SXSW Snapshots: 'The Rivals of Amziah King' sings and 'Clown in a Cornfield' delivers bloody mayhem
THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING
Courtesy of SXSW
A smart, quirky crime caper that also doubles as a makeshift bluegrass musical, Andrew Patterson’s “The Rivals of Amziah King” is a surprising departure from the film many expected he’d make after the success of his streaming hit “The Vast of Night.” It’s also the movie that managed to pull Matthew McConaughey out of a six-year live-action acting hiatus. McConaughey plays the titular Amziah King, a rugged, banjo-playing Oklahoma beekeeper struggling to make ends meet in a business that’s not as profitable as it once was. It’s the perfect role for the Oscar winner, who clearly relishes every moment on screen and even showcases some surprisingly strong singing chops.
Amziah’s journey centers around reconnecting with one of his foster children, Kateria (a game-changing performance by Angelina LookingGlass), and teaching her the ropes of the honey business. Together, they assist the police in investigating a string of incidents involving the theft of gallons of honey. Their investigation leads them down some unexpected (and surprisingly bloody) paths, with Patterson drawing on a Coen Brothers-esque sensibility that complements the film’s darker, rougher moments.
Patterson excels at creating a palpable sense of community and camaraderie among the townsfolk and those in Amziah and Kateria’s orbit. The film is undeniably a crowd-pleaser, earning a large standing ovation after its premiere at SXSW. While a distributor hasn’t yet stepped forward, I’d be shocked if a deal for this unique film doesn’t materialize soon. It’s something special.
Grade: B+
THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING world premiered at the SXSW film festival. It is currently seeking US distribution.
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD
Courtesy of SXSW/Shudder
Based on a series of bestselling books by Adam Cesare, Eli Craig’s “Clown in a Cornfield” isn’t just the most fun I had watching a movie at SXSW; it’s one of the most exhilarating theatrical experiences, period. Set to release in May from Shudder and RLJE Films, “Clown in a Cornfield” may seem, at first glance, like your typical slasher movie (it does stick to the formula more often than not), but there are plenty of moments where it subverts expectations and throws you for a loop. It’s a bloody, gut-busting blast.
The film also benefits from a stellar screen queen performance by newcomer Katie Dougle, who plays Quinn Maybrook, the daughter of Dr. Maybrook (Aaron Abrams). The two have just relocated to Kettle Springs ahead of the annual Founder’s Day festivities. There, Quinn befriends a group of teens—Cole (Carson MacCormac), Janet (Cassandra Potenza), Ronnie (Verity Marks), Rust (Vincent Muller), Tucker (Ayo Solanke), and Matt (Alexandre Martin Deakin)—who have gained notoriety among the adults in town for producing fake YouTube videos that make it appear as though the town’s boogeyman, Friendo the Clown, is actually killing people.
You can probably guess where this is headed, and Craig—perhaps best known for his cult classic “Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil”—never lets up.
There’s plenty of clever, gory kills, and an underlying theme about holding onto the past while resisting the inevitable changes of the future. It’s an absolute blast, one that had the entire crowd at the Paramount Theater during SXSW losing their minds (one moment, in particular, was the loudest I’ve experienced across my entire duration there).
I truly hope this movie gets a wide marketing and theatrical push because “Clown in a Cornfield” deserves to be seen on the big screen with a massive audience. It promises to be a killer communal experience.
Grade: B+
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD world premiered at the SXSW film festival. Shudder and RLJE film will release the film in theaters May 9th.
