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Having been graced with the opportunity to talk film with the Quirkee audience for the last three months, the time has now come to test my mettle as a filmgoer. SXSW Film 2007 is presenting its annual assortment of cinematic programming that can test the mettle of any movie geek. From March 9th through the 17th, I should have the opportunity to indulge myself in:

• The care and feeding of zombies (American Zombie and Fido)
• The lives and times of accomplished musicians, both with tragic endings (The Last Days of Left Eye, Kurt Cobain About A Son) and not (Robyn Hitchcock: Sex, Food, Death, and Insects)
• The trials and tribulations of finding true love, both in the mainstream (Knocked Up) and the eccentric (Eagle vs Shark)
• The aftermath of some of the most important historical events of this decade (When Adnan Comes Home, Kamp Katrina, Election Day)
• The turmoil born from the awakening of political consciousness and the immersion into political extremism (Itty Bitty Titty Committee)
• And the potential perils from inappropriate interaction with livestock, both natural (Zoo) and genetically enhanced (Black Sheep)

Here are some of the highlights of what I hope to take in before it is all said and done.

Panel most likely to incite spontaneous geekgasms: Grindhouse 101

When Kill Bill, Vol. 1 was released, I saw it three times in less than 24 hours with three different groups of people. Sin City, the same number of screenings in 48. Now, Robert Rodriguez talks about his teaming with Quentin Tarantino to recapture the "grindhouse" mystique and the history of the genre. I think my heart may explode out of unadulterated joy.

Film most likely to traumatize Aggies: Black Sheep (official site with trailer)

A horror-comedy from New Zealand about a former sheep farmer who returns home to find his brother has genetically engineered the local sheep and inadvertently created a threat to all mankind. Could be this year's Shaun of the Dead. And honestly, just as Shaun showed that there aren't enough romantic zombie-comedies out there, who can't get enough of carnivorous sheep?

Panel most likely to provoke deeper thought than expected: Sex Scenes Stay Hard

Given recent decisions to reform the movie ratings system, it should be interesting to see what current filmmakers have to say about the challenges in depicting human sexuality realistically in a film while dealing with the realities of appealing to the MPAA. Of particular interest, John Cameron Mitchell, director of Shortbus and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, was recently added to the panel. I'm wagering there's sure to be some controversial discussions in this one.

Most mainstream film that I want to see anyway: Knocked Up (official site with trailer)

That I liked Judd Apatow's The 40 Year Old Virgin really shouldn't be a surprise. Given the conversations I've had with multiple people about the flick, I have to accept that it is a pretty straight-up guy movie. But I do think what sold it more for me was a fairly earnest heart, personified in the strong performance from Steve Carrell. Now Apatow tries to strike gold again with this story of chance encounters and accidental pregnancy. Seth Rogan of 40 Year Old Virgin re-teams with Apatow and tries to convince us he could score with "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl.

Interview most likely to leave me fumbling for words: Jamie Babbit

The director of 1999s But I'm a Cheerleader brings her new film Itty Bitty Titty Committee to SXSW, and will also be part of the Sex Scenes Stay Hard panel. I am giving at least 3-1 odds that I will somehow manage to make myself looking painfully straight when talking about a lesbian film to a lesbian director. Given that Babbit is a promising young director who's had a fair bit of success in TV as well (see her IMDB filmography here), the chance to interview her has me very excited, despite whatever opportunities to embarrass myself that may come with it.

Panel most likely to make me wish I were more in touch with my heritage: Latino Flimmaking

As quite possibly one of the most non-Hispanic Mexican Americans in existence, I've still found it exciting to see the new wave of Latino talent sweeping through Hollywood, including the power triumvirate of Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro, and Alejandro González Iñárritu at this year's Oscars. Industry professionals will talk about the present and future of Latino filmmaking at this panel.

Film most likely to be a diamond in the rough (tie): American Zombie (official site with trailer) and Fido (official site with trailer)

It's purely coincidence that both of these films should deal with zombies as subject material. That both appear to do so with tongue planted firmly in cheek has me excited about both. Fido focuses on a suburban town where the undead are controlled, and kept as pets and servants. When one family's zombie gives in to his basic nature, their lives are turned upside down. American Zombie is a mockumentary about high level functioning zombies in Los Angeles and their struggles to be accepted into mainstream society. May well be worth seeing just for the scene feature the protest march by "Zombies Against War" and the chant "We're here! We're dead! Get used to it!"

Panel that may prove most educational: Doubletime: A Case Study

A few hours after I'll get to see the documentary Doubletime, the filmmakers will host a panel talking about the challenges and processes that allowed them to get this film about the world of competitive jump rope made. I know that there may be some eyebrows raised that I should be interested in a film about competitive jump rope, but having seen some competitions on late night ESPN, all I can say is the people who do it well are amazing. And documentaries have always been a genre I enjoy immensely.

Film most likely to make me cry: Kamp Katrina (official site, trailer can be seen through a link here)

Katrina's devastation of New Orleans in some ways left me even more shaken than 9-11, both in the scale of human tragedy, and in the aftermath and the failures that followed it. This documentary looks at an Upper 9thWard resident that offers her backyard to some of those displaced and finds herself tending the tent community that springs up from her generosity. An interview with the filmmakers may yet be in the offing, but in any case, I'm looking forward to this film even knowing that it may well tear me apart emotionally.

Interview most likely to make me want to emigrate: Taika Waititi and Loren Horsley

The film clip available from this New Zealand import strikes some of the same surreal notes of director Wes Anderson's films or perhaps Jared Hess' Napoleon Dynamite. But there's something about this film about two oddballs trying to find love with each other that just pulls me in. Maybe it's the image on the official site (which I imagine is the theatrical poster as well). Perhaps it's the music from the New Zealand band The Phoenix Foundation playing over it. Whatever it is, the opportunity to meet the director (Waititi) and female lead (Horsley) may help me find the answer to the questions "How do oddballs find love?" and "If an eagle and a shark throw down in a cage match...er...tank match, who wins?"

There will be other panels, other films, and maybe even some more interviews here and there. All of it exciting, new, and hopefully worlds of fun. Really now, who needs sleep?

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