Movies This Week: One Barbarian Spy Night

As the summer movie season draws to a close and schools start up again, we still have some very good new movies opening in Austin this week, both indies and Hollywood films.

In addition, Texas Filmmakers Production Fund panelists are in Austin this weekend and Austin Film Society is hosting screenings of their films. On Sunday night, you can see a selection of short films from Barry Jenkins, followed by Ian Olds' documentary Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi. AFS is also bringing Josh and Ben Safdie to town to screen Daddy Longlegs on Monday night and short films on Wednesday. If you want some classic comedies, the Long Center has a Cult Classics series that features movies such as Animal House and The Princess Bride. But my favorite cult movie of the week is at Alamo's Music Monday: Repo Man. Afterward, go get some sushi and not pay.

Movies We've Seen:

• Conan the Barbarian -- "Stargate Atlantis and Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa lives, loves and slays at the box office this weekend in the gorgeous nonstop action reboot of Conan the Barbarian." Or so Mike tells me. Look for his review this weekend.  (wide)
• Fright Night -- Mike says in his review that although this is a remake of the 1985 film, it's "original, smart, exciting and funny" and one of the most entertaining movies of the summer. It's showing in 3D and 2D -- I've heard the images are a little dark for the 3D to be effective. I've also heard David Tennant is marvelous, but you knew that. (wide)
• The Guard -- Don Cheadle and Brendan Gleeson star in this Irish buddy-cop comedy, and Don says their chemistry and dialogue are the best parts of this slow-paced but rewarding movie. Read his review for more details. (Arbor, Violet Crown)
• The Whistleblower -- Rod came out of this screening pissed off ... not at the movie itself but at the inhumanity so realistically portrayed in it. To find out more, check out his review. (Arbor)

Other New Movies in Austin:

• 3-D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy -- It's a 3D erotic flick from Hong Kong. Do I need to tell you which theater is bringing this movie to Austin? And that you should leave the kids at home if you decide to see it? I admit I'm intrigued about the use of 3D in this context. (Alamo Lamar)
• One Day (pictured above) -- The latest feature from Lone Scherfig (An Education) is a romantic drama starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. We didn't see it, but Kimberley Jones at the Austin Chronicle did; check out her review. (wide)
• Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D -- Sadly, this locally shot movie from Troublemaker Studios didn't screen for press, although we'll be posting photos soon from its Austin gala screening last weekend. I hope to see the movie this weekend and post a review -- keep an eye out for an update. (wide)