March 19, 2024

Cole Clay // Critic

Maltin's Game Tournament during Fantastic Fest at the Alamo Drafthouse-South Lamar in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. Photo courtesy of Jack Plunkett.
Maltin’s Game Tournament during Fantastic Fest at the Alamo Drafthouse-South Lamar in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. Photo courtesy of Jack Plunkett.

It’s day six of Fantastic Fest and we aren’t quite done yet. The loyal FF’ers just might make it with enough coffee injected directly into their veins. At this point we are all just shells of the people we were on day one. But I got to be honest, the food at the Alamo is all starting to taste the same, but the films are still just as eclectic and vibrant as ever.

The Alamo was relatively quiet throughout the day, most of the festival goers took the afternoon off to relax in the Highball to indulge in the Leonard Maltin game with the man, and the myth himself in attendance. Although we didn’t participate in the game, the jovial atmosphere permeated the Highball and didn’t let up through the rest of the day.

The time was 5 p.m. and the theater reached a fever pitch of excitement now that the announcement has been made to start seating for the secret screening. The Alamo’s fearless leader Tim League perpetually teased the identity of the screening to audiences in the packed auditoriums. Every year League builds up the secret screening to be something larger than life and by and large it never disappoints. There were rumors that the film in question was BIRDMAN, STRETCH, or JUPITER ASCENDING. It very well could have been one of these films, but we will keep the tradition alive and wait until the review portion of the recap to reveal the identity; even though you will probably just skip down to it anyway. (Hint: The film was screening at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.)

FreshFiction.tv interviewing OPEN WINDOWS director Nacho Vigalondo and Elijah Wood.
An awkward video still of FreshFiction.tv interviewing OPEN WINDOWS director Nacho Vigalondo and Elijah Wood.

Fantastic Fest wouldn’t be quite the same without Austin local Elijah Wood, who has showcased three films in as many years, and for some time the word on the street was that he wouldn’t be in attendance this year even though his film OPEN WINDOWS is screening. Much to our surprise, there he was schmoozing with friends, fans and will be walking the red carpet as well. (Our interview with Elijah Wood is coming soon!)

Writer Simon Barrett answering one of our questions during THE GUEST Q&A at Fantastic Fest. Photo courtesy of Jack Plunkett.
Writer Simon Barrett answering one of our questions during THE GUEST Q&A at Fantastic Fest. Photo courtesy of Jack Plunkett.

It was finally time to screen SXSW favorite THE GUEST with screenwriter Simon Barrett in attendance for the festivities. Sorry for the folks at home, but this was a screening experience that you had to see to believe; audiences members cheered in unison celebrating a film that embodies everything remarkable about Fantastic Fest. Immediately as the credits rolled fans erupted in applause and gave Barrett a standing ovation. Maybe that enthusiasm could have been a result of the fireball shots with Tabasco that were distributed mid-way through the film.

Our review and interview with the cast and crew of THE GUEST (here).

OK, here it is the part that you all skipped ahead to see – the secret screening was the Austrian film GOODNIGHT MOMMY. Yeah, we hadn’t heard of it either; in fact we had no clue what the title was until the film ended because League commenced the screening without revealing the title. This was a good enough film in a certain regard, but all the hype from the secret screening proved to be ultimately a disappointment.

GOODNIGHT MOMMY is a vexing film that isn’t short on tension, or mystery, and is led by an eerie performance from two identical twins, Elias and Lukas Schwartz. Maybe this screening was put up on too high of a pedestal. To play devil’s advocate, GOODNIGHT MOMMY is a film that otherwise might not have received the attention if it wasn’t screened at the Alamo. Fantastic Fest is a place that celebrates films like GOODNIGHT MOMMY that just don’t quite fit in anywhere else. Overall, the film had a strong response and will emerge as essential viewing once the festival has wrapped.

GOODNIGHT MOMMY, the secret screening at Fantastic Fest.
GOODNIGHT MOMMY, the secret screening at Fantastic Fest.

Briefly, a film that deserves some attention is a horror-comedy from New Zealand called HOUSEBOUND. It’s part supernatural bone-chiller, part, Scooby Doo and incredibly hilarious. It doesn’t seem like a film many people are talking about at the festival, however it was a breath of fresh air and is highly recommended if you are looking for a silly good time.

We wish all of you could be here with us enjoying what has been by far the most incredible day of the festival. Yeah, we probably say that about everyday, but day six has been one for the record books. In closing, stop what you’re doing and go see THE GUEST as soon as possible!

All ticket and screening information can be found at fantasticfest.com.

Our Day 5 Recap (click here)
Our Day 4 Recap (click here).
Our Day 3 Recap (click here).
Our Day 2 Recap (click here).
Our Day 1 Recap (click here).

 

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