It’s that time again for the SXSW Film Festival, and I will once again be attending. The festival runs March 11 – 19th in Austin, Texas and has become one of the premiere film festivals in the country.
Here are some of the films that I am looking forward to at the festival:
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Photo courtesy of Annapurna Pictures
It’s no secret that one of my favorite films of the past five years was “Boyhood.” Director Richard Linklater follow-up to that amazing film is a somewhat sequel to his 1993 landmark film “Dazed and Confused.” A group of college baseball players make their way through the days and nights of college freedom. Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch and Tyler Hoechlin star in the film. The film will open up the film festival.
“Midnight Special”
Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
This has become the talk of the Festival as the most anticipated film of SXSW. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, who brought us the well received “Mud” (2012) and the film that made us aware of Michael Shannon and Jessica Chasten, the incredible “Take Shelter” (2011). In this movie, a father and son (Adam Driver, Sean Bridgers) go on the run after the dad learns that his son has special powers.
“Hardcore Henry”
Photo courtesy of Versus Pictures
A first-person action film from the eyes of Henry who wakes up with no memory and he must discover who he is and rescue his wife from a warlord. This Russian film written and directed by Ilya Naishuller has critics talking about it’s inventive storytelling. The film stars Haley Bennett, Tim Roth, Sharlto Copley.
“Don’t Think Twice”
Photo courtesy of The Film Arcade
After winning the “Festival Favorite” at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival with the hysterical “Sleepwalk with Me,” writer/director Mike Birbiglia brings us another comedy about a long time New York improv group loses their lease and one of them lands a TV show. The film stars Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Birgiglia and Chris Gerhard.
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Photo courtesy of Toho Pictures
Japan’s first major zombie movie. It’s based on a blockbuster manga series about a manga artist’s assistant who at age 35 is feeling like he has failed in life. When a mysterious virus takes over Tokyo, he flees the big city with the help of a high school student. Now they must face down a zombie horde at a shopping mall.
“Beware the Slenderman”
Photo courtesy of HBO
Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor Brodsky brings a documentary about two Wisconsin teens who stabbed a classmate as a sacrifice to a fictional being. The film explores the growing influence on impressionable teens. This could be one of the most talked-about films of the festival.
“In the Valley of Violence”
Photo courtesy of Blumhouse Productions
Writer/director Ti West brings us a western set in the 1890’s. A driver (Ethan Hawke) gets caught up in a web of revenge as he passes through a small mining town. The cast includes Karen Gillian, Joh Travolta and Taissa Farmiga.
“Pee Wee’s Big Holiday”
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Pee Wee will be closing the festival with a film written by Paul Reuben’s and produced by Judd Apatow. Pee Wee decides to take his first ever holiday. The film stars Reuben’s; The cast includes Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Manganiello, and Alia Shawkat.
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