Movies This Week

The holidaze are upon us, and the next week is pretty light on special screenings. But Saturday is making up for the dearth thanks to the Paramount and the Association of Moving Image Archivists annual conference. Film times start at 9 am and the last films starts at 8 pm -- you can read more about it in Jette's article and Paramount Film Programmer Jesse Trussell's blog. ll of these films are open to the public and free. And don't forget that the next AFS Essential Cinema series kicks off with another classic, The Awful Truth on Tuesday -- Jette's got more info (and enthusiasm) on that series too.

Also, don't forget the Les Blank retrospective screens tonight and Sunday at the Texas Spirit Theatre in the Bob Bullock Museum.

Movies We've Seen:

Happy Feet Two -- More dancing penguins. Chris says it "skirts the line between the sincere attempt to tell a story and animated showpieces for their own sake." Read his review for more. (wide)

Melancholia -- Don says that while "Lars von Trier's latest movie is dark, dreary and relentlessly dour... there is, however, a striking beauty to Melancholia, a film full of memorably surreal imagery." Read his review for more. (South Lamar, Violet Crown)

It's a busy week for special screenings. On Saturday, Austin-shot film Mars plays the Austin Film Society Screening Room as part of the Texas Independent Film Network's touring series. On Sunday, the Paramount is screening two Chris Marker films, Sans Soleil and La Jetee, in conjunction with Arthouse/AMOA's current exhibit "The Anxiety of Photography."

Wednesday is especially crazy: Cinema 41 is showing Agnes Varda's Cleo from 5 to 7 at the Hideout. Doc Nights is screening Nostalgia for the Light at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar. At Alamo Village, Best of the Fests brings Berndt Mader's Five Time Champion back to Austin, and Slackerwood's Don Clinchy will moderate the Q&A. And Cine Las Americas wraps up its "Literature in Mexican Cinema" series with Santa, based on Federico Gamboa's novel.

And if that's not enough, Don Hertzfeldt will be at Alamo South Lamar on Wednesday and Thursday to screen a number of his shorts, including his entire "Bill" trilogy that ends with his latest film, It's a Beautiful Day. Read Marc Savlov's profile of the animator/filmmaker in the Austin Chronicle.

Movies We've Seen:

J. Edgar -- This biopic "delves deeply into Hoover's personal life, skillfully walking the line between established facts and unsubstantiated rumors," according to Don's review. (wide)

Like Crazy -- This romantic tale of young lovers separated is "beautiful to watch, almost entrancing at times, and John Guleserian's cinematography and Doremus' direction have a lot to do with that," according to Elizabeth. Read her review for more. (Arbor)

The Skin I Live In (pictured at top) -- Pedro Almodóvar's latest is based on a Thierry Jonquet novel. I found it overly contrived and melodramatic, but Debbie says in her review, "It's quite easy to understand why this film has been nominated for its production design and composer in the upcoming European Film Awards."  (Alamo Lamar, Violet Crown, Arbor)

The 6th annual Austin Polish Film Festival is underway as of last night and continues through next Saturday. Tonight it includes two films at the Texas Spirit Theater (Texas State History Museum), Stone Silence and Joanna, which include Q&A with the directors. Check out the APFF website for the full schedule and locations.

Cine Las Americas is showing The Colors of the Mountain at Alamo Village on Sunday. And in keeping in the international theme of the week, the always-free Austin Cinematheque is showing Andrey Tarkovskiy's The Sacrifice on Monday. Tarkovskiy was described by Ingmar Bergman as "the most important director of all time," which is about as strong an endorsement any director can get.

Movies We've Seen:

Martha Marcy May Marlene -- Elizabeth saw this taut, simmering thriller and says in her review, "With his debut full-length feature Martha Marcy May Marlene, director Sean Durkin has created a truly original work. Olsen pulls off the title character in an understated performance." (Arbor, Alamo Lamar)

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas -- Jette reviewed this movie and calls it, "completely offensive, even appalling at times ... and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. It's also a rather sweet end (I hope) to the series." (wide)

It's a strong week for free films in Austin. The Sunset Supper Cinema at the Whole Foods flagship on Lamar is showing The Hunger (with a special Halloween treat). Most of the programming for this series has been decidedly family oriented; The Hunger is not. The Austin Pets Alive Fall Petsival on Sunday includes a special (and free) Rolling Roadshow screening of Cats & Dogs. Puppies and kittens of all shapes and sizes will be on hand for adoption.

The APL/KLRU Community Cinema series at the APL Windsor Park Branch is still going strong. This series pairs socially relevant docs and community groups for post-screening discussions. On Tuesday they're showing We Still Live Here (Âs Nutayuneân), directed by Anne Makepeace.  It's one of the free APL screening programs.  

Lastly, Cine Las Americas is showing Pedro Páramo at the MACC on Wednesday as part of its Literature in Mexican Cinema series.  

Movies We've Seen:

Margin Call -- Another start to awards season, another take on the financial crisis. This time it focuses on the key people in a 24-hour period at the start of the crisis. Rod saw it and says, "Greed, vanity, pride, gluttony and vanity. To some these are known as deadly sins. To Wall Street of 2008, these were business as usual. Margin Call demonstrates what happens when payment for these sins comes due." Read his review for more.  (Violet Crown)

Take Shelter (pictured above) -- Austinite Jeff Nichols's tale of a man haunted by visions of apolocalyptic storms is destined to top many "best" lists, but don't see it for the hype. See it for the incredible performances, direction, cinematography, sound design, editing ... Need I go on? See it now, before you know more about it. Seriously. Read my review for more. Austin Film Society members take note: If you see the movie at Violet Crown, $2 of your ticket cost goes to the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund. (Alamo Lamar, Arbor, Violet Crown)

Yes, we're in the midst of Austin Film Festival. But there are other film things going on if you're not attending AFF. On Monday night, Austin Cinematheque is showing a (free!) screening of Werner Herzog's The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser at the Texas Union Theater, 

The next Essential Cinema screening in the "Goin' for Baroque" series is Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover on Tuesday at Alamo South Lamar. Starring Helen Mirren, Michael Gambon and Richard Bohringer about a bored wife considering an affair, this is the only movie I ever stopped watching after a few minutes back in the days when VHS was king, so I need to give it one more try.

Love music and documentaries? Directors Lev Anderson, Chris Meztler are bringing thier doc Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone to town on Wednesday and will be in attendance along with Fishbone's John Norwood Fisher and Angelo Moore. The screening coincides with the release of a new album and a concert tour. Check the event details on the AFS website for more. 

Free screenings this week include a number at the Austin Public Library, and the Whole Foods Sunset Supper Cinema tonight featuring E.T. The Extraterrestrial complete with a costume and pumpkin contest).

Movies We've Seen:

Paranormal Activity 3 -- Jumpscares and stationary cameras. But does it work?  Mike saw it at Fantastic Fest and says, "Paranormal Activity 3's anachronistic horror ups the ante. Like the demon in the films, fans of the series will keep coming back." Look for his review this weekend. (wide)

Need to get your "free" on? The Whole Foods Sunset Supper Cinema tonight features Hook at the Lamar location. On Wednesday, Cine Las Americas presents Rosa blanca (White Rose) plays at the MACC as part of its free "Literature in Mexican Cinema" series. Plus, you can find free screenings during the week as part at various Austin Public Library locations.

You have one more chance to catch Austin Chronicle cover-story filmmaker Heather Courtney's Where Soldiers Come From (Jette's review), on Saturday at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. If you haven't already seen it, it's another outstanding locally made film we can't recommend enough.

Cine Las Americas also presents Octubre at the Alamo Village on Sunday. While this movie isn't free, it did win the 2010 Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes. Check the Alamo website for more.

Movies We've Seen:

El Bulli: Cooking in Progress (pictured above) -- A documentary about the process of developing and delivering some of the most unique cousine at what was considered the world's best restaurant, as well as the imagination of chef Ferran Adrià. Read my review for more ... then go to dinner; you will be hungry. (Violet Crown)

Fireflies in the Garden -- This semi-autobiographical drama of family reconciliation was filmed in Austin, Bastrop and Smithville with an all-star cast. J.C. says, "Never judge a book by its cover and Fireflies in the Garden is a good example why." Read his review for details. (Cinemark Tinseltown)

The Sunset Supper Cinema at the Whole Foods flagship on Lamar is showing the 1982 musical Annie tonight as a sing-along. With the cooler weather, it's sure to be crowded, so get there early. And don't forget the free movies at various Austin Public Library locations; check out the August Insider's Guide for details.

Austin Film Society's next Essential Cinema series, "Goin' for Baroque: Ken Russell, Peter Greenaway, Derek Jarman," kicks off Tuesday with Russell's iconic rock opera Tommy. And you know what they say: "That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball." Check the event details on the AFS website for more.

On Wednesday and Thursday, do not miss the SXSW Presents screenings of Where Soldiers Come From (Jette's review) at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar. It's one of the incredible documentaries supported by the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund, directed by Austin filmmaker Heather Courtney, with an internationally relevant story. Courtney's on the cover of the Austin Chronicle this week, with a great feature story about the film.

Movies We've Seen:

The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) -- The sequel to the anatomically plausible horror film The Human Centipede was the opening night film at Fantastic Fest, but wasn't a crowd pleaser. Read Rod's fest review. (Alamo South Lamar)

The Ides of March -- A contemporary political thriller with elements of old school, slow-build potboilers sure to please most cyncics regardless of their political affiliation. In fact, Don says to skip it if you're looking to restore your faith in politics; read his review to find out more. (wide)

Tonight, you can catch a special free screening of Amélie as part of the Whole Foods Sunset Supper Cinema; seating is limited, and starts around 6:30 pm. I'm seriously thinking of going to try some of the food specials, which include a crème brûlée shake.

Then get a triple-shot of filmmaker Ti West, who's been in town for Fantastic Fest. On Saturday he's doing a Moviemaker Dialogue over at the AFS screening room, on Sunday The Roost and The House of the Devil play Alamo Drafthouse Village, followed by an AFS Best of the Fest screening on Monday of The Innkeepers.

On Tuesday, check out the lastest Essential Cinema screening Peking Opera Blues over at Alamo South Lamar. And apparently AFS is kicking of a new "season pass" option -- Season Pass holders get into the Essential Cinema screenings for free.

Now on to the films opening in Austin today, many of which played SXSW to enthusiastic audiences, so don't pass up the chance to see them with an Austin audience before award season starts.

Movies We've Seen:

50/50 -- I've seen a lot of cancer-themed movies this year, but 50/50 stands out as it's inspired by the writer's own experiences. While the title relates to the survival chances, Don says in his review that it "also could refer to the odds that with a great cast and some genuinely poignant and funny moments, the movie can survive its entirely formulaic storyline."

The Interrupters – Using a disease prevention model, the Chicago-based, CeaseFire employs "violence interrupters" to curb the spread of violence through relationships, mediation and other alternatives. Often raw with no rhetorical punches pulled, it's about as different from Thunder Soul as you can get, but equally worthy. Read my review for more.

Thunder Soul (pictured above) -- You will regret seeing this equally moving and entertaining doc made in Houston celebrating the life and work of Conrad "Prof" Johnson, who brought international attention to the Kashmere Stage Band performing popular funk and original compositions that rivaled the work of professionals. You will be dancing in your seat. Read my SXSW review for more. (Alamo South Lamar)

Fantastic Fest isn't the only movie-related event going on in town this week (although it often feels different when attending the fest). Austin has some interesting special movie events that tie into other film festivals.  As this goes live, the Cine Las Americas free screening of El Infierno is about to start. And while Incendiary: The Willingham Case has a theatrical release in town today, there is a special reception at tonight's screenings with local filmmakers Steve Mims and Joe Bailey, Jr at Violet Crown Cinema. Seats are limited, so don't wait any longer to buy your tickets, as you will want to talk about the film after you see it.

If you were lucky enough to see Thundersoul at SXSW 2010, you probably want to watch it again on Thursday at Alamo Drafthouse Village as part of the Austin Film Society "Best of the Fest" series. If you haven't, you'll want to see it, and not just because Jamie Foxx is now attached and actively promoting the film. You will be dancing in your seats, inspired to reconnect with your dreams and determined to fight for music programs in schools as you enjoy the story of a Houston high-school music teacher who turned a stage band into a world-renowned funk band still selling albums today. 

Finally, if you need to get your "bad film" on, Wild in the Streets is the next film in the free(!) series "Bad Film Festival" at Austin Public Library's Carver Branch.

Movies We've Seen:

Dolphin Tale 3D -- Chris has mixed feelings, and says his "litmus test for any kids' movie is whether it entertains the adult members of its audience while keeping kids engaged." Find out what Chris and his daughter thought about it in his review. (wide)

Incendiary: The Willingham Case -- This locally produced documentary couldn't be more relevant if it tried. Regardless of your politics, Incendiary focuses on facts, not opinion, and the disturbing resistance of admitting to potential errors. Don reviewed and says it's "the sort of provocative documentary the Powers That Be don't want you to see." If you don't believe him, read my SXSW review. (Violet Crown Cinema)

I'm really excited to see that The Happy Poet is playing again in town tonight at Austin Film Society. Presented in part by Texas Independent Film Network and Screen Door Cinema, Paul Gordon's comedic tale brings us a man with a dream, a hot dog stand, and a desire to provide near-vegetarian fare to the world. Heartfelt and funny and filled with local talent, The Happy Poet is one of my favorite movies of recent years, and with the explosion of the food-truck phenomenon, a must-see film. And if you miss the AFS screening, it'll play in San Marcos on Sept. 28.

On Sunday, Cine Las Americas has a free screening of Un Mundo Maravilloso (A Wonderful World) at Takoba. This 2006 satire from Mexico juxtaposes poverty and political ambition -- the Minister of Economy declares the end of poverty just as a homeless drunkard stumbles on the scene. 

Geoff Marslett's Mars is playing at Spider House on Monday. This animated space fantasy played SXSW 2010 along with Gordon's The Happy Poet (and includes a cameo by Paul Gordon). Marslett is currently filming Loves Her Gun around town.

Then on Wednesday, Cinema41 screens Zero Effect starring Bill Pullman at The Hideout. Admission includes a free Tab soda, and the movie is followed by a Q&A with a local private investigator. I have to say that's not what I'd expect from most Q&As, but sounds interesting. 

Movies We've Seen:

Drive -- I've been judging this one by the trailers, particularly the Miami Vice-esque font used (I'm a shameless font geek, and I got over Mistral in the 80s). Don says "it's a stylish, atmospheric thriller that starts very promisingly but goes nowhere, and Ryan Gosling's immense talent is wasted." Read his review this weekend for more. (wide)

I Don't Know How She Does It -- Elizabeth saw this adaptation of the Allison Pearson book, and says it "half-heartedly attempts to depict how gender roles have changed, and isn't very convincing." Read her review for more. (wide)