Tag Archives: movie opening

Now Playing, Opening

Indie Weekend: ‘Hell’s Angels’ at the Texas Theatre

Howard Hughes' 'Hell's Angels' at the Texas Theatre
Howard Hughes’ ‘Hell’s Angels’ at the Texas Theatre

With only one new indie release limping into the area this weekend, look to the air for some highly personal — and extremely daring — filmmaking.

  • ‘Hell’s Angels.‘ From the legendary Howard Hughes comes a legendarily expensive war picture that takes place most notably in the air, with real people risking life and limb. With Jean Harlow. This special, one-time only presentation of a 35mm, fully-restored print will be followed by a performance by Matt Tolentino and the Singapore Slingers (7 piece variant).  Highly recommended. (The Texas Theatre)
  • ‘Kill Your Darlings.’ A wan drama about the writers who would become the leaders of the Beat Generation a decade later. With Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Michael C. Hall, Ben Foster, Elizabeth Olsen, Jack Huston. Reviewed here. Not recommended. (Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano)

Opening in wide release across the Metroplex:

  • ‘The Best Man Holiday.’ A sequel to 1999’s ‘The Best Man.’ College friends reunite; expect sexy talk, laughter, tears, and so forth.  Help yourself. With Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Morris Chesnut, and Harold Perrineau; written and directed by Malcolm Lee. Not previewed. 
Now Playing

Indie Weekend: ‘Muscle Shoals,’ ‘How I Live Now,’ and More

'Muscle Shoals' (Magnolia Pictures)
‘Muscle Shoals’ (Magnolia Pictures)

The standout new indie release of interest is ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ — reviewed here — but it’s a splendid weekend for a new music doc or to catch up with a variety of indies still playing. (Title links lead to official sites for more information.)

  • ‘Muscle Shoals.’ The scintillating, soulful sound of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and how it influenced modern musical history. Advance word has been very positive. Not previewed. (Texas Theatre)
  • ‘How I Live Now.’ Saoirse Ronan stars as an American teen who is living with relatives in the U.K. when an apocalyptic war breaks out. Advance word has been quite mixed. Not previewed. (Studio Grill Spring Valley, AMC Grapevine Mills)
  • ‘Cutie and the Boxer.’ Documentary about a longtime couple, one an artist and the other a “boxing painter.” Advance word has been positive. (Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art)
  • ‘Dallas Buyers Club.’ Matthew McConaughey gives a superb performance in the true-life story of a hard-living Dallas electrician in 1985 who became an AIDS activist. Reviewed here. Recommended with reservations. (Angelika Dallas)

Opening in wide release across the Metroplex:

  • ‘Thor: The Dark World.’ The latest Marvel superhero adventure finds the Norse god once again coming to the aid of mankind. With Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman; directed by Alan Taylor. Not previewed.
  • ‘Great Expectations.’ Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Holiday Grainger, and Jeremy Irvine star in a new version of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Directed by Mike Newell. Not previewed.
Now Playing

Indie Weekend: ‘Blue is the Warmest Color,’ ‘Capital,’ ‘Diana,’ and More

'Blue is the Warmest Color'
‘Blue is the Warmest Color’

Advance critical reviews are all over the map on new releases, but the lesbian drama is the apparent stand-out. (Title links lead to official sites for more information.

  • ‘About Time.’ From British writer/director Richard Curtis comes another glibly romantic comedy, this one involving time travel. With Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson, and Bill Nighy. (Landmark Magnolia)
  • ‘Blue is the Warmest Color.’ Acclaimed relationship drama explores the romance between two women. (Landmark Magnolia, Angelika Plano)
  • ‘Capital.’ French drama about the CEO of an investment banking firm who is trying to hold on to his power. Directed by Costa-Gavras. (Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano)
  • ‘Diana.’ Widely-derided in advance reviews, this bio-pic tells the story of the former Princess Diana’s relationship with a doctor. Naomi Watts star. (Angelika Dallas)
  • ‘Herb and Dorothy 50×50.’ A follow-up documentary about two art collectors. (Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art)

Opening in wide release across the Metroplex:

  • ‘All Is Lost.’ Robert Redford struggles to survive, alone and adrift on an unforgiving sea. Reviewed here. (Also see my feature article at Movies.com on how it compares with ‘Gravity’ and ‘Captain   Phillips’.) Recommended.
  • ‘Ender’s Game.’ Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley provide adult support to young Asa Butterfield in this adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s popular science-fiction novel about kids playing battle games with real-life consequences.
  • ‘Free Birds.’ An animated film from Dallas’ own Reel FX, this is a delightful tale about time traveling turkeys. With the voices of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Amy Poehler. Reviewed here. Recommended.
  • ‘Last Vegas.’ A kinder and gentler, senior-citizen version of ‘The Hangover.’ With Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, and Kevin Kline. Reviewed at Twitch. Recommended.
  • ‘Man of Tai Chi.’ The directorial debut of Keanu Reeves is a surprisingly fun, self-aware martial arts picture with action choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping. Recommended with reservations.
Coming Soon

Coming Soon: ‘All is Lost’ (For Real This Time!), ‘Blue is the Warmest Color,’ and More

Robert Redford in 'All is Lost'
Robert Redford in ‘All is Lost’

Delayed one week, the wide release of Robert Redford’s new movie will finally hit on Friday. Strangely, the number of wide releases equals the number of limited releases this week. (Title links lead to official sites for more information.

  • ‘About Time.’ From British writer/director Richard Curtis comes another glibly romantic comedy, this one involving time travel. With Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson, and Bill Nighy. (Landmark Magnolia)
  • ‘Blue is the Warmest Color.’ Acclaimed relationship drama explores the romance between two women. (Landmark Magnolia, Angelika Plano)
  • ‘Capital.’ French drama about the CEO of an investment banking firm who is trying to hold on to his power. Directed by Costa-Gavras. (Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano)
  • ‘Diana.’ Widely-derided in advance reviews, this bio-pic tells the story of the former Princess Diana’s relationship with a doctor. Naomi Watts star. (Angelika Dallas)
  • ‘Herb and Dorothy 50×50.’ A follow-up documentary about two art collectors. (Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art)

Opening in wide release across the Metroplex:

  • ‘All Is Lost.’ Robert Redford struggles to survive, alone and adrift on an unforgiving sea. Reviewed at Twitch. (Also see my feature article at Movies.com on how it compares with ‘Gravity’ and ‘Captain   Phillips’.) Recommended.
  • ‘Ender’s Game.’ Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley provide adult support to young Asa Butterfield in this adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s popular science-fiction novel about kids playing battle games with real-life consequences.
  • ‘Free Birds.’ An animated film from Dallas’ own Reel FX, this is a delightful tale about time traveling turkeys. With the voices of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Amy Poehler. Review forthcoming. Recommended.
  • ‘Last Vegas.’ A kinder and gentler, senior-citizen version of ‘The Hangover.’ With Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, and Kevin Kline.
  • ‘Man of Tai Chi.’ The directorial debut of Keanu Reeves is a surprisingly fun, self-aware martial arts picture with action choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping. Review forthcoming. Recommended with reservations.
Now Playing, Opening

Indie Weekend: ‘Birth of the Living Dead,’ ‘Oldboy,’ ‘The Wicker Man,’ and More

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'Birth of the Living Dead' at the Texas Theatre
‘Birth of the Living Dead’ at the Texas Theatre

Two new indie titles open today, along with two classic films. (Title links lead to official sites for more information, where available.)

  • ‘12 Years A Slave.’ Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Solomon Northup, a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in mid-19th century America. A powerful drama. Reviewed here. Recommended. (Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano)
  • ‘Birth of the Living Dead.’ Documentary on George A. Romero and the making of ‘The NIght of the Living Dead.’ (The Texas Theatre)
  • ‘Oldboy.’ Park Chan-wook’s harsh revenge tale is an ugly, magnificently disturbing drama. See it before Spike Lee’s new version opens in late November. (The Texas Theatre) Screens 10/25-27 only.
  • ‘The Wicker Man: The Final Cut.’ Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, and Britt Ekland star in a classic tale of pagan practices vs. Christian teachings in an isolated community. Directed by Robin Hady; this version is said to restore footage cut from the original edition and thought to have been lost. (Angelika Dallas)

Opening in wide release across the Metroplex:

  • ‘The Counselor.’ Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz in a high-toned legal thriller. Directed by Ridley Scott, based on the first original screenplay written by novelist Cormac McCarthy. Reviewed here. Recommended.
  • ‘Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.’ Johnny Knoxville disguises himself as an old man and travels around the country with his “grandson” as the ‘Jackass’ crew engages in more physical hijinks. Not previewed.

Opening next week in wide release:

Retro Scene

Retro Scene: ‘Strange Brew,’ ‘Night of the Demons,’ ‘Dracula,’ and More

Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas in 'Strange Brew'
Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas in ‘Strange Brew’

A fabulous selection of titles to choose from — or choose them all! — beginning tonight (Wednesday, October 23). Here’s a quick guide to what’s what:

  • Wed: ‘Strange Brew.’ Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas in a Canadian tale of mounties, hosers, and beer. (Alamo Drafthouse) Screens 10/23 only.
  • Wed: ‘Night of the Demons.’ Gnarly old-school horror in 1988. (Alamo Drafthouse) Screens 10/23 only; projected from VHS; only $1!
  • Thu: ‘E.T. The Extra Terrestrial.’ An alien comes to Earth, is strangely attracted to young boy. (Alamo Drafthouse) Screens 10/24 only.
  • Fri-Sun: ‘Oldboy.’ Park Chan-wook’s harsh revenge tale is an ugly, magnificently disturbing drama. See it before Spike Lee’s new version opens in late November. (The Texas Theatre) Screens 10/25-27.
  • Fri-Thu: ‘The Wicker Man: The Final Cut.’ Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, and Britt Ekland star in a classic tale of pagan practices vs. Christian teachings in an isolated community. Directed by Robin Hady; this version is said to restore footage cut from the original edition and thought to have been lost. (Angelika Dallas) Screens 10/25-31.
  • Sun: ‘Dracula.’ Todd Browning’s influential version of Bram Stoker’s night-stalking legend. (Alamo Drafthouse) Screens 10/27 only.
  • Mon: ‘Blood-C: The Last Dark.’ Violent revenge anime. (Alamo Drafthouse) Screens 10/28 only; free with RSVP!
  • Tue: ‘Hocus Pocus.’ Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as evil witches. (Alamo Drafthouse) Screens 10/29 only.
  • Tue: ‘Varsity Blues.’ The MTV version of high school sex and football. With James Van Der Beek, Scott Caan, Amy Smart, Ali Larter, and a whipped-cream bikini. (Alamo Drafthouse) Screens 10/29 only.