Attack of the killer spaghetti western

Fant-Asia, the International Festival of Fantasy and Action Cinema, premiered last year to rave reviews and lineups around the block. The fest goes on again this year, July 11-August 10, with an expanded selection at the same old great (big) screen, the Imperial. As well as fare from Hong Kong and Japan, this year's roster includes an international selection of fantasy films from Europe and the U.S., plus a special section of Italian horror films.

Irwin Allen lives again

After the successes of Twister and Independence Day, studios saw a clear indication that a disaster renaissance was taking place. Indeed, audiences appear ready to savour the sight of sprawling casts being done away with on a mass scale by grandiose special effects. Witness Dante's Peak and Volcano as well as the Airport-influenced Con Air (opening this week). But the summer disaster movie everyone was waiting for will have to wait until just before Christmas; the release date for Titanic, already dubbed the most expensive movie ever made at $200 million US and climbing, has been postponed due to a gruelling postproduction process. James Cameron is a hit-and-miss director (hits: The Terminator movies; misses: The Abyss, True Lies), but if the breathtaking trailers are any indication, Titanic will emerge a crowd-pleaser and make a splash at the box office.

I'd like to be, under the sea...

A few years ago, the New Film Fest had underwater screenings of 2001: A Space Odyssey. People were handed snorkels and masks and submerged themselves in a pool where the film could be seen on the wall. Now a new Montreal film fest is being launched--but you'll be able to remain dry while watching. It's a collection of works shot under water. The Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine D'Antibes has been a hit in France for over 20 years, last year attracting 20,000 spectators over six days. The fest compiles underwater images in order to "sensitize the public to our underwater heritage." Selections include award-winning films from the French fest and an exhibit by noted Toronto photographer James Mathias. The Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine premieres this Friday and Saturday, June 6-7, at the Salle Marie-Gérin-Lajoie at UQAM. Tickets are $11.50. Info: 964-9385.

Natural born scratcher

Lee Schnaiberg, scratch video artiste extraordinaire, will be launching his latest video The Earth Changes at this year's New Film Fest. But Schnaiberg doesn't just want to premiere his film, he wants to change the world. After the film's screening, The Earth Changes will transform into an all-night party set to promote environmental awareness. Schnaiberg's amazing doc, done on a pittance, examines environmental alternatives, featuring interviews with authorities on the subject from across North America. The video will screen throughout the evenings of Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14 at Kali (1407 Ste-Alexandre, the old Stornaway). The band lineup for June 13: The Hashimoto Show, Lisa Gamble, The Shalabi Effect, At Random, S.H.U., Queen-Size Shag and Twinkle and DJs ALX, Twin-Peetz, LCD25, Synergie and Ali Mixx. June 14 line-up: Jordi & Grayson, Alan Reid Band, the Motherfunkers, Funderware, Harvey Christ and friends. Both parties last 'til 6:30 a.m. the following morning. Info: 844-1798. Tickets $10.