Movies This Week: October 5-11, 2012
Decisions, decisions this week -- attend the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (rebranded "Polari" this year), or see Tim Burton's outstanding new animated film, Frankenweenie? Watch a comedy about butter sculpting -- there's much more to the movie than you'd think -- or check out the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival? See what you will; you'll find me at aGLIFF Polari, where I'm looking forward to former Austinite Kyle Henry's new film, Fourplay (pictured above), on Friday night.
Now in its ninth season, the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival is recognized as the top film celebration of disability in the arts in Texas, and presents animated, international and documentary short films. The festival -- at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar on Friday and Saturday nights -- also features interviews with the filmmakers, actors and writers who create the films.
If you haven't seen David and Nathan Zellner's latest feature, Kid-Thing (my SXSW review), the Austin Film Society is screening the movie Monday night at Alamo Village.
Race is a major factor in politics, and always has been. There may be no better cinematic look at this issue than George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire, a 2000 documentary about the race-baiting Presidential candidate who profoundly impacted American politics. The Austin Film Society presents this award-winning documentary (co-produced and co-directed by Paul Stekler, chair of the University of Texas Radio-Television-Film Department) on Wednesday at Stateside at the Paramount. Be sure to stick around after the screening for a Q&A with Stekler and co-producer/director Daniel McCabe, along with Wallace biographer Dan Carter.
Movies We've Seen
Beauty is Embarrassing -- This documentary tells the life story of artist Wayne White, who (among his many and varied artistic endeavors) was the set designer for Pee-wee's Playhouse. Jette enjoyed the movie, saying in her SXSW 2012 review that first-time director Neil Berkeley "has beautifully captured White's personality and his artistic sensibilities ... This is the kind of movie that energizes and inspires me as I leave the theater, to create artistic things for my own enjoyment and to add art to the world." White will attend select Friday and Saturday night screenings of the film at Violet Crown. (Violet Crown)
Butter -- In this comedy set in small-town Iowa, a girl discovers her talent for butter carving and competes against an ambitious woman in their town's traditional contest. Jette strongly recommends this film: "Butter may seem like a cute comedy about Midwestern butter-sculpting rivalries, but it is in fact the perfect movie to watch during the Presidential campaign season. Trust me." (Also, see J.C.'s glowing review from the 2011 Austin Film Festival.) (iPic, formerly Gold Class Cinema)
Frankenweenie -- In Tim Burton's latest feature, young Victor Frankenstein faces unintended consequences when he brings his dead dog Sparky back to life. Rod says all you need to know about Frankenweenie in his Fantastic Fest review: "With a vision that began many years ago, Burton proves that great ideas transcend time. Frankenweenie is a must-see in this fall film season." (wide)
The Oranges -- This comedy is the story of two families whose friendship is tested when the daughter in one family has an affair with the other family's father. The cast alone (including Hugh Laurie, Catherine Keener, Allison Janney and Oliver Platt) may make this film worth seeing. Look for Rod's review this weekend. (Arbor)
Taken 2 -- Liam Neeson reprises his role as retired CIA operative Bryan Mills in this sequel to the popular 2008 action drama. Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter in the previous film. Is the sequel as good as its predecessor? J.C. says not to bother: "Taken 2 is easily the most disappointing time you might have in theaters this year. The first film was so great, and this one isn't nearly of the same quality. It's kind of heartbreaking." Look for his review this weekend. (wide)