Stuffed takes us across the globe and into the world of taxidermy by focusing on the art of a select few taxidermists in this stunning documentary. When I think of taxidermy, I tend to think of dead animals that have been stuffed for one reason or another. At least, this is what I’ve always thought but this is a film that manages to prove me wrong. It would not be the first documentary nor the…
"SXSW 2019: Stuffed"Category: Film Festival
Jump Shot digs into the back story of Kenny Sailors’ life as we learn more about the man who is credited with the invention of the jump shot. Kenny Sailors did not live to see this documentary premiere. The former college basketball start passed away in 2016 two weeks after his 95th birthday. He did live to see his induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. This film more or less serves…
"SXSW 2019: Jump Shot"
The fate of humanity is on the line as Snatchers certainly brings all the horror beats to this high school-set comedic action-thriller. Imagine having sex and waking up to discover you’re pregnant the next day. Not just pregnant but nine months pregnant. This is what happens to Sara Steinberg (Mary Nepi) one day after having unprotected sex with ex-boyfriend Skyler (Austin Fryberger). It’s unfortunate because she just happens to be one of the popular girls at…
"SXSW 2019: Snatchers"
Frances Ferguson is somehow able to find the funny when it comes to a substitute teacher misappropriating her power of authority. Frances (Kaley Wheless) is in an unhappy marriage to Nick (Jake French) even though they share a daughter, Parfait (Ella Dolan). Her relationship to her mother, Ellen (Jennifer Prediger), has been on life support ever since her father died some years before. Maybe it is because of the situation at home but Frances makes…
"SXSW 2019: Frances Ferguson"
It Started As A Joke celebrates the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival as well as offering some insight into the life of comedian Eugene Mirman. The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival started in 2008 as a joke. It came to be as Mirman, Julie Smith Clem, and Mike Birbiglia were drinking one night. What’s funny is that the festival was originally supposed to be a one-off. Nobody could possibly foresee what would become of it. Next thing you…
"SXSW 2019: It Started As A Joke"
Extra Ordinary is a wildly fun supernatural comedy with just a side of romance thrown in when it comes to this film set in a rural area of Ireland. It’s always fun when films find a fun way to combine comedy with the supernatural. Anytime a film deals with the supernatural, it can go one of two ways. In the instance of this film, filmmakers Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman aim to have fun. There’s…
"SXSW 2019: Extra Ordinary"
Pig Hag is a film that lends a new perspective for what it means to be a woman and have so many expectations be placed upon you because of gender. Jodie (Anna T. Schlegel) does not have it easy. This is a woman who deals with a lot of harassment over texts and whatnot. Much of the harassment comes by way of text messages from Mitch Internet. It’s fascinating how the filmmakers choose to use…
"SXSW 2019: Pig Hag"
Human Nature follows scientists, genetic engineers, and families following a biological gene editing breakthrough known as CRISPR. I don’t want to state the obvious here but I feel that it’s absolutely required to do so. Since when did we not learn from InGen founder John Hammond? Did anyone forget the tragedy that happened on Isla Nublar or even the San Diego incident? Sorry, this only bears repeating. I like that Revive & Restore co-founder and…
"SXSW 2019: Human Nature"
Rebecca Stern’s documentary, Well Groomed, takes us into the particularly strange and rather unique world of creative grooming and expos. This film follows four different creative pet groomers over a period of a year, leading up to the largest creative grooming expo in Hershey, Penn. For them, this is their Super Bowl. All four of them are champion caliber groomers and they come from completely different areas of the nation. We meet Adriane Pope of…
"SXSW 2019: Well Groomed"
With a spotlight on one woman’s struggle to live an authentic life, The Garden Left Behind is a beautiful film that covers quite a bit of ground. The film focuses on Tina (Carlie Guevara) and her grandmother Eliana (Miriam Cruz). The two of them are undocumented Mexican immigrants living in New York City. Tina is a transgender woman and works to bring in money to pay their bills. Meanwhile, Eliana stays home. Obviously, there are…
"SXSW 2019: The Garden Left Behind"