Movies This Week: Five Better Certified Assassins
Since the Dobie closed last year, there's been a void in town, but now with the Violet Crown open, Austin has a new dedicated arthouse cinema. No more trips up north for me. And for those of you relying on mass transit, it's conveniently downtown in the Second Street district (and on one of the most frequently running routes, the #3).
13 Assassins -- Takashi Miike's popular tale of a group of samurai warriors on a suicide mission to kill an evil lord has played both Fantastic Fest and SXSW. That pretty much speaks for itself. Read Jette's review from Fantastic Fest. (Ritz)
Other Movies Opening in Austin:
Certified Copy (pictured above) -- Juliette Binoche stars in this chance encounter between a gallery owner and a writer who end up touring the Tuscan countryside, and are continually mistaken for a married couple. Binoche's performance earned her a Best Actress prize at Cannes. (Violet Crown)
Circo -- Documentary about a traveling circus in Mexico trying to keep their art and livelihood viable in the 21st century. (Violet Crown)
Dylan Dog: Dead of Night -- Jette was a little sorry this movie didn't have a preview screening, because she'll give almost anything a chance that's set in the Louisiana bayou (and shot in River Ridge!) Even a comic-book adaptation about a supernatural private eye starring Brandon Routh. (Metropolitan)
Fast Five -- The Fast and the Furious franchise is back yet again in another "you already know if you're going to see it" actioner about car thieves. (wide)
Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs Evil -- Hansel and Gretel are missing, and it's up to the girl in the red cape and the wolf to find them in this animated sequel. (wide)
In a Better World -- This SXSW 2011 selection co-starts Ulrich Thomsen, is directed by Susanne Bier, (After the Wedding) and written by Anders Thomas Jensen, who wrote and directed Adam's Apples. 'Nuff said. (Arbor, Violet Crown)
Prom -- We missed the advance screening for this Disney movie about squeaky-clean teens getting ready for Prom night. (Feel free to respond with the obvious quote from Office Space here.) (wide)
Super -- The advertising on this must have been low-key; we didn't realize until today that the latest film from James Gunn (Slither) opens today in Austin. The comedy about superhero-wannabees starring Rainn Wilson and Ellen Page sold out its SXSW 2011 screening. (Alamo South Lamar)
If scheduling had permitted
If scheduling had permitted, I would have reviewed Prom. I had envisioned writing a comparison of Disney's often absurd version of teen life with the brutal, reality-based take in my favorite film at SXSW, Inside America. (I'm assuming there are no gangs or drug-sniffing dogs in Prom.)