Movies This Week: Just Juliet the Eagle Illusionist

Looking at this week's new releases, I'm amused that we have two animated movies opening that could not be more different. One is a bright perky children's movie that tidily removes everything tragic from a classic tragedy; the other is a poignant, beautiful, quiet film with a melancholy air. And the photo above comes from neither one -- it's from The Gruffalo, part of a collection of Oscar-nominated shorts that also opens in Austin today.  Other non-animated choices include a Hollywood romantic comedy, an epic set in ancient Rome ... and Justin Bieber. How can you go wrong?

Movies We've Seen:

• Gnomeo And Juliet -- Don's review tells you everything you want to know about this upbeat reworking of the tragic Shakespearan play using garden gnomes. But my favorite comment so far comes from Kimberley Jones' review at the Austin Chronicle: "That's 10 screenwriters if you count Shakespeare, but had he the chance, I bet he'd lobby the Writers Guild for an Alan Smithee credit." (wide)
• The Illusionist -- If I could, I would stop what I was doing right now and go see The Illusionist again. The animated movie is directed by Sylvan Chomet from a script by the late Jacques Tati. You won't believe me, but this is a much better movie than the front-runner for Best Animated Feature Oscar, Toy Story 3. Read my review to find out why. (Arbor)
• The Eagle -- Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell star in this sword-and-sandal adventure that is so macho, there are no speaking parts for women. (Well, the same can be said for The Great Escape, which I like very much.) Debbie caught this movie; look for her review this weekend. (wide)

Other New Movies:

• Just Go with It -- This Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston comedy is actually a remake of a 1969 film, Cactus Flower, which starred Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hawn (and was written by the fabulous I.A.L Diamond). That intrigued me, but not enough to make an effort to see the movie. (wide)
• Justin Bieber: Never Say Never -- This movie didn't have a preview screening in Austin, which is a shame because Mike Saulters was dying to review this concert film for you. Those of you with Bieber fever will just have to find out for yourselves. (wide)
• Oscar-Nominated Short Films -- Alamo Drafthouse brings two collections of Academy Award-nominated shorts to Austin: one for animated films, one for narrative shorts. I love going to see these collections and hope to catch them soon. (Alamo Ritz)
• Patiala House -- Bollywood film about a young man trying to save his father's reputation, with help from the girl he loves. (Tinseltown South)