THE HORSEMAN

SXSW presents
Fantastic Fest at Midnight
featuring
THE HORSEMAN

We've been staying up late these past few nights bringing a little of that Fantastic Fest charm (read: mania) to the SXSW crowd. Tonight is no different, as our Fantastic Fest at Midnight series for SXSW continues with the North American premiere of THE HORSEMAN, the feature-length debut from 26 year old Australian director Steve Kastrissios.

This raw, action-filled revenge drama, which received awards for both Best Australian Film and Best Australian Director at the 2008 Melbourne Underground Film Festival, signals the emergence of a serious new talent.

THE HORSEMAN tells the story of Christian Forteski (played by veteran Australian actor Peter Marshall) whose drug addicted daughter dies after appearing in an amateur porn video. Christian deals with his grief as any father would by burning, kicking, smashing and stabbing his way through the network of pornographers involved in the video. This one is a lean, tight film that boils down the revenge formula to its most essential, time-tested elements: an engaging story, interesting characters, and a powerful dose of skull-pounding violence.


SXSW badge holders are seated first, then SXSW Film Pass holders and then remaining seats are available to the general public for purchase at the door.

Fantastic Fest @ SXSW Midnights!

SXSW Presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight

We've been staying up late these past few nights bringing a little of that Fantastic Fest charm (read: mania) to the SXSW crowd. Maybe the audiences weren't expecting the pyrotechnics, the loin-clothed shofar-wielding harbinger of the apocalypse or even the pre-game beer-chug relay race to kick off the the night's festivities, but, as it is with Fantastic Fest, it's the film in the spotlight.

Tonight, we've got the World Premiere of LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS & the North American Premiere of THE HORSEMAN. And, as you should already know, we wouldn't be playing these films is they weren't goddamn good. Be there.

SXSW badge holders are seated first, then SXSW Film Pass holders and then remaining seats are available to the general public for purchase at the door.

Fantastic Fest presents KARAOKE APOCALYPSE

Fantastic Fest presents
KARAOKE APOCALYPSE
Sunday, 3/15, 8pm
in the old Salvation Army space near the Alamo South Lamar

You always wanted to be in the band but didn't have the time, the energy or the talent. You wanted the chicks, the drugs, the booze, but you just couldn't get it together. Friends, you don't have to suffer your lame ass life anymore!

Get instant rock-star-fantasy gratification with KARAOKE APOCALYPSE. Live band backed karaoke for indolent rock stars!

You get to lead the band through your own rendition of a classic punk rock or heavy metal number. Choose from over 80 timeless headbanging, fist pumping songs!

We'll provide a lyric sheet with easy to read lyrics and directions on the arrangement of the song, but you shouldn't need them...because this ain't your granddad's karaoke, this shit is for real!

If you've ever seen KARAOKE APOCALYPSE perform before, you know they're a solid, well-rehearsed, talented outfit of ass kickers- and yet they let you be the one in the spotlight. If this is really what the apocalypse is like, call me the anti-christ.

This party is going down at the abandoned Salvation Army space in the Alamo South Lamar shopping center on Sunday, March 15. The party will end in time for the "SXSW presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight" shows that night. Admission is free, and beer and cocktails will be available. There is no advance sign-up, please find the hostess day of the show.

This show is open to the public, but 2009 Fantastic Fest and SXSW Badge Holders will have priority admission.

Master Pancake demolishes JURASSIC PARK at Village!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Master Pancake mocks everyone's favorite Spielberg dinosaur movie: JURASSIC PARK. OK, let's be honest: we know we're often mocking BAD movies and JURASSIC PARK is mostly pretty GOOD, but we've discovered that when people are really scared it makes them laugh harder at our jokes. Also, we really wanted to play the drinking game with a group of 150 folks shouting "Hello, Newman" every time Wayne Knight's character appears on screen. Plus, we really miss the early 90's, when Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum could be action heroes and Samuel Jackson could still play nerdy computer guys. Also, we love Laura Dern as a sweet archaeologist in hot shorts. We love it so much we wish we could seal this moment in cinematic history in amber and somehow reconstruct it years later for your enjoyment. In fact, we have, with a little bit of Master Pancake DNA thrown in to round it all out. Come see Master Pancake rip that T Rex a new one at the Alamo! (John)

Tickets are available HERE!

Gameboy Music Invades Austin!

Reformat the Planet: March 10 and 11
"...one of the best music documentaries I have seen in years."
Brian C. Gibson, Filmschoolrejects.com

"...if you're a fan of the music or a videogame enthusiast in general, than this movie is a must see."
Eric Moro, IGN.com

BLIP FESTIVAL: REFORMAT THE PLANET is a feature length documentary which delves into the movement known as chiptunes, a vibrant underground scene based around creating new, original music using old video game hardware. Familiar devices such as the Nintendo Game Boy and Nintendo Entertainment System are pushed in new directions with startling results.

Using New York as a microcosm for a larger global movement, "...Reformat the Planet" maps out the genesis of the first annual Blip Festival, a four day celebration of over 30 international artists exploring the untapped potential of low-bit video game consoles. With floor-stomping rhythms and fist-waving melodies, trailblazers of the chiptune idiom descend upon Manhattan to pen a new chapter in the history of electronic music. Producer Paul Levering will be live in person at each screening.

If you enjoy the film, Champion Scion is sponsoring an free evening of Chiptune music on March 18, more details at www.datapopparty.com.

Saturday - Back by Popular Demand!

THE TOMMY BOY QUOTE-ALONG
Saturday, March 7, 7pm at the Alamo Ritz
Advance Tickets available here

THE POP PRINCESS SING-ALONG
Saturday, March 7, 10:35pm
Advance Tickets available here

This Saturday night we have the ultra-rare opportunity of bringing back two of our most popularly awesome shows of the year: when we first launched THE TOMMY BOY QUOTE-ALONG, we weren't sure if anyone else on the planet loved that fat guy in the little coat quite as much as we did. After that "one night only" show sold out too quickly, we thought maybe we should bring it back for an encore. After we sat in the theater and experienced the pure glee of 175 people tearing into their dinner rolls as if it was their one chance at a successful sale, we knew we had no choice. Son of a! That's gonna leave a mark!

Not to be outdone, the late show on Saturday night is also a doozy - the POP PRINCESS SING-ALONG is back for one more screening in 2009, because after WATCHMEN tears us all a new one on Thursday and Friday we're going to need something to believe in again. Beyonce and the Spice Girls will be there to show us that no matter how bad things get, dance will always be there, and dance will always take the pain away.

Come a little bit closer baby, put it on, put it on, cause Saturday night, is the night, when we *ALL* become one.

THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN tonight!

Wanted: The Texas Film Series Presents
THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN at the Alamo Ritz!
Tickets and Info here

The Texas Archive of the Moving Image presents the final installment of some of the best (and most rare) Texas film treasures this week at the Ritz...so if you call yourself a Texan, listen up.

This film is not on DVD! Helen Slater and Christian Slater (unrelated, despite their roles as siblings) star in this 1980s cult classic about a Corpus Christi teenager who becomes an outlaw in her quest for justice. Fighting under the slogan "Fair is fair," Billie Jean goes on the run from the law with her brother and best friends, becoming an unlikely hero for oppressed teens everywhere. After cutting her hair as an homage to Joan of Arc, the once demure Billie Jean transforms into an authentic Texas outlaw by taking a righteous and inspiring stand against The Man. One of the all-time greatest Youth in Revolt films, and an incredibly rare theatrical experience.

And just to sweeten the pot, the fine folks from Scooter Revolution have donated a 150cc scooter (just like Billie Jean's!) which you can buy a raffle ticket to win before each of these three screenings! The prize will be awarded after the screening tonight! All proceeds go to The Texas Archive of the Moving Image.

THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN will also play again on Saturday at the Ritz for a special brunchtime show, so if you miss it tonight, don't miss it on Saturday. You'll be sorry you did.

Finally, serious Texans, if you've got your own 'Texas'-related moving images, then bring them to Alamo South Lamar on Sunday, March 8, for the Texas Film Round-Up! Texas Archive for the Moving Image will be on hand to digitize your Texas treasures to be included in the archive for all time! Plus, they'll give you your very own digital copy! Plus plus, they're going to treat us to a screening of the very best and most rare treats from their collection, including some of the earliest known moving imagery of Austin!

Come out and support this very important project...and see an incredible film while your at it.