|
A primer on famous movies filmed around town (and a new drinking game to boot).
Let's face it, watching stuff get shot is cool. Easy Tex, we're not talking about bullets; we're talking about images. Whether exposed to celluloid or captured by a silicon chip, whenever someone is shooting something in town, it draws a crowd. Most people are amazed to see how the filmmaking process works. All those lights, RVs, tents, and people spending hours shooting a scene that may cut down to just a few minutes in the finished film. Many other curious folks just like star gazing, or at least speculating as to who may be on set. Commercials and TV series' are often big productions as well. Many commercials even have larger budgets than a lot of the films being made. Regardless of whether it's an indie short film with a nano-budget, destined for the film festival circuit, or a superstar blockbuster...it's always a thrill to see your hometown on the screen. Now here's an idea for a drinking game. Read over this list of films made right here in Austin, rent them, watch them, and then try to name all the places you recognize. Whenever someone names one correctly, everyone else takes a drink. (Make mine a soda, please.)
The films listed here are only the ones you've heard of, but there are literally thousands of smaller productions going on every night. It is the filmmakers of these often noteworthy films who are the unsung heroes of the business. They are driven by creativity and passion in an effort to breathe life into their vision. They bootstrap their film, spending all of the money (money they probably don't have) on work that has about as much chance of making a profit as a little leaguer has to making it to the majors some day. That's commitment to craft. Or insanity. In either case, when it diffuses into your blood, it's all you can do.
Of course, it is also cool seeing those big $25 million productions going on. Fireflies in the Garden
A drama/semi-autobiographical story about a family torn apart by an unexpected tragedy, starring Julia Roberts, Carrie-Anne Moss, Ryan Reynolds, Willem Dafoe, and Emily Watson. Written and directed by Dennis Lee.
"Swingtown"
As America celebrates its 200th birthday, two generations of friends and neighbors in a Chicago suburb explore new freedoms and seek connections with each other in the midst of the socio/sexual revolution. Written by Mike Kelley. Directed by Alan Poul.
The Sno Cone Stand, Inc.
A comedy, starring Morgan Fairchild and Tony Sirico, about three 20-something stockbroker trainees who hate their jobs and their self-absorbed boss and will try just about anything, including selling sno cones "to climb their way down the corporate ladder.”
Kings of the Evening
Homer Hobbs, home after two years in jail, returns to a bleak urban town caught in the depths of the Great Depression — no jobs, no prospects, no hope. Life is grim. But on Sunday nights, in a dingy hall in a forlorn neighborhood, the men of the neighborhood piece together the finest attire their meager lives can beg, borrow or steal to compete in an underground contest like no other. Many festival awards, yet to screen in Austin. Directed by Andrew Jones. Stars Tyson Beckford (Into the Blue); Emmy-winner and Golden Globe nominee, Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story); Glynn Turman (Sahara; HBO's "The Wire"), Reginald T. Dorsey (Return to Lonesome Dove), Bruce McGill (Cinderella Man, Runaway Jury); James Russo (Open Range, Donnie Brasco); and Linara Washington ("E.R.," "Prison Break").
Stop-Loss
A veteran soldier returns from his completed tour of duty in Iraq, only to find his life turned upside down when he is arbitrarily ordered to return to field duty by the Army. Starring Ryan Phillippe and directed by Kimberly Peirce, who also directed Boys Don't Cry.
Teeth
High school student Dawn works hard at suppressing her budding sexuality by being the local chastity group's most active participant.
Grindhouse
Two individual full-length horror movies written by Quentin Tarantino & Robert Rodriguez put together as a two-film feature, including fake movie trailers in between both movies. Starring Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan, Bruce Willis, Josh Brolin, and a number of other cameo appearances.
"Friday Night Lights"
In the small town of Dillon, Texas, one night matters: Friday Night. Eric Taylor has recently been hired as the head football coach for the Dillon High School Panthers, the town's pride and joy. Friday Night Lights displays the stress that the town gives the high school players to win, and the hope that the team gives to a small town, and how a team has its low points, it's high points, and how they come together as a team on their way to victory. The Hitcher
While driving through the New Mexico Desert during a rainy night, the college students Jim Halsey and his girlfriend Grace Andrews give a ride to hitchhiker John Ryder. While in their car, the stranger proves to be a psychopath threatening the young couple with a knife, but Jim succeeds to throw him out of the car on the road. On the next morning, the young couple sees John in another car with a family, and while trying to advise the driver that the man is dangerous, they have an accident.
Infamous
While researching his book In Cold Blood, writer Truman Capote (Jones) develops a close relationship with convicted murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. With Sigourney Weaver, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sandra Bullock, Isabella Rossellini.
The Return
Joanna Mills, a traveling business woman, begins having nightmares of a murder that occurred 15 years ago. Soon she is drawn to an old farmhouse, where the murder took place. Stars Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Idiocracy
Private Joe Bauers, the definition of an "average American," is selected by the Pentagon to be the guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. Forgotten, he awakes 500 years in the future. He discovers a society so incredibly dumbed-down that he's easily the most intelligent person alive. Stars Luke Wilson.
How to Eat Fried Worms
During the first day of his new school year, a fifth grade boy squares off against a bully and winds up accepting a dare that could change the balance of power within the class.
Jumping Off Bridges
Inspired by invincible friendships, junior high journal entries, heart breaking crushes and the complexities of losing loved ones.
The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D
A boy dreams up shark-boy and lava-girl and the horror that lies within their planet.
A Scanner Darkly
An undercover cop in a not-too-distant future becomes involved with a dangerous new drug and begins to lose his own identity as a result. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson.
The Ringer
A young guy's only option to erase a really bad debt is to rig the Special Olympics by posing as a contestant. Stars Johnny Knoxville.
Sin City
A film that explores the dark and miserable town Basin City and tells the story of three different people, all caught up in the violent corruption of the city. Starring Jessica Alba, Benicio Del Toro, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis. Directed by Frank Miller and RObert Rodriguez.
The Alamo
Based on the 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men (led by Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie) and Mexican dictator Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Starring Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric. Patrick Wilson.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
On one last road trip before they're sent to serve in Vietnam, two brothers and their girlfriends get into an accident that calls their local sheriff to the scene. Thus begins a terrifying experience where the teens are taken to a secluded house of horrors, where a young, would-be killer is being nurtured.
Secondhand Lions
A coming-of-age story about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas. Starring Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick.
The Rookie
A Texas baseball coach makes the major league after agreeing to try out if his high school team made the playoffs. Starring Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths.
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Carmen's caught in a virtual reality game designed by the Kids' new nemesis, the Toymaker (Stallone). It's up to Juni to save his sister, and ultimately the world. Starring Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone, Salma Hayek. Directed by Robert Rodriguez.
Miss Congeniality
An FBI agent must go undercover in the Miss United States beauty pageant to prevent a group from bombing the event. Starring Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Candice Bergen, Benjamin Bratt.
Varsity Blues
In small-town Texas, high school football is a religion. The head coach is deified, as long as the team is winning, and 17-year-old schoolboys carry the hopes of an entire community onto the gridiron every Friday night.
Office Space
Comedic tale of company workers who hate their jobs and decide to rebel against their greedy boss.
Hope Floats
A woman who comes back to her home town in Smithville, Texas, with her daughter after a very sloppy and painful divorce has to deal with the people in her town. Starring Sandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr., Gena Rowlands.
The Newton Boys
Four Newton brothers are a poor farmer family in the 1920s. The oldest of them, Willis, one day realizes that there's no future in the fields and offers his brothers to become bank robbers. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke.
Michael
Two tabloid reporters checking out a report of the Archangel Michael living with an old woman find that it's true. But that's not the only surprise. Starring John Travolta, Andie MacDowell, William Hurt, Bob Hoskins.
Courage Under Fire
A U.S. Army officer, despondent about a deadly mistake he made, investigates a female chopper commander's worthiness for the Medal of Honor. Starring Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, Michael Moriarty, Matt Damon. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Gilbert has to care for his brother Arnie and his obese mother, which gets in the way when love walks into his life. Starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen. Dazed and Confused
The adventures of incoming high school and junior high students on the last day of school, in May of 1976. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Adam Goldberg, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck. "Walker, Texas Ranger "
Walker, a martial artist, and his partner Trivette are Texas Rangers. They make it their business to battle crime in Dallas and all around the state of Texas in this TV series running from 1993-2001. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
A bride wakes up after a long coma. The baby that she carried before entering the coma is gone. The only thing on her mind is to have revenge on the assassination team that betrayed her — a team she was once part of. Starring Uma Thurman. Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.  An Austin Filmmaker
Other Films and shows "Austin City Limits" Balls out: The Gary Houseman Story Drop Dead Sexy Friday Night Lights (the film) Gary the Tennis Coach Home Fries Homo Erectus Kabluey Lonesome Dove Man of the House Slacker SubUrbia Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Faculty Waiting for Guffman Steve Muccini is president of SpotEdge Media, an award winning video production company that produces TV commercials and films. He is a film editor, cameraman, actor, and writer in Austin, Texas. You can view his profile and contact Steve here. |