Dallas IFF 2013 Review: SANITARIUM - Damon's Take

SANITARIUM

Directed by: Bryan Ortiz, Bryan Ramirez and Kerry Valderama

Written by: Crystal Bratton, Scott Marcano, Bryan Ortiz, and Kerry Valderama

Starring: Loud Diamond Phillips, John Glover, Robert Englund, David Mazouz, and Michael McDowell.

Synopsis: Three "horror" stories about patients in a mental hospital and how they ended up there. 

Dallas IFF 2013 Review: DIVING NORMAL - Zed's Take

DIVING NORMAL

Directed by: Kristjan Thor

Written by: Ashlin Halfnight

Starring: Susie Abromeit, Scotty Crowe, Philipp Karner, Tonye Patano, Sandra Bernhard, Beau Garrett

Synopsis: Fulton, an ambitious Brooklynite graphic novelist, and Gordon, his socially awkward neighbor, are best friends who both vie for the attention of Dana, a beautiful but damaged girl.

Dallas IFF 2013 Review: THE BRASS TEAPOT - Javi's Take

THE BRASS TEAPOT

Directed by: Ramaa Mosley

Written by: Tim Macy

Starring: Juno Temple, Michael Angarano, Alexis Bledel, Bobby Moynihan, and Alia Sawkat

Synopsis: A poor young couple struggles to make ends meet until they find a magical teapot that hands out cash once the person touching it gets hurt.

Dallas IFF 2013 Review: THE MAN FROM THE FUTURE - Javi's Take

THE MAN FROM THE FUTURE (O HOMEM DO FUTURO)

Directed by: Cláudio Torres

Written by: Cláudio Torres

Starring: Wagner Moura, Aline Moraes, Maria Luísa Mendoca and Fernando Ceylão

Synopsis: When a scientist accidentally discovers time travel, he uses this great power with great responsibility and tries to warn his past self about the humiliation he will go through during a college party.

Dallas IFF Review: Documentary Shorts- Jonesy's Take

As much as I enjoy full length documentaries, I've never see the documentary short program. Usually this is the category that will mess up your Oscar poll during the Academy Awards. But after viewing this year's documentary shorts program at DIFF, I will make sure to catch this program again next year. There were seven shorts total with six of them being very strong. Below I have highlighted three of my favorites.

The documentary shorts will show again tonight, April, 9th, at 9:45 at the Angelika Dallas. 

DIFF 2013 Review: Animation Shorts - Javi's Take

I was looking forward to the various short film blocks presented during DIFF and so far, they haven't disappointed. First up for me will be the animation shorts block. As usual, I'll highlight my three favorite shorts which is not to say that I didn't like all of them but they are my absolute favorite ones.

As of this posting, the block will play again today, Monday, April 8th, so catch it if you can at 5:00 p.m. at the Angelika Theater tonight.

DIFF 2013 Review: A TEACHER- Damon's Take

A TEACHER

Directed by: Hannah Fidell

Starring: Lindsay Burdge, Will Brittain, and Jennifer Prediger

Synopsis: A look at an Austin, Texas teacher that enters a relationship with one of her students

DIFF 2013 Review: JUMP - Zed's Take

 JUMP

Directed by Kieron J. Walsh
Written by Kieron J. Walsh and Steve Brooks
Starring: Nicola Burley, Martin McCann, and Charlene McKenna

Synopsis: Four twenty-somethings lives collide one fateful New Year’s Eve, in a night of fast talk, coincidence, and intrigue.

DIFF 2013 Review - MUD: Javi's Take

MUD

Directed by: Jeff Nichols

Written by: Jeff Nichols

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Shannon, Sarah Paulson, and Sam Shepard

Synopsis: When two young boys go exploring around the Mississippi River and find a boat up in a tree, they come across a stranger named Mud, who enlists their help so he can escape from the law.

DIFF 2013 Review: CRASH REEL- Jonesy's Take

CRASH REEL

Directed by Lucy Walker

Synopsis: A documentary about the rise and fall of professional snowboarder, Kevin Pearce.

Jonesy's Most Anticipated DIFF 2013 Films

We're just a couple days away from the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival. This festival is getting bigger every year, and as always, the programmers offer up a plethora of new and classic film screenings. One aspect I always enjoy about this specific festival is that it is a work-friendly festival. Most of the screenings during the week happen after the work day ends, so you don't have to worry about taking vacation days. I'm ready to be surprised by the films I will see, and here are five that I'm most looking forward to.

If you click on the links of the films, they will take you to their DIFF site where you can find information on screening times, locations, and tickets.

2013 Dallas International Film Festival Announces (Free!) Family Day

THE SANDLOT to be screened outdoors in Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park!

The Dallas International Film Festival presented by AutoNation Volkswagen Dealers announced the line-up for its free Family Day celebration. Presented by Texas Capital Bank, Family Day will kick off Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m. at the new Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas, and will conclude with a free 20^th-anniversary outdoor screening of the childhood baseball classic, THE SANDLOT.

Young film lovers will be able to create crafts, including making their very own microphone, popcorn box and “Walk of Fame” star. They can also decorate their own celebrity sunglasses and then sport those Hollywood-style shades as they strut the Red Carpet for photos. Also, kids can get their faces painted, jump in the bounce house, visit the balloon artist and check out the buzz from Texas Honey Bee Guild.

“We are excited to have Family Day in the heart of Dallas in the Arts District at Klyde Warren Park,” said Renee Contreras, Director of Education, Membership and Outreach for the Dallas Film Society. “What an opportunity to entertain, educate and share the love of film and glitter of Hollywood.”

Check out the fill schedule after the break.