One of the better offerings at this year's Gasparilla International Film Festival was Clear Lake, WI, a psychological thriller starring Michael Madsen, written and produced by is co-star, Morgan Simpson, a Plant High School graduate now living in L.A.

Simpson will return to town Nov. 17, for a showing of Clear Lake, WI at Tampa Pitcher Show, 14416 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. He'll be joined at the screening by executive producer (and fellow Plant alumnus) Charlie Poe. Show time is 7:15 p.m., and tickets are $7.

The movie was picked up for distribution overseas only by Arsenal
Pictures. Amazon.com doesn't list a DVD version available or coming
soon.

Madsen, best known as sociopath Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs, plays a clergyman, which seems like miscasting until you realize his doing his Mr. Blonde thing again, albeit on a mission from God. I gave Clear Lake, WI a brief but positive review before its Gasparilla festival premiere:

"The Reverend, as he's known, went a little funny in the head 15
years ago, believing a toxic spill that caused several deaths was God's
vengeance against sinners, especially horny teenagers. A few straight
arrows agreed with him, setting off a Manson-style massacre of
classmates. Needless to say, everyone cleared out of town after that.

Taking a cue from Stephen King's It, a group of
survivors return to deserted Clear Lake to confront their dark
memories, speaking exposition into a video camera a bit too much.
Bodies start piling up, and it's obvious that the Reverend's work isn't
done.

Clear Lake, WI is a solid flick, and Madsen is worth watching
anytime (although his role is limited to flashbacks and a killer
kiss-off)."

I also mentioned in that blog review that Clear Lake, IA is a decent calling card for Simpson as he furthers his film career. It probably helped him get his next project underway in August, a drama set in Memphis' blues music culture titled Bailey, directed by Mario Van Peebles and co-starring Michael Clarke Duncan. Simpson co-wrote the screenplay, produces and plays the title role.

Poe again serves as executive producer, and snagged a bit part as a musician named Boom Boom.