Austin Film Festival showcases major talent

Cinemas and theaters all over town were swarmed with movie buffs waiting in long lines to watch screenings at this year's Austin Film Festival (AFF). uggs boots for cheap uggs boots for cheap uggs boots for cheapA manifold of drama- soaked, laughter-ridden and dark-mattered films graced the screens of the Paramount Theatre, Hideout Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse, Regal Arbor Cinema, Rollins Theatre and Texas Spirit Theater.

Writers, directors, actors, producers and film fansuggs boots for cheap uggs boots for cheap uggs boots for cheap mingled around downtown Austin at various parties, panels, workshops and events. AFF held several competitions and juried events, and awarded several films in categories

like ‘narrative feature' and ‘animated short.' Johnny Depp was inaugurated as the first-ever recipient of AFF's ‘Extraordinary Contribution to Film –uggs boots for cheap uggs boots for cheap uggs boots for cheap Acting' award, and made an appearance for the world premiere of his new film "The Rum Diary."

Here are some highlights of films I reviewed at AFF 2011:

Searching for Sonny

Shot in Texas by independent writer and director Andrew Disney, "Searching for Sonny" is a playful, comedic-noir take on a mystery movie. It's kind of like "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" meets "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," minus the comic bubbles and call-outs.

The story begins when a miserable pizza delivery guy, Elliot Knight (played by Jason Dohring), receives an invite to his high school reunion signed by his estranged friend Sonny Bosco (played by Masi Oka).

Right off the bat you feel a little sorry for Elliot's pathetic existence and wonder what went so wrong that lead him down this path of self destruction. At the reunion, Elliot runs into his old friend Gary Noble (played by Brian McElhaney) and is bombarded by his obnoxious, fraternal twin brother Calvin (played by Nick Kocher). Neither of them have seen or heard from Sonny since high school, when Elliot tried to "kill" him. Elliot's gorgeous ex-girlfriend, and everyone's secret crush, Eden Mercer (played by Minka Kelly) appears and things start to get interesting.

The group realizes Sonny invited them all, except Calvin who is clearly not part of the gang, to the party but is nowhere to be found. They are led on a hilarious, punchy wild goose chase which seemingly resembles the plot of a play they were involved in during high school, which was written by Sonny, himself.

This film is wildly entertaining and bursts at the seams with perfectly timed quips and antics.

DeadHeads

A witty and unique twist on a classic horror genre, "DeadHeads" is a tale about two "smart" zombies on a journey to find an old lover. Writers, directors and brothers Brett and Drew Pierce give a new hilarious outlook on zombies and true love.

Mike (played by Michael McKiddy) and Brent (played by Ross Kidder) find they've risen from the dead, but are still capable of intelligent thought unlike the rest of the pack of flesh-eating zombies.

Mike finds an engagement ring in his pocket and remembers he was going to propose to his girlfriend Ellie (played by Natalie Victoria).

Even though the scenario is obviously ridiculous, it's still sweet and alluring. Mike and Brent set out on a cross- country road trip, with the help of a nostalgic and raunchy old widower named Cliff (played by Harry Burkey).

The outrageously funny adventure really takes off when they realize they are being chased by zombie-killing bounty hunters that will do anything to stop them dead in their tracks.

This movie's plot is nowhere near realistic, but it's fun to watch unfold.

The Artist

Highlighting the beauty of the early age of moving pictures, "The Artist" is a glorious black and white film, directed by Michael Hazanavicius, about two silent film stars transitioning into the era of ‘talkies.'

George Valentin (played by Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie star in the late 1920s at the premiere of his latest film. A young woman, Peppy Miller (played by Bérénice Bejo) mistakenly bumps into George on the red carpet and uses that chance moment of fame to get cast in his next film.

Dujardin and Bejo seem to be perfectly cast for their roles and make their characters easy to love. George finds interest in Peppy on set, and his attraction helps her become successful actress through a few small roles she gets in George's films.