Movies This Week: August 17-23, 2012
Although it's a late-summer week -- and therefore back-to-school time -- nine new films are opening in Austin. Of course, the back-to-school crowd may have little interest in a documentary about a mysterious singer/songwriter or a Lebanese comedy about religious bigotry. But moviegoers weary of summer schlockbusters have many interesting new choices.
If a Sly Stallone actioner or Sixties girl-group drama aren't your thing -- they certainly aren't mine -- the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series wraps up its SciFi Week with Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Planet of the Apes, The Terminator and A Clockwork Orange (one of my sci-fi favorites) this weekend. See the Paramount and Stateside calendar for details.
Not in the mood for a feature-length film? On Monday at Alamo Drafthouse Village, Austin Film Festival presents a collection of audience award-winning shorts from AFF 2010 and 2011. The films range from documentaries to narratives to animation to comedy, and admission is a bargain at $5. (And it's free for the first 30 AFF members.)
If you want to support the Texas film industry -- and really now, who doesn't? -- don't miss the Fort Worth-shot Searching for Sonny (pictured above), screening Tuesday at Violet Crown. The indie comedy/mystery is on tour around Texas this month as part of Texas Independent Film Network's Fall 2012 program. Refer to Mike's article about this event for more information.
Movies We've Seen
The Imposter -- In this acclaimed documentary, a Frenchman convinces a Texas family he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for three years. Rod found the interviews with imposter Frederic Bourdin especially fascinating, saying in his review that "It does not take long for you to notice Bourdin's charismatic demeanor. Bourdin was as incredulous as you will be, when realizing that people actually fell for his story of kidnapping and abuse." (Arbor, Violet Crown)
The Odd Life of Timothy Green -- In this family film, a childless couple bury a box in their backyard with all their wishes for an infant. Their wishes seemingly come true when a child is born, but he's not all he appears to be. Debbie isn't a fan; among many criticisms in her review, she says "Despite Disney's promotional campaign appealing to family audiences, the underlying themes of infertility, death and loss are a bit much for younger audiences to comprehend. The sentimentality is quite heavy handed as well." (wide)
Searching for Sugar Man -- Mysterious Sevebties musician Rodriguez is the subject of this documentary in which two fans discover the fate of the American singer/songwriter, who was wildly successful in South Africa but found no success in his own country. As Jordan says in her review, "Despite pulling the historical and factual wool over my eyes, Searching for Sugar Man is still an engaging and intimate look at an enigmatic man and the music that keeps him alive." (Arbor, Violet Crown)
Where Do We Go Now? -- I really enjoyed this funny, politically charged film in which Lebanese women resort to various ruses to relieve tensions between the Christian and Muslim men in their village. As I said in my review, "Lebanese writer/director/actress Nadine Labaki has delivered a quirky, tragic and bitterly funny movie -- complete with musical numbers -- that finds humor without lessening the impact of unspeakable horror." (Tinseltown South)
The Expendables 2 -- This Sylvester Stallone action film involves weapons-grade plutonium and no doubt lots of shooting and explosions. Intertwined with the mayhem is some sort of plot about guys seeking revenge against a villainous enemy or something. J.C. enjoyed the film, saying it "delivers in every way that the original film failed to (in some people's eyes). Tons of fun and full of cheesy one-liners, but this sequel should satisfy viewers." Look for J.C.'s review this weekend. (wide)
ParaNorman -- This much-anticipated and well reviewed animated film follows a boy who can talk to the dead; to save his town from a curse, he must take on ghosts, zombies and the scariest monsters of all ... grown-ups. Mike says, "Animation studio LAIKA (Moongirl, Coraline) shows their work can still shine after the departure of Henry Selick with Paranorman, a beautiful and original work with a powerful positive message for misfits of all shapes and sizes." Look for his review this weekend. (wide)
Other Movies Opening in Austin
Ek Tha Tiger -- This Bollywood romantic thriller tells the story of a scientist suspected of selling missile technology secrets to Pakistan, and the secret agent sent by the Indian government to find out about the scientist's activities. (Tinseltown South)
Sparkle -- Notable as Whitney Houston's last film, this 1960s drama follows three sisters who form a singing group and become Motown sensations, only to have their family fall apart under the stress of fame and fortune. (wide)
Take This Waltz -- Sarah Polley's sophomore film stars Michelle Williams as a happily married woman who falls for her artist neighbor. Take This Waltz is the Austin Chronicle pick of the week; in her review, Kimberley Jones calls the film "a fully adult inquiry into commitment and carnal desire, and the hard choices we make when the two don't align." (Alamo Slaughter)