It’s SHOCKTOBER!, dear readers.
Sure, I could be using this space to talk about two different Shakespeare adaptations coming our way. I could also be highlighting the performance of Tom Hanks in Captain Phillips, which kind of screams “Nominate me!” But, y’know what? It’s SHOCKTOBER!, and I want to talk about that.
The Art Theater Co-op has been knocking it out of the park lately (as per usual), and the run-up to Halloween is bringing out the best in our beloved local movie emporium. Alien, The Thing, White Zombie, Cabin in the Woods, Carnival of Souls, Rocky Horror, and oh so much more. If you haven’t been in that great auditorium to see an old movie up on the big screen, you’re missing out.
Oh, and by the way, the Art continues to show great independent films, documentaries, and locally made movies all day and all night. And then, this weekend, just for fun…? Shakespeare, beamed in from the London stage.
Impressed yet?
Happy SHOCKTOBER! Here’s this week’s edition of What to Watch.
Enough Said (The Art Theater Co-op): This film serves as the grace note in James Gandolfini’s impressive but all too short career. In the movie, Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Eva, a newly divorced woman who develops a relationship with a man and thenunknowingly becomes friends with his ex-wife.
Why to Watch: I have a confession… I have never been a fan of actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus; I just don’t find her funny. However, I could not be a bigger fan of the late James Gandolfini. One thing I loved about Gandolfini was his understated charm in pretty much everything I have seen him in. Gandolfini was always able to draw the audience in, whether he played a thug, a mob boss, a politician, or… well, I’m just repeating myself. Let’s hope Louis-Dreyfus exhibits some likability in this film to match her co-star.
Showing Monday & Tuesday @ 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday @ 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday @ 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Captain Phillips (Savoy 16 IMAX): A real-life drama about real-life people under the gun when confronted with piracy.
Why to Watch: Aside from its riveting premise, there is the presence of Tom Hanks. Hanks is such an interesting fellow… So well known for playing “good guys” and yet so unafraid of challenges and darkness. Hot on the heels of the extremely ambitious Cloud Atlas, Hanks leaps into this gritty, high-stakes hostage drama and will likely emerge with another Oscar nomination for Best Actor. I’ve chafed at the idea of Hanks as the modern-day successor to Jimmy Stewart, but then I think about what it would be like to see Jimmy Stewart held at gunpoint by pirates, and it doesn’t seem so far off.
Showing @ 12:05 p.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 6:05 p.m., 6:35 p.m., 9 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.
Short Term 12 (The Art Theater Co-op): This film follows a social worker named Grace (Brie Larson) who struggles to make sense of her complicated past while asking those in her care to open up to her about their difficult issues in life. An event occurs that changes her life and forces her to question why she can’t confront herown demons while she continues to help others with theirs.
Why to Watch: This film could very well be one of the films that defines actress Brie Larson’s career. She’s known for playing the object of men’s affection in most of her filmography, but this film allows her to show a dramatic side that I believe could make audiences fall in love with her instead of assuming she is a one-note actress. I also like the fact that this film focuses so much attention on the occupation of social work. The idea that audiences can finally have a look inside such a demanding and often challenging profession is something I think viewers could enjoy.
Showing Friday @ 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (and all next week).
The Art Theater Co-op’s “Shocktober” continues! This week, The Art will feature Halloween fare at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Up first is the truly creepy, vastly underappreciated Carnival of Souls on Wednesday, followed by Thursday’s showing of the Joss Whedon-scripted Cabin in the Woods. Then, hold on to your feather boas as Friday brings a screening of The Rocky Horrow Picture Show. All three come highly recommended, of course.
Romeo and Juliet (Savoy 16 IMAX): Let’s pretend you don’t already know the premise. The story of Romeo, a Montegue and Juliet, a Capulet–the children of tworival families who fall in love and see their love torn asunder by the enmity of their parents.
Why to Watch: English teachers will probably love their students a bit more if they choose to see this. (That’s a guess; no promises.) This is–by my count–the third major theatrical adaptation of the Shakespearian classic in the past three decades. What separates this film from the other readily available versions is a man named Julian Fellowes. Fellowes is the creator of the popular TV costume drama Downton Abbey, and he has a glowing reputation for developing well-scripted costume dramas. Plus, with actors like True Grit’s Hailee Steinfeld and Homeland’s Damien Lewis in the cast, this film has the pedigree to rise above other “Hollywood” adaptations.
Showing @ 11 a.m, 1:35 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6:55 p.m., and 9:40 p.m.
STILL PLAYING
Gravity (Savoy 16 IMAX): Scientist/astronaut Sandra Bullock must survive in space after a catastrophic event during a routine mission.
Why to Watch: Alfonso Cuaron’s visually stunning trip to outer space stars George Clooney as a seasoned astronaut and Sandra Bullock as a scientiest rookie. The two-person crew is sent on a relatively simple mission (if there is such a thing in zero-gravity) when, naturally, Something Goes Wrong. From there on, the film follows Bullock’s character as she attempts to save herself and return to earth. Early buzz on the film is that Bullock’s work is tremendous and that the film’s look and effects are very much worth seeing on the big screen. I will be shocked if Bullock’s performance isn’t heavily touted at Oscar time. If you have the chance to see it in 3D, do it.
Showing in 2D @ 12:40 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:10 p.m., and 9:20 p.m.; in 3D @ 12 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:40 p.m., and 8:50 p.m.; in IMAX 3D @ 11 a.m., 1:10 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 10 p.m.
Don Jon (Savoy 16 IMAX): Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut tells the story of Jon (played by JG-L), his addiction to porn, and how his addiction influences his viewon relationships and what love is to him.
Why to Watch: JG-L wrote, directed, and stars in this film about what love means tosomeone who finds more enjoyment in porn than he does in actual intimacy. This film is superb because it carefully explores how women and men view love differently. No sides are taken; everyone is equally justified and absurd, right and wrong. This film reveals what ticks both genders’ boxes without suggesting that every person requires the same thing to be happy. Scarlett Johansson pulls off a great performance as Barbara, Jon’s “chick flick”-obsessed girlfriend. This film is a great date movie and will surely have you either valuing what you have with your significant other or questioning why you’re in the relationship to begin with. See it.
Showing @ 11:05 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:25 p.m., 5:35 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 9:55 p.m.
COMING SOON (as in THIS WEEKEND)
Mother of George (The Art Theater Co-op): The winner for best cinematography at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, this film follows the struggle of a Nigerian couple in Brooklyn. Isaach De Bankole and The Walking Dead‘s Danai Gurira play a Nigerian couple who, following the joyous celebration of the their wedding, discover that they are unable to coneive a child. This leads to struggles with both family and culture. Directed by Andrew Dosumnu. See the Art’s website for more details and showtimes on this and the following films.
Escape from Tomorrow (The Art Theater Co-op): A big hit at last year’s Ebertfest,this chilling and truly inventive satire of all things Disney has finally gotten wide release. As a father takes his kids to the “happiest place on earth” for a much needed vacation, he discovers that the idyllic park is actually a living nightmare. Shot on the sly in the park itself, without permission, this is nothing short of brilliant.
National Theatre Live: Othello (The Art Theater Co-op): The Art once againpresents the best of London’s theatre scene as Shakespeare’s tale of jealousy and revenge gets a modern military update.
Why to Watch: “O beware my lord of jealousy…” With these words, Iago engages the greatest literary mind-buggering in theatre history. The NTLive productions are always fantastic and entertaining, and this one looks like an emotional powerhouse. The production stars Adrian Lester (a regular on the London stage and in Kenneth Branagh’s film repretory company) as Othello and Rory Kinnear as the sinister Iago.