Abe’s SXSW Jury of One

A shot from my front-row seat to the Q & A for THE FALL GUY.By Abe Friedtanzer

I had the pleasure of being back in Austin for the fourth time for the SXSW Film and TV Festival, which began on Friday, March 8^th and officially concluded Sunday, March 17^th. During my time there, I got to see 27 in-person films and screened 17 additional films, as well as the first two episodes of season three of Hacks, which premieres in May on Max (and is just as good as ever).

As usual, most of what I saw was really terrific. It was good to see major releases like Monkey Man and Civil War ahead of their theatrical releases with an enthusiastic crowd, though neither compared in quality to The Fall Guy, which was a lot of fun. Two streaming releases coming next month also make my top ten, and I’ll hope they’ll translate well to audiences watching at home...

Rudy Mancuso and Camila Mendes in MÚSICA.

For my “jury of one,” here are my top ten films and a few other assorted honors. My reviews, if available, are hyperlinked, as well as applicable notes on distribution.

1. It’s What’s Inside (coming soon to Netflix)
2. Sing Sing (in theaters in July from A24)
3. Babes (coming soon from Neon)
4. We Were Dangerous
5. Música (coming to Prime Video April 4^th)
6. We’re All Gonna Die
7. The Fall Guy (in theaters May 4^th from Universal)
8. The Greatest Hits (coming to Hulu April 12^th)
9. Omni Loop
10. Magpie

Best Director: Greg Jardin, It’s What’s Inside

Colman Domingo could - and should - score a second consecutive Oscar nod.

Best Actor: Colman Domingo, Sing Sing

Sofia Black-D'Elia in I LOVE YOU FOREVER.

Best Actress: Sofia Black-D'Elia, I Love You Forever

Justin H. Min and Lucy Boynton in THE GREATEST HITS. 

Best Supporting Actor: Justin H. Min, The Greatest Hits

Michelle Buteau and Ilana Glazer in BABES.

Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Buteau, Babes 

Best Screenplay: Babes

Best Cinematography: 7 Keys

Like with KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, this is the only still available from IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE. But trust me - it's worth the wait.

Best Ensemble Cast: It’s What’s Inside

Top 5 Documentaries:

1. Fly (National Geographic Documentary Films)
2. Black Box Diaries
3. The Truth vs. Alex Jones (streaming on Max on March 26th)
   
4. Preconceived
5. An Army of Women

Special Award for Comic Relief MVP: Arturo Castro, Road House

(All images courtesy of SXSW)

If you were at SXSW, what did you see? If not, what are you most looking forward to?

Comments

[Joe G.]

I continue to be surprised by the good reviews/buzz that The Fall Guy is getting coming from SXSW. The trailer looks aggressively generic verging on bad, despite being stacked with a talented and charismatic cast.

I'm glad to hear good things about The Greatest Hits. It looks like a gen z netflix romantic film, so it's exciting to see it on this list.

Sing Sing has an interesting concept. I'm curious to see how A24 will market and sell this. But it sounds great.

[Tony L]

Thanks Abe!! Very interested in 'It's What Inside' - and also excited about your love for Hacks!

[Mr Ripley79]

The Fall Guy is going to do very well not just because of Ryan who is a star but I think audiences are eager for romantic action or just romantic comedies,escapist entertainment.