Movies this Week: Me and the Serious Port of Call Slammin' Princess
We're smack dab in the height of "for your consideration" season, which means that award hopefuls the studios have been holding back for months are starting to get released. Just in time for our wintery weather. And it's BNAT weekend, too. Are you going? I am. Yay!
The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans -- It's the Showgirls of bad cop movies. If you take this as a serious drama, you'll have a hard time with it. But if you bring your lucky crack pipe and just experience it, it's a very memorable film. Nicolas Cage gets his freak on as a cop who plays by his own rules. Just don't expect a sequel or remake to the original Bad Lieutenant film. Look for Jette's review this weekend. (Arbor, Alamo Ritz)
Dave Matthews in 3D: Larger than Life -- Well, I guess it has Dave Matthews. In 3D. Larger than life. Although apparently it also has Ben Harper, Relentless7 and Gogol Bordello, and it was shot at ACL fest this year. (Gateway)
Invictus -- Clint Eastwood's latest is an adaptation of John Carlin's Unity Through Rugby book. Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela, who conspires with Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), the captain of the national rugby team in a bid to unite South Africa. Debbie reviews. (Wide)
Me and Orson Welles -- This SXSW hit by Austin's Rick Linklater finally opens in town. It's a must-see for two reasons: Zac Efron proves he can act, not just play a pretty face; and Christian McKay is Orson Welles, in a performance you won't soon forget. Jette reviews. (Arbor, Alamo South Lamar)
The Princess and the Frog -- One of the last ethnicities to get the Disney Princess treatment ... is only a princess in title only. Despite the merger of Disney's animation studios with Pixar, there's very little heart in this one, although the stereotypes are equal opportunity. Still, it's got one good song. Jenn reviews. (Wide)
Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year -- Bollywood treatment of a new graduate trying to make in the world... as a salesman. (Tinseltown)
Serious Moonlight -- Written by the late Adrienne Shelly (Waitress) and directed by Curb Your Enthusiasm's Cheryl Hines, this star studded comedy was the Austin Film Festival'a opening-night film. Debbie will be reviewing the movie this weekend; in the meantime, check out Jette's review from Cinematical. (Dobie)
The Slammin Salmon -- The Broken Lizard guys (Club Dread, Super Troopers) are now hustling waiters in their latest, as a debt-ridden restauranteur holds a contest to see which waiter can earn the most money in one night. (Alamo South Lamar)
Check our event calendar for special film events, and our personal picks below. Don't forget you can always alert us to special screenings, new film series, etc. And now, our picks of the week:
Debbie -- Seriously hoping the niece doesn't make me take her to see The Princess and the Frog, I cringed enough the first time around and then she'll want beignets for breakfast. We'll just stay in with our new Blu-ray player and newly arrived Blu-ray discs of Star Trek or Coraline.
Jenn -- I have to say BNAT. Because I'm going. But it means I'll be missing the aGLIFF presentation of Catherine Deneuve's A Christmas Tale.
Jette -- Do go see Me and Orson Welles, it's a lovely film with some good comic moments.