Tag: SXSW FILM 2016

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Close to two years ago, acclaimed director Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club) offered audiences the true story of Cheryl Strayed and how she overcame her grief for her deceased mother and her subsequent drug abuse in the amazing film Wild.  This year Vallée and screenwriter Bryan Sipe brought to… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: DEMOLITION

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) My second favorite Midnighter film of the festival is a suspenseful and edgy thriller that would make Alfred Hitchcock proud.  Ethan (Logan Miller) and Sean (Keir Gilchrist) are two high school boys conducting a “social experiment.”  They attempt to convince their grouchy neighbor Harold Grainey (James… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: THE GOOD NEIGHBOR

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) My favorite Midnighter of the festival is an utterly disturbing film about an animal shelter employee named Seth (Dominic Monaghan) who becomes so obsessed with his former high school classmate Claire (Jeanette McCurdy) that he takes her prisoner.  Keeping her locked up in a cage in… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: PET

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Directed and written by Richard Linklater, Everybody Wants Some!! is the SXSW Film Festival Opening Night film in the Headliners category and after a couple of more screenings during the festival, followed by a fundraiser for the Austin Film Society on March 26th, it opens in theaters nationwide on April… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Jeff Nichols’ Midnight Special supernatural thriller had a North American Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in the Headliners category and now is in theatrical release. Writer/director Nichols’ fourth feature reunites him with actor Michael Shannon (Take Shelter, Mud, Shotgun Stories). The film may appear to be one story at… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: MIDNIGHT SPECIAL

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars)  Horror fans have seen similar slasher films, but this one has one major difference.  The main protagonist of the film is hearing impaired and unable to speak or scream.  This story/character choice for the main character only adds to the suspense and horror.  Don’t get me… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: HUSH

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars)  Most Austin residents and University of Texas alumni know the story, some of the facts, and may have heard the urban legends.  However, not too many people have listened to the very personal accounts from the people who experienced that terrifying day when Charles Whitman went… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: TOWER

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars)  Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) is back with a new feature film full of adventure, excitement and intrigue.  Pee-Wee may be just a simple, small-town boy living the quiet life, but a fateful encounter with a fascinating out-of-towner (Joe Manganiello) inspires him to hit the road and… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016 Review: PEE-WEE’S BIG HOLIDAY

By Mark Saldana Film Synopses Source: SXSW.com  After nine days of film fest bliss, I must say that my SXSW Film 2016 may be one of the best ones I have ever experienced.  Not only did I have the honor and pleasure of seeing legendary actors Burt Reynolds and James Caan in person, I also… Continue reading SXSW Film 2016: FESTIVAL RECAP