Average ratings for the film festivals I've attended in 2012 to date.

Those of you ready to stage an intervention (my parents, my bank account, my boss, Jordan Hoffman, my countless imaginary boyfriends) will not be surprised to learn I have attended eight film festivals this year so far. 

I always rate the movies I see from a 1-10 scale where 10 is best and 1 is worst.  I just now put everything onto Excel and I thought I'd put up here how all the averages worked out.

If you'd asked me in advance how this would net out, I'd probably say I expected Sundance and Hot Docs to be the highest, and Tribeca and SXSW to be the lowest. And the others in the middle.

So I am fairly surprised to see that in fact this is where I ended up:



I work in quantitative market research and so I guess it is fair to say there are some entries where the sample size is a bit small to be relying on the results - but it's interesting anyway. 

 The highest rated one, Fantastic Fest, included two... I won't call them classics, I'll say re-issues I guess. Movies originally released over 20 years ago.

 There's no festival on here I regret attending.  I loved them all.

 The lowest ranked one (Seattle) would have been ranked higher if I could have included a title that I can't list on account of I signed an NDA.

 Is this an indication of the "best festival" or something like that? Eh - I tend to say now. I think one can attribute part of these findings to the quality of the films but a bigger part actually to the way I make my own decisions on what I'll see there.

I would imagine the more movies I'm able to see at a film festival, the higher the chances that I'll choose something "meh" just for the sake of filling a time slot.   And the fewer movies I'm able to see, I feel like I'm probably much more careful about choosing very wisely. 

I wish I could look back at averages from years past, but I don't know if any change year over year would more be attributed to my own standards tightening up or actual better/worse years for the program of each fest. 

I suppose at the end of the year I will post a long list of all the movies I saw as well as the ratings and stuff. For now I'll just say that I've seen 297 films including 40 at the IFC Center. And out of those 297, a total of 12 titles earned a "10 out of 10" rating.   But one of them was a TV show, two of them came out 50+ years ago and I just now saw them for the first time, and one of them came out last year. So.

Remaining fests this year are New York Film Festival and DocNYC.   I can't think of any others. 

SXSW 2012 is done and I have made a list of what I loved most.

Great year! Here's what made it so.

Drafthouse cookies. They bake them to order, y'all.  Piping hot, soft, dripping chocolate chips in a dark movie theater.  I don't require real much else to live and be happy.

Seeing old friends.  I got to meet up with Robyn and her husband and sweet little girl who drove from San Antonio to have what's now become our traditional yearly SXSW visit.  I further got to visit my friend Margaret (actually called Muffy when we met in the 2nd Grade) who is getting married soon and introduced me to her fiance. 

Meeting new people.  Turns out, there are quite a few nice and interesting Austin film folks, and I was pleased to make the acquaintance of several during this visit. Keep in touch, kids. Or better yet, come to NYC for Tribeca.

Meeting Matt Shiv.  @shivvy is just awesome enough to get his own separate bullet point.  What a delightful human and one I was lucky to sit by at a few movies during my last few days of the fest this year.  My friend Kelly has been singing this man's praises for years and I gotta say - she wasn't lyin'.

My killer lodging.  I stayed at an apartment I found on Airbnb for like $35 a night.  It was some guy's extra room in his luxury condo complex just off Slaughter Lane, like a 10-minute drive to the Drafthouse. I was hardly there so I never ran into the guy at all and it honestly felt like I had my own place.

The weather. After threatening to rain for days and days,  the skies cleared (THANK GOD) after opening weekend and it was sunny and 70's from then on.  Just what I need in a March Texas vacation, thankyou.

The Drafthouse.  Yes, that's separate from the cookies.  This place is just the shit.  Whatever you've heard about how great this place is, is totally true, time a million.  On the last day I learned you can order from the bar and drink it outside, which pretty much made me want to fly home, pack my stuff up, and come straight back to Austin to live forever.   Sigh.

Oh yeah - the movies! I saw 35, which is the exact number I was expecting to see. Most were good, a few were great. 

Here are my favorites:

Sinister
The Raid
Brooklyn Castle
The Source
Francine
Compliance

Now I return to New York City where I will continue my movie adventures with New Directors New Films and soon the Tribeca Film Festival.

More SXSW Impressions - The Sheik & I, Compliance, Etc (CC @Etornado)

Here goes several more movies I saw in Austin, and what I thought of them, for what it's worth.

Paul Williams Still Alive

I vaguely remember people freaking out for this at TIFF. This was the first of two documentaries I saw at SXSW co-starring the director along with his finicky rock subject. The "will he or won't he" persnickety artist angle is interesting, different, and to me has its limits. Do I want to finish a film knowing more about the film-maker than the subject? I'm not saying this was bad - because it wasn't by any means. I learned a good deal about a 70's era songwriter who was previously virtually unknown to me, and listened to probably every cover in existence of Rainbow Connection in the process. I do not regret the time I spent watching this movie.

Electrick Children

The plot - within an isolated Mormon community, a young woman falls pregnant due, she believes, to immaculate conception through her inaugural listening of rock music. She's ostracized from her community and takes off for Vegas on a quest to find the "father" of her child, the voice singing on the tape she discovers in the basement of her home. A series of "c'mon, really now?" style coincidences made this movie unable to qualify for a hearty recommendation from me but I would categorize the director/screenwriter (Rebecca Thomas) and star (Julia Garner) as ones to watch.

Compliance

This was #1 on my "I missed this at Sundance, please GOD let it be playing SXSW" list. Let's just call it highly anticipated, following some reportedly dramatic Q&As in Park City where at least one woman was offended by the violence in the film. I give next to no credence to Q&A shit-stirrers but quite a bit to my Twitter pals who unanimously loved this one. So. Definitely add my name to the list of people recommending this one highly. It will stick with you afterwards - long afterwards. I'm not sure it's important to read much about what it's about, but I will say that I was expecting it to be very visually graphic/unsettling but the disturbing nature was way more subtle than that. Equally subtle is the performances, in particular Pat Healy (The Innkeepers) and Ann Dowd. I was also pleased to see an appearance by Ashlie Atkinson, who I enjoyed in the overlooked 2012 Sundance comedy My Best Day.

Rock 'n' Roll Photos: Bob Gruen

I basically only saw this movie because I knew how much my friend Erin Russell would enjoy it were she here and I wanted to somehow transfer my experience to her, however impossible that might be. This was the fairly uninspiring yet historically significant story of a rock photographer I'd never heard of, but who's taken some pretty famous pictures of John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Iggy Pop, etc. This movie was quite long and like I said, not terribly cinematic or emotional, but certainly an informative and candid peek inside some of rock's most visible legends.

The Sheik and I

Oh man, this movie. It's a documentary and one whose merits have been hotly debated to the point that some people don't feel it should have been made or shown in the first place. It chronicles an American-born Iranian documentarian's journey after being commissioned by the Sharjah Biennial to make a piece of subversive art. This annoying dick head of a director uses that as an excuse to push the buttons of everyone involved in this commissioning (and then some), making (or attempting to make) a particularly irreverent (yet not particularly sincere) film whose purpose was clearly only to rile up an establishment whose culture I doubt very much he fully understands. Having said that, though, I did enjoy watching it and found some validity in the documentary - mostly as a conversation starter. I think it's totally possible to be put off by a film-maker ('cause god, who wouldn't be) and to find some validity in what he has created. To me, I enjoyed it less the way he intended it to be enjoyed and more for the dialogue it will undoubtedly create. I tend to think this controversial film will either be completely swept under the rug or be an explosive and highly publicized piece.

Leave Me Like you Found Me

Continuing the SXSW 2012 tradition of reflective dramas set in the woods, this one introduces us to a newly-back-together man and woman (and what a pair of beautiful people) as they navigate the emotional terrain around just having reunited after a year apart. This was not bad at all - in fact there were elements that were very good. I can't find a reason I will particularly remember this one much past this week - probably due only to the sheer volume of films I will have seen here.

What I thought of a shit ton of the SXSW films I saw - 21 Jump Street, The Raid, Girls, Francine Etc

Pilgrim Song

My favorite part of this quiet, beautifully shot personal gem was watching the main character take his personal journey of self discovery through the hiking trails of Kentucky. Not a setting featured in too many movies at a theater near you.

Doc Shorts Program #2

I went to this solely for the first one, called CatCam. Didn't even have to read the description to sell me. I hope this is distributed in some form, not that short films get the attention they're due, even the good ones. But this one at least has some hope - it has won the audience award and is also showing at Full Frame. Of course it also garnered the hotly contested title of Dor Dotson Best Cat Movie of SXSW. So there's that.

Daylight Savings

This is a sorta-sequel (I guess) to a little movie from 2011 SXSW that I liked, called Surrogate Valentine. Both of these take place in the universe of San Fran indie musicians. The leading man is the successful-in-music yet unlucky in love Goh Nakamura, an unlikely but totally endearing hero whose romantic foibles were a delight to watch and will hopefully continue for many more sequels. Maybe an IFC mini-series or something?

Hunky Dory

This poor movie will earn Glee comparisons left right and center, but that's not what's keeping me from recommending it. It's a period piece about teenage longing, rebellion and rock music set in 70's Wales, complete with the stuffy headmistress and Minnie Driver as the hot-headed drama teacher. Hard to hate any movie whose grand finish includes a cast of triumphant teens singing Bowie's Life On Mars, but this one has to work hard for my approval after a real, real messy first half that should hopefully be chopped a bit if it's ever tested.

Sinister

Scary movie alert! I waited in a long line for this, which was billed as a "Secret Screening," even though I knew what it was and wasn't particularly dying to see it. Glad I did, though. Spooky, spooky, spooky! Ethan Hawke plays a fallen-from-grace crime non-fiction writer who needs a hit, and unbeknownst to his family, moves them into the exact house where an unsolved murder/missing child case has occurred. I was thinking a lot about my friend David while I watched, since the movie heavily features a crawl space and potential serial killer plot line. And is just in general a freaky ass movie, which he loves. I was also suffering a bit because hanging really scare me and this movie featured a bunch of (distressed) shots of a mass-hanging. Got chills just writing that. Definitely see this.

In Our Nature

My second movie of the festival that takes place in the woods. Of course that's where the Pilgrim Song comparisons end in this somewhat predictable family drama about a father and a son who end up accidentally both bringing their girlfriends for a relaxing weekend at their country house. I found the script to be annoying and a little unrealistic but the performances in most cases elevated the material to "tolerable" - especially Jena Maline who was surprisingly NOT cast as the rebellious goth chick for once in her life. Refreshing. I'd say this one wasn't bad but I don't know about going out of your way to catch it.

Francine

Definitely one of my favorites. It doesn't take a genius to recognize the potential in this film if only due to the casting of Melissa Leo in the lead as a woman recently released from jail. That's about all we ever get to know about her background, and despite a script that must have been about 7 pages printed, I was positively glued. Super tense, perfect performance, compelling character, everything I look for and expect in a festival film.

Do-Deca Pentathalon

I can't imagine anything the Duplass Brothers could direct that I wouldn't put on my top 5 list of must-see films of any festival. Even their arguably weakest-received feature Baghead has a place in my heart and on my DVD shelf. And, their last effort Jeff Who Lives At Home, though made for juuuust a tad more than their debut The Puffy Chair, will surely place on my 2012 top 10. Do-Deca Pentathalon is about two estranged brothers who reunite as adults for a birthday weekend and can't help but fall back into their competitive ways, trying secretly to reenact a 25-event competition they did as kids, to decide once and for all who is the "better brother." It was mostly shot in 2008 at which point they set it aside to make Cyrus. They say they always knew they'd go back and finish it up. And though it definitely feels more like old-school Duplass brothers (it takes place over like, two days, has a fairly small-in-scope premise and probably cost less to make than I spent on my last vehicle), it's got the heart and humor that we still see in everything they've done since. I can't promise I'll buy this DVD but this sweet little movie certainly at least lived up to my expectations.

The Raid: Redemption

Bad ass - see it as early in its theatrical run as you can. The "actioniest" action movie I've ever seen. No need to describe the plot. There isn't much of one. You'll hear people losing their shit about this movie, if you haven't already. They're all right. Even someone like me who sees an action movie only on a rainy day if she's already seen everything else playing twice, can love this movie. Holy fuck, holy fuck - it's just that breathtakingly good. I could have gone four days without sleep, taken four ativan with a glass of warm milk, and still watched this movie on the edge of my damned seat. And again, that's from someone who typically doesn't love a movie unless Michelle Williams is in it or The Shins are on the soundtrack, or both, ideally.

frankie go boom

Meh - not for me. I have very weird standards for comedy at a film festival.For a quirkily low-budget zany comedy to work for me sort of takes a miracle. I can count on one hand the festival comedies I've loved in the last couple years. (Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same, Four Lions top a short list.) This one fell super flat for me, despite some memorable and genuinely great (and actually not offensive at all) scenes involving Ron Perlman as a recently transitioned MTF. For me, Lizzy Caplan is 1 for 3 for Film Festival comedies so far this year (hint - I hated Bachelorette).

Brooklyn Castle

I tweeted something like this documentary had all the heart of Mad Hot Ballroom or Spellbound and the activism of Waiting for Superman without its controversy, and I'm sticking to that. I'm not sure it's particularly difficult to turn a story about inner city elementary school students who excel at a particular subject (in this case chess) and turn it into a heart-warming tale of temporary triumph against The Man (in this case the state government) but regardless of how not shocking it was to love this, I and many other people clearly fell head over heels. I see Sony has purchased remake rights but will anyone be releasing as-is? I hope so, because I imagine this doing well.

Girls

Lena Dunham is the 20-something New York prodigy who wrote/directed/starred in Tiny Furniture (which was actually her second feature) and many people love to hate her - it seems in part based on the life of privilege around which she chooses to center her stories. Now she has written a TV show that has been produced by Judd Apatow and will air on HBO and it is fucking great. I'm sure this will get compared to Sex and the City (even if to say it's a younger, hipper version) but the only point I see made here is that I'm sure if it weren't for SATC networks may not be convinced that a show about the lives of single Manhattanites could be so successful. I truly hope this one succeeds because I loved every second of it. They showed us three episodes and I would have happily sat there and watched the entire rest of the season. Can't wait for more, and would actually consider subscribing to HBO so as not to wait to watch.

21 Jump Street

Funny shit, and surprisingly so! I'd see this again.

The Tall Man

Interesting concept, subpar execution. I think SXSW fucked up in putting this "mildly menacing in atmosphere alone" movie in a midnight program alongside titles like the terrifying V/H/S and Sinister. Certainly not bad, but a bit silly. I'd like to see this story told, but a little differently, or better, I guess. And maybe with a different lead actor. Jessica Biel - eh.

Monsieur Lazhar

I had some high expectations for this since it was nominated for Best Foreign film. I would say this lived up to them. Nowhere near as good as A Separation (which actually won that category) but that's a pretty tall order. This takes on a pretty tough subject (an elementary school grieving after a teacher commits suicide) and frames this against the private suffering of the teacher who's assigned her class after it happens.

SXSW Links & Lists

 

I'll be doing more than my fair share of keeping Austin Weird starting tomorrow night. 

What am I looking forward to most about SXSW?

• DRAFT. HOUSE.  Happy place X 1000, so seriously the best movie theater chain in the world
• Not working. I love my job (usually) but it's really been quite the month there, since returning from Sundance.   Vacation. Now. Please.
• People-watching.  I'd say pointing and laughing too but I'm a decent human being ,so.
• Seeing my friend Audrey. OH WAIT NO SHE'S NOT COMING GODDAMMMNIT
• Oh yeah - movies.  I hope to see between 30-35 movies, and my plan is to focus on narratives since I'll be drowning in documentaries next month at Full Frame.
• Also the Alamo Drafthouse.

Next, through the wonders of Twitter, I've come across a few solid links about what's playing at SXSW that's worth my time. Since I'm not a writer, I'm all to pleased to link to these instead of making my own list of what I want to see.

The cool cats at Film School Rejects list their 16 must-see films
Indiewire's comprehensive list with links to their coverage + official sites
Several TwitchFilm writers list their top picks
Movies.com Top 25 SXSW

Lastly my friend linked me to this post about what to pack for SXSW and it made me laugh a little.  Soooo glad I'm not a girly girl.