Content about Film
Almost a century after it was first built, the Paramount Theatre remains a staple in downtown Austin. The theater is one of the many movie houses featured in a local exhibit.
On the album cover for Santigold’s long-awaited return, Master of My Make-Believe, the artist acts as many things. A Mafia boss, a 18th century officer and a bludgeon-wielding bodyguard — artist Santi White is truly the maker, master and creator of her own reality. Santigold’s rise has not resulted in inauthenticity. She’s still a perfectionist, preferring genre-blending ear-pleasers over generic top radio hits.
So many romantic comedies fail to be engaging, entertaining films all the way up to their final act, when they finally have to acknowledge the romantic portion of their premise. Nicholas Stoller’s debut film, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” mostly avoided that trap, layering in a funny story and characters with a sweet, unexpected romance.
A$AP Rocky crowd surfs during his performance at the 2012 mtvU Woody Awards, Thursday.
Panel Recap — Top Chef: How Transmedia is Changing TV
Bravo defines “Transmedia” as storytelling across different media platforms. Lisa Hsia, Bravo’s digital media department, said the channel employed transmedia “out of desperation” to keep their content, both on the computer screen and television screen, fresh.
Considering the glamorous connotations of SXSW’s usually star-studded Music and Film festivals, many may question the significantly more expensive badge price ($950) for the Interactive festival. While the Interactive panelists may not have Oscars or Grammys, they’ve got brilliant insight into the future of technology that just might revolutionize, well, everything, and even better, they can’t wait to share it.
For panels on social media, the future of news and more, here are just a handful of those participating during Interactive.
LOS ANGELES — Actors in many of the adult films made in the nation’s porn capital must use condoms under a law that took effect Monday, but the prophylactic police aren’t yet on the beat.
How they will enforce such a regulation once they do begin enforcement is anyone’s guess.
Another Academy Awards goes by and just a few minutes after, the show is all but forgotten (Jean Dujar — who won for Best Actor?). Except for Angelina’s left leg sticking out of her dress, the show was a tame affair, from the traditional host of Billy Crystal to the largely unsurprising winners.
“Rampart” director Oren Moverman struck a nerve with his 2009 debut, “The Messenger,” a quiet drama about the costs of war that garnered a lot of attention for Woody Harrelson’s live-wire performance. The idea of Moverman re-teaming with Harrelson for an examination of LAPD corruption is a compelling one. Though the film is unfortunately a bit of a disappointment, Harrelson’s performance is anything but.
When “Comin’ at Ya!” was released back in 1981, its 3D presentation probably left something to be desired. It only makes sense that early 3D films would be restored, thanks to modern technology and the current 3D craze. Unfortunately, “Comin’ At Ya!” isn’t much more than a relic of a time gone by, and much of its charms come from the film itself, rather than the barrage of 3D the audience is subjected to.
An escape from the routine certainly seems attractive. A mere 83 miles from Austin lies San Antonio. The historic Alamo city offers plenty to do and serves as a reminder that a vacation doesn’t have to be a plane ride away.
Friday
Take Interstate Highway 35 South straight to San Antonio. No doubt you will hit traffic when leaving Austin, but once you get through that, it’s a straight shot to your weekend vacation.
Guest organist Todd Wilson thanks the audience at a memorial service held Tuesday for former professor of organ and sacred music, Gerre Hancock. Hancock, known for his skill at musical improvisation and compassionate nature, died last month at 77.
Austin Color Run 2012
DALLAS — The man who paid $176,000 for the white hearse used to transport President John F. Kennedy’s body following his assassination in Dallas plans to include it in his collection of about 400 cars in Colorado.
Stephen Tebo, a collector and real estate developer from Boulder, bought the hearse Saturday that was being offered by Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. of Scottsdale, Ariz. It sold for a bid of $160,000, plus a $16,000
buyer’s premium.
BOSTON — Final recordings President John F. Kennedy secretly made in the Oval Office include an eerie conversation about what would become the day of his funeral.
In talking to staffers while trying to arrange his schedule, Kennedy remarked that Nov. 25 was shaping up to be a “tough day” after his return from Texas and time at Cape Cod.
“It’s a hell of a day, Mr. President,” a staffer agreed.
In front of a wall of mirrors, about 15 people shake their hips and heads to the latest Bollywood songs, showing off the shoulder shake made popular by Bollywood/Hollywood fusion movies like “Bend It Like Beckham” and “Bride and Prejudice.” The dancers’ smiles sneak in after catching their breath in between dance moves that leave no limb behind.
For every movie, documentary and foreign film buff, the start of the new year stands as a reminder that the Academy Awards are right around the corner. With award nominees revealed each January, it’s no surprise that award-winning actress Meryl Streep is a leading contender for the Best Actress category for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”
By this summer, downtown Austin will have a new place for tourists, musicians and students to stay on the cheap.
Firehouse Hostel co-founders Kent Roth and Collin Ballard, both Austin natives, said renovations will begin in about a month to convert office building Firehouse No. 1, located on Brazos and Sixth streets, into a hostel. Roth said the hostel will include eight bunk rooms, two European style rooms that share bathrooms and two suites with a private bath.
David Ash celebrates after scoring on a touchdown reception.
Editor's Note: The Life & Arts senior staff combed through this year's pop culture and selected the artists, albums, books and movements that they think, in one way or another, helped define 2011. This is the first in a two-day series.
The KDH Dance Company talks about their preparations and expectations for Thursday's Flashdance program.
Shari Brown uses a prop tree into her dance routine during a rehearsal for “FlashDance, but Flashier: 30 More Dances in 60 Minutes.”
