Post Weekend, Austin Film Fest Report
By Danny on Oct 25 Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas, Events 2 Comments
Me with Dan's Award!
As you have read in my last blog, I have been running around in search of great parties and films related to the Austin Film Festival. So, after this Friday/Saturday/Sunday I have some pretty great stuff to report on! (in a timeline matter)
Friday:
So on Friday, I LEAP out of the office to hit up my first #AFF10 Expericnce, and I can’t think of a better way to do so than the Film Texas BBQ Supper! I Scooted up there with @Sarahkwolf in a Vespa fashion and jumped right in. Stubb’s BBQ was being served, red wine was being drank, and the film makers of the fest were out and about. I met up with my friend Dan Steele, who later in the fest won the Teleplay Sitcom award [see left]. I ate, drank, then sprinted over to the Paramount to catch a Huge Buzz movie, Blue Valentine. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star in this film as a contemporary married couple that undergoes the trails and tribulations of married life, while the story bounces back and forth through the life of their relationship. GREAT Movie, very depressing. Surly, this movie will be receiving some oscar nominations. One bonus from attending this film is that I sat directly behind JESSICA ALBA! (so hot…I mean, errr….classy). Post J.A. awe, we headed over to Ruth Chris for the post party and snacked on some tasty seared ahi tuna and gin cocktails.
Saturday:
Opening my crusty eye at 11:30am, I realize that the first film of the day, and one I was most excited about, Echotone, was on at 1. So I jump out of bed and make it out to the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz, to catch it. This movie was, from what I thought, going to be about the high-rise condos and sound ordinances that the city was rising vs. the live music scene in Austin. It was not. 
The movie talked about some local bands and the struggle of being a musician, bands not wanting to sell out their soul for mass distribution, the fall of Sound Team after they signed with Capitol records, and touched on some city council meetings about the live music in Austin and how it was helpful to the Austin economy. Overall, the movie had no direction and seemed like someone filmed a bunch of bands in the austin area, grabbed some city council meeting tapes, put it in a blender, punched grind, and poured it out on a plate. After the movie, we grabbed some Bloody mary’s at a crappy 6th street bar and pranced back into the Ritz to catch Pickin and Grinnin. Outside the two main characters were playing a song from the movie! Awesome, see photo here <==. This movie rocked. About a brother duo trying to make it in the country music scene and driving across the US in their winnebago Gomer. Funny story with guest apperance by ZZ top’s Billy F. Gibbons. Great film. Company Men was up next at the Paramount. So, we scooted over there to catch a glimpse of this Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones movie about 2 men trying to survive a round of corporate layoff and how to make it through hard times. Great movie played well by all parties. One side note, after going to all these movies to realize that the paramount seats are the most uncomfortable seats you could imagine. after 15 minutes your booty is begging to leave. (FYI)
Sunday:
HAIR OF THE DOG BRUNCH! I was stoked to be able to check out Ranch 616 for the only time they serve brunch each year. Chorizo scrambled eggs, endless mimosas, bacon, biscuit and gravy, refried beans, queso, brisket, homemade tortillas, HOT DAMN it was amazing. Makes a small town country boy so excited he eats 3 lbs of food and passes out for 3 hours missing a movie he really wanted to see……damn.
time lapse
7:00pm I get in line for a movie that I was SUPER excited about. S&M Lawncare! This film ismade by a production house in Oklahoma called Singletree Productions. It is comprised of a few guys, low budgets, and hilarious films. This movie was awesome. It covered small town best friends that own a lawn care business and suddenly they start losing lawns to a competitior. It’s a low budget comedy and full of laughs! Plus I stood next to the actors in line to get into the theater, see photo left.
Overall, this weekend kicked-ass! Tons of movies, friends, and good times! PLUS, It’s not over. I still have 4 more night coming up! If you are out and about seeing 127 hours or Black Swan, hit me up! I’ll be there with a grin on my face, popcorn in my mouth, and some titos in my pocket. 
–@SweetLeafDanny out!
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