sold out), more than any other film at the festival. A romantic, yet raunchy, comedy about two zombie buddies and their quest to find true love while escaping zombie bounty hunters. The film is a perfect cocktail—one part non-stop laughs and two parts great story. Deadheads is one of the best "zom coms" to date. A talented cast and creative filmmakers make this movie the best of the fest. 
2. Trollhunter: This film from Norway was like no other at the festival. It took the fantasy world of trolls and blended it with a Blair Witch Project documentary-style filmmaking. The writers created a troll world complete with myths and information based on their biological DNA that had me captivated from beginning to end. Both funny and intensely frightening, Trollhunter was a true standout. 
3. Simple Simon: This touching romantic comedy from Sweden about a young man with Asperger's Syndrome using math and science to find a girlfriend for his brother pulled at my heart strings. The screenplay was perfectly written with endearing characters and an original story line. It was an official entry for this year's Oscars for Best Foreign Language film. 
4. Balls to the Wall: It's hard for director Penelope Spheeris to make a bad film. With such favorites as The Beverly Hillbillies and Wayne's World, her knack for comedy is like no other. This hilarious film about a nerdy IT guy looking to earn extra money to give his special lady the perfect storybook wedding turns to laugh-out-loud craziness when he becomes a famous male stripper. The Got Milk? actor, Joe Hursley,  is the perfect choice to lead a cast of talented comic actors. 
5. Aaron Sorkin Seminar: As a screenwriter, Sorkin is by far one of my favorites. As the creator and/or writer of such dynamic projects as A Few Good Men, The West Wing and The Social Network, Sorkin is on top of the writer's food chain.  This seminar not only showed the human side of Sorkin, who is both funny and a writer's Dalai Lama, but gave great insight into the world of film and television writing. One of the most helpful and entertaining seminars I've ever attended. 
6. Becoming Santa: I wasn't even going to see this documentary, probably because it is May and I'm not really in the Christmas spirit. I was killing time before I was to attend another screening. I ended up staying and seeing this heartfelt and funny look at a man's quest to play Santa during one Christmas season. An audience winner at the SXSW festival, Becoming Santa makes you laugh and tear up a little. But most of all, you fall in love with the main character, Jack, and his transformation from everyday man to everyone's favorite Santa Claus. I loved this documentary. 
7. The Perfect Host: This feature film starring Frasier's David Hyde Pierce was not what I expected. A dark comedy filled with twists and turns was like driving on the autobahn with no brakes. Superb acting mixed with cleverly crafted story and chic production design made this film eye candy for the wicked soul. Nothing is what it seems in this movie which is what keeps the audience on edge of their seats and their fingers nervously in the popcorn bag. 
8. California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown: Since I didn't grow up in the age of Gov. Pat Brown, I really didn't know anything about him before I saw this documentary. I was quite intrigued, not only by Brown himself, but how this documentary educated me on the history of California during his reign as Governor 1959-1967. Brown was responsible for creating the affordable California State University system because he himself did not go to college due to lack of money. The story is told by his granddaughter and filmmaker Sascha Rice. Her intimate and thought-provoking documentary was both educational and fascinating to watch. 
9. Lucky: What I liked about this dark comedy was it's unapologetic view of serial killers. It was unnervingly funny, yet Fargo-esque campy with great performances by Colin Hanks (Tom's son) and Ari Graynor who plays Lucy. Graynor's performance is what makes this film fresh and entertaining. A rather dark subject of killing, her portrayal of a gold-digging wife is charming and sweet like two packets of Splenda. 
10. Contemporary Days:  This documentary about Lucienne and Robin Day was beautifully done. Lucienne, a textile designer and Day, a furniture designer, both were ahead of their time with their modern and timeless designs. Their designs have influenced much of what you see today at IKEA and through other contemporary designers. The documentary makes me want to go a buy a roll of Lucienne fabric and use it to cover a Day-designed chair.

If you didn't get a chance to attend the festival or didn't see any of the films mentioned above, check out their websites to see which festival they will be appearing at next. Also the and Orange County Film Society screens films throughout the year that have shown at the festival.