Movies This Week: Even the Irishman Conspirator Scream Poem

It is a week full of narratives based on true stories ... and in one case, a classic work of literature. It's also one of those rare weeks when we haven't seen many of the movies opening in Austin. But that's okay, we've got the Off-Centered Film Festival happening this weekend, not to mention impatiently waiting for Cine Las Americas and the Violet Crown Cinema opening later this month.

Movies We've Seen:

Even the Rain (Tambien La Lluvia) -- I regret not getting a chance to see this dramatization starring Gael García Bernal. This story is about a controversial film production in Bolivia as locals face privatization of water in this eerie parallel of exploitation in both the past and present. Don has seen it and has a lot to say about this true story in his review. (Arbor)

Other Movies Opening in Austin:

Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 -- Based on the Ayn Rand novel, this movie is directed by Paul Johansson -- who also co-stars in this tale of a railroad executive struggling to keep her business. This is the same Johanasson who starred in Highlander: The Raven. (Tinseltown)

The Conspirator -- The story of Lincoln's assassination is told from the perspective of the sole woman among the accused conspirators, Mary Surratt (Robin Wright). Directed by Robert Redford and co-starring James McAvoy, Tom Wilkinson and Kevin Kline, just to name a few. (wide)

Kill the Irishman -- Based on a turf war between the Irish mob and the mafia in the summer of 1976, this based-on-a-true-story film focuses on Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson), known as a man the Mob couldn't kill. The cast also includes Vincent D'Onofrio, Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken, which is enough of a draw right there. (Arbor)

Miral -- The coming-of-age story is about an orphaned Palestinian girl growing up in East Jerusalem in diary form. Directored by Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), the movie also stars Hiam Abbass, Freida Pinto and Willem Dafoe. (Arbor)

Rio -- Animated tale of a aviatophobic domesticated Macaw (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) who goes to Rio with his new girlfriend, directed by the guy at the helm for most of the Ice Age franchise. And that's about as much enthusiasm as I can muster for this one; then again, I haven't even seen a trailer for it. (wide)

Salvation Poem (Poema de salvacion) -- Conflict between a religious mother and her rocker son becomes a spiritual battle for his soul in this Argentinean film based on a true story. (Tinseltown)

Scream 4 -- If you don't already know about the Scream franchise, you're probably not able to read this. (wide)