Movies This Week: October 19 - 25, 2012
The Austin Film Festival dominates the local movie scene through next Thursday. Not that this is a bad thing, of course; the festival always features plenty of great films. (I'm skipping most of the festival due to other commitments, but I will see It's a Disaster on Saturday night at the Paramount. Let me make it perfectly clear that I'll be at the screening not because It's a Disaster stars America Ferrera, who coincidentally will be at the screening also. No -- I'm reviewing the film because writer/director Todd Berger is a former Austinite, and I do all I can to promote Austin-related films. You're welcome, Austin film industry.)
If AFF or this week's entirely forgettable new releases don't interest you (Paranormal Activity 4? Seriously?), the Alamo Drafthouse is kicking the Halloween season into high gear with creepy, monstery screenings for every taste. Among the highlights: The Mummy and Creature from the Black Lagoon are at Alamo South Lamar on Saturday and Sunday, and An American Werewolf in London (pictured above) is at Alamo Slaughter Lane Monday through Thursday. Also on Saturday and Sunday, the Master Pancake folks take a bite or two out of Night of the Living Dead at Alamo Lake Creek. See the Alamo Drafthouse calendar for complete listings.
Why do I keep plugging the Austin Film Society Essential Cinema series? Because it offers consistently interesting and high-quality films like That Uncertain Feeling, screening on Tuesday at Alamo South Lamar. In this 1941 comedy starring Merle Oberon, Melvyn Douglas and Burgess Meredith, a happily married woman sees a psychoanalyst about her hiccups. She's soon confused and disillusioned about her marriage, and one day in the doctor's waiting room, she meets a pianist who's even more confused than she is.
Fans of Spanish cinema should not miss ¡Ay, Carmela!, presented by Cine Las Americas on Wednesday at the Mexican American Cultural Center. Set during the Spanish Civil War, ¡Ay, Carmela! follows two vaudeville artists who entertain the Republican fighters. After falling prisoners to Franco's Nationalist Army, they're forced to entertain the Nationalist troops and must decide whether to compromise their ideals to save their lives.
Movies We've Seen
Alex Cross -- In his latest film, Tyler Perry plays a Washington, D.C. detective who tracks down the killer of a family member and discovers she is not the killer's first victim. Like many reviews, Mike's isn't flattering: "Tyler Perry should probably stick to comedy, judging by this week's Alex Cross. An unremarkable film that plays like a script rejected by Will Smith, it will be remembered more for Matthew Fox's hilariously bad villian than for Perry's weakly acted hero." Look for his review this weekend. (wide)
Paranormal Activity 4 -- The fourth installment in this horror franchise finds a suburban family witnessing strange events when a woman and a mysterious child move into in the neighborhood. (Haven't we all had neighbors like this?) Look for J.C.'s review this weekend. (wide)
Other Movies Opening in Austin
Least Among Saints -- This drama is the story of a troubled war veteran who befriends an equallly troubled boy. The two embark on a life-changing journey as they both seek redemption. (Arbor)
Middle of Nowhere -- This Sundance-honored film follows a woman's journey of self-discovery when she drops out of med school to focus on her husband's well-being while he's in prison. (Tinseltown South)
Wuthering Heights -- In this new adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel, a family takes in a poor boy who develops an intense relationship with his young foster sister. (You may remember the story from your term paper about it.) Reviews of this stripped-down, gritty take on the classic tale are mixed. (Arbor)