Movies This Week: My Name is Percy Wolfman St. John Khan of the Last Station

Lots of SXSW news -- 119 features, 80 panels, and 130 shorts, with plenty of local representation. But we have a whole month to go until we get to see them.  It's going to be a long month, isn't it? In the meantime, here are this week's new films opening in Austin theaters.

The Last Station -- Turn-of-the-century historical drama about Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and his family and legacy starring Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy and Paul Giamatti. The cast alone (pictured above) makes it worth a watch. We missed the press screening, but see what Kimberley Jones has to say over at the Austin Chronicle. (Arbor)

My Name is Khan -- A Mumbai Muslim with Asperger's is detained at LAX after 9/11 because of his "suspicious" behavior. The movie was not pre-screened. (Tinseltown South)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief -- Another "teen is the chosen one" type of movie, only this the kid is the descendant of a Greek god. Based on the book by Rick Riordan, directed by Chris Columbus. This film didn't pre-screen in Austin so we haven't seen it, but try James Rocchi's review over at MSN. (wide)

St. John of Las Vegas -- Quirky near-morality tale of a recovering gambler with terrible luck and a megalomaniac boss. John's opportunity to work as a Fraud Investigator disrupts his a budding relationship and results in several surreal encounters when he accompanies Virgil, the senior adjuster on an investigation. What is meant to be funny and insightful is just boring and awkward. Read my full review. (Arbor). 

The Wolfman -- The latest re-imagining based on Curt Siodmak's 1941 original screenplay stars Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins apparently playing the arch-enemy of the legendary monster; I wonder how soon he'll make a hat trick of that role for The Mummy? Read Debbie's review. (wide)

Valentine's Day -- "VD in Hollywood" star-stuffed ensemble as directed by Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman). I don't expect a Love Actually, but perhaps it'll be a worthy sitcom? Anyone? Hello... Check out Elizabeth's review to learn more. (wide)

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. 

Debbie -- I enjoyed The Eyes of Me on DVD, and highly recommend catching next week's special screening.

Jette -- As part of the "Desire" film series and exhibit at the Blanton, you can catch Pedro Almodovar's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown on Sunday afternoon. A perfect movie for Valentine's Day, whether you have a valentine or not.