SXSW 2011 is underway and contributor George Hickman is filing his reports each day as the festival and its several world premiere movie events and panels continue. Here are a couple mini-reviews of new films at SXSW this year.
“Blacktino” is a local Austin production and was the debut feature of 26 year-old Aaron Burns, who wrote, directed, and edited the irreverent comedy, while also contributing in other areas. It’s no coincidence that Burns follows the lead of fellow Austinite and multitasking filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, as Burns cut his teeth creating visual effects on some of Rodriguez’s films. Burns is also aided by several Rodriguez regulars, including Danny Trejo and Jeff Fahey, who buttress a cast of unknowns by filling supporting and cameo roles.
The film follows Stefan (Austin Marshall), a half-black, half-Hispanic teenager who struggles with his identity and finds acceptance in a theater class populated by other social outcasts. His absentee parents attempt to reconcile with him after a death in the family, but he’s too stubborn to accept or admit he needs help. Stefan has a lot on his mind, and so does the movie. While it is admirable that Burns contributed as much as he did, the finished product suggests he should have collaborated more. Perhaps then some cringe-worthy dialogue, clunky dramatic beats, and obvious cliches could have been ironed out.
I don’t want to pick on the film too much. Its heart is in the right place, and it does have some genuinely clever ideas and a few witty lines. Is it really so bad if it can’t fully support the weight of its ambitions? The cast performs admirably overall, and in particular newcomer Devyn Ray delivers a charming, emotionally complex performance. Despite its flaws, there is an audience for “Blacktino.” Teenagers, particularly ones more forgiving than jaded film critics, are likely to enjoy it.
While most 3D films use the most cutting edge technology available, the consumer-level equipment Werner Herzog used to shoot his new documentary “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” produces photography that looks as washed out and jittery as video captured by high-end cell phones. Fortunately, the subject of the documentary lends itself to 3D so well that you quickly stop noticing how much it resembles your personal vacation footage.
The film takes us inside Chauvet Cave, which is located in France and contains the earliest known cave paintings, dated over 30,000 years old. The documentary shows how tightly controlled the site is, and Herzog explains the camera equipment was chosen for its portability, not its image quality. While you can easily look up still photographs of these paintings, you can’t fully appreciate the structure of the rocks and how they make the images more dynamic without that extra dimension. You really feel immersed in the cave, to the point that even footage of calcium deposits is beautiful.
As usual, Herzog’s only partially sane narration is the biggest incentive to see the movie, if the subject alone is not enough of a draw. He does a commendable job of exploring different facets of the site and the culture of those responsible for the drawings, but the film still feels like it runs out of steam and repeats itself over and over.
“Cave of Forgotten Dreams” is definitely worth seeing, but only in 3D. How many movies can you really say that about?
The recent post by Al Utzig reminded me that there are a number of us who are not residents but make periodic (some annual) trips to Vermont (at least partly) to do photography. Sadly, I won't be there this year. Who IS planning a trip and when?
I'll be visiting for at least Columbus Day weekend. With the color expected to peak possibly before that, I may try for the weekend before as well. I've never visited the Manchester area, and may try there the weekend after Columbus Day.
I will be visiting Vermont on my annual business trip but I won't have much time for photography. I arrive on the 13th late in the afternoon. I've got a meeting in Montpelier the next morning. I have the rest of the day to shoot photos on my way to Concord, NH where I have a meeting the following morning. I have to be in Hartford the same afternoon, another meeting in Hartford on Thursday morning and then I'm done. I have to confess though that my wife is flying in and I'm picking her up in Manchester. We're going to spend most of the next week along the Maine Coast. This is the first time in several years that I won't be spending two or three days in Vermont.
That said, I will be looking for some ideas, near the interstate between Montpelier and White River Junction.
From the sounds of the early foliage predictions, it might be worth your while to also come up that weekend before that you mentioned. It sounds like it's *hopefully* going to be a great year. I'll be heading up myself for 3 weekends in a row beginning the last weekend in September. Where are you staying over Columbus day weekend?
Good luck with all of your plans, and if there's anything else we can help you with, please feel free to ask.
Laura: I was in Manchester 2 fall's ago. The Equinox is pretty impressive, as is the surroundings. Also, if you are there in the morning, the covered bridge in West Arlington, with the Grange Hall (looks like church) in the background would be a good morning shot. There are lots of other photo "ops" along the Battenkill in that area.
Hi Al: nice to see you back here again. Its surely fall, many of the old "regulars" who come for a couple months during fall foliage (like me ) are back.
I am planning a tentative trip to the Maine Coast (mostly Acadia and vicinity and maybe some "down East") in Fall 2009. I bought David Middleton's book and am really looking forward to exploring and photographing. Is this your first Maine Coast trip, or are you a veteran? If the latter, I let me know and I'll PM you for some "tips." Sort of off topic for "Vermont" but surely not for photography, so I am sure we would like to hear what you find this year.
As far as Vermont: I-89 Montpelier to WRJ: There is a very pretty, traditional white church in Sharon with a couple of huge, stately Maples in the front of it. Somewhat challenging to find a good POV, but worth a look. 2 years ago when I was there, the leaves were already off the Maples. Timing will be everything. It easy on and off the I there.
I will be staying in White River Junction for Columbus Day. I've stayed at the Comfort Suites the last couple of years and found it to be perfect for my needs. Easy to go north or south from there or over into NH. I'm thinking that I will definitely head up the weekend before Columbus Day (Oct 3/4) now as well. I may try for a day trip to the White Mountains the last weekend in September. It's always exciting to start reading the foliage reports, but I get panicky about being there at "just the right time"!
I know exactly what you mean about timing, Laura. I made two trips (2 consecutive years) and missed the "great" color both times. Being close enough to drive would sure be a plus.
Do you find that you are able to get a room in the Comfort Suites in WRJ on short notice? My thinking--when on a photo trip is I need a clean place to sleep and shower and plug my laptop and rechargers in. Other than that, I don't really need anything fancy since I arrive after dark and leave before light.
If you go to Manchester,VT you may want to try the Old Otis Road near Danby 4 Corners. Take route US 7 up to Danby and turn left to get into Danby village. Take the Brook Road to Danby 4 Corners and turn left onto the Danby/Pawlet Road. In about a 1/2 of a mile you will see the Old Otis Road on the right. A little ways up the road there is an old cemetery that is surrounded by some big old maples. It might be a good photo op. After there you will come up to a hillside farm with good views of the Green Mountains to the east. This road ends at the Mountain View Road in Tinmouth as the Wrights Road.
I haven't had a problem with the Comfort Suites yet. I booked last weekend, and actually looked at the Comfort Inn first (I forgot it was the Suites I had stayed at before) and they were sold out, and the Hampton Inn had only smoking rooms left. I've found the prices to be the same at the Hampton/Suites for the fall season. They are both owned by the same company (along with a Comfort Inn in Lincoln, NH and several others) so I assume they would be about the same. I like the fridge/micro so I can get something the night before for breakfast before heading out "pre-dawn".
Thanks for the tips on the Manchester area; I hear it's nice, but have never ventured to that part of the state. It is mostly secondary roads coming from the Boston area, so I think knowing it will be a long drive has kept me from going. I'll check out the places that were mentioned!