If you keep up with independent film scene, especially in Austin, you've probably already heard of the Duplass brothers. Their films have been a big part of the genre known as mumblecore, aka the low-fi film movement. If you don’t follow the indie film scene, you might not be so familiar—while their previous flicks The Puffy Chair and Baghead were modest hits and received lots of kudos, they didn’t exactly make "Duplass" a household name. That’s all about to change, as these guys are moving up the Hollywood food chain. At this year’s SXSW Film Festival and Conference, the Duplass brothers premiered Cyrus, their first “big budget film” (“big” being a relative word—it still probably cost less than Michael Bay’s dry cleaning bill on Transformers) starring John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, and Jonah Hill. more ›

Production still courtesy of Troma Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead w/ Lloyd Kaufman Live! Friday, December 7thAlamo Drafthouse Lake Creek (17329 Research Blvd)(7:30pm, $10)[info] | [tickets]Over the course of the last thirty-three years, Lloyd Kaufman's Troma Entertainment has produced hundreds of films, attracted legions of devoted fans, and influenced the likes of Peter Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, Trey Parker, Eli Roth and Takashi Miike. In fact, by Kaufman's estimation, the studio now owns more than... more ›

Paris Is Burning DVD Cover Scion Independent Film Series Presents Paris Is BurningWednesday, November 28thAlamo Drafthouse South Lamar (1120 S. Lamar)Free, 9:30PM, RSVP Required[info]The musical stylings of "strike a pose, there's nothing to it", "you better work" and "I'm too sexy" entered our lexicon at a time when we were still sporting a perm and a retainer, so understanding that these pop radio songs were simply a corporatization of an entire underground subculture was far... more ›

If you ask us, "bling obsession" has long been commercial hip-hop's most shameful component (though we're totally down with the Bling! barbershop quartet). At one time, conspicuous consumption by a historically poor culture might have seemed like powerful social commentary--but now that hip hop is the music industry's cash cow, doesn't a $100,000 necklace just seem completely ridiculous? And is obnoxious ornamentation really worth the cost--not only monetarily, but socially and politically? Next week, as... more ›

Your magnum opus is in the can, but now what? Will your breakthrough film ever see the light of a projection bulb, or will is sadly succumb to the fate of so many indie films, tossed aside like an amateur home video of your sister doing that silly flaming hula hoop trick? Well, we encourage you to rage against the dying of the light! Tomorrow, the SouthWest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP) presents Distribution for Independent... more ›

We have one word for the project Chef Brenton Schumacher is about to unveil: finally. In the downtown Red River area – grossly underserved by questionable taco trucks and the like – the winds of change are blowing. Detroit native Schumacher, the innovative former Executive Sous Chef at Central Market, has thrown down the gauntlet with two projects. In its first year, his new catering company, Pink Avocado, has grabbed gigs with the Independent Film... more ›

THURSDAY [28] music • Ratatat, Envelopes, Panther (outside), Maritime, Ghost of the Russian Empire (inside) at Emo's ® music • Clap Clap at Whisky Bar music • Jonny Lang at Stubb's music • Jose Gonzalez w. Death Vessel at The Parish Room ® music • AUX, Red Leaves, Belhome at Flamingo Cantina music • Boy Band Hoot Night with Single Frame, Golden Bear, and more at The Mohawk (912 Red River) ® music •... more ›

As part of its Independent Film Series, Scion returns to Austin tomorrow night for a special screening of Favela Rising, last year's much-acclaimed documentary about the rise of Afro-Reggae in the Brazilian slums. Synopsis: FAVELA RISING documents a man and a movement, a city divided and a favela (Brazilian squatter settlement) united. Haunted by the murders of his family and many of his friends, Anderson Sa is a former drug-trafficker who turns revolutionary in... more ›

THURSDAY [24] music • Brother Will (Brothers & Sisters) and Friends, Lomita, and Sean Ohno (The Arm) at Beauty Bar (10pm, Free, Drink tickets to first 150 guests) ® music • Fiction, Gulf of Mexico, Bello Ragazzo at 912 Red River (10pm) ® party/fashion • DJ Ian Orth aka Learning Secrets spins at Bettysport's cocktail party celebrating the new silhouettes and colors of the Stella Mccartney fall/winter collection for Adidas at Bettysport (5-8pm, Free)... more ›

Before the Austin Film Society announces their Texas Film Production Fund grants tomorrow, they’ve got a gift for the rest of us: A screening of Gas Food Lodging with director Allison Anders in attendance at The Alamo. Anders brings a strong woman’s voice and vision to independents that have been praised for their unapologetic and gritty truth. Named a Nicholl Fellow in its inaugural year, she has written and directed standout indie features, Mi Vida... more ›

The Ramones practically invented punk rock in the United States and then endured the ignominy of being copied by lesser bands for three decades while rarely receiving the credit they deserved. Come check out "End of the Century" tonight at the Alamo Drafthouse South as part of the Scion Independent Film Series. The documentary follows the lives and careers of Joey and Dee Dee Ramone and the unbelievable influence they had on the rock... more ›