By Lydia Melby, Arts Editor

Now that the Oscars are over, movie buffs may be feeling somewhat lost. The Watchmen premieres next week, but after that, movies are looking bleak for a little while, at least in terms of originality (did they really remake The Last House on the Left and Twelve Angry Men?).

However, fellow film fanatics need not waste away until April, when The Soloist and the new X-Men come out. Beginning Monday, the Carmike Cinemas right here in Abilene will be serving up something a little different.

The Independent Film Series will run for twelve weeks at the Carmike Cinemas’ Park Central 6 on Clack Street and will feature a different film every week. The upcoming selections, those that have been chosen so far at least, offer a wide range of genres from drama, comedy, documentary and religious. The series also is still accepting submissions from those hopeful young directors ready to ‘make it big.’

Judging from the previews provided on the series’ Web site, a few of these cinematic offerings may have been produced on the same budget one might use for a FilmFest submission. However, a few that still offer some promise, whether in storyline, subject matter, or all around quality. Bad For Business may pique enough interest with its zany premise for one to be able to ignore the poor editing, acting and cinematography, while Waiting For My Real Life promises a unique take on the obesity crisis of America.

However, if you want quality acting, directing, storytelling and camera work and still get that indie-movie buzz, the headlining film Remarkable Power! would be the one to see.

Remarkable Power! is a bright, twisted little gem of a comedy that could never be considered Oscar quality, but has played at more than 20 international film festivals and should get some recognition in its own right. It features fresh, first-time directing and writing, but fairly experienced acting (which is where most independent films tend to stall). The plot’s layered style brings to mind another indie cult-classic, Brick, although it tends to be slightly more predictable and cluttered. However, this is the type of movie you can go watch and laugh at the craziness, but still be mildly interested in the plot.

The plot centers on late-night talk show host Jack West, played by Kevin Nealon (you might know him from Weeds), who finds out in the same day that his wife is having an affair and that his 15-year-run show is getting cancelled. He hatches a plan to get revenge and save his show, and this plan has rippling effects on the rest of the crowded population of Los Angeles.

The storyline then widens to include characters such as Ross, played by Evan Peters, a pot-smoking doofus; Athena, played by Nora Zehetner (the girl from Heroes), a photographer who makes a living by taking pictures of dead people; and Preston, played by Kip Pardue (‘Sunshine’ from Remember The Titans), a porn star who dreams of a better life.

There is plenty to see in Remarkable Power!, although many of the characters and plot-points could have been compressed or left out (i.e., the Jewish mob lord). However in the end, everything comes together in a neat, ‘should’ve seen it coming’ fashion. This film offers something you don’t see in everyday cinema and the dark humor and fun soundtrack are worth the price of admission.

For more information go to www.independentfilmseries.com. Remarkable Power! will play at the Park Central 6 location from March 2-7 at 4 p.m. daily.