Tag Archives: Academy Award

Indie Weekend: ‘Headhunters,’ ‘Bernie,’ ‘Sound of My Voice,’ and More

'Headhunters'

‘Headhunters’

A handful of indies are opening locally today; truly, something for everyone:

  • ‘Headhunters.‘ Slick, clever, thoroughly engaging thriller from Norway follows a corporate recruiter who moonlights as an art thief. Things get complicated fast when he attempts to recruit / steal from a target (above) who has an eye on his beautiful wife (also above). This is my pick of the weekend. (Angelika Dallas.) My thoughts at Twitch. Highly recommended.
  • ‘Bernie.’ Jack Black stars as an assistant funeral director in a small town in Texas who comes under suspicion when a wealthy widow goes missing. Richard Linklater’s comedy also stars Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey. (Landmark Inwood, Angelika Plano.) Not previewed.
  • ‘Sound of My Voice.’ Brit Marling (‘Another Earth’), who co-wrote, plays a cult leader in what’s been described as a quiet science-fictional drama. (Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano.) Not previewed.
  • ‘The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye.’ Documentary about the strange ways of love pursued by two musical pioneers and performance artists. (Angelika Dallas.) Not previewed.
  • ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.’ A group of British retirees decide to spend their golden years at a resort in India. With Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith; directed by John Madden. (Angelika Dallas.) Not previewed.

Opening wide:

  • ‘The Avengers.’ Joss Whedon puts his own jocular spin on ‘Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in a movie that will likely please all fanboys and most audiences. My review. Recommended.
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Indie Weekend: ‘Sound of Noise,’ ‘Goon,’ ‘The Lady,’ ‘Monsieur Lazhar’

'Sound of Noise' at the Texas Theatre (Magnolia Pictures)

'Sound of Noise' at the Texas Theatre (Magnolia Pictures)

In my return to active duty, I’ve updated the calendar listings (in the boxes on the right), reflecting a very busy month. A quartet of indies are opening locally today:

  • ‘Sound of Noise.‘ A superb, boisterous, joyous picture about musicians who make music from found objects. (Texas Theatre.) My review at Twitch. Highly recommended.
  • ‘Goon.’ A hockey comedy starring Sean William Scott and Jay Baruchel, the latter of whom co-wrote the screenplay. I’ve read very positive reviews from reviewers I trust. (Texas Theatre.) Not previewed.
  • ‘The Lady.’ Michelle Yeoh stars as a real-life Burmese political hero; directed by Luc Besson. Reviews have been generally favorable, though not wildly enthusiastic. (Landmark Magnolia.) Not previewed.
  • ‘Monsier Lazhar.’ Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. A substitute teacher helps his students deal with the suicide of their previous instructor, as well as racial prejudice. Reviews have been generally favorable. (Angelika Dallas.) Not previewed.

Opening wide:

  • ‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits.’ The newest stop-motion animation from Aardman will delight children, though adults may only be amused. My review at Twitch. Recommended.
  • ‘The Raven.’ A serial killer stalks Baltimore in 1849, taking inspiration from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. John Cusack’s best effort cannot save the warmed-over plot. My review at Twitch. Not recommended.
  • ‘The Five-Year Engagement.’ Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in a romantic comedy. Reviews have been mixed to negative. Not previewed.
  • ‘Safe.’ Jason Statham stars in an action picture. Reviews have been mixed. Not previewed.

‘Inside Job’: Don’t Miss Your Second Chance

Inside Job
Inside Job

Talking heads offering insight into the 2008 financial crisis. (Sony Pictures Classics)

On the heels of its nomination for an Academy Award as Best Documentary, Charles Ferguson’s ‘Inside Job’ returns to select theaters today for a limited return engagement,specifically  at AMC Grapevine, Cinemark Denton, and Cinemark 12 in Rockwell. If you’re in Denton or Rockwell, it’s a no brainer, but even if you have to plan a longer trip to Grapevine, it’s worth the time and effort to see this exceptionally fine film in a theater.

For one thing, it will stir your blood, which I hear is healthy.

“As Charles Ferguson argues in his bracing, outraged, essential documentary “Inside Job,” the disaster in waiting can be traced back to the early 1980s. And it could have been avoided.

“Ferguson does a much better [job] of laying out the evidence than can be recounted here. He’s rounded up an impressive number of experts, and done his best to get a few of the culpable parties to sit for interviews.

“The result is a well-paced film that provokes increasing disgust with the financial system that is in place and the politicians that have enabled the system to continue merrily along. Politicians, economists, and financial company executives are walking away rich and smug, while our friends and neighbors are losing their homes and wondering how to feed their families.“

You can read my entire review at Red Carpet Crash. ‘Inside Job,’ narrated by Matt Damon, is best experienced in a theater, with other people, so you can share the anger.