As Fantastic Fest kicks off tonight, Austinist will be bringing you previews of films playing at the festival. We begin today with Wendigo director Larry Fessenden's latest, The Last Winter. An interesting yet practical genre mash-up, the film is an eco-horror piece concerning the fate of an oil crew who are damaging the environment in rural Alaska. There's no serial killer here: the antagonist(?) is actually the planet, which begins to fight back when threatened by those callous enough to try and destroy it.

Having seen the first hour of the film, we can reveal a few tiny details. The camerawork alternates between static character shots and frenetic, sweeping landscape panoramas that make the viewer feel that something is about to go terribly, terribly wrong. And the Alaskan locale doesn't need much emphasis to make the viewer feel instantly isolated and claustrophobic.The Last Winter also features quite an interesting cast, with Ron Perlman in the scene-chewing, OTT lead role as a cocky crew foreman trying to keep everyone calm. Friday Night Lights favorites Connie Britton (Tami Taylor) and Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen) are also in prime supporting roles, as is James LeGros as a researcher and journalist providing an (often unheeded) voice of reason.

In sum, if Al Gore ditched his slide show and Current TV to write a genre pic, this might be the result. So hop in your hybrid or walk over in your Simple Shoes and check it out.

[Fantastic Fest Official Site]

The Last Winter
Thursday, September 20th
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar [map]
9:30pm
Free for Fantastic Fest badgeholders, and door tickets may be available (call ahead.)

Image via TheLastWinter.net.

Technically, Fantastic Fest doesn't start until Thursday. But for badgeholders who get into town early (or, you know, live here), the fun will begin on Wednesday night as Casey Affleck hosts a free sneak screening of his new film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

We've been huge Affleck fans since his criminally under appreciated role in Good Will Hunting. And with The Assassination and Gone Baby Gone (both of which have him in starring roles) on the immediate horizon, it looks like this might finally be Casey's year to shine.

The Assassination--which also stars Brad Pitt, Sam Rockwell, Sam Shepard and Mary-Louise Parker--is about the 1881 assassination of notorious outlaw Jesse James by some guy named Robert Ford. Based on Ron Hansen's novel of the same name, the film delves into the private lives of America's most notorious outlaw and his unlikely assassin. Plus, it features a cameo by Nick Cave, which instantly earns it extra cred in our book.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford w/ Casey Affleck Live
Wednesday, September 19th
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
8:30pm, Free, Fantastic Fest Badgeholders Only
[Info / RSVP]
[Buy a Fantastic Fest Badge]

Don't forget to submit your entry for our Fantastic Fest Bruce Lee Lookalike Contest! The festival starts this Thursday, so get your entry in ASAP for a chance to WIN TWO FESTIVAL BADGES!

Fantastic Fest is our favorite eight days of the year. No lie. In fact, last year's fest was quite possibly the best eight days of our entire lives. And though we didn't think it was possible, this year is shaping up to be even better!

To celebrate the festival's opening night, we cordially invite you--nay, we challenge you--to compete in the Finishing the Game: Bruce Lee Lookalike Contest!

Here's how it works:

• Dress up like Bruce Lee or recreate a scene from one of his films.
  
• Record yourself doing it, then post your photo or video to Flickr or YouTube.
  
• Tag your entry "austinist" and email the link to us at film@austinist.com so that we know you've entered
  
• Keep an eye on this site for updates and new entries.

Easy!

What's in it for you? The grand prize winner (as chosen by our readers) will receive two badges to Fantastic Fest! That means full access to all eight days of the fest, which includes the best new science-fiction, fantasy, horror, animation, crime, Asian, and all around badass cinema--plus a whole bunch of kickass guests. The next ten top vote getters will receive passes to the September 20th, 9:45 showing of Justin Lin's new comedy Finishing the Game, where they can compete for even more fabulous prizes.

At the showing of Finishing the Game, the grand finale live Bruce throwdown will commence. Anyone with a ticket to the screening or a Fantastic Fest badge can show up dressed as their best Bruce and compete. The grand prize for the live contest is one month of genuine kung fu classes at Austin Kung Fu Academy! Other prizes include an original Enter the Dragon poster, an antique Yung Kung Fu Automatic Push-Button Chop-Action action figure, an original 1973 Hanna-Barbera Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan coloring book (all courtesy of Hog Wild), and an Enter the Dragon vinyl soundtrack LP (courtesy of Backspin Records).

Fantastic Fest is right around the corner, so get those cameras rolling, and submit your entry ASAP!

Fantastic Fest is our favorite eight days of the year. No lie. In fact, last year's fest was quite possibly the best eight days of our entire lives. And though we didn't think it was possible, this year is shaping up to be even better!

To celebrate the festival's opening night, we cordially invite you--nay, we challenge you--to compete in the Finishing the Game: Bruce Lee Lookalike Contest!

Here's how it works:

• Dress up like Bruce Lee or recreate a scene from one of his films.
  
• Record yourself doing it, then post your photo or video to Flickr or YouTube.
  
• Tag your entry "austinist" and email the link to us at film@austinist.com so that we know you've entered
  
• Keep an eye on this site for updates and new entries.

Easy!

What's in it for you? The grand prize winner (as chosen by our readers) will receive two badges to Fantastic Fest! That means full access to all eight days of the fest, which includes the best new science-fiction, fantasy, horror, animation, crime, Asian, and all around badass cinema--plus a whole bunch of kickass guests. The next ten top vote getters will receive passes to the September 20th, 9:45 showing of Justin Lin's new comedy Finishing the Game, where they can compete for even more fabulous prizes.

At the showing of Finishing the Game, the grand finale live Bruce throwdown will commence. Anyone with a ticket to the screening or a Fantastic Fest badge can show up dressed as their best Bruce and compete. The grand prize for the live contest is one month of genuine kung fu classes at Austin Kung Fu Academy! Other prizes include an original Enter the Dragon poster, an antique Yung Kung Fu Automatic Push-Button Chop-Action action figure, an original 1973 Hanna-Barbera Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan coloring book (all courtesy of Hog Wild), and an Enter the Dragon vinyl soundtrack LP (courtesy of Backspin Records).

Fantastic Fest is right around the corner, so get those cameras rolling, and submit your entry ASAP!