The Austin Cinematheque presents a free 35mm screening of Claire Denis' BEAU TRAVAIL @ Texas Union Theatre - Mon. 10/17, 8pm

The Austin Cinematheque takes off where Cinematexas of the 60s, 70s, and short film showcase of the 90s revival left off, acquiring and screening rare 35mm films, free and open to the public.  If my memory of high school English lit class is correct, tonight's screening of Claire Denis' adaptation of Billy Budd (a novella by Herman Melville), will be an intense experience.

In the visually arresting Beau Travail (1999), a former Foreign Legion officer recalls his illustrious career in Africa. The 1999 French film also boasts exceptional performances. To guarantee optimal seating, arrive early for the free 8pm screening at Texas Union Theatre. 

'Fences' Makes A Good Austin Neighbor

August Wilson masterpiece now playing at City Theatre through Sunday, March 22nd

Let's be real: Tyler Perry is popular and entertaining, but he's no August Wilson. Since childhood I've been aware of Wilson's dramatic plays, full of history and folklore that is part of the African-American experience still largely untold. I've rented a good film adaption of The Piano Lesson, but never had the opportunity to see any of the late playwright's "Pittsburgh Cycle" or "Century Cycle" works live till now, thanks to City Theatre's adaptation of Fences.



According to a review @ Austin Live Theatre: "The City Theatre production of August Wilson's Fences is powerful, intelligent, deep, universal and fully realized. It is by far the most impressive modern drama staged to date in this Austin theatre season. This is theatre not to be missed."

It's playing two more weekends, Thursday through Saturday (8:00 pm), and on Sunday (5:30 pm). There's a "pay what you can" promotion on Thursdays, with group discounts available. General admission is just $15 ($12 for students), with guaranteed front row seating for $25. For more information contact City Theatre.

The City Theatre

3823 Airport Blvd.

Austin, Texas 78722

512-524-2870

info@citytheatreaustin.org

http://www.citytheatreaustin.org/

MakeMusic TalkMusic Interactive Party Premieres Video Shorts
Video Projections by Austin Filmmakers @ Beauty Bar - Sat. 3/14

In in addition to live music and interactive demo, the party happening during SXSW Interactive announced three short film programs to be projected this weekend at the Beauty Bar.

"For your viewing pleasure: An original short program from exciting Austin filmmaker BLACK MAGIC ROLLERCOASTER opens MakeMusic TalkMusic; eclectic media & visual art by Totally Wreck Production Institute, and a surprise short selection from M.A.L.I. Women's Film & Performance Arts Festival also screen throughout the night. M.A.L.I. Representatives will be present to talk about the 9th annual event happening in May."

The event is co-sponsored by DIY Danna Communications, publishers of KTC. Admission is free, and complimentary drinks provided for a limited time, plus an all-night drink special, courtesy of Three Olives Vodka. You may view DIY Danna's press release for more information.

Screening times above, on flier.

MakeMusic TalkMusic Presents:
World Premiere Short Video Program

10 pm Saturday, March 14

Beauty Bar
617 E. 7th St
Austin, TX 78701

Austin Underground Film Festival Announced

3rd Annual Festival @ Salvage Vanguard Theater
Friday, December 19th

From the press release yesterday:

"In their ongoing mission to excavate the greatest finds in subterranean sinema history, the archaeologists behind the 3rd Annual AUSTIN UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL have delved deeper into the darkest recesses of the global brain's collective unconscious than ever before to bring you stop-motion Argentinian graffiti bombings, Mexican revenge odysseys, Maltese gypsy documentaries and frank portraits of disaffected Parisian youth. Tales of animated lunacy, feminist go-go dancers and gore-soaked backyard kung fu epics will scorch your eyeballs from their sockets as you beg for a swift and merciful death which will never come. Then, just when ou're nihilistically adrift in the final throes of a celluloid-induced existential crisis and questioning all that you hold dear, they rescue you from the brink of the abyss and restore your faith in the fundamental decency of the human race with sketch comedy noir, no-budget 80s music video kitsch and Iranian love stories set in warn-torn Afghanistan. Usher in the new year with classic retrospectives, studies in obscurantism, and brand new stick figure pathos by the master Don Hertzfeldt, plus tributes to Metal Slug, William Burroughs and Don Knotts.

Ryan Sambol, The Strange Boys @ Emo's Lounge 24/11/07 (Photo by Danna Williams)

Rock 'n' roll after party with HACIENDA, whose new album, produced by The Black Keys, has the critics gasping for superlatives, and THE STRANGE BOYS, whose new album Austin Scaggs of Rolling Stone describes merely as "the shit." B.Y.O. Beer, Liquor, 'Tussin, or whatever poison
gets your teenage kicks. Mingle with starving filmmakers! Drink wine from a cup inside one of East Austin's premiere venues! Observe real-life hipsters in their natural habitat and gain their trust by dropping words like "parallax" and "verite" until you move freely among them and feel like a discriminating member of the cognoscenti!"

With falafels by Ararat and cookies by Starlet Sweets. Salvage Vanguard Theater doors open at 6pm, pre-show 6:30, films @ 7:00. BYOB after party with The Strange Boys and Hacienda.

Read about The Strange Boys, from Rolling Stone on Dec. 3rd '08:
http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/smokingsection/2008/12/our-new-favorite-band-the-stra.php

All ages, limited seating, advance tickets available now at www.AustinUndergroundFilm.com. Get directions here.

Mark your calendars for an engaging evening of local underground film culture.

KTC Movie Challenge!

Swedish Sleeper 'Let The Right One In' vs. Mega-hyped 'Twilight'

Let The Right One In is arguably the best horror/thriller film of 2008. It was one of our picks for Fantastic Fest in September (ultimately winning the Best Horror Feature prize), and it is receiving a little buzz from critics and lucky festival circuit attendees. (See 98% approval rating @ Rotten Tomatoes.) The Swedish import is a vampire story wrapped in a universal story about children growing up - facing bullies, wanting revenge - and an endearing tween romance. The movie is a deft adaptation by the author of the novel Let Me In, John Ajvide Lindqvist, and it opened to general audiences on November 10th. If you miss the limited release at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (South Lamar), buy the book at stores like BookPeople or Borders, then buy the film on DVD or Blu-Ray - or see it at the nearest discount cinema if you're lucky enough to have one in your area. It hasn't been confirmed, but the movie may be in development as an American adaptation in 2010, which means I'll probably recommend you skip it in favor of the original in a couple of years.

But as great as it is, Let The Right One In isn't a box office match for Twilight, the highly publicized movie starring an up and coming hipster hottie and based on a Y.A. novel series by Stephenie Meyer. My sister's teen step-daughter who visited with us after Thanksgiving Day wanted to see the movie, but like me, she's compelled to read the book(s) first. So my brother-in-law bought her a couple of the books from the nearest Wal-Mart last weekend. Maybe we can see the movie when she returns to visit at the nearest discount cinema, because as curious as I am about the movie, I refuse to pay full price only to want a refund. (See 44% approval rating @ Rotten Tomatoes.) I'm vaguely familiar with the film's (and book's) premise: a likeable teenage heroine in love with a vampire disguised as a high school student who must contend with a rogue band of vampires as well as his own lust for blood.

Like TTYL, I'm sure the Twilight books are destined to be banned at Round Rock, TX schools soon, but kids (and adults) can buy it at BookPeople or Borders too. Twilight the movie is good enough for big budget Hollywood and audiences who want lots of action and teen hormone heat, but don't want any subtle surprises in a horror flick. However, if you want something of substance that will challenge your concept of what makes a good - or great - horror movie, then skip the publicity plagued teenage fantasy and see a movie destined to become a timeless horror classic - Let The Right One In.

KTC Ratings

Let The Right One In

(4 out of 5 swords)

Twilight

(2 out of 5 swords)

Have fun at the movies this weekend, whatever you watch.

Addendum: After a short debate, we've decided to nix the half sword ratings. When the mood strikes us, we'll post movie challenges on Thursdays - at least once a month. It's been a while since our last blog about all things movie related, so look for a Sweet Release blog soon... Next Tuesday?

See Three of the Most Popular Films of Fantastic Fest 2008 - for Free

Yes, according to a very reliable source, Fantastic Fest will host three films on Sunday, 28 September at the Alamo South, and it's free to the public - first come, first served.

Here's a little visual teaser of all three:

Let The Right One In (Swedish Horror) 4:05 pm - A grisly tale of a bullied boy and the secretive girl who befriends him. 

Chocolate (Thailand Action) 7:00 pm -  A martial arts flick portraying an autistic woman seeking revenge. (From the director of Ong-Bak.) 

Donkey Punch (Australian Thriller) 10:00 pm - What happens when seven young people party too hard and don't make the right decisions after an accident. 

Check out the official blog for more details.

Sweet Release Tuesday: Beyond "Sex and the City" Movie/DVD Fever

Go, Simon, Go!

I'm keeping this week's new DVD release update short and sweet, and not even starting with the movie that beat out the typical action/adventure summer blockbusters for box office gold. No, I'd rather discuss two other movies first - helmed by actors/writers and actors/directors. 

There's something about the multi-talented Simon Pegg that impresses and entertains me. His brand of humor (as a comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer) is a wildly successful U.K. export (see Shaun of the Dead - my favorite movie of 2004, and on my all-time favorites list). Pegg has achieved cult hero status among film geeks in Austin, appearing at the marathon of his Channel 4 series "Spaced" at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (Ritz), dubbed Spaced-Numb-A-Thon. He continues building his writing cred and exercises his comedic acting muscles in Run, Fatboy, Run, which appears to be (loosely) based on a late '70s film Running. Pegg teams up with American buddy and "Friends" alumnus David Schwimmer, who does more than a decent job as director of Fatboy, and I look forward to their next project behind - and in front of - the camera. 

Pegg plays Dennis, an irresponsible, commitment-phobic man who jilt his pregnant fiancee at the alter, and tries to win her back by committing to training and running a marathon. The casting seemed a bit odd at first, with considerably older Hank Azaria playing Pegg's romantic foil, and the graceful Thandie Newton's Libby seems a bit out of fatboy's league. Maybe I shouldn't be so snobby, so I'm recommending to buy Run, Fatboy, Run or adding it in your top 10 on the Netflix queue if you can't rent a copy from a favorite local video store, like I ♥ Video, or Vulcan.

 

KTC Rating: 3 out of 5 (Spots of brilliance, but not Pegg's best work.)

Average Critc & Audience Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I've been impressed with George Clooney ever since he directed Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002, starring Sam Rockwell as "Game Show Producer/CIA Hitman" Chuck Barris), and co-wrote and directed the understated (and brlliant) story of Edward R. Murrow vs. McCarthyism, Good Night and Good Luck. With his third feature, Leatherheads, Clooney chooses a physically tougher and intellectually lighter subject, about the early days of gridiron, pro football. When I watched the preiviews, I knew it would probably have trouble at the box office, and not just because of the oddball love triangle between characters played by Clooney, Renée Zellweger, and John Krasinski (Jim Halper, "The Office"). I'm a fan of all three actors, but I can't say I'm a big fan of the story and overall execution of the adorably plucky historical comedy. Leatherheads got panned (or ignored) by many critics, also a bad sign at the box office if you're part of the Hollywood elite. 

The story of Leatherheads is simple: Set in the roaring 1920s, a golden college footballer is recruited by a coach, an injured has-been, and they spend the next hour and a half or so love tackling the not so innocent ingenue, the goldenboy's fiancee. But it's really about the early, rough and no rules ways of American football. I'm not a sports fan, let alone a sports movie fan, so this one doesn't get extra points for appealing to my romantic comedy side. 

KTC Rating: 2.5 of 5 (Forgettable at the box office, but a decent rental.)

Avg. Rating: 3 of 5

I want that dress. 

I won't bore you with details about Sex and the City: The Movie, now on DVD. Buy it, or rent it if you spent too much money at the shoe department at Macy's, throw a cocktail party and guess which one of your friends is like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, or Miranda.

KTC Rating: 3.5 of 5 (Good, but don't expect it to be like the HBO series.) 

Avg. Rating: 6 of 5 - kidding - 4 of 5

Next Week's Sweet Release: Iron Man!

~ diy danna

Fantastic Fest 2008 Picks - and Pans (Part 3)

The Best and Worst of the Festival, 18-25 September

Like any art, a film's beauty is subjective, and KTC's attempts to suss out the beauty (and beasts) of a growing festival is just one more subjective exercise. So far we've covered AMD's next wave, comedy, documentary, drama, fantasy, horror, ozsploitation and Alamo's signature events. Take a look at our blog for those picks and pans if you're still undecided about which movies to see during Fantastic Fest 2008, now in it's second day of eight. And don't forget to consult the festival's official guide or the customizable schedule to see your favorites. 

Today we're making our final picks - and pans - from the remaining genres: Pinku, Science Fiction, and Thriller, plus the hot parties happening throughout the fest. Blog by diy danna.

Pinku

The Japanese pink film gets a thorough exploration, to the pleasure and titillation of Asian film lovers. Pink films were popular cinema from the 1960s through the 1980s, ranging from small independent to major studio productions. Alamo South hosts a "Behind The Pink Curtain" Retrospective, screening four films with softcore pornographic elements, introduced by author and pink film scholar Jasper Sharp. The genre is still around, and now American audiences will get to experience the glory of it - past and present - thanks to DVD exports and film festivals like this one.  

Pinku Picks

All Four films are worth seeing, although I struggled with the "udderly" mad plot of A Lonely Cow Weeps At Dawn (2003) and extremely politically incorrect storyline of S&M Hunter (1986 - the zenith of pink cinema). The real gems appear to be early pink films with female protagonists who seek revenge, Blue Film Woman (1969), or self-discovery, Gushing Prayer (1971). But the avant-garde camera work and editing of nudity and sex scenes are what audiences may remember the most. The retrospective begins next Monday. Check the guide (pg. 82) for times, or consult the online schedule for screening times. 

Science Fiction

After a sci-fi disappointment in the box office this year (the X-Files movie won't be winning any Hollywood honors), it's good to know independent filmmakers are chalenging themselves to make the kind of movies that don't typically win awards from IFC either.  I haven't seen a good science fiction movie in quite a while, so I look forward to seeing what Fantastic Fest has to offer in 2008.

Pick

The near-future big brother tale of conservative politicans dealing out a final solution to perceived economic problems in How to Get Rid of the Others (2007, Denmark) is not so farfetched. Add satirical, black humor and  you may have one of the very best films of the festival. See it Thursday 25/9 at 2:30 pm. 

Pan

The advance screenings of Alien Raiders (formerly Supermarket 2008, USA) is good analogy for how America deals with terrorists, or a presumed alien threat to our way of life - or life period - but I can't seem to be reminded of a similar Robert Rodriguez film, set in a high school.  I still miss the good old fashioned intergalactic battles between good and evil sci-fi flicks, but this subtle nod to creature features of the 1980s, and the menace of aliens and our own forces could be a worthy substitution for other moviegoers.  Director Ben Rock (real name) will be there at screenings on Sunday 21/9 at 11:55 pm and Wednesday 24/9 at 9:15 pm.

 

Thriller

Aside from the comedy, drama, and fantasy, thrillers have been something I look forward to seeing - indie and Hollywood produced alike. Most Hollywood thrillers haven't been so... thrilling, with predictable plot and characters. Some of us see the twists coming 30 minutes into a 90 minute thrill ride. My expectations for a good thriller are high - I like being entertained by some movies to the point of gasping in amazement. (Maybe because I don't do deathgrip amusement park rides.)

Pick

It's a tie. The crime thriller Surveillance (2008, USA) features an actor often mistaken for two - or three other fine character actors, Bill Pullman, and an actress who wowed me in Smilla's Sense of Snow, Julie Ormond, both portraying FBI agents on the track of a serial killer. The comparisons to Rashomon, and the fact that Jennifer Lynch (David Lynch's daughter) directs are what ultimately intrigue me. The brutality of the direction of the suspense and brutal scenes may utimately intrigue audiences who won't overlook Surveillance in favor of the groomed blockbuster Eagle Eye. Showing today at 7:00 pm and Thursday 24/9 at 1:30 pm.  The Good, The Bad, and The Weird (2008, South Korea) is all at once homage and completely surreal take on the epic western, Asian style. The characters will stand out as much as the unforgettable setting in this thrilling cinematic escape. Screening today at 6:25 and Tuesday 23/9 at 3:30. 

Pan

Left Bank (2008, Belgium) is probably not a bad film, but the mysterious circumstances of a a previous tenant's disappearance, and a young woman uncovering unsavory pasts seems like previously chartered territory I don't want to explore. Showing Saturday 20/9 at 2:15 and Tuesday 23/9 at 1:30. 

Parties

Alamo Drathouse Cinema knows how to throw a party, and they have special parties for VIP badge members, and other lucky festival attendees. We've already mentioned the Donkey Punch movie boat party, but we'd also like to mention the Return of Fantastic Feud on Sunday 21/9 at 11:30 pm. After a day of gorging on cinema, stick around for a visual trivia terror mini-fest, hosted by an expert. And there's more! The Fantastic Debates Party are for true film geeks who verbally battle over hot topics like horror remakes and superhero movies. It could get ugly... happening Tuesday 23/9 'round midnight. Get Lit: Closing Night Cave Party at Longhorn Caverns near Burnet, Texas will be a trip to remember - or not remember too well depending on how lit you get. Think Vodka, Red Bull, and DJs jamming. Get on the bus at 9:30 on Thursday, 25/9 and get lit all night long! 

Some parties may require VIP or film badges, and attendance at screenings and parties may be restricted for ticket holders. Please check with Fantastic Fest's official site and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema management for details. 

See you at the movies!

~ diy danna