SXSW 2003 - Preview

Well the 2003 SXSW film schedule trickled out over the past couple of weeks and, I gotta tell you, there were only a couple of films that I immediately recognized and thought I might want to see.

Surely the biggest of the advanced screenings of studio films is Phone Booth on Tuesday the 11th at the Paramount. This film, which has been pushed around so many times on Fox's slate, is scheduled to finally come to megaplexes in Austin on 4/4.

Another big film premiering for Austin at SXSW is "A Mighty Wind," the latest mockumentary from filmmaker and actor Christopher Guest. Following the supposed reunion of a supposed folk group from the 60's, "A Mighty Wind' promises to be just as funny as Guest's "Dog Show" and "Waiting for Guffman." It shows only once, on Tuesday night at the Alamo, so you better be early. The Alamo shows are notorious for selling out. Why isn't this at the Paramount?

"Spun" has a plethora of actors that I love, so I really want to see it. The film stars Jason Schwartzman but also has Patrick Fugit, Debby Harry, John Leguizamo, Brittany Murphy, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Peter Stormare, Mena Suvari, Alexis Arquette, Billy Corgan, Tony Kaye and Ron Jeremy in supporting roles. Luckily, it has several good screening times, so if I'm late or a screening is full, I think I'll get a second chance to check it out.

Robert Duvall's last film in which he starred, "The Apostle" was both poignant and troubling, so it will be interesting to see if his latest, "Assassination Tango" is as good. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll get to see it as it is screening only once and that one time is also the only time I can catch the Sundance film "Raising Victor Vargas."

"Lilya 4-ever" is a title that I heard before but I didn't know much about it. It does play three times but it has lots of interesting movies against it, so I don't think I am going to get to see it. It screened opening night and I had plan to see it then, but when I read more about "The Nature of Nicholas," it seemed like a more interesting film.

It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books, Richard Linklater's first film is part of SXSW's 10 year retrospective of films. It's at the Paramount on Sunday the 9th as well as Wednesday the 12th.

I missed The Target Shoots First at Park City in 2000 and I've always wanted to see it. It also shows for the first of three screenings on Sunday the 9th.

Seeing most of this in the Austin Chronicle and the SXSW website, I wondered if there were more interesting films which might be TBA's, but it seems there is only a couple holes in the schedule, so this year's pickings look mighty slim.

Still, SXSW is one of my favorite reasons to live in Austin. The three majors film fests here (including Austin film Festival and the Austin Gay and lesbian International Film Festival) are supplemented by numerous little indie fests (like Cinematexas) making Austin one of the most exciting film towns to be found. Our plethora of screens and exhibitors also cannot be rivaled. Who could beat the fun of the Alamo Drafthouse, the huge grandeur of the Paramount, the numerous megaplexas, and the eclectic mix of alternative screens like the Hideout and the Millenium Youth Complex? The hotels in town also act as a place for screening rooms for AFF but SXSW always has a ballroom at the Convention Center for a screen as well. What a town!

Still, this is the lamest SXSW schedule I've seen since I've got here. There's not one truly amazing "must see" film in the bunch for me. There's no guest announced that trips my trigger either. The slate of music related documentaries also seems lackluster. But I bet the festival has some surprises in store. I can't wait to experience SXSW.

My biggest problem so far has been getting a film pass. The folks at SXSW (or at least the ones who answer the phones) have had no idea how to do this. They want to send you to some automated recording. The first time I called, they sent me to the never-never-land of hold. The second time I got a spiel about how to get a music wristband but nothing about film. I looked all over their site (http://www.sxsw.com) and found nothing as well. Eventually I decided to call around and found that Waterloo video was handling them. They were 50 dollars plus $1.50 service charge for using a credit card. First and foremost: 50 bucks is way too expensive! Secondly, why a $1.50 service charge for using a credit card. That's so 1982. Grow up and get with the times Waterloo! Plus, Waterloo had no more information about the film schedule than to advise me to "check the Chronicle."

Anyway, I've finally got Film Pass, so I've also got my timetable together. Here's a quick run down of what I hope to catch:

Fri 3/7 7:00 nothing

915 - The Nature of Nicholas - Alamo

Sat 3/8

2:15 - Bollywood/Hollywood - Westgate

5:15 - Raising Victor Vargas - Westgate (If it's full, I might catch Assassination Tango at the Paramount at 6:30)

9:30 - Music Videos - Hideout (There's not many bands I know who have videos in the showcase, so I might go see The Eye at Westgate at 10pm)

12 midnight - Fulltime Killer - Alamo (unless I'm too burnt out)

Sun 3/9 1pm - TBA

Paramount 4pm - It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books (Linklater) - Paramount

7:00 - Sexless - Paramount

9:30 - The Target Shoots First - Alamo My friend Kevin's band In the Dirty City plays at the Vibe down on 6th street on this night and if the show if late enough, I might stop by and check it out.

Mon 3/10

7pm - Robot Stories - Paramount (I had planned on seeing Stevie at Westgate, but this film looks so interesting)

10pm - Assisted Living - Westgate or 1030 - music vids - hideout?

12mid - Spun - Alamo

Tues 3/11 7pm - Phone Booth - Paramount

930 - You'll Never Weiz in This Town Again - Alamo

Wed 3/12

7pm - A Mighty Wind - Alamo

The hottest rock band in Austin, Hobble, will be playing at 710 at 9pm, so that is my plan for the rest of the evening.

Also at the 710, USS Friendship (which used to be the Fuckemos) will play at 11pm. Austin's The Spiders conclude the scheduled locals for the night. The only thing that will keep me from this show is if I haven't seen "Raising Victor Vargas" on Saturday. It plays again tonight at the Alamo at 9:15

Manatee is also playing at the Back Room at 9pm. I hope some scouts get to go to this show. This band is poised, man. I wish I could be in two places at once.

Thurs 3/13 10am - going to a press sneak of Gerry at the Dobie

3pm - Mama/M.A.M.A. - Hideout

530 - Nosey Parker - MYEC

1015 - Off the Charts - Alamo

12 midnight - Spun - Alamo (last chance to see Spun if I haven't already)

Fri 3/14 1230 - Speedo - Hideout

430 - Cinemania - Paramount

12midnight - Fisher Spooner #1- Alamo

Sat 3/15 1pm music vids - Hideout?

4pm - Happy Here and now - Westgate

6pm - Dummy - Westgate (if I haven't seen it already)

1030 - Midsummer Night's Rave - MYEC 1030 revolution will be televised - Paramount