Texas Frightmare Weekend 2013

Recently I was very fortunate enough to attend Texas Frightmare Weekend. I’ve always wanted to attend, but timing and money was never right. Luckily, it worked out for us this year. TX Frightmare Weekend is a three day horror convention that includes celebrity guests, panels, workshops, film screenings, and vendors. I had a great time and thought I’d share some pictures of the event with my trusty readers. We saw lots of fun horror cosplay! There were actually a couple booths doing zombie makeovers. I bought a bunch of stuff I do not need including some new koozies for my collection. It was really exciting being around so many other people who share the same interests as I do. There really was a feeling of excitement in the air.





The panels were my favorite part of the event. We caught the last half of David Naughton’s panel about AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. He talked a bit about John Landis and what it was like working with such an incredible director. Naughton is most known for AMERICAN WEREWOLF, but I came to know him as the, “I’m A Pepper” guy. He seemed very excited to be participating in the con. It’s always nice to see the guest celebrities genuinely enjoying themselves. For example, Gary Busey did not seem to be enjoying himself. Nor did he seem to know where exactly he was. I could be wrong; no disrespect to Busey. He has uttered one of the most iconic lines in film history:

“Utah get me two!”

The next panel we caught was Horror Comics. Kerry Gammill, Bernie Wrightson, and Steve Niles were on the panel. Wrightson is a legend in his own right who has created some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen. Niles is my favorite comic book writer who has created series like 30 Days of Night and Criminal Macabre. This was a really informative panel that discussed the future of comics (digital v. print) and the success of horror comics. It’s no secret that the popularity of the TV series, The Walking Dead has brought a spotlight to horror comics. The guests discussed censorship in comics and Steve talked a bit about the 30 Days film which was adapted from his book. He even hinted at a possible TV series starring Cal McDonald, the much loved main character of Criminal Macabre. Personally, I am a horror fan who happens to collect comic books so hearing these gentlemen talk shop about my favorite things was really enlightening. After the panel I got to speak with Niles & Wrightson who could not be more pleasant. They talked about how their own passion derives in being fans of horror and that really shows through in their work and delightful personalities.



The panel following that was the ALIEN retrospective with Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright. ALIEN is one of the few films that I can honestly say scared the hell out of me upon initial viewing. I’ll admit, even now after all these years, I still feel a little uneasy watching it sometimes when I am alone. It’s such an incredible and important film that set the bar for modern day Sci-Fi. Cartwright was very candid with her many stories of production and working with Ridley Scott. Tom Skerritt was a man of few words but seems to have fond memories of working on the film. No one knew how essential this film was at the time, but here we are almost thirty-five years later still discussing the chest bursting scene. They talked about working with Giger, Bolaji Badejo, and the infamous cat. Cartwright also talked about continuity and the severe plotholes with PROMETHEUS which is exactly what the rest of us thought after watching that abomination. This was such a cool panel!







We also got to check out the Danny Trejo panel. Trejo is such a lively character! He talked about his troubled past and brushes with the law. He discussed how he came to turn around his life and currently works with troubled youth to aid them in choosing the right paths. He explained that someone once asked him if he feels stereotyped as the “mean & scary Chicano.” His response was,

“I AM the mean & scary Chicano!”

It’s really inspiring to see an actor who came from an unconventional background and experience great success in the film industry. He genuinely loves the work he does. Danny Trejo is the real deal! He spilled a few secrets about MACHETE KILLS. An audience member asked what his favorite part about working with Robert Rodriguez was. Trejo responded, “Jessica Alba….Amber Heard…..Michelle Rodriguez…” This was definitely one of the most entertaining panels I’ve ever seen.







Sunday we watched a documentary called ADJUST YOUR TRACKING: The Untold Story of the VHS collector. This was a really interesting film for the VHS collector in me. Although, my collection is nowhere near as vast of some of the subjects in the film. Some collections ranged from 2,000 to 20,000! One guy basically converted his entire basement to a video rental store complete with a counter and computer log. Another guy spent $660 on one extremely rare tape found on ebay. I often find myself explaining the importance of VHS; it’s truly an under appreciated form of media. Only about 25% of ALL films ever made were put onto VHS. Now only 50% of those films have made it to DVD. There are films I own that will NEVER be on DVD or BluRay. This doc did an excellent job explaining the relevance of VHS. It also showcased some local haunts like I Luv Video and Vulcan Video. As a little girl, there was nothing more exciting than going to the video store and picking out a movie based on how disgusting the cover art is. As an adult, there’s nothing more exciting than drinking free beers on Tuesday night at I Luv Video and picking out films to watch. Long live VHS!





The most anticipated panel of the weekend was the final panel: Tom Savini. Prior to the panel, I saw him sitting at his booth. I stared in awe of his glory. An older woman next to me asked if I knew who he was. I began rattling off his extensive resume. She asked about the glossy photo of him with Jason Voorhees and various other monsters. I simply said,

“Yeah, he created those. He’s a big deal.”

The woman said, “Then I guess I better get his autograph.” Savini is as important to the horror genre as John Carpenter or Wes Craven. Those guys came up with the ideas, but Savini brought them to life. He single handedly changed the shape of special effects and make-up in films. The man has so many engaging stories from his 40 yr + career. I could listen to him talk for days. In fact, one of my favorite audio commentaries is from DAWN OF THE DEAD in which he and Romero shoot the shit throughout the director’s cut. My only complaint is when audience members ask mundane questions that anyone who reads IMDB or listens to commentaries already knows the answers to. Savini is a cornucopia of knowledge in this field which is why he has his own Special FX School. One of his own protégé Greg Nicotero has gone one to start KNB Efx Group. Nicotero is also the man behind The Walking Dead TV series. The most revealing part of the panel was when Savini explained how he was up for the role of The Governor on TWD! David Morrissey has filled the role nicely, but I would’ve loved to see Tom Savini take a stab (no pun intended) at that character. The resemblance to the comic book Governor to Savini is truly uncanny. Most of all I enjoyed hearing him talk about what it was like to work on a Tarantino set. He recently had a small role in DJANGO UNCHAINED. This may have been the most informative panel yet.





In addition to all the cool panels we went to, we got to see a few other celebrities at their respective booths. Virginia Madsen is very pretty in person. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her in CANDYMAN. I saw Evil Lynn from MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE aka Meg Foster. I was talking to Steve Niles at his booth and up walks Jeffrey Combs from RE-ANIMATOR! I got a little star struck when Chris Sarandon walked by me. Out of all the celebrity guests, writers, and artists, Ross was most excited to see James Hampton. We know him as the dad from TEEN WOLF. Overall, I had a fantastic time. Hopefully, I can go again next year! Special thanks to Ross Ott photography for the pics.

The Place Beyond The Pines

This film was nothing like what I expected it to be. Actually, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I have just heard nothing but good things about PINES and Hey Girl’s performance. I must say I really enjoyed it.



Director, Derek Cianfrance really struck a chord with BLUE VALENTINE so I was anxious to see his follow up. I became a Hey Girl fan after his brilliant performance in BLUE VALENTINE. PINES has bleak and lonely themes similar to those of BLUE VALENTINE. The movie is long (140 minutes), but it never feels slow or lacking. The film itself can be divided into three main acts. The first act develops Hey Girl’s character, the second revolves around Bradley Cooper’s character, and the third act is mainly about their respective children. I really appreciated the way the film unfolded within the three acts that spans fifteen years. It definitely envelopes the audience in the story and gives you a chance to relate to the characters.



As much as I hate to admit it, Bradley Cooper’s performance stood out the most for me. He’s really good at playing conniving, duplicitous characters. Cooper & Hey Girl’s characters are meant to polarize each other. They do an excellent job of blurring the lines of good & bad, criminal & hero. The other predominant theme in this film is fatherhood and the part the characters play in that role.



I would have never considered Eva Mendes a credible actress, but she really delivered a heartbreaking performance. Also, after seeing her in HOLY MOTORS & BAD LIEUTENANT, I get the feeling she’s into weird films too. It’s unfortunate her talent is wasted on bullshit like HITCH and THE OTHER GUYS. She’ll be staring in Hey Girl’s upcoming writing/directing debut HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER. Ray Liotta is still just as terrifying as ever. The actor who played teenage Jason also gave a great performance. I recently noticed he will be playing Harry Osborn in the latest reboot of Spiderman. I was more impressed to find out that Mike Patton did the music for PINES. I really love that he's taking on film soundtracks, but I'm still waiting on that Faith No More reunion.





I think Cianfrance is an extremely talented director who will do big things in the future. I look forward to his next film, METALHEAD, starring the band Jucifer. At times, I felt like I was watching a refreshing take on a Terrence Malick film and that’s the best compliment I can give THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES.

Favorite Actors

Since I already posted a list of my favorite actresses, I should probably include my favorite actors. It’s much more daunting to choose just ten actors I admire and love. There are so many incredible actors working right now. For example, Max Von Sydow, Guy Pierce, John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Ron Pearlman, Viggo Mortensen, Kevin Spacey, and Jack Nicholson are all amazing actors I enjoy watching on the big screen. Justin Theroux was unceremoniously removed from my list because of his direct association with Jennifer Aniston. He will soon be replaced by the Texas T-Rex (Matthew McConaughey). Just barely missing my list are Kurt Russell, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Josh Brolin, and Steve Buscemi.

My list of ten is reserved for a group of men I will watch in just about anything. Even if I am skeptical of the film itself, I will give it a chance if one of these guys is starring in it. That’s saying a lot for someone as opinionated about film as I am. So without further adieu, here are my favorite actors of all time:

10.) Colin Firth
I was a little late to the Colin Firth party namely because he had done so many British romantic comedies & TV shows early in his career and I tend to avoid those like the plague. He was great in THE KING’S SPEECH, but his true Oscar worthy performance was definitely A SINGLE MAN. I absolutely loved him in TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY and really look forward to his role in DEVIL’S KNOT (the film adaptation of the book about the West Memphis Three murder case). Colin Firth has such an enigmatic charm that drives moms and gay men crazy. He reminds me of the actors from old Hollywood like Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, and Gregory Peck.



9.) Robert Downey Jr.
I have loved RDJ since his days as a coke snorting booze guzzling Brat Packer. I have a huge soft spot for 80s teen flicks and RDJ starred in many of those films. One of my favorite novels is Less Than Zero and I couldn’t picture a better Julian than RDJ. Unfortunately, life imitated art a bit too closely after that fateful role. Never has a troubled actor in Hollywood made such an extraordinary comeback that RDJ did after spending more than a year in prison. He has taken on some pretty hefty roles for example, Sherlock Holmes. Can you think of a more perfect Tony Stark? I don't think so. RDJ really deserved that Oscar for CHAPLIN, but I know he’ll get one eventually down the road.



8.) John Cusack
Like I said, I am a sucker for 80s teen flicks. I grew up madly in love with Lloyd Dobler and Lane Meyer. I had unrealistically hoped all boys were like that (little did I know). Cusack managed to make a decent transition from teen actor to adult dramatic roles. He was brilliant in GROSSE POINT BLANK, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, and HIGH FIDELITY. I hate to admit it, but I’ve even enjoyed some of his cheesier romantic comedies (I won’t say which). It was truly a delight to see him parody the 80s genre in HOT TUB TIME MACHINE. He may make bad decisions like THE RAVEN and 2012, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for this fellow Clash fan.



7.) John C. Reilly
Reilly has spent much of his career as a background actor. That may be because he is not conventionally handsome like other leading men. Hollywood is finally realizing what a fantastic actor he is and has begun to cast him in more lead roles. His most notable role may be as Reed Rothchild in BOOGIE NIGHTS which he was wonderful in. He was just brilliant in CARNAGE and CYRUS. However, my favorite John C. Reilly role was in STEP BROTHERS. It might be the funniest film of the last ten years. Reilly can do serious dramatic roles and hilariously comedic roles. His versatility is astounding and should no longer go unnoticed.



6.) Michael Fassbender
It’s true that Michael Fassbender is devastatingly handsome (even hotter in person), but he is also an unbelievably accomplished actor. I first took notice of this dreamboat when he played Lt. Hicox in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. His charisma was very noticeable even then among such acting giants as Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz. Since BASTERDS, he has gone on to tackle heavy roles such as Magneto and Carl Jung. His performance in SHAME was breathtaking. Let’s face it; Fassy was by far the only redeeming thing about PROMETHEUS. I look forward to the long career he has ahead of him.



5.) Johnny Depp
I cannot think of a time in my life when I wasn’t swooning over Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp’s first film was one of the greatest horror films of all time, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A film he had no intention of auditioning for; Depp was simply accompanying friend Jackie Earle Haley to the audition. Thus beginning the career of one of the most enigmatic actors of our time. I grew up watching Johnny as heartthrob Officer Tom Hanson. His resume is not without flaws, but that’s what makes us love him even more. You cannot help but fall in love with all his crazy/kooky characters that he seems to be constantly submersed in. Perhaps his most stand out role was in FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, a role only Depp could play. DEAD MAN remains one of my favorites in addition to a few of the Tim Burton roles. I will always love Johnny Depp no matter how many PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN films he decides to make.



4.) Javier Bardem
Bardem was an established Spanish actor before making his mark on Hollywood. People really took notice of him after his chilling role in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN which he picked up an Oscar for. His role in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA was simply enchanting and sexy. His performance in BIUTIFUL left me a sobbing mess. Bardem exudes this magnetism on the screen that I have never seen before.



3.) Gael Garcia Bernal
Bernal made a name for himself after starring in critically acclaimed films like AMORRES PEROS and Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN. For me, his talent was really showcased in EL CRIMEN DEL PADRE AMARO. His allure and inner turmoil really struck a chord with me and I will never forget that haunting performance. Since then, he has appeared is several English films with much praise. I was pleasantly surprised by his comedic performance in CASA DE MI PADRE because until then, I had only seen Gael in dramatic roles. Gorgeous, talented, and funny….what more could you ask for?



2.) Bill Murray
As Bill Haverchuck once said on Freaks and Geeks, “Bill Murray is the funniest man alive.” Ain’t that the truth? Bill Murray has starred in some of the greatest comedies of all time including my favorite film ever, CADDYSHACK. Murray spent decades dishing out laughs, and then out of nowhere he puts out these amazing dramatic roles. It’s no wonder that Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, and Jim Jarmusch consider him a muse. Murray can do anything! You can always be sure that he will deliver. Anyone who can star in GARFIELD and still make fun of himself has a better sense of humor than I do.



1.) Gary Oldman
Oldman is a conundrum that we will never figure out. He’s a chameleon. He’s scary, sexy, and smart all at the same time. I first noticed Gary when he so eloquently portrayed the legendary Count Dracula. My just heart melted when he uttered the words,

“I have crossed oceans of time to find you.”

I can’t even pick a favorite role because there are so many good ones. Oldman has played every kind of role under the sun from Lee Harvey Oswald to Commissioner Gordon and he does it well. Often times, he is completely unrecognizable like when he portrayed Mason Verger or Beethoven. His impressive resume speaks volumes and we can be assured that he will never let us down.



Honorable Mention
River Phoenix
River Phoenix was a true talent who never got to show the world what he was capable of. He was on the way to becoming a force to be reckoned with when tragedy struck. Phoenix was a troubled soul and that vulnerability poured out of the screen. With roles in THE THING CALLED LOVE and MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO, there was no limit in how far Phoenix could take a character. In hindsight, it’s utterly haunting to think of his character in STAND BY ME. Joaquin Phoenix will forever live in the shadow of his much more talented brother. I just hope River's final film, DARK BLOOD, which is set to be release soon does him justice.



There you have it folks. Who are your favorite actors?

Spring Breakers

Let me begin this review by indicating how much I loathe Harmony Korine. I have little to no respect for him as a filmmaker. I believe most of his work is mindless dribble made with the sole intent of shocking for the sake of shocking. You may ask why I even watched SPRING BREAKERS then if I hate Korine so much. Well, as an amateur film critic it’s imperative that I watch something before I talk shit about it. After all, I did watch ZERO DARK THIRTY. Also, as a connoisseur of graphically disturbing cinema, it’s my duty to see anything with a controversial buzz.



I won’t say SPRING BREAKERS is the worst film I’ve ever seen; I save that title for TRASH HUMPERS (also by Korine). SPRING BREAKERS is far from the best I have seen too. I admit it was mildly entertaining. Had it not been for James Franco, this film would have been an entire wash. Franco’s character of Alien is an over the top portrayal of “white gangstas” a la’ a Wayan’s Brothers film. Nothing about his character was believable or compelling which makes it ludicrously funny.



Clearly the female leads were all cast based on their seedy pasts as Disney dolls. These young actresses are desperately trying to shed their good girl images with the exception of Rachel Korine who just so happens to be married to Harmony. Rachel Korine cannot act her way out of a box, but she was thrown into this film as a message to the people who probably picked on Harmony as a kid. She’s his way of saying, “look at me now bitches, I married a hot chick” to all his naysayers.



Honestly, I expected this film to be way more fucked up. There’s not much in this film that I myself didn’t do (except armed robbery) on any given school night during my high school years. The lack of shock makes me think Korine is slipping in his old age. I thought for sure someone was going to get raped. Not that I anticipated it or condone rape, but SPRING BREAKERS has a sense of predictability to it. The reality is that any or all of these girls may have likely been raped had this been based on a real story. This is a sad unfortunate fact we deal with on a daily basis; just look at Steubenville.



To tell you the truth, I actually did enjoy KIDS (written by Korine) when it came out. I related to it in a way that terrified me upon initial viewing. As an adolescent indulging in the same vices as the kids in KIDS, the film hit a little too close to home. However, I think the things that made that film work so well were a complete fluke. A decent script coupled with Larry Clark and an incredible cast is what made KIDS work. The difference between the cast of KIDS and the cast of SPRING BREAKERS is experience. SPRING BREAKERS is full of trained one trick ponies who have been playing one dimensional characters their whole lives. KIDS was a cast of unknown teens who were not afraid to lose themselves in their roles. You’ll notice Korine has had less than stellar performances since that first film.



Overall, this film is amusing, but not enough to make it a great film. I did not expect the dialogue to be Shakespeare, but I did expect more substance than what a ten year old could write. I’d expect this film from a first time director, not a seasoned self proclaimed genius. On the other hand, this may just be a midlife crisis for Korine. SPRING BREAKERS is basically a really long & expensive dub step music video. It’s KIDS for the Facebook generation. Maybe Korine should start making grown up films instead of reaching into the hat and pulling out the same trick he did twenty years ago. Also, dub step is probably the worst genre of music of all time.

Top 10 Favorite Actresses

I’d like to thank D. Beth for inspiring this very post with her own illustrious list. It sure was a challenge, but I think I have narrowed down ten of my all time favorite actresses. If you would’ve asked my favorite actors, I can name those off without even thinking about it. I really had to sit and think about leading ladies though.

You see there are actresses that I love, but it may be the characters they played that I love even more. For example: Sarah Michelle Geller (Buffy), Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars), Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson), and Gillian Anderson (Scully). There are a few up and coming actresses that I am really excited about. Eva Green was the only redeeming part of DARK SHADOWS. She was unbelievable in THE DREAMERS and I really look forward to her role in SIN CITY 2. I’ve been raving about Juno Temple for a while too. She blew me away in KABOOM and I don’t even need to get into her role as Dottie in KILLER JOE (best film of 2012). She will also have a role in SIN CITY 2 and the highly anticipated (by me) HORNS. These girls have long successful careers ahead for themselves. Then there are the classic leading ladies we have all come to love. Sisssy Spacek, Diane Keaton, and Isabella Rossellini are women who exist on a whole other level. They are timeless talent that just seems to get better with age. These ladies just barely missed the list.

Now on to my personal favorites:

10. Ellen Burstyn
Burstyn has been making films pretty much since the dawn of time. She was wonderful in THE LAST PICTURE SHOW. People really didn’t notice her great talent until she starred in the greatest horror film of all time, THE EXORCIST. Her role as Chris McNeil still gives me chills to this day. I’m a big Scorsese fan so I loved her in ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, a role she picked up an Oscar for. However, Burstyn really struck a chord with her tragic and disturbing role in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. She really took her character, Sara Goldfarb, to the edge. Not a lot of women can do that.


9. Tilda Swinton
Nothing about Swinton is conventional which I think makes her incredibly appealing. She is a total enigma that fascinates and astounds me. I loved her in BROKEN FLOWERS and THE LIMITS OF CONTROL (two great Jarmusch films). She can do comedy very well, as seem in BURN AFTER READING. My favorite film of hers is WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, a film she was robbed of an Oscar for. She’s played a wide range of roles and I look forward to many more.


8. Toni Collette
Toni Collette is the kind of woman I want to be friends with. She’s smart, funny, talented, and beautiful. She does not fit the stereotypical Hollywood actress role, but she can sure as hell hold her own. I read somewhere that she was on a long list of actresses for the role of faux David Bowie’s wife in VELVET GOLDMINE. The producers wanted a bigger name with more sex appeal. Director, Todd Haynes said Collette faxed him a note in big bold letters that simply said, “I AM MANDY SLADE!” After that, the part was hers.


7. Jennifer Connelly
If Toni Collette is the kind of woman I want to be friends with, then Jennifer Connelly is the kind of woman I want to be. Technically a child star, she was only fifteen years old when she stared in a Dario Argento film. A pretty impressive start if you ask me. And what little girl didn’t want to be her in LABRYNTH dancing around with David Bowie? She really stood out in DARK CITY and held her own in REQUIEM alongside number ten. We won’t talk about the HULK because there are plenty more good films Jennifer Connelly has been in. There's plenty more to come I am sure.


6. Monica Bellucci
I’m pretty sure Monica Bellucci is the most gorgeous woman on the planet. She has played a variety of roles from Mary Magdalen to Dracula’s Bride. She may be most known for her chilling and brave role in one of the most infamous films of our time, IRREVERSIBLE. Any woman who can tackle a film like that and come out of it with little psychological damage is stronger than I am. Besides her beauty, Bellucci is a fantastic actress who is not afraid to lose herself in a character.


5. Uma Thurman
I simply have to include the muse of my favorite director. It’s hard to think about Uma before QT. She has done other forgettable romantic comedies, but nothing nearly as spectacular as Beatrix Kiddo or Mia Wallace. I will admit that as awful as BATMAN & ROBIN is, Uma may be the only saving grace as Poison Ivy. I really look forward to her in Lars Von Trier’s upcoming NYMPHOMANIAC. She was also married to Gary Oldman for two years which makes her ten times cooler.


4. Frances McDormand
Uma is to QT as Frances is to The Coens. Frances McDormand can do anything including marry a Coen. It seems like every movie I enjoy, there’s always an appearance by Frances McDormand. I loved her in ALMOST FAMOUS and MOONRISE KINGDOM. She excels at comedy like few other women I have seen. Her humor is much more sophisticated than other comediennes around now. She’s not snarky or self deprecating, she’s just funny. Even her dramatic roles are incredible. McDormand is a great and consistent actress.


3. Winona Ryder
Winona is my Goth sister from another mister. From the moment I met Lydia Deetz, I wanted nothing more than to be her. She perfected the troubled angst ridden teen role which I was playing out in real life as well. Johnny Depp got a “Winona Forever” tattoo; I mean how much cooler can you get? Did you know that the school in HEATHERS is called Westerberg High because of Paul Westerberg who was the singer of Winona’s favorite band, The Replacements (also my favorite band). Sure she’s done some crappy films like AUTUMN IN NEW YORK. But she also did REALITY BITES, DRACULA, BLACK SWAN, THE TEN, MERMAIDS, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE, and pretty much every Tim Burton film. I will forever admire and envy Winona.


2. Sherilyn Fenn
Another of my favorite actresses is also an ex-girlfriend of Johnny Depp. I’ve had a girl crush on Fenn since her days on Twin Peaks. The character of Audrey Horn particularly stood out for me more than any other. While Donna and Laura were evolving from good girls to bad girls, Audrey was the bad girl gone good. She starred in one of the greatest 80s flicks of all time, THRASHIN’. Blohan should have taken notes from her before she too tried her hand at portraying Liz Taylor. I really loved Fenn’s 90s Showtime sitcom, Rude Awakening. I just think Sherilyn Fenn is such a refreshing charismatic actress. She’s had a long career in film & television that will continue to grow.


1. Parker Posey
What can I possibly say about Parker Posey that has not already been said? Parker Posey is an unbelievable actress who has regularly chooses smart and exciting roles. She is the queen of independent film (sorry Chloe Sevigny). She’s never been to rehab or jail, has never done nudity, and hasn’t had cosmetic surgery. Parker doesn’t make tabloid headlines, but her acting skills speak volumes. I love everything she’s been in from WAITING FOR GUFFMAN to HOUSE OF YES. She continues to impress and delight me.



And there you have it, my favorite leading ladies in film & television.

Air raid bitches!

SXSW 2013

Today marks the end of another whirlwind week and a half of SXSW. Every year it gets bigger than the last. Every year there's more people, bigger names, and longer lines.



My experience with SXSW has drastically changed since my first one in 1999. The last few SXSWs, I have spent a few hours of a couple of days out and about as opposed to morning, noon, and night partying my face off. I take a lot of flack for turning my back on my previous party girl ways. Feel free to peruse my old Myspace blogs for further tales of infamy. I admit, I do take myself too seriously sometimes and could use a little more relaxation. However, I do not miss the wild nights out. I do not miss waking up in weird places, forgetting where my car is, the excruciating hangovers, the random bumps & bruises, or any of the other embarrassing moments. I don't regret anything that I did, but I do not miss it either. I can still enjoy myself without getting falling down drunk or getting into THE coolest party.



Sure I was a little bummed out that I did not get to see Prince, Justin Timberlake, or Nick Cave. But I did get to see Prince's 2004 comeback tour at the SBC Center, I did see Nick Cave in 2006 at Stubbs, and I did get to see Nsync at the Alamodome in 2002 so I really can't complain. I got to meet Maddie the Coonhound, I saw Billy Bragg again, and I had a veggie dog from Hot Dog King. Sure SXSW is a lot of corporate bullshit, but that's what keeps it going. We have to take the good with the bad. I used to say I was never doing SXSW again. Now I just accept it as something we participate in every year like Halloween or 4th of July.



I did have fun this year nonetheless. I did see some really cool bands and I did talk to some nice people and catch up with old friends. All in all, it was a low key week. One of my favorite things about SXSW is the people watching. Most people either put in a lot of thought into their outfit or they're still wearing the same clothes from the day before. Both options make for great people watching and at one time I was guilty of both. I spoke to a fellow Austinite who transplanted from the Bay Area many years ago. He traveled downtown on the Metro Rail. He commented on how crowded it was on the train (it's usually a ghost train) and that how it's ALWAYS that busy on the BART. He said something that really stuck with me:

The city is just growing up and we just need to get used to it.

He is absolutely right.

We are lucky to live in a wonderful city that hosts one of the biggest media festivals in the world. We are lucky to live in a city that people actually enjoy visiting. SXSW generates so much money for Austin and we should really appreciate that. We live in a cool city! Why else would Robert Plant want to live here? Or Steve Niles? Or Richard Linklater? Austin cannot stay our little secret forever. Like every other living breathing entity, it will grow. The choice is: whether you will grow with it. Of course I complain when we get stuck in Kite Festival traffic on the way to brunch or have to take a detour to the comic book shop because of a marathon. It is inconvenient, but at least we have the option of these events to attend if we so wish. Not many big cities like Austin are as community oriented.



The worst part is that I know people who have lived here for 3-5 years and have never really experienced this city. They tend to stick to their five mile radius of Round Rock, South Austin, East Side, Cedar Park, or whatever neighborhood they live in. When I first moved here nearly fifteen years ago, I rode the bus everywhere. This gave me the opportunity to truly explore Austin. How can you complain about a place you have never really explored? I know people who have never been to Eeyore's Birthday Party, Mount Bonnell, eaten at Tamale House, gone roller skating at Playland, been swimming at Barton Springs, or even had a sno cone from Casey's. I feel sorry for the people who stick to the same sad Chili's and Panda Express in Pflugerville. It's true some of the iconic mainstays of Austin are long gone. Like everyone else, I too miss Sound Exchange (I REALLY miss it), Libery Lunch, The Dobie, and The Alligator Grill. But I look forward to the new memories and new places to make my own in Austin.



I hope everyone enjoyed their stay in Austin. Respect our city, respect each other, and most of all respect yourself!

2013 Academy Awards Predictions

I’ve been putting off my prediction post because for the first time in years, I’m not so certain about the winners. Shocking! I know right? There are some really great films and actors nominated. I think it could virtually go any way with some of these categories. There are also some blatant snubs that I hope the Academy is kicking themselves over (i.e. Leo & Affleck). With the awards only five days away, I figured I better get my predictions out before it’s too late. Also, I’d like to read D. Beth’s predictions so that we can compare notes. Here you go:



Best Picture
I saw every picture nominated except for LES MIS (I’ve seen the play so I get the idea). With the exception of ZERO DARK THIRTY and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, I really enjoyed the Best Picture Films. I feel like BEASTS OF THE SOUHTERN WILD is the true dark horse of this category. It was the first film of the relatively unknown, Behn Zeitlin, with a cast of locals who were not intended to be actors. This is one of the most unique stories I have ever seen on the big screen. To get so much emotion and dept from the young actress who played Hushpuppy was astounding. However, the Academy rarely recognizes freshman filmmakers or child actors. Having said that, I believe ARGO will take this category. The Academy snubbed Affleck in the Directing category so I hope they recognize their error and give ARGO the Best Picture award it deserves. It is quit clear that this film was a passion project of all the people involved. ARGO is a fantastic film with a wonderful ensemble cast, phenomenal editing, and great directing.



Best Director
With nine Best Picture nominees and only five Best Directing nominees, it’s obvious that a few directors were going to be left out in the cold. I was upset Tarantino wasn’t nominated, but not entirely surprised. QT is a little too brazen for The Academy and they tend to dislike directors who push the envelope. Besides BEASTS, this category could really go to anyone. They are all established and acclaimed directors. David O. Russell was nominated in this category not too long ago for THE FIGHTER so it could be his time to shine. Ang Lee and Spielberg each have Oscars. I would love to see Michael Haneke win, but that won’t happen. My prediction is that Spielberg takes the Award. I don’t necessarily think LINCOLN was remarkably directed, but I think the Academy will throw him a bone since he hasn’t won an Award since 1999 for SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.



Best Actor
For a while I really thought Bradley Cooper was the front runner of this category, but now I’m predicting Daniel Day-Lewis. This was not my favorite performance by Day-Lewis, but I think it eclipses the other mediocre performances. Let’s face it, Joaquin Phoenix playing a full on crazy person is no stretch of the imagination. Cooper’s performance left a stale taste in my mouth. I never felt a connection to him nor do I think he had any chemistry with J. Law. Did anyone else besides Beth & Jason see FLIGHT? I’m going to go ahead and put my money on Daniel Day-Lewis on this one.



Best Actress
J. Law seems to be the front runner in this category from the beginning. She really proved her talent with the breakout role in WINTER’S BONE (which she was also nominated for an Oscar) and has been on the path to a lasting career since. Unfortunately, I think there could’ve been a better film to win for. Her character in SILVER LINNINGS was incredibly one dimensional. I was cringing in my seat during the dance scenes where she talks bout “this & that being a feeling.” This entire film felt like one big cliché. Jessica Chastain could be the dark horse of this category with her extremely emasculating role in ZERO DARK THIRTY, but I’d go with Jennifer Lawrence as the winner.



Best Supporting Actor
Every single actor nominated in this category already has an Oscar. They each portrayed considerably complex characters. My choice to win came down to Tommy Lee Jones and Robert De Niro. I’m having a hard time deciding on one. Jones was one of the most entertaining aspects of LINCOLN which at times felt a bit slow. De Niro and Chris Tucker were the true talent and saving graces of SILVER LININGS. It’s been a while since either won an award so I will call a tie for this category.



Best Supporting Actress
Initially, there was much buzz surrounding Sally Field’s performance in LINCOLN. Although, now it appears that Bland Hathaway may walk away with this undeserving award. Bland Hathaway is a terrible actress and as we saw the year before, an even worse Oscar host. As we all know, if you ugly yourself up, you usually get an Oscar (i.e. Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank). Let’s face it; Hathaway is a second rate Natalie Portman who is a second rate Jennifer Connelly. I predict she finally gets the Oscar she has been relentlessly campaigning for.



Best Documentary
This is one of my favorite categories. I absolutely love documentaries. There are usually one or two really controversial films included. This year, the front runner seems to be SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN. I really enjoyed this film and felt very inspired by it. Several people indicated that it was really depressing. I think it was just the opposite. This man lived a full and happy life with people he loved, but continued to have a great passion for music. He chose to live a modest life, yet was still fulfilled. This film really showcased the raw & pure talent of Rodriguez. I think SUGAR MAN will definitely win this category.



Best Foreign
This is a no brainer. The only foreign film (AMOUR) to be nominated for Best Picture will most certainly win Best Foreign Film. If you get a chance, check out Haneke’s previous Best Foreign nominated film, THE WHITE RIBBON. It is an equally haunting piece. Unfortunately, Hanake lost in 2009 to THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (which in my opinion is one of the best films of the last decade). This is his year to finally win this category.



Best Adapted Screenplay
I would immediately choose ARGO for this category because it is such an intelligent script. Nonetheless, I think the Academy will choose LINCOLN. I picture most of the Academy members bearing a striking resemblance to many of the pompous politicians in LINCOLN (minus the wigs).



Best Original Screenplay
The only Oscar Tarantino has won was in this category for PULP FICTION and I think he has a solid chance this time around. Notwithstanding, the Academy loves war films and ZERO DARK THIRTY has an opportunity to steal this category. I’m still going to bet on QT for DJANGO UNCHAINED. If he doesn’t win, I will be drinking profusely.



Additionally, I think LIFE OF PI will sweep the technical awards like Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Score. That Adele song will win Best Song. ANNA KARENINA will take Costume Design (which I think is a stretch). Spike is betting on FRANKENWEENIE for Best Animated which by the way is the only film nominated he has watched in its entirety. Who do you think will win? Who do you want to win? Let’s just hope Seth MacFarlane is bearable. Let’s also hope they find better presenters in the future. See you at the party!