With the release of and upcoming tour for their new Album "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans," I met with My Education to get a history lesson on the evolution of the band that makes it what it is today. If you are familiar with today’s sound of My Education - - entirely instrumental, characterized as “cinematic, mildly psychedelic” and compared to the likes of Mogwai or Explosions in the Sky--the origins of the band couldn’t be farther from where it is today. Starting in 1999, Guitarist, … [Read more...]
Diversifying SXSW
Just last week, it was announced that the Austin History Center will be hosting an exhibit on “The 25 Year History of SXSW” from February to July 2011. South by Southwest (SXSW) has become one of the largest festivals in the United States and generated more than $100 million for the Austin economy this year. The nine-day conference bills itself as “the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies”. The conference is proud of discovering and exposing … [Read more...]
Cine Las Americas film review: Amorosa Soledad (Lovely Loneliness)
Can't help but love Soledad The opening night for the 13th Cine Las Américas International Film Festival kicked off with the 2008 Argentinean film, Amorosa Soledad (Lovely Loneliness), produced by Hernan Musaluppi and Natacha Cervi. Starring in this romantic comedy are Inés Efron, Fabián Vena, and Nicolás Pauls; however, it could be said that Ms. Efron is the sole shining star of the film, as you could not help but fall in love with her. Soledad is affectionately portrayed by Ms. Efron so that … [Read more...]
Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out)
Mil gracias, truly a thousand thanks, to Cine Las Américas and the Consulate General of Mexico for the presentation of the Mexican movie Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out). Directed by Roberto Sneider and based on the highly acclaimed novel by Ángeles Mastretta, the movie was a phenomenal cultural treasure that honored Austin a few weeks ago. It is without a doubt our public role to invite, host, share, and support such international cultural gifts, and this unique jewel enriched … [Read more...]
Date Night: A marriage misadventure comedy
And you thought you've had bad dates. Phil and Claire Foster, played by Steve Carell (The Office, The 40-Year Old Virgin) and Tina Fey (30 Rock, Baby Mama), are a typical married couple with two kids from the 'burbs of New Jersey. After finding out that one of the couples they hang out with is getting a divorce, they go all out on their next weekly date in an attempt to revive their monotonous marriage. Instead of doing the usual dinner at a nearby chain restaurant in their work clothes, … [Read more...]
Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out)
Mil gracias, truly a thousand thanks, to Cine Las Américas and the Consulate General of Mexico for the presentation of the Mexican movie Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out). Directed by Roberto Sneider and based on the highly acclaimed novel by Ángeles Mastretta, the movie was a phenomenal cultural treasure that honored Austin, Texas last Thursday night. It is without a doubt our public role to invite, host, share, and support such international cultural gifts, and this unique jewel enriched … [Read more...]
S21: Khmer Rouge Killing Machine is eye-opening
Ten years in the making, a documentary showing at the Sundance Festival explores the inner workings of the Cambodian regime through hundreds of hours of interviews with the Khmer Rouge regime's number two. "Enemies of the People," in competition at the independent film festival held in Park City in the mountains of Utah, is the product of a collaboration between Cambodian journalist Thet Sambath and Briton Rob Lemkin. Up to two million people -- a quarter of Cambodia's population -- were … [Read more...]
From the Publisher: The big deal with Avatar
If you live on this planet, then you know of Avatar, right? You know, the little independent film, by the one-hit wonder James Cameron. The fact of the matter is that this movie is breaking all the records. By the way, if you do want to see the movie there is no spoiler alert here. Nothing about the film will be revealed here. The only thing I will say is this movie is worth your three hours. It debuted at number one and has camped out there since. I had a meeting over at the Bob Bulluck … [Read more...]
District 13: Ultimatum Advanced Screening
Monday, February 1, 2010 Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar Hope you all enjoyed the free advanced screening of District 13: Ultimatum. Two years have passed since elite police officer Damien Tomasso teamed up with reformed vigilante Leito (parkour originator David Belle) to save the notorious District 13, a racially charged ghetto populated by violent drug dealing gangs and vicious killers. Despite government promises to maintain order, the state of the district has deteriorated, and a group of … [Read more...]
Dreamworks’ MLK film back on track
Plans for a feature film about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. appeared back on track on Tuesday as DreamWorks Studios said it has hired Oscar-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood to pen a script. DreamWorks announced in May that it had acquired life rights for the slain Nobel Peace Prize laureate, marking the first time a major biographical movie about King had been authorized by his estate. But the project, to be produced by Steven Spielberg, quickly bogged down over squabbling … [Read more...]
