We grabbed a seat on the patio, an Austin TX must have for any great restaurant, and started eating.  This is the best food I have ever had at an Alamo Drafthouse.  This place is highly recommended just to eat, but you can hop right over to a movie afterward.  It’s awesome.  So let’s check out what they have.

The Alambres – A Grilled skewer of NY Strip, bacon and poblano peppers on an avocado tomatillo hatch with cotija.  This thing was so good and I want to go back and order so many more.  One of my new favorite dishes in Austin right now.

Sonoran Hot Dog – Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog, flat grilled with green chili salsa, lettuce, white beans, pickled onions, tomato, jicama, cilantro mayo and cotija in a bolillo.  This is the best Hot Dog I have ever had in my life.  The bread was wonderfully soft, the hot dog and bacon with all the other condiments was perfectly balanced.  It was amazing.

Torta Ahogada – Carnitas, pickled onions, refried white beans, and cotija on a toasted bolillo drowned in arbol sauce topped with fresh oregano and served with chips.  This was another amazing dish, the heat from the arbol didn’t get you right away. It snuck up on you slowly with a wonderful heat and another great balance of flavors.

There was a lot more to eat and drink.  Lots of tequila inspired cocktails that were delicious. The Paloma was my favorite, a blend of Tequila, grapefruit soda and  a pinch of salt.  Very tasty.

The 400 Rabbits is attached to an Alamo Drafthouse, which features seating with tables, making it comfortable to dine while watching a movie. We were also allowed to explore the theater after our meal.  All of pics of the new Alamo Drafthouse are in the Gallery.  I highly reccomend checking out this theater and the 400 Rabbits cocktail lounge as soon as possible.

One Sentence: Don’t believe the hype.

Rated: R

Release Date: Now on demand

Nudity: Woman butt

Maybe the E-mail blast by the Alamo Drafthouse was genuine. Maybe the writer really loved this movie and really wanted everyone to go see it. That it is was a must see movie. Maybe it was marketing, getting me to pay to see it instead of just downloaded it on demand. I don’t know which is real but I find it hard to believe that tons of people were texting everyone else to go see this movie and that, this is worth of a theater release. The dead silence after the lights came up in my screening was an indication of how slow, boring and sleepy this movie was. Everyone just woke up with the lights came up and has nothing to say about the movie to the people they saw it with.

The idea was sort of neat at first. I liked the tire puppetry or whatever you will call it, and the off-beat nature of the idea of a killer tire. An hour later I was fighting to keep my eyes open and was wondering if it was ever going to do more than what it was doing now. Which was a very slow, boring journey down a dusty road, literally. It never did, it never went anywhere or did anything worth talking about. You have seen the trailer you get the movie, there is no more to it. I think there might have been an idea to make it more, but it never happened. It just rolled along slowly and occasionally blew up people, with an attempted multi-layer universe of characters that never worked. This is one of the most disappointing movies I have ever seen, probably thanks to that original e-mail I got from The Alamo Drafthouse. From now on I know they are just marketing and I should not trust them as truth.

So should you go see Rubber, I have people asking me already, and it is a very strong, NO! You do not need to pay, or even download this movie on demand. It is not worth the time. If you are having problems sleeping, then download this and you will be out in less than an hour. I see no reason for anyone else to check this one out. Just watch the trailer and you will get enough of the movie to be satisfied.

Usually I don't post news but I thought this was something I should post.  The Alamo Drafthouse hero to all movie goers in the world has just announced their new film distribution movie company.  http://www.drafthousefilms.com/  With their first release Four Lions.  Congrats to Everyone over at Drafthouse films and The Alamo Drafthouse.  

Well it is over.  7 days, I believe we counted that we saw 17 movies.  That is an average of 2.5 a day approximately.  As you can see from the pic I might have been a little tired, laptop, write review, see another movie, write review, pass out, die.  You know all for the movies, but I have to say that I had an wonderful time at Fantastic Fest.  I was surprised at how many movies were so great this year, and how many I heard about that were good that I just could not get to.  I did not even get into City Of Ember, so I think the review for that is not coming until after the 10th.  But I did go to the closing night party in longhorn caverns, which was excellent.  There are two sets of great pics of the closing night party with Bill Murray if you want to check them out below. 

http://flickr.com/photos/davidhillphoto/sets/72157607514855887/

http://eugenehsu.smugmug.com/gallery/6069894_jSPho/1/380664515_55MoP#380664587_BkVJ8

So what would I pick as the must see movies of Fantastic Fest?  If I was going to pick 3 movies that you have to see this year, in some form, DVD, theater, or whatever way you have to, see these movies!

JCVD   The real life fiction story about Jean-Claude Van Damm was just amazing.  Truly an unexpected delight and a great movie.  It is not what you expect at all and I think is well worth the French subtitles. 

Terra    A unheard of animated movie that did not fall into the normal family movie traps.  Terra is an amazing mix of wonderful animation and a great story.  Best animated movie at Fantastic Fest. 

Zach and Miri Make A Porno  Funniest movie of the year so far.  I was just floored by how much I liked Kevin Smith's next movie.  I expected to like it but not love it and I loved this movie.  Comes out on Halloween and I think everyone should go see it. 

So there you go that is it for this year's Fantastic Fest.  Stay Tuned for more from next year if I can make it through it.  Now I am going to sleep for the next week.  

The secret screening was The Orphanage a ghost/horror movie that was produced by Guillermo Del Toro.  It was not a blood fest horror, but a beautiful ghost story, that wisped along with a pacing and feel that I think people are looking for in horror, that they are not getting in the bloodfests.  Smart, good story, and damn scary in some parts, The Orphanage, is one to keep an eye out for, especially for classic horror fans.  It should get some good release and DVD promotion later.  

The second movie of the night was Mirage Man.  This was the other movie by the guys who did Kiltro.  This was a lighter movie that the previous.  It had a lot of funny elements.  It was about a normal guy who becomes a super hero (with no super powers) trying to save the city from bag guys and helping his family in the process.  It has great martial arts, and is really impressive in that area.  Where Kiltro had the better story, Mirage Man was more entertaining, funny and a lot more ass kicking.  Great fun time.   

This is the so far highest rated movie at Fantastic Fest.  Timecrimes, is a time travel movie, that is low key, smart, and in the sense of true science fiction.  It is this wonderful little package of a movie, with scary elements, sexy elements, and sci-fi elements, all packaged around a story that really worked for a time travel movie.  It is no wonder it is the best rated movie of the festival.  I do not think you all will be able to check this one out however, no word on DVD release or anything.  

Aachi & Ssipak was weird, and action packed and funny and weird.  It involves poop, cyborg, drug laced popsicles, and non-stop action.  Sounds good right?  It was pretty good, but also felt long, even though it wasn't.  I think that might be my mind playing tricks on me though because I am super tired.  Anyone that likes animation will like this.  It is a very cool movie, even though it is way bizarre. 

I am almost tired of Japanese movies.  I think I am just tired in general.  Maiko Haaaan was a weird comedy about a boy obsessed with getting into a Geisha house.  The movie would have been great if it wasn't for the crazy insane over the top main character who drove me nuts, I just couldn't take 2 hours of this guy.  He reached my last nerve.  If he played it a bit normal it would have been a great movie, so I am not sure about this one.  I would give it a 3 out of 5 if I was doing a full review.   

Death Note is something huge in Japan right now.  Manga, movies, TV show, action figures, it's all very crazy, and I think well it should be, becuase Death Note was awesome.  A thriller, detective movie, Death Note takes elements from the spirit world, magic, and just good old fashion cops vs robbers to make an excellent movie.  This one should be available to rent and is highly recommended.  The best feature I have seen at Fantastic Fest.  I still liked the Moebius documentary better, but this was the best fiction feature.  

Death Note: The Last Note, was showing right after part 1.  How nice for us, because we were excited after just seeing Death Note 1.  This one got a little bit muddy in the middle.  There was a lot of stuff going on and I got a little confused.  It was a bigger story, and with that I think they lost track a little, but it was still good and I am still a fan for the second.  Supposedly there is a third coming down the pipe, I hope so, I would like to check it out.  Both of these movies are high on the rent list if you like anything Japan/Anime style, you will love them.  

The crowds were very large and the theater completly full for Son Of Rambow.  I am not sure why I had heard no buzz about it, and it seemed like a kids movie.   After watching it, I am still wondering about the buzz.  It was good, not great.  It was set in the 80's, they seemed to have some fun with that, clothing and music, and those things were funny, but it just didn't hit the mark like everyone else seemed to think it did.  It was a cute kids movie with a nice lesson and was slightly funny, that's it.  Rent it for the kids when it comes out on DVD.  

Throughout the festival since it played, people have been talking about Mirage Men, Mirage Men this, have you seen Mirage Men?  OMG Mirage Men, I am seeing it later in the week.  Kiltro is these guys first movie.   Marko Zaror is the lead for this story of love, and revenge.  This was the first Martial Arts movie to come out of South America and it is great.  Awesome fight scenes, a total badass bad guy, and a cute touching story that gets dark and leads to anger and revenge.  The direction Ernesto Díaz Espinoza and Marko seem to be the stars of this years Fantastic Fest, standing ovations, people talking about their movies, and autographs and photos galore.  If you have a chance to see Kiltro check it out they might have a DVD release next year.  Keep an eye out for my Mirage Men reviewer later in the week. 

So I have learned that if I don't have a VIP pass or a press pass I am not getting into secret screenings, one of them was Southland Tales, which is coming out soon.  The others I am not sure what they were.  I am not sure if I want to get VIP next year because well I have had so much good luck with the less popular movies, they are the ones that have been the best so far.  I have a whole year to decide.  Keep an eye out for more reviews tomorrow.  

The Girl Who Lept Through Time won the academy award for best animated feature in Japan this year.  For me it used an animation style I don't think portrays emotion well, and so was left a little let down.  The movie was still very good, and the story was great, sweet, and charming, but with the style chosen, it just didn't touch me as well as it could have.  It didn't hit me like spirited away did, and I know it is party because of the animation.  I am sure this is going to get a DVD release so anime fans will be happy with this rental, but it just wasn't amazing to me. 

Alone was next.  I don't have an image for it.  Alone is a Thai movie about a woman and the loss of her Siamese twin.  It fit into the J-horror style with dealing with fear and scary imagery and not a lot of death.   It did fine for itself in this genre, but I do not think is going to win the audience award for best picture.  I would say the last 30 minutes did pick up and the story got a lot better, but it was a bit too slow at the beginning.  If you are a fan of J-horror then you won't be disappointed, but I wouldn't say go get it if you are not a fan.  

We are having kitty issues with one of our cats and as of right now are ok for movies, but I could miss any of the movies today because of the kitty, so expect 6 reviews, don't be disappointed if you don't get all 6.  He is hoping kitty is ok.  

Moebius Redux is a documentary on the Comic Book artist Moebius, which I thought was the best movie I have seen so far at the festival.  It was smart and alluring, telling me a story about a man I have never heard of in an industry, that I don't really care about.  The doc was smart, well shot and very interesting.  While I had never heard of this man, the work he has done is some of my favorite and it really showed the person behind those creative processes.  If you have a chance to see this one I think you should, it was just excellent.  It plays again at Fantastic Fest on Tuesday at 4:15PM.  If not, then hope it comes out on DVD, because it was just awesome, even if you don't like comics.  

Weirdsville is the most hollywood, polished movie I have seen so far.  A comedy about Drug Users and their journey to get money to pay off their dealer.  IT has little people, drugs, Satan worshipers, hippies, prostitutes, and smart witty comedy that is solid throughout the movie.  The comedy is not 40 year old virgin in your face comedy, but instead intelligent, and subtle.  This one is going to be released in theaters in October, and I think it is another one that most people should add to their radar.  It is worth the rental or 2 hours in the theater for.  It plays one more time at Fantastic Fest on Thursday at 1:15PM.  

Flight Of The Living Dead was the closer of the night, starting at 11:45 it was a USA up all night masterpiece.  Which is to say that it was a zombie movie on an airplane.   Good looking zombies, couldn't save this one from being a stereotypical zombie flick, with no great characters, lacking plot or anything resembling a real story line.  Some hot girls, and guys are on a plane and there are zombies.  That is about it.  It is not bad really, just not the amazing event you expect from something named Flight Of The Living Dead, however after the last plane movie I think we all are not surprised that another one kinda fell flat.  

That's all for Friday, I am leaving in 15 minutes for day 3.  I have only 3 movies today because of some other plans that I had, but that's ok I think 3 movies is enough.  Coming up, evil hair extensions, an anime, and Siamese twins horror, check out reviews tomorrow.