Movies This Week: May 4-11, 2012

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Yellow Submarine 

Discriminating filmgoers in Austin will be pleased to find that this week offers plenty of choices, a surprising number of which do not involve Joss Whedon.

The best retro offering of the week is the exquisite, digitally restored Yellow Submarine, playing nightly May 8-13 at various Alamo Drafthouse locations. Based on the seminal Beatles hit, animated in a vibrant oh-so-Sixties style and released when Joss Whedon was only 4, Yellow Submarine (pictured above) is a landmark film that stands the test of time. If you love Sixties pop culture, you'll love this movie. (And if you're too young to remember Sixties pop culture, watch Yellow Submarine and learn. Your life will be so much the better for hearing "Eleanor Rigby.")

In the mood for something trippy but not so psychedelic? On Monday the Austin Film Society and Justine's Brasserie are presenting L'Age d'Or, proto-tripster Luis Buñuel's 1930 follow-up to his masterpiece Un chien andalou (yes, the one with the sliced eyeball -- an image one cannot unsee). L'Age d'Or is every bit as surreal as its predecessor, but with an actual plot about two lovers who rebel against puritanical societal norms.

In the time flies department, it's been 20 years since Quentin Tarantino took "Stuck in the Middle with You" in a whole new direction with the joyously amoral Reservoir Dogs. To mark the anniversary, Bangarang! presents a one-time screening of the cult classic on Tuesday at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz with Dogs star Michael Madsen in attendance.  Wear a black suit and enjoy the symphony of F-words.

Movies We've Seen

The Avengers -- If you pay careful attention to movie release schedules, you may be vaguely aware that this obscure Marvel Comic-based adventure releases today. Mike is somewhat impressed, calling The Avengers "the best super-hero/comic book adaptation ever made. Joss Whedon proves he's the man who can bring together characters with godlike talents (and egos) and effortlessly make them play in his arena. This is the week's hottest release, and you want to be there." (wide)

Monsieur Lazhar -- In this Oscar-nominated movie about a Montreal elementary school, an Algerian immigrant with a dark past replaces a popular teacher who committed suicide in her classroom. I can't recommend this poignant film highly enough; as I said in my review, "Monsieur Lazhar is an astute commentary on the art of teaching, an exploration of the cyclical nature of life and a powerful meditation on loss and grief." (Violet Crown)

My Way -- In this brutally realistic South Korean epic inspired by a true story, two rival marathon runners in Japanese-occupied Korea are forced to join the Japanese army. Their rivalry continues through World War II until they're captured by the enemy and must rely on each other to survive. Look for Rod's review this weekend. (Arbor)

Other Movies Opening in Austin

Sound of My Voice – In this festival favorite, a journalist and his girlfriend investigate a cult whose leader claims to be from the future. In her Austin Chronicle review, Marjorie Baumgarten calls Sound of My Voice a film whose "individual parts are sometimes greater than its whole." (Alamo South Lamar, Arbor)

Yellow Submarine YES

I saw the restored Yellow Submarine at SXSW this year and it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen on screen, simply gorgeous. We say "go see this" and "don't miss that" a lot on Slackerwood so I don't know how to specially tell you that this is a movie you definitely want to make time to see in the theater next week.