I was at SXSW and was at this bar because there’s a burger food truck there called Out of Nowhere and I’ve heard all these awesome things about it. So I went and they weren’t open yet because they had a private event but the sign said they’d open at 6:45.

To get to the food truck, you had to go outside, past the back patio, and the truck was behind the building. Unfortunately, the truck didn’t open at 6:45. I was starving, too. So every few minutes I kept going to check. Someone was there, cooking, but they weren’t serving.

It just so happened that a group of people were on the patio. Meaning every time I went to check on the truck, I walked by them. There was a circle around one guy in particular. He was kind of holding court then listening to people then holding court. Seemed really nice. But was clearly someone people wanted to engage with.

While I was ordering a drink, a couple people from that party got in line behind me. I asked them who the guy was.

“The director of the new Evil Dead movie.”

Got back to my table. Googled that. Saw Lee Cronin’s picture. Sure enough, it was Lee Cronin.

They were there for another hour. And that entire, the food truck never opened. But my hungry ass kept getting up to check. Obviously, some people in Lee’s party had to notice me. Maybe someone put it together? But I bet a number of them thought I recognized Lee and wanted to talk to him or something and kept coming out to try and weasel my way into the group. That thought amused me because all I wanted was that stupid hamburger. But I had to look sketchy as hell.

Unfortunately, they never opened. But I went back the next day. Had to wait again. Then they finally opened. Burger was fucking incredible. Top 3 of my life. Number 1 is Au Cheval in Chicago. Number 2 is probably like eating Dairy Queen hamburgers with my dad when I was a kid. And 3 is Out of Nowhere.

You might enjoy this: https://filmcolossus.com/the-wailing-movie-explained/

I’m a pretentious literary person. It was not my cup of tea. I really like other Ishiguro works but this was so simple and silly.

If you’ve read any fantasy genre staples, it pales in comparison. And if you like high-brow literary, it just feels childish.

There are some nice ideas and characters but weird to see someone I respect so much put out something that read so half baked

From what I’ve seen, though, I tend to be in the minority. Many others have thought it engaging and emotional.

I read the book. Not nearly as powerful as Never Let Me Go. But still has its moments. I was pretty disappointed in it.

But this isn’t that? It’s the government trying to get these companies to create and/or platform local productions that benefit the local film and TV industries. They don’t give a fuck if you watch it.