Claire in Motion
Betsy Brandt gets a front-and-center chance to shine in “Claire in Motion,” a mystery drama about a math professor seeking answers behind her husband’s disappearance. When her investigation leads her a to mysterious grad student who forged a close bond with her husband, nothing in Claire’s life will be the same.
Midnight Special
Jeff Nichols‘ contribution to the superheroes-for-grownups genre has buzz echoing from Los Angeles all the way to the Austin Convention Center. Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst and Adam Driver star in this tale of a father on the run with his young son, who happens to be burdened with special powers.
Everybody Wants Some
Richard Linklater moves a decade ahead in his quest to capture the desires of a group of young friends. This time it’s the 1980s, and the college romp stars Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Guzman and Tyler Hoechlin.
The Other Half
Tatiana Maslany gets a much-needed break in “The Other Half,” as the actress was only hired to play one character — a vacation from her clone-heavy “Orphan Black.” Here she stars as a bipolar woman in love with a grieving man (Tom Cullen) attempting to live a normal life.
Keanu
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are on the threshold of a major mainstream breakthrough. The announcement of the “work-in-progress” screening of their first feature film “Keanu” made national headlines. The comedy centers around two friends who lose an adorable cat to a vicious gang. And if you need proof of pedigree for SXSW comedies — “Bridesmaids” and “Trainwreck” also screened as work-in-progress titles at the festival.
Sausage Party
Social media and studio backlots can’t stop chatting about the very adult animated movie coming from Seth Rogen and company, “Sausage Party.” It’s about phallic shaped food come to life, use your imagination.
The Bandit
A look into the life, relationships and exclusive archive of TV and movie star Burt Reynolds and his late stuntman Hal Needham.
In a Valley of Violence
There’s no word yet on Ti West‘s “In a Valley of Violence.” An impressive cast in Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga and John Travolta gives cred to the Blumhouse title, though some indicators say the slapstick violence could lead the film to cult status.
A Stray
“A Stray” packs a double punch of being both topical and potentially devastating. “Captain Philips” star Barkhad Abdirahman stars as a Muslim refugee in Minneapolis who tries outrun his past but then meets a stray dog.
Tower
Keith Maitland’s documentary seems on-trend given numerous titles at Sundance 2016 that deal with gun violence — but does them one better by revisiting America’s first contemporary mass shooting. This one occurred in 1966 at the University of Texas Tower, and inspired a community to heal together.
The Space in Between – Marina Abramovic and Brazil
Performance artist Marina Abramovic brought the house down in her contemporary doc “The Artist is Present.” Now she’s on the road seeking sages, solace and inspiration for new work in “The Space in Between – Marina Abramovic and Brazil.”
