SXSW Film 2010

March 29th, 2010

I apologize I’m a little late writing about my SXSW 2010 experience. Let’s just say that I had a ton of fun and suffered from so much movie overload that I needed to take some time off to recover from the constant party in Austin, TX. One last thing, I hope you guys won’t mind the photos this year. I forgot to bring my camera so most of these shots are from my cell phone. Let’s get down to business.

In Line for KICK-ASS

First up, I lined up for the opening night film KICK-ASS with my girlfriend Sandy Salinas and good friend Le-An Tran on Friday at the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX. KICK-ASS is Matthew Vaughn‘s new film which will be hitting theaters April 16, 2010. The film is based on the comic-book series written by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. All I can say is that KICK-ASS was KICK-ASS. Chloe Grace Moretz stole the show as HIT-GIRL Check out the trailer below.

After KICK-ASS, Sandy and I ran over to the Alamo Draft House Ritz on 6th St. to try and catch a sneak peek of the upcoming PREDATORS movie by Austin based filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. They really needed a bigger venue for something like this. Only about 170 got into the event out the 400 or so people that waited in line with us. I’ll leave you guys with the teaser trailer for now.

Ti West, Matt Reeves, Robert Rodriguez, & Ruben Fletcher

The next day I went to several film panels which included: KICK ASS Panel with director Matthew Vaugn, Chloe Mortiz, Aaron Johnson, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. I also attended Distribution Deals with Deena Kalai PLLC and Directing the Dead with Ti West, Matt Reeves, Robert Rodriguez, & Ruben Fletcher. Unfortunately, both Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino were both no shows at the panel. Oh well, maybe next time they will come to SXSW and talk about their new upcoming projects.

Later that day, Sandy and I attended the Texas Film Commission party at the Iron Cactus on 6th St. There, we met with several old friends and even made some new ones. We met up with Alfred Cervantes of the Houston Film Commission, the lovely and talented El Paso filmmaker Maru Buendia-Senties (Entre Linas), my old University Film Alliance buddy Jack McWilliams, and documentary filmmaker & old UT professor Ben Steinbauer, whose award winning documentary Winnebago Man premiered at SXSW last year. We also got to meet Drew Mayer-Oakes and Janet Vasquez of the San Antonio Film Commission. Good Times!

Jack McWilliams & Myself

Sandy Salinas & Maru Buendia-Senties

Ben Steinbauer "Winnebago Man"

Later that night we went watch Michel Gondry’s documentary Thorn in my Heart, met with Phillip Bloom at Maggie Mae’s, and finished the night with Cannibal Girls. What was Cannibal Girls? It was directed by Ivan Reitman in 1973 and starred Eugene Levy. Wow this was a bad horror film but great in so many ways. Oscar nominated director Jason Reitman was at SXSW and introduced his father’s old horror film before a sold out crowd at the Alamo Draft House Ritz.

John Pierson & Michel Gondry

Phillip Bloom & Myself

1st in line for Cannibal Girls

Jason Reitman @ SXSW

We ended the night with Electra Luxx starring Carla Gugino but unfortunately the projector died 2/3 way into the film. They weren’t able to repair the projector but Sebastian Gutierrez gave a great comedy stand up to make up for the last part of the film. He really knew how to work the crowd so major kudos to for keeping his cool under so much pressure. I hope to finish watching Electra Luxx in the future if it ever comes to DVD or Netflix.

Marcel Rodriguez & Myself

Sandy, Elizabeth, and I

On Monday, Sandy and I met up with our buddy Marcel Rodriguez at the World Premiere of Dance with the One. Marcel was the DP on the production. The film was produced by the UTFI program at the University of Texas at Austin. Several of our old friends worked on the production that began in 2008. We also ran into Elizabeth Avellan while at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar inline for the Texas Shorts Program. Check out the Dance with the One trailer below:

We ended the night by watching the UK film TONY at the Alamo Ritz downtown. Talk about a disturbing film! The story is quite unique considering that the serial killer…well I won’t spoil the ending for you because it really is different than most serial killer films. A must see for everyone! Check out the trailer below:

On the final day of SXSW Film, Sandy, Le-An, and I watched what I believe were two of the best films of the SXSW film festival. They included The People VS George Lucas and Harry Brown. The People VS George Lucas was probably the best documentary film of the festival and it was awesome the director Alexandre Phillipe chose to have to the World Premiere at SXSW 2010. We were first to see it before anyone else! This film touched on everything and anything that is and “was” the Star Wars universe. I say “was” since George Lucas created and ruined Star Wars for a lot of us. Check out the trailer below:

Next came Harry Brown starring Michael Caine. Harry Brown was the best film of SXSW! Set in modern day Britain, Harry Brown follows a man’s journey through a chaotic world where teenage violence runs rampant. As a modest, law abiding citizen, Brown lives alone. His only companion is his best friend Leonard. When Leonard is killed, Brown reaches his breaking point. Clint Eastwood ain’t got nothing on Michael Caine! I’ll be looking for this film on Blu-Ray when it hits stores for sure. Check out the trailer below:

We ended the festival with a sneak peek of the new film The Runaways starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart. Both Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart were present to introduce the film as was the film’s director Floria Sigismondi and last but not least, the legend herself Ms. Cherie Currie. Check out some of the photos below as well as the trailer: