Movies This Week: Red Mars Battle

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It's spring! Wildflowers are in bloom, and movie geeks of the world are at the end of their annual migration to central Texas for 10 days of film and fun. And oh, yeah, those other two conferences.  But there are a few other films opening in town this week.

Movies we've seen:

Battle Los Angeles -- The shock and awe right from frame one is exhaustingly effective, with chiseled-jaw Aaron Echkart as a Marine sergeant on the verge of retirement who finds himself up close and personal in an alien invasion. The battle scenes are intense but falters further off point every time it slows down. Look for Mike's review on Saturday. (wide)

Red Riding Hood-- Another fairy tale, this time with the hooded gal torn between suiters when something kills her sister. Can't quite muster up the interest in this one with SXSW upon us. Read Debbie's review for more. (wide)

Other films opening this week:

Mars Needs Moms -- Berkeley Breathed's book about a boy who just doesn't appreciate his mom, til Martians take her for their own, setting young Milo on a stellar journey to save her. (wide)

Our Picks:

Jenn -- We could make a lot of recommendations being SXSW time, but mine is opening-night film Source Code.  Duncan Jones' followup to the underappreciated SXSW selection Moon is riveting, and while I normally recommend finding one of the gems playing opposite the opening night film at festivals, I can assure you Source Code is the exception.  You want a big Austin audience for it.

Jette -- If you're reading this and you're an Austin filmgoer who doesn't have SXSW plans, I'd like to suggest that you check out the movies playing at Arbor and Westgate, the "SXSatellite" venues, over the next week. You should be able to buy a ticket easily and see some excellent movies.