Movies This Week: December 7 - 13, 2012
The opening of Hitchcock today is not only renewing interest in but also introducing unfamiliar viewers to the groundbreaking 1960 horror film Psycho. In honor of Sacha Gervasi's dramatization of the life, love and challenges of Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma during the making of Psycho, Violet Crown Cinema presents a special one-week engagement of the classic suspense movie in a newly released digital cinema print. In addition, Violet Crown will offer a special lunch and movie combo for just $15 during the noon shows Monday through Thursday.
Flix Brewhouse celebrates the winter holidays with their Holiday Film Series, featuring favorite movies paired with special menus of holiday drinks and desserts. A dollar from every $5 ticket purchased will be donated to the Round Rock Operation Blue Santa Program. Screenings are at 7:20 pm as follows: It's A Wonderful Life on Sunday; Christmas Vacation on Monday; and Gremlins on Tuesday.
If you're really in the festive mood, catch the Alamo Drafthouse Action Pack Xmas Pops Sing-Along at Alamo Drafthouse Village and Slaughter Lane tonight. The evening includes videoke with old favorites and new videos as well as trivia -- don't forget your dancing shoes. Tickets are sold out for the Thursday, December 13 event at the Alamo Ritz, but you can still buy tickets for other upcoming dates so don't delay!
Movies We've Seen
A Royal Affair -- This period piece is not the typical drama of a love affair between two people from different classes -- young queen Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander) and the royal physician Johann Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen) -- but also an intriguing history lesson into the pair's pivotal roles in introducing Denmark to the Age of Enlightenment. Abundant with brilliant performances especially by Mikkelsen and Danish actor Mikkel Boe Folsgaard as the mad King Christian VII, this tightly executed film is my personal favorite foreign film of 2012 and rightly Denmark's official submission for the Foreign Language Film category of the Academy Awards. (Regal Arbor)
Hitchcock -- Centered around the making of Psycho, this biopic sheds the spotlight not only on the master of suspense himself but also Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) uncredited formidable partner and wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren). A refreshing and intimate portrayal strengthened by the genuine performances of Hopkins and Mirren. Rod states in his review, "In all honesty, seeing how Psycho's shower scene was shot is worth the prices of admission alone." (Arbor, Violet Crown)
Holy Motors -- Words escape me when attempting to describe this film oddity, but the absurd scenarios of Monsieur Oscar (Denis Lavant) as he journeys and performs through a Paris night have grown on me over time. The latest offering from Leos Carax may be a bit too unconventional for American audiences in general. Look for Jette's review this weekend. (Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar)
Other Movies Opening in Austin
Playing for Keeps -- Womanizing ex-soccer star George (Gerard Butler) tries to get back in the game of life by coaching his son's soccer team in this romantic comedy. Also stars Dennis Quaid as a wealthy businessman and soccer dad as well as Jessica Biel as George's ex-wife. (wide)