Movies This Week

Two films stand out among the opening films this week: a documentary on the nuclear age, and a Korean war drama. This has been a really light summer for blockbusters, hasn't it?

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore -- I am not so crazy a cat lady I had to watch this. In fact, I made a point not to. But I've heard not-so-bad things about this kid film. Don saw it, want to know what he thought about it? Read his review. (wide)

Charlie St. Cloud -- Zac Efron vehicle about a young man who hangs out with his brother's ghost. OK. Well, maybe Debbie can explain it; read her review for more. (wide)

Countdown to Zero -- Doc about the history of the atomic bomb from origin to current affairs. I suspect this will be rather chilling, considering mutually assured destruction isn't so effective in the era of suicide bombers. (Arbor)

Dinner for Schmucks -- The irony is I had Francis Veber's 1998 comedy The Dinner Game in my Netflix queue, and immediately returned it back in April when I was attending a fest and had no time. Why? Because now I can't make any comparison to the remake starring Paul Rudd and Steve Carell with the more revealing title than the French original. We didn't review this, so do tell us how it turned out.

It hasn't been a great summer this year for big summer blockbusters, but if you look closely, it's been a great simmering summer for the arthhouse films, at least in Austin. Exit Through the Gift Shop is still holding on at the Dobie, and The Secret in Their Eyes is back. Micmacs is still doing well at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, and the Grease Sing-A-Long has five new screenings peppered into the South Lamar schedule through Wednesday. Here's what's opening this week:

The Kids are All Right -- This tale of an "alternative" family is too self-aware and overloaded with self-concious acting in the first half, despite having some of the best actors available today. Still, by the end it's the kids that won me over. Elizabeth can tell you more in her review. (wide)

Salt -- Angelina Jolie as a spy fighting to clear her name after a defector accuses her of treason. The heavily marketed film also includes acting heavyweights Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Andre Braugher, which makes this potentially one of the more watchable films of the summer. But two questions remain; is Evelyn Salt a double agent, and is Salt really watchable? Elizabeth's review can answer one of those questions. (wide)

The Secret in Their Eyes -- This brilliant, complex, Oscar-winning thriller returns to Austin. If you love nuanced performances wrapped in layered stories, this is a must-see. Read Don's review for more. Then go see it. (Dobie)

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)

It's  a surprisingly light weekend for new films in Austin, but there's no holiday and we're smack into the middle of the summer doldrums. But that's not to say there aren't options -- some fun, some mind boggling. 

Cremaster 1-5 and De Lama Lamina  -- When I was looking up the new releases in town, I was a bit gobsmacked. Five films, or is that six? I can't really tell, and the Cremaster website makes it even more confusing.  The Cremaster films by writer-director Matthew Barney seem to be avant garde gone wild, with little dialogue, and are not necessarily numbered in order. Apparently the lengths of the films vary as well.  If any of you see it, do let us know what you think. (Dobie)

Despicable Me -- Pixar doesn't have a monopoly on animated family fare. Universal's latest mixes villains and moppets and minions, and despite the trailer, it's not so fluffy. Read my review for more, and you'll probably want Minion finger puppets, too. (wide)

It's a light week for film releases, but then, with the last Twilight film coming out, who in their right mind wants to take on that? Still, there are options this Independence Day weekend.

Cropsey -- Cropsey (pictured above) takes on the boogieman concept with the real story of a local neighborhood, missing kids and a man so creepy he's tried for murder. This documentary will make you think about how quick we are to judge, and the monsters among us.  If you love true crime or fictional, this is a must-see during its three-day run at the Alamo. (Ritz)

I Am Love -- Tilda Swinton stars in a early 19th century period piece set in Milan and described as "the fall of the haute bourgeoisie due to the forces of passion and unconditional love." You had me at Swinton. (Arbor)

I Hate Luv Storys -- Oh, how I weep for the English language sometimes. This latest Bollywood flick pairs a jaded guy with a gal in love with love.  (Tinseltown 17)

As I'm preparing this, you'd think there was some nepotism going on, but honestly, it's not. It just so happens that Don got to review several limited release films over the last few weeks and they all seem to be opening today. And me, well, one of my reviews has been embargoed since March. But it's all good ... you get to read about what we've been seeing below. 

Cyrus -- Mark and Jay Duplass (The Puffy Chair) hit the mainstream with name stars in their latest relationship twister, but they maintain their offbeat roots as John (John C. Reilly) finds new love with Molly (Marisa Tomei), then meets her son, Cyrus (Jonah Hill). The Duplass brothers' deft touch for making uncomfortably realistic comedy continues. Read Don's review for more. (Arbor, Alamo Lamar)

Grown Ups -- Adam Sandler, David Spade and Rob Schneider cancel out Steve Buscemi, Selma Hayek and Maria Bello in this infantile reunion comedy. And it's directed by Richie Brockleman, err, Dennis Dugan. Um. Yeah. Don sacrificed his dignity to watch this one, so read his review for more to see if my analysis is on target. (wide)

We haven't really had much of a summer movie summer, have we? That may be changing with the third Toy Story movie finally coming out. It's funny how most of the "summer" movies come out before the summer solstice, isn't it? It's another light release week for Austin, but the variety is impressive. 

And let me just say thank you to Marc Savlov at the Austin Chronicle for a lovely profile of Slackerwood in his "The Cool Keeps On" article this week in the Screens section (but that's a really unflattering camera angle). But on to this week's openings... 

Jonah Hex -- Josh Brolin as the lead is a plus, but Megan Fox as a costar is not.  This graphic novel adaptation may be in wide release, but there wasn't an advance screening, which is a bit telling.  (Wide)

Knight and Day -- Shhh, can't tell you about the next summer actioner in detail, but the Gateway has a special advanced screening on Saturday. This isn't a free sneak, but it will let you see the latest Tom Cruise film, and well, if you like action...

What is with this heavy weather? Intense thunderstorms, July's sweltering heat in early June? At least we have plenty of theaters to chill in. Many films are holding their own from the blockbuster wannabees to the indies getting the time to find their audiences. But there are a few new ones to check out.

The A-Team (pictured above)-- Guaranteed to be a man-cave must-have, but with Bradley Cooper shirtless for half the movie, there's plenty for the ladies to look at, too. Joe Carnahan revives the much-beloved 80s TV staple, with an all-star cast and following Hannibal Smith's philosophy: "Overkill is underrated." Read my review for more. (wide)

Karate Kid-- This reimagining has incited protests (including one in Austin tonight). Despite the misnomer (it's now kung fu, not karate), this overlong, over produced story full of cliches isn't as bad as feared. In fact, cast against type Jackie Chan in a serious role and Jaden Smith shine when they can overcome the overpolished dialogue and story. Still, it's at least 20 minutes too long with too many prettified training montages that are a bit creepy considering the star is supposed to be 12 years old. See Debbie's review for more. (wide)

It's only the start of June, and it feels like July. What is up with that? Good thing there are plenty of theaters, and new movies coming out. But don't forget to check the listings and there are a lot of smaller releases still holding on around town.  But on to the new films...

9500 Liberty --  A timely doc about fear mongering and anti-immigration law in the web 2.0 era and in a country founded by immigrants. Read Don's review for more, and keep an eye out for Debbie's interview with one of the filmmakers. (Dobie) 

Get him to the Greek -- I am not a fan of Russell Brand, but this anti-buddy comedy looks like it actually might be funny. Record company intern Jonah Hill is teamed with outrageous rocker Brand, who has to be at the titular Greek for a concert. Written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, who penned Yes Man and the latest Fun with Dick and Jane, I'm not quite sold. Jette has a different view of Brand, so check out her review. (wide)

Not a lot of new films out this week, with too many screens taken up by other blockbusters and the new hopefuls.  Many of the arthouse and indies are holding strong, and you know how I feel about those.

George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead -- Romero is at it again, with this Fantastic Fest 2009 selection pitting islanders against zombies. (Alamo Lamar)

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time -- Jake Gyllenhaal takes on a video game adaptation.  Is it worth it? Debbie knows, and you can read more in her review. (wide)

Sex and the City 2 -- The girls are back, but to find a story they're vacationing in the Middle East. Um. Yeah. Elizabeth saw it and lived to tell the tale; see her review for more. (wide)