Today was a long day. I followed through on my goal to start the day in the AM. Before I knew it, I had seen five films, and it was the AM again. This is exhausting, but it's pretty damn fun.
Tuesday, March 12th, 2019
Films I Planned to See
Showtime Title Location
11:30 AM Aquarela Paramount Theatre
2:30 PM Little Monsters Long Center
5:30 PM Building the American Dream Long Center
8:00 PM Human Nature Alamo Lamar
10:45 PM Girl on the Third Floor Alamo Lamar
Films I Actually Saw
Showtime Title Location
11:30 AM Aquarela Paramount Theatre
2:30 PM Little Monsters Long Center
5:30 PM Building the American Dream Long Center
8:00 PM Human Nature Alamo Lamar
10:45 PM Girl on the Third Floor Alamo Lamar
Somehow I managed to get into every screening I went to today. Five movies in one day is a lot, so I'll get right to it.
Aquarela
This visually stunning documentary is essentially just ninety minutes of footage of water in its various forms. Director Victor Kossakovsky avoids narration and dialogue, allowing mother nature to take center stage. Beginning with melting glaciers and ending with tropical storms, the film follows a loose narrative arc as it displays the effects of global warming. It's a powerful film that needs to be seen on a big screen. My description doesn't do it justice, so check out the trailer to get a feel for the film's vibe.
Little Monsters
Little Monsters is a fun movie about an Australian kindergarten class that gets attacked by zombies on a field trip to a nature preserve that happens to be located right next to an American military testing facility. Miss Caroline, played by Lupita Nyong'o, is forced to defend her class and deliver it to safety with the help of a student's horny uncle, played by some dude the studio hired because it couldn't afford a Hemsworth. Josh Gad turns in an entertaining performance as an insane children's television star with a crippling sex addiction.
This thing is packed with jokes, and it's a blast to watch in a crowded theater. Overall, it's pretty silly, but it has some smart things to say about America's military presence in foreign countries. Keep an eye out for the theatrical release schedule, and go see it with a big group.
Building the American Dream
Set against the backdrop of Texas' real estate boom, this emotional documentary details the plight of undocumented construction workers from the perspectives of families that have lost loved ones due to inhumane working conditions. In response to these deaths, a group of families petitions the city of Dallas to pass an ordinance requiring a ten minute break for every four hours of work. While this seems like a more than reasonable request, the families encounter steep opposition due to Texas' attitude toward illegal immigrants and its pro-business, anti-worker mentality.
The film highlights a specific issue in America's greater immigration crisis and demonstrates just how far we have to go. Undocumented immigrants are forced to fight tooth and nail for basic human dignity. If it's this hard to get a ten minute break, how will America ever pass comprehensive immigration reform?
Human Nature
This incredibly informative documentary delves into the science of genetic engineering and the potential positive and negative effects it poses to humanity. With advances in CRISPR technology, biologists are able to isolate and eliminate specific pieces of DNA that cause harmful diseases such as sickle cell anemia. The potential for medical advancement is extraordinary, but the technology also poses moral questions around the possibility of germ editing, designer babies, super soldiers, and other conceivable outcomes that are creeping out of the realm of science fiction and into the reasonably possible.
Director Adam Bolt skillfully uses animation to break down complex science into simple concepts that audiences can easily understand. Bolt elects not to divulge his own opinion on the controversial science. The film aims to further the national conversation by merely providing viewers with information to form their own opinions.
Girl on the Third Floor
Girl on the Third Floor is a fun haunted house movie about a renovation project gone wrong. Don purchases a run-down brothel in the suburbs and attempts to remodel it into the perfect family home before his pregnant wife joins him from the city. Unbeknownst to Don, the house is haunted by a mysterious spirit that doesn't take kindly to his shoddy workmanship.
Director Travis Stevens builds tension gradually and pays it off with some great scares. Throughout the film, he utilizes subtle movements in the background to toy with viewers and make them wonder who or what is lurking behind the next corner.
This was my most productive day at SXSW so far. Five films in a single day is not a record I'm looking to break any time soon. See you tomorrow.
Michael Dixon is a mild mannered accountant by day and a mild mannered movie watcher by night. He will not do your taxes for you. He lives in Austin, Texas with his lovely television and collection of fine whiskies. You can't purchase his book anywhere because it doesn't exist.
Tuesday, March 12th, 2019
Films I Planned to See
Showtime Title Location
11:30 AM Aquarela Paramount Theatre
2:30 PM Little Monsters Long Center
5:30 PM Building the American Dream Long Center
8:00 PM Human Nature Alamo Lamar
10:45 PM Girl on the Third Floor Alamo Lamar
Films I Actually Saw
Showtime Title Location
11:30 AM Aquarela Paramount Theatre
2:30 PM Little Monsters Long Center
5:30 PM Building the American Dream Long Center
8:00 PM Human Nature Alamo Lamar
10:45 PM Girl on the Third Floor Alamo Lamar
Aquarela
This visually stunning documentary is essentially just ninety minutes of footage of water in its various forms. Director Victor Kossakovsky avoids narration and dialogue, allowing mother nature to take center stage. Beginning with melting glaciers and ending with tropical storms, the film follows a loose narrative arc as it displays the effects of global warming. It's a powerful film that needs to be seen on a big screen. My description doesn't do it justice, so check out the trailer to get a feel for the film's vibe.
Little Monsters
Little Monsters is a fun movie about an Australian kindergarten class that gets attacked by zombies on a field trip to a nature preserve that happens to be located right next to an American military testing facility. Miss Caroline, played by Lupita Nyong'o, is forced to defend her class and deliver it to safety with the help of a student's horny uncle, played by some dude the studio hired because it couldn't afford a Hemsworth. Josh Gad turns in an entertaining performance as an insane children's television star with a crippling sex addiction.
This thing is packed with jokes, and it's a blast to watch in a crowded theater. Overall, it's pretty silly, but it has some smart things to say about America's military presence in foreign countries. Keep an eye out for the theatrical release schedule, and go see it with a big group.
Building the American Dream
Set against the backdrop of Texas' real estate boom, this emotional documentary details the plight of undocumented construction workers from the perspectives of families that have lost loved ones due to inhumane working conditions. In response to these deaths, a group of families petitions the city of Dallas to pass an ordinance requiring a ten minute break for every four hours of work. While this seems like a more than reasonable request, the families encounter steep opposition due to Texas' attitude toward illegal immigrants and its pro-business, anti-worker mentality.
The film highlights a specific issue in America's greater immigration crisis and demonstrates just how far we have to go. Undocumented immigrants are forced to fight tooth and nail for basic human dignity. If it's this hard to get a ten minute break, how will America ever pass comprehensive immigration reform?
Human Nature
This incredibly informative documentary delves into the science of genetic engineering and the potential positive and negative effects it poses to humanity. With advances in CRISPR technology, biologists are able to isolate and eliminate specific pieces of DNA that cause harmful diseases such as sickle cell anemia. The potential for medical advancement is extraordinary, but the technology also poses moral questions around the possibility of germ editing, designer babies, super soldiers, and other conceivable outcomes that are creeping out of the realm of science fiction and into the reasonably possible.
Director Adam Bolt skillfully uses animation to break down complex science into simple concepts that audiences can easily understand. Bolt elects not to divulge his own opinion on the controversial science. The film aims to further the national conversation by merely providing viewers with information to form their own opinions.
Girl on the Third Floor
Girl on the Third Floor is a fun haunted house movie about a renovation project gone wrong. Don purchases a run-down brothel in the suburbs and attempts to remodel it into the perfect family home before his pregnant wife joins him from the city. Unbeknownst to Don, the house is haunted by a mysterious spirit that doesn't take kindly to his shoddy workmanship.
Director Travis Stevens builds tension gradually and pays it off with some great scares. Throughout the film, he utilizes subtle movements in the background to toy with viewers and make them wonder who or what is lurking behind the next corner.
This was my most productive day at SXSW so far. Five films in a single day is not a record I'm looking to break any time soon. See you tomorrow.
Michael Dixon is a mild mannered accountant by day and a mild mannered movie watcher by night. He will not do your taxes for you. He lives in Austin, Texas with his lovely television and collection of fine whiskies. You can't purchase his book anywhere because it doesn't exist.
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