Movies This Week

This coming week offers some special offers for Austin Film Society (AFS) members with discounts to special screenings. AFS Selects series is partnering with the Violet Crown Cinema to present Smashed with a $2 discount on tickets purchased by phone or at the box office during the run of the selection excluding the first show of the day. Find out more about this film later in this article.

To kick off the opening weekend of the inaugural United States Grand Prix in Austin, AFS members can enjoy $5 off the $15 regular ticket price for a sneak peek screening at The Paramount on Thursday, November 15, of a new documentary, 1, featuring interviews with Formula One icons including Mario Andretti, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Using rare archive footage, 1 features the drivers who raced during the dangerous era in the from the 1960s into the 1970s, and fought to improve safety standards for their sport. Expect to see racing celebrities on the red carpet including Sir Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda and Emerson Fittipaldi. 

The Texas Independent Film Network presents a special screening of one of my favorite documentaries of the year, America's Parking Lot, on Tuesday, November 13, 7 pm at Violet Crown, with director Jonny Mars in attendance. Bring a canned food item and receive a free popcorn to enjoy while enjoying an up-close experience with two diehard Dallas Cowboys fans and their tailgating tradition during the last season to take place at the historic Texas Stadium.

Movies We've Seen

The Sessions  -- Inspired by a true story, John Hawkes and Helen Hunt star in this drama about a 36-year-old man in an iron lung who seeks out a professional sex surrogate to help him lose his virginity. Don says in his review, "I can't say enough great things about this terrifically funny and deeply moving film, one of my favorites of the year and a shoo-in for my annual top ten list. Don't miss it." (Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Violet Crown, Regal Arbor)

Smashed -- In this story about addiction, a married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol must deal with the impact to their relationship when the wife chooses sobriety. Don states, "Smashed shows us nothing we haven't seen before. But the film is as potent as any in its genre, with plenty of cringingly authentic scenes, a completely believable narrative arc and absolutely no melodrama." Read his review for details. (Violet Crown, Arbor)

The Other Dream Team -- This documentary reveals both the brutal history of Lithuania under Stalin's regime as well as the inspiring stories of athletes who helped their country find its own identity. For more on this film, read my review. (Violet Crown)

It's my birthday today, which means naturally I'm looking at movie listings for tonight and tomorrow. Should I finally see Argo, convince my husband to watch Cloud Atlas with me or give Wreck-It Ralph a chance? After reading Chale's Austin Polish Film Festival previews (parts one and two), I'm tempted to spend the weekend at The Marchesa. Otherwise, tonight's an unusually poor night for special screenings unless I want to go to a Dumb and Dumber quote-along, and considering I walked out of that movie when I saw it in a theater I'll pass. Besides, my husband keeps promising he's taking me to a fancy dinner at McDonald's.

On Saturday and Sunday, Alamo Ritz brings back its 70mm series with Cleopatra, that gorgeous flop with Elizabeth Taylor in the title role. And while I'm not a big cocktail girl, I do dearly love A Fish Called Wanda, which Alamo is showing as part of their Cinema Cocktail series on Sunday and Wednesday at the Slaughter theater. Slaughter is also screening Network on Tuesday (appropriately) and Thursday.

Austin Film Society is hosting three movies from Houston filmmaker Jonathan Caouette, who'll be in Austin to present them. On Monday, you can see Tarnation and All Tomorrow's Parties, and on Wednesday, Walk Away Renee preceded by his short All Flowers in Time.

Of course Tuesday's Election Day, and I'm planning to spend it the same way I did in 2004 and 2008: watching a delightful comedy from the 30s or 40s as part of an AFS Essential Cinema series. This time it's Cluny Brown, the last in the series on later Ernst Lubitsch films. It's way more enjoyable than fussing around the TV looking at early polling results and also nicely escapist.

Movies We've Seen:

Brooklyn Castle -- I saw this documentary at Dallas International Film Festival this year and can't urge you enough to check it out. It's about a Brooklyn middle school where the kids all think playing chess is pretty cool, and how that affects the school and the students. And it's also a strong argument for funding schools' extracurricular activities. You can bring your kids, too. (Arbor)

Flight -- The latest Robert Zemeckis movie, starring Denzel Washington, is a thriller about -- no wait, it's a drama about alcoholism. Elizabeth fell for the trailer's bait-and-switch and says in her review, "the melodrama and forced emotion of it all just left me cold." (wide)

This week's new releases are mostly forgettable, other than the much-anticipated and well reviewed Cloud Atlas. My fellow hard-core Texas politics nerds may enjoy the informative but dry political documentary The Revisionaries, and those wanting to see Zac Efron in his underwear may tolerate the gratuitous sex and violence in The Paperboy. But most filmgoers will be better off at this week's special screenings, some of which aren't even Halloween related.

Of course, some are. The Alamo Drafthouse continues its ghoulish parade of horror films with American Werewolf in London at the Village Monday through Wednesday, The Blob at the Ritz on Tuesday and The Wolf Man at the Ritz Saturday through Monday. Night of the Living Dead once again gets the Master Pancake treatment at the Ritz on Friday and Saturday, as does Halloween at South Lamar on Saturday. Check the Alamo Drafthouse calendar for complete listings.

Less scary but just as Halloween-y is Cinematic Symphony's Halloween Concert on Sunday at Anderson High School. The symphony will perform scores from various frightfests such as Beetlejuice, Young Frankenstein and Ed Wood. All ages are welcome -- and welcome to enter the costume contest. (I would wear my Scare-ah Palin costume, but I won't; other contestants should have a chance to win.)

And finally, Blue Starlite Drive-in is showing a variety of seasonally appropriate movies nightly through Oct. 31, from Beetlejuice to the original Halloween.

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.

Attention, fans of Kevin James or Ayn Rand (or both!): This is your week at the movies! Enjoy your moment, for the rest of us -- at least those who aren't into action or horror films -- must settle for a middling group of new releases. (Question of the day: Is Atlas Shrugged Part II a horror film? Discuss.)

As always, there are some interesting alternatives. The Texas Independent Film Network presents Man on a Mission (pictured above), a terrific documentary about Austin billionaire Richard Garriott's 2008 trip to the International Space Station on a Russian rocket. This inspiring film by Austin filmmaker Mike Woolf -- which the Austin Chronicle calls "a first-class seat to stargazing" -- screens at the Violet Crown on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, The Austin Film Society presents a film that's a bit more down to Earth: the 1939 classic Ninotchka, featuring Greta Garbo as a Russian woman sent to Paris on official business. While falling for a man who represents the decadence of Western luxuries, she also falls for the Western luxuries. The film screens at the Alamo South Lamar as part of the AFS Essential Cinema series.

Looking for something with a bit more action and impressive hardware than a 1930s romantic comedy? On Sunday and Wednesday, the Alamo Village presents a film rather unlike Ninotchka: Robocop. Now 25 years old -- and still one of my favorite sci-fi movies -- the Dallas-made Robocop is the classic dystopian story of a terminally wounded cop who returns to the Detroit force as a cyborg haunted by violent memories of his former life. (We should be thankful that 25 years after Robocop's release, there still are no cyborg cops.)

Also on Sunday, Alamo Drafthouse brings the second meeting of the Sprocket Society, at 1:45 pm at Ritz. This month's theme is "Monster Mayhem" and features 16mm unearthed goodies plus a special guest. The last event drew a nearly full house, so buy tickets now.

Movies We've Seen

Argo -- In this Ben Affleck-directed action thriller based on a true story from the Iranian revolution, a CIA operative plans to free six Americans hiding at a Canadian diplomat's home by claiming they are filmmakers considering Iran as a setting for a sci-fi film. In her review, Elizabeth calls Argo a very intense movie: "Even though I knew how things were going to come out (it is based on a true story, after all), I was still biting my knuckles through a large part of the film." (wide)

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)

In another week chock full o'new releases, Austin's cinephiles have plenty of choices at the local arthouse or multiplex. I may suspend my usual boycott of megabudget Hollywood fare and see Looper, which is getting great critical buzz. [Editor Jette butts in here briefly to say yes, Don, go see Looper. Go.]

There are, of course, irresistible alternatives. Austin film-scene favorite Alex Karpovsky is gracing us with his new comedy Red Flag (pictured above), in which he plays an indie filmmaker (named Alex Karpovsky) who takes his film (Karpovsky's actual film Woodpecker) on tour after a bitter breakup with his longtime girlfriend. Pursued by an ardent groupie and his own demons, he encounters what the film's press materials describe as "a twisting constellation of fear, sex, and tortured illumination." How could this movie not be interesting? Read Jette's review for details. The screening, presented by the Austin Film Society and Cinema East, is on Sunday at Cheer Up Charlie's at 8 pm. Karpovsky will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.

What could be better than watching a Presidential debate? Watching it at the Alamo Drafthouse with your fellow Austinites, of course! Lake Creek and South Lamar are showing all three debates; the first one is on Wednesday. The screenings include food specials based on the candidates' favorite dishes. (The food specials are fodder for at least a hundred political jokes, but for once I'll refrain.)

Had enough of politics? Cine Las Americas presents a film starring neither Mitt Romney nor Barack Obama: Chinese Take-Away (Un cuento chino), an Argentinian/Spanish import about an unlikely friendship between a cranky  Buenos Aires hardware store owner and a Chinese immigrant he offers to help. Presented as part of the Cine Las Americas Signature Series, Chinese Take-Away screens at Alamo Village on Sunday.

Movies We've Seen

Looper -- In this sci-fi actioner set in 2072, the target of a mob hit is sent 30 years into the past, where a killer awaits. In this case, the killer (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) must execute his future self (Bruce Willis). Apparently Mike likes the film somewhat; in his Fantastic Fest review, he says writer/director Rian Johnson "has executed a master class performance and realized a classic of science fiction that will join the ranks of other classics at the pinnacle of the genre." (wide)

It's another film festival week in Austin. But if you don't find Fantastic Fest so fantastic, this week offers some interesting special screenings and nine new releases. (Hint: Your life will be incomplete until you see The Master. My man-crush on Philip Seymour Hoffman continues unabated.)

On Monday at the Long Center, the 48 Hour Film Project will screen and award the best films of its 2012 competition in Austin. As the name implies, the shorts were written, cast, scouted, shot, edited and submitted in 48 hours in late August; the impossibly tight schedule made for some interesting and often hilarious exercises in time's-a-wasting filmmaking. The always entertaining Rebecca Havemeyer (aka Paul Soileau) emcees the event.

The Austin Film Society presents The Father of My Children, a French drama about an acclaimed filmmaker whose dedication to his art and lack of financial success strain his relationships with his wife and children. The film screens on Tuesday at the Alamo Drafthouse Village as part of the AFS Essential Cinema series.

In the mood for something slightly less serious than a French drama? The Master Pancake guys will subject the beloved but overrated Forrest Gump (pictured above) to their usual Master Pancakery on Friday and Saturday at Alamo Village. Run, Forrest, run -- preferably away from the Master Pancake guys.

Movies We've Seen

2 Days in New York -- Julie Delpy co-wrote, directed and stars in this comedy (a sequel to her 2007 comedy 2 Days in Paris) about a Manhattan couple whose family dynamic is strained when relatives visit. Debbie liked the film, saying in her review that "2 Days in New York will appeal to a much wider audience than its predecessor, while still adhering to the standards of traditional French farces." (Violet Crown)

End of Watch -- This acclaimed thriller is the story of two cops marked for death after confiscating money and firearms from a notorious cartel during a traffic stop. Rod found End of Watch gritty and realistic, saying in his review that it "does an admirable job of capturing the realities of the police officer lifestyle, from simple locker-room banter to mundane conversations in the front seat of a patrol car, and more pressing concerns like backing up fellow officers in danger." (wide)

The Master -- The Church of Scientology may not be happy with Paul Thomas Anderson's stylish new drama, in which Philip Seymour Hoffman plays an L. Ron Hubbard-like character who founds a cult-like organization called the Cause. But I highly recommend The Master in my review, calling the film "the sort of visceral film we would expect from Anderson, a potent mix of bold characters, stunning visuals and a sometimes hallucinogenic vibe." (wide)

Gearing up for Fantastic Fest 2012 is keeping Slackerwood contributors busy planning their schedules for eight days of movies and parties. I'm already looking forward to seeing Karl Urban in Dredd 3D as well as The American Scream, a documentary about several haunted houses in Massachusetts. Attendees of The American Scream are invited to a homemade haunt created onsite exclusively for Fantastic Fest by the film's subject Manny "The Halloween Guy" Souza.

Cine Las Americas presents The Mexican Suitcase (La Maleta Mexicana) on Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 pm, at the Jones Auditorium on the St. Edward's University Campus, as part of their "Transitions in Spanish Cinema Series." The Mexican Suitcase features original negatives -- thought to be lost -- from photojournalists who met in Paris in 1936 and traveled to Spain to document the Civil War, discovered in the back of a closet in Mexico City in 2007. A Cine Las Americas International Film Festival Audience Award winner, this documentary focuses on the truth behind historical ties between Mexico and Spain.

The upcoming week features two extraordinary films shot in 70mm -- Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master which opens on September 21 and Samsara, which opens today. Find out more about Samsara below. In addition, Alamo Drafthouse Ritz is showing Ghostbusters in 70mm all week long.

Movies We've Seen

Samsara -- From the filmmakers behind Baraka and Chronos comes another visually stunning journey around the world, shot in luscious 70mm. The images of the ancient and modern world are both thought-provoking and engaging -- read more in my review. (Alamo South Lamar, Regal Arbor, Violet Crown Cinema)

Other Movies Opening in Austin

Arbitrage -- Written and directed by 25-year-old newcomer and NYU Film School alum Nicholas Jarecki, this film features Richard Gere as Robert Miller, as a hedge fund magnate dealing with both personal and financial scandals. Also starring Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth, Arbitrage has received enough buzz to watch at least for Gere's performance as a fat cat who may or may not have to account for his greed. (Alamo Slaughter Lane and South Lamar, iPic at the Domain)

The Lights. Camera. Help. annual nonprofit film festival is now in its fourth year, and runs Wednesday, September 12 through Friday, September 14 at the Texas Spirit Theater and the Scottish Rite Theater. This three-day event focuses on short and feature-length films, including PSAs, that convey messages for charitable organizations and important causes. The keynote speaker is local filmmaker Turk Pipkin, who will also premiere his new short film, Let There Be Sight, which tells "the incredibly hopeful story of The Nobelity Project's partnership with The Seva Foundation, an eyesight surgical camp in Nepal."

The school year is well underway, but kids and parents can still enjoy an entertaining and family-friendly time on a school night courtesy of Austin Public Library on Tuesday, September 11, at 6:30 pm with a free screening of The Lorax at the Twin Oaks location. Folks interested in more adult and "queer poetics and politics" content can attend a free screening Tuesday at 6:30 pm on the UT campus of The Meeting of Two Queens, Looking for Langston and Dottie Gets Spanked courtesy of Emily and Andy's Film Club.

Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee will be in Austin on Saturday at 7:30 pm for a conversation and Q&A before a special screening of his 1999 film Summer of Sam at the Paramount Theatre with tickets still available here. For folks only wanting to watch the movie at 8:40 pm, tickets are available here.

Finally, a restored version of Raiders of the Lost Ark is playing all week at Gateway and Barton Creek Square Mall.

Movies We've Seen

Neil Young Journeys -- Classic rock legend Neil Young returns home and reminisces about his youth in Ontario in this documentary that also showcases new tunes and classic favorites. As much as I enjoyed Young's storytelling, the musical performances were overwhelming and loud at times. Read more about this film in my review. (Regal Arbor)

The Words -- This romantic drama portrays a young writer who falsely achieves literary success through a novel he didn't actually write himself. J.C. says in his review that "it’s an absolutely brilliant script that will stay with you long after you watch it." (wide)