Tag: 2018 Austin Film Festival

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Peter Hedges (“The Odd Life of Timothy Green”) has written and directed a drama about a young man, Ben (Lucas Hedges), his addiction and the many effects it has on all his family and families all around. Hedges story does not shy away from scenes that are very traumatic to… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review/Interview: BEN IS BACK

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Money and power rarely offer anyone lasting happiness.  This timeless message is the central theme for this new, unorthodox period film by Yorgos Lanthimos.  Power is the goal that drives two of the protagonists in the film.  It is what pits them against each other and… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: THE FAVOURITE

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The 25th year of the Austin Film Festival concluded with this latest entry by respected writer/director Jason Reitman.  Given the current political climate of the U.S., it isn’t all that surprising that the filmmaker would take on a movie that examines the role of the media… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: THE FRONT RUNNER

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In 1962, acclaimed Jamaican pianist Dr. Don Shirley decided to take a tour through the Jim Crow South, but needed a strong driver/security guard to guarantee his safety and make sure that he makes his engagements in a timely manner.  Dr. Shirley chose bouncer Tony “The… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: GREEN BOOK

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Before Garrard Conley started his career as an acclaimed writer, he lived a rather simple life in Arkansas with his loving parents.  His parents have a traditional marriage with his mother working as a hairdresser and his father working as a car salesman while also serving… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: BOY ERASED

By Liz Lopez Rating: B- “Original Sin” (“Pecado Original”) had its Texas premiere at the 25th Annual Austin Film Festival in competition in the Comedy Vanguard category. Director/Writer: Jean Lee presents her feature directorial debut, “Original Sin” (“Pecado Original”) and stars an international cast, including Maia Nikiphoroff, an up-and-coming star from Paraguay, alongside costars Alejandro… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review/Interview: ORIGINAL SIN (PECADO ORIGINAL)

By Liz Lopez Rating: B Empathy Inc. screened as part of The Austin Film Festival at The Alamo Drafthouse Village on October 27th as it made a Texas Premiere. I am absolutely glad that I was able to catch the film in the theater to get the full experience of this Sci-Fi thriller. When the film… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: EMPATHY, INC.

AARP Studios Presents “Care to Laugh” Documentary about Comedian Jesus Trejo By Liz Lopez Rating: A+ Comedian Jesus Trejo is born and raised in Long Beach, California and was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch in 2017. A regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Trejo often appears on Comedy Central’s… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: CARE TO LAUGH

Jake Bulgarino and James Young present “Halter Off” Doc Short   By Liz Lopez The 25th Austin Film Festival (AFF) is well underway since this past Thursday and “Halter Off,” an all-new short documentary focused on the world of horse racing, is making its Texas Premiere at this year’s festival. Filmmaker Jake Bulgarino’s award-winning short documentary,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review/Interview: HALTER OFF