2017 SXSW Film Festival Preview

I'm thrilled to announced that I'll be attending the 2017 SXSW Film Festival (courtesy of Geekscape) beginning in Austin, Texas this Friday. The festival offers an eclectic selection of world premieres and upcoming releases featuring some of Hollywood's most prominent acting talent and unique visionaries. I can't wait to enjoy 5 days of binge movie-watching! But before I head to the wonderful city of Austin, here's a quick look at some festival titles that I'm looking forward to seeing:

Documentaries

Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web - directed by Annie Goldson

Debuting at the festival is a doc surrounding the internet's Most Wanted man, Kim Dotcom. As one of the largest copyright infringement sources online, Kim Dotcom was taken in by New Zealand authorities in 2012 and awaiting serious penalties for his described theft of intellectual property.

Stranger Fruit - directed by Jason Pollock

The ongoing debate surrounding police discrimination against members of the African American community hit a turbulent peak following the death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Told through the eyes of the victim's family, Stranger Fruit aims to highlight the personal anguish associated with this difficult cultural issue.

Bill Nye: Science Guy - directed by David Alvarado & Jason Sussberg

This doc examines the struggles facing former television star, Bill Nye, as he tries to bring science back to the forefront of mainstream thinking. However, this proves to be a daunting task in a modern American culture that increasingly disregards the opinions of Earth's most well-regarded scientists.

Narrative Feature Films

Song to Song - directed by Terrence Malick

Once regarded as one of Hollywood's most impressive filmmakers, Terrence Malick's aura has subsided in recent years. Yet, that won't stop his latest film, Song to Song, from shining as SXSW's Opening Night selection. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman and Rooney Mara in the story of two intersecting love triangles set against the backdrop of the Austin, Texas music scene.

Baby Driver - directed by Edgar Wright

The famed director of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World returns to try his hand at a whole new ballgame. Edgar Wright trades laughs for action sequences with his new crime thriller, Baby Driver. Jamie Foxx stars as a getaway driver for a mob boss who finds himself involved in a heist that's destined to fail.

Life - directed by Daniel Espinosa

SXSW's closing night film is the intriguing new sci-fi title, Life, which arrives in theaters later this month. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson as members of an international space crew who intercept a vessel traveling back from Mars. And when they discover that the vessel is carrying an actual living organism, they can't be prepared for the devastation that ensues when it grows wildly out of control.

Atomic Blonde - directed by David Leitch

Charlize Theron stars in the recently added action-thriller, Atomic Blonde, from director David Leitch. The film centers around Lorraine Broughton (Theron), and undercover British agent who's sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent. While there, she's forced to maneuver her way through a dangerous field of spies and double agents.

Free Fire - directed by Ben Wheatley

Ben Wheatley continues his ascension as a filmmaker with the wild shoot-out flick, Free Fire. Set in late 70s Boston, the film simply takes place in a deserted warehouse where two rival gangs meet for an exchange that quickly transforms into a game of survival. With a star-studden cast including Academy Award Winner, Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, Cillian Murphy and Sharlto Copley, Free Fire has all the makings of an entertaining theatrical experience.

Win It All - Joe Swanberg

Indie filmmaker Joe Swanberg brings his latest work to Austin, Texas. Win It All centers around Eddie Garrett (The New Girl's Jake Johnson), a small-time gambler who agrees to watch a duffel bag for an acquaintance who's headed to jail. But when Eddie discovers that the bag is filled with money, he quickly finds himself in a massive hole. And when he learns that the owner of the money is getting an early release, he must do whatever it takes to risk it all and win back what he's lost.

This Is your Death - directed by Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Espositio's (Breaking Bad) disturbing new film takes a look at just how far reality television is willing to go. After a suicide is unexpectedly captured on live tv as generates insane ratings, the network develops a new show that monetarily rewards individuals who are willing to die on live tv. Josh Duhamel and Famke Janssen star in this twisted and skin-crawling examination of human desperation.

Small Crimes - directed by E.L. Katz

Cheap Thrills director, E.L. Katz, returns with the new black comedy, Small Crimes. When a former police officer finishes a 6-year sentence for attempted murder, he returns home with hopes of leading a straight life. But instead, he quickly finds himself caught up in the same mess that got him sent away in the first place.