(brought to you by arrangement with BigStar.com)
Here's a list of recommended videos in Austin, Texas, chosen by your Guide for their outstanding quality and Austin connection. As a result of a commercial relationship between The About.com, its Guides and BigStar.com, these titles can be purchased directly from BigStar.com by following the links below. (Note: BigStar.com is solely responsible for fulfillment of video orders placed through these links.)
Badlands (1973)
Austinite Terrence Malick won overnight acclaim when he directed Martin Sheen & Sissy Spacek in a story loosely based on the 1958 killing spree of teenager Charles Starkweather.The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1991)
A wife in a small Southern town of the 1930's strikes up an unusual relationship with her cousin, alienates her new husband, and confronts a former husband. Filmed in Austin.The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
Pure fun and a "Texas classic" musical filmed in Austin and Pflugerville. The madam (Dolly Parton) and the sheriff (Burt Reynolds) fight to keep Texas' most notorious whorehouse open.The Big Green (1995)
Disney comedy that parents and kids can enjoy together. The underdog soccer team in a small Texas town goes up against skilled, but mean, opponents. The big game was filmed at the Zilker Park fields.Blood Simple (1985)
Set in Austin, a hit for hire turns into a double-cross when a Texas saloon owner hires someone to kill his cheating wife. Grand Jury Prize winner at the Sundance Film Festival.Days of Heaven (1978)
A young Richard Gere is directed by Austinite Terrence Malick in this drama about a drifter from Chicago (Gere) and the sharecropper family he meets in Texas. This, his second film, won Malick best director at Cannes.Dazed and Confused (1993)
Austin filmmaker Richard Linklater directs this nostalgic tale of a group of Texas high school students on the last day of school in 1976. Cast includes Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and Texan Matthew McConaughey.Deep in the Heart (of Texas) (1997)
Stories and interviews by two British travellers includes the story of the poisoning of Austin's Treaty Oak and other Austin personalities.Flesh and Bone (1993)
Filmed in Austin and Central Texas, Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan star in this tale of two people who unknowingly share a tragic past. Also stars James Caan and Gwyneth Paltrow in her feature debut.From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
A couple of killers are on the run from Texas Rangers when they land in the middle of a nest of vampires. Written by Quentin Tarantino, Directed by Robert Rodriguez, and starring George Clooney & Tarantino.The Good Old Boys (1995)
San Saba-native Tommy Lee Jones directs and stars in this tale of a West Texas Cowboy's struggle with the changing way of life at the turn-of-the-century and his love for a local schoolteacher (Sissy Spacek). Also features Sam Shepard and Matt Damon.Good Will Hunting (1998)
Nine Academy Award Nominations followed the release of this popular move about a janitor at MIT who is revealed as a mathematical whiz. Filmed in Canada and Massachusetts chiefly but with some Austin scenes too. Stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Robin Williams.Hope Floats (1998)
Former Prom Queen Sandra Bullock is devastated when her husband's affair is revealed on national TV. Returning home to Smithville, Texas she must deal with old high school "friends," an eccentric mother (Gena Rowlands), and a budding romance with Harry Connick, Jr.Lone Star (1996)
A touching, sad, funny, and intriquing story about a mysterious death, secrets, and the unique cultural conflicts in a Texas border town. Stars Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Kris Kristofferson, Frances McDormand, & Elizabeth Pena.Michael (1997)
Entertaining tale of a less than angelic archangel (John Travolta) includes some scenes filmed in Austin locations.The Newton Boys (1998)
Four down on their luck brothers in 1920's Texas turn to robbery and a train heist. Directed by Austinite Richard Linklater the film stars Texan Matthew McConaughey and Austin-born Ethan Hawke as well as Skeet Ulrich, Julianna Margulies, and Dwight Yoakum.A Perfect World (1993)
Kevin Costner escapes from Huntsville and is pursued by Texas Ranger Clint Eastwood (who also directs). Filmed in Central Texas.Red Headed Stranger (1987)
Willie Nelson is a preacher in the Wild West in this western adventure story directed by Bill Wittliff.Songwriter (1984)
Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson team up in this music filled film about a couple of Texans (of course!) trying to break into the country music business.Stevie Ray Vaughan - Live from Austin, Texas
Coverage of his two appearances on Austin City Limits.subUrbia (1997)
Austin Filmmaker Richard Linklater directs this story about twentysomething Texans questioning their life's priorities.Texas (1994)
James A. Michener's bestselling novel became a three-hour miniseries chronicalling the Texas struggle for independence. Stars include Patrick Duffy, Rick Schroder, Randy Travis, and David Keith.The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Spawning sequels in the 80's and 90's, this is the original cult favorite. Five teenagers encounter a chainsaw-welding pyscopath and his equally frightening family in rural Texas.Two for Texas (1998)
Kris Kristofferson is an escaped convict who enlists in the Texas Volunteer Army and finds himself in the midst of the Texas fight for independence from Mexico. Great historical drama filmed in Austin and San Antonio. Also starring Scott Bairstow, Tom Skerrit, and Peter Coyote as Alamo hero, Jim Bowie.The Underneath (1994)
A drifter returns home to Austin, Texas to hatch a plan for an armored car heist in this interesting update/remake of 1948's "Criss Cross" with Burt Lancaster.The War at Home (1996)
Filmed in Austin, Emilio Estevez stars and directs his dad Martin Sheen in this drama about a Vietnam veteran and the climatic Thanksgiving he spends with his family a year after returning home to Texas.What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993)
Filmed in the Austin area, Johnny Depp is Gilbert Grape, a young man struggling to care for his mother and siblings after the suicide of his father. Also features Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, and Leonardo Di Caprio.The Whole Wide World (1996)
Story of a West Texas school teacher and her romance with a pulp horror writer. Based on a story by Novalyne Price about her brief affair with Robert E. Howard, creator of "Conan the Barbarian."