First things first: This is not a hate piece about “Dazed and Confused.” Alright, alright, alright? I love the movie that launched Matthew McConaughey’s career and gave us hits like: “You just gotta keep livin' man, L-I-V-I-N” and “It'd be a lot cooler if you did.”
It would just be too obvious and maybe a little cliche if I included the movie in this list. Everyone knows Austin for the Richard Linklater hit. Here’s five movies based, or sort of based, in Austin you might be a unfamiliar with:
‘Whip It’
“Whip It” is a perfect film. The 2009 film is packed with stars: Elliot Page, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig, and Eve, among many others. Page plays teenager Bliss Cavendar, who is growing up in the fictional town of Bodeen, Texas and is sick of being a pageant girl. Cavendar runs into three women in Austin who are part of a roller derby team. Page’s character secretly joins the team and finds confidence, friends, and strength.
‘Red, White, & Royal Blue’
This list wouldn’t be complete without a love story. “Red, White, & Royal Blue” stars Uma Thurman in her rightful place as president of the United States. Her son Alex, played by Taylor Zakhar Perez, meets a British prince named Henry, who is played by Nicholas Galitzine. It’s an enemies-to-lovers story, which is the best kind. Alex’s family’s vacation home is in Austin. I won’t give anymore away, but there’s secret service, hidden kisses, and Buckingham Palace!
‘Chef’
“Chef” is the most rewatchable movie around. Starring Jon Favreau as a disgraced chef, the 2014 movie takes us behind the scenes of cheffing, long before “The Bear” did it. Favreau’s character purchases a food truck to redeem himself and takes it across the country, including a stop in Austin with a cameo from Aaron Franklin. If you love close up shots of food being chopped, a man becoming a better father, and Sofia Vergara, this is the movie for you. Bonus: It premiered at South by Southwest!
‘Zombieland’
I love “Zombieland.” The 2009 movie stars Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Abigail Breslin. The four meet up after a virus that turns people into zombies spreads and together they travel across the U.S., fighting off the creatures while looking for a safe place to stay. I included this movie on the list because Eisenberg’s character, Columbus, is attending college in Austin when the zombie apocalypse starts. The movie is goofy, plenty gory, fun, and heartfelt.
‘The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl’
“The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl” came out in 2005 and was directed by Robert Rodriguez. The movie follows a boy named Max who lives in Austin and writes in a dream journal. His journal comes to life, leading to the adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl, two superheroes who have to defeat villains Mr. Electric, played by George Lopez, and Minus. The movie is creative, fun, and a little silly.
