Movies This Week: 50 Soul Interrupters Vs. Numbers
Tonight, you can catch a special free screening of Amélie as part of the Whole Foods Sunset Supper Cinema; seating is limited, and starts around 6:30 pm. I'm seriously thinking of going to try some of the food specials, which include a crème brûlée shake.
Then get a triple-shot of filmmaker Ti West, who's been in town for Fantastic Fest. On Saturday he's doing a Moviemaker Dialogue over at the AFS screening room, on Sunday The Roost and The House of the Devil play Alamo Drafthouse Village, followed by an AFS Best of the Fest screening on Monday of The Innkeepers.
On Tuesday, check out the lastest Essential Cinema screening Peking Opera Blues over at Alamo South Lamar. And apparently AFS is kicking of a new "season pass" option -- Season Pass holders get into the Essential Cinema screenings for free.
Now on to the films opening in Austin today, many of which played SXSW to enthusiastic audiences, so don't pass up the chance to see them with an Austin audience before award season starts.
Movies We've Seen:
50/50 -- I've seen a lot of cancer-themed movies this year, but 50/50 stands out as it's inspired by the writer's own experiences. While the title relates to the survival chances, Don says in his review that it "also could refer to the odds that with a great cast and some genuinely poignant and funny moments, the movie can survive its entirely formulaic storyline."
The Interrupters – Using a disease prevention model, the Chicago-based, CeaseFire employs "violence interrupters" to curb the spread of violence through relationships, mediation and other alternatives. Often raw with no rhetorical punches pulled, it's about as different from Thunder Soul as you can get, but equally worthy. Read my review for more.
Thunder Soul (pictured above) -- You will regret seeing this equally moving and entertaining doc made in Houston celebrating the life and work of Conrad "Prof" Johnson, who brought international attention to the Kashmere Stage Band performing popular funk and original compositions that rivaled the work of professionals. You will be dancing in your seat. Read my SXSW review for more. (Alamo South Lamar)
Tucker & Dale vs Evil -- Smartly funny and turns the horror comedy genre on its ear with rednecks versus college kids. Comic geniuses Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine at the top of their game and it's one of the funniest movies I've seen in years. You owe it to yourself to see it in a theater with an Austin crowd. Read my SXSW review for more. (Alamo South Lamar)
What's Your Number? --I like a good romantic comedy; hell, I've even been known to enjoy some that aren't so great with good performances. What's Your Number? is neither, read my review for more. (wide)
Other Films Opening in Austin:
Courageous -- Another faith-based flick, this one focusing on four police officers. You already know if you're going to see this one (kinda like a Tyler Perry movie, but without the jokes and the cross-dressing). (wide)
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame -- While the title sounds like a children's game, this movie is an adult thriller out of Hong Kong about an empress-to-be embroiled in a murder mystery during the Tang Dynasty. (Alamo South Lamar)
Dream House -- Daniel Craig, Rachel Ward and Naomi Watts star in the latest house-driven horror flick. Unfortunately, it didn't screen in advance despite the star power, which doesn't bode well for the quality of the film.