This was my first time in Austin, let alone anywhere in the southern US. I wasn't expecting any of the usual southern stereotypes of crazy rednecks dragging people behind trucks, and fortunately I was welcomed by a community of incredibly nice folks. In Jamestown, I'm treated to a textbook redneck display every five minutes. I didn't see a single person during my week stay who would fall into the category. Before leaving I mentioned that I wouldn't even be that disappointed if SXSW ended up canceled because I was most looking forward to the weather. Well, it was a good thing it was still one because the weather wasn't that great, as it rained at night. But let's get on with the festival.
And was it ever a festival. Never have I been more surrounded by so many filmmakers and film fanatics in one single room at a single time. So without further ado, here's some quick reviews of the films I saw. Pretty much everything I saw was totally awesome. Mind you, these little blurbs don't even come close to describing them.
Black Sheep - I challenge that there's nothing more hilarious than harmless looking sheep innocently grazing at the mutilated carcasses of humans. Greatly inspired by the early work of Peter Jackson and Sam Raimi, this New Zealand horrorfest has everything you want in a horror comedy, blood, monsters, quirky characters, evil scientists, and suggested bestiality.
The Ten - The new film by David Wain proves that the spirit of the State, his old sketch comedy team, is still alive and kicking. Ten stories loosely based on one of the Ten Commandments. Very hilarious is all I can really say, my favorite being the CAT scan vignette. Was able to say hi to David Wain afterwards. I could have gotten my picture taken with Paul Rudd or fellow State member Ken Marino, but seeing how he's a comedian/filmmaker/editor, he's pretty much a role model. I mentioned to him that as an aspiring comedian who is currently working as an editor of industrial videos, he gives me hope. I was mainly joking, but he told me to keep my eye on the prize, which I replied that I've never seen that documentary. He didn't get the joke.
Trigger Man - Ti West's followup to The Roost, a down and dirty, made on the cheap horror film about friends getting picked by a sniper.
Smiley Face - Anna Faris eats whole load of pot brownies. There's more to it, just see it yourself.
Borderland - Another down and dirty horror film, features Mikey from the Goonies as a creepy American expatriate. For waiting out in the rain, director Zev Berman gave us all a ticket for a free drink, class act if I've ever seen one.
Run Granny Run - Documentary follows Doris "Granny D" Haddock as she runs for US Senate without the benefit of soft money contributions. Inspiring stuff in a youth-obsessed society. Seeing her wipe the floor with her opponent in the debate is priceless.
Billy the Kid - Another documentary portrays small town outcast Billy as he philosophizes, courts his first love, and deals with the pain of not fitting in, yet never conforming. Inspiring, heart-breaking, and humorous. But you always laugh with Billy, never at him.
Undead or Alive - Zombie western comedy with Chris Kataan and Brian Posehn in a supporting role as a zombie. If that doesn't pique your interest, you're a lost cause.
And now, the more interesting panels I attended.
Panel of the Dead: Horror Films Today - apparently Eli Roth fell ill and was therefore unable to attend. In his absence was a program director of some sort from the Alamo Drafthouse and Rider Strong. Wait a minute did you say Rider Strong? THE Rider Strong? Yes, indeed. The man himself. The man who eats Chuck Norrises for breakfast. If anyone can be a proper replacement for one of my current favorite directors, it's Rider Strong. Just the name summons images of a claymore wielding warrior riding horseback, mowing down everything in sight. Despite Eli's absence, it was still a very entertaining panel, also featuring Zev Berman, director of Borderland, Ain't It Cool News' Harry Knowles, producer Lauren Moews, Behind the Mask director Scott Glosserman, and a film critic whose name escapes me.
Grindhouse 101 - Robert Rodriguez is still the man in case you were mistaken, and he gave us some insight on the Grindhouse way of filmmaking, showed us some exclusive footage, and we saw the top 3 finalists in the Grindhouse trailer contest. It was nice to see the winner, Hobo with a Shotgun, was the trailer that probably cost the least amount of money. Good for them. We also saw Eli Roth's faux trailer for Thanksgiving, which will probably have trouble getting past the censors. Later that day we saw Rodriguez's band, Chingon, play at Antone's. When will you ever get the chance to hear the Desperado theme played live?
Well, that's the bulk of it. I'll make the assumption that SXSW is the best damn film festival in the country. Free of all the Hollywood bullshit that has tainted Sundance and Cannes, SXSW is the crown jewel of film festivals for filmmakers by filmmakers. Hopefully next year I can at least get a short in and make the music festival as well. As I type this I'm probably missing performances by Against Me and the Stooges amongst numerous others. Allow me to close with some pics and also by saying that the Alamo Drafthouse is by far the greatest fucking movie theater in the world. It would be so just by their weekly free showings of classic grindhouse movies on Wednesdays, but they amp it up to 11 by offering a full menu and bar that you can enjoy while watching the movie. Simply amazing.
Some pics.
Me with writer/director/comedian David Wain.
Robert Rodriguez rocking out with Chingon.
Lovely Austin.
At the Torso/Zombie double feature.
0 comments:
Post a Comment