Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, FREE movies in the park and under the stars! Shows run from May through October, in neighborhoods from the beach to the desert, and everything in between. Movies start approximately 15 minutes after sunset.
Full schedules: https://www.summermoviesinthepark.com/wp-content/uploads/2025_SMITP_Schedule_052025.pdf
From 5/12/2025 press screening:
The fate of the world and billions of lives… in a blink of an eye.
That sums up the plot of “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning,” a direct continuation of “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.” And that blink of an eye? It’s in a literal sense of the word.
To refresh, in 'Dead Reckoning,' superspy Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise, “Top Gun"series, "Edge of Tomorrow," "Oblivion") and his team (tech duo Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luthor Stickell (Ving Rhames), former MI6 operative and sharpshooter Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), and scrappy yet sophisticated pickpocketer, Grace (Hayley Atwell), are battling a pervasively invisible enemy, Entity. Entity is a sentient artificial intelligence that has penetrated social media, communication, financial, banking, military and security systems at a global level.
Entity corrupts and manipulates data, distorting truth, creating or erasing history - for anything digital or electronic, which is anywhere and everywhere these days. The sought-after solution is a two-part key, which would unlock the source code, and whoever has both pieces would have the ultimate power over the world. The faceless AI manifests into a terrorist from Ethan's past, Gabriel (Esai Morales).
In “Final Reckoning,” Ethan is joined by new team members Paris (Pom Klementieff) and Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis). The storyline gets convoluted with tons of moving components and parts of Ethan’s past, which in some ways, trying to connect and tie loose ends from moments with characters from the first film nearly 30 years ago and somewhere in between. It includes a lengthy cameo, montages and flashbacks to those secretive and explosive events from then to the present time.
The present time involves globe-spanning herculean efforts to get to and unlock the AI source code in a hard drive entombed inside a sunken Russian Sevastopol submarine in the Arctic Ocean, while Entity gradually but rapidly is taking control of countries’ nuclear arsenal and ready to launch them for total annihilation, as well as tussling with powerful people with incongruous interests wanting to wrap their arms around Entity.
The bottom line comes down to this: the team, frenemies and real enemies, government officials – U.S. President (Angela Bassett, “Black Panther" series), Kittridge (Henry Czerny), Briggs (Shea Whigham), and military officers are faced with conflicting choices regarding what to do with the villainous and infectious AI – destroy, control or contain.
Destroy means destruction of the cyberspace and the interconnected world as we know it. Control means putting unlimited, utter power of the world on the hands of the fallible few (or one individual). Contain means impossibly racing against time-bomb ticking Entity and risking billions of lives. At one point, there are only four countries left with their own nuclear missiles and Entity is on track to quickly take hold of every single one of them.
The final reckoning journey takes the team to contrasting landscapes of the frozen Behring Sea and stunning South African gorges and sea cliffs down to a doomsday server bunker in an underground cave.
There’s a coordinates conjecture, AI-trapping plan, poison pill of a computer virus, a source code hard drive and containment device, nuclear missiles ready to fire, potential pre-emptive strikes, explosives ready to explode, onerous wires to be cut, mercenary shootouts and sneaky close-quarter hand combats, dog-sledding across a frozen tundra, navy carrier jet mission, deep diving into a collapsing sunken submarine, ice fishing out expedition, in-between-wheels climbing and wing-walking of biplanes, as well as life threatening injuries. Yep, it’s a lot!
It's not always easy to keep up with and decipher every element, but the movie does a tremendous job in lining up key pieces, crafting tension and explanation of complex scenarios with complicated consequences that make them seem real and plausible (by Mission Impossible standards). The juxtaposition of critical scenes are effectively tensed, portraying characters one after another or side-by-side completing sentences and actions simultaneously.
Especially on IMAX, Cruise’s dare-to-die stunts with the submarine and biplanes are breathlessly out of this world. The seafloor submarine escape is claustrophobically suffocating and testing the human limit underwater. At 8,000 feet in the air and 140 mph wind without CGI, the blow-by-blow, biplane aerial acrobat and dogged pursuit are clearly shot, capturing heart-stopping contortions, and surprisingly, with situational humor.
If there’s any actioner where every second counts, this is it. Not just every second, but with precision in almost every scene. And with ‘Final Reckoning’ being billed as possibly the final installment and knowing that not everyone may survive adds to the emotional stake. Call it a calling or destiny. These people truly live and die in the shadows, for those they hold close, and those they never meet.
By any standard, there will never be another super series franchise like this. More than a cinematic spectacle, Cruise chiefly has made it iconic and irreplaceable.
“Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning” is both thrillingly taut and sprawling, packed with high-stake suspense and intensity, and connected with threads of nostalgia. A crashing force to be reckoned with and exhilarating to the hilt, you won’t be able to exhale until the last minute.
Atom Tickets and Angels Studios are partnering to provide FREE movie screening nationwide, from May 22 through May 29, 2025.
Claim your FREE movie tickets here: (2 tickets/person, pre-order tickets no later than May 20, 2025)
https://www.atomtickets.com/movies/the-last-rodeo/379335?ref=LastRodeoFreeTixEmail&lid=4o4070p2veqz
Redemption code: ATOMRODEO
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A retired rodeo legend risks it all to save his grandson. Facing his own painful past and the fears of his family, he enters a high-stakes bull-riding competition as the oldest contestant ever. Along the way, he reconciles old wounds with his estranged daughter and proves that true courage is found in the fight for family. Starring: Neil McDonough.
FX will transform the Hilton Bayfront lawn into “The Wreckage,” a uniquely immersive experience which allows guests to step into the terrifying world of Alien: Earth.
FX’s ALIEN: EARTH “THE WRECKAGE” ACTIVATION:
WHAT: Guests are invited to explore the mysterious debris of the USCSS Maginot to unearth new details from the highly anticipated upcoming series from creator Noah Hawley, inspired by the acclaimed feature film franchise. The experience will feature various interactive thrills and never-before-seen alien specimens. Guests can visit “The Wreckage” during the day to explore new areas of the USCSS Maginot or brave a terrifying mission at “The Wreckage: Code Red” once the sun goes down.
The activation will also feature:
An interactive Prodigy Corp Drop Site where fans can sign up to be an FX Insider to claim exclusive giveaways and get a first look at Alien: Earth VR experiences that will be available once the show premieres.
A vending machine stocked with a custom in-world beverage available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con via a collaboration with Chain, the dining experience known for its reimagined takes on Pop-Cuisine staples.
A state-of-the-art Alien: Earth Podcast Studio, which will host various talent and influencers throughout the weekend.
WHERE: Hilton Bayfront Lawn (1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101)
WHEN: July 24-27, 2025
The Wreckage: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; The Wreckage: Code Red: 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Activation is open to the public ages 18+. Admission is free. Prodigy Corp Drop Site giveaways available during daytime hours only, while supplies last.
When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat.
FX’s Alien: Earth makes impact August 12 on FX cable channel, Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S., and Disney+ internationally.
TWISTED METAL BUMPER BATTLE
Fans will step into a post-apocalyptic world filled with bumper-to-bumper chaos at Peacock's Twisted Metal Bumper Battle.
Fans will be able to choose their ride, featuring the show’s most iconic vehicles reimagined as bumper cars, and take part in their own version of the Calypso hosted derby.
In addition to the bumper car experience, fans can expect epic photo ops, a display of some of the tournament cars featured in the series, surprise and delight moments, and pandemonium around every corner.
WHEN: July 24-26, 2025
HOURS: July 24 (12-4 p.m.), July 25-26 (12-6 p.m.)
WHERE: The Lot @ 1st & J Street - 450 2nd Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Event is free and open to the public. No badge required. Entry and bumper car participation are first-come, first-served, and not guaranteed. Waivers must be signed by all riders and passengers.
Dates and Times:
*Sessions rolling in 50 min intervals with 10 min breaks in-between:
July 23, 2025, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
July 24-27, 2025, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Activations include:
The DEXTER: RESURRECTION Vault: The Vault has reopened…and it remembers everything. Hidden behind the sleek facade of a wine cellar lies a mysterious Vault, an unsettling shrine to the darkest corners of human nature. Inside, guests will discover a chilling collection of relics, case files, and twisted keepsakes from some of history’s most notorious killers, all curated with cold precision in true Dexter fashion.
Experience STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS and STARFLEET ACADEMY: To celebrate the spirit of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS season three, fans are invited to step inside an oversized Starfleet holodeck, a fully immersive sci-fi playground featuring a series of interactive vignettes, each inspired by specific episodes from the upcoming season. Guests can sip cosmic cocktails in the romantic ‘Intergalactic Love Lounge,’ or dive into a campus-inspired environment of the STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY space that features exclusive themed swag. Designed for free exploration, social sharing, and full-throttle fandom, this holodeck journey lets guests experience the series like never before.
The LANDMAN Patch Café: Step into an authentic slice of Midland, Texas and kick back in a faithful recreation of the series’ favorite watering hole. Guests can order up signature drinks at the bar in a M*Tex souvenir mug.
Go off the grid with NCIS: TONY & ZIVA. Enter a world of espionage, romance, and high-stakes tension with this Parisian café with a twist. Inspired by Tony and Ziva’s journey, this space features a cozy exterior that hints at the quiet life they crave, while inside transports guests to a different world. Step inside a stripped-down safehouse, complete with easter eggs such as surveillance equipment, photos and passports.
Paramount Pictures invites fans to celebrate the legacy of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise with an immersive experience that drops guests straight into the high-stakes world of Ethan Hunt. Die-hard fans and first-time agents alike will experience a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity in a recreation of the iconic scene from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996) where Ethan is lowered into a high-security vault. Guests can strike the legendary suspended pose for a personalized image to take home of their unforgettable IMF mission.
‘Pop’ by Pluto TV’s Popcorn Bar. For the first time ever, Pluto TV, the global leader in FAST and the complimentary free streaming service to Paramount+, will also be featured in The Lodge. This summer, Pluto TV is exploding with hundreds of fan-favorite blockbusters and cult-classics films – all for free. To celebrate the service's “Summer of Cinema” campaign, the Pluto TV activation will be bursting with free slushies, popcorn and a one-of-a-kind photo op.
Score a Touchdown at the CBS Sports Clubhouse, a stadium-inspired space repping all things THE NFL ON CBS. Fans can take a seat in the arena-style bleachers or check out a vibrant arc of all 32 jerseys, celebrating every team in the league. Down on the turf, guests can test their arm in a target practice challenge. The UEFA Champions League-themed sports bar is also the perfect spot to kick back and relax.
What happens when New York’s most iconic pizzeria collides with one of the internet’s biggest snack brands? A doughlicious Comic-Con exclusive that’s equal parts bold and indulgent: the Triple Chocolate Feast, a limited-edition dessert pizza crafted by Prince St. Pizza and MrBeast’s Feastables! Available only during San Diego Comic-Con, this sweet surprise marks Prince St.'s first-ever foray into dessert territory.
Crafted by the culinary teams at Prince St. Pizza and Feastables, Triple Chocolate Feast takes Prince St.’s iconic dough and transforms it into a rich Feastables cocoa crust. It’s loaded with dark chocolate sauce, chopped Feastables Cookies & Creme and Milk Chocolate Crunch bars, then finished with a caramel drizzle, Feastables’ signature blue and pink sprinkles, and edible white chocolate branded coins.
Feastables is on a mission to end child labor in the chocolate industry. Their cocoa is 100% Fairtrade Certified, ensuring farmers are paid a living income or the market price—whichever is higher. They only partner with farms committed to actively protecting children. And this is just the beginning.
Triple Chocolate Feast ($8) will be available in-store only, while supplies last, at Prince Street Pizza, 415 Market Street, from July 23 through July 27, 2025.
For more information, please visit @PrinceStreetPizza on Instagram.
WHERE: Promenade Plaza at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel (1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA)
WHEN: July 24-July 27, 2025, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
AR Crash Site Experience: Track a meteorite (a.k.a. our boldest scent yet) and unlock a portal to Krypton via our AR experience. Step into the Old Spice capsule and emerge transformed with the tools to “Smell Like a Hero.”
Interview the Old Spice Guy (July 26 ONLY): Yes, the “Man Your Man Could Smell Like” will be live and in the flesh, ready to capture epic interview and photo moments.
Super Giveaways: Get your hands on exclusive Old Spice x Superman products and strike your best Superman pose at our custom photo op stations.
Watch the Ad: “Look up!”... then click HERE to preview our heroic new spot in action.
Limited Edition Collection: Try out the Superman-inspired lineup of Deodorant, Body Wash and Shampoo with notes of Bright Citrus & Cosmos. A scent so bold and refreshing, it’s truly out of this world.
Nobody gets left behind when Walt Disney Studios’ live-action family adventure Lilo & Stitch lands at Comic-Conn. Fans can celebrate their ‘ohana outside the convention center with interactive experiences.
WHAT:
Catch the wave with Lilo & Stitch - no badge required. Cool off at this fun, family-friendly activation featuring island-inspired, surfing photo & video ops and a sweet taste of paradise with free shaved ice. Unnecessary cuteness guaranteed!
WHEN:
July 24-26, 10a.m. - 7 p.m.; July 27, 2025, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Gaslamp Diagonal, adjacent to the Omni Hotel (where Sixth Avenue ends)
In partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, exclusive to The MovieMaven - FREE movie screening of "Another Simple Favor," if you're in the greater San Diego area:
April 29, 2025 - 7 p.m.
Regal Mira Mesa, 10733 Westview Parkway, San Diego, CA 92126
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Get your FREE movie passes here: (LIMITED availability - get your pass ready at the door)
Redeem link: (1 pass = 2 seats)
https://amazonscreenings.com/movie_landing/TW92aWVNYXZlbkFwcHJvdmVk
Stephanie Smothers agrees to travel to Italy to be the maid of honor for the devious and cunning Emily Nelson. However, she soon suspects Emily's good will is part of an elaborate plan for revenge. Starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick.
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Check out full review and Italian sojourn pictures from SXSW: https://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/2025/04/another-simple-favor.html
A glossy noir, "Another Simple Favor" is wildly twisty and fabulously fun.
"A Simple Favor:" https://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/2018/09/a-simple-favor.html
From 3/8/2025 SXSW festival screening:
"Revenge is a dish best served chilled with a twist."
Do yourself a favor. If you haven't seen “A Simple Favor,” stream it. If “A Simple Favor” is a wicked whodunnit dark comedy, “Another Simple Favor” is another flavor of bizarre, darker comedy that will guarantee a bonkers time. Capri is its own character and the cinematography alone is worth the price of admission.
Emily Nelson (Blake Lively; "The Shallows," "The Age of Adaline," "The Town") and Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick; "Into the Woods," "Up in the Air") are back as the best frenemy. They entangle themselves in each other's life and messier relationships, upping the ante on sass, snark and suspicion.
Cashing in on the deadly fallout in “A Simple Favor,” mommy vlogger and influencer Stephanie is now a rather famous real crime book author, “The Faceless Blonde.” In a signing event, she's surprised by an unexpected visitor's appearance, supposed-to-be imprisoned, former public relations executive, Emily.
Emily got out of prison after the murder she committed only after five years. She's bailed by her new, mysterious fiance, getting married in Capri, Italy, and she is inviting Stephanie to be her maid of honor. Stephanie is voluntold and doesn't have much say in the matter, as Emily would sue her for using her likeness and real life story for her crime novel if she doesn't come along. Besides, this would boost Stephanie's popularity with her followers from all over the world.
Sounds suspicious? It is. Stephanie is no dummy. She knows Emily is up to no good. But what? Would Emily bring Stephanie to Capri to murder her as a revenge? That would be too obvious, considering the trip and wedding are made public online. What about trapping her in Capri so she can't return home and separating her from her son? Or framing her for a bad deed? Figuring out the motives and scenarios is part of the fun. You'll be in for one bombshell after another with what transpires, twists and spirals.
Stephanie gets a taste of luxury jetting off on a private jet and speeding off on a boat cruising the azure waters of scenic Italy. She finally meets Emily's fiance, Dante Versano (Michele Morrone), a wealthy scion of a prominent conglomerate (read: mafia) family.
Emily claims that they actually met and had a brief dalliance many moons ago when she was living in Italy. When Emily went to prison and Stephanie wrote a sensational book about their sordid shared story, it raised Emily's profile internationally. Dante purportedly tracked down and they rekindled their relationship. The betrothed couple appears lovey-dovey, but when it comes to Emily, who knows how Dante comes to be under her spell.
The glamorous guests are who's who to avoid. Rival mafia, long lost family members and inimical in-law. Stephanie's exasperated ex-husband, Sean (Henry Golding, "Crazy Rich Asians"), who coupled up with Stephanie in "A Simple Favor," is forced to tag along because of Emily's and his young son. The panoramic vista along the craggy coastlines and posh clifftop villages is sweepingly spectacular.
The decadent wedding location is every bride's dream. Pre-nuptial meet-and-greet is draped with soft spring flowers and fresh wreaths and bright lemons from the vines. Pastel petals rain on the wedded couple, gorgeously giving way to crimson roses adorning the opulent garden reception. The air is rich with secrets and splendor.
Lively is glamour-personified. Stylish and extravagant ensembles with dainty chain of pearls, flowers and laces, oversized hat and gloves, floor-sweeping white veil lined with blood red edges, as if signaling what's to come. Mysterious personal relationships, deep dark family secrets, betrayal and entrapment, identity ideation and deception, double crossing and multiple murders.
While all these may seem ominous, the characters drip with humorous dread, contempt and sarcasm, trading barbs with wry wit and poisonous edge, making it enjoyable to watch, even with the crude language, and as the story grows more outrageous and goes off the picturesque rail. Even the crimes are committed in slightly comical ways. The simply wrapped ending sets up another favor misadventure.
A glossy noir, "Another Simple Favor" is wildly twisty and fabulously fun.
"Another Simple Flavor" will be released on Amazon Prime Video on May 1, 2025.
From 3/10/2025 SXSW screening and red carpet premiere:
First date. Fancy restaurant. What could go wrong? Beyond your craziest nightmare.
Violet (Meghann Fahy), a single mom, therapist and domestic abuse survivor, is nervous prior to going on a first date with a photographer she meets online, Henry (Brendan Sklenar). While Henry looks like a nice guy, this will be the first time in years she puts herself out there and leaves her five-year old son at home for the evening. With a push from her sister to babysit and a killer outfit to wear, off she goes.
The swanky restaurant is located on the top floor of a skyscraper, with glassy floor-to-ceiling cylinder views. Violet makes small talk with an older gentleman waiting for his blind date and an encouraging bartender, trying to calm her nerves.
When Henry arrives, the two seem to hit it off only very briefly, since Violet starts receiving provocative digi(tal) drops on her cell phone. Those texts and pictures escalate from annoying to taunting and threatening, culminating in a live camera of a masked and armed man inside her house, holding her son and sister hostage. And whoever behind these seems to be able to predict what Violet’s going to do, and hear and see every move she makes.
Imagine sitting in front of a new love interest in person for the first time, trying to hide the panic, threats and horror since you’re told to not tell your date or anyone about what's going on, and unable to drop a signal or call for help. Not only that, Violet is now instructed to get something out of Henry’s work bag and destroy it, without him knowing it. She’s eventually ordered to kill him, or her son dies.
Violet is making up excuses – from being on her cell frequently, answering airdrops and texting, misplacing her belonging, excusing herself to the ladies’ room, wanting to switch tables, going to the bar to chat with the bartender, trying to get the pianist’s attention from across the room, using makeshift items to get herself out of the increasingly dire situation – while making awkward chats with Henry. The overly chirpy and talkative new server doesn’t help.
Violet looks around the restaurant, observes the guests and their manners, starts the identity guessing game and even finds ways to talk to a few people. Everyone is a suspect at this point. A red herring occurs. Violet tries every trick she could think of, until the first victim drops dead at the restaurant. If there’s any doubt that this sick shenanigan is for real, this clinches it. And if she doesn’t do what he says, more innocent people will be dropping like flies.
From the onset and the outside, while Henry seems to be more than patient and understanding of Violet’s severely distracted appearance and excuses, seemingly due to first date jitters and an anxious son at home, he finally takes the cue to drop out of the evening and start leaving. Being drop dead gorgeous could only carry a conversation so far. Only problem? Violet needs to keep Henry in his spot so that she could kill him, which of course, she absolutely does not want to do. But what other choice does she have?
Fortunately, Violet is able to prevent Henry from leaving by sharing a vulnerably authentic side of her and Henry opens up as well. By now he could see that Violet is acting strange and senses something is not right. Unfortunately, this means that Henry remains in the murderer's crosshair.
With a flushed face, racing pulse and running out of excuses, terror-stricken Violet refuses to give up and is determined to outsmart the merciless murderer figure, while not clueing in and killing Henry, and saving her son and sister at the same time. Time is running out. Talk about mission impossible. When the mysterious killer’s cover is uncovered and the abhorrent end game is blown apart, violent actions come to a deadlier head.
The movie does a killer job in keeping the whodunnit mystery up and ratcheting up the nerve-racking tension. The acting is convincing all around. Fahy carries every frame with suppressed intense emotions and anyone looks like they could potentially be the assailant. It's satisfying to see her having a mic drop moment when she comes face to face with her tormentor.
“Drop” is a suspenseful hell hath no fury like a trapped woman whose son is in danger. You’ll be in for a precarious ride and rooting for the heroine to withstand and win.
"Drop" will drop into theaters on April 11, 2025.
As a regular and longtime Comic-Con attendee (check out the fabulous blast from years’ past here) and someone who had never been to Texas (now 29th state visited!), I always wanted to visit SXSW, but the timing was never right.
The stars were aligned this time. With a complimentary, all-inclusive film & TV press badge, and coincidentally, a free flight voucher from Southwest Airlines, I boarded to Austin and had a grand time! Austin is a cool city with an outdoorsy-barbeque-music vibe. The early spring weather ranged from super warm to cool and cold and windy, not much different than San Diego.
I was only available to be there for several days (less than half the nine days allotted) and a tiny fraction of the massive festival (intersection of film, television, music, business and technology) had to offer, but it satisfied my curiosity. It’s nice to be able to get away into a new part of the country and also immerse myself in all-things film and television. If you think Comic-Con is pricey, I got a major sticker shock when I realized my badge was worth at $1,395!
As always, there were too many things to run concurrently and too little time to experience everything you'd want. As a member of the press, I was also invited to a variety of VIP parties, live music and interactive business-related events, but I wasn’t able to make it. That’s how it typically goes – you win some, you lose some.
Unlike the flat grid of downtown San Diego, Austin’s downtown area is pretty sprawling and with some hilly parts, so rideshare was my go-to method in order to be able to hit events in time, although it still took time due to congested streets. They did have free shuttles that go from the convention center to major hotels and theaters in the area during the festival, which was a great service for those who weren't rushing. The lines were managed with people having primary and secondary access based on their respective badge, so it’s clearer than Comic-Con’s one giant lines for everything.
The exhibition floor was nothing to write home about; it's small and more like a state or summer fair type of exhibits. The rooms in the convention center had electronic placates (with what appeared to be real-time information about the session and capacity in the room) by the door that I don't see at Comic-Con.
As far as pop culture celebration goes, it’s not comparable to Comic-Con since SXSW is so much more than film and television and nobody wore any costume. Although there were a few buildings wrapped (with giant film or television banners) and few pop-up activations here and there. Plenty of photo opportunities and fun to be had.
Most prominent activations were Alien, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ Lodge (similar to the one hosted at Comic-Con), The Accountant 2, Love is Blind, Museum of Future House (Dubai) and Whattaburger.
Some of these events provided tasty treats and drinks (such as slider, lemon sorbet, desert chocolate, soda, lemonade, martini). Goodies I got include patches, bracelet, charm, T-shirt, hoodie, cowboy hat, regular hat, books and totes. Among photo shoots, catching clues and solving puzzles, the most fun I had was trying out line dancing! (coming from someone who doesn’t dance at all). I skipped the paintball gun activity due to time. They were only running these pop-up events for as few as a couple of days to several days, not for the entire duration of the festival, so it was perfect timing I was there during the beginning of the festival.
What SXSW does best compared to other, smaller film festivals is red carpet premieres. Yes, Comic-Con (and even WonderCon) has star-studded panels (hello, Hall H and Ballroom 20!), but it’s a different kind of vibe there.
We’re talking major cast and crew of feature films on the streets. There’s something exclusive and glamorous about lining up to see the world’s premiere of a movie, with the stars walking out onto the literal red carpet outside of the theater, and standing on stage for Q&A after the movie. The frenzied atmosphere on the streets with the throngs of cheering fans, press from around the world, and security surrounding the theater was electric.
SXSW required the very limited, ticketed general audience going inside the theaters to only bring one transparent bag per person in order to move lines through security quickly, although I couldn’t tell if it was enforced. Press was allowed one regular bag and one camera bag, and assigned ‘working press’ tag for each.
I didn’t look for information or plan to attend any of the red carpet premieres (like Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick for “Another Simple Favor”). My goals was a respite from the routines from work, a change of scenery, and to basically chill and enjoy what might come my way.
I ended up at the right place and the right time for the premieres of “Holland” (Nicole Kidman, Matthew Macfadyen, Gael Garcia Bernal) and “Drop” (Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar, and co-stars). I heard from a journalist next to me when and where Ben Affleck would appear (for “The Accountant 2”), but it was so late in the evening and I decided to ditch the effort to get there. I was planning to get to “The Death of a Unicorn” premiere and had to miss it due to “The Accountant 2” activation running late.
One-word impressions of the movies I did see: “Another Simple Favor” – wild, “The Accountant 2” – solid, “Drop” – intense, “Holland” – quirky, “It Ends” – creepy. I did end up seeing “Death of a Unicorn” in a press screening back in San Diego this week – brutal (in a ‘eat the rich’ way). Some of the screenings.were held in an ornate, historic theater with a stage. “Another Simple Favor” and “Drop” reviews are forthcoming. 2025 is turning out to be a banner year for films and television!
