If you're already having SXSW withdrawal, get a fix from Harmony and Me, a prime cut of Austin lo-fi. Crafted under the auspices of the Sundance Institute's Annenberg Film Fellowship Program, the break-up film is visually sparse... more ›

Those who read this column frequently know that I am a fierce proponent of true independent film (e.g. micro-budgeted films not featuring famous people slumming). Sadly, most of those films -- even the good ones -- will only play at film festivals and not be seen by a wider audience. From time to time, though, a small film breaks through and makes it into a theater (e.g. where any film should be seen -- fuck DVDs on a widescreen). Tonight at the Silent Film Theater, you can see one of my favorites from last year's Los Angeles Film Festival, Harmony & Me (review and interview here). Even if you don't end up liking the film, it's impossible not to have a good time at the Silent so I encourage everyone to check it out! more ›

If you know who Justin Rice is, you probably know him as the lead singer of Bishop Allen or his appearance in Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Very quietly, though -- working mostly with friends -- he's put together an interesting film career. I had the great pleasure of not only seeing Harmony & Me a few days ago at the LA Film Festival (review here), but also had a chance to speak with Justin about the film, his other films and his music. Have a listen and make plans to see Harmony & Me when it screens again later this week. If nothing else, there's a Q&A afterward with the radiantly smart (and hot) Kristen Tucker (and director Bob Byington). more ›

There was a belief a few years ago -- as cheap cameras and Final Cut Pro gained real traction within the filmmaking community -- that we were at the dawn of a cheap indie revolution. Affordability was going to allow new talent to finally be seen and recognized. In some cases that happened, but mostly this surge in access resulted in a colossal amount of dull movies. Thankfully, a micro-budget film still punches through occasionally and restores one's faith in the premise that you don't need a huge amount of money to make a good film. more ›