Movies This Week: Solitary Mother and Jonah Toy Story

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...

Mother and Child -- A character study of three women, one who was given up for adoption, the woman who gave her away, and another looking to adopt in a tale of destiny and the most fundamental relationship in our lives. Sounds heady, huh?  The cast filled with well known and recognizable actors directed by the writer/director behind Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her.  (Arbor)

Raavan --  Bollywood drama about a policeman, his wife, and a bandit in a remote village in India.  (Cinemark Tinseltown 17)

Solitary Man -- Michael Douglas stars as a narcissist whose indiscretions come back to haunt him.  Read Don's review for more.  (Arbor)

Sweet Grass -- I'm seeing two very different descriptions of this one; a documentary about retiring shepherds in Montana, or a Chinese romantic triangle between a woman with both a shopkeeper and a gambler vying for her affections. (Arbor) 

Toy Story 3 -- The delightfully subversive Day & Night short preceding the feature is worth full admission price alone. With almost no dialogue, it was absolutely riveting, even if a bit heavy handed at the end.  As for the feature, it's Pixar, which means a good story, great characters, and the 3D is gorgeous. Even if you aren't an avid fan of the first two movies there is something for everyone -- a journey wrought with peril and laughs -- and will completely melt the hardest heart.  Elizabeth can tell you more in her review. 

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 -- My weekend is too full for a trip to the theater. However, I'm very excited that my Blu-ray of Undisputed III: Redemption arrived in the mail yesterday and is on our home screening schedule this weekend. Check out my entry from the special screening of Undisputed III earlier this month.

Don -- As a Texana nerd, my recommendation for this week is obvious: The Paramount is showing The Last Picture Show on Sunday and Monday. Peter Bogdanovich's masterpiece is a poignant and at times devastating look at life in a small Texas town in the early 1950s. No amount of superlatives can do this brilliant film justice; it's arguably the best film ever made in (and about) Texas.

Jette -- Just in time for Father's Day, Alamo is finally bringing us a Fantastic Mr. Fox feast.  I can almost taste those nutmeg ginger apple snaps now.