The Best of the Rest

Here are some more great films I saw at SXSW:

Winnebago Man

Although I consider myself a learned collector of funny internet viral videos, I must confess I had never seen the video featuring outtakes from a Winnebago industry video that featured a gentlemen getting progressively more and more upset as he flubbed lines, was attacked by the sun's heat and a swarm of flies and generally had a bad day. 

With director Ben Steinbauer's film "Winnebago Man," though, I was given an excellent introduction into the life of Jack Rebney — the short tempered star of the "Winnebago Man" viral video. 

Steinbauer's film follows the filmmaker as he first attempts to track down Rebney, who has disappeared into obscurity since the video was first shot, and subsequently convince Rebney to step back into the public spotlight. The film is as much a glimpse into the effects of unwanted fame as it is a portrait of a man struggling to balance his misanthropic views of the world with his need for a constant audience. "Winnebago Man" is a hilarious film that is more often then not also touching. Totally recommended. 

The Dungeon Masters

Director Kevin McAlester walks a fine line with his documentary about "Dungeon and Dragons" fans between offering a sympathetic look into what motivates people to immerse themselves into a world of high-concept fantasy and straight-up mocking the subjects of his film by highlighting the ridiculousness of their actions and comments. 

I'm sure McAlester did not intentionally seek to make a film that poked fun at it's subjects — any comedy that is found within the film comes solely from the fact that the D&D enthusiasts the film follows are hopelessly lost in their fantasy world. 

From a Hurricane Katrina evacuee who enjoys covering herself in jet black body makeup and pretending to be a ultra-feminist evil drow elf to a man considered to be a bit of a jerk by his fellow D&D players who has no problem concocting grand fantasy games to play but, when tired of his life as a husband and father, chooses to simply leave behind his life and start anew without telling anyone, the film's subject matters are highly complex and very interesting to watch.

My Generation

Barbara Kopple's documentary about the three different Woodstock music festivals is almost ten years old but has rarely been seen due to music licensing rights. Those who have had the good fortune to watch it, though, know that the film is a wonderful exploration into the creation (and ultimate financial failure) of the two '90s Woodstock festivals. 

Instead of focusing on the original festival (an event that has been covered in quite a bit of detail), Kopple's film explores festival organizer Michael Lang's efforts to make a profit with his festivals. 

Despite worthy efforts at corporate sponsorship, high ticket prices and extreme security, Lang has failed to make any money from any of the Woodstocks — at least, the actual festivals themselves. 

The film compares and contrasts the three festivals — their music, the youth they attracted and their larger place in the cultural zeitgeist. If you ever get the chance to catch this film, do yourself a favor and make the time to watch it — especially if you are a fan of music.

The Slammin' Salmon

Comedy troupe Broken Lizard have another winner on their hands with "The Slammin' Samon" a "Glengarry Glen Ross" esque film about waiters competing at a ritzy Miami restaurant. The film owes the majority of it's success to the Michael Clarke Duncan's extremely capable comedic skills. As the ex-boxing heavyweight champ owner of the restaurant, everything that comes out of Duncan's mouth is highly quotable, gut-busting comedic gold. Seriously. The guy is very funny in this film. Holding their own in the comedy department is the Broken Lizard comedy troupe themselves. All the actors create characters that offer plenty of laughs while not seeming repetitive of previous BL films. Kevin Heffernan takes up the directing reigns this time.

Surprisingly, the film apparently does not yet have distribution. Hopefully this will change soon as the movie is sure to be another hit from the guys that brought you "Super Troopers" and "Beerfest."

The Yes Men Fix The World

Andy Bichbaum and Mike Bonnano are kind of political "Jackasses." Taking the fight to corporate America, the two "Yes Men" pull of elaborate hoaxes designed to leave some of the world's most powerful (and most corrupt) leaders with egg on their faces. From pretending to be representatives from some of the world's biggest companies and pulling off outrageous press conferences to conning the BBC into reporting outright lies, "The Yes Men Fix the World" chronicles Mike and Andy's crusade to use their shenanigans for the side of good. The movie is extremely funny in it's outrageousness. The two con men's pranks make for high entertainment — and unlike that vague since of pity you feel when you watch ordinary people get made fools of, watching the Yes Men muck up corporate America never leaves you feeling guilty.

Lesbian Vampire Killers

A tongue in cheek horror/comedy in the vein of "Shaun of the Dead," "Lesbian Vampire Killers" comes from the minds of the comedic duo behind "Gavin and Stacey," a critically acclaimed BBC comedy series. The film stars Paul McGann and James Corden as two hapless blokes looking for a vacation in rural England who accidently stumble onto an ancient curse involving, well, lesbian vampires. The film never shies away from it's exploitive nature — relishing in it's b-movie inspirations. While a film with the title "Lesbian Vampire Killers" could have easily fallen into the trap of being a schlocky horror flick that relies on sex appeal and cornball shtick to pass 90 minutes, director Phil Claydon shepherds a film that is genuinely witty and features an lovable cast of losers. If you enjoyed "Shaun of the Dead" or "Hot Fuzz," you'll get a kick out of "Lesbian Vampire Killers."

Me and Orson Welles

In a super secret surprise screening, Austin native Richard Linklater unveiled his latest film, "Me and Orson Welles," a romantic comedy/biopic about a young actor's budding friendship with future megastar Orson Welles and the woman who drives them apart. Zac Efron and Claire Danes both give admirable performances but the real star of the movie is newcomer Christian McKay who gives a pitch perfect performance as Orson Welles. The movie is a charming glimpse into the passion behind performance and an interesting perspective of a young Welles who would soon grow into the legendary filmmaker still remembered. Director Linklater does an excellent job of enveloping audiences into the past and creating a fully realized world. 

The film won't open in theaters until this fall, so fans of cinema will just have to be patient until they get a chance to watch this highly recommended movie.

Day 4 and Beyond

Almost a week after SXSW ended, I still haven't finished my coverage via this blog. Due to the fear of still writing about this year's movies by the time next year's festival rolls around, I've pledged to finish my festival coverage tonight. 

Without further adieu, here are the rest of the movies I enjoyed at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival:

Breaking Upwards

Real-life romantic duo Zoe Lister Jones and Daryl Wein co-write and co-star in this film about a young couple who decide to take "days off" from their love life. Their relationship invention involves choosing certain days of the week that will act as romantic black holes — giving the two mini-vacations from being a couple. As they enjoy their newfound freedom, the two begin to reevaluate what their love actually means and just how good of a couple they really were. Both Zoe and Daryl are excellent in their roles but the real breakout talent in the film is long-time character actress Julie White ("Transformers"). White excels as Daryl's obsessively controlling mother. The film was highly enjoyable and a glimpse into the promising future of two very talented young filmmakers. 

MINE

Director Geralyn Pezanoski has done the seemingly impossible — create a film that offers a new and previously untapped vantage point of a national disaster that had previously been explored from every angle. By filming a documentary about the pet owners struggling to reclaim their lost animals after Hurricane Katrina, Pezanoski has offered a stirring metaphor for the displaced humans battling to pick up their lives after the destructive storm. The documentary follows the stories of several pet owners who, upon returning to New Orleans, discovered that the pets they had left behind and been rescued and sent to new lives across the country. 

What I loved most about the film was the fact that both sides of a very touchy subject were treated with equal care and consideration. No one side was made out to be the clear moral guidepost and the audience was left in turmoil — unsure of where their sympathies should lie. This film, should it find distribution, should be on the "Must Watch" list of any film fan.

The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle

Marshall Allman stars as Dory, a young man who (being desperate for employment) takes a job as a custodian at a corporation that tests new products. After eating some cookies he finds in a trash can, he becomes addicted to the snack — innovative new treats that bake themselves as soon as you put them in your mouth. He gorges himself on the trash-plucked cookies, eating them as fast as he can find them. Unfortunately, Dory discovers that the cookies have a side-effect — they cause men to become pregnant  with tiny blue fish. Writer/director David Russo combines comedy, romance, bromance and some very trippy animation to create a film that is at once both a high-concept comedy about people pooping out blue fish and an exploration into finding purpose in a bleak life. The cast (which includes Natasha Lyonne, Vince Vieluf and Tania Raymonde) sell the abstract subject matter perfectly — never once leaving audiences confused or apathetic. The film is totally recommended to anyone looking for a weird treat to sink their teeth into. 

My Suicide

Gabriel Sunday, at the ripe old age of 23, has proven himself to be an emerging talent to watch with a single movie. Not only did Sunday star in "My Suicide," a provocative look at teenage suicide and media emersion, he co-wrote and edited the film. 

As Archibald Holden Buster Williams, Sunday is a high school kid obsessed with making and watching movies. Through the use of internet cams, home movies and strategically placed security cameras, Williams goes through life in perpetual "show-mode" — offering the world a pop-culture reference soaked rant on life, liberty and the pursuit of personal space. When assigned a student video project, Williams decides to make his biggest statement yet — he's going to kill himself on camera. Much like "Network" explored a suicidal newscaster fed up with the state of modern journalism, "My Suicide" peers through the emo-clouded eyes of an angsty teen to comment on the proliferation of personal expression the internet has provided. The film is shot to appear like a series of video blogs, home movies and viral videos — and the experiment succeeds spectacularly. 

500 Days of Summer

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel star in this off-beat romantic comedy about two people not necessarily in love with each other. Tom (Gordon-Levitt) is an idealistic young man convinced that Summer (Deschanel) is the perfect girl for him — unfortunately, for Summer, Tom is only the perfect guy for right now. The film explores the length of the couple's relationship (500 days, in case you were wondering) in non-linear format. This "Memento"-style filmmaking turns what could have been an unmemorable rom-com into a very fun, very enjoyable exploration into the birth, life and death of a relationship. Director Marc Webb combines musical numbers, animation and fantasy sequences to pay tribute to romantic movie staples while also managing to break new ground. This movie is not a wise choice to bring a date to but it is a highly recommended movie that should come to a theater near you later this year. 

Best Worst Movie

Easily the best movie I saw at the festival, "Best Worst Movie" is a documentary exploring the making of and subsequent legacy of "Troll 2," a late '80s horror film considered to be the worst movie ever made. As a guy who saw "Troll 2" as a child and was impressed, it was a special treat to watch this movie. Directed by Michael Paul Stephenson, the young star of horror movie in question, the documentary primarily follows George Hardy, an Alabama dentist who played the father in the original film. In the years since "Troll 2" came out, Hardy and the rest of the film's stars went from running from the colossal embarrassment they thought they were connected with to embracing the cult status the film has gathered since it's original release. In "Best Worst Movie," Hardy travels across the country visiting fans of "Troll 2" at screenings and horror conventions — discovering the different sides associated with being the star of a cult film. Throughout the course of the documentary, I was constantly impressed with how genuinely nice a man Hardy seemed to be. From his relationship with his fans and his constant willingness to quote lines from "Troll 2" to his interactions with his co-stars and the tempestuous Italian director of "Troll 2" (a man who still considers his film to be an unrecognized masterpiece), Hardy impressed me. That's why it was such a special treat to be walking down an Austin street a few days after watching the film and, upon hearing a man complement the "Troll 2" t-shirt I was wearing, look up to see George Hardy, grinning ear to ear. What a nice guy!

Humpday

The other film I saw at SXSW staring Mark Duplass, "Humpday" is perhaps even better than "True Adolescents." Co-starring Joshua Leonard ("The Blair Witch Project"), "Humpday" is an entirely improvised movie about two best friends who decide (for the sake of artistic merit and personal growth) to have sex with each other in front of a camera. Unlike "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," though, both of these wannabe porn stars are dudes. Straight dudes. Both Duplass and Leonard create highly believable and always watchable characters who takes audiences along on the twisted logic ride that would allow two straight men to want to have sex with each other. 

The film is at once both funny and touching and incredibly recommended.

Observe and Report

Seth Rogen could have once been accused of playing the same character in every movie he made — that is, until "Observe and Report," a deliciously dark and twisted movie about a bi-polar mall security guard that goes off of his meds and down a path towards self-destruction and isolation. This isn't "Superbad 2." It's "Taxi Driver" as a comedy. And it's not even that funny.

Just because it's not a yuk-fest, though, doesn't mean it isn't a good movie. It very much is. It's just a really, really "f'd" up movie that constantly dares the audience to like it. It's morally reprehensible, features characters that you couldn't possibly like and enough violence to make a biker blush. Jody Hill ("The Foot Fist Way") wrote and directed the film. Anna Faris, Michael Pena andd Ray Liotta co-star. The film takes "Where is My Mind?", a Pixies song previously thought to be forever linked to "Fight Club," and casts a whole new sensory memory to go along with it — and nothing will prepare you for that experience.

 Well, my fingers are tired and my bed beckons. Come back tomorrow for the rest of the films I enjoyed at SXSW. 

Day 3

When last we left off, I had fully recovered from a dehydration-induced "slow festival day." 

Having only seen three movies on Saturday, I was determined to make up lost ground on Monday. 

Here are some of the movies I really enjoyed from the third day at the festival:

Adventureland

A really touching and nostalgic autobiographical story from writer/director Greg Mottola. If you go into the movie expecting a raunchy laugh-a-minute buddy comedy like Mottola's last film "Superbad," it's possible you may walk away disappointed. "Adventureland" is a humanistic look at the nether-region of life spent after college but before you realize what you want to do with your life. Jesse Eisenberg plays a character who, unable to afford the big post-college European trip he dreamed about, is forced to work at a low-rent amusement park for the summer. The park is populated by a group of likewise emotionally-stunted adult-children — including Kristen Stewart's character, a girl who wins the hearts of all of the park's male residences. 

A great soundtrack and some very relatable characters makes this film something worth catching when it arrives in theaters later this spring. While it won't be this year's "Superbad," "Adventureland" is cut from the same cloth that Cameron Crowe has produced so many winners from.

True Adolescents 

I'm sorry to admit that I had never heard of Mark Duplass (a sweetheart of the indie film community) before watching "True Adolescents." After seeing his genuine and touching performance as a wannabe rock star contending with getting older without getting famous, I can understand why Duplass is such a star in the new wave of subdued indie dramadies of late. Mark my words, Duplass will, if he wants to, become a major Hollywood star within the decade.

"True Adolescents" is the story of the aforementioned aging rock "star" who, after being kicked out by his ex-girlfriend, moves in with his aunt. After agreeing to take two teenage boys (his cousin and a friend) camping, the story progresses into a coming of age movie where all three characters (despite their physical age) learn what it takes to become a man. If this sounds like some kind of touching Hallmark Channel made-for-TV movie, don't worry: It's real, real funny. 

Director Craig Johnson elicits pitch-perfect performances from all of his actors — especially the young ones. Great dialogue and chemistry from the actors makes this movie highly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Sons of a Gun

A documentary by Rivkah Beth Medow and Greg O'Toole, "Sons of a Gun" is a heart-wrenching story that manages to rise above the "Jerry Springer"-like car crash rubbernecking mentality that it could have very well have wallowed in. 

The film focuses on a makeshift family of four — three mentally ill adults who are shepherded and looked after by their alcoholic and abusive elderly caretaker. The film follows the family as they are evicted from their house, forced to live in a hotel room and eventually attempt to find a new home. What I loved about the movie is the way expectations are constantly dashed and reevaluated. Deciding where to lay your sympathies is a whip-lash inducing task that is never quite resolved. The filmmakers managed to get some startling access into the lives of these very interesting people and the results are amazing. An engaging story and a neutral vantage point offered by the filmmakers make this documentary something you can't afford to miss.

Women in Trouble

Writer/Director Sebastian Gutierrez has assembled an all-star cast of film and television actresses for his ensemble intersecting anthology about women in L.A. Following a gaggle of stories about women dealing with strife and moral dilemmas, Gutierrez has made something that I, quite frankly, have difficulty classifying. Not quite a comedy but with enough laughter to separate it from a melodrama, "Women in Trouble" is something engaging and consistently clever. Gutierrez's script is a portfolio of deftly written dialogue that is wonderfully delivered by a collection of talented actresses including Carla Gugino, Adrianne Palicki, Connie Britton, Marley Shelton, Emmanuelle Chirqui and Sarah Clarke. In fact, the film's actors (including Josh Brolin, Simon Baker and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) are almost always overshadowed by the film's beautiful and talented actresses. 

Drag Me To Hell

At midnight, Sam Raimi came out to introduce a work-in-progress version of "Drag Me To Hell," his long awaited return to traditional horror. Since making his name with the "Evil Dead" trilogy, Sam Raimi has only dabbled in the supernatural. "Drag Me To Hell" is a full-force return to the same tonality and fun that the "Evil Dead" movies brought in spades. Gore? Check. Extreme close-ups? Check. Dancing ghouls? Check. Evil talking animals? Check. Sam Raimi knocked this film out of the ball park and it isn't even finished yet. I don't want to go into too much critical review of the film due to the fact that it is still a work and progress and I fully intend to see the film again when it comes to theaters but I can truthfully say that if you are a fan of the "Evil Dead" movies and long for the return of Ash, this is the movie to tide you over. I can't wait for you to see the scene with the cat.

I'm sorry I was not able to update this on a daily basis like I said I would before the festival. Because my hotel did not have Wi-Fi, I was forced to rely on the free wireless internet so generously provided by the Austin Convention Center. 

Unfortunately, once I left the hotel in the morning, I did not come back until two or three in the morning most nights. This meant that, unless I wanted to carry my laptop around with me all day or leave it unprotected in my car, I had to leave the laptop hidden ever so cunningly in the hotel's microwave. 

Since quite a few movies prohibited the bringing of laptops into the theater, I was forced to leave it behind — resulting in a lack of blogs during the festival. And it's a shame too.

This year was a great year for films at the South by Southwest Film Festival. By the time I left Austin at 10 p.m. last night, I saw 41 films over the course of 9 days. From documentaries to comedies to indie dramas to big blockbuster horror films, every day I saw at least 2 movies that redefined the way I look at cinema. 

I'm exhausted, have swollen puffy eyes and desperately need at least another five hours of sleep but throughout the next few days I'll be running down my experiences at the festival — the good, the bad and the ugly. I'll talk about celebrity encounters, conversations I had and most of all, I'll recommend good movies I hope you all take the time out to watch.

So keep your eyes out, I'm delivering on the SXSW coverage I promised.

SXSW — Day 3

My goal to publish this blog daily during SXSW has been met with one giant roadblock — my hotel lied about having wi-fi. Unable to access internet after a long day of watching movies, I'm stuck relying on the generous free wi-fi made available at the Austin Convention Center. 

But enough about my battles with internet access ... SXSW has been a great experience so far. At current count, I've seen six movies since the festival began. 

I Love You, Man — Incredibly funny movie that I whole-heartedly recommend checking out when it is released in theaters later on this month. Paul Rudd leads an amazing cast of comedians. The movie is packed with funny people such as Peter Segel, Rashida Jones, Jaime Pressly, Jon Favreau, Jane Curtin, J.K. Simmons and Andy Samberg. Keep an eye out for some really great cameos as well. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel are excellent in the movie — I really can't recommend it enough. After the movie, John Hamburg, the director, came out to do a Q&A with some of the cast including Rudd, Segel, Jones, Pressly and Favreau. 

The ExTerminators — An Austin-shot film starring Heather Graham, Jennifer Coolidge and Amber Heard was slightly less enjoyable. A good premise was ruined by a horrible script and over-the-top acting. I really wish I hadn't wasted my time on this film and won't waste any more time writing about it.

Zift — The last film I caught opening night, Zift is a Bulgarian crime noir about an ex-convict re-caught up in the heist that put him in jail. Shot in color and transfered to black and white, the film is a real visual treat. Great cinematography, music and acting made this film a really fun movie to end my first day with — even if I had a bit of trouble following the film's twisting plot at one in the morning.

I started off the second day by going to a couple of film panels including one dedicated to the future of film criticism. I walked away feeling that professional critics are a bit self-important and elitist. In today's communication-heavy world where anybody with a blog or an imdb account can review a movie, I don't see the importance of print film critics. Limited by rapidly shrinking space, they more often then not run meaningless drivel about a film that most people have already made up their minds on if they are going to see. If you want to write about film history or theory, you have to make the switch to the internet or write a book. 

The second panel I attended was for "I Love You, Man." The cast and crew from the previous night's screening came back out to answer some questions and goof off. Although I enjoyed the chance to meet some of my favorite actors, I don't think I'll be attending anymore panels. While watching bored looking actors giving rehearsed answers to inane questions from the audience, I couldn't shake the feeling of being in a zoo. I'd rather spend my time watching movies next time. 

I then watched "Sunshine," a great documentary about a single mother who explores the fact that she herself was the product of a out-of-marriage and was put up for adoption because of societal standards set upon her biological mother. The filmmaker weaves her own experiences raising her daughter with her search to be reunited with her biological family. A really touching film, "Sunshine" is highly recommended.

My next documentary was a little less exciting. "Objectified" is a film about the design of everyday products. From chairs to garden tools to toothbrushes, the film explores the men and women who make it their life mission to constantly improve the functionality and ascetic appeal of items most of us take for granted everyday. While the premise is certainly and interesting one, I couldn't really get too interested in the interviews. It didn't help that I was starting to crash from a lack of sleep and a growing headache. By the end of the movie, I was exhausted and nursing a full-blown migraine. 

I put up with my headache long enough to check out "Moon," the directorial debut of Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie. "Moon" is an amazing science-fiction film staring Sam Rockwell about a man who is on a three-year contract to mine energy nutrients from the dark side of the moon. Plagued by loneliness and hallucinations, things turn interesting for the astronaut when he experiences an accident that opens his eyes to the true nature of his mission. Saying any more about the film would ruin one of the film's best aspects. Just check it out — I guarantee you won't be disappointed. 

By the end of the movie, though, my headache had progressed into full blast attack mode and I had to go back to the hotel. Luckily I managed to make it back to the hotel before vomiting up all over myself. I would like to say that I puked because I had been partying it up with celebrities, but the truth of the matter is that I suffered from dehydration and lack of sleep. A full night's rest and a couple glasses of water later and I'm ready for the rest of the festival. 

SXSW Preview — "New World Order"

As a kid, I used to make fun of the LARPer "nerds" that dressed up in fake armor and took over the city park on weekends to wage imaginary wars using duck tape weapons. 

The fact that after watching "Darkon," Luke Meyer and Andrew Neel's documentary about two men struggling to gain dominance in a LARP game, I found myself kinda wanting to strap on some fake armor myself says a lot about their ability as documentary filmmakers to perfectly capture a subject's point of view and passion about their hobby — no matter how weird the hobby may seem. 

For "New World Order," the directing duo's latest film, the subject is another hobby just as alternative — conspiracy theorists. Unlike "King of the Hill"'s Dale Gribble, who collects different conspiracy theories like one might collect baseball cards, the subjects of "New World Order" for the most part share the same, singular belief — a secret powerful organization runs both the country and the world and is responsible for game-changing events such as 9/11. 

While one can't swing a dead cat without finding a documentary about 9/11 conspiracy theories on YouTube, "New World Order" focuses less on the actual theories themselves and more on the people who believe them. 

By following around a collection of conspiracy enthusiasts (including Texas native Alex Jones) as they seek to expose the truth, two things become very clear: "Darkon" was just the tip of the iceberg in showcasing the filmmakers' talents and the lives of conspiracy theorists are always exciting. 

From being chased through a hotel by undercover federal agents, dealing with the threat of being whacked while on a fact finding mission at the Grassy Knoll in Dallas or just preaching the "truth" about 9/11 to a bunch of drunken frat boys in New Orleans, conspiracy theorists lead the kind of lives Ian Flemming might write about — even if some of the excitement is only in their heads. 

Much like "Darkon" made me reconsider my views on Live Action Role Playing, "New World Order" gave me a new perspective on a group of people who have become a punchline of sorts — even among internet weirdos.

While I don't think I'll be joining the crusade anytime soon, I whole-heartedly recommend watching "New World Order" if you are a fan of documentaries, conspiracy theories or just movies in general.

The film will premiere today, Friday the 13th, at 7 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. It will screen again Tuesday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Austin Convention Center.

SXSW Preview — "Countertransference"

Besides the feature-length films shown during the festival, SXSW is also a great place to catch some very cool short films such as "Countertransference."

Directed by Madeleine Olnek, "Countertransference" is a 16 minute comedy about a woman plagued with a somewhat crazed therapist. 

As Cathy (Deb Margolin) struggles to gain control of a life where she is talked down to at work by her boss, she seeks guidance from her sometimes unorthodox (and always inappropriate) therapist. Being that this is a "short film," this brief synopsis is literally all the plot I can talk about without giving a detailed rundown of the film beat for beat like some kind of theme song that plays over the credits in a bad '80s movie.

Solid acting and great comedic timing make this short film something you should definitely check out during the festival instead of waiting in line for an hour for a big "Hollywood" film you will eventually be able to see in theaters (If only so there will be a seat left in "Observe and Report" for me!)

"Countertransference" will play during the "Reel Shorts 1" presentation on Saturday, March 14 at 11 a.m., Monday, March 16 at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 18 at 11 a.m. — all at the Alamo Drafthouse — Lamar.

SXSW film festival features a strong lineup

From The Bryan/College Station Eagle:

This Friday marks the start of the 2009 South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Conference and Festival in Austin.

While the festival's concert series may be the oldest and more anticipated of the weeklong event's activities, film buffs know that the SXSW Film Festival is one of the best places to catch the next year's hottest films first.

Running from March 13 to the 21, the film festival will spotlight over 50 world premieres, sneak peaks at some of Hollywood's most anticipated blockbusters, and a wide selection of panels, lectures and roundtable discussions featuring some of film's most celebrated artists.

There are a lot of great movies being shown in Austin during SXSW.

From blockbuster comedies such as I Love You, Man and Observe and Report to a work in progress version of Sam Rami's return to horror Drag Me To Hell, Hollywood is bringing it's biggest movies to preview during the festival.

But these star-studded films are only half the fun at SXSW. While you will eventually get a chance to watch all of the Hollywood movies shown in the festival at your local cineplex, this next week may be your only chance to watch a lot of the smaller, independent movies screened such as Pulling John, a documentary about an international arm wrestling competition; Best Worst Movie, a film exploring the cult appeal of classic horror stinker Troll 2; and True Adolescents, a film co-staring Oscar nominee Melissa Leo about an aging rock star that takes two teens camping.

Besides the films, the festival will also offer a wide selection of panels to sit in on. Speakers this year include Robert Rodriguez, Henry Selick, Richard Linklater, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen and B.J. Novak.

So how do you get in?

The best way to watch movies at the SXSW Film Festival is to buy a film badge. This badge will not only serve as a ticket to every film, panel and party during SXSW, it will automatically put you in the front of the line to every event.

In today's economic environment, there's a lot of penny pinching and purse string holding. With a video showing recipes for depression-era cooking burning it up on YouTube, it's no surprise that there are some people unwilling to plop down the $450 it will cost to buy a film badge.

This doesn't mean you can't still catch some films at SXSW in Austin though. In addition to selling film badges, the festival will also have a limited number of film passes for sale. These passes can be bought at any Alamo Drafthouse box office in Austin for $70 and will grant you attendance to any film during the festival.

You won't be able to use your pass to see any of the film panels and you'll have to wait in line behind the badge holders at the screenings, but the pass is still a great deal for anybody looking to catch some movies in Austin during the next week.

In addition, individual tickets will be sold for $10 as long as they are available for every screening.

Seating, as is the case in any movie theater, is limited. The best way to guarantee a spot in the theater is to get there early and wait in line. Badge holders are advised to get to the theater at least 30 minutes early. Pass holders should show up 45 minutes early. Patrons looking to buy individual tickets need to be in line at least an hour before the film starts -- and even then, depending on the popularity of the film and the size of the theater, seating is not guaranteed. If you are without a badge or pass, your best bet is to catch some of the films showing early in the morning and afternoon -- when most of the festival goers will still be passed out from the midnight screenings the night before.