By Mark Saldana I don’t recall doing a top ten list for any previous years that I attended SXSW Film. For some reason this year, it just felt right. I did not watch enough documentaries to make a separate top ten list, so I just made one, combining the two types of films. So without… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Film Recap: Mark’s Top 10
Category: Festivals
2013 SXSW Review: YOU’RE NEXT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Ever since this movie made a huge impact at the 2011 Fantastic Fest, I had wanted to see this film so badly. Several friends and colleagues raved about this thriller, but lots of time passed and nothing had been announced regarding any kind of theatrical or… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: YOU’RE NEXT
2013 SXSW Review: BAD MILO
By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This, perhaps, is a movie I may actually need to watch again. I realize that statement sounds surprising given my low rating; however, watching this movie again may uncover or reveal something missed during my first viewing. Considering that the Duplass Brothers helped produce this film… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: BAD MILO
2013 SXSW Review: PLUS ONE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) This film has to be my least favorite “Midnighter” that I saw this year. Though not completely horrible, Plus One seems to lack a true purpose, or is at least terrible in conveying its purpose through the story and characters. The movie has an interesting starting… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: PLUS ONE
2013 SXSW Review: THE RAMBLER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Writer/director Calvin Reader’s dark, sometimes hypnotic film about a drifter recently released from prison and his journey to visit his brother is a bizarre hallucinogenic mess. Dermot Mulroney, who portrays the title character, does a fantastic job as do the other members of the cast. I… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: THE RAMBLER
2013 SXSW Review: REALITY SHOW
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Last year, Showtime aired Adam Rifkin’s insane and wildly satirical television series about a family unknowingly recorded for a reality show. The first season was then edited and re-cut with a darker tone and is now packaged as a feature film. I have to hand it… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: REALITY SHOW
2013 SXSW Review: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF WAYNE’S PHONE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Well, at least the title is truthful. This documentary feature literally consists of video clips taken from the iPhone of Wayne Coyne, lead singer and guitarist of The Flaming Lips. These clips really have little rhyme or reason to them, other than that they are glimpses… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF WAYNE’S PHONE
2013 SXSW Review: GROW UP, TONY PHILLIPS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Austin’s filmmaking wunderkind, Emily Hagins (My Sucky Teen Romance) has definitely matured as a writer/director and her latest work, a delightful and heartfelt teen comedy is a clear indicator of this maturity. This year at SXSW Film, not only were Austin filmmakers well represented, so was… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: GROW UP, TONY PHILLIPS
2013 SXSW Review: BIG ASS SPIDER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Mike “Madman” Mendez’s ode to monster movies is an absolute entertainment blast that had me grinning from ear to ear throughout most of the screening and laughing quite often. If anything, my only criticism would be that not all of the jokes win, some of them… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: BIG ASS SPIDER
2013 SXSW Review: ZERO CHARISMA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Scott Weidemeyer (Sam Eidson) lives for writing and developing role playing games. As the “Master” of his weekly gaming group, Scott takes his games way too seriously. So when a new member of the group challenges the master’s authority and game scenarios bringing an element of… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: ZERO CHARISMA