Clik here to view.
Ethan Hawke takes a spiritual journey in ‘First Reformed’
The new Paul Schrader movie, “First Reformed,” plays like a summation of a career – a distillation of the themes that have dominated the work of the screenwriter/director since the 1970s. “First...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The future is now in the terrific ‘People’s Republic of Desire’
About five minutes into Hao Wu’s “People’s Republic of Desire,” after you see live-streaming performers file into tiny offices to entertain hundreds of millions of people after being told that if they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
‘Fast Color’ celebrates empowered women of color and moms as superheroes
My favorite thing about South by Southwest is walking into a movie knowing nothing about it, aside from maybe who stars, and walking out with my mind completely blown. That’s what happened to me with...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Documentary on hate groups treads fine line between reporting and giving...
There’s something to be said for giving a platform to terrible people and hateful organizations so that the world can witness their awfulness first hand. And while it is important to spread awareness...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mia Wasikowska and Robert Pattinson flip the script on gender roles in a Western
Westerns may not be as popular as they once were, but their impact on pop culture and their notions of masculinity have remained embedded in our world. The picture of a rugged cowboy on a horse, often...
View ArticleClik here to view.
‘Brewmaster’ documents the passion and culture of beer nerds
There may be more wineries than breweries in America, but the discrepancy has shrunk considerably over the last decade. The number has skyrocketed, almost quintupling over the last 20 years to almost...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish keep laughs coming in new TV show
Tiffany Haddish and Tracy Morgan starring in a new TBS comedy together? It seems like a match made in heaven, and fortunately, the show lives up to expectations. “The Last O.G.” “The Last O.G.”...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jim Gaffigan’s two-timing ways will make you laugh and cry in ‘You Can Choose...
All families have their issues, but most are not as problematic as the one in “You Can Choose Your Family.” “You Can Choose Your Family.” The film takes place in the 1990s and centers around Philip...
View ArticleClik here to view.
If you hated middle school (who didn’t?), you’ll appreciate ‘Eighth Grade’
If you’ve ever wanted to relive the horror of your middle school days, look no further than Bo Burnham’s directorial debut film “Eighth Grade.” “Eighth Grade.” Following Kayla during her last days of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nick Offerman gives what may be his best performance ever in film about power...
In “Hearts Beat Loud,” a film absolutely tailor-made for South by Southwest, director Brett Haley (“The Hero”) delivers a heartwarming ode to the healing power of music. “Hearts Beat Loud.” Nick...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Are you a maniacal Neil Young completist? Fantastic. Enjoy ‘Paradox’
A voice-over fills the first minute of “Paradox,” which screened March 15 at South by Southwest and will be available March 23 on Netflix. Over a shot of a night sky filled with stars, said monologue...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Daryl Hannah on ‘Paradox,’ her ‘spitball production’ with Neil Young
Daryl Hannah really likes the term “spitball production.” “Paradox” We’re sitting in a suite at the Four Seasons discussing her new movie, “Paradox,” starring Neil Young and some of the folks in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s not easy being a teen; these South by Southwest movies show us why
Hormones. Acne. Bullies. School violence. Being a teen is tough (though raising a teen is no walk in the park, either). Looking back at all the movies our critics reviewed during South by Southwest, I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll (and more): The documentaries of South by Southwest
The documentary slate is always strong at South by Southwest; here are a few that our critics felt stood out this year. “Daughters of the Sexual Revolution.” “Daughters of the Sexual Revolution: The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
For Rachel Bloom and writers of ‘Most Likely to Murder,’ looking back can be...
Director and co-writer Dan Gregor said “Most Likely to Murder,” which had its world premiere at South by Southwest, came from the idea of high school classmates getting back together for Thanksgiving...
View ArticleClik here to view.
SXSW: ‘Agave: The Spirit of a Nation’ explores the history and uncertain...
“You can make out the silhouettes of our past in the morning light,” the title card reads at the beginning of Nicholas Kovacic and Matthew Riggieri’s documentary “Agave: The Spirit of a Nation,” which...
View ArticleClik here to view.
SXSW 2018: ‘Blaze’ is a terrific portrait of the artist as a poetic screw-up
Let the word go forth from this time and place: Ethan Hawke, director of the excellent Blaze Foley biopic “Blaze,” is apparently extremely good at getting stunning performances out of non-actors. Ben...
View ArticleClik here to view.
SXSW review: ‘Isle of Dogs’ a treat but hounded by some real problems
As a movie constructed of tiny moving parts, it’s fitting that “Isle of Dogs” resonates most warmly in its quiet, little moments. There’s the scene where a recently orphaned 12-year-old boy, laid up...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Six South by Southwest movies you’ll soon see in theaters
Feeling some South by Southwest regret? Wishing you could have been a part of the full film experience? Well, I can’t promise that Steven Spielberg will show up at your favorite cinema anytime soon,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Love music and movies? Keep an eye out for these four SXSW films
Movies about music are a natural fit for South by Southwest and for film fans here in the Live Music Capital of the World; here are four that caught our critics’ attention. “If I Leave Here Tomorrow.”...
View Article