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Chef (2014)
Another SXSW Movie Miracle
One of the best movies presented at SXSW this year. Hands down. Favreau's character converges a spotlight on the faceless critics who take themselves too seriously and tear down others in pursuit of their own notoriety; an epidemic in this digital day in age as harsh ideals are spammed across the internet with little recourse.
Backed by his star studded cast, Favreau pours his heart and soul into this movie and takes us on a whirlwind trek across the US to pursue passion through a foodies opus. We're inundated with hours of perfectly crafted dishes, social media faux pas, self realization and the path to finding true happiness. Take the Road Trip with Chef and enjoy a film that lets you leave the theater feeling full of love, life and in pursuit of the nearest Franklin's BBQ.
Before I Disappear (2014)
Shawn Christensen's direction in this film was positively extraordinary.
Another fascinating movie from SXSW I got to screen was Before I Disappear, one I wasn't sure I would enjoy but walked out of the room with a few tears streaming down my face, which never happens to me in cinema. Shawn Christensen's direction in this film was positively extraordinary.
From the get go we see our main character Richie surrounded by poor life decisions that keep dragging him further and further down the rabbit hole; unable to crawl out of his own personal horrors and drowning in mournful regret, he decides he's going to end it. That is until he gets the phone call that changes the tone of the movie completely.
A frantic phone call from his estranged sister has him picking up his niece from school and he had no idea why. He goes on an evening of half hallucinated, half sedated, adventures trying to juggle one bad situation while struggling with another. A battle between two bosses, both with whom he feels he owes loyalty; one begging for silence, the other for answers and neither an uncomplicated choice. All the while, he has an 11 year old girl, who is clearly raised to be prim and proper, completely oblivious to the underworld he's trolled, in tow witnessing his digression.
Paul Wesley unquestionably stepped out of his comfort zone and brightly shined in the spotlight as the young club owner and boss in this film. Although both he and Ron Pearlman had minimal roles, it was definitely memorable as you felt the hectic panic in his drugged state and actually sympathized with his situation.
This movie brings the uncomfortable truth to the surface, what it's like to battle with drug addiction, how it feels to suffer with loss and how some people cope with the choices... on the other side of the coin, how the family members tend to deal with these loved ones. I feel this movie did for drug addiction what Silver Linings Playbook did for people coping with being bipolar. It's ugly, it's messy but there are answers.... there is hope. .