Slacker 2011 Premieres Tonight at The Paramount

From the Austinist:

It's not too late to attend tonight's premiere of Slacker 2011, the re-imagining of Richard Linklater's homage to Austin as it existed 20 years ago. You don't have to love the original film to appreciate the significance of this project -- whether you were born in the skyscraperless hippie town Austin once was or recently moved here from California to start your new tech job, consider it your civic duty see and think about what this updated snapshot represents.

Online ticketing for the event is now closed, but slackers who still want to attend can buy their tickets at the Paramount box office beginning about 10 minutes before tonight's 7pm screening (as capacity allows).

The event kicks off at 6pm with the red carpet arrivals of Linklater, members of the original cast, and directors and cast members of Slacker 2011. General admission tickets are $15, and Paramount Film Fans can receive $5 discounts when they purchase at the box office or email ahead of time.

Watch the trailer below, and if you can't make tonight's premiere, it looks like the Alamo Drafthouse will be screening the film a few times beginning this weekend.

Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest premieres at Violet Crown

BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST is a documentary film directed by Michael Rapaport about one of the most influential and groundbreaking musical groups in hip-hop history. Having released five gold and platinum selling albums within eight years, A Tribe Called Quest has been one of the most commercially successful and artistically significant musical groups in recent history, and regarded as iconic pioneers of hip hop. The band’s sudden break-up in 1998 shocked the industry and saddened the scores of fans, whose appetite for the group’s innovative musical stylings never seems to diminish.

The film includes interviews from the Beastie Boys, Kanye West, Pharrell, Mos Def, Santigold, Monie Love, Pete Rock, Large Professor, De La Soul, The Jungle Brothers and Common, all of whom attribute some combination of love, respect, and inspiration drawn from the legacy of A Tribe Called Quest.

It is now playing at Violet Crown Cinema, click HERE for showtimes and tickets.

Top 10 Films of 2010

1) The Social Network
The script begins:

MARK ZUCKERBERG is a sweet looking 19 year old whose lack of any physically intimidating attributes masks a very complicated and dangerous anger. He has trouble making eye contact and sometimes it’s hard to tell if he’s talking to you or to himself.

This is the writing that is left off-screen. It only gets better as the accomplished cast breathes life into Aaron Sorkin’s rhythmic dialogue. Sorkin’s words, Finch’s direction, Reznor’s score, and Croenweth’s digital cinematography reveal professionals at the top of their games. They capture the Facebook zeitgeist with the apparent effortlessness of a “Like It” click.

2) Winter's Bone
To borrow from the main character’s maxim: “Never ask for what ought to be offered.”

3)Black Swan
Jeff Goldblum’s “Brundlefly” has got nuthin’ on this metamorphosis.

4) Inside Job
The most intense film this year that didn’t involve self-amputation.

5) 127 Hours
The most intense film this year that didn’t involve Wall Street swindling.

6) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Magical realism for the Twitter generation. Look for this box office bob-omb to be reborn as a cult classic.

7) Toy Story 3
Finally, a film that is not afraid to shine the light on the epidemic of terrifying creatures known as “toddlers.”

8) Exit Through the Gift Shop
If Warhol did not exist, Banksy would have to invent him.

9) The Town
Affleck pulls triple duty on this riveting heist flick. How do you like them apples?!

10) Lovers of Hate
This local film hits a home run for the lo-fi-low-budget-just-get-out-there-and-do-it filmmaking ethos.

Echotone Trailer

http://www.echotonefilm.com/

Banksy's: Exit Through The Gift Shop Trailer

{{{Sunset}}} to perform at MyOpen Bar and Drambuie's: Cinema 16, Austin (11/13)

"MyOpenBar and Drambuie Present:

CINEMA 16, AUSTIN

CINEMA 16 is a pairing of obscure vintage film programs with live scores composed and performed by specially chosen musicians, recreating the shared experience and awe of the 1920's silent film era. Austin is one of four stops on Cinema 16's nationwide film tour. This unique event will feature screenings by Mark Street ("Blue Movie" 16mm - 1994) and Ron Rice ("Chumlum" - 1964) and will be accompanied by a live performance from Austin's very own {{{SUNSET}}} who have so graciously scored the film.

The program is to include:

Blue Movie (1994)
Mark Street's 16mm short of repeated performances culled from old porno films and hand-painted. A man bends over a body, but what we really notice is the texture of the wall behind him. A woman stares back at the viewer with annoyance.

and

Chumlum, (1964)
Ron Rice's footage of the making of Normal Love with Jack Smith and some of his cast portrays the whimsical and sensual interactions between actors. The textural piece draws from experimental traditions as it flashes from flesh to color to movement.

The event will feature the screening both films and scores performed live by {{{SUNSET}}}, who have written an original soundtrack specifically composed for this occasion, DJ after-sets from DJ Wazaaaaap, and complementary drinks provided by Drambuie.

[RSVP]

Friday, November 13, 2009
From 7:30pm - 11:00pm
At 501 Studios
500 San Marcos St
Austin, TX 78702

_________________________

In other {{{Sunset}}} news, Bill Baird and company will be releasing their fourth LP later this month. The album entitled, Gold Dissolves to Gray, is due out on the 24th via local record label Autobus. Read more about it here.

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

An extensive look in to the life of Dr Hunter S. Thompson "Gonzo" is now playing at the Regal Arbor Theater. I checked it out and it should be screening for the next 3 weeks or so. For those of you not familiar...

Narrated by Johnny Depp, the 118-minute "Gonzo" is illustrated with tons of archival photos and video and is chock-full of interviews - with conservative pundit Pat Buchanan, former President Jimmy Carter, Thompson's artistic co-conspirator Ralph Steadman, the writer's two wives and son, and many others. The movie focuses on Thompson's most creatively fertile period, 1965-75, when he cranked out books on the Hell's Angels and the 1972 presidential campaign, wrote "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and ingested the contents of several pharmacies.



The film opened nationally on the 4th of July, a perfect date considering that Hunter really was a true patriot. I was able to catch it a couple of days ago and as someone who has seen every documentary on Thompson as I have to say this is the most extensive and well made of the group. Even if you are not familiar with his work I suggest you go see this.

[Official Website with National screenings list]