Well, SXSW is nearly here and I've already planned my film-going experience for the festival. I have to work at my day job a few days, but I'm taking a couple vacation days so I can see some stuff as well. Here's what my schedule looks like and why it looks that way. Of course, like all good festival going experiences, everything is subject to change.

6:00 - CAT'S MEOW - PARAMOUNT

9:30 - BY HOOK OR BY CROOK - ALAMO

"The Cat's Meow" is a new Peter Bogdonovich film that has been shuffling around on Lion's Gate's schedule for a while now. It stars Eddie Izzard, Kirsten Dunst and Cary Elwes. It's based on a true incident in Hollywood lore where a studio mogul drowned while on William Randolph Hearst's yacht.

"By Hook or By Crook": has the word "genderbender" in the synopsis and seemed the best choice for a second film on opening night.

11:00AM - TOPA TOPA BLUFFS - HIDEOUT

1:15 - THE MISANTHROPE - ACC

4:30 - SIX IN AUSTIN - PARAMOUNT

7:15 - CQ - ALAMO

10:15 AND YOUR MOTHER TOO - ARBOR

The chances of me getting up for an 11am movie are pretty slim and "TT Bluffs" doesn't look all that interesting. But if I can't sleep or something, I might be there. "The Misanthrope," however is a must see. It's about a schoolteacher who puts on the play of that title.

Meanwhile, "Six in Austin" is a compilation film of 6 shorts by Austin's hottest indie directors, including works by Kat Candler ("cicadas") Bob Ray ("Rock Opera"), Gonzo Gonzales, The Zellner Brothers ("Frontier") and others. This is sure to be the premiere Austin highlight. A do-not-miss event.

The full day continues with "CQ," the debut of music video helmer Roman Coppola. Yep, he's the son of Francis Ford. He also wrote "Spirit of '76," a cult classic that is definitely one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures. The film "CQ" sounds like it might be a campy companion piece to Wim Wenders "The State of Things."

Finally, "Y Tu Mama Tambien," (AKA "And Your Mother Too") should be this year's "Amores Perros." Moving from ACC to the Paramount to the Alamo to the Arbor is going to make for a crazy, busy day.

1:00 - SPELLBOUND (SPELLING BEE)- ACC

3:15 - KHALED - ACC

5:15 - JIMMY SCOOT - ALAMO

7:15 - HELL HOUSE - ALAMO

9:00 - THE CHATEAU - ARBOR

Oh yes, by Sunday, getting up at 1pm will be a challenge but if I can swing it "Spellbound," a documentary about Spelling Bees should be worth the effort. "Khaled," after that, is not high on my list but it looks interesting.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the documentary about jazz legend Little Jimmy Scott at 5. Fans of David Lynch will recognize him from his appearance in "Fire Walk with Me." He's also featured in Adam Goldberg's rarely seen film "Scotch and Milk." Scott has a voice like an angel. And since he's such an angel, why not stick around after the film for the documentary "Hell House." This is about a church that puts on a "haunted house" for kids and teens on Halloween where the "goblins" include displays of prostitutes and crack heads. The church in this film believes the holiday is for spotlighting real life evils.

I might have to leave early or skip it entirely, however, so I can get to The Arbor by 9 for "The Chateau." It's an improvised film starring Paul Rudd about two brothers who inherit a French chateau and then battle with the servants when they arrive to occupy it. Sounds fun.

5:30 - CHELSEA WALLS - PARAMOUNT

10:15 - THE SMITHS - ACC

Ethan Hawke's DV directorial debut, "Chelsea Walls," is set in the famous NYC hotel. It was also filmed there. It features five vignettes, I believe. Since Hawke is such pals with Richard Linklater might he be in Austin for the festival showing?

Later in the night, the documentary "The Smiths," about a religious family struggling with homosexuality and AIDS sounds like a real fun fest. I don't think Morrissey is involved, however.

6:15 - OT: OUR TOWN - HIDEOUT

9:30 - THE SEARCH FOR JOHN GISSING - MYEC

Half way through the festival and a ton of films still left to view. "OT Our Town" is about a school putting on the classic Thornton Wilder play with almost no budget - or even a theater. Wow, is it any surprise that this is a documentary and not fiction?

Meanwhile, "Search" doesn't have a very interesting premise, but it stars Janeanne Garofalo and Alan Rickman. That's enough to hook me. Trouble is, this showing is at the Millenium Youth Entertainment Center and I have no idea where that is. Where's a damn map.

5:45 - SCOUNDRELS WIFE - ARBOR

8:00 - SALESMAN - ARBOR

10:00 - TWO TOWNS OF JASPER - PARAMOUNT

"The Scoundrel's Wife" stars Tatum O'Neal and is considered her comeback film. Tim Curry is also in the cast, so I figured I'd try to catch it.

"Salesman" is part of the retrospective of the documentary work of Albert Maysles. I saw a bit of this film on PBS quite a few years ago. It's about Bible salesman and it is one of the most fascinating films I've ever seen. I can't wait to see the whole thing.

(BTW - Others getting the retrospective treatment from SXSW this year include John Sayles, Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Films, and Jaime Humberto Hermosillo).

Finally, "Two Towns of Jasper" looks at both the black and the white perspective of the trial held there. Everyone knows Jasper is famous for the racially motivated dragging death of James Byrd Jr., right?

TBA NITE - PARAMOUNT

6:15 - GET WELL SOON - ARBOR

7:30 - ZIGZAG - MYEC

By Thursday, I should be a walking zombie.

Well, today is the day that they run TBA's and Festival winners at the Paramount. I'll have to try and find out what is showing there somehow on that day. If it isn't anything I'm interested in (or if it's stuff I've already seen), I'll have to choose between "Get Well Soon," with Vincent Gallo or "ZigZag" with John Leguizamo, Natasha Lyonne and Wesley Snipes. Think Snipes may be in attendance at this film and at the preview of "Blade 2" on Saturday? Um, no… no I don't.

3:15 MUSIC VIDS - HIDEOUT

5:00 ONE GIANT LEAP - Alamo

8:00 - HOME MOVIES - MYEC

9:15 - MESMERIST - MYEC

My friends in the band Hobble have a new video in this year's Music Video competition, so I'll want to check that out. Bob Ray of "Rock Opera" fame picked the vids last year; I don't know about this year.

"One Giant Leap" is one of those documentaries someone does every few years where they interview intelligent, "personality" types. But this one has Kurt Vonnegut, one of my all time heroes, as well as Michael Stipe, Dennis Hopper and Neneh Cherry, none of whom, as far as I know, are particularly well known for their intelligence. Still, these are 4 of my favorite people, so I'd like to check it out.

"Home Movies" is by Chris Smith, who made "American Movie." It only runs 60 minutes. It's not an hour of old home movies, however, but rather an examination of how people relate to their living quarters.

"The Mesmerist" is based on a Poe short story and stars TV's "Doogie Howser," Neil Patrick Harris. It's directed by TV vet Gil Cates, Jr. Still…

10:15A - PAPERBOY - ALAMO

2:15 - NOTHING SO STRANGE - ALAMO

4:45 - TRIBUTE - ALAMO

7:00 - BLADE 2 - PARAMOUNT

9:45 - GIGANTIC - PARAMOUNT

12:00 - MIDNIGHT SHORTS - ALAMO

Okay 10:15am. I doubt it, but this documentary about paper delivery people, sometimes known as paperboys, sounds unique. More likely as my first movie of the day will be "Nothing so Strange," a mockumentary about the mystery of Bill Gates death. How many "Citizen Kane" references can you spot?

"Tribute" is a documentary about tribute bands, AKA "Rock Star: The Documentary."

This evening, however, do not miss your chance to see Guillermo Del Toro introduce "Blade 2" at the Paramount. This will be the highlight of SXSW this year. Del Toro is a hilarious and fascinating speaker. He will rock your world. Look for Harry Knowles introducing Del Toro, if he can get around on his crutches. Actor Ron Perlman, a Del Toro favorite and scripter David Goyer will also be in attendance.

"Gigantic" is one of the many documentaries about musicians. It's about They Might Be Giants.

Friends Forever (a band that plays in their van outside rock clubs)

Into the Night (Benny Mardones)

Jimmy Scott: If You Only Knew

Kinky Friedman: Asshole from El Paso

The Last Waltz (Remastered - The Band, directed by Scorsese)

Lifetime Garuntee: Phranc's Adventures in Plastic

Money for Nothing (Thurston Moore, Ani DeFranco, Chuck D)

Welcome to the Club: The Women of Rockabilly

You See Me Laughin' (modern day Mississippi bluesmen)

Rising Low (Government mule, Gregg Allman, Jack Bruce, Les Claypool, Bootsy Collins, Flea, John Entwistle)

Finally, if I can take it, I'll try and catch the last showing of the midnight shorts. Sure, I won't be too tired.

Some stuff I'm going to have to try and see somehow:

"Smackers" - a short film by Tara Mielle, who also made "Miss Gentibelle." I'm not sure what shorts showcase it is in.

"Prize Whores" - Austin radio personality Jen Garrison has made this documentary about the sycophants who make their living winning prizes on radio contest and at grand opening promotions. I used to work in radio; I've seen these losers. It should be a fascinating film.

"Bike Like you Mean It" - a local documentary about, um, biking. Yeah. Made in Austin!

"Last Party 2000." - Hey it's a documentary about the last presidential election (yawn), but it stars Phillip Seymore Hoffman and features moments with Susan Sarandon, Barney Frank and Noam Chomsky. It's directed by Donovan Leitch (and his wife Rebecca Chaiklin) who is the son of 60's pop star Donovan. - Jr. is also the star of one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies "The In Crowd." No, not the recent stupid teen horror flick but the late 80's dance fest (set in the 60's) that tried to ride in on the coattails of John Waters' "Hairspray." Leitch also played Hedwig on stage for a while!

So that's my 9 day plan. Please, God, wish me luck!

3/8 - Reckless Kelly - Steamboat

3/8 - Podunk - Lucy's

3/9 - Sons of Hercules - Emos

3/9 - Unloco - Steamboat

3/9 - Dale Watson/Wayne Hancock - Continental Club

3/10 - Chris Duarte - Steamboat

3/10 - Rock and Boil (13 bands, 1000 pounds of crawfish) - Red Eyed Fly

3/12 - Punchy - The Drink

3/12 - Will Sexton - Steamboat

3/13 - They Might Be Giants - Lazona Rosa

3/17 - Fuzz Club w/ DJ Sue and Sir Finks - Beerland

See ya at the flicks

Lodger2002 @ SXSW2002