2014 SXSW Film Festival: The Movies & TV Shows I'm Most Excited To Watch In Austin
While I'm a veteran of many SXSW Music Festivals and regularly attend other leading film festivals, 2014 will be the first time I've ever attended the SXSW Film Festival (and I'm so excited!). Here are the films I'm most eager to see (regardless of whether they are world premieres or Festival Favorites) as well as the episodic premieres I'm most intrigued by. Side note: I'm so glad SXSW has broadened the definition of what a film festival is by including world premieres of highly anticipated TV shows (aka: episodic content). I hope you'll consider following my SXSW 2014 adventures on Twitter at (@IMDbEmily) where I'll be Tweeting about these films and my interviews with some of stars/directors/writers who are referenced in my list.
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- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEllar ColtranePatricia ArquetteEthan HawkeThe life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college.Richard Linklater shot this unique narrative drama in 39 days over a span of 12 years so it is the ultimate in real cinema -- you actually see the cast age. I heard WONDERFUL things about this film at Sundance this year but wasn't able to see it. I'll be first in line at SXSW.
- DirectorNicholas StollerStarsSeth RogenRose ByrneZac EfronAfter they are forced to live next to a fraternity house, a couple with a newborn baby do whatever they can to take them down.Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne in a comedy about a young couple raising a baby next door to a Frat house ... You had me at HELLO!
- DirectorSarah-Violet BlissCharles RogersStarsBridey ElliottClare McNultyNeil CaseyA comedy about Allie and Harper and their needlessly difficult journey to the beach.I'm hearing good things about this flick which is about a pair of Brooklyn hipsters/best-friends who are so entrenched in their quarter-life crises that they can't even find their way to the beach to meet up with some cute guys. I remember those days ...
- CreatorJohn AltschulerMike JudgeDave KrinskyStarsThomas MiddleditchT.J. MillerJosh BrenerFollows the struggle of Richard Hendricks, a Silicon Valley engineer trying to build his own company called Pied Piper.The coming-soon HBO comedy series about Silicon Valley is directed/exec produced by Mike Judge. THE SOCIAL NETWORK meets OFFICE SPACE??
- DirectorKat CandlerStarsAaron PaulJuliette LewisJosh WigginsWhen motocross and heavy metal obsessed thirteen-year-old Jacob's increasing delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother, Wes, with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent father, Hollis, must finally take responsibility for their actions and for each other in order to bring Wes home.This will be a rewatch for me. I saw this film at Sundance this year and was blown away by Aaron Paul's performance -- such a departure from his BREAKING BAD persona. This film began as a Sundance short film in 2012 and returned this year in feature length form -- a very impressive feat from writer/director Kat Candler.
- DirectorAdam WingardStarsDan StevensSheila KelleyMaika MonroeA soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.A hit at this year's Sundance film fest, this flick has been described as a 'thriller throwback' and a 'damned good time' by critics I trust. Most importantly, it stars Downton Abbey's recently deceased Dan Stevens -- oh how I've missed my Matthew Crawley.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsJon FavreauRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonA head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.Written, directed by and staring Jon Favreau, this film will be the opening-night world premiere. The cast (Robert Downey JR, ScarJo) and food truck backdrop are intriguing. I'd like to eat a taco prepared by Jon Favreau.
- DirectorJerome SableStarsMinnie DriverMeat LoafAllie MacDonaldA snobby musical theater camp is terrorized by a blood-thirsty killer who hates musical theater.I know absolutely nothing about this film other than the premise, which sounds hilarious: GLEE meets slasher film. If only the real GLEE would have a 'very special episode' like this to get rid of a few annoying cast members ....
- DirectorMike FlanaganStarsKaren GillanBrenton ThwaitesKatee SackhoffA recently released inmate from a mental asylum learns from his sister that the murders he was convicted of committing were actually orchestrated by a supernatural entity, the Lasser Glass mirror.As a general rule, I'll see anything Katee Sackhoff appears in, but I missed this flick at Sundance this year. Plus, the storyline sounds fascinating and creepy.
- DirectorRob ThomasStarsKristen BellJason DohringEnrico ColantoniYears after walking away from her past as a young private eye, Veronica Mars gets pulled back to her hometown, just in time for her high school reunion, in order to help her old flame Logan Echolls, who's embroiled in a murder mystery.Let us behold together what the Kickstarter generated. It's like a test tube baby, only in film form.
- CreatorChristopher CantwellChristopher C. RogersStarsLee PaceScoot McNairyMackenzie DavisFollows some players in the 80s technological revolution that lead to information society.A highly-anticipated AMC original series slated to begin airing in June that focuses on the early 1980's personal computing revolution. This period drama centers on a young group of computer pioneers as they navigate the personal computing revolution.
- StarsNeil deGrasse TysonChristopher EmersonKeythe FarleyAn exploration of our discovery of the laws of nature and coordinates in space and time.Calling all geeks (myself included): SXSW is hosting a special preview screening of Fox and National Geographic Channel’s upcoming science series and a special event with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. It's a reboot of the classic series.
- DirectorJohn RidleyStarsAndré 3000Hayley AtwellImogen PootsA drama based on Jimi Hendrix's life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.A Jimi Hendrix bio-pic written and directed by brand-spanking new Academy Award-winning writer/director John Ridley (2014 Best Adapted Screenplay for 12 YEARS A SLAVE). Feels like potential magic in the making -- one of the films I'm most looking forward to at SXSW this year.
- DirectorDaniel StammStarsMark WebberDevon GrayeTom BowerA cryptic phone call sets off a dangerous game of risks for Elliot, a down-on-his-luck salesman. The game promises increasing rewards for completing 13 tasks, each more sinister than the last.Having just finished a six season Sons of Anarchy (2008) binge, I'll be watching this film primarily because Ron Perlman appears in it and I need a FIX.
- DirectorMichael SpierigPeter SpierigStarsEthan HawkeSarah SnookNoah TaylorAs his last assignment, a temporal agent is tasked to travel back in time and prevent a bomb attack in New York in 1975. The hunt, however, turns out to be beyond the bounds of possibility.Directed by identical twin brothers and staring Ethan Hawke, this description on the SXSW website snared me: 'Predestination chronicles the life of a Temporal Agent sent on an intricate series of time-travel journeys designed to ensure the continuation of his law enforcement career for all eternity. Now, on his final assignment, the Agent must pursue the one criminal that has eluded him throughout time.'
- DirectorDavid ZellnerStarsRinko KikuchiNobuyuki KatsubeKanako HigashiA jaded Japanese woman discovers a hidden copy of Fargo (1996) on VHS, believing it to be a treasure map indicating the location of a large case of money.Another Sundance 2014 film I heard great word of mouth about but missed that I'm eager to check out at SXSW.
- DirectorJason BatemanStarsJason BatemanKathryn HahnAllison JanneyA spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult.Bateman, bad words, banality: Yup, I'm in. I missed this film when it premiered at Sundance this year, but did catch a trailer which gave me the sense that Jason Bateman's directorial debut, which he also stars in, is wildly inappropriate and laugh-out-loud funny.
- DirectorGary FortinStarsStephen BarberStephen BrutonCoCo CarmelRoad to Austin, chronicles how Austin, Texas became the Live Music Capital of the World dating from 1835 to present day. This feature documentary builds to a climax as the storyline weaves its way towards a live concert featuring Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, Eric Johnson, Ian McLagan, Joe Ely and many other artists led by musical director, Stephen Bruton. This 75-minute adaptation features a documentary and a 8-song excerpt from the 3 hour concert. Mr. Kristofferson dedicates this film and all of its proceeds to the Stephen Bruton 'Artist Wellness Program' due to Stephen losing his battle to cancer in 2009. Stephen Bruton served as Kris's guitar player and closest friend for over forty years.I'm thrilled to be attending the world premiere of this music-themed documentary feature at SXSW this year. The film delves into Austin's musical history/heritage since the 1800s (can we all say "LOFTY AMBITIONS"!) and features many of my favorite musical heroes including: Kris Kristofferson, John Paul DeJoria, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, Stephen Bruton, Eric Johnson, Ian McLagan and Joe Ely.
- DirectorDavid Gordon GreenStarsNicolas CageTye SheridanGary PoulterAn ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin.I'm hearing this is Nicolas Cage's best performance in years.
- DirectorEduardo SánchezStarsSamuel DavisDora MadisonRoger EdwardsA group of friends who venture into the remote Texas woods for a party weekend find themselves stalked by Bigfoot.Am I REALLY going to pass up a Bigfoot-themed slasher flick? Nope.
- DirectorLawrence Michael LevineStarsSophia TakalLawrence Michael LevineAlia ShawkatA Brooklyn couple suspects foul play when their rent controlled neighbor suddenly drops dead.In this hipster comedy, a new engaged Brooklyn couple investigate the death of an elderly neighbor.
- DirectorAndy LandenStarsAly MichalkaDustin MilliganSean HoodA lively young woman grappling with a very tough situation travels to Sequoia National Park with the intention of ending her life, but her plans are interrupted by her colorful family and an unexpected romance.The premise of this film, which I know very little about, has stayed with me: A young woman suffering from a terminal disease decides to take her own life in a national park but meets an intriguing young man along the way.
- DirectorJohn JeffcoatStarsDavid DruryJohn JeffcoatAya KawaharaA struggling Seattle Rock band, Tennis Pro, take one last shot at making it big as they embark on a comical musical odyssey in Tokyo with hopes to prevent their day jobs from becoming their careers.As a Seattle native, I'm rooting for this film and the band Tennis Pro!