Pick Me Up Movies and TV, SXSW 2020 Film Reviews

What movies or TV shows do you watch when you’re feeling down?

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are discussing movies and television that pick us up when things are dire. With everything currently affecting the world, and millions of people across the globe enduring isolation or quarantine, we decided what better time to talk about the films or TV we turn to in order to turn our frowns upside down. We discuss the current entertainment predicament – theater closures, production shutdowns, release delays – and how we’re coping with it.

Also this week, we elected to kick corona to the curb and bring back a little South By Southwest festival action! Despite the SXSW 2020 Film Festival being canceled due to the coronavirus, we reached out to many filmmakers with films that had been officially selected for the festival and reviewed them on this very episode. We would have loved to have had more, but with times the way they are, we did what we could. If you want to learn more about all of the films from the festival, be sure to visit SXSW.com, and make a plan to attend next year’s event!

Listen to the latest episode of The Hollywood Outsider Podcast

Discussed on this episode

• (0:00 – 17:30) Opening | The Change in Entertainment
• (17:31 – 1:08:20) From The Outside In: Pick Me Up Movies and TV
• (1:08:21 – 1:58:08) SXSW 2020 Film Reviews
• Email topic suggestions or episode reactions to feedback@thehollywoodoutsider.com
• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content, by visiting Patreon.com/TheHollywoodOutsider.
• This month’s Patreon-exclusive Bad Movie Night is Space Jam
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• Do your shopping via our Amazon Link!

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Below are the SXSW Official Selections reviewed on this episode

Movie Title	Synopsis
Critical Thinking	Director: John Leguizamo, Screenwriter: Dito Montiel Based on a true story from 1998, five Latin and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher. Cast: John Leguizamo, Michael Kenneth Williams, Rachel Bay Jones, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, Corwin Tuggles, Jeffry Batista, Zora Casebere, Ramses Jimenez
Cursed Films	Showrunner: Jay Cheel Cursed Films is a five-part documentary series which explores the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously cursed horror film productions.
I Used To Go Here	Director/Screenwriter: Kris Rey Following the launch of her new novel, 35-year-old writer Kate Conklin (Gillian Jacobs) is invited to speak at her alma mater by her mentor and former professor (Jemaine Clement). Cast: Gillian Jacobs, Jemaine Clement, Josh Wiggins, Hannah Marks, Zoe Chao, Jorma Taccone, Forrest Goodluck
I’ll Meet You There	Director/Screenwriter: Iram Parveen Bilal A Muslim policeman goes undercover at his estranged father’s mosque while his daughter hides her passion for a forbidden dance, uncovering a shocking family secret. Cast: Faran Tahir, Nikita Tewani, Muhammad Qavi Khan, Sheetal Sheth, Shawn Parsons, Andrea Cirie, Nitin Madan, Michael Pemberton, Samrat Chakrabarti, Rachit Trehan
Lapsis	Director/Screenwriter: Noah Hutton Delivery man Ray Tincelli is struggling to support himself and his ailing younger brother. He turns to quantum cabling, a strange new corner of the gig economy, and faces a pivotal choice to either help his fellow workers or to get rich and get out. Cast: Dean Imperial, Madeline Wise, Babe Howard, Dora Madison, Ivory Aquino, James McDaniel, Frank Wood, Arliss Howard, Pooya Mohseni, Portia
Make Up	Director/Screenwriter: Claire Oakley After Ruth moves in with her boyfriend in a remote holiday park, tensions rise as she makes an unsettling discovery that lures her into a spiral of obsession. Cast: Molly Windsor, Joseph Quinn, Stefanie Martini
Rare Beasts	Director/Screenwriter: Billie Piper An anti rom-com about Mandy, a career-driven single mother, who falls in love with the charming traditionalist Pete. Cast: Billie Piper, Leo Bill, David Thewlis, Kerry Fox, Toby Woolf, Lily James
Single – Short	Director/Screenwriter: Ashley Eakin A girl born with one arm gets set-up to go on a blind date with a guy who has one hand, and she is pissed!
The Carnivores	Director/Screenwriter: Caleb Michael Johnson Alice has been blacking out and craving things she dare not name. When her girlfriends’ dog goes missing, Alice wonders if it could be inside her. Cast: Lindsay Burdge, Tallie Medel, Frank Mosley
The Pushback	Director: Kevin Ford From producer Richard Linklater and director Kevin Ford, The Pushback is the story of two women of color running for public office, fighting against decades of institutional racism, and redefining what it means to be a Texan.
The Surrogate	Director/Screenwriter: Jeremy Hersh Jess is thrilled to be the surrogate for her best friend and his husband, but when a prenatal test comes back, it creates a moral dilemma that threatens their friendship. Cast: Jasmine Batchelor, Chris Perfetti, Sullivan Jones, Brooke Bloom, Tonya Pinkins, Eboni Booth, Brandon Micheal Hall, Leon Lewis, Tiffany Villarin
Tomboy	Director: Lindsay Lindenbaum Tomboy shines a light on four women drummers, in a field that was once the exclusive domain of men. The narratives of these trailblazing musicians interweave, launching a dialogue on gender and artistry, which extends far beyond the musical sphere.