Another convention. Another article. This time is was Westercon 54, a science fiction convention in Portland, Oregon, where I was accosted by a group of rabid Tolkien fans.

After driving three hours from Seattle to Portland and settling in my hotel room overlooking the parking lot, I was too restless to sit still, deciding instead to check out the Con's evening offerings. Sorry to say, pickings were slim, but I found something interesting for a film buff: "Will Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' Films Be Any Good." Now that sounded interesting!

Shortly after moving to Seattle, I discovered another reason to live here: The Seattle International Film Festival, where over 150,000 people enjoy viewing more than 250 films from over 50 countries. This 25 day event (from May 24 - June 17, 2001) is the largest in the country and is considered to be among the top film festivals in the world. Over 200 filmmakers attend the festival each year participating in discussions with the audience following the screenings of their films.

Roland Emererich (The Day After Tomorrow, Godzilla, Independence Day, Stargate) takes us on an imaginary journey back in time that combines early man, prehistoric beasts, and an Egyptian-like culture enslaving all the others. D'leh (Steven Strait) is a member of a hunter-gatherer group living off the Wooly Mammoths when their peaceful existence is disturbed by mysterious raiders (Affif Ben Badra as The Warlord) who make off with many of D'leh's tribe, whom they plan to sell as slave labor.

Swedish director Mikael Hafstrom (2005's Derailed, plus a long list of Swedish films) brings Stephen King's short story to the screen and leaves us with a gem. Mike Enslin (John Cusack) turned cynic after the death (we assume from an incurable disease) of his young daughter, Katie (Jasmine Anthony), has separated from his wife, Lily (Mary McCormack). Enslin has moved to the West Coast to write books about haunted places—motels, B&Bs, graveyards, farms, and hotels—mostly to debunk the idea that ghosts exist.