Movies This Week: August 10 - 16, 2012

in

Still from Gaston Melies film "A Texas Joke"

As a kid growing up in Houston, the hot and humid summers were usually spent indoors reading and watching science fiction movies on television. The Paramount Theatre's Sci-Fi Week runs from Tuesday, August 14 through Sunday, August 19 and features several personal favorites including Forbidden Planet, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Planet of the Apes. Also screening next Tuesday through Thursday is the classic silent sci-fi film Metropolis with the 1980s soundtrack from composer Giorgio Moroder featuring songs by Pat Benatar, Billy Squier, Freddie Mercury, Bonnie Tyler, Adam Ant and more. Screening times and ticket information available on the Paramount website.

Seattle-based film group The Sprocket Society recently started an Austin chapter and is hosting an inaugural screening on Sunday, August 12, 2:45 pm, at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. For their first screening the Austin chapter is featuring a program of shorts including the silent screen work of Georges Méliès; a rare restoration of A Texas Joke (pictured above), a Western made by brother Gaston Méliès at the Star Film Ranch in San Antonio; and a 1930s adventure documentary on African Pygmies that inspired Werner Herzog to become a filmmaker. Learn more about The Sprocket Society in the Austin Chronicle's "The Tangible Pleasures of Cinema" article.

Movies We've Seen

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry -- A powerful and thought-provoking documentary that chronicles artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he prepares for a series of exhibitions and clashes with the Chinese government. Elizabeth says in her review, that the movie "reminds us that there is most definitely a man, foibles and all, behind the works of art and activism." (Violet Crown, Regal Arbor)

The Bourne Legacy -- The latest edition to the Bourne franchise centers on a new protagonist, CIA assassin Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) who participates in a project much like Jason Bourne -- although his skills rely on special drugs to which Cross is addicted. The star-laden cast includes Bourne series regulars Albert Finney, Joan Allen and David Strathairn as well as Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton. Elizabeth asks, "Is an action movie really an action movie if only a third of it moves at a fast pace?" Look for her full review this weekend. (wide)

The Campaign -- Two CEOs attempt to oust long-term North Carolina congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) by supporting a rival candidate, Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center. Mike states, "Well timed for release in the middle of a national election season, The Campaign is a refreshing and hilarious look at politics that doesn't devolve into political rhetoric." Check back this weekend for his review. (wide)