Opening in Dallas today, Friday, July 29, 2011 (listed in order of priority):

• ‘Septien.’ Michael Tully’s film, inspired by the Dallas Cowboys’ Rafael Septien and his fall from grace in 1987, follows a former athlete who returns after disappearing for 18 years. It’s received mixed critical reaction, but the ambition and the striking imagery promise a strong vision that’s off the beaten path. (Texas Theatre.) Not previewed. How Septien Inspired ‘Septien,’ at NBCDFW.com.

• ‘Sunny.’ Seven friends reunite, 25 years after they attended junior high school together, in a nostalgic film that is this year’s biggest local release in its native South Korea, (AMC Grapevine Mills 30.) Not previewed. My Asian Film Monthly column at Movies.com (scroll down).

• ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest.’ Actor / filmmaker Michael Rappaport documents the reunion tour and travails of the hugely popular and pioneering hip hop group that splintered apart due to personal issues. (Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano.) Not previewed. Meg Furey reviews at Pegasus News.

• ‘Night of the Comet.’ Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney as Valley Girls who survive a disaster that kills everyone in Los Angeles except them, a Native American man, a pack of zombies, and a group of mad scientists. 1984 was a sweet year, baby. (Texas Theatre.) Recommended.

• ‘Life, Above All.’ A young girl goes in search of her grieving, AIDS-stricken mother. (Angelika Dallas.) Not previewed.

• ‘Sarah’s Key.’ Kristin Scott Thomas stars as an American writer in Paris who investigates the tragic story of a Jewish family rounded up by the Vichy in 1942. (Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano.) Not previewed.

• ‘A Little Help.’  Jenna Fischer stars as a woman navigating life after her husband dies in post-9/11 suburban New York. Questionable decisions doom this comedy-drama to the waste bin. (AMC Grapevine Mills 30, UA Grand Prairie 10.) My review at Red Carpet Crash. Not recommended.

Wide across the Metroplex (listed alphabetically):

• ‘Cowboys & Aliens.’ Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde team up to battle invaders from space in the Old West. It’s passable entertainment, but not nearly as good as it needs to be. My review at Twitch. Not recommended.

• ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love.’ Steve Carrell and Juliane Moore deal with divorce, while Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone search for that one special someone. If you like your strings pulled, enjoy yourself. My review at Twitch. Not recommended.

• ‘The Smurfs.’ Little blue people run amuck in New York City in an adaptation of the TV series that combines animation and live action. Not previewed.

Opening in Dallas today, Friday, June 24, 2011 (listed in order of priority):

• ‘Buck.’ Real-life horse whisperer Buck Brannaman trains humans more than he does animals in this gentle, yet eye-opening, documentary by Cindy Meehl. (Angelika Dallas.) My review at Twitch. Recommended.

• ‘Just Like Us.’ Egyptian comic Ahmed Ahmed leads an international troupe of stand-up comedians on a Middle East tour to explore stereotypes and try to make people laugh. (Angelika Dallas.) My review at Red Carpet Crash. Recommended.

• ‘Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop.’ The late-night talk show host goes on the road after quitting NBC. Advance word on this documentary has been quite positive. (Landmark Magnolia.) Not previewed.

Wide across the Metroplex (listed alphabetically):

• ‘Bad Teacher.’ Cameron Diaz as a disreputable gold-digger who is somehow entrusted with the education of your children. With Lucy Punch, Justin Timberlake, and Jason Segel. My review at Twitch. Recommended.

• ‘Cars 2.’ Automobiles travel to Japan in search of more fame and glory in the latest sequel from Pixar. Advance reviews have been mixed. Not previewed.

My weekly columns, plus other feature articles on film (in reverse chronological order):

• Hollywood Grind: From ‘Zero’ to ‘Teacher’ in 13 Short Years. (Twitch.) The career of director Jake Kasdan is considered.

• Indie Insights: The ‘Electric Car’ Strikes Back, ‘Buck’ and the Newspaper, Mexicans vs. Conan O’Brien, Sexy French Trailer. (Movies.com.) Covering new distribution deals, indie box office returns, and the trailer of the week.

• Asian Film Monthly: Newest From ‘Big Man Japan’ Star, Future ‘Sex and Zen’? (Movies.com.) New monthly column, focusing on new theatrical releases in Asia and films now playing in the U.S.

• Blu-ray World Weekly: ‘Kiss Me Deadly,’ ‘Choy Lee Fat,’  and More. (Twitch.) Definitely a slow week.

Opening in Dallas today, Friday, June 17, 2011 (listed in order of priority):

• ‘The Trip.’ Grouchy Steve Coogan and cheerful Rob Brydon travel across Northern England, eating gourmet meals. Hilarity ensues. Directed by Michael Winterbottom. (Angelika Dallas.) My review at Pegasus News. Recommended.

• ‘Beautiful Boy.’ Michael Sheen and Maria Bello as parents dealing with the news that their son committed a mass shooting before killing himself. Directed by Shawn Ku. (Angelika Dallas.) Not previewed.

• ‘The Bang Bang Club.’ Ryan Philippe in a drama based on real-life combat photographers. Directed by Steven Silver. (The Texas Theatre.) Not previewed.

• ‘Jack Cardiff: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff.’ Documentary on the great cinematographer. Directed by Jack McCall. (The Texas Theatre.) Not previewed. Screens on Saturday and Sunday.

Wide across the Metroplex (listed alphabetically):

• ‘The Art of Getting By.’ Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts star in a misbegotten indie romantic comedy. My review at Twitch. Not recommended.

• ‘Green Lantern.’ Ryan Reynolds as a test pilot drafted into service as a superhero. Not previewed.

• ‘Mr. Potter’s Penguins.’ Jim Carrey and animatronic animals, evidently. Not previewed.

Opening in limited release elsewhere:

• ‘Buck.’ There really is a horse whisperer, and his name is Buck. Documentary, directed by Cindy Meehl. (Opens in Dallas on June 24.) My review at Twitch. Recommended.

• ‘Page One: Inside The New York Times.’ Andrew Rossi’s documentary is must-see viewing for media junkies. (Opens in Dallas on July 1.) My review at Twitch. Recommended.

My weekly columns, plus other feature articles on film (in reverse chronological order):

• Hollywood Grind: Green Lantern, Meet the Mexicans. (Twitch.) Or, superheroes vs. minorities, sparked by an advance viewing of ‘A Better Life.’

• Indie Insights: Madonna’s New Love Story, ‘Beginners’ May Break Out, Dance Along with the ‘Jig’ Trailer. (Movies.com.) Covering new distribution deals, indie box office returns, and trailer of week.

• Fest Focus: Kicking Off as Seattle Closes, Los Angeles Opens, and Gen Art Re-emerges. (Movies.com.) New monthly column.

• Blu-ray World Weekly: ‘Let the Bullets Fly,’ ‘The Cincinnati Kid,’ ‘Cross of Iron,’  and More. (Twitch.) Kind of a slow week, but several gems popped up.

• 70s Rewind: John Guillermin’s ‘Shaft in Africa.’ (Twitch.) Surprisingly solid for a second sequel.