SXSW 2011: Being Elmo Review

I will say it right here and right now. I bawled my way through this documentary. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey is a movie that I think everyone can appreciate. The film takes us behind the life of Kevin Clash, the voice and puppeteer of Elmo. His story is both inspiring and amazing. Clash started working with puppets when he was ten, after seeing episodes of Captain Kangaroo and other Saturday morning television shows. His first foray into puppet building came when he tore up his father's fur coat and made it into a monkey. His parents, instead of being angry, helped their son meet his goals and set him on the path to Sesame Street.

Clash talks a lot in the movie about being made fun of in high school. Even his sister's admit in an interview that they would tease him for playing with dolls. However, things changed when Clash was cast in a local TV show to run the puppets. He was still in high school at the time. Fast forward to a phone conversation and then visit with legendary puppeteer Kermit Love, and Clash was on the fast track to meeting his idol Jim Henson. The rest was history. He worked on films like Labyrinth and shows like The Muppets.

Then he was cast in Sesame Street, and after playing a few lesser known characters, he got the chance to wear a puppet called Elmo. That high pitched voice and loving demeanor came out, and the rest his history.

The film does a good job of making the audience feel nostalgic. Old footage of Saturday morning classics had grown men ooohing and aahhhing. And people were crying at footage of Clash doing the rounds for the Make a Wish Foundation. The film was a feel good movie, and brought back memories for many audience members, as seen at the Q&A afterwards. Elmo himself made an appearance and people well into middle age were asking for hugs and the opportunity to really tickle Elmo. This film may come off as a little too sappy for some, but for me, it was the right blend of interesting and nostalgia. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5 and recommend it for anyone with a childlike heart.

And make sure to check the blog for exclusive footage of Louise interviewing Kevin Clash and the filmmakers of Being Elmo. Visit www.beingelmo.com for more information about this adorable film.

SXSW Video Update

Here are the activities of Day 1 at SXSW in Austin.

SXSW 2011: Conan O'Brien Can't Stop Review

I'll be the first one to admit that I don't really like Conan O'Brien that much. When I tune into late night talk shows, it's all about Craig Ferguson over on CBS. That being said, this documentary was one of the greatest I've seen in a while, and kept my laughing for the two hour it played.

I think the reason that this movie resonated so well with the 1200 people inside the Paramount Theatre was all down to it's brutal honestly. Conan did not pull any punches. The audience gasped with joy when Conan read a fake letter from Jay Leno asking what it was like to have a soul. The controversy of last years Late Night brawl was not downplayed in any way. Conan states his anger over the situation in the film many times. However, the film was not just about that time. We see O'Brien at home with his family and at work producing a stage show. It's during these segments that the audience discovers that Conan O'Brien is just a really nice, and honestly funny guy.

His energy throughout the movie reminds me of behind the scenes clips I've seen of comedian Ricky Gervais. They both like to take their energy out on the people around them. Gervais forces his crew to dress up in ridiculous outfits, while Conan just punches them or makes them communicate via a banana phone. Let's just say, I would not want to be in a room with those two. You can almost see the energy pouring out of O'Brien, and he takes that out hilariously on his crew and employees. The breakout star of the doc was O'Brien's personal assistant. She took her fair share of berating from her boss, including being fake fired for bringing him a piece of fish with butter instead of plain. Another highlight came int he form of 30 Rock's Jack McBrayer. The audience roared as Conan berated McBrayer with hick jokes while Jon Hamm laughed in the background.

All in all, Conan fans will love this peek into his personal life. And as someone who isn't a fan, I still laughed and felt true sympathy for someone who obviously loves what he does so much. Overall, I give this film 4 stars out of 5.

SXSW Update

Yesterday was an amazing day. Not only did we interview documentarian Morgan Spurlock and comedic actor and writer Thomas Lennon, we also saw three movies. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, Paul and Bridesmaids. Check back later tonight for reviews of all three. And more interviews are coming today, including a red carpet special with Amy Ryan and Paul Giamatti. So stay tuned and keep checking the blog and our twitters.

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SXSW 2011: Source Code Review

The Source Code line

When I first saw the trailer for Source Code, I wasn't really excited to see the film. To me, it seemed like a mix between the Bourne films and Unstoppable. However, I'm not quite sure why I doubted that Duncan Jones wouldn't come out with something great. His film Moon premiered at SXSW last year, and went on to win many critical accolades. Source Code is a different kind of film, but still packed a punch.

The crowd in the Paramount Theatre was electric. Jones was in the audience, as was the films star's Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga and Michelle Monaghan. The director said a few words, and then it was time to delve into the world of Source Code.

The trailers for the film made it seem like the real mystery was going to be whether or not Gyllenhaal's character Colter Stevens would be able to save Monaghan's Christina from an exploding train. However, the viewer soon realizes that there is a bigger mystery in play. The film begins on the train, and Stevens realizing that he is in someone else's body. The audience goes on the mysterious ride with Stevens, before the train explodes and we are all transported to a pod of sorts, with Stevens awaking in confusion.

Jake Gyllenhall

In a groundhog day manner, the film goes back to the same eight minutes on the train, and each time Stevens is more and more familiar with his surroundings. His goal is too find out who planted the bomb on the train. Yet the audience wants to know less about the bomb, and more about the pod Steven's wakes up in every time the train explodes, and who the mysterious Commander Goodwin (played by Up In the Air's Vera Farmiga) is. Stevens is completely isolated from everyone else, communicating with Goodwin by video feed only. This isolation harks back to themes explored in Jone's previous film, Moon.

Without giving anything away, the film takes the audience on multiple twists and turns. Gyllenhaal is the perfect leading man. Last year he starred in films like Prince of Persia and Love and Other Drugs, but this seems like his most comfortable role. He is a modern day action star, a normal guy thrust into a dangerous situation. Farmiga and Monaghan played their roles well also.

The script had a few holes, but I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. And though the special effects were not up to Inception level, I certainly flinched a few times at the realistic nature of the train explosions.

I would recommend this film to those who enjoy their science fiction with a dash of action. I give Source Code a 3.5/5

SXSW 2011: True Blood Panel

The dog that plays Sam when he shapeshifts

True Blood is one of my favorite shows on television, so when I heard there was going to be a panel about the marketing department for the show, I knew I had to attend. Fan to Fanatic: True Blood's Marketing Hook featured the executive editor of TODO Austin, Erica Stall Wiggins as the panel moderator. Panelists included True-Blood.net founder Liz Henderson, Campfire NYC's Mike Monello, HBO Marketing Director Sabrina Calouri, Digital Kitchen Managing Director Todd Brandes and SVP of Program Advertising at HBO Zach Enterlin.

Most panelists said the same thing throughout the hour. True Blood started out and is still continuing to listen to the fans. Before the show even started, creator Alan Ball wanted to make sure fans had a good basic knowledge of what the show was about. So, the marketing team decided to 'hack reality' by making fake advertisements for real products. And now that the show is popular, some of these products (including the TruBlood beverage) are real. From the very start, fansites for the show were given press access to the actors and kept in touch by HBO.

Panelists talk to the audience

Calouri says that things got a little strange when the discovered that fans were expanding the True Blood world on their own. Twitter pages for characters, and even inanimate objects began to pop up, and HBO was initially worried. However, they decided that this would only help the show. Calouri also says that fan reactions to characters like Godric and Jessica inspired the company to give them more of an expanded presence on the web.

With all this extremely awesome marketing happening just within three seasons, who knows what fans can expect for season 4. True Blood returns to HBO this summer.

Snooze Button is going to SXSW

Studio Time Fun

School is finally out, and everyone is ready for Spring Break. But I (Louise) will be spending the glorious break from school in Austin working for the Snooze Button. I'll be attending SXSW, the music/film/interactive festival. While there, I'll be getting plenty of fun interviews for KTSW and The Snooze Button. I've been approved for 8 Red Carpets so far and will be interviewing the likes of Amy Ryan, Billy Bob Thornton, Carrie Preston, Morgan Spurlock and many more. So make sure to keep reading the blog for updates, as well as checking out www.ktsw.net for all the latest on what our station is doing at SXSW. I'll be keeping the blog updated this week with movie reviews, pictures and videos from Austin. So put us in your bookmarks, and have a fun and save Spring Break, wherever you are.