Movies This Week: Mao's American Machete Distance

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Next week is aGLIFF, and in less than three weeks Fantastic Fest starts. It's hard to focus on anything else, but just for you, we have the latest releases in Austin.

The American -- As much a meditation as a movie, Clooney's latest is a character study wrapped up in a retro-thiller wrapper.  If you need big booms and quick-cut editing, this is not the film for you. However, if you like cerebral old-school thrillers chock full of symbolism, it's the film you need to see this weekend.  Read my review for more. (wide)

Dogtooth (pictured above)-- Only a two-day run, but this SXSW cautionary tale of over protective parents shielding their children from the world needs to be seen by cinephiles and anyone with an opinion on modern society, but be warned, this is one fractured fairy tale. (Alamo Ritz)

Going the Distance -- Long distance rom-com between real life exes Drew Barrymore and Justin Long.  Can they meet each other halfway? Directed by Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes, The Kid Stays in the Picture) and written by Geoff LaTulippe, who's only other credit is a film in development called Breathers: A Zombie's Lament. Now that makes me want to see this. Read Elizabeth's review for more. (wide)

Machete -- Robert Rodriguez's movies are a lot like Tyler Perry's; you know exactly what you're going to get with each film, and there's a built-in audience.  If you like grindhouse films, you're going to enjoy Machete. If not, it's probably not the film for you this weekend.  Read Jette's review for more. (wide)

Mao's Last Dancer -- Bruce Beresford's latest is based on the autobiography of Cunxin Li, a ballet dancer born to a poor family in China whose life is the stuff of epic novels.  If that doesn't get you, let me refresh your memory of films directed by Beresford (Breaker Morant, Tender Mercies, Paradise Road, Driving Miss Daisy) and written or adapted by Jan Sardi (The Notebook, Shine).  And that's not to mention the Texas connection. Intrigued? I am, and I'm going to read Debbie's review for more. (Arbor)

We Are Family -- Bollywood family drama. (Cinemark Tinseltown 17)

Winnebago Man -- The Austin-produced festival hit about the Internet phenom moves to Alamo Drafthouse at the Village this week. Have you seen it yet? (Alamo Village)

Check out our personal picks below. Don't forget you can always alert us to special screenings, new film series, etc.

 

Debbie -- I love the great twists that the Paramount gives to many of my favorite movies. This week it's the Coen classic The Big Lebowski with the Second Annual Big Lebowski Scavenger Hunt. Now where can I find a Folgers coffee can downtown?

Jenn -- aGLIFF starts Wednesday, and I'm honored to be a jury member for the narrative film competition. Several of us from Slackerwood will be covering the festival. Hope to see you there! And if you aren't there, you are missing out.

Jette -- Pizza in a cup! Screenwriter Carl Gottfried in person! Now that's the way to see the 1979 comedy The Jerk. Check it out on Sunday night at Alamo Ritz.