Movies This Week

The KLRU co-sponsored Community Cinema Series at APL Windsor Park Branch is showing More Than A Month on Tuesday. This free series features light refreshments and post-film discussions with relevant organizations. But if you're looking for some classic sci-fi, you can see Blade Runner for free over at the APL Milwood Branch. 

Normally we keep Movies This Week focused on what's playing in the coming week, but since that dreaded sappy holiday is nearly upon us, I thought I should mention that the Blue Starlite Drive-In is showing a special double feature of The Princess Bride and Breakfast at Tiffany's -- and if you're at all inclined to do something on Valentine's Day and see a movie, you might want to book your reservation now. Especially since the highlight of Alamo Drafthouse's romantic fare for Feb. 14 -- also The Princess Bride, with a quote-along/feast -- unsurprisingly sold out  already (there are non-feast versions later that week).

Movies We've Seen:

We Need to Talk About Kevin -- Bleak and relentless and starring the always-mesmerizing Tilda Swinton, one of the few actors out there who can deliver a provocative performance that's equally sympathetic and repulsive, although as Elizabeth points out, "The viewer has to piece together why she's now living alone in a town full of people who detest her so strongly."  Read Elizabeth's review for more. (Alamo Lamar, Arbor)

The Woman in Black -- Life after Harry Potter for Daniel Radcliffe includes the legend of a vengeful spirit terrorizing a remote village. Debbie found that Radcliffe's omnipresence left her "a bit de-sensitized." Read Debbie's review for more. (wide)

Busy tonight? Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In has a triple-feature of 80s teen films for you: Pretty in Pink, Say Anything and Sixteen Candles.

On Sunday, you can join the TXMPA SAG Awards party, including a red carpet and pre-show mixer at ND at 501 Studios. On Monday, if you think "the Dude abides" you can check out the Big Lebowski Quote-along at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar.

Then on Tuesday, you can catch a classic cautionary tale of love, lust and the consequences of confusing the two in F.W. Murnau's 1927 epic Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans as part of the AFS Essential Cinema Series. And the Paramount Winter Comedy Series continues this week, including a special Shaun of the Dead Pub Run and screening on Tuesday.

Finally, we hear there's going to be a fabulous happy hour on Wednesday night to celebrate, oh, what is it again? That's right ... this piece of news.

Movies We've Seen:

Albert Nobbs -- One of my favorite films of 2012 also managed to snag three Oscar nominations. Debbie says in her review, "The story is rather engaging and overall well paced." (Arbor)

Man on a Ledge -- J.C. saw this thriller and says it's a combination of "some original thought, mixed in with some fun clichés that will only serve to give you a harmless chuckle." Read his review for more. (wide)

On Sunday, the America's Future Scientist Fund is hosting a Jamboree over at the Stunt Ranch and Fire Lake Event Center. How is this related to film? One of the first activities is "Science in the Movies." What better way to spend your day, especially with kids?

Austin Film Society kicks off this year's Texas Independent Film Network Presents program on Tuesday, and celebrates Austin filmmaker Heather Courtney's Independent Spirit Truer Than Fiction Award, with a special screening of Where Soldiers Come From with Courtney in attendance at Violet Crown. I cannot recommend this movie enough.

The Paramount Winter Comedy Series will screen double features Jan. 22-27 with Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor movies as well as Mike Judge's Austin film classic Office Space on Thursday. Anyone else missing the Alligator Grill?

Movies We've Seen:

Bullhead -- This Fantastic Fest favorite returns to Austin for a couple of weekend screenings to celebrate its being included on the Oscar shortlist competing for nominations for Best Foreign Language Film. Debbie says, "What starts out as a movie about the mafia behind illegal bovine hormone use and trading in the Belgian agricultural industry turns into an intensive character study." Read her review for more. (Alamo Drafthouse Lamar)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close -- This movie has an excessively melodramatic lead and seems even longer than the title. While I found that ultimately I appreciated it in the end, I completely agree with Elizabeth who says in her review that she "can't recall the last time I've been so annoyed by a child actor." Ultimately, however, I found this dramatization of the grieving process to be profoundly moving. (wide)

Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission (pictured above) -- A 2008 spaceflight, a SXSW 2010 hit, made by local filmmakers about a local celebrity, finally screening at a theater near you. Debbie says the documentary "reiterates the immeasurable value of space travel and how private industry can further the benefits of space exploration and the accomplishments of scientific research in zero gravity conditions." Read her review for more.  (Alamo Lamar)

Along with a number of new-to-Austin movies in theaters this week, on Sunday you can see The Best Damned Shorts Show over at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz that showcases local filmmakers and includes a Q&A. In addition, Alamo is teaming up with Lights. Camera. Help., the festival for films about nonprofits, for the Reel Change Film Frenzy this weekend. Ten nonprofit groups are teaming up with ten film crews for a weekend film challenge, and you can watch the resulting shorts on Sunday night at Alamo on South Lamar.

On Monday night, you can catch a sneak preview of Steven Soderbergh's movie Haywire at Alamo Village and support Texas film, since ticket proceeds benefit the 2012 Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund. And on Wednesday, also at Village, AFS Doc Nights screens Jennifer Fox's My Reincarnation, about Buddhist spiritual scholar/teacher Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche.

Movies We've Seen:

Carnage (pictured at top) -- Two sets of parents meet for what was intended to be a cordial meeting about their kids but unsurprisingly, it doesn't remain that way. Jette says in her review that she "could see the interactions between these couples could get overly dramatic and even ugly, but I had no idea it would be so damned funny." (Regal Arbor, Violet Crown, Cinemark Tinseltown, Regal Metropolitan)

The Divide -- This apocalyptic SXSW 2011 selection starts off with a very impressive bang in the opening scenes, but quickly dissolves into a grisly mess as a group of survivors struggles with their own humanity. Or not. Rod saw it and in his review, says it "has a definite edge to it and I appreciated it." (Alamo Lamar)

Joyful Noise -- Competitive choirs are not exactly a new comedy concept, and this time it takes two leads (Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah). Are there any saving graces? Mike says yes in his review -- he found it "a family-friendly comedy in the same vein as Footloose with a wholesome message that doesn't get in the way of the fun." (wide)

Pariah -- As a teenager struggles to come of age, the pressure mounts for her to be what's expected, not what she is. Don says in his review, "It's entirely authentic, a vibrant and moving coming of age story." (Regal Arbor)

Welcome to 2012. After last week's lack of new theatrical releases, this week is still a slow week this week for new movies, but there are some special screenings. Tonight over at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz, you can get drunk with Tom Cruise... or rather watch him at his cockiest while you knock back a few specially crafted beverages at Cocktails with Cocktail. And on Saturday you can go back to the Ritz for a special screening of The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret with creator and star David Cross. At Alamo on South Lamar, Graham Reynolds will be accompanying screenings of A Trip to the Moon paired with Hugo in 3D on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

On Tuesday, you can see Once Upon a Time in the West for free at Austin Public Library's Milwood Branch as part of the Weeknight Cinema Series. Also on Tuesday, the new Essential Cinema Series "The Great Escape: Three European Émigré Filmmakers" kicks off with Fritz Lang's classic thriller, M. 

Movies We've Seen:

The Devil Inside (pictured above) -- Another week, another exorcism film. Here's a preview from Mike's review, which you can read in full this weekend: "William Brent Bell attempts to replicate the Paranormal Activity formula and apply it to exorcisms. The unfortunate result, The Devil Inside, is harder to swallow than New Coke. Not even recommended for people who really really like awful movies." (wide)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy -- Since this John Le Carre' adaptation has now expanded to wide release, it only seems fair to mention it again. Check out Elizabeth's review. (wide)

It's a few days before Christmas, but that just means Hollywood is finally letting us see the big contender films, and because of the holiday weekend, the new releases are starting mid-week. That means Movies This Week is running mid-week as well; unfortunately, it also means slim pickings for special film events from now through next week.

Well, not quite. Tonight you can see The Artist on us; you just have to reserve your pass and get there early enough to get a seat. You can also check out the Alamo Drafthouse calendar, as it's got an eclectic selection of holiday films at their various Austin locations including It's a Wonderful Life, Bad Santa, Home Alone (w/cheesy pizza), the Xmas Pop Sing-along, Elf quote-along, The Magic Christmas Tree, Love Actually, and their High for the Holiday selections.

Movies We've Seen:

The Adventures of Tintin -- The Hergé classics about an intrepid boy and his dog get the Spielberg treatment, and Elizabeth says the resulting movie "captures the essence and spirit of the comic, while hopefully introducing the series to many new fans." Read her review for more. (wide)

The Artist (pictured above) -- My absolute favorite film of the year, bar none. This utterly charming homage to cinema reminded me of the magic of movies in a year that desperately needed it. Look for my review when the movie opens Friday. (Starts Friday at Arbor, Alamo Lamar)

It's been a bit dismal this month for new releases, hasn't it? Never fear, that changes this week. And because of that, there are several great special screenings, too.

On Tuesday, AFS Essential Cinema is showing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. On Wednesday there's a sneak peek of my favorite film of the year, The Artist. You can grab passes here at Gofobo (use code "SLACK07C6" if it asks for it). On Thursday, AFS is hosting a special sneak screening of The Darkest Hour; you can RSVP for free if you're an AFS member.

Movies We've Seen:

Shame (pictured above) -- Despite what you've heard about the NC-17 rating, this isn't a titillating film. Don says in his review, "Even in its darkest moments Shame never blinks or averts its gaze from the unpleasantness." (Regal Arbor, Violet Crown)

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows -- If you liked the first one, you'll probably like the second one. If not, there's always the chance to appreciate what Jude Law does for facial hair. Mike says, "More action than thought, Holmes is up to his old tricks, with very few new ones." Look for his review on Saturday morning. (wide)

Young Adult -- Usually the anti-hero in a film is a man, but not this time. J.C. saw it and says, "It's not often that a movie can be a very great one centered on a character so vile, yet so damned relatable." Read his review for more. (wide)

On Saturday, Alamo Kids Club is playing Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas on Saturday. It's free, but first come first seated so get there early.

Tuesday night is the night of Something For Everyone Who Likes Watching Movies. Austin Public Library's Polish Film Series is showing Borys Lankosz' The Reverse (Rewers) at the Howson Branch, and over at Twin Oaks Branch you can see Kung Fu Panda 2 (why yes that is a 2011 title). You can find out more about these films on the APL website. Austin Film Society members (and those who are lucky enough to get tickets for the remaining seats) can see Two for the Road starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney.

Movies We've Seen:

Project Nim -- AFS Selects returns with an encore limited engagement of James Marsh's Oscar-shortlisted documentary about a chimpanzee raised as a human. I found the occasional re-enactments melodramatic and diminishing. But I also agree with Debbie that Marsh "presents a compelling biography of an animal that despite his strength is still at the mercy of humans." Read her review for more. And do try to check it out on Friday or Saturday, as primatologist Bob Ingersoll will be in attendance at the 4:40, 7:00 and 9:20 shows (and you will want hear from him after). (Violet Crown)

New Year's Eve -- Director Garry Marshall and writer Katherine Fugate previously brought you Valentine's Day. What else is there to say?  Mike thought, "It wanted to be for New Year's what A Christmas Story is for Christmas."  Read his review for more. (wide)

Bad news, folks. I know you like free movies, and it's been great cool weather, but the impending rain on Saturday has cancelled the Movies in the Park screening of It's A Wonderful Life (boo). However, you can still get your free film jones satisfied this week. Community Cinema at the Windsor Park branch of the Austin Public Library is showing Lioness on Tuesday, with light refreshments and a post-screening discussion thanks to KLRU-TV.

Monkey Wrench Books (110 E. North Loop) is hosting a Thursday screening of Paul Goodman Changed My Life, a documentary about a writer/activist whose story will resonate with those touched by the Occupy movement. Additional info on the Austin Film Society website (they're co-sponsoring).

Movies We've Seen:

Midnight in Paris -- Woody Allen's ode to 1920s Paris is back in theaters this weekend. When Debbie saw it, she said, "You don't have to be familiar with the writers and artists of the 1920s, but it certainly helps." Read Debbie's review for more. Alamo Drafthouse Ritz is featuring the film in its Sommelier Cinema series on Dec. 7. (Tinseltown North, iPic Domain)

We're running Movies This Week today to accommodate the holiday releases, so in reality this is Movies This Week and Then Some. We knew you'd understand. Besides the usual theatrical fare, on Friday you can see Planes, Trains, and Automobiles at the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in, and Blade Runner on Saturday.

Austin Film Society has a couple of events in the next week or so. The "Comedy of Remarriage" series continues on Tuesday with The Palm Beach Story by Preston Sturges. And the next evolution of Avant Cinema (version 5.2 to be specific) showcases features festive beverages and Peter Greenaway's The Fall over at the Aviary Lounge + Decor starting a week from Thursday (12/1 to be exact).

Movies We've Seen:

Arthur Christmas -- Chris says, "In today's world, any animated movie that comes along must inevitably be measured by the Pixar yardstick. It's not a stretch to say that by those standards of quality, Arthur Christmas stands tall ... even if most of its characters do not." Read his review to learn more about the latest feature from Aardman Animations. (wide)

The Descendants (pictured above) -- Elizabeth says she "walked out of The Descendants wondering, is there anything Judy Greer can't do well? Seriously." The film stars George Clooney and is directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways) -- find out more in Elizabeth's review. (Arbor, Alamo Drafthouse Lamar, Violet Crown)