Movies This Week: Rampart Act of Wanderlust Deeds

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Good Deeds

Normally we focus on Austin theaters for Movies This Week, but we're more than willing to go a little north of town to Pflugerville for Cinemark's Best Shorts Festival 2012, for three screenings only up at Tinseltown 20. On Monday, the Texas Film Hall of Fame presents No Country for Old Men at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar -- the cast includes Barry Corbin, who will be honored at the award ceremony next month.

Wednesday you have three (count 'em!) very different cinematic experiences to choose from. Cine Las Americas is hosting a benefit sneak preview of Oscar-nominated Chico & Rita, a contender for Best Animated Feature, at the Metropolitan. AFS Best of the Fests screens SXSW 2011 selection Better This World at Alamo Village with special guests David McKay and Bradley Crowder, the two young men from Midland, Texas who were arrested on terrorism charges at the 2008 Republican National Convention.  And the Paramount Pub Run series is screening Back to the Future if you're looking for something less provocative; you don't have to participate in the pub run part, but that ticket includes beer and other goodies. Decisions, decisions.

Movies We've Seen:

Comin' At Ya! -- This restored 1981 film may not be for everyone, but apparently is the ultimate 3D experience.  Me, I'm intrigued by the fact that one of its stars is Victoria Abril, who costarred with Penelope Cruz in Don't Tempt Me in 2001. Jette saw it at Fantastic Fest and says, "The 3D effects are wonderfully cheesy and eye-popping ... I wish the story had been more engaging. Worth it for the goofy 3D factor."  (Alamo Lamar, Village, Lake Creek)

Rampart -- If you're a fan of dirty cop movies, or Woody Harrelson, this is the film for you. Think The Shield, but less so.  On the other hand, Mike says it "attempts to do with the LAPD what The Wrestler did with wrestling, only poorly. This is not a happy story, and unfortunately it's also not dramatic, funny, gripping, engaging, or even vaguely interesting. Only a week later, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance has competition for worst film I've seen this year." Full details in his review this weekend. (Alamo Lamar, Tinseltown 17)

Wanderlust -- David Wain's latest features Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston as a down-on-their-luck couple who end up at a commune and not a B&B as they travel cross country. Look for J.C.'s review this weekend. He says, "There's a lot for fans of David Wain fans to like in Wanderlust, general audiences might be in for a bit of a surprise though." (wide)

Other Films Opening in Austin:

Act of Valor -- "Inspired by actual events," this actioner has a bigger gimmick than most -- it features "active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs" as well as a fictionalized narrative. You probably already know whether that's a plus or minus for your viewing decisions. (wide)

Gone -- Amanda Seyfried is desperate to save her abducted sister from the clutches of the serial killer she herself escaped from a year before. (wide)

Good Deeds (pictured at top) -- Don't look for Madea in this one. Tyler Perry is donning a business suit for this tale of a businessman whose life changes when he meets Thandie Newton (who wouldn't), a single mom who cleans his building. (wide).