Movies This Week: The Nature of Coco's Apprentice Inception

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At first I thought only a couple films were opening in Austin this week, but I was mistaken. The diversity couldn't be greater, from standard family fare to existentialism, and more Swedish thrillers. And guess what? We've seen most of 'em, to help you decide which ones to catch now, or later.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky -- I'm not up for yet another Coco Chanel flick, but Mads Mikkelsen is in it. Chris Greenhalgh adapted his novel Coco & Igor for director Jan Kounen. I need to read Debbie's review, and I recommend you do, too. (Arbor)

Daddy Longlegs -- As part of the SXSW Presents series, Alamo hosts a limited run of the latest film from the Safdie brothers. The semi-autobiographical story features Ronnie Bernstein (director of Frownland, which played SXSW 2007) as a father trying to get his annual two-week visitation time with his kids to work. The movie played Cannes in 2009 and then Sundance in 2010. We don't have a review; go read Roger Ebert's instead. (Alamo Ritz)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -- This SXSW selection may be out on DVD (read Jette's review), but it's back in theaters. I highly recommend seeing it before checking out the sequel, The Girl Who Played With Fire, which opens this weekend. (Dobie)

The Girl Who Played With Fire -- The sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is playing at two different theaters in town. I've heard great things about the first one, and a lot of people are looking forward to the next. Don has seen this second installment of Stieg Larsson's "Millennium" trilogy, and his review will tell you if it's worth your movie money. (Arbor, Cinemark Tinseltown)

Inception (pictured at top) -- The laundry list of talent has more Oscars and noms than any one film has a right to include. And it shows, with powerhouse performances in one mind-bending thriller that I plan on seeing at least twice more on the big screen. Read my review for more.  (wide)

The Nature of Existence -- Director Roger Nygard (Trekkies and Trekkies 2) interviews an eclectic assortment of minds, from holy men and scholars to wrestlers and pizza chefs, and apparently everything in between.  I'm there. (Arbor) 

Sorcerer's Apprentice -- Old-school Disney at its genial best; light fun for all the fate of the world hangs in the balance of a geek infatuated with Tesla coils whose mentor has his hands full. Read my review for more.  (wide)

Standing Ovation -- Tweenie boppers forming a band to enter a contest battle rich kids to win, starring no one I recognize and written/directed by ... no one I recognize. That may or may not be a good thing. (Regal Metropolitan)

 

Check our event calendar for special film events, and our personal picks below. Don't forget you can always alert us to special screenings, new film series, etc.

Debbie -- Austin Film Society has a lot to offer in the next week, including a discussion with author and screenwriter Noah Hawley and special screenings. I've yet to see Orson Welles' adaptation of Franz Kafka's The Trial (Le proces), but thanks to AFS there's a special screening on Saturday. On Wednesday, the traveling documentary festival "doxita" comes to Austin to present their third season -- Doxita: Life is a Progress. Among the films shown, I'm looking forward to The First Kid to Learn English in Mexico, which documents the difficulties of a new country from the perspective of a 9-year-old immigrant boy.

Jenn -- Life's been pretty crazy the last couple months. It's been a while since I've seen a local movie event,  but Orson Welles' take on Franz Kafka as part of the AFS Essential Cinema series "A Summer of Restoration: Selections from Milestone Films" in his 1962 film The Trial is calling my name. 

Jette -- Alamo Ritz's monthly Girlie Night on Tuesday features a movie my husband likes more than I do: 10 Things I Hate About You. I'm not sure that means he'll go to something called Girlie Night, though. Get your tickets online now, because Girlie Night frequently sells out.