About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 2011)
Some releases may not be showing locally this week • indicates new review ARTHUR CHRISTMAS iPG) Santas youngest son. Arthur Christmas (v James McAvoy). hopes to use his dad's high-tech equipment, capable ot delivering toys worldwide in a single night, to complete an urgent .Christmas Eve mission. Aardman Animations, the studio behind Wallace & Gromit, return for their first feature since Flushed Away, which didn't quite set the box office afire The very British cast includes Jim Broadbent as Santa, Imelda Staunton as Mrs Claus. Bill Nighy as Grandsanta and Hugh Laurie as Steve. AVERY HAROLDS KUMAR CHRISTMAS (R) Six years after the doped duos adventures in Guantanamo Bay. Harold and Kumar (John Cho and Kal Penn) get into the 3D Christmas spirit alter Kumar burns down Harold's father-in-law's prized Christmas tree This tragedy sends them on a night-long search for the perfect tree that involves Neil Patrick Harris and shooting Santa Claus The trailers are making sure to push the high quotient of sex and violence, especially during Sunday s NFL games on Fox. CONTAGION (PG-13) Steven Soderbergh's new "What if ."epi demic chiller is an excellent feature- length Twilight Zone" What if a deadly new, highly communicable virus entered the population? How quickly and effectively would the world's governments and health agencies (represented by Laurence Fishburne. Kate Winslet. Bryan Cranston and Marion Cotillard) respond 7 What sort ot wildfire vYould spread via the blogo- sphere (thanks. Jude Law) 7 How would the rest of us (Matt Damon stars as the people's proxy) respond as loved ones (like Gwyneth Paltrow) quickly and mysteriously fall ill 7 Screenwriter Scott Z Burns (The Informant) answers all these queries as Soderbergh clinically depicts this eerily possible apocalyptic scenario This excellent human horror movie is unfolds like a zombie movie where the zombies are microscopic and nearly impossible to avoid Tension builds and spread like the dully named virus. MEV-1 Contagion plucks chords tonally similar to those ot Jose Saramago's novel. Blindness, but more effectively than Fernando Meirelles' adaptation Extra points for Cliff Martinez's pulsing, electronic score FOOTLOOSE (PG-13) Let's go ahead and dispel any thoughts that the Kevin Bacon slarrer is somehow above being remade What Hustle & Flow filmmaker Craig Brewer has done in remaking the seminal '80s flick is impressive. Brewer relocates the dance banning town of Bomont from Oklahoma to Georgia, adding another film to Brewer's resume of intriguing cinematic stories about the New South Ren MacCormack (Kenny Wormald, looking like he transferred from Rydell High) migrates south to live with his aunt and uncle (Kim Dickens and scene-stealing Ray McKinnon, an Adel native and Oscar winner) There he runs afoul of Rev Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid). who instituted the dancing ban after his son died in a car accident, and woos Moore's beautiful, troubled daughter, Ariel (Julianne Hough. 'Dancing with the Stars”) Brewer's movie has a nice rhythm and does the South more justice than any other major Hollywood release Appealing supporting turns by Miles Teller and Ziah Colon in the roles originated by the late Chris Penn and Sarah Jessica Parker are central to the movie's nostalgic success, but the excellent use and updating of the bestselling soundtrack seals the deal Get ready to kick off those Sunday shoes again. • HAPPY FEET TWO (PG) Maybe I don t get the appeal of penguins Neither animated feature has interested me very much despite the high qual ity computer animation and voice work Happy Feet Two might be the most bored I have been in a theater this year First film hero Mumble (v Elijah Wood) must rescue his entire penguin colony after a glacial calamity Fortunately, he can count on the help of best bud, Ramon (again energeti cally voiced Ly Robin Williams), new flying pal. the Mighty Sven (v Hank Azaria). and some elephant seals led by Beachmasler Brian (v Richard Carter) The plot is a non-starter needed to justify a number of song-and-dance routines a la "Glee ” The climactic rendition of ' Under Pressure” might not make up for the boredom that pre cedes it. but it sure outshines any other scene. If not for the scene-stealing Brad Pitt and Matt Damon as a punny Krill duo. one might not even realize they're not watching the first film HOLLYWOOD COP (NR) 1987 Bad Movie Night fave filmmaker Amir Shervan gets a second screening with his first English language film, a precursor to Samurai Cop, screened on Bad Movie Night back in July 2010. Don't be fooled by the seeming appear ance of famed actor Robert Mitchum; that near lookalike is actually his oldest son. Jim Mitchum. Astute observers might also recognize Troy Donahue and Aldo Ray. Oh. you're probably dying to know what Hollywood Cop is about 7 Some generic potboiler about a detec tive rescuing a kidnapped kid from gangsters. HUGO (PG) Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese directs his first family film and his first 3D movie on me cusp of 70 In 1930s Paris, a young boy named Hugo (Asa Butterfield, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) investigates a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. Academy Award nominated screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator and The Aviator) adapts the book by Brian Selznick With Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloe Grace Moretz. Ray Winstone and Jude Law IMMORTALS (R)An in-spirit sequel of styie to Zack Snyder's 300, Immortals cannot conjure the historical magic of that 2006 blockbuster, but it is certainly more visually appealing than the bland, ugly Clash ot the Titans One of Greek mythology's greatest mortal heroes. Theseus (Henry Cavill, the soon-to-be-Superman), gets his exploits to foil King Hyperion’s (a quirky Mickey Rourke, who one can imagine bullying his way to portray ing the villainous royal however he damn well pleased) plan to release the Titans and overthrow the gods told on the big screen. Quite probably the most visually striking film of the year, thanks to the genius of director Tarsem Singh (The Celt), the action adventure fails exactly as other films from the theater of the videogame have Whereas cinematic videogames intercut predominantly weak storytell ing with interactivity, films striving to look like videogames (the films of Zack Snyder and Paul W S. Anderson) have yet to overcome their inability to be interactive, leaving the audience with thrilling visuals and a static, shallow narrative experience. Immortals' dra matic sequences equate the cutscenes of a videogame, and they bore far more than the violent, bloody action thrills you never get to play IN TIME (PG-13) Gattaca writer- director Andrew Niccol tweaks the sci-fi genie again with this take on Logan's Bun In a future world, every one is genetically engineered to slop aging at 25 To ward off overcrowding, people are also designed to only live to 26 In this ageless new society, a man accused of murder (Justin Timberlake) goes on the lam with a pretty hostage (Amanda Seyfried. Mamma Mia!) With Olivia Wilde, Alex Pettyfer, Cillian Murphy, Johnny Galecki and Vincent Kartheiser ("Mad Men”). JACK AND JILL (PG) Adam Sandler must have thought the fake movies from Funny People had real potential to have signed on for this pitiful comedy where he plays both Jack Sadelstein and his twin sister, Jill They key to the entire one-joke movie is that Sandler makes an ugly woman Jill's homeli ness and her lack of self-awareness propel one lame gag after another Sandler's usual pals (Allen Covert, Nick Swardson) and celebrity cameos pepper the cast. Al Pacino's appearance is the least likely and most unfortunate as he plays himself as a desperate man smitten with Jill Regrettably, the flick also features more than a handful of casually stereotypical racial humor, though everything, even the lazy plot ting and joke writing, is executed with the amiability that typifies its star. However, geniality is no excuse for Sandler fans to continue his string of unsubtle, unoriginal comedy hits. J. EDGAR (R) Clint Eastwood directs nothing overwhelmingly with this fairly straightforward biopic of the vision ary American crime fighter J. Edgar Hoover. The two-hour plus awards-bait is a showcase for likely Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio. The 37-year-old actor wastes not a moment of screen time, during much of which he's clad in ultra-believable makeup as the aged Hoover, dictating his memoir to a string of junior G-men. The film unfolds as a sort ol greatest hits of Hoover's life. He recounts his promotion to the head of the FBI. the Lindbergh case, his close, working relationship with longtime sec retary Helen Gundy (Naomi Watts), his close, private relationship with Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer. The Social Network), and his too-close relation ship with his mother (Dame Judi Dench) Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black does not write this film with anywhere near the introspec tive depth of Milk; J Edgar offers too few insights into an intriguingly complex subject who had his fingers in so many of America's historical pies It's simply a nice Cliff's Notes version of what would probably be a mammoth biography through which to plow THE LAST MOUNTAIN (NR) This documentary reveals the battle to protect the health and environment of local communities from the destruc tive power of the big coal industry in Appalachia MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (R) Another Olsen sister. Elizabeth, is taking a dilferr nt route to stardom than her now infamous elder twin sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley Sporting the year's most easily abused title. Martha Marcy May Marlene stars Olsen attempting to reassimilate into her family after escaping from an abusive cult. Writer-director Sean Durkin's first feature was a hit at Sundance, picking up a Grand Jury Prize nomination. The presence of John Hawkes (an Academy Award nominee for Winter's Bone) never hurts. < THE MUPPETS (PG) The Muppet Theater is again under threat as an oil man plots to raze that venerable land mark Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, Gonzo and the rest of the Muppets stage the Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever to help save their home I'm excited to see what longtime fan Jason Segel, his cowriter and Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller and director James Bobin (“Flight of the Conchords” writer- director) have in store for the greatest puppets of all lime. In grand Muppet tradition, expect Ions of cameos. PUSS IN BOOTS (PG) Shreks fairy tale may have moved on lo happily ever after, but Puss in Boots (v. Antonio Banderas) is still itching lor a fight. His spinoff reveals the swordfiqhling antics that led up to Puss meeting up with Shrek and company. Naturally, this flick was once slated for a direct-to-DVD release; will the cat be able to match the ogre's blockbuster results? Director Chris Miller previously helmed Shrek the Third Featuring the voices of Salma Hayek and Zach Galifianakis. THE SKIN I LIVE IN (R) How excit ing 1 The new Pedro Almodovar is scheduled to arrive at Cine before the end ol the year The Spanish film legend notched his fourth Palme d'Or nomination from Cannes for his new est collaboration with Muse. Penelope Cruz. A brilliant plastic surgeon (Antonio Banderas) experiments on a beautiful, volatile woman with the new, indestructible, synthetic skin he’s cre ated Apparently, the good doctor might have more of a past with his patient than first thought. The poster looks very “Nip/Tuck.’ THE SMURFS (PG) The live action/ CGI hybrid version of The Smurfs is not as bad as its atrocious trailers would imply, thanks largely to the smurfish talents of Neil Patrick Harris. Thanks to the clumsy plotting via Clumsy Smurf (v. Anton Yelchin), Papa Smurt (v. Jonathan Winters), Smurfette (v. Katy Perry), Gutsy Smurf (v Alan Gumming), Grouchy Smurf (v. George Lopez), Brainy Smurf (v. Fred Armisen) and Clumsy are chased to New York City by Gargamel (Hank Azaria) and his cat, Azrael. Intriguingly, the scripters throw in unnecessary but welcome nods to the Smurfs' Belgian roots and creator Peyo, a cleverness undercut by their own poor gags and the blandly unattractive movie. TAKE SHELTER (R) You're not alone in thinking that the center is no longer holding and that America is coming undone Curtis (Michael Shannon), a blue-collar guy living in Ohio with his wife, Samantha (Jessica Chastain), and their deaf daughter. Hannah (Tova Stewart), understands exactly what you’re feeling Haunted'by doom-laden visions of the end times—sinister storms, weird bird-flight configura tions. auditory hallucinations and recurring nightmares of being attacked by phantom assailants—Curtis fixates MOVIE LISTINGS Schedules often change after our deadline. Please call ahead. CINE (706-353-3343) check website for show times CineKids: The Iron Giant (PG) 3:00 (F. 11/25-Su. 11/27) Martha Marcy May Marlene (R) 5:15. 8:15 (W. 11/23-Th. 12/1) no show Ih. 11/24 The Skin I Live In (R) 5:30, 8:30 (F. 11/25-Th. 12/1) additional shows: 2:30 (F. 11/25-Su. 11/27) Take Shelter (R) 5:30. 8:30 (ends W. 11/23) Hollywood Cop (NR) 9:00 (Tu. 11/29) The Last Mountain (NR) 5:00 (Tu. 11/29) Accurate movie times for the CARMIKE 12 (706-354-0016), BEECH’VOOD STADIUM 1 1 (706 546 1011) and GEORGIA SQUARE 5 (706 548-3426) cinemas are not available by press time. Visit www.flagpole.com for updated times. Froggy went a-courtin ! on cleaning out the backyard storm shelter in preparation for doomsday Are the visions foreshadowing the Apocalypse or is Curtis just going crazy 7 Arkansas-born director Jeff Nichols' first feature. Shotgun Stories (also starring Shannon), was a solid debut set in the heartland, chronicling a modern-day family feud. Take Shelter is a leap forward, building on his already assured widescreen compositions (courtesy of cinematographer Adam Slone) and an affinity for drawing out naturalistic performances from his cast This time, however, an element of the fantastic binds the narrative, generating a heightened paranoia and unease that is comparable to the subjective psy chological horror of Polanski’s classic Repulsion and Todd Haynes' environ mental body-horror tale Sate. Shannon, an actor who exudes menace even when nothing particularly ominous is occurring, crafts a brilliantly restrained performance as Curtis, adding to his already impressive resume as the character actor of choice with leading- man chops. Take Shelter is not a horror movie in any strict sense. There’s no whiff of the Gothic here or the traces of blood-curdling terror that a slasher movie provides What's unleashed, though, is just as disturbing, if not more so, because of its familiarity. The world has shifted underneath Curtis' feet His duties—to provide for his family, keep his job. pay his bills on time—are recognizable, and the fear of losing it all (including his sanity), especially at a time when society seems to be fraying on a vast scale, makes for distressing though always riveting viewing. Had this bfen released in the gloried 1970s, the decade where its stylistic influences are rooted, it's tempting to imagine the Spielberg of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind helming it for a major studio. With just two movies. Nichols shows remarkable promise as one of the best American filmmakers around. [Hill] TOWER HEIST (PG-13) With the help of a con (Eddie Murphy), a group of working stiffs (including Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Gabourey Sidibe and Michael Pena) plan a Danny Ocean-type heist on the high-rise home of the rich guy that took all of their money in a Ponzi scheme. This action comedy from oft-maligned Brett Ratner, who really missed his decade (imagine the '80s buddy ccp movies he could have made), also stars Tea Leoni. Alan Alda and Judd Hirsch. • THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN—PART 1 (PG- 13) I really wanted to actively dislike the penultimate Twilight movie. I certainly don't feel kindly about the book upon which it's based Yet some how. between the page and screen. Slephenie Meyer's loopy final novel morphed into a bit of a horror movie. While honeymooning, Edward and Bella (Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart) finally do it, and the 18-year- old bride winds up pregnant with a miraculous vampire-human hybrid Director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) pro vides the best looking Twilight movie to date, but he’s still saddled with Meyer's poorly motivated characters and her desperate rewriting of her universe's own rules in order lo escape narrative jams Fortunately, the deadly vampiric pregnancy is a cool angle once the film escapes the overlong first act honey moon, consisting of super softcore love scenes and a lot of chess Billy Burke's wry, understated Charlie remains the series' saving grace, and he's just not around enough to counteract the infu riatingly mopey leads. Taylor Lautner's Jacob still seems like a better option for Bella Thankfully. Meyer's teen-girl- fairy-taL-turned-prolife-screed will be over after one more movie. Drew Wheeler 10 FLAGPOLE.COM NOVEMBER 23. 2011
