SXSW 2010 Day 4: Earthling and Centurion

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Only four hours of sleep.  But the beer-soaked clothes are cleaned, and I'm as awake as I expect to be on day four of SXSW. 

This afternoon I had the opportunity to chat with Erasing David's David Bond. His documentary on the lack of secure privacy in government databases is a wake-up call to anyone who thinks, "I've done nothing wrong, so there is nothing to worry about." Check out my review. You have another chance to see Erasing David at the G-Tech theater in ACC at 11 am. Not only will Bond be there, but one of the investigators tasked to finding him as he attempted 30 days off the grid. Based on our lively conversation today, I predict it will be a good Q&A.

Yesterday I took a quick tour of the incredibly packed Film/Interactive Trade Show. What a circus. Today, I actually spent a little more time there, or tried to. I just was not feeling it.   But then, I hadn't had breakfast yet. It took me nearly 9 hours between an orange juice and an actual meal. I got a kick out of seeing the matador and the bull heading over to the trade show together. 

I decided to make a few movies at Alamo Lamar. I caught Camp Victory, Afghanistan, a serviceable doc about training Afghan troops, with the political and cultural barriers making for an impossible job.  It's a damnation of short-term thinking and conflicting agendas. 

Next I caught Clay Liford's Earthling, which had its world premiere yesterday. It's a very ambitious science-fiction tale wrapped in a mystery. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm fond of science fiction that doesn't rely on gimmicks. While it stumbles in explanations and it's hard to keep track of character agendas at times, it's has a fascinating concept with some strong performances. Amelia Turner in particular stands out as an enigmatic teen.  She's a talent to watch, and Earthling is an intriguing concept. 

I was going to try to make it to Cherry, but the screenings were running late and I was tired, cranky, and not willing to miss a chance at a seat in the Neil Marshall Presents screening, which isn't officially on the calendar. Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent) not only was on the Directing the Dead panel, but brought his new film here for two screenings at Alamo South.  It was no surprise that it was his latest, Centurion, and a world premiere with Marshall in attendance along with co-star Axelle Carolyn.  Centurion is an old-school chase and an interpretation of the mystery of the Roman Ninth Legion. Serviceable, if predictable, and you can judge for yourself later this week (Thursday?).  It didn't wow me like his first two films, but as someone else observed, it's the kind of film that if I found it on TV, I wouldn't be able to change the channel til it ended.  

So again, I'm trying to get to bed before 4am. But it was worth it.  As for today, I recommend checking out Erasing David and Crying with Laughter, but if you can't, they are available as VOD. Erasing David is going to make you regret not talking to the exhibiters with privacy tools at the Trade Show. 

I'm going to try to catch Cold Weather, and possibly NY Export: Opus Jazz, because a friend and a non-fan of musicals really enjoyed it.  I'll also try to make the TBD tomorrow. 

I know I'll regret it, but I'll be missing the SXSW Film Awards (again) because I'm going to catch Red White and Blue. Gotta see what all the buzz is about, and if I can be seen in the Broken Spoke scene. And that means my midnight movie by default is going to be Outcast as I wouldn't have time to get to another screening. 

We're at the halfway point, folks, so what have YOU been seeing?  What are your favorites? What's your best celebrity sighting at SXSW story this year? Or what's your favorite outrageous story?  Slackerwood wants to know.