Just three weeks from Friday I’ll be arriving at the 2010 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference & Festival. As readers of this blog know, of the many I attend each year, few film festivals can beat SXSW for sheer enjoyment, both in the quality of the program as well as the kickass rock ‘n roll setting in which it takes place.
This will be my fifth year and I’m looking forward to heading back down to Austin, Texas, sitting in darkened theaters, and partying with true film lovers.
Actor Michael Welch (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse) is quite busy these days, with several films about to be released and a slew of personal appearances and charity events on his calendar. Readers need only to scroll down on this blog for news of these projects.
But fans can’t stop talking about The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Summit’s film based on the third novel in Stephenie Meyer’s blockbuster book series, due in theaters on June 30.
A promise is made from the moment the 20th Century Fox fanfare blares and the 75th Anniversary logo pops onscreen that Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief ought to deliver everything that a big budget Hollywood movie has to offer. With the presence of the legendary Chris Columbus at the helm, one expects no less than stellar production values, eye-popping visuals, state-of-the-art special effects, and a talented cast strong enough to carry Rick Riordan’s novel from the page to the screen.
Viewers expecting another Harry Potter may not find it here, but they will spend two enjoyable, entertaining hours in the theater and have a wonderful family experience.
It seems hard to believe that I’ll be heading south to amazing Austin, Texas in just four weeks for the 2010 South by Southwest Film Conference & Festival (SXSW). It’s my fifth year covering this kickass event, and the excitement and anticipation is palpable.
In addition to hundreds of feature-length films and panels (previously announced on this blog) attendees will have the opportunity to view the magnificent little marvels known as short films. There were 2,312 submissions for the 2010 Festival. Of these, only 130 were selected for inclusion in the 2010 SXSW Film Festival program.
The SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas is one of my favorite events to attend each year but it’s not just about film screenings. In addition to the wonderful movies are the panels which make up the SXSW Film Conference. It’s an experience in itself and the topics and speakers are as highly anticipated as the lineup of films. There will be over 80 panels taking place at the Austin Convention Center from March 12-16.
“We are dedicated to presenting a strong conference that offers unique value for our registrants from both the Film and Interactive worlds,” says Film Conference and Producer Janet Pierson.
Directed by Lisa Cholodenko from a script she co-wrote with Stuart Blumberg, The Kids Are All Right is a comedic drama about a suburban Los Angeles family with a twist. The film easily transitions from clever and witty to poignant and moving, taking the viewer on a roller coaster ride of emotions that gradually loses control right up until its breathtaking finish.
Julianne Moore and Annette Bening play a married couple whose two young children, portrayed by Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska, decide to seek out their sperm donor father.
Scroll down for updates
Readers of this blog know that I’ve been following the career of actor Logan Lerman for quite some time, as he was one of the country’s most talented young indie actors at one point. I say “at one point” not because he’s lost his groove, but because he’s currently starring in what may be a major franchise for years to come and, now, possibly a second is on the horizon.
Lerman most recently co-starred with Gerard Butler in the action thriller Gamer and with Renee Zellweger as the young George Hamilton in My One and Only, which debuted at the Berlin Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear and won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury in the Special Mention Competition.
I’m happy to announce that The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse star Michael Welch will be hosting a a red carpet charity event at the Roxy in Los Angeles on March 2 to help raise awareness for the homeless.
The night will include a fashion show and special benefit concert with Nashville band Shirock, hosted by Welch and other special guest celebrities.
As I first announced here back in October 2008, Michael Welch, currently being seen as Mike Newton in The Twilight Saga, will soon be appearing in a gritty independent film titled Rough Hustle. Shot on location in Mesquite, Nevada and Las Vegas, Rough Hustle is nearing release.
As promised a few months ago, writer/director/producer Delaney Dragon has passed along this new HD trailer. You can see more videos and photos of Mike as “Jimmy” on the set of Rough Hustle at their official Facebook.
Hesher is Spencer Susser’s feature directorial debut, co-written with David Michod from a story by Brian Charles Frank. This is one of those odd, dark, quirky little films that often plays the festival circuit only to disappear into the indie ether. But it deserves better, if only for the impressive performances of the always-remarkable Joseph Gordon-Levitt and young Devin Brochu.
Paul Forney (Rainn Wilson) and his pre-teen son T.J. (Brochu) are the sad survivors of a suburban family coming apart at the seams since the tragic death of T.J.’s mother.
As 2010 rolls into February, it becomes immediately apparent that the South by Southwest Film Conference & Festival (SXSW) is just over five weeks away. As readers of this blog know, of the many I attend each year, few film festivals can beat SXSW for sheer enjoyment, both in the quality of the program as well as the kickass rock ‘n roll setting in which it takes place.
This will be my fifth year and I’m looking forward to heading back down to Austin, Texas, sitting in darkened theaters, and partying with true film lovers. This year’s lineup has just been announced an I can hardly contain myself with excitement.
On Monday, January 25, 2010 I attended the World Premiere of Skateland at the Sundance Film Festival. The screening was held at the 603-seat Racquet Club in Park City, Utah.
This is Anthony Burns’ feature directorial debut and is certainly a moving and emotional calling card. As acknowledged in its closing credits, it is dedicated to and owes much to the late John Hughes, who helped develop the coming-of-age genre into a true art form.
Anthony Burns, directing from a script he co-wrote with Brandon and Heath Freeman, has crafted a poignant coming-of-age story that transcends its time period. American Graffiti is set in 1962, yet it was released in 1973 and remains relevant to this day. Similarly, although set in 1983 and shot in 2009, Skateland has that same timeless quality.
Skateland is set in a nondescript Texas small town, where the local roller rink is on its last disco legs. Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez) has worked there throughout his high school years and, like the fad which created the town’s only hangout, is ready to move on.
On Sunday, January 24, 2010 I attended the World Premiere of Hesher at the Sundance Film Festival. The event was held at the 603-seat Racquet Club in Park City, Utah.
In Hesher, someone who can only be described as a crazed young man beyond rehabilitation (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) enters the lives of the Forneys. Paul (Rainn Wilson), Madeleine (Piper Laurie) and their young son T.J. (Devin Brochu) are a suburban family coming apart at the seams.
Film Independent News From IFC indieWIRE NewsEvoLve Advance theme by Blogatize • Powered by WordPress Indie Film Spotlight
Just another PNR Networks Sites site