Month: May 2026

Another great entry in the 24 Beats Per Second Section, The Man with the Big Hat documentary tells the story of Texas Progressive Country artist, Steven Fromholz. Prior to watching this film, I had never heard of the singer-songwriter. The film did catch my interest, though, because I am a fan of outlaw country music… Continue reading SXSW 2026: THE MAN WITH THE BIG HAT

Every year, Austin’s SXSW Film & TV Festival premieres music documentaries and concert films under the 24 Beats Per Second Section, and every year, I make it a point to watch at least one entry. Selecting Los Lobos: Native Sons was definitely a no-brainer for me, as I have been a fan of their music… Continue reading SXSW 2026: LOS LOBOS: NATIVE SONS

The shooting death of a student last year still affects those close to him and those who witnessed it. Now, well into the new school year, poetry teacher Mr. K cannot enter his old classroom and instead teaches through an open window. The school urges him to return, but he cannot bring himself to go… Continue reading SXSW 2026: DEAD DEER HIGH

Jamie is a real mess. She’s in love with a loser who lives in his van, and she frequently gets arrested on disturbance charges when she’s drunk, which is often. At forty, she lives in her deceased grandmother’s cottage, a cute pink bungalow. As she wakes up on the street one morning, after another bender,… Continue reading SXSW 2026: THE SNAKE

Isaac Wright was poor growing up, the first son of a white and African American couple. He and his four siblings were sometimes hungry, especially the year his dad went to jail. At eighteen, he enlisted in the military and served honorably, sometimes with suicidal comrades. He returned to the States but was so depressed… Continue reading SXSW 2026: DRIFT

Two sisters sit in a car outside a remote luxurious house late one night. The older sister, played by Lizzy Caplan, is there to rob the place because she claims the owner owes her money; the younger sister, played by Lucy DeVito, is a regular good citizen with a business and family; she’s there only… Continue reading SXSW 2026: DRAG

Born and raised in Alaska, Richard “Beebo” Russell was the middle child of five whose mom ended a second marriage to an alcoholic, but things remained chaotic at home. Richard, or Beebo as his whole family referred to him, was the glue that held the family together. He was funny, kind, and optimistic; his mother… Continue reading SXSW 2026: #SKYKING

Sean and Kim are at the end of their marriage; the only thing left is to file for divorce. He’s been out of work for a while; younger, better-trained IT professionals are replacing him. Along with the loss of his job is a loss of confidence, fun, and optimism, all things that Kim fell in… Continue reading SXSW 2026: THE SAVIORS