Local movie 'Feed the Fish' shown

GREEN BAY - Sure, the latest "Twilight" movie was selling out this weekend, but Green Bay's Meyer Theater also hosted a packed house Sunday night for the comedy "Feed the Fish," shot partly in Door County, featuring local extras.

"We wanted to bring it back and show it to the local folks before anyone else because they helped us out so much during the filming," writer/director Michael Matzdorff said.

Matzdorff grew up in Green Bay, and so did the film's star, Tony Shalhoub, Matzdorff's uncle. Both took part in showcasing screenings of the movie for audiences in Fish Creek and Green Bay over the weekend. And they had no trouble filling the seats while competing with that vampire saga.

"The difference is ours is free," Shalhoub said with a laugh. "It was tremendous (the audience) recognized all of the locations applauded when they did recognize things. I think the whole movie really is a love letter to Door County and the people.

The two free screenings Saturday in Door County, where part of the movie was shot last winter, brought in rave reviews. On the "Feed the Fish" Web site, blogger Chris called the movie "Absolutely Hillarious!" B says, "it's excellent, a great movie," and M.B. labels "Feed the Fish" "delightful."

Local extras and crew members were invited to the screenings to see for themselves.

Shalhoub plays the sheriff in the independent film and is also an executive producer on the project. He says local audiences reacted well to the comedy.

Shahloub, who recently wrapped up playing the title role in the USA TV series "Monk," is now headed to Broadway, but says he'd love to come back to make more movies in Wisconsin.