Hey everyone. It's Annette Kellerman, back with my first round of SXSW reviews. I started this year's fest with SUPER HIGH ME.

Super High Me is a play on the infamous Morgan Spurlock documentary Super Size Me- only instead of gorging on McDonalds for 30 days, comedian Doug Benson partakes in his vice of choice- weed. Damn, why didn't I think of that?

For 30 days Doug first purges himself of all intoxicants- even alcohol. In addition, the famously stoned joker is also subjected to numerous "scientific" tests including physical assessments, memory tests, sperm count, and even an analysis of pre-weed psychic ability. After his 30 days of sobriety, Doug has one mission- to be stoned from the moment he wakes to the moment he sleeps for an additional 30 days. I know, I know...its my dream experiment as well. Jealousy aside, the film is great commentary on the non-existent negative side effects of weed smoking. Throughout Doug's stoned 30 days, he is subjected to the same rigorous physical and mental challenges to no avail. At least in Doug's case there appears to be no negative physical or mental side effects from the herb, and alas- ganja doesn't even make him psychic! Not a big news flash for most of us, but its great to see the real life evidence played out on film nonetheless.

While this totally awesome challenge unfolds, director Michael Blieden also deftly explains the (brilliant) California state law permitting the medicinal use of marijuana. He tells the story of dispensary owners at odds with the federal government who do not honor the law mandated by the state of California. Instead, these otherwise legally maintained and regulated shops are raided by the DEA and rendered defenseless by state police who won't come to their defense.

I loved this documentary because the filmmakers deliver a hilarious study of a comedian challenging himself while also addressing issues that question our basic rights in this country. Much like the great films Grass and AKA Tommy Chong, Super High Me makes the audience wonder if its really worth it to criminalize a substance that isn't nearly as bad as many that are perfectly legal- prescription or not. Its no secret that most of us don't abide every law, but it seems even more ridiculous when our state laws contradict our federal ones. It just begs the question," Doesn't the DEA have bigger fish to fry?" During one poignant scene amidst a DEA bust of a dispensary, a protester yelling "go bust a meth lab!" was received with uproarious applause by our Austin audience, and I bet most audiences around the U.S. would echo the same sentiment.

Smoker or not, I would recommend this film to anyone who values their choice to live their life the way they choose.

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Somewhat appropriately, my next review from the fest is the gambling flick 21.

I totally went into this film expecting a glossy, brainy, heist film with beautiful 20 somethings...and thats pretty much what I got. And I completely dug it from beginning to end!

Stepping away from his usual femme-films, director Robert Luketic delves into the real-life story of MIT brainiacs who turn their propensity for mathematics into a money making boon. Led by their devious professor/mentor, the students commute to Las Vegas for their weekend job making hundreds of thousands of dollars counting cards on the blackjack tables.

In this stellar ensemble cast, Kevin Spacey serves as the perfect guru to a group of bright students including a stunning Kate Bosworth and equally charming lead actor Jim Sturgess. In scenes that would challenge any good sports training montage, the hardened tutor Spacey tirelessly shapes his genius proteges into conniving, odds-mastering card sharks.

For our antagonist Ben, this money making scheme is a means to an end- namely his tuition to Harvard Medical School. Unfortunately with any ruse, there is an inevitable consequence as personified by menacing casino "loss manager" Lawrence Fishburne. As the story unfolds, it is apparent that Ben's education encompasses much more than academics alone.

The look and feel of the film is as intoxicating as the real Las Vegas. Luketic utilizes an array of kickass CGI to accentuate the action on the blackjack tables as well as highlight the endless buzz of sin city revelry.

I thought the film was a tight, slickly-packaged story of a scam everyone can envy.

I'll be checking in with more films throughout the fest.

Cheers!

Annette Kellerman