Wednesday, March 25, 2009

SXSW Film Wrap Up 2009



Above: Lee Kyle's Dolls, Ed Force One

Films Cary and I saw during SXSW and some words around them:

Objectified: Man-made objects, scored toothpick, all white suit. This movie is partly traveling over still life and part interview.

Women in Trouble: Strange-faced child, porn star mishaps, graphic humor. It works well in a post-porn modernist mindset, but it's pretty fluffy.

Awaydays: A movie about soccer hooligans. It is Clockwork Orange without the rehabilitation: ultraviolence. Our ears had to adjust to the accents. This movie felt and looked real and increased my heartbeat.

Make Out with Violence--Youthful romance and incongruent zombie action. I remember a scene by a swimming pool the most. The water is still moving. The movie was made in collaboration by the Deagol Brothers, and I may not never know exactly what I think about. This is so weird, I kept saying.

Modern Love is Automatic--The lead actress is lovely and her outfits are a big part of her characterization. There was a lot of empty space in the movie.

My Suicide--Teenagers are hard to stomach, but this movie is sensitive to their motivations. At times the short-attention-span editing gets overwhelming. It is a genuine movie.

Sissyboy: Even though it wasn't the focus of the movie, I must tell you that Lee Kyle makes super awesome dolls (see above)! He is the most intriguing subject in the movie. I love watching drag queens travel in RVs.

Splinterheads--Surprisingly, geocaching is a big part of the plot. Carnies and their marks are fascinating enough to hold my attention for a whole movie, but the geocaching was an unexpected turn.

Wake Up--This movie is about search for the spiritual understanding. I got distracted by frequent changes in the facial hair of the subject of the documentary. That tells of how secularly my mind works.

Ex-Terminators--Heather Graham in ginormous glasses is funny and cute. It's always fun to watch a movie shot in Austin.

The Slammin' Salmon--from the Supertroopers guys. Jay Chandrasekhar reminds me of Peter Sellers in The Party. I love that there's a movie about fierce competition among wait staff. I especially love what happens to "send back" food.

Lesbian Vampire Killers--Very lovely to look at. It lives up to its name, but doesn't do a whole lot more.

Pontypool--This is the most awesome thriller I've seen in a while. Steven McHattie is amazing. The film is shot from inside three (I think) adjacent rooms, but it moves like thunder.

The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle-Butt babies! Toilet art! This movie went to Crazy Town, and I was glad I rode the bus there.

Iron Maiden: Flight 666--Bruce Dickinson is very attractive, is nimble, can sing like hell, and is able to pilot a 757. An endearing band movie. 20,000 Indians singing Maiden! Ed Force One might be the best vehicle that has ever flown.

At most of the screenings, cast and crew came up to discuss their projects. It makes me smile to see how proud people are of their films. I know how much stress and sweat and pride goes into making feature-length movies. I acted and helped produced a feature film that never made it to the finish line. I applaud anyone who is able to wrap up theirs. Whether or not I like the movie, it is inspiring.