Atlanta: "Sal" (***1/2)

Fele Martínez and Javiera Contador star in "Sal"

Perhaps the most undervalued film at this year's Atlanta Film Festival, Diego Rougier's "Sal" (or "Salt") was also one of the festival's most pleasant of surprises. Disguised as an homage to Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns, "Sal" is a more complex film than just that. In a clever mash-up of stories, the lines are blurred between the tale of a struggling independent filmmaker and the tale of a small town under the control of a rough and rowdy gang of cowboys.

Atlanta review bundle: "The Woman in the Fifth" (***1/2), "A Little Bit Zombie" (***1/2), "Ok, Good" (****)

Kristin Scott Thomas and Ethan Hawke star in "The Woman in the Fifth"

"The Woman in the Fifth" is Pawel Pawlikowski's first film in seven years and marks no departure from the Polish filmmaker's steady, romantic aesthetic. The film possesses a particularly high density, especially due to such strong performances from Ethan Hawke and Kristin Scott Thomas. It fails, however, to really engage the viewer past the feeling of general intrigue. Pawlikowski's firm grip on the wheel, embellished with harmonizing technical aspects, keeps you interested, but not interested enough. The best scenes, which feature Hawke at his 'job' in an underground room, are filled with more suspense and dread than most entire horror films contain. Looking back on the film, it has to be noted that few films set in Paris showcase so little of the City of Light. Most of the film takes place in dimly lit rooms, windowless basements or dirty hotels. Did Hawke's character ever truly leave the mental hospital from which he was supposedly released? 3.5 out of 5 stars.

"A Little Bit Zombie" and "Ok, Good" after the jump.

04/11 Star spotting: Meg Ryan, Kevin Bacon, Justin Timberlake, Gabrielle Union

"Trouble with the Curve" is still filming throughout Georgia, with production taking place in Jasper tomorrow and Friday. The film stars Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake, Amy Adams, John Goodman and Matthew Lillard. Shooting has previously taken place in Athens, Atlanta, Conyers, Dawsonville, Dunwoody and Macon. Matthew Lillard recently spent a day at the Atlanta Film Festival during a break.

"The Walking Dead" will start filming season three in Senoia at the end of May. Set construction is underway at Raleigh Studios, where most filming will take place. Downtown Senoia will also be featured in the show. Lifetime show "Drop Dead Diva" has also recently been filming in Senoia.

"A.C.O.D." (aka "Adult Children of Divorce") has been filming all over Atlanta recently, including locations at Castleberry Hill, Decatur and Piedmont Park. Stars Amy Poehler, Adam Scott and Jessica Alba have been out enjoying Atlanta during breaks from filming.

Also enjoying Atlanta during filming breaks is Kevin Bacon, who is still filming an untitled Kevin Williamson pilot all over metro Atlanta. Appropriately enough, he recently stopped by BaconFest.

"42," the upcoming Jackie Robinson biopic, will start filming in Atlanta and Macon soon, as well as Birmingham and Chattanooga. The film stars Harrison Ford, Chadwick Boseman, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni and Jon Bernthal. Casting for extras is currently underway. Nicole Beharie recently spoke a little bit about the project when she attended the Atlanta Film Festival.

Meg Ryan and John Mellancamp are in town for the premiere of his play "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County" at the Alliance Theatre at Woodruff Arts Center. Mellancamp collaborated with T Bone Burnett and Stephen King on the musical. Ryan has been enjoying several of Midtown's finest restaurants during her stay.

"Think Like a Man" had a red carpet premiere at Atlantic Station last Wednesday evening. Film stars Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey and Michael Ealy were in attendance.

J.J. Abrams television pilot "Revolution" is currently filming at the Georgia Capitol building in Atlanta.

Georgia-filmed "American Reunion" opened in theaters last weekend, while another Atlanta production hits screens this week. "Three Stooges" opens Friday. Next month, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" will open nationwide. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an Atlanta red carpet premiere for the film.

Atlanta Film Festival: 2012 Grand Jury winners

Shannon Harper stars in Narrative Grand Jury winner "Welcome to Pine Hill"

In a splendid feat of film justice, Keith Miller's poignant film "Welcome to Pine Hill" was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature at this year's Atlanta Film Festival. The film was easily my favorite of the fest and as you will read in an upcoming review, Shannon Harper carries the film with an unforgettable presence. I would kill to see this film continue to burn up the festival circuit and gain a distribution deal by the end of the year.

Check out the full list of winners after the jump.

Atlanta: "L!fe Happens" (**1/2)

Krysten Ritter and Kate Bosworth star in "L!fe Happens"

When the 36th Atlanta Film Festival kicked off March 23rd, the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema was a madhouse. Aside from the throng of film-fans there for the festival, "The Hunger Games" brought plenty of people to the theater as well. Standing in the crowded lobby for ages, watching the red carpet, hearing people talk about the films they were most looking forward to; Atlanta's titular film festival had a fantastic opening night.

The film chosen to jumpstart this year's festivities was "L!fe Happens" from director Kat Coiro. She co-wrote the film with Krysten Ritter, a familiar face from television. Ritter stars alongside a sprawling ensemble of Kate Bosworth, Rachel Bilson, Geoff Stults, Justin Kirk, Kristen Johnston, Fallon Goodson and Jason Biggs.

Win free passes to an advance screening of "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" in Atlanta!

We have a set of two passes to a screening of John Madden's "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" to give away for next Wednesday night, April 11th, at Phipps Plaza! The feel-good film from the director of "Shakespeare in Love" comes complete with an ensemble comprised of incredible British thespians such as Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith.

How do you win the passes? Simple! Either retweet this tweet or email us at reelga@gmail.com with "Marigold tickets" in the subject line to be entered to win. Do both and double your chances. We will contact the winner with the passes early next week.

Wrapping up the 2012 Atlanta Film Festival and looking ahead

Seeing and speaking with actress Nicole Beharie was a highlight of the festival

The 36th Atlanta Film Festival came to a close Sunday and I can proudly say that of the six years I've attended, this was the best fest yet. The films were strong and diverse. The venues, especially the new Atlanta Gem Series locations, were fun and accommodating. The staff was warm and helpful. The stars were bright and plenty. Sure, there were delays, technical problems, long waits, etc. If you find a festival without any of those, please let me know, so I can avoid what is undoubtedly a boring and lifeless event.

The Atlanta Film Festival is full of life. Thanks to a new Executive Director, Chris Escobar, and longtime festival veteran, Charles Judson, now the Festival Director and Head of Programming; the festival has made great leaps in organization, cohesion and over-all cool factor. For years, the event felt like a film festival that was in Atlanta, now it feels, as it should, like Atlanta's film festival. With new partnerships with Georgia State University, the Plaza Theatre and Atlanta Magazine, the festival's future looks aglow.

"Step Off" on Starz this month

LaRon Austin's "Step Off" will be screening on the Starz In Black channel all throughout April. The Atlanta indie feature follows a struggling music producer as he enters an underground beat battle. You'll catch some familiar faces from Atlanta's film and music scene. Find out when it will air after the jump.

Short Take: "4:00 AM" - the best short from the Atlanta Film Festival

Over the course of the 10-day Atlanta Film Festival, I saw over a dozen short films. The entire collection was impressive; some displayed skill and polish, some showcased a lot of ingenuity. A few showcased both. "A Chjàna (The Plain)," "Narcocorrido" and "4:00 AM" were the short films I found to be exceptional.

One film in particular kept playing over in my mind long after seeing it, Chris Tsambis' "4:00 AM." This was the world premiere for the film, and apparently, it is still so fresh that it is yet to be posted on IMDB. The film relies on some tricky and exciting editing to tell the story of a late night (early morning, rather) radio DJ who receives a bizarre phone call from a listener. I don't want to tell you much more about it, but I am dying for more people to see this.

Maybe it will be posted online? Maybe it will surface at more festivals and I can alert you about where to see it? Maybe I'll track down Mr. Tsambis to pick his brain on his creation? We'll see. I just wanted to get the word out. Thanks Doobious.org.