Photos and Quotes from Look At Me Now SXSW Screening

Yesterday the big hit of the night at Atlanta's first year hosting the South By Southwest Film Festival was the star studded screening of Michael's Look At Me Now, which by far had the biggest buzz, the biggest showing of stars, and the best reviews from those at the packed screening (over 300 people). "I'm completely overwhelmed" says a clearly excited Meyers. "I never expected this many people to show up. The whole cast is here, with I think the exception of John (Malkovich). He couldn't make it which is a shame. But it was such an honor to direct one of my acting idols. One of my heroes. But so far the reception to the film has been amazing. It feels good. It feels really good. This has been by far the best experience I've ever had at a premiere, more than any of the films I've starred in. Because when you direct and write something, it's just more personal you know? To see something go from an idea, to a script on your laptop to a reality and then to see people loving it...it's just a dream come true man. It's beyond awesome!"

Michael with his mother Sonia at the after party

Probably the biggest story of the night was Michael's date for the night: His Mother. Sonia Meyers wore a slim fitting red and orange leopard print one piece dress and was very chatty and cuddly with her son. The two, according to Michael, have had a rocky relationship in the past but it appears they have patched things up, at least for the night. "My mom's my date for tonight. How's she look?" said Meyers as the two posed for pictures at the after party, which was hosted by Atlanta rapper Ludacris. Surprisingly, Michael, seemingly a little drunk, at one point during the after party got up, grabbed the mic, and started free style rapping. Yea....

Other celebs showed up, including model/actor Tyson Beckford with his girlfriend, a former porn star herself, Jonaea Wheeler. "I can totally relate to what the girls in the film were going through" says Wheeler. "It was really really touching and well directed. Michael's a talented filmmaker. He nailed it."

Also there were Tristan Wilds and Jessica Stroup, stars of 90210. The pair were clearly there to support one of the stars of the film, Matt Lanter, one of their co-stars from 90210. "We're just here to support Matt (Lanter)" says Tristan. "He's our boy and when he's in a film we gotta come out and show love". Jessica added "This is a great venue for films like this. It's a very dark and emotional film and I think Matt was great in it. I really dug it".

Critics agree with Stroup. Many reviews have called the film "A visceral look into the world of adult films and sexuality in America today" as well as "a movie that rips the lid off pornography and shows what leads young women to that life". One review from The Star Tribune gives us finally a more accurate plot synopsis as well as character breakdowns. Apparently, as we already know, the film is telling us two seperate storylines. One is about Lily Baxter (Alley Vendetta) who is a Kansas City runaway with a passion for the rocker lifestyle trying to escape from her overly strict and religious parents (played by Neal McDonough and Katey Sagal). She finds herself in Los Angeles trying to find a job but instead is recruited by a shady adult film producer/agent played by John Malkovich who promises her fame and wealth. At first the money is great but soon she is forced to do many gruesome sex acts and activities on film that cause her to re-think her chosen profession. Malkovich doesn't allow her to quit (she signed a contract while under the influence of heavy drugs that binds her to him for 150 adults films). Lily, who adopts the porn star name of Nina Sky, decides to do whatever she must to get through these 150 films and then be free. This includes massive amounts of drugs (some of which are supplied to her by a skeevy male porn star played by Matt Lanter whom she ends up sleeping with as well), be-friending other female porn actresses (played by Taryn Manning, Tess Taylor, Erica Langston, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, and many other real life porn actresses) for companionship, and she even falls for a nice guy named Adam (Ramon Rodriguez) who interns at a doctor's office where she gets her monthly STD check up. The closer they get and the more Adam falls for her, the more she pulls away. Their love story is quite tragic as he helplessly watches her self destruct.

Critics have marvelled at the first time actress Vendetta's (real name Allison VanDette) performance, one review calling it "a revelation of raw talent and reckless abandon". Vendetta almost did not make it to the screening in order to soak up all the praise. "I wasn't gonna come" Alley says matter of factly. "First off I am NOT little miss Hollywood. This isn't me. This dress (I'm wearing) isn't me. None of this is me. And on top of that I'm going through a really bad break up right now and up until yesterday I was telling Mike (Reese Meyers), 'I'm not going, I'm not going'. But he put a gun to my head. He was like, THIS IS YOUR MOVIE! YOU HAVE TO BE HERE WITH ME OR WE'RE NOT GONNA BE FRIENDS ANYMORE! So I sucked it up and here I am". Vendetta came with her Secrets and Sunsets bandmates and her father.

Meyers with David Morse and Katey Sagal.

Michael with former porn star Shelley Lubban, who is also one of the film's executive producers. Half of the film's profits will go to the charity she founded, Pink Cross, which helps aid young women trying to escape the porn industry.

Actress Taryn Manning with her brother Brandon

Dominik Garcia-Lorido, with her father, actor Andy Garcia. "I'm excited but more than anything I'm nervous" said Dominik. "It's incredibly awkward and uncomfortable to have your dad watching scenes of you having sex and acting like a porn star. It's just not right, haha. But he took it like a champ". Dominik also brought her husband/agent Luis Lorido. "He didn't want me to do the film at first but when I saw Michael was writing and directing it nothing was going to change my mind."

R&B superstar Chris Brown who contributed the movie's main title song.

Sisters Tess Taylor and Alexis Neiers (of Burglar Bunch fame) arriving at the after party
"I honestly never saw myself in acting but I got the call from Michael's people that he loved my look and wanted me in the film. How could I say no?" said Tess.

90210's Matt Lanter. "My favorite thing about this film is it doesn't hold any punches" says Matt. "It's raw, it's real. It has a story to tell and Mike wasn't afraid to be controversial at all, which I loved. I mean, the adult film industry is a dirty dirty shady world and he wanted to capture that and I think he really did."

Actress Jessica Szohr with one of the film's producers Freddy Forbez and his wife

R&B singer Omarion. "I'm just here to show love for my cousin Chris Breezy and just be apart of all this beautiful-ness. It's a beautiful thing" said Omarion.

One of the film's stars Neal McDonough with his wife

Erica Langston, one of the stars of the film, arrives with her boyfriend

House star Amber Tamblyn arrives

Reality TV couple Hank Baskett and Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett

Rapper Too Short

Michael at the after party with Jayde Rose and Ginger Sparks, two of the real life porn stars who appear in the film...

One thing people may be talking about more than how great the film was, might be Michael's...."unusual" behavior throughout the night. He appreared very wired and hyper and excited at times, which is to be expected, but then seemed somewhat subdued, sleepy, and even drunk at other moments. He slurred his speech at times while answering questions, seemingly unable to keep his attention at times. He did mention at one point to a reporter that he had been "living off coffee and editing the film nonstop every night for the past three weeks and at the same time preparing to shoot a film in London next month" so that may explain his erratic appearance and mannerisms. It's just odd since he mentioned in a recent interview he quit caffeine since it gives him night terrors. Hmm....Anyways, that London film he is referring to is "If I Had You", a Cameron Crowe directed romance drama/comedy co-starring Keira Knightley (who is recently single). Look At Me Now opens in select theaters March 4.