Movies This Week: The Good, the Bad, the Weird Furry Nightmare
Didn't make it to the special screening of Iron Man 2? You still have a week to see what the fuss is about, but this is probably your last week of non-blockbustery summer film openings for a while. And thanks to strong box office at Alamo on South Lamar, you have another week to catch Best Worst Movie.
Furry Vengeance -- This poorly named comedy pits nature versus suburbs... but unlike Over the Hedge's slickly funny animation, this uses animatronics and Brendan Fraser. (wide)
The Good, The Bad, The Weird -- Emphasis on "weird," this Korean western (you read that right) is so memorable that a sleep-deprived gal stuck in the front row during an sold-out Fantastic Fest 2008 screening was absolutely riveted. It's one of the most fun films you'll see this year. Set in 1940s Manchuria, three rivals fend off the Japanese Army, Chinese bandits and each other while seeking a treasure map. The Good, The Bad, The Weird is by the guy behind Two Sisters but this is a comedy. You know you have to see it. (Alamo Lamar)
House Full -- Bollywood comedy about a polygamist juggling three wives. (Cinemark Tinseltown 17)
The Human Centipede -- This Fantastic Fest horror selection is back in Austin and is definitely, seriously not for the squeamish. You have been warned. Iron-stomached Fantastic Fest-goers, however, loved it to pieces and in fact it won two awards at the fest last year. (Alamo Lamar)
The Metropolitan Opera: Armida -- A special presentation at a few local metroplexes I'm assuming is a simulcast. Dunno the opera, but if you're a fan, you have some choices on where to see it. (Metropolitan, Southpark Meadows, Hill Country Galleria aned Tinsletown 20/XD at noon Saturday)
Mayweather vs. Mosley Fight LIVE -- If you're not into opera, there's a more pugilistic option, and this one I'm pretty sure is live, based on that "live" in the title. (Southpark Meadows, Hill Country Galleria and Tinseltown 20/XD at noon Saturday)
Nightmare on Elm Street -- Jackie Earle Haley takes over the role that made Robert Englund an internationally recognizable actor in this reboot of the horror franchise. Unfortunately it's not very scary. Read more in my review. (wide)
North Face -- WWII period drama based on a true story of a climbing competition, starring Benno Fürmann. (Arbor)
The Little Traitor -- Based on the book Panther in the Basement by Amos Oz, Alfred Molina stars as a British sergeant in Palestine in 1947 who mentors an 11-year-old Israeli boy. (Arbor)
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 -- Hard to believe that I've not seen Kick-Ass yet. After hearing members of the Austin Comic Book Society rave about the film, it's time to check out what all the fuss is about. I'll be sure to wear my Kick-Ass t-shirt to the screening!
Don -- It's a shame that the Dobie may not be long for this world, as it's screened many outstanding films lately. My pick this week is playing there: The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers. Ellsberg remains a controversial figure nearly 40 years after releasing the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, and this Oscar-nominated documentary is a must-see for any Vietnam War-era history buff like me.
Jenn -- I may not see any movies this weekend, to recover from Cine Las Americas.
Jette -- On Sunday night, I'm going to this month's Cinema Club screening at Alamo Ritz: Night Nurse -- no, it's not a Seventies exploitation flick. This is a 1931 (pre-Code!) movie starring Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Blondell. Film writer Kim Morgan will lead a discussion afterwards.