Harry's quick preview to Friday the 13th @ SXSW Films

Hey folks, Harry here... I'm not gonna promise I'll do this each night before the next day - as I feel once I get into the fest, I'll be distracted by writing up reviews of what I'm seeing to do a Preview piece... but you never know. We'll see how I feel. But for now... Let's see what this lucky Friday The 13th has in store for us SXSWers... I'm going to do this by locations: AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER

A big hall - big screen, not the most comfortable seats frankly. THAT said. The World Premiere of Tim McCanlies' THE 2 BOBS is unfurling. I saw a rough cut of this movie about 4 months ago and enjoyed it quite a bit, although - at that stage it was plenty rough. Zero visual effects done, score not really in place - and running over 20 minutes longer than you'll be seeing it today. THE 2 BOBS is the first of two films featuring myself to some degree or another. This also has the screen debut of Yoko (btw). The story is about a pair of Video Game designing super geniuses that live in Austin, Texas. One day - after finishing up their latest badass super game, they decide they're finally going to leave their solitary lives in their offices and vow to never return until they've hooked up with ladies and lived. I won't comment on how that goes, but when they return to their game development office - everything is gone. The computers, furniture and most importantly their game. Not only that, they're multi-million dollar bank accounts, cars and everything is GONE! The story then focuses on the legendary gods that are THE 2 BOBS restoring order to their legendary lives. The cast and Tim McCanlies are going to be there. And I may be as well, I'm still juggling my schedule as I write this. That's at 6:45pm.

Next Venue: ALAMO SOUTH LAMAR - Screen 1.

As great a film experience location as has been built by the hands of man. With the possible exception of Screen 2. At 10pm - You have THE SNAKE. I haven't seen THE SNAKE, however AICN geek comic of choice, Patton Oswalt will be on hand to introduce this sweet low low low budget comedy about a guy with the hots for a girl in a support group with people suffering Bulimia. He becomes her boyfriend and helps enable her Bulimia - thus... well, I don't know. All I do know is that several months ago - Patton contacted me pleading with me to help him get this film into SXSW. I haven't seen the film, but the last comedy that Patton got this behind was FOOT FIST WAY and that was Silly Putty that tasted like Cotton Candy fun! So I will DEFINITELY BE THERE TONIGHT! Besides - with an intro by Patton and a cast including Margaret Cho and apparently a whole group of unknown possibly comedic geniuses discovered by Oswalt... I'll be on hand! After that is ONG BAK 2 at Midnight. This is one of the Fantastic Fest presents screenings at SXSW. If I had to eat that log of shit floating in that swimming pool in CADDYSHACK to gain admission, I'd be there for ONG BAK 2. Right now - I'm praying the world doesn't end before 22 hours from now, so I can at least see ONG BAK 2! Directed by TONY JAA... Starring TONY JAA... We've heard rumors of him nearly losing his sanity whilst making this film due to the immense pressures he was exerting upon himself as the film's director and physically unmatched martial arts godhood exertions in front of the camera. BUT - I hear that it came together - and as I told Brendan Fraser tonight - I'm going to help the gene pool by seen ONG BAK 2 - it'll kick my balls so hard I'll be spitting blanks from here on out. That's why I've pre-filled the ice trays. (Note to self - label tray) In this theater, this movie... Could be the single greatest experience of SXSW 2009.

Next Venue: The Other Two Screens at ALAMO SOUTH LAMAR.

I'm not up on the two features on the 2nd South Lamar screen - so if you see these films - please drop us a line with your thoughts! and the 3rd Screen at Alamo South - is playing a ton of short films. I can not recommend this line up enough. SXSW does an incredible job yearly on their short films. If nothing else appeals to you - here you get a glimpse at tomorrow's filmmakers.

Next Venue: ALAMO RITZ 1 -

It was home to BNAT 9 and is the new masterpiece of the Drafthouse franchise. BTW - you can order HARD ALCOHOL here while you watch the movies. First up at 7pm is NEW WORLD ORDER - a conspiracy theorist documentary featuring Alex Jones (fellow Austinite). Alex will be there. This is the latest documentary from Luke Meyer, who directed the beloved DARKON! So you can bet this will be an excellent documentary. At 9:30pm at the Alamo Ritz is the latest piece of genius from Ron Mann, KNOW YOUR MUSHROOMS - a documentary on the greater glory of fungi - both legal, illegal and poisonous. It is my understanding that the Alamo Drafthouse has worked up a special Mushroom dish especially for this screening. One can only hope that the world lights up 45 minutes after consumption - though I doubt it. Tim League wouldn't dare. If you don't know Ron Mann's previous great work of COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL, GRASS, TALES OF THE RAT FINK and all the others - you've been missing out on one of the most cinematic and enjoyable documentary filmmakers that has ever served the medium. I wish to god I could be at this screening! The RITZ 2 screenings today - I'm not familiar with the titles. Again, if you see them - let me know!

Next Venue: THE PARAMOUNT THEATER:

This is the Grand Ol Dame of Austin Movie Theaters. And the ONLY reason I won't be attending I LOVE YOU, MAN is that I saw it at BNAT 10 - LOVED IT! It is absolutely fantastic. Paul Rudd and John Hamburg will both be in the house that night! And this is THE BIG RELEASE of the day. Now - a little info on the Paramount. At the Bar, you can get beers and mixed drinks. And getting intoxicated is highly recommended for this screening (at least according to me!) I LOVE YOU, MAN is the strongest film in John Hamburg's history as a filmmaker. It is funny - and Jason Segel and Paul Rudd rule this film. For star power, great venue and great laughs - this is the location to be tonight! The second film on the slate at the Paramount is EX-TERMINATORS. This film comes from a fella named John Inwood, who directed a bunch of SCRUBS episodes and is a Black Comedy starring Heather Graham, Amber Heard, Joey Lauren Adams and some others. The festival director has told me that I should catch this at the festival! When the person that puts the fest together says something like that to you - you should listen! This is its world premiere - has talent I like and is about kill-crazy violent women... I think. Heather can slay me anytime!

WRAPPING UP! There's not really any panels today. So after you get your badge and get through registration - I highly recommend going through your goodie bags, grab some good grub in Austin - and wrap your head around your options. And when you see other people with badges. Talk to them. Find out what they know, what they're looking forward to and share your passion for what you are geeking out about. That's the joy of a film festival. The buzz, the chatter and the excitement of finding out what something you don't know what is is... and finding out that it's fantastic! Hopefully I'll see some of you around the festival today. Take care and good luck with your choices!