Director Michael Schultz is the featured guest for the 24-Hour Film Fest on Nov. 14.
Schultz, in the movie business for about 40 years, is probably best-known for the influential tear-starter Cooley High (1975, PG, 107 mins.). Wait, there's also Car Wash (1976, PG, 97 mins.) or The Last Dragon (1985, PG-13, 109 mins.) or any other film considered a seminal part of the black cultural experience.
But it could have been Krush Groove, a reimagining of the founding of Def Jam Records, that sealed him in the firmament. (Fun fact: This was teenager LL Cool J's first big movie appearance; he was skinny.) When you read the list of names playing themselves, you understand that the director is a true boss who can wrangle talent: Sheila E., Run-DMC, Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow, Beastie Boys and New Edition. And that's a young Blair Underwood in his debut and an even younger Chris Rock as an uncredited extra.
The fest will show films from the director's résumé, including Disorderlies (1987, PG, 86 mins.) at noon; Bustin' Loose (Richard Pryor, Cicely Tyson and 1981, R, 94 mins.) at 1:30 p.m.; and Krush Groove (1985, R, 97 mins.) at 3:15. Schultz even directed T.D. Jakes' jump into Hollywood with Woman Thou Art Loosed (which also starred Underwood). Schultz shows no signs of slowing down; he's still in demand as a director for TV series such as Black-ish, The Mysteries of Laura and Arrow.
If experience is the best teacher, then that's his name on the door: He'll discuss it all during a talk after the last screening.
Screenings begin Nov. 14 at noon, culminating with a discussion with the filmmaker at 5:30 p.m., at the Clarence Muse Cafe Theater, 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas. Admission is $5.
SCREEN SCENE
LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR Kirk Cameron hosts this national marriage event tour that's making a few local stops Nov. 13-15. The tour stops Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway, Allen; Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1000 W. Airport Freeway, Euless; and Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. at Cleburne High School, 1501 Harlin Drive, Cleburne. Musician Warren Barfield will help Cameron as he teaches about strengthening relationships in light of the success of his 2008 movie about a firefighter trying to save his marriage. "We've taken Fireproof and transformed it into a live event," Cameron says. $20-$50. loveworthfightingfor.com.
STAR WARS ON THE SQUARE Fans will be out in Force -- yes, that one -- to celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Nov. 14, starting at 4 p.m. at Celina Main Street and Historic Square, 302 W. Walnut St., Celina. Participants will be able to build a light saber and compete in cardboard spaceship building and Star Wars costume and trivia contests. Children may also get to participate in "Jedi Training Academy." Stick around for a screening of Star Wars: The Clone Wars at 6:30 in the square. Free, including hot dogs. Join the conversation on Facebook
DIGNITY INITIATIVE The Dignity Initiative continues screenings of In Plain Sight (2014, 69 mins.) at Collin College campuses: Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Central Park Campus Conference Center, 2200 W. University Drive, McKinney; and Nov. 18 at 6 at the Preston Ridge Campus Conference Center, 9700 Wade Blvd., Frisco. The documentary takes viewers to six cities to examine sex trafficking and tales of survival. The campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire action to stop oppression of women. Free. collin.edu.
LATINO-AMERICAN FILM FIESTA: MOVIE EVENT This free monthly series, which started in September and is scheduled to go through May 2016, will screen movies and documentaries about the culture of Hispanics in North America. Movies such as Bless Me, Ultima (2013, PG-13, 106 mins.) and Buena Vista Social Club (1999, G, 105 mins.) are on the bill. The next entry will be shown Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at the South Irving Library meeting room, 601 Schulze Drive, Irving. 972-721-2628. irvinglibrary.org.
DVD LOOKOUT Week of Nov. 16 -- Dear Santa, please bring Justice League Unlimited: The Complete Series to me. It has given me insight into so many things: It's OK to have mother issues (Wonder Woman); vulnerability is fine, as long as you have super friends (Superman); you can never have too many backup plans (Batman); and you can ride a horse into battle on another planet (Renegade). Pretty please? Sincerely (with fingers crossed), Screen Scene. Also out this week: The Man From U.N.C.L.E.; The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: The Complete Second Season; Trash; and We Are Your Friends.
