Movies This Week

It's  a surprisingly light weekend for new films in Austin, but there's no holiday and we're smack into the middle of the summer doldrums. But that's not to say there aren't options -- some fun, some mind boggling. 

Cremaster 1-5 and De Lama Lamina  -- When I was looking up the new releases in town, I was a bit gobsmacked. Five films, or is that six? I can't really tell, and the Cremaster website makes it even more confusing.  The Cremaster films by writer-director Matthew Barney seem to be avant garde gone wild, with little dialogue, and are not necessarily numbered in order. Apparently the lengths of the films vary as well.  If any of you see it, do let us know what you think. (Dobie)

Despicable Me -- Pixar doesn't have a monopoly on animated family fare. Universal's latest mixes villains and moppets and minions, and despite the trailer, it's not so fluffy. Read my review for more, and you'll probably want Minion finger puppets, too. (wide)

It's a light week for film releases, but then, with the last Twilight film coming out, who in their right mind wants to take on that? Still, there are options this Independence Day weekend.

Cropsey -- Cropsey (pictured above) takes on the boogieman concept with the real story of a local neighborhood, missing kids and a man so creepy he's tried for murder. This documentary will make you think about how quick we are to judge, and the monsters among us.  If you love true crime or fictional, this is a must-see during its three-day run at the Alamo. (Ritz)

I Am Love -- Tilda Swinton stars in a early 19th century period piece set in Milan and described as "the fall of the haute bourgeoisie due to the forces of passion and unconditional love." You had me at Swinton. (Arbor)

I Hate Luv Storys -- Oh, how I weep for the English language sometimes. This latest Bollywood flick pairs a jaded guy with a gal in love with love.  (Tinseltown 17)

As I'm preparing this, you'd think there was some nepotism going on, but honestly, it's not. It just so happens that Don got to review several limited release films over the last few weeks and they all seem to be opening today. And me, well, one of my reviews has been embargoed since March. But it's all good ... you get to read about what we've been seeing below. 

Cyrus -- Mark and Jay Duplass (The Puffy Chair) hit the mainstream with name stars in their latest relationship twister, but they maintain their offbeat roots as John (John C. Reilly) finds new love with Molly (Marisa Tomei), then meets her son, Cyrus (Jonah Hill). The Duplass brothers' deft touch for making uncomfortably realistic comedy continues. Read Don's review for more. (Arbor, Alamo Lamar)

Grown Ups -- Adam Sandler, David Spade and Rob Schneider cancel out Steve Buscemi, Selma Hayek and Maria Bello in this infantile reunion comedy. And it's directed by Richie Brockleman, err, Dennis Dugan. Um. Yeah. Don sacrificed his dignity to watch this one, so read his review for more to see if my analysis is on target. (wide)

We haven't really had much of a summer movie summer, have we? That may be changing with the third Toy Story movie finally coming out. It's funny how most of the "summer" movies come out before the summer solstice, isn't it? It's another light release week for Austin, but the variety is impressive. 

And let me just say thank you to Marc Savlov at the Austin Chronicle for a lovely profile of Slackerwood in his "The Cool Keeps On" article this week in the Screens section (but that's a really unflattering camera angle). But on to this week's openings... 

Jonah Hex -- Josh Brolin as the lead is a plus, but Megan Fox as a costar is not.  This graphic novel adaptation may be in wide release, but there wasn't an advance screening, which is a bit telling.  (Wide)

Knight and Day -- Shhh, can't tell you about the next summer actioner in detail, but the Gateway has a special advanced screening on Saturday. This isn't a free sneak, but it will let you see the latest Tom Cruise film, and well, if you like action...

What is with this heavy weather? Intense thunderstorms, July's sweltering heat in early June? At least we have plenty of theaters to chill in. Many films are holding their own from the blockbuster wannabees to the indies getting the time to find their audiences. But there are a few new ones to check out.

The A-Team (pictured above)-- Guaranteed to be a man-cave must-have, but with Bradley Cooper shirtless for half the movie, there's plenty for the ladies to look at, too. Joe Carnahan revives the much-beloved 80s TV staple, with an all-star cast and following Hannibal Smith's philosophy: "Overkill is underrated." Read my review for more. (wide)

Karate Kid-- This reimagining has incited protests (including one in Austin tonight). Despite the misnomer (it's now kung fu, not karate), this overlong, over produced story full of cliches isn't as bad as feared. In fact, cast against type Jackie Chan in a serious role and Jaden Smith shine when they can overcome the overpolished dialogue and story. Still, it's at least 20 minutes too long with too many prettified training montages that are a bit creepy considering the star is supposed to be 12 years old. See Debbie's review for more. (wide)

It's only the start of June, and it feels like July. What is up with that? Good thing there are plenty of theaters, and new movies coming out. But don't forget to check the listings and there are a lot of smaller releases still holding on around town.  But on to the new films...

9500 Liberty --  A timely doc about fear mongering and anti-immigration law in the web 2.0 era and in a country founded by immigrants. Read Don's review for more, and keep an eye out for Debbie's interview with one of the filmmakers. (Dobie) 

Get him to the Greek -- I am not a fan of Russell Brand, but this anti-buddy comedy looks like it actually might be funny. Record company intern Jonah Hill is teamed with outrageous rocker Brand, who has to be at the titular Greek for a concert. Written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, who penned Yes Man and the latest Fun with Dick and Jane, I'm not quite sold. Jette has a different view of Brand, so check out her review. (wide)

Not a lot of new films out this week, with too many screens taken up by other blockbusters and the new hopefuls.  Many of the arthouse and indies are holding strong, and you know how I feel about those.

George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead -- Romero is at it again, with this Fantastic Fest 2009 selection pitting islanders against zombies. (Alamo Lamar)

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time -- Jake Gyllenhaal takes on a video game adaptation.  Is it worth it? Debbie knows, and you can read more in her review. (wide)

Sex and the City 2 -- The girls are back, but to find a story they're vacationing in the Middle East. Um. Yeah. Elizabeth saw it and lived to tell the tale; see her review for more. (wide)

The Good, the Bad and the Weird expands to Dobie this week. I'm pleased to see that Human Centipede is held over at Alamo South, which also held over Exit Through the Gift Shop along with the Arbor. Best Worst Movie is back for a nightly run at Alamo Village. Come to think of it, most of the arthouse films that opened last week are still in town, which makes me happy.  But there are some new options this week, which we have listed below. 

Casino Jack and the United States of Money (pictured above) -- Alex Gibney's portrait of Washington superlobbyist Jack Abramoff is apparently a stranger-than-fiction type doc. Haven't seen it yet, but it certainly looks interesting, as it includes "international intrigue with Indian casinos, Russian spies, Chinese sweatshops, and a mob-style killing in Miami."  That's politics for you. (Arbor) 

Hausu -- Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1977 film includes a teenage girl, remote home, elderly aunt, and what Alamo's Zack Carlson describes as "a crushing, 300-fisted assault on the senses, so viciously paced and perfectly presented." But if that isn't enough to convince you to see this horror classic, how about Timecrimes director and Fantastic Fest regular Nacho Vigalondo describing it as "the greatest movie I have ever seen?" (Ritz)

Both The Human Centipede and The Good, The Bad & The Weird continue at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, two films you might not be able to see in a theater unless you lived in Austin. But it's also a fantastic weekend for new arthouse films, with several opening at the Arbor and the Dobie that are worth your attention. 

The Exploding Girl -- It's a summer of love for an epileptic girl who has a new boyfriend, but also has a friend staying for the summer. Sorry, this one never made it to my radar, so I know nothing more about it.  (Dobie)

Exit Through the Gift Shop -- This crowd pleaser has been making the film geek corner of the twittersphere explode, and the AFS screening, on two screens no less, sold out quickly.  The tagline for this documentary is "The incredible true story of how the world's greatest 'Street Art' movie was never made" and apparently doesn't do it justice. Keep an eye out for Debbie's upcoming review. (wide)

So The Good, The Bad, The Weird has been held over at Lamar, and that makes me oh so very happy. There's not much coming out this week, but that's no surprise, who wants to take on Iron Man as he takes over the cineplexes? But there are a few new options out there.   

Babies -- This doc features a year in the lives of four babies in very different places around the world, including San Francisco, Mongolia, Japan and Nambia. Check out Debbie's review. (wide)   

Iron Man 2 -- Tony Stark returns with a vengeance, but so does the son of his father's rival. While it might not be as amazing as the first, it is summer blockbuster fare well worthy of your movie dollars. Read my review here. (wide)  

Killing Kasztner: The Jew Who Dealt With Nazis -- Israel Kasztner was a Hungarian Jew who helped Jews escape only to be assassinated after accusations of collaboration.  (Arbor)

The Secret of Kells (pictured above) -- Ever hear of the Book of Kells? Well there's an animated story of the boy behind the priceless illuminated manuscript created by Celtic monks in the 9th century. Brendan Gleeson does one of the voices. (Dobie)