Image from the action/adventure film “TURBO KID” an Epic Pictures Group release. Photo credit: Epic Pictures Group.

Turbo Kid

Turbo Kid
Directors: Anouk Whissell, François Simard, Yoann-Karl Whissell (RKSS)
Rating: N/A
Release Date: March 17, 2015 (SXSW)

Nostalgia is a lovely thing, especially when it comes to art. It adds that little extra something that allows us to connect to, love, and appreciate it just a bit more. When done improperly, however, nostalgia can handicap and hold back works of art that aren't strong enough to stand on their own. Turbo Kid relies on the nostalgia of various '80s films and genres, but treats the time period with reverence while not allowing its attention to certain stylistic choices to negatively affect the overall film.

Turbo Kid, then, fits very well in the modern landscape of indie films where equal focus is given to both production value/quality and dedication to a style/tone that all but guarantee it will become your next favorite cult film. Even if you're unfamiliar with or not a fan of '80s films, Turbo Kid has enough energy and infectious charm to assure you'll fall in love with it.

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In a dystopian alternate 1997, the world has been ravaged by some type of apocalypse, leaving behind a barren wasteland where everything goes. The Kid (Munro Chambers) is an orphan traversing across the wasteland for comic books and '80s trinkets to collect and trade for water (which is a rare commodity in the world). During one of his treks, he meets Apple (Laurence Leboeuf), an enigmatic girl who quickly deems The Kid her new best friend by attaching a tracking device on him. While he's initially annoyed by her presence, the Kid eventually becomes attached to her, especially after they're attacked by a biker gang run by the vicious Zeus (Michael Ironside), who himself pits captives against one another in deathmatches where the loser has their blood cleansed and purified for water.

While the Kid is able to escape, Apple finds herself captured by Zeus' henchmen. During the escape, the Kid comes across a ship implied to be the hero of his comic book's, complete with a power suit that gives him powers. Teaming up with Frederic (Aaron Jeffery), a vigilante known for his arm-wrestling prowess, they're able to rescue Apple from Zeus' clutches. However, by doing so, they draw the ire of Zeus' full attention.

(L-R): Munro Chambers as The Kid and Laurence Leboeuf as Apple in the action/adventure film “TURBO KID” an Epic Pictures Group release. Photo credit: Epic Pictures Group.

While Turbo Kid is set in 1997, the film's presentation makes it seem as if it was shot during the '80s, complete with a time-appropriate score and sound effects, bright-colored costume palettes to contrast against the drab and gray of the wasteland, and a charm that befits '80s films. The film draws from various post-apocalyptic '80s films like BMX Bandits and The Road Warrior in terms of scope and style, especially with the practical visual effects and level of gore that befits the campiest of '80s films; however, it also possesses the innocent charm and hopeful optimism that helped define '80s teenage protagonists.

Beyond the '80s-inspired aesthetic, Turbo Kid is just an amazingly fun film. It's fun to see the Kid express his awkwardness over getting attention from a pretty girl, just for somebody to get their head decapitated completely with a copious amount of blood gushing out just a few minutes later. Again, while I do believe there's something in Turbo Kid for everyone, there will be those who just don't enjoy primal fun qualities like practical blood effects, synth-heavy scores, and a loose plot that is both serious in delivery, but doesn't take itself seriously at the same time.

Give Turbo Kid a chance, and I can guarantee it'll become the film you try to rally all of your friends to watch.


Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart in Get Hard

Get Hard

By now, I'm sure most of you reading this are aware of the controversy surrounding Get Hard and its less than savory content. For those untrustworthy of the media and wary of overly-sensitive audiences at SXSW, I can say Get Hard is full of tasteless homophobic and racist jokes that feel completely out of touch and out of place in the contemporary climate of heightened social awareness.

Despite the uproar over the mistreatment (or perceived mistreatment, as some might argue) of the race and sexuality topics, we all know comedies are constantly attempting to push the envelope for laughs. Is this an excuse for the one-note joke that fuels the film's plot, or some of the machismo "jokes" that portray homosexuality as some disgusting counterculture? Not at all. However, without the controversy lies a comedy begging for laughs that, ultimately, it never delivers.

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Get Hard
Director: Etan Cohen
Rating: R

Release Date: March 27, 2015

James King (Will Ferrell) is a rich businessman convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to a 10-year prison sentence despite never committing any wrongdoing. Worried that he won't survive prison, he turns to the owner of the carwash he frequents, Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart), for help after he wrongfully assumes the latter has spent time in prison. Sensing an opportunity to make easy money, Darnell goes along with the facade, entangling James in various hijinks in an attempt to make James hard. Such scenarios include turning James' mansion into a makeshift maximum security prison, complete with James' maids and workers taking on roles as prison guards, Darnell introducing James to his gangbanger cousin and his crew, and a sexual encounter with another man at a gay bar.

Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart in Get Hard

The film's title, Get Hard, is enough to determine whether or not you'd enjoy this film. Does the sexual tension behind the title make you laugh at the thought of Kevin Hart attempting to help Will Ferrel "get hard"? If so, this film is for you. And really, what was to be expected of a film with such an obvious joke truly summarizing the film's tone and direction? It's one thing to be so obtuse with a film's subject matter -- it's another thing to take the premise and truly satirize it and provide conscientious, thoughtful commentary on such issues like racism, class disparity, and gay-straight relations. Instead, Get Hard goes for the obvious jokes that, to be honest, can't even be considered jokes due to their inherent lack of humor.

But again, I'm not the target audience for Get Hard, and as has been made apparent since the film's premiere at SXSW, neither was Austin's SXSW audience. That's fine, as I'm sure there will be Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart fans will flock to Get Hard and laugh at all of the sexual innuendos behind the name, gag in unison with Ferrell as he expresses his disgust over fellating another man, and chalk up all of the controversy surrounding the film to overly-sensitive types that "can't get a joke." For the rest of us, we'll just await the next Judd Apatow film for our Hollywood comedy needs.


Jared Breeze in The Boy

The Boy

The Boy
Director: Craig William Macneill
Rating: N/A
Release Date: March 14, 2014 (SXSW)

Say what you will, little kids can oftentimes be the creepiest, most frightening people in the world. Their understanding (or misunderstanding) of basic social interactions is funny at times, but possesses a somewhat sinister nature. How many times have you seen children, both in media and in everyday life, do or say something that, if done by an adult, would be met with caution and concern?

The relationship between children and dark impulses has become fodder for many horror/thrillers over the years. The Boy represents a return to the trope, presented as a slow moving film that's meant to build tension and rankle unease and discomfort amongst audiences. However, the slow pacing of the film ultimately disservices the film.

Jared Breeze in The Boy

Ted (Jared Breeze) is a nine-year-old boy living at a lonely highway motel owned by his father, John (David Morse), in 1989 following the departure of his mother. With his father facing depression, Ted is free to indulge his thoughts, which partially stem from the practice of luring animals into the road to be slaughtered and turned into John for a quarter. As his desire to make more money increases, so do the animals, resulting in a car accident that leaves the driver, William Colby (Rainn Wilson), stranded. The two form a bond of sorts, with both William and Ted hiding dark secrets within themselves. Ted's growing fascination with death comes to a head in the film's climax that will leave audiences stunned.

Despite a climactic ending, The Boy takes far too long for the payoff, which may disappoint viewers. Furthermore, Ted's evolution in his creepiness can make audiences uncomfortable with the levels of creepiness on display. Fans of psychological thrillers will love where writer/director Craig William Macneill takes the film, but the best of praise will be held for Breeze and his depiction of Ted. His ability to balance and hide Ted's sinister and devious thoughts without being a cartoon-like caricature of the trope.

As a rumored first part in a trilogy, some excuses could be made for some characterization/pacing that plagued the film. The payoff could mean a tighter, more focused sequel, but as it currently stands, works against the film on its own. The Boy is a very solid debut by Macneill and will attract a small cult following to be appreciated by horror cinephiles.


Natasha Lyonne and Judy Greer in Fresno

Fresno

Fresno
Director: Jamie Babbit
Rating: N/A

Release Date: March 14, 2015 (SXSW)

Fresno features a stellar cast of Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black), Judy Greer (Archer), Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Fred Armisen (Portlandia), and more that allures comedy lovers into not missing it. And with a plot that features Lyonne as an optimistic presence in her recovering sex addict and cynical sister played by Greer, the formula for a solid indie comedy is all but assured, right?

Read on and find out.

Natasha Lyonne and Judy Greer in Fresno

Shannon (Greer) is a recovering sex addict living and working with her younger sister, Martha (Lyonne), who takes her job as a hotel maid very seriously and is doing everything in her power to assure Shannon's successful recovery. However, after Shannon's relapse with a guest at the hotel ends with his death, the two decide to dispose of the body by bringing it to a pet cemetery for incineration. However, when the cemetery owners, played by Armisen and Fargo's Allison Tolman, blackmail them for $25,000, Shannon and Martha must come up with the money quickly in outlandish ways.

Fresno subverts the typical formula by making Shannon almost completely unlikeable save for her quick wit and other quirks, making her an anti-hero of sorts. It's an interesting take on the plot that allows Greer to play up the ungrateful, unrepentant type to let her comedy shine. However, the script and writing for the film is very flat and one-dimensional, despite some funny scenes set up, like robbing a sex shop and a rap-themed Bar Mitzvah.

In short, Fresno isn't very funny, save for some small exceptions. It's a shame, too, because the cast is made up of some really hilarious actors, yet they weren't given the proper material to truly show off their talents.  In a nutshell, Fresno feels like a vehicle for Greer and Lyonne that unfortunately suffers from a flat or two.


Get Hard Premiere SXSW 2015

[SXSW Red Carpet] Get Hard Premiere

Video by Elijah Alvarado

With a big name comedy like Get Hard set for a wide release in a short couple of weeks (March 27th), it only made sense for Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart to bring the film over to SXSW for its world premiere. The comedy, directed by Etan Cohen, stars Ferrell as a framed accountant sentenced to ten years for fraud. Desperate to "get hard" for maximum security prison, he turns to his car washer (Hart), whom he mistakenly assumes has spent time in jail, to prepare him for jail.

Just before Get Hard premiered, we had the chance to work the film's red carpet and speak to Cohen, Ferrell, and Hart about the SXSW experience and the film itself. Check out our Get Hard SXSW red carpet video interviews below.


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