The Wine Country Film Festival is slipping away, and while some us work the weekends (ahem) most of you are out there scouring the entertainment section for something to do. My recommendation? Head over to Napa to see a movie or two of this year’s film fest offerings.

It may not be too late to catch Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies, which you gotta love for its title and its concept. Were these two great creative artists behind cubism influenced by early film editing techniques, or was it the other way around?  I’d venture a yes. Shows Saturday at 12:30 pm at Cuvee Napa.

Richard Gere is my Hero could be about any number of things, but it’s no great surprise it’s about Tibet. Specifically, modern-day Tibetans living in exile in India. “Marriage complications, alcoholism, financial stress, and nostalgia for Tibet and hope for its future are all issues woven into this colorful story of exuberant youth and the unique characters.” Plays Saturday at 2:30 at the Napa River Inn.

One of the highlights this weekend is the tribute to two Hungarian cinematographers who became exceptionally influential in Hollywood during the 1970s and beyond, Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond. It starts this afternoon at 3:45 at Cuvee Napa with No Subtitles Necessary,  a documentary by James Chressanthis about the two, and is followed by a Q&A session with Zsigmond and Chressantis.  Cuvee Napa is at 575 Third Street, Napa Ca. 94559.

The second part of the program is a so-called Master Class, “A Celebration of Cinematography” with Vilmos Zsigmond, showcasing scenes from both cinematographers’ bodies of works. Vilmos is known for his use of natural light and vivid use of color on features such as “The Long Goodbye” (1973) and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) among many other films. Kovacs also worked on “Close Encounters”  ”The Last Waltz” (1978)  and “Blow-Out” (1981, my favorite John Travolta movie) and nearly all Peter Bogdanovich’s work as well as several pictures with Martin Scorcese. Between them they helped define the visual texture of the second golden era of films.

The Master Class is Sunday September 27 from 10:30 AM – 1:30PM at Cuvee Napa, 575 Third Street Napa. Master Class $20 only / $25 for both today’s film and Master Class Tickets now on sale at 707.935.3456 or at the door.

There are many more films and a couple special events to explore (and good luck with the website, which is awkwardly put together). A couple highlights for locals: America’s Wine: The Legacy of Prohibition, 6 pm tonight (Saturday) at Napa Valley Expo. And later, 9 1/2 Dates, an Hungarian film by Tamas Sas about “the single woman’s everlasting search for a mate, a search to which most men seem oblivious.” That’s also tonight, 8:15  at Cuvee Napa.

Tomorrow’s schedule is just as full, but it concludes with a real novelty: the Japanese “Sideways,” which sounds like a tasteless joke but is in fact a new version of the Alexander Payne ne0-classic, with an all-Japanese cast and crew. They shot the movie in Napa Valley last year, and its area premiere is tomorrow night (Sunday) at 8 pm, al fresco at Napa Expo. They’ll be wine served as well, and a chance to mingle with cast and crew. Sounds like  a winner.