Movies This Week: Exploding Harry Hood Secret Exit Letter Mission
Both The Human Centipede and The Good, The Bad & The Weird continue at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, two films you might not be able to see in a theater unless you lived in Austin. But it's also a fantastic weekend for new arthouse films, with several opening at the Arbor and the Dobie that are worth your attention.
The Exploding Girl -- It's a summer of love for an epileptic girl who has a new boyfriend, but also has a friend staying for the summer. Sorry, this one never made it to my radar, so I know nothing more about it. (Dobie)
Exit Through the Gift Shop -- This crowd pleaser has been making the film geek corner of the twittersphere explode, and the AFS screening, on two screens no less, sold out quickly. The tagline for this documentary is "The incredible true story of how the world's greatest 'Street Art' movie was never made" and apparently doesn't do it justice. Keep an eye out for Debbie's upcoming review. (wide)
Harry Brown -- Michael Caine gives the performance of his golden years as a pensioner constantly confronted by the violence and fear around him. But Harry Potter's David Bradley's performance alongside him is worth a full-price admission alone. Read Jette's review for more. (Arbor)
Just Wright -- Apparently this is Love and Basketball the comedy, with Queen Latifah as a physical therapist who falls for her patient Common, a basketball player who is recovering from a career-threatening injury. (wide)
La Mission (pictured above)-- Directed by brother Peter Bratt, Benjamin Bratt stars as a widowed ex-con whose macho straight life is upended when his son comes out of the closet. (Arbor, Dobie)
Letters to Juliet -- You can tell how starved for romantic help the world when the 'Club di Giulietta,' a group of "secretaries" who answer the letters for the lovelorn who send them off to Verona in hopes the fictional character written by an Englishman will help them. After today, the Amanda Seyfried helmer will surely set these ladies to working overtime. Read Elizabeth's review for more. (wide)
Robin Hood -- The much beloved bandit gets completely reimagined in this ridiculous backstory as told by Ridley Scott. There's a lot of leeway with legends, but at best this is a build-up for a sequel, saved only by the supporting actors who keep upstaging the leads. Read my review for more. (wide)
The Secret in Their Eyes -- Those who'd seen A Prophet were shocked that it didn't win Best Foreign Language Oscar this year, but now I know why. This taut, subtle thriller from Argentina starring Ricardo Darin (Nine Queens) is beautifully crafted on every level as it mixes past and present when a retired federal investigator haunted by a case decides to write a novel. Spanish speakers should be aware that in Argentina, it's a sign of affection to use otherwise insulting terms that elsewhere might cause offense. To learn more, read Don's review.
A Surprise in Texas -- This is one of those "I had no idea" docs, in this case, about a prestigious piano competition that took place here in Texas, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas to be exact, and the story of one of the competitors, the 20-year-old Nobuyuki Tsujii from Tokyo, who happens to be blind from birth. Read Don's review for more. (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 -- It's been years since I've seen Pink Flamingos, and aGLIFF is hosting a special screening on Sunday at the Alamo Ritz. Actress Mink Stole will be in attendance, making it a very special occasion. I'm just grateful there's not another "Smell-O-Vision" card accompanying this screening!
Elizabeth -- The Paramount's Summer Film Series kicks off Thursday, May 20 with their Film Fan Preview Party featuring Casablanca starting at 6 pm. It's open only to Paramount Film Fans, so join up if you're interested.
Jenn -- I plan on trying to see The Secret in Their Eyes one more time, because it's just that good. Read Don's review for more.
Jette -- Alamo's Music Monday this week gives us a great chance to see the 1983 film Tender Mercies on the big screen, starring Robert Duvall and written by Horton Foote.