Open Windows

It's nice to have one of the top films of SXSW brought back to Austin, though that's a given as the film was created through Fantastic Fest.

Nick Chambers (Elijah Wood) is the lowly webmaster of jillgoddard-caught.com, a website dedicated to the famous actress.  He's won a contest to interview Jill herself (Sasha Grey).  When the interview is cancelled, a disappointed Nick is cajoled into some subtle spying, which quickly escalates into a race against the mysterious Chord (Neil Maskell) to find and save Jill.

Taking place entirely within windows on Nick's computer screen, Open Windows flourishes under its self-imposed constraints.  The only parts that seemed to falter was when I though they'd left that screen.  It thus has a few weak spots, but is overall a solidly fantastic film.

Open Windows

2014, 100 minutes, directed by Nacho Vigalondo

The Bounceback

Being a hopeless twenty-something, Stan hops a plane from LA to Austin to "run into" his ex, who is spending the weekend there from New York. Keeping them apart are their friends Jeff and Kara, who have both broken up with each other and desperately want them all to move on. With a backdrop of the raunchy Air Sex championships, the two former lovers have one weekend to decide if they're meant to be together or if its truly time to move on.

The Bounceback
2013, 92 minutes, directed by Brian Poyser

Machete

"Machete don't text."

This isn't meant to be serious.  It isn't meant to be provocative.  It's meant to be kickass fun.  Danny Trejo is Machete, an ex-Federale who's been set up by a cartel of lowest scum on both sides of the border.  With the help of Michelle Rodriguez as Luz, leader of a immigrant network, and Jessica Alba as Sartana, a no-nonsense ICE agent, Machete is after justice and revenge.

Machete
2010, 105 minutes, directed by Ethan Maniquis and Robert Rodriguez

"I thought Machete don't text?"

"Machete improvises."

Artois the Goat

Dutifully, I've noted and commented upon each film I've seen since September 2007.  This process helps me remember what I saw, what I thought, what I liked, before it's overwhelmed by others' opinions or just fades away.

This is the first repeat film in that time, which I first reviewed after seeing its world premiere in March 2009 at SXSW.  The story speaks so closely to my heart and my desires that I had to see it again, this time sharing the experience with my wife.  She's been down lately following surgery, and I thought it would help lift her as well.  I believe it has.  This Austin-made independent film is available on Netflix; if you need inspiration, seek it out.

Artrois the Goat
2009, 96 minutes, directed by Cliff & Kyle Bogart

ExTerminators

I found this pretty funny. Sure, it's a "men-are-stupid" girl film, but most guys will enjoy it, too. Plus it's weird that the story revolves around ABC Pest and Lawn, what with that being a real company here in Austin - my neighbor even works for them.

As SXSW waned, I slacked off on my movie blog. I'm finally getting this posted in mid-July. The film was good enough to warrant a better review, but to come up with the text I'll just have to see it again.

ExTerminators
2009, directed by John Inwood

Artois the Goat

This locally-grown, kitchy comedy tells a compelling tale of need. The raw, base emotion that fuels the desire to create resonates in me strongly, and this film acts as inspiration for that desire. It's a very uplifting story.

Artois the Goat
2009, 96 minutes, directed by Cliff & Kyle Bogart