I saw Chili Finger at its world premiere during SXSW 2026, and it’s one of those films that makes me laugh, wince, and then think a little longer than I expected. Directed by Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad, the movie takes a bizarre real-life premise and pushes it into dark, chaotic, and surprisingly thoughtful territory.… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – Chili Finger: bold, strange, and undeniably fun
Category: Festivals
SXSW 2026-Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come fully embraces the chaos that made the first film memorable, and for better or worse, that same energy drives this sequel. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the film plunges Samara Weaving’s Grace back into another deadly game, and it wastes no time getting started. The production… Continue reading SXSW 2026-Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
SXSW 2026 – I Love Boosters: too chaotic to land solidly
With his SXSW 2026 opening night film, Boots Riley’s latest swings big — and I found myself both admiring aspects of it and shaking my head in equal measure. From the beginning, it’s clearly a Boots Riley film: bold, highly stylized, and full of color. The imagery is vivid and creative, almost intoxicating at times,… Continue reading SXSW 2026 – I Love Boosters: too chaotic to land solidly
SXSW 2026: Anticipation
Opening day at SXSW always carries a certain electricity—an energy that hums through Austin before the first panel begins or the first note is played. There’s the familiar ritual of scanning the lineup, mapping out impossible schedules, and wondering how it will all come together. This year, though, that anticipation feels slightly different. SXSW 2026… Continue reading SXSW 2026: Anticipation
SXSW Music Festival 2026: The Tiarras Return to Perform at Showcase and a Day Show
SXSW Music Festival is here once again in Austin, and I am so excited to report that Austin’s The Tiarras will be performing at the festival Showcase alongside other musical talent. The Rock/Indie Pop performance will be on March 14th at the Continental Club on South Congress. The performance will be open to Platinum and… Continue reading SXSW Music Festival 2026: The Tiarras Return to Perform at Showcase and a Day Show
FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Sirāt – draws you in and refuses to let go
Some films don’t just unfold before you — they draw you in and refuse to let go. Premiering at Fantastic Fest 2025, Sirāt, the latest from director Óliver Laxe, is one of those rare, compelling cinematic experiences. Shot with hypnotic beauty by cinematographer Mauro Herce, the film follows Luis (Sergi López, in one of his… Continue reading FANTASTIC FEST 2025: Sirāt – draws you in and refuses to let go
Fantastic Fest 2025: Sirāt Delivers Breathtaking Tension
I was not at all prepared for this movie. I was offered a guaranteed ticket and reserved seat, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to experience a film that would absolutely blow my mind. Though I read the synopsis offered by Fantastic Fest, I had no idea what kind of experience I would have.… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2025: Sirāt Delivers Breathtaking Tension
Fantastic Fest 2025: GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE
One of the secret screenings of Fantastic Fest came as a complete surprise to me. I had never heard of the movie, so when the title leaked before the screening, all I could do was shrug. I knew it was the newest movie from director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaker behind the first three Pirates of… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2025: GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE
Fantastic Fest 2025: PRIMATE
The 20th Anniversary version of Austin’s Fantastic Fest kicked off with a movie that was sure to whet the appetites of festival attendees with a feast of horror, gore, and humor. The movie is Primate, a film about a chimpanzee infected with rabies that attacks a group of unsuspecting teenagers partying at a parents’ paradise… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2025: PRIMATE
We Bury the Dead (SXSW 2025 Film Festival Premiere) Now in Theaters
Written and directed by Zak Hilditch, We Bury the Dead premiered at the SXSW Film and Television Festival on March 9th, 2025. It is now released theatrically in the US as of today, January 2, 2026, after a festival run last year. The film is a drama and does contain some horror due to the… Continue reading We Bury the Dead (SXSW 2025 Film Festival Premiere) Now in Theaters