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The Cinematical Roundtable: Live from SXSW with James Rocchi

by William Goss Mar 23rd 2009 // 9:15PM

Filed under: Action », Comedy », Documentary », Drama », Independent », Thrillers », SXSW », Mystery & Suspense », Festival Reports »



Welcome to the second episode of The Cinematical Roundtable, our latest podcast here at the site, where we'll speak with writers and readers alike about the latest in film offerings. Joining us this round is James Rocchi, formerly of Cinematical and currently of MSN Movies and countless other outlets, as we tackle several of the more independent titles that graced us with their presence at this year's SXSW Film Festival.

Again, please bear with the overwhelming ambiance of the International House of Pancakes (a South By staple, and not always by choice). In the weeks to come, the podcast will actually be produced in much more conducive conditions, but when in Austin, keeping it weird is the name of the game. With that in mind, your feedback is appreciated, and feel free to spread the word. Preferably the word 'podcast'. And 'Cinematical'. Yeah, that is two words, what of it?

That's what I thought...




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Watch This: 'For The Love of Movies' and 'My Suicide' SXSW Trailers

by Erik Davis Mar 15th 2009 // 1:32PM

Filed under: Independent », SXSW », Fandom », Trailer Trash », Home Entertainment », Trailers and Clips »

Premiering tomorrow at SXSW is this years-in-the-making documentary called For The Love of Movies: A History of American Film Criticism, narrated by Patricia Clarkson and directed by Gerald Peary and Amy Geller. As the current film critic struggles to find a job, an audience and a purpose, this doc -- according to Jeff Wells -- is a "chronicle of magnificent obsessions and magnificent dreams, and a rise-and-fall story covering scores of critics, the entirety of the Hollywood film culture from the '20s to the present, and hundreds if not thousands of movies." Watch the trailer below and keep an eye on the third dude who pops up and let us know if he looks (and sounds) just the wee bit familiar.



Next up is a film I whole-heartedly recommend. A funky, oddly hilarious experimental flick that simultaneously mocks and sympathizes with the Me Generation, My Suicide follows a technology-obsessed high school student who decides to off himself on camera as part of a student project. Though it's still way early, I wouldn't be surprised if the film's lead actor, newcomer Gabriel Sunday, walks away with an acting award or if the film itself takes the audience award. Check out the trailer below ... and more SXSW trailers over here.



I also want to take this time to spit out a reminder that you at home can enjoy a whole lot of the South By Southwest Film Festival right now. IFC currently has four films On Demand via IFC Fest Direct, including the much buzzed-about Alexander the Last (which I was just about to watch myself), Medicine for Melancholy, Zift and Paper Covers Rock. Alternatively, you can watch popular films from last year's SXSW Fest -- like the Potter doc We Are Wizards and The Lost Coast -- on Hulu for free, courtesy of Cinetic Media. There! Plenty to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon, huh?

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You Know You've Made It As an Indie Filmmaker When . . .

by Michael Lerman Mar 9th 2009 // 7:15PM

Filed under: DIY/Filmmaking », Cinematical Indie »

It's no overstatement to say that one of the most anticipated movies of this year's SXSW Film Conference is Joe Swanberg's latest work, Alexander the Last. One of SXSW's more prolific veteran directors, Swanberg has built his status at the festival up to the point where a new piece from him is an event – even more so with Alexander, the centerpiece of IFC's controversial new SXSW partnership. IFC Films has been the distributor for Swanberg's last few pictures and has done much of the legwork to build his popularity throughout the indie community.

But it wasn't until last Friday night when I was attending an authentic fried chicken restaurant in New York City's Korea Town that I realized just how far Swanberg's popularity had stretched into the outside world. While using the rest room, I happened to spot a piece of graffiti on the wall above the urinal. See photo.



Yes, Joe, the implication is negative. But, like they always say, "If they hate you then you must be doing something right."

During the Q&A at the premiere of "Goodbye Solo" at MoMA last week, director Ramin Bahrani amiably joked about putting bootlegged DVDs in all of his movies to project his dream of one day seeing his work on one of those makeshift stands. "That's how I would know that I made it as a director." Somehow, I think this might be better.

Thanks to Dusty Smith for the photo.

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SXSW First Look: Alexander the Last

by Erik Davis Feb 27th 2009 // 1:02PM

Filed under: Drama », Independent », SXSW », Fandom », Movie Marketing », Images », Cinematical Indie », Trailers and Clips »



Cinematical has just received these exclusive images and poster art for the new Joe Swanberg (Hannah Takes the Stairs) film Alexander the Last, which will be one of a few films that will premiere at SXSW this year and at the exact same time arrive On Demand via IFC's Festival Direct. Additionally, to coincide with these images (and to get in the spirit of releasing new content in different places at the same time), our cousins over at indieWIRE have debuted the trailer for Alexander the Last (watch it below via their spunky new widget), as well as an interview with writer-director Joe Swanberg.

Gallery: Alexander the Last



Starring our good buddy Jess Weixler (Teeth), Alexander the Last is an ensemble drama about a married actress, her sister and their myriad sexual and creative temptations. The film also stars Justin Rice (Mutual Appreciation and from the acclaimed alternative rock group Bishop Allen), Barlow Jacobs, Amy Seimetz, Josh Hamilton and Jane Adams. Alexander the Last will premiere at SXSW and On Demand through IFC Festival Direct on March 14. Stay tuned to Cinematical as we'll be debuting much more from this year's IFC Films/SXSW slate next week.

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Full 2009 SXSW Line-Up Announced

by William Goss Feb 2nd 2009 // 10:22AM

Filed under: Action », Comedy », Documentary », Drama », Horror », Independent », Romance », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Thrillers », SXSW », Mystery & Suspense », Magnolia », Sony Classics », Warner Brothers », Dreamworks »

SXSW jumped their own gun last night by announcing their line-up of film titles for this year's festival in Austin, TX.

Right around the ides of March, we'll be treated to the world premieres of:

...and much, much more! Personally, I'm also psyched to catch up with Sundance hits like Grace, Moon, We Live in Public, Humpday, and a couple of others -- not to mention the U.S. premiere of The Hurt Locker and a special anniversary screening of Office Space (yes, Austinites, another one). All I'd otherwise beg for is 500 Days of Summer, but who am I to look a gift fest in the mouth?

SXSW '09 runs from March 13-21, and you can expect plenty of coverage around these parts.

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