SXSW 2018: The New Romantic

The post-college fears are as real as ever in Carly Stone’s feature directorial debut, The New Romantic. How far would somebody go if it means taking home a journalism award that comes with a nice cash prize to boot?  This is the task at hand for college senior Blake Conway (Jessica Barden).  She’s writing for the school newspaper but with her being a hopeless romantic, the interest in her columns just isn’t what it used…

"SXSW 2018: The New Romantic"

SXSW 2018: Chi-Town

Chi-Town follows the career of Chicago-born basketball player Keifer Sykes through both high school and college with the hope of landing a spot in the NBA. Even though every basketball player will say that it’s not about the NBA, it’s bound to be in there when reading between the lines.  For Sykes, he wanted to use his basketball career as a way of getting a degree and get as far as he can.  Sykes has…

"SXSW 2018: Chi-Town"

SXSW 2018: Making the Grade

Making the Grade offers a glimpse at the training and life for piano students in Ireland. In just under 90 minutes, director/cinematographer Ken Wardrop travels across the country of Ireland to offer insight into their world.  There are 30,000 students who prepare for piano examinations every year.  One should think of the required exams as being the equivalent of the DMV in the United States.  In Ireland, one doesn’t take such lessons unless they have…

"SXSW 2018: Making the Grade"

SXSW 2018: On Her Shoulders

As the film continues to play on the festival circuit, On Her Shoulders is one of the best documentaries of the year.  Having already earned a directing prize for Alexandria Bombach at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, the film hits up SXSW as a festival favorite to tell Nadia Murad’s story. Only 23 at the time, Nadia Murad, working with Yazda, gave a voice to the voiceless by testifying at the United Nations.  Think about it. …

"SXSW 2018: On Her Shoulders"

SXSW 2018: All Square

All Square isn’t as much as a movie about gambling in as much as it is a character study of the players involved.   John Zbikowski (Michael Kelly) isn’t having the best of luck with being able to collect the money that people owe him.  He’s a bookie in a small town and when football season ends, the revenue stream just isn’t there.  Once basketball season starts to wind down, the revenue gets even smaller. …

"SXSW 2018: All Square"

SXSW 2018: Shorts Roundup

A number of shorts premiered during the 2018 SXSW Film Festival.  What follows below is a recap of some of the films that I had a chance to watch during SXSW, including Men Don’t Whisper, which I previously saw during the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.  Emma Seligman’s Shiva Baby takes the honor for the best live-action short I so far during the festival. Shiva Baby Emma Seligman’s short film is one of the funniest films…

"SXSW 2018: Shorts Roundup"

SXSW 2018: Outside In (Dir. Lynn Shelton)

Featuring strong acting performances, Outside In is a character study exploring the struggles of a man upon his release from jail. With films like Your Sister’s Sister, director Lynn Shelton has set a reputation of being at her best when her films combine comedy and drama.  Outside In plays more to the dramatic side than comedy.  This isn’t to say it’s a bad film because it most assuredly is not but it’s a film that…

"SXSW 2018: Outside In (Dir. Lynn Shelton)"

SXSW 2018: Time Trial

Time Trial is a documentary film that follows cyclist David Millar’s career as it comes to an end in 2014. Director Finlay Pretsell and cinematographer Martin Radich get up close and personal with the cyclist during his final Tour de France run.  They were there in the support car where one can be comfortable and escape from the cold weather. The filmmakers were there as the cyclists go up and down hills that would be seemingly impossible…

"SXSW 2018: Time Trial"

SXSW 2018: From All Corners

From All Corners comes from Japan and this documentary feature tells one of the most unique and interesting stories that exists when it comes to collecting cardboard. For Fuyuki Shimazu, someone else’s trash is another person’s wallet.  His own personal slogan is:  “From unnecessary to important.” This Japanese artist in particular will go through a lot of trouble if it means being able to collect the cardboard that he needs to design the wallets that will eventually…

"SXSW 2018: From All Corners"

SXSW 2018: Pet Names

While Meredith Johnston may not be a household name, the actress delivers one heck of a performance in Pet Names. Leigh didn’t finish college and her mom is sick.  Having to take care of her, she’s in desperate need of an escape from reality.  A chance encounter with her ex-boyfriend Cam (Rene Cruz) soon leads Leigh to make a foolish mistake by going camping with her ex.  Even if Leigh had the best of intentions,…

"SXSW 2018: Pet Names"