Jenn Brown's blog

The KLRU co-sponsored Community Cinema Series at APL Windsor Park Branch is showing More Than A Month on Tuesday. This free series features light refreshments and post-film discussions with relevant organizations. But if you're looking for some classic sci-fi, you can see Blade Runner for free over at the APL Milwood Branch. 

Normally we keep Movies This Week focused on what's playing in the coming week, but since that dreaded sappy holiday is nearly upon us, I thought I should mention that the Blue Starlite Drive-In is showing a special double feature of The Princess Bride and Breakfast at Tiffany's -- and if you're at all inclined to do something on Valentine's Day and see a movie, you might want to book your reservation now. Especially since the highlight of Alamo Drafthouse's romantic fare for Feb. 14 -- also The Princess Bride, with a quote-along/feast -- unsurprisingly sold out  already (there are non-feast versions later that week).

Movies We've Seen:

We Need to Talk About Kevin -- Bleak and relentless and starring the always-mesmerizing Tilda Swinton, one of the few actors out there who can deliver a provocative performance that's equally sympathetic and repulsive, although as Elizabeth points out, "The viewer has to piece together why she's now living alone in a town full of people who detest her so strongly."  Read Elizabeth's review for more. (Alamo Lamar, Arbor)

The Woman in Black -- Life after Harry Potter for Daniel Radcliffe includes the legend of a vengeful spirit terrorizing a remote village. Debbie found that Radcliffe's omnipresence left her "a bit de-sensitized." Read Debbie's review for more. (wide)

Busy tonight? Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In has a triple-feature of 80s teen films for you: Pretty in Pink, Say Anything and Sixteen Candles.

On Sunday, you can join the TXMPA SAG Awards party, including a red carpet and pre-show mixer at ND at 501 Studios. On Monday, if you think "the Dude abides" you can check out the Big Lebowski Quote-along at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar.

Then on Tuesday, you can catch a classic cautionary tale of love, lust and the consequences of confusing the two in F.W. Murnau's 1927 epic Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans as part of the AFS Essential Cinema Series. And the Paramount Winter Comedy Series continues this week, including a special Shaun of the Dead Pub Run and screening on Tuesday.

Finally, we hear there's going to be a fabulous happy hour on Wednesday night to celebrate, oh, what is it again? That's right ... this piece of news.

Movies We've Seen:

Albert Nobbs -- One of my favorite films of 2012 also managed to snag three Oscar nominations. Debbie says in her review, "The story is rather engaging and overall well paced." (Arbor)

Man on a Ledge -- J.C. saw this thriller and says it's a combination of "some original thought, mixed in with some fun clichés that will only serve to give you a harmless chuckle." Read his review for more. (wide)

On Sunday, the America's Future Scientist Fund is hosting a Jamboree over at the Stunt Ranch and Fire Lake Event Center. How is this related to film? One of the first activities is "Science in the Movies." What better way to spend your day, especially with kids?

Austin Film Society kicks off this year's Texas Independent Film Network Presents program on Tuesday, and celebrates Austin filmmaker Heather Courtney's Independent Spirit Truer Than Fiction Award, with a special screening of Where Soldiers Come From with Courtney in attendance at Violet Crown. I cannot recommend this movie enough.

The Paramount Winter Comedy Series will screen double features Jan. 22-27 with Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor movies as well as Mike Judge's Austin film classic Office Space on Thursday. Anyone else missing the Alligator Grill?

Movies We've Seen:

Bullhead -- This Fantastic Fest favorite returns to Austin for a couple of weekend screenings to celebrate its being included on the Oscar shortlist competing for nominations for Best Foreign Language Film. Debbie says, "What starts out as a movie about the mafia behind illegal bovine hormone use and trading in the Belgian agricultural industry turns into an intensive character study." Read her review for more. (Alamo Drafthouse Lamar)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close -- This movie has an excessively melodramatic lead and seems even longer than the title. While I found that ultimately I appreciated it in the end, I completely agree with Elizabeth who says in her review that she "can't recall the last time I've been so annoyed by a child actor." Ultimately, however, I found this dramatization of the grieving process to be profoundly moving. (wide)

Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission (pictured above) -- A 2008 spaceflight, a SXSW 2010 hit, made by local filmmakers about a local celebrity, finally screening at a theater near you. Debbie says the documentary "reiterates the immeasurable value of space travel and how private industry can further the benefits of space exploration and the accomplishments of scientific research in zero gravity conditions." Read her review for more.  (Alamo Lamar)

Along with a number of new-to-Austin movies in theaters this week, on Sunday you can see The Best Damned Shorts Show over at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz that showcases local filmmakers and includes a Q&A. In addition, Alamo is teaming up with Lights. Camera. Help., the festival for films about nonprofits, for the Reel Change Film Frenzy this weekend. Ten nonprofit groups are teaming up with ten film crews for a weekend film challenge, and you can watch the resulting shorts on Sunday night at Alamo on South Lamar.

On Monday night, you can catch a sneak preview of Steven Soderbergh's movie Haywire at Alamo Village and support Texas film, since ticket proceeds benefit the 2012 Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund. And on Wednesday, also at Village, AFS Doc Nights screens Jennifer Fox's My Reincarnation, about Buddhist spiritual scholar/teacher Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche.

Movies We've Seen:

Carnage (pictured at top) -- Two sets of parents meet for what was intended to be a cordial meeting about their kids but unsurprisingly, it doesn't remain that way. Jette says in her review that she "could see the interactions between these couples could get overly dramatic and even ugly, but I had no idea it would be so damned funny." (Regal Arbor, Violet Crown, Cinemark Tinseltown, Regal Metropolitan)

The Divide -- This apocalyptic SXSW 2011 selection starts off with a very impressive bang in the opening scenes, but quickly dissolves into a grisly mess as a group of survivors struggles with their own humanity. Or not. Rod saw it and in his review, says it "has a definite edge to it and I appreciated it." (Alamo Lamar)

Joyful Noise -- Competitive choirs are not exactly a new comedy concept, and this time it takes two leads (Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah). Are there any saving graces? Mike says yes in his review -- he found it "a family-friendly comedy in the same vein as Footloose with a wholesome message that doesn't get in the way of the fun." (wide)

Pariah -- As a teenager struggles to come of age, the pressure mounts for her to be what's expected, not what she is. Don says in his review, "It's entirely authentic, a vibrant and moving coming of age story." (Regal Arbor)

2011 was a tough year for Texas with the lack of rain, and not exactly a bountiful year for cinema, at least for films with theatrical distribution. But there are some gems this year, often missed by the average audience. So instead of a top ten list, I've decided to do an alternative best-of list that highlights the eclectic mix of outstanding films of the year. While it is Austin-centric, I honestly think some of the best movies this year have strong local connections. So without further ado ...

The Damned Shame Documentary Oversight: Incendiary: The Willingham Case (review), The Interrupters (review), Where Soldiers Come From (review)
Let's get the one negative award over first, not because the films are bad, but because they deserve more attention than they've received. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doesn't publicize the long list of qualifying documentaries before releasing the short list, from which the five nominees will be chosen. And it's a damned shame, as they are topical, provocative and very entertaining -- and all very aptly named. You will laugh, cry, be outraged and leave the theater with your worldview permanently altered for the better. And it just happens to be a coincidence that two of the three have strong Austin connections (and the other played SXSW).

Most Sneaky Charm: The Way (pictured above)
I was very resistant to this movie until reading Mike Saulters' review. This tale of a man on an unexpected, melancholy pilgrimage completely won me over, even with the predictability and montages. The Way is a subtle charmer.

Welcome to 2012. After last week's lack of new theatrical releases, this week is still a slow week this week for new movies, but there are some special screenings. Tonight over at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz, you can get drunk with Tom Cruise... or rather watch him at his cockiest while you knock back a few specially crafted beverages at Cocktails with Cocktail. And on Saturday you can go back to the Ritz for a special screening of The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret with creator and star David Cross. At Alamo on South Lamar, Graham Reynolds will be accompanying screenings of A Trip to the Moon paired with Hugo in 3D on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

On Tuesday, you can see Once Upon a Time in the West for free at Austin Public Library's Milwood Branch as part of the Weeknight Cinema Series. Also on Tuesday, the new Essential Cinema Series "The Great Escape: Three European Émigré Filmmakers" kicks off with Fritz Lang's classic thriller, M. 

Movies We've Seen:

The Devil Inside (pictured above) -- Another week, another exorcism film. Here's a preview from Mike's review, which you can read in full this weekend: "William Brent Bell attempts to replicate the Paranormal Activity formula and apply it to exorcisms. The unfortunate result, The Devil Inside, is harder to swallow than New Coke. Not even recommended for people who really really like awful movies." (wide)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy -- Since this John Le Carre' adaptation has now expanded to wide release, it only seems fair to mention it again. Check out Elizabeth's review. (wide)

The best holiday film fare for me is always a mix of the worst of humanity along with the best. What would It's a Wonderful Life be without George and that old Building and Loan having to suffer through the travails of greed and incompetence? And How the Grinch Stole Christmas would not be anywhere near as heartening if the Grinch wasn't so callous to his dog, or so feisty about making the Whos in Whoville miserable. And that's part of why The Family Stone is one of my guilty pleasure holiday traditions.

I didn't mean to make it one, but I admit I was intrigued by the particularly expressive finger on the teaser poster. The trailers featured a snarky Rachel McAdams thwacking the back of one brother's head only to get thwacked herself by another. And with the premise of ferocious family dynamics over a fiancee? That's not only comedy gold but very relatable.

Eons ago when I still lived in Boston, a family dinner introducing a step-sibling's fiancée proved to be darkly entertaining. Despite the pretense of a well-mannered gathering, many claws were outstretched and flexing on the stoically thick-skinned woman. The same is true with the Stone family, who all clearly love each other yet have no disillusions about each other’s flaws. When the eldest son brings his girlfriend home, the fur starts to fly as her neuroses alienate everyone.

Simply put, The Artist is an utterly charming homage to cinema that proves the old can be new again, and just how universal it can be.

George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is at the zenith of stardom in the silent film era; his mere presence is a spectacle. And in the case of aspiring actress Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), merely being in George's orbit can launch a career. But there's only one place to go from the top, or the bottom, especially when the revolutionary technology of sound transforms silent film into talkies.

Director Michel Hazanavicius has written a perfect film, balancing vintage tropes and pacing with familiar, beloved character archetypes. It's impossible not to fall under Valentin's spell even when being unsurprised at the consequences of his hubris. But it wouldn't be half as interesting without the alchemy of the pacing, editing, and the ever-present, equally perfect score by Ludovic Bource. Being essentially a silent movie itself, The Artist relies on Bource's evocative, often playful score to keep a modern audience from being distracted, and it does it very well.

It's a few days before Christmas, but that just means Hollywood is finally letting us see the big contender films, and because of the holiday weekend, the new releases are starting mid-week. That means Movies This Week is running mid-week as well; unfortunately, it also means slim pickings for special film events from now through next week.

Well, not quite. Tonight you can see The Artist on us; you just have to reserve your pass and get there early enough to get a seat. You can also check out the Alamo Drafthouse calendar, as it's got an eclectic selection of holiday films at their various Austin locations including It's a Wonderful Life, Bad Santa, Home Alone (w/cheesy pizza), the Xmas Pop Sing-along, Elf quote-along, The Magic Christmas Tree, Love Actually, and their High for the Holiday selections.

Movies We've Seen:

The Adventures of Tintin -- The Hergé classics about an intrepid boy and his dog get the Spielberg treatment, and Elizabeth says the resulting movie "captures the essence and spirit of the comic, while hopefully introducing the series to many new fans." Read her review for more. (wide)

The Artist (pictured above) -- My absolute favorite film of the year, bar none. This utterly charming homage to cinema reminded me of the magic of movies in a year that desperately needed it. Look for my review when the movie opens Friday. (Starts Friday at Arbor, Alamo Lamar)

Wondering what to give the cinephiles in your life? Tired of buying them DVDs they've already got in their film library, or resisting the urge to give a generic gift certificate? Then consider the gift of membership to any of several deserving film organizations in Austin.

You'll not only give a refreshingly different gift that has year round benefits, you'll be supporting the local film community. Most membership programs are tiered and cumulative; each level of membership also includes the benefits of all the previous levels in most cases (not to mention it's usually tax deductible).

Austin Film Festival -- AFF hosts a number of sneak-peek screenings throughout the year as well as the Made in Texas and Family Film Series. The writers on your list will appreciate the discounts on the screenplay coverage and Final Draft, and all film fans will appreciate the two free rentals at Vulcan Video. Higher levels of membership include discounts on badges for AFF, and one (or more) free passes to AFF as well.

Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival -- Membership includes festival badges, and higher levels include a ticket to their annual Red Carpet Gala (the one that happens in February on the same day of the biggest film awards event of the year, hint hint), and other events.