Movies This Week

It may still be early spring, but we're definitely seeing summer weather, which means people are going to the movies to cool off. A whole lot of films are opening in Austin this week, see for yourself. In addition, Cine Las Americas is underway all week at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar and -- screenings are free at this venue -- the Mexican American Cultural Center. Read my preview for details.

Movies We've Seen:

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold -- Morgan Spurlock, the man who took on McDonalds and super-sized meals, now takes on product placement, with the help of POM Wonderful in this SXSW 2010 selection. Read Mike's SXSW review. (Arbor, Alamo Lamar)

Echotone -- Jette says: This AFF 2010 documentary about the Austin music scene and how it's affected by local development is back in town for a four-night run. It's also a very lovely movie with some great music. Read Debbie's review from AFF or my review for Cinematical. Don't miss seeing it in a theater. (Alamo Ritz)

It is a week full of narratives based on true stories ... and in one case, a classic work of literature. It's also one of those rare weeks when we haven't seen many of the movies opening in Austin. But that's okay, we've got the Off-Centered Film Festival happening this weekend, not to mention impatiently waiting for Cine Las Americas and the Violet Crown Cinema opening later this month.

Movies We've Seen:

Even the Rain (Tambien La Lluvia) -- I regret not getting a chance to see this dramatization starring Gael García Bernal. This story is about a controversial film production in Bolivia as locals face privatization of water in this eerie parallel of exploitation in both the past and present. Don has seen it and has a lot to say about this true story in his review. (Arbor)

New movies in Austin this week include big goofy Hollywood comedies as well as some indie gems.

Movies We've Seen:

Born to be Wild -- Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this documentary is the story of orphaned and rescued orangutans and elephants. Read Debbie's review for more. (The Story of Texas IMAX Theater)

Hanna (pictured above)-- A girl who's trained her entire life for a deadly confrontation with a mysterious woman from the CIA sounds like it would be a great thriller, but it tries too hard and too loudly to be clever to the point not even Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan and Tom Hollander can save it. Although they certainly try. Read my review for the whole scoop. (wide)

Win Win -- A small-town lawyer barely making ends meet takes in a teenager with unforeseen consequences to his life and family. If you liked The Station Agent and The Visitor, you'll like Tom McCarthy's latest which was also a SXSW Selection.  See my review for details.  (Arbor)

Your Highness -- The Pineapple Express team takes on medieval times with a lowbrow comedy twist.The more trailers I see for this one, the less I want to see it. Mike has seen and enjoyed it, so check out his review.  (wide)

To say this week's new movies are an eclectic mix is an understatement. Read on ...

Movies We've Seen:

The Concert -- Mélanie Laurent stars in this comedy about a once celebrated conductor who intercepts a invitation for his former orchestra to perform in Paris. Read Debbie's review for more details. (Arbor)

Source Code -- Duncan Jones' sophomore feature also deals with classic science fiction themes, although this time there's a much larger cast, and much more at stake as Jake Gyllenhaal tries to stop a terrorist attack and save the girl. I agree with Jette's review -- put this on your must see list. (wide)

The King's Speech (PG-13 version) -- Honestly, I haven't seen this new censored version of the film reworked to remove the (therapeutic) profanity in the original release version. But hey, if it means 13 year olds won't act like 3-year-olds repeating what they've heard before, more power to 'em. Read Elizabeth's review of the original R-rated version. (wide)

Did you miss Movies this Week last week?  We're back, even though we're still recovering from SXSW. 

Movies We've Seen:

Elektra Luxx  -- Sebastian Gutierrez's second film featuring the title character (the first being Women in Trouble), focuses on Carla Cugino as a retired porn star. The first movie left me cold, so I skipped the sequel.  Mike has seen it and can tell you more in his review. (Arbor)

I Saw the Devil (pictured above) -- This near-perfect Fantastic Fest 2010 selection is gritty, violent and suspenseful, and a must-see for those who appreciate Korean crime dramas and/or unapologetically dark revenge thrillers.  Byung-hun Lee plays a government agent out for revenge after his fiancee is murdered. (Alamo Ritz)

Jane Eyre -- Arguably Charlotte Brontë's story of the reclusive Mr. Rochester and the stalwart young Jane Eyre is responsible for more undeserved forgiveness in relationships than any other classic story. Cary Fukunaga's interpretation of the classic novel is hurt by the running time, as the subtleties of the relationship in this gothic romance just don't have enough time to develop.  Read Elizabeth's review for more. (wide)

It's spring! Wildflowers are in bloom, and movie geeks of the world are at the end of their annual migration to central Texas for 10 days of film and fun. And oh, yeah, those other two conferences.  But there are a few other films opening in town this week.

Movies we've seen:

Battle Los Angeles -- The shock and awe right from frame one is exhaustingly effective, with chiseled-jaw Aaron Echkart as a Marine sergeant on the verge of retirement who finds himself up close and personal in an alien invasion. The battle scenes are intense but falters further off point every time it slows down. Look for Mike's review on Saturday. (wide)

Red Riding Hood-- Another fairy tale, this time with the hooded gal torn between suiters when something kills her sister. Can't quite muster up the interest in this one with SXSW upon us. Read Debbie's review for more. (wide)

There are two ways to tell it's really spring in Austin, the first being our beloved bluebonnets a-blooming. The other, when thousands of people flock to Austin for one of the three SXSW conference/festivals. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves it's not just about film, but that's the most important one, right? Get ready, because the flock is returning in a week. In the meantime, there are a few movies opening in town this weekend.

Movies We've Seen:

The Adjustment Bureau -- Based on Philip K. Dick's cautionary tale Adjustment Team, about free will, this thriller is certainly well cast. But is it worth it? Elizabeth took a chance on it and her review tells us more. (wide)

Barney's Version -- Barney Panofsky takes a look back at his life in this Oscar-nominated film (for make-up) starring Paul Giamatti. It also earned Giamatti a Golden Globe. Read Don's review for more. (Arbor)

Beastly -- Apparently it's fairytale month, with Beastly opening today and Red Riding Hood next weekend. But just how beastly can Alex Pettyfer be? Not very. Read my review for more. (wide)

Rango -- Apparently this 3D animated comedy about a Wild West lizard is more for adults than kids, and has gotten lots of good buzz. I wish I hadn't been so busy prepping for SXSW to make an advanced screening, especially after reading Mike's review. (wide)

It's finally here: Oscar weekend. Are you going to glam it up at aGLIFF's Red Carpet Bash with a live Oscar telecast? Will you head to The Highball for their "Hollywood party" (with a TXMPA gathering beforehand)? Or do you have private viewing plans? Come on, 'fess up and tell us how you celebrate the most popular short guy in Hollywood.

Movies We've Seen:

Drive Angry 3D -- Patrick Lussier may have last brought us My Bloody Valentine 3D, but he also brought us Red Eye. So is it worth it? Mike braved the traffic to find out just how angry Nic Cage is in this shot-in-not-retrofitted-to-3D actioner. Read Mike's review for more. (wide)

Oscar Shorts: Animated Program -- I haven't seen every one of these, but the one I have seen is worth full price just to see it's six minutes of perfection that is the short Day & Night, which premiered before Pixar's Toy Story 3 last year. Yah. That one. So you know you wanna see the rest of the Oscar-nominated animated delights screening in one program for your pleasure. (Alamo South Lamar)

My head is full of SXSW news this week, and I was up too late last night poring over the schedule. So it's difficult for me to get very excited about today's new releases in Austin theaters. Cedar what? Hey, My Sucky Teen Romance will premiere at the Paramount! Unknown ... well, it's unknown whether I should pick WUSS over Incendiary: The Willingham Case when they're in the same time slot. You see what I mean. We'll have some amazing Slackerwood coverage of the fest this year, but right now I need to stop planning and start telling you about what's in theaters right this minute.

Movies We've Seen:

I Am Number Four -- Mike Saulters caught this mystery/romance/action movie and calls it "a strong film, which draws on familiar elements." He also says it opens with some amazing action he calls "jungle parkour." Check back on Saturday morning for his full review of this film starring Timothy Olyphant, Kevin Durand (Lost), Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron (Glee).

Other New Movies:

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son -- I can't even think of anything snarky to say about the latest entry in the Big Momma series. If you are this desperately in need of entertainment, read Eric Snider's review at Cinematical, which is probably much funnier than the movie itself. And go rent Some Like It Hot.

Looking at this week's new releases, I'm amused that we have two animated movies opening that could not be more different. One is a bright perky children's movie that tidily removes everything tragic from a classic tragedy; the other is a poignant, beautiful, quiet film with a melancholy air. And the photo above comes from neither one -- it's from The Gruffalo, part of a collection of Oscar-nominated shorts that also opens in Austin today.  Other non-animated choices include a Hollywood romantic comedy, an epic set in ancient Rome ... and Justin Bieber. How can you go wrong?

Movies We've Seen:

• Gnomeo And Juliet -- Don's review tells you everything you want to know about this upbeat reworking of the tragic Shakespearan play using garden gnomes. But my favorite comment so far comes from Kimberley Jones' review at the Austin Chronicle: "That's 10 screenwriters if you count Shakespeare, but had he the chance, I bet he'd lobby the Writers Guild for an Alan Smithee credit." (wide)
• The Illusionist -- If I could, I would stop what I was doing right now and go see The Illusionist again. The animated movie is directed by Sylvan Chomet from a script by the late Jacques Tati. You won't believe me, but this is a much better movie than the front-runner for Best Animated Feature Oscar, Toy Story 3. Read my review to find out why. (Arbor)
• The Eagle -- Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell star in this sword-and-sandal adventure that is so macho, there are no speaking parts for women. (Well, the same can be said for The Great Escape, which I like very much.) Debbie caught this movie; look for her review this weekend. (wide)