SXSW Notes and News Tidbits

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Being Elmo

Roger Ebert has said that it is unprofessional for film critics to have their photos taken with celebrities. I've decided this means "human celebrities" and not Muppets, so I caved in and posed with Elmo (and Kevin Clash) after the first SXSW screening of Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. See the movie if you like Muppets, it's very nice. (And if you miss it at SXSW, it's just been announced that Being Elmo is the opening-night film at next month's Dallas International Film Festival.)

Anyway, here are some of my observations from the fest so far, as well as bits of news.

  • SXSW has now become a fest where distribution deals are made. So far, several deals have been announced: Conan O'Brien Can't Stop in a multi-platform release deal involving AT&T; food doc A Matter of Taste to HBO; and Kill List (from the Down Terrace director) to IFC Midnighters. No word yet on any Austin films, but we'll keep you posted.
  • Parking in pay garages was no problem for me on the weekend, but I heard yesterday that once afternoon started, it was challenging even to find a pay lot or garage that wasn't full. (I was at Alamo Lamar on Monday and can't say for myself.) Anyone have any info on this? I'm heading down there early today and hope that won't be an issue.
  • I caught Wuss at Westgate on Sunday, and enjoyed it very much. Westgate is a nice SXSW venue if you have a car. Plenty of parking, and the theater is quite spacious, with comfy stadium seating. The projection and sound quality were both good.
  • Chip had a really nice Cuban sandwich at Royal Blue Grocery on Congress Ave. this weekend, and the store had all kinds of interesting snacks, plus some hot soups. I think that's going to be a good place to pick up a bite to eat between Paramount screenings; I'll find out for sure on Thursday, when I have three movies scheduled back-to-back at the Paramount.
  • Speaking of food, Alamo Drafthouse (both Ritz and Lamar) has a pork tenderloin kebab special going on that I definitely recommend if a) you like pork and b) you like spices like paprika and cumin. It comes with a green salad, so you can feel virtuous, as well as Alamo's new side dish, cold toasted orzo, which I thought was pretty good too. I do wish the kebab had more mushrooms on it, but life isn't perfect.
  • Last night's AICN Secret Screening was the 1981 film Dragonslayer, with Guillermo del Toro in attendance (strictly as a fan). An indie titled Dragonslayer is also playing SXSW. I ran into Alamo programmer Lars Nilsen on Sunday night and he'd said he'd just seen Dragonslayer -- we asked him jokingly if it was the 1981 film, and he rolled his eyes and said no, the doc. He added that he couldn't possibly imagine the 1981 film playing at SXSW. Either Lars knew about the secret screening and was having an inside joke, or the universe is playing a little joke on him.
  • While you're down at ACC to see a movie at the Vimeo Theater, walk down the hall a bit and look at the poster gallery for SXSW films. It's pretty amazing. My favorite may be The Innkeepers.
  • Note for next year: On the Saturday night/Sunday morning when Daylight Saving Time kicks in, this means the SXSW Film Shuttle stops at 1 am (because it immediately springs forward in time), not 2 am. My husband found this out the hard way. Personally I wish it would run until 3 am nightly to accommodate midnight moviegoers, but I'm happy enough that it's running every day of the fest.

So jealous

So jealous you got a picture with Elmo.