Movies This Week: The Damned (Untitled) Carol Gentlemen

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The Box

Thanks to everyone who came out forThe Men Who Stare at Goats last night; it was a great turnout. It was so full we had to turn people away, even with two theaters (and two other sponsors, but still, Slackerwood fans represented). Keep following us on Twitter for future screenings.

Austin offers plenty of movies to see this week before the Austin Asian American Film Festival starts next Thursday. Check out the list below, and our personal picks to help you decide.

The Box -- Richard Kelly, the mastermind behind Donnie Darko and Southland Tales, directed this cautionary tale of a couple being offered a million dollars ... but at the price of killing someone they don't know. The movie (pictured above) is based on Richard Matheson's short story "Button, Button" and stars Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, and Frank Langella.

Chelsea on the Rocks -- This documentary about the Chelsea Hotel in New York is directed by Abel Ferrara, who made the original Bad Lieutenant. (Arbor)

The Damned United -- In 1974, Brian Clough managed England's top football club, Leeds United, for 44 days. This movie stars Michael Sheen (Nixon, The Queen) as Clough, and Colm Meaney (Life on Mars, Layer Cake) as his chief rival. The English are arguably more passionate about their "footie" than Texans are, so there is certainly a lot of drama to pull from. (Arbor)

Disney's A Christmas Carol -- One of the most frequently-adapted stories gets the Disney/Polar Express treatment, with Jim Carrey in multiple roles. I'll let someone else see it, and try to remember which of the three dozen or so film versions was the one I adored growing up. (Wide)

The Fourth Kind -- This film is riding on the coattails of films like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project, but tries far too hard, and can't decide if it's a reenactment, expose, or a documentary. Uneven and frequently overbearing. Check out my review. (Wide)

Gentlemen Broncos -- The creators of Napoleon Dynamite bring you battle stags. And flannel nightgowns. The wide release has scaled back considerably, so Austin is one of the few places it will play. Jette tried to review it, but ... you'll see. (Alamo South Lamar)

The Men Who Stare at Goats -- Reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) searches for his big story in Iraq when he encounters Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), who claims to be a former paranormal soldier. The movie features Clooney at his most outrageous. See Jette's review for more. (Wide)

New York, I Love You -- The latest edition of anthologies of love stories to cities around the world focuses this time on the Big Apple. Paris, je t'aime, one of my favorite films, started it all, and Rio, Shanghai, and Jerusalem are all getting the same treatment. (Arbor)

Ong Bak 2 -- Tony Jaa is back in this apparent prequel to Ong Bak, as this is alternatively titled Ong Bak: The Beginning. Stunt coordinator and co-writer of the original Panna Rittiktrai co-directs with star Tony Jaa. (Alamo South Lamar)

(Untitled) -- Adam Goldberg and Marley Shelton star in this romantic comedy about contemporary art by the director who brought you Crispin Glover in Bartleby. Jette will be reviewing this movie over the weekend. (Arbor)

Check our event calendar for special film events, and Austin hosts a lot of them this week. If you have any events you'd like us to list, contact us.

Now for our personal picks:

Jenn -- The Austin Asian American Film Festival, which runs from Thursday through the weekend. Austin based director Ed Radtke's The Speed of Life is the opening-night film on Thursday at Alamo South Lamar.

Jette -- I'm thinking about going to Terror Tuesday at Alamo Ritz this week to catch Walter Hill's 1981 film Southern Comfort. Apparently there are crazed Cajuns in it, fighting the National Guard in the bayous. I love watching horrible Louisiana stereotypes and this seems like a prime opportunity. It's a shame Bad Lieutenant: Port of New Orleans isn't out yet because this could potentially make a great double-feature.

Debbie -- The Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival will be at Alamo South Lamar on Friday and Saturday evening. Especially looking forward to seeing the films in the Student Short Film Competition.