The LA Film Fest starts rolling today and runs through next weekend in Westwood and, new this year, at the Landmark. Featuring a number of Sundance faves and a few new indies, the rather select lineup is really quite good. It seems the documentary competition is especially interesting this year. Kudos to the folks behind the website for the fest – write-ups are packed with useful info on the film and filmmakers, links, and trailers. Here are some of the flicks I am most excited about. Check out the full post after the break for more notes.

Dirty Hands: The Art & Crimes of David Choe
David Choe is famous for his dirty style of art and graffiti that I have long been a fan of. This docu looks at his life and career and chronicles a recent stint in Japanese prison for vandalism. (Photo above)

Wonderful Town
An interesting looking Thai drama about a couple finding love in post tsunami Thailand.

Let the Right One in
Let me take this opportunity to most heartily recommend this Sundance flick, which I caught at the Seattle Fest a few weeks ago. It is a touching a brilliant coming of age story of a young boy who falls in love with the new girl next door in a Swedish suburb, only to discover she is a vampire! The story unfolds in a stark and subtle way that makes the eventual action so much more effective. I can’t say enough good things about this film. It has quickly joined The Wackness as one of my very favorite films of the year.

Encounters at the End of the World
Werner Herzog’s new docu examines the lives of people living in Antarctica and looks fantastic.

(Encounters at the End of the World – above)

I’ll Come Running
First time director Spencer Parsons story of a Danish tourist falling for a waitress in a small Texas town (played by Melonie Diaz) has some very positive buzz.

Medicine for Melencholy
This story of an African-American twenty-somethings getting to know each other after a drunken New Year’s Eve hookup set in San Francisco looks like it could have some potential.

Mirageman
This Chilean superhero movie looks awesome! Just check out the trailer.

Elite Squad
Here is everyone’s chance to catch this previously mentioned Brazilian action flick on the big screen where it deserves to be seen.

Swear-A-Long Scarface
This is such a great idea I had to mention it. Come see the movie outdoors and swear along as Tony Montana drops his 200+ F-bombs.

Documentaries – Documentaries really seem to be the strength at this year’s fest.

Paper or Plastic?
Enter the world of competitive grocery bagging! This year’s Air Guitar Nation?

Pressure Cooker
A look inside an inner city culinary high school boot camp.

Must Read After My Death
The story of a seemingly perfect 1960s family with deep psychological problems that led to their disintegration. Could be reminiscent of Capturing the Friedmans.

Useless
A beautiful sounding tale that blurs the lines of documentary about the fashion and garment industry in China.

When Clouds Clear
A portrait of a small Ecuadorian town resisting the onslaught of globalization and corporate greed.

Sundance faves

A few of my favorite films from Sundance (which I have commented on previously in festival write-ups) are also making an appearance in Westwood. Notably Anvil: The Story of Anvil (above) is getting a centerpiece gala.

Also, docu faves American Teen and Man on Wire will be screened for those who haven’t gotten a chance to catch them.

The previously mentioned favorite The Wackness is screening before its upcoming theatrical release. And less fave but still good Baghead from fest darlings the Duplass bros. will also be there.

Let me know if you want to check anything out.