By Jan Hamilton Rating: C+ Featuring some of the biggest names in Texas music, this overly sweet film is full of warm feelings and family values. Harry Connick Jr plays a UT professor with a lovely wife and great son. His one problem is that, because of a childhood tragedy, he won’t celebrate Christmas. What… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Guest Review: WHEN ANGELS SING
Category: Festivals
2013 SXSW Guest Review: KILIMANJARO
By Jan Hamilton Rating: B Meek and mild, our New York hero is not satisfied with his life, despite a good job, nice apartment and long-time girl friend. When she move out, he decides to to something very different with is next vacation, he and his friend (Marquette) will climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The film explores… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Guest Review: KILIMANJARO
2013 SXSW Guest Review: DRINKING BUDDIES
By Jan Hamilton Rating: B This indie film doesn’t go where you think it will, Two seemingly mis-matched couples start to stray. Kate (Wilde) seems to be pursuing co-worker Luke (Johnson) and Chris (Livingston) shows polite but unmistakable interest in Luke’s girl (Kendrick). A lot of beer is consumed in this enjoyable, slice of life… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Guest Review: DRINKING BUDDIES
2013 SXSW Guest Review: THE BOUNCEBACK
By Jan Hamilton Rating: A- Still dreaming of his ex, Stan (Stahl-David) Flies to Austin, knowing she’s there visiting their old friends. She is still hung-up on him, both seem unable to move on. This is the set-up for one of the coolest, raunchiest Austin based films in a long time. Austin natives will recognize… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Guest Review: THE BOUNCEBACK
2013 SXSW Guest Review: DOWNLOADED
By Jan Hamilton Rating: A- This is the fascinating story of how Napster was brought down by the recording industry 10 years ago. Using copious available footage from the time and new interviews, the filmmakers can’t help but show whose side they are on. Even if you never had a dog in this fight, you’ll… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Guest Review: DOWNLOADED
More from Laurie at SXSW 2013
By Laurie Coker Time moves quickly when there is fun to be had and such is the case with the Film Festival. Tomorrow the music folks flow in in full force and the entire downtown dynamic changes! Still, those of us cover the films plod on, even though interviews and red carpets wind down a… Continue reading More from Laurie at SXSW 2013
2013 SXSW Review: DOWNLOADED
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Writer/director Alex Winter recounts the story of Napster in a fascinating and compelling documentary which details the birth, rise and decline of this groundbreaking internet company, as told mostly from the perspective of those who started it. Shawn Fanning, Sean Parker, and their techie friends began… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: DOWNLOADED
2013 SXSW Review: SCENIC ROUTE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) This particular film actually was not on my originally planned SXSW schedule. I just happened to be at the Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter and since I had trekked south of all the madness downtown, I decided to remain at the theater and see the next film. After… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: SCENIC ROUTE
2013 SXSW Review: V/H/S/2
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In preparation for this screening at the festival, I made sure to watch the first film which I had never previously seen. The concept for these movies is really remarkable. For film buffs who have a love/hate relationship with “found-footage” movies, the first installment brought a… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: V/H/S/2
2013 SXSW Review: HEY BARTENDER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) I watched my first documentary of SXSW Film 2013 very early, courtesy of a screener. Writer/director Douglas Tirola educates his audience on the history of bartending and mixology, and showcases some modern masters of the art/science, as well as highlighting a simple bartender/bar owner who, in… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: HEY BARTENDER