#SXSW: “CONFRONTING A SERIAL KILLER”
Review by Mr. Will Wong
Premiering as part of SXSW 2021's Episodic Programme, the first episode of Starz's CONFRONTING A SERIAL KILLER gets an unveiling at the Festival. Produced and directed by Joe Berlinger, the five-episode Docu-Series centers on Writer Jillian Lauren as she sets out to seek the truth about one of America's most notorious Serial Killers, Sam Little. Confident that Little committed more than the three murders he was convicted of in 2014. She gets clearance to visit him ...
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#SXSW: “THE SPINE OF THE NIGHT”
Review by David Baldwin
In a time of witches, swords and magic, an ancient evil has risen to power and has been enslaving humankind. Through the ages, heroes rise and fall trying to take down this evil, but what will it take to stop it?
If you are a fan of Heavy Metal and films of its ilk, then THE SPINE OF NIGHT may seem like it was tailor made for you. Viciously-graphic violence, harsh explosions (mainly involving blue fire) and obscene nudity are just the start of what you are in for ...
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#SXSW: “SOUND OF VIOLENCE”
By Amanda Gilmore
As a child, Alexis (Jamin Savoy Brown) recovered her hearing and gained synesthetic abilities after witnessing the murder of her family. Now an adult, Alexis is a Sound Engineer pursuing a career in music. She fears she may lose her hearing again if she doesn’t compose her experimental masterpiece. But there’s a catch, the masterpiece can only be achieved by recording the brutal acts of violence she inflicts.
Writer-Director Alex Noyer adapts his Short ...
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#SXSW: “VIOLET”
Review by Amanda Gilmore
When Violet (Olivia Munn) was a child, she was free and happy. As she grew up, a negative “guiding voice” (Justin Theroux) began changing the way she lived. She now works at a film production company where she deals with a sexist, undermining boss. And spends her days biting her tongue trying to please others, even when that means causing herself pain. But things begin to change when Violet decides to do the opposite of what her “guiding voice” ...
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#SXSW: “THE DROVER’S WIFE: THE LEGEND OF MOLLY JOHNSON”
By Amanda Gilmore
This Feature is a reimagining of the acclaimed play and Henry Lawson’s classic Short Story. The Film takes place in 1893, where Molly Johnson (Leah Purcell) struggles to raise her children while her husband is off droving sheep. When Aboriginal fugitive Yadaka (Rob Collins) lands on her doorstep a bond develops. When word breaks out that Molly’s husband is actually missing, a constable is sent to question Molly as a suspect. But things turn deadly ...
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#SXSW: “SWAN SONG”
Review by David Baldwin
Pat Pitsenbarger (legendary character actor Udo Kier) used to be a popular hairdresser in Sandusky, Ohio. Now he lives his remaining years in a nursing home, folding napkins and sneaking a smoke or two when the nurses are not looking. When Pat discovers that one of his former clients has died and that her dying wish was for him to style her hair for the funeral, he escapes the home and sets his sights on rediscovering his roots.
SWAN SONG was one of my most ...
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#SXSW: “ALIEN ON STAGE”
Review by David Baldwin
Every Christmas, the Paranoid Dramatics Amateur Group made-up of Dorset Bus Drivers put on a pantomime of a classic story for charity. On one particular year however, they really think outside the box and instead decide to put on a serious adaptation of the Sci-Fi Horror masterpiece, Alien. They work tirelessly on the sets, costumes and props, and believe they have created something great. Sadly, the show ends up flopping. It does however, end up finding a few ...
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#SXSW: “LANGUAGE LESSONS”
Review by David Baldwin
Adam (Mark Duplass) longs to become fluent in Spanish again. He is apprehensive when he discovers that his husband paid for online Spanish lessons with teacher Cariño (Natalie Morales). Once they get to chatting however, Adam finds a friendship he did not expect – and one that will become even more important as their weekly lessons progress.
LANGUAGE LESSONS is a sweet slice of life tale about two wayward souls connecting over Zoom calls. While some may scoff ...
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#SXSW: “CLERK”
Review by David Baldwin
Kevin Smith was working as a clerk at a convenience store when he released Clerks way back in 1994. Director Malcolm Ingram’s Documentary about the iconic Director takes its title from this life altering moment in Smith’s life, and then presents a chronicle of the director’s work from that Film through to Jay and Silent Bob Reboot and everything that happened in between.
CLERK is a delight for fans of Smith and all things View Askew. Ingram packs in ...
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#SXSW: “OFFSEASON”
By Amanda Gilmore
This Midnighter tells the story of Marie (Jocelin Donahue) who, after receiving a mysterious letter about her mother’s vandalized grave, travels to a desolate island town and soon becomes trapped in a nightmare.
Writer-Director Mickey Keating creates a mythical Horror film that delivers on suspense. From the moment Marie gets onto the island there is an eerie atmosphere with the use of his production, lighting and sound design. As the ...
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