Movies This Week: Lemmy Strings Back Somewhere

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This weekend, Austin Film Society's Bryan Poyser finds out if his second nomination for a Spirit Award means he needs an acceptance speech. Poyser wrote and directed Lovers of Hate, which is up for the prestigious Cassavetes Award. I'm fully in the "honor just to be nominated" camp, but I would love to see Poyser and the film get more exposure and recognition. But in the meantime, there are new movies coming out this week.

Movies We've Seen:

No Strings Attached -- Going from an Aronofsky masterpiece to an Ashton Kutcher vehicle is not what I expected from Natalie Portman, but perhaps she needed something light after such heavy material? This romantic comedy is about the complications of a strictly physical relationship, and is directed by Ivan Reitman. Look for Mike's review this weekend. (wide)

Somewhere -- Sofia Coppola's latest is an overdue coming-of-age for a not-so-young anymore actor (Stephen Dorff) when he starts spending more time with his tweenage daughter (Elle Fanning). This serviceable character study will likely satisfy Coppola's fans, but might be too studied for others. Elizabeth reviews. (Alamo Lamar, Arbor)

Lemmy (pictured above) -- Motorhead's lead singer gets the biopic treatment in this eponymously titled documentary. Jette reviewed this movie when it played SXSW in 2010 -- it was her first exposure to Motorhead, and she was delighted. (Alamo Lamar)

Other New Movies:

Dhobi Ghat -- Also known as Mumbia Diaries, the film Dhobi Ghat premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and is not the typical song-and-dance Bollywood fare. (Tinseltown)

The Way Back -- Peter Weir (Witness) directs this fact-based war story of soldiers who escaped from a Siberian gulag. Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan and Jim Sturgess star. (Metropolitan, Barton Creek, Gateway)

Our Picks This Week:

Debbie: I missed the Argentinian thriller Carancho at last year's Fantastic Fest, but Alamo Drafthouse is giving Austin audiences another chance to see it Sunday at 6 pm at Alamo Ritz. I've heard this dark tale about ambulance chasers hustling late-night accidents is well-produced, realistic and unpredictable -- time to see for myself.

Don: If you recently sensed a disturbance in the Force, it's because the Texas Legislature is back in session. In conjunction with this biennial bloodbath, the Alamo Ritz is screening Gerrymandering on Monday at 8 pm. This 2010 documentary examines the thoroughly partisan business of legislative redistricting and highlights the last Texas redistricting battle, which was the backdrop for Tom DeLay's recent conviction on money laundering charges. After the screening is a panel discussion with UT professor Steve Bickerstaff, Linda Curtis of Independent Texans and San Antonio Express-News reporter Guillermo Garcia.

Jenn: Fantastic Fest selection Carancho is playing Sunday at the Ritz as part of the Cine Las Americas Film Festival Signature Series Presents. This gritty Argentine thriller is not my favorite Ricardo Darin film, but if you haven't seen it, I recommend it. It just might get you to consider going to Cine Las Americas International Film Fest this year (and you really should).

Jette: This week's Music Monday movie at Alamo Ritz is The Blues Brothers. If you've never seen it in a theater, you're missing a wonderful communal viewing experience. And Ritz generally has great audio, too, worthy of the music in this film. You also get to enjoy the chase scenes on a big screen, which they really deserve. And there's Charles Napier, too. Oh, yeah.