Alt Weekly: ‘The Gatekeepers’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week puts wronged women and Southern spirits up against the brain-destroying likes of “Warm Bodies” and “Bullet to the Head.”

‘THE GATEKEEPERS’

Filmmaker Cred: This is Dror Moreh’s first documentary since 2008's “Sharon.”

Star Power: No.

Festival/Awards Buzz: This insightful documentary about, and featuring, the heads of Israeli security is one of five contenders for this year’s Best Documentary Academy Award. Here’s our review.

Release Details: Opens in NY/LA this weekend and begins expanding across the country on February 22nd.

See This If … You have an interest in how the best intentions of peace-keeping and anti-terrorism forces can and do go awry.

‘GIRLS AGAINST BOYS’

Filmmaker Cred: Director Austin Chick last directed the 2008 Josh Hartnett drama “August.”

Star Power: Danielle Panabaker, Michael Stahl-David.

Festival/Awards Buzz: This girl-powered exploitation flick premiered to less-than-impressed reviews at last spring’s South by Southwest Film Festival.

Release Details: Only NY and LA this weekend.

See This If … You’re up for a rape-revenge outing and can’t wait for the film’s DVD release at the end of the month.

‘THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT 2: GHOSTS OF GEORGIA’

Filmmaker Cred: This marks Tom Elkins’ directorial debut.

Star Power: Chad Michael Murray, Katee Sackhoff, Cicely Tyson.

Festival/Awards Buzz: Not a peep yet about this in-name-only sequel to 2009's “The Haunting in Connecticut.”

Release Details: Available in select cities and everywhere On Demand starting this Friday.

See This If … You’re still a sucker for this “based on a true story” hokum.

‘KOCH’

Filmmaker Cred: This is the first film from director Neil Barsky.

Star Power: Ed Koch, who passed away with eerie timing just last night.

Festival/Awards Buzz: This documentary about the former NYC mayor saw scarce festival play, premiering at last October’s Hamptons Film Festival.

Release Details: NY this Friday, LA at the start of March, and these markets in between.

See This If … You just really want a glimpse into the life and times of this particular politician.

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

Tags: Alt weekly, Austin chick, Chad michael murray, Danielle Panabaker, Ed koch, Girls Against Boys, Koch, The Gatekeepers, The haunting in connecticut, The haunting in connecticut 2: ghosts of georgia

Weekly Trailer Report: ‘Upside Down’ & ‘Mood Indigo’

This week takes a long look at independent films and horror with scares and laughs galore.

We’ve got a new look at the latest Michel Gondry film, “Mood Indigo.” Otherworldly romance takes on new dimensions in the Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess sci-fi romance “Upside Down,” Rob Lowe makes a stab at behind-the-scenes politics with “Knife Fight” and Nick Offerman is perfectly deadpan hilarious in his role as a confidant in “Somebody Up There Likes Me.”

There’s something here for everyone. Let us know what piques your interest in the comments below.

‘Mood Indigo’

The latest strange film from Michel Gondry continues his foray into the surreal and brings together two lovebirds.
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Omar Sy, Romain Duris
Release Date: 2013

‘Upside Down’

Two young people fall in love, despite living on similar planets with different gravities. Will they ever truly connect?
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Jim Sturgess, Timothy Spall
Release Date: March 15, 2013

‘Would You Rather’

A young woman agrees to take part in a horrific game in order to save her sickly brother.
Starring: Brittany Snow, Jeffrey Combs, Jonny Coyne
Release Date: Feb. 8, 2013

‘Knife Fight’

A political fixer juggles his various clients while considering what it means to protect the guilty.
Starring: Rob Lowe, Jamie Chung, Julie Bowen
Release Date: Jan. 25, 2013

‘Unforgotten Shadows’

This horror film takes us deep into Ukraine and a menace that lurks there.
Starring: Olga Sumskaya, Valeriy Legin, Yuriy Rasstalnoi
Release Date: 2013

‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’

A comedic look at life, love, marriage and friendship that spans the decades.
Starring: Nick Offerman, Keith Poulson, Jess Weixler
Release Date: 2013

‘The Condemned’

This Spanish language film circles around a young woman who returns to her father’s home village, and the mysterious home he left there.
Starring: Miosoti Alvarado, Marisé Alvarez, Axel Anderson
Release Date: 2013

‘Hava Nagila: The Movie’

A documentary look at the history behind the song “Hava Nagila.”
Starring: Harry Belafonte, Glen Campbell, Connie Francis
Release Date: March 15, 2013

‘Bless Me, Ultima’

A man and medicine woman bond during World War II, and work together to defeat evil in their small town.
Starring: Luke Ganalon, Miriam Colon, Benito Martinez
Release Date: Feb. 22, 2013

‘Specter’

Real disasters inform this supernatural thriller.
Starring: Jordan Graham, Michael Frye, Michael Daniel
Release Date: 2013

‘The Teller and the Truth’

A documentary look at a mysterious disappearance that has affected a small town since the 1974 disappearance.
Starring: Mona Lee Fultz, Leilani Galvan, Russell Gustave Ochoa
Release Date: Jan. 18, 2014

‘Into the White’

In this stirring drama, two groups of pilots, German and English, shoot each other down and crash land in a foreign land. The groups must learn to work together to survive.
Starring: Florian Lukas, David Kross, Stig Henrik Hoff
Release Date: 2013

‘The Kitchen’

A group of friends gather to celebrate one girl’s birthday in this hilarious comedy, as old loves and new enemies make their plays for attention.
Starring: Laura Prepon, Bryan Greenberg, Dreama Walker
Release Date: 2013

‘Knights of Badassdom’

When some friends conjure up a demon through their live action role playing, they must soon deal with the outrageous consequences.
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Summer Glau, Margarita Levieva
Release Date: 2013

‘Dead Drop’

An ex-CIA agent is double crossed and will stop at nothing to learn the truth.
Starring: Luke Goss, Cole Hauser, Nestor Carbonell
Release Date: 2013

Categories: Columns, Trailer Roundup

Tags: Audrey Tautou, Axel Anderson, Benito Martinez, Bless Me Ultima, Brittany snow, Bryan Greenberg, Cole Hauser, Dead Drop, Dreama Walker, Hava Nagila, Into the White, Jamie Chung, Jeffrey Combs, Jess Weixler, Jim sturgess, Jonny coyne, Jordan Graham, Julie Bowen, Keith Poulson, Kirsten Dunst, Knife Fight, Knights of Badassdom, Laura prepon, Luke Ganalon, Luke Goss, Marisé Alvarez, Michael Daniel, Michael Frye, Miosoti Alvarado, Miriam Colon, Mood Indigo, Nestor Carbonell, Nick Offerman, Olga Sumskaya, Omar Sy, Rob Lowe, Romain duris, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Specter, The Condemned, The Kitchen, Timothy spall, Unforgotten Shadows, Upside Down, Valeriy Legin, Would You Rather, Yuriy Rasstalnoi

Weekly Trailer Report: ‘Trance,’ ‘Ginger & Rosa’ & More

Amanda Mae Meyncke January 11, 2013

A rollicking bunch of trailers rounds out this week’s dramatic edition!

From the heights of crime and the reaches of the mind comes “Trance,” directed by Danny Boyle. The lovely drama “Ginger and Rosa” takes back to the ’60s and England. Pure evil knows no limitations in the stirring sequel “The Last Exorcism II.”

Check out these hot new trailers, and let us know what catches your eye in the comments below.

‘Trance’

In this stirring drama, an art auctioneer, a hypnotherapist and a thief all collide with millions on the line.
Starring: James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel
Release Date: March 15, 2013

‘The Last Exorcism II’

A young woman attempts to rebuild her life after a horrifying brush with pure evil.
Starring: Ashley Bell, Spencer Treat Clark and Andrew Sensenig
Release Date: March 1, 2013

‘Ginger & Rosa’

This coming-of-age story follows two young girls in the ’60s against the backdrop of war.
Starring: Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks and Alice Englert
Release Date: March 15, 2013

‘Evil Dead’

A dark cabin in the woods. A mysterious incantation. The undead. Friends struggle to survive against the forces of evil in this horror spectacle.
Starring: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez and Jessica Lucas
Release Date: April 12, 2013

‘Filly Brown’

One rough and tumble young woman dreams of a life spitting rhymes, but can she make it in the tough music world?
Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera and Lou Diamond Phillips
Release Date: 2013

‘Wrong’

Surrealism at its finest from the director of “Rubber.” A man searches for his missing dog amidst a host of wild and outrageous characters.
Starring: Jack Plotnick, Eric Judor, Alexis Dziena, Steve Little and William Fichtner
Release Date: 2013

‘Riddle’

A mystery unravels for a young teen girl as she seeks to find the truth behind her brother’s disappearance.
Starring: Elisabeth Harnois, Val Kilmer and Diora Baird
Release Date: Jan. 10, 2013

‘Fairhaven’

One man attempting to get through his father’s funeral is brought back to reality by two of his closest friends.
Starring: Chris Messina, Rich Sommer, Tom O’Brien, Sarah Paulson and Alexie Gilmore
Release Date: Jan. 11, 2013

‘Girls Against Boys’

Two young women go on a bloody crime spree seeking to right all the wrongs done to them by men.
Starring: Danielle Panabaker, Nicole LaLiberte, Liam Aiken and Michael Stahl-David
Release Date: Feb. 1, 2013

‘InAPPropriate Comedy’

In this outrageous comedy, a computer tablet full of offensive apps undermines the moral fabric of the country to hilarious result!
Starring: Rob Schneider, Michelle Rodriguez and Adrien Brody
Release Date: March 22, 2013

‘Sellebrity’

A stirring documentary looks into celebrity culture and the steep price of fame.
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sheryl Crow and Salma Hayek
Release Date: Jan. 11, 2013

‘Side Effects’

A young couple and a therapist become desperately entangled when dangerous psychiatric drugs begin to take hold over the wife’s life in this drama from Steven Soderbergh.
Starring: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Release Date: Feb. 2, 2013

‘Alienate’

In this drama, a man attempting to give his wife some space in their marriage finds himself in the midst of an alien invasion.
Starring: Tatum Langton, Blake Webb and Keith Hottinger
Release Date: 2013

Categories: Columns, Trailer Roundup

Tags: adrien brody, Alexie Gilmore, Alexis Dziena, alice englert, Alienate, Andrew Sensenig, Ashley Bell, Blake Webb, catherine zeta-jones, channing tatum, Chris Messina, Christina Hendricks, Danielle Panabaker, danny boyle, Diora Baird, Elisabeth Harnois, Elle Fanning, Eric Judor, Evil Dead, Fairhaven, Filly Brown, Gina Rodriguez, ginger & rosa, Ginger and Rosa, Girls Against Boys, InAPPropriate Comedy, Jack Plotnick, james mcavoy, jane levy, Jenni Rivera, Jessica Lucas, jude law, Keith Hottinger, Liam Aiken, lou diamond phillips, Michael Stahl-David, Michelle Rodriguez, Nicole LaLiberte, rich sommer, rob schneider, rooney mara, rosario dawson, sarah paulson, Sellebrity, Shiloh Fernandez, Side Effects, Spencer Treat Clark, Steve Little, steven spielberg, Tatum Langton, The Last Exorcism II, Tom O’Brien, trailers, Trance, val kilmer, Vincent Cassel, william fichtner, Wrong, Evil Dead, Danny Boyle, Wrong, Jack Plotnick, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Steven Soderbergh, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Christina Hendricks, Trance, The Last Exorcism Part II, Filly Brown, Fairhaven, Riddle, Girls Against Boys, InAPPropriate Comedy, $ellebrity, Side Effects, James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel, Ashley Bell, Elle Fanning, Alice Englert, Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera, Val Kilmer, Diora Baird, Chris Messina, Tom O'Brien, Sarah Paulson, Danielle Panabaker, Michelle Rodriguez, Adrien Brody, Rooney Mara Previous article Alt Weekly: ‘Struck by Lightning’ and More

Alt Weekly: ‘Struck by Lightning’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week sees redneck troublemakers and monsters in the shadows taking on the cops and crooks of “Gangster Squad.”

‘THE BAYTOWN OUTLAWS’

Filmmaker Cred: This is director Barry Battles’s feature debut.

Star Power: Billy Bob Thornton, Eva Longoria, Andre Braugher.

Festival/Awards Buzz: Garnering a low-key release in the doldrums of winter, we found ourselves moderately amused by this sweaty Southern throwback.

Release Details: Already available on demand, “Outlaws” will also open this Friday in NYC.

See This If … You need something to tide you over until the next re-run of “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

‘STORAGE 24'

Filmmaker Cred: Director Johannes Roberts’s resume includes the admirably direct titles “Roadkill,” “Hellbreeder” and “When Evil Calls.”

Star Power: “Doctor Who” fans may recognize lead actor/co-writer Noel Clarke.

Festival/Awards Buzz: Hardly a peep. UK reviews have not been kind.

Release Details: Also available on demand, this creature feature will see its sole theatrical bow in Columbus, OH.

See This If … You need something to tide you over until the next re-run of “The X-Files.”

‘STRUCK BY LIGHTNING’

Filmmaker Cred: Chris Colfer (“Glee”) wrote the screenplay and stars, while director Brian Dannelly previously demonstrated teen movie chops with 2004's “Saved!”

Star Power: Colfer, Rebel Wilson, Allison Janney, Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney.

Festival/Awards Buzz: Word since its Tribeca premiere last spring hasn’t been too hot, with our own reviewer left similarly unimpressed.

Release Details: Currently available on demand as well, this will hit NY, LA, Denver, Phoenix, Columbus and Portland, OR, this weekend.

See This If … You need something to tide you over until the next re-run of (… wait for it …) “Glee.”

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

Tags: alt weekly, billy bob thornton, chris colfer, doctor who, eva longoria, glee, noel clarke, rebel wilson, Storage 24, Struck by Lightning, the baytown outlaws, Struck By Lightning, Rebel Wilson, Eva Longoria, Chris Colfer, The Baytown Outlaws, Storage 24, Billy Bob Thornton, Noel Clarke, Allison Janney, Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney

Alt Weekly: ‘West of Memphis’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week sees two final awards contenders sneaking under the wire in the shadow of heavy-hitters “Django Unchained” and “Les Miserables.”

‘PROMISED LAND’

Filmmaker Cred: This is the latest directorial effort from Gus Van Sant (“Milk,” “Good Will Hunting”) and the first screenplay co-written between stars Matt Damon and John Krasinski.
Star Power: Damon, Krasinski, Frances McDormand, Hal Holbrook, Rosemarie DeWitt.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This small-town drama skipped the festival circuit, and reviews so far have been mixed. You can read our very positive thoughts on the film right here.
Release Details: In several markets this Friday, with further nationwide expansion scheduled for next week.
See This If… You’re in the mood for a rather Capra-esque character study over the holidays.

‘WEST OF MEMPHIS’

Filmmaker Cred: Director Amy Berg made the heartbreaking 2006 documentary, “Deliver Us From Evil.”
Star Power: The West Memphis Three themselves — Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelley, Jr. — as well as advocates Henry Rollins, Eddie Vedder and producer Peter Jackson.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This comprehensive re-examination of the WM3 case, previously tackled in the “Paradise Lost” films, stirred up much righteous anger after its Sundance premiere last January. Reviews have been almost uniformly positive.
Release Details: NY/LA on Christmas Day, with more markets to follow.
See This If… You can stomach two and a half hours of (rightfully) infuriating true crime investigation.

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

Tags: alt weekly, amy berg, Gus Van Sant, john krasinski, matt damon, Paradise Lost, peter jackson, Promised Land, West Memphis 3, west memphis three, West of Memphis, West of Memphis, Promised Land

Weekly Trailer Report: ‘The Place Beyond the Pines,’ ‘Scary Movie 5′ & More

As we sit recovering from all the happy holiday goings-on, we’ve got a spate of new trailers that are sure to please.

First up is the Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper drama “The Place Beyond the Pines,” which isn’t a Twin Peaks-themed feature but instead a thrilling criminal cat and mouse game. Another film we’re getting a first look at is “Scary Movie 5,” starring Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen in a stunning bit of self-mockery.

With all these fantastic trailers, there’s something for everyone in the mix. Let us know what tickles your year-end fancy in the comments!

‘The Place Beyond the Pines’

A motorcycle stuntman turns criminal in order to provide for his family, which pits him against a cop determined to solve his crimes.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes
Release Date: March 20, 2013

‘Scary Movie 5'

The latest entry in the parody series takes on a few of the biggest horror films in recent years.
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen and Terry Crews
Release Date: April 12, 2013

‘Aftershock’

A horror film that follows a group of travelers caught in the chaos following a massive earthquake as humans turn against one another in the aftermath.
Starring: Eli Roth, Andrea Osvárt and Ariel Levy
Release Date: 2013

‘The Gatekeepers’

A documentary that interviews six of the leaders of Shin Bet, an Israeli security agency shrouded in secrecy.
Director: Dror Moreh
Release Date: Feb. 20, 2013

‘Let My People Go’

A young gay Jewish man finds himself back in Paris with his family after a breakup.
Starring: Nicolas Maury, Carmen Maura and Jean-François Stévenin
Release Date: 2013

‘The Other Fellow’

A documentary that explores the trials and tribulations of men who share the name James Bond with one of the most famous spies in history.
Release Date: 2013

Categories: Columns, Trailer Roundup

Tags: aftershock, Let My People Go, Scary Movie 5, The Gatekeepers, The Other Fellow, The Place Beyond The Pines

Weekly Trailer Report: ‘This Is the End,’ ‘To the Wonder’ & More

It’s a great week to be a movie lover as we’ve got some of the biggest releases of the new year, all lined up for you. Our heavy hitters for this week include surprising new looks at Terrence Malick’s new film, “To the Wonder,” as well as the comedy “This Is the End,” and a new trailer for “The Great Gatsby” as well.

There’s plenty of thrills, chills, laughs and romance in the rest of the bunch, so check them out and let us know what you love in the comments below.

‘This Is the End’

A group of celebrities are forced to come to terms with their own mortality when the world ends.
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and James Franco
Release Date: June 14, 2013

‘Tyler Perry Presents: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor’

A marriage counselor’s life is thrown into chaos when she begins to fall for one of her own clients.
Starring: Jurnee Smollett, Vanessa Williams and Kim Kardashian
Release Date: March 29, 2013

‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’

Steve Carell stars as a big time Las Vegas magician who, along with his partner, has been on top of the magic world for three decades until a new magician with a flashier, more modern style shows up and horns in on the action.
Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi and Jim Carrey
Release Date: March 15, 2012

‘To the Wonder’

From director Terrence Malick comes a story of love, loss, romance and great beauty.
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Olga Kurylenko and Ben Affleck
Release Date: April 12, 2013

‘Turbo’

In this animated entry, a slimy green snail dreams of racing in the Indy 500.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Luis Guzman and Bill Hader
Release Date: July 19, 2012

‘The Great Gatsby’

The opulent life and destructive times of the fabulous and great Jay Gatsby, as imagined by director Baz Luhrmann.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton
Release Date: May 10, 2013

‘Pain and Gain’

A pair of meathead gymrats concoct a plan to get rich by kidnapping an innocent man.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Rebel Wilson
Release Date: June 14, 2013

‘Star Trek Into Darkness’

While exploring new worlds, the crew of the Enterprise must battle an insidious foe.
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana
Release Date: May 17, 2013

‘Phantom’

Soviet submarines! Secret missions! Intrigue and dark thrills!
Starring: Ed Harris, David Duchovny and William Fichtner
Release Date: March 1, 2013

‘Ex-Girlfriends’

In this science fiction adventure, a father and son explore and fight to stay alive in a world abandoned by humans nearly 1,000 years earlier.
Starring: Jennifer Carpenter, Kristen Connolly and Alexander Poe
Release Date: TBD

‘Smurfs 2'

Gargamel continues his plan to destroy the happy Smurfs and their world by creating a race of Naughties!
Starring: Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays and Katy Perry
Release Date: July 31, 2013

‘Drift’

A band of surfing Australian brothers embark on a new enterprise that may very well tear their family apart.
Starring: Sam Worthington, Xavier Samuel and Lesley-Ann Brandt
Release Date: 2013

‘May I Kill U?’

In this dark comedy, one British cop goes full throttle in his hunt for criminals to punish.
Starring: Kevin Bishop, Jack Doolan and Frances Barber
Release Date: 2013

‘The Butterfly Room’

A terrifying secret threatens to come to light in this horror film that pits neighbors, mothers and daughters against one another.
Starring: Barbara Steele, Ray Wise and Erica Leerhsen
Release Date: 2012

‘Broken City’

A new trailer for the cops and politicians thriller takes an extended look into the relationships and intrigue.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Release Date: Jan. 18, 2013

‘I’m So Excited’

This comedic teaser takes a quirky look at a group of Spanish flight attendants, but who knows what the movie is about yet!
Starring: Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Paz Vega
Release Date: 2013

‘Intersections’

A young couple on their honeymoon in the Mexican desert find themselves in the midst of a deadly struggle for their very lives.
Starring: Jaimie Alexander, Frank Grillo and Charlie Bewley
Release Date: 2013

Categories: Columns, Trailer Roundup

Alt Weekly: ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week puts the hunt for Osama bin Laden and the aftermath of 2004's devastating tsunami up against the likes of “Jack Reacher,” “The Guilt Trip” and “This is 40.”

‘AMOUR’

Filmmaker Cred: This is the latest endurance test from acclaimed director Michael Haneke (“Caché,” “The White Ribbon”).
Star Power: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, a pigeon.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This harrowing drama concerning the limits of an elderly couple’s devotion to one another premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it won the coveted Palme D’Or prize. Here is our review from the New York Film Festival.
Release Details: NY/LA this Friday, and these markets to follow.
See This If… You’re willing and able to cope with a very deliberate look at the horrifying heartbreak that comes with old age.

‘THE IMPOSSIBLE’

Filmmaker Cred: Director J.A. Bayona made his debut with the 2007 ghost story, “The Orphanage.”
Star Power: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This intense look at the impact of 2004's South Asian tsunami and one family’s struggle to reunite in the aftermath premiered to strong praise at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, though some criticize the more tear-jerking second half. Our review can be found here.
Release Details: 14 screens across the country this week, with further expansion to follow in January.
See This If… You won’t let the queasy subject matter get in the way of some tremendous performances and visual effects work.

‘NOT FADE AWAY’

Filmmaker Cred: This is the first film from “The Sopranos” showrunner David Chase.
Star Power: James Gandolfini.

Festival/Awards Buzz: A semiautobiographical look at New Jersey teens attempting to start their own rock band in the ’60s, we reviewed it following its New York Film Festival bow in October.
Release Details: Two screens in NYC this weekend, along with one in LA.
See This If… You’re interested in a “struggles of a band” story that’s a little less rose-tinted than “Almost Famous” or “That Thing You Do!”.

‘ON THE ROAD’

Filmmaker Cred: Director Walter Salles (“The Motorcycle Diaries”) finally brings Jack Kerouac’s classic Beat novel to the big screen.
Star Power: Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Viggo Mortensen, Amy Adams, Kirsten Dunst.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This long-awaited, star-studded adaptation debuted to mixed reviews at Cannes, but has since been recut and reportedly improved in time for the fall’s film festivals. Our reviewer approved.
Release Details: NY/LA this weekend, although expansion plans are ill-defined at the moment.
See This If… You’re eager to see Kerouac’s prose translated to the silver screen.

‘ZERO DARK THIRTY’

Filmmaker Cred: Kathryn Bigelow took home the Best Director Oscar for her last war drama, 2009's “The Hurt Locker.”
Star Power: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, James Gandolfini, Mark Strong, Mark Duplass, Kyle Chandler.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This docudrama about the manhunt that led to the death of Osama bin Laden skipped the festival circuit, yet has earned considerable year-end acclaim all the same, including our own.
Release Details: NY/LA this Wednesday, with plans to expand nationwide on January 11th.
See This If… You’re likely to be engaged by a film that places more of an emphasis on intelligence gathering and moral ambiguity than hardcore action (although the climactic raid certainly satisfies in that regard).

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

Tags: alt weekly, Amour, amy adams, david chase, ewan mcgregor, garrett hedlund, j.a. bayona, jack kerouac, james gandolfini, jason clarke, jessica chastain, kathryn bigelow, Kirsten Dunst, kristen stewart, michael haneke, naomi watts, not fade away, On the Road, Sam Riley, The Impossible, walter salles, Zero Dark Thirty, On the Road, Amour, Not Fade Away, Zero Dark Thirty

Alt Weekly: ‘Any Day Now’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week pits “The Girl” and some “Stand Up Guys” against the wee lads of “The Hobbit.”

‘ANY DAY NOW’
Filmmaker Cred: Travis Fine previously directed the 2011 drama “The Space Between.”
Star Power: Alan Cumming, Garret Dillahunt, Frances Fisher.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This gay rights drama premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last April. The majority of reviews since have been positive.
Release Details: Opens in about a dozen markets this Friday.
See This If… You’re open to seeing a real-life custody battle treated with sensitive direction and some strong performances.

‘THE GIRL’
Filmmaker Cred: This is writer/director David Riker’s first film since 1998's “La Ciudad (The City).”
Star Power: Abbie Cornish, Will Patton.
Festival/Awards Buzz: A fellow Tribeca alum, this immigration drama has earned some modest praise for Cornish’s headstrong performance.
Release Details: NY and LA for a one-week qualifying run before releasing wider next year.
See This If… You’re keen to check out a single-mom drama set on the Tex-Mex border, a la “Frozen River.”

‘SAVE THE DATE’
Filmmaker Cred: Director Michael Mohan’s last feature was 2010's “One Too Many Mornings.”
Star Power: Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Mark Webber, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend.
Festival/Awards Buzz: We enjoyed the film at Sundance, albeit with some caveats.
Release Details: Currently available on demand, this opens the 14th in NY/LA.
See This If… You’re not yet fed up with the relationship problems of white twentysomethings.

‘STAND UP GUYS’
Filmmaker Cred: This marks the latest directorial effort by actor Fisher Stevens.
Star Power: Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin.
Festival/Awards Buzz: This dark crime comedy made a quiet debut at the Chicago International Film Festival in October, and, as our review indicates, that may have been for good reason.
Release Details: Strictly NY/LA this week to qualify for 2012 awards, due for a wide release come February 1st.
See This If… You’re a die-hard fan of Viagra jokes and nostalgia among crooks.

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

Tags: abbie cornish, al pacino, alan cumming, Alison Brie, alt weekly, Any Day Now, Christopher Walken, david riker, Fisher Stevens, garret dillahunt, Lizzy Caplan, mark webber, Save the Date, Stand Up Guys, the girl, Christopher Walken, Save the Date, Stand Up Guys, Alan Arkin, Al Pacino, Any Day Now, The Girl, Alan Cumming, Garret Dillahunt, Frances Fisher, Abbie Cornish, Will Patton, Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Mark Webber, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend, Fisher Stevens

Weekly Trailer Report: ‘Pacific Rim,’ ‘Man of Steel’ & More

Science fiction and adventure rule the day in this week’s trailer report, from brand new looks at the monster and robot thriller “Pacific Rim” and the tremendously exciting Superman reboot “Man of Steel,” to Tom Cruise exploring a deserted Earth in “Oblivion” and Will Smith fighting to stay alive on a hostile planet in “After Earth.”

Further first looks at stirring documentaries, spooky thrillers and tough dramas abound.

With such a strong showing this week, you’re sure to find plenty to please you! Let us know what strikes your fancy in the comments below.

‘Pacific Rim’

Our first look at the new science fiction action film from director Guillermo del Toro gives us a peek at monsters, high tech and ultimate destruction!
Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi
Release Date: July 12, 2013

‘Man of Steel’

The first full-length trailer for the new take on Superman leaves us breathless.
Starring: Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe and Amy Adams
Release Date: June 14, 2013

‘After Earth’

In this science fiction adventure, a father and son explore and fight to stay alive in a world abandoned by humans nearly a thousand years earlier.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith and Isabelle Fuhrman
Release Date: June 7, 2013

‘Oblivion’

Earth is a strange and distant memory but when one man discovers the truth behind the myths surrounding the destruction of the planet, it has consequences far beyond his imagining.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman and Andrea Riseborough
Release Date: April 19, 2013

‘Yelling to the Sky’

A young girl must fight for her own survival amidst the ruins of her family life and the prospect of an uncertain future.
Starring: Jason Clarke, Zoë Kravitz and Tim Blake Nelson
Release Date: Dec. 14, 2012

‘The Haunting in Connecticut 2: The Ghosts of Georgia’

A family is terrorized by the supernatural in this terrifying ghost story based on a true story.
Starring: Katee Sackhoff, Chad Michael Murray and Abigail Spencer
Release Date: TBD

‘Welcome to the Punch’

A dangerous criminal and a skilled detective match wits in London.
Starring: James McAvoy, David Morrissey and Mark Strong
Release Date: March 15, 2013

‘The Lone Ranger’

The new trailer for the Western adventure showcases the rise of a legend and his Native American spirit warrior.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and Tom Wilkinson
Release Date: July 3, 2013

‘Koch’

This documentary takes a long look at the 105th mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, and his impact on the city and politics.
Starring: Ed Koch
Release Date: TBD

‘Hammer of the Gods’

This action adventure follows the path of a ferocious young warrior and his search for justice in battle.
Starring: Charlie Bewley, Clive Standen and James Cosmo
Release Date: 2013

‘The Girl’

A young mother who finds herself at the mercy of the foster system begins to smuggle Mexicans across the border and gets involved in something far greater.
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Will Patton and Luci Christian
Release Date: March 2013

Categories: Columns, Trailer Roundup

Tags: Man of Steel, Pacific Rim

Alt Weekly: ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week, love is in the air as Russian socialites and Philly neurotics dare to take on the smitten vampires and werewolves of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.”

‘ANNA KARENINA’

Filmmaker Cred: Joe Wright previously directed “Hanna,” “Atonement” and “Pride & Prejudice.”

Star Power: “Atonement” and “Pride” star Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Johnson, Kelly Macdonald.

Festival/Awards Buzz: Wright’s reportedly lavish adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel premiered at Toronto last September, where our reviewer found himself unmoved by the end result.

Release Details: 16 screens as of this Friday, and due for nationwide expansion over the coming weeks.

See This If… You’re always up for the latest Keira Knightley period piece.

‘FUNERAL KINGS’

Filmmaker Cred: This is the feature debut of writers/directors/brothers Kevin and Matthew McManus.

Star Power: Kevin Corrigan in a supporting role.

Festival/Awards Buzz: This coming-of-age comedy was a foul-mouthed favorite at South by Southwest, where we reviewed it.

Release Details: Just LA this weekend.

See This If… The thought of two altar boys playing hooky after every funeral service they serve already tickles your funny bone.

‘MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD’

Filmmaker Cred: This is the latest documentary from the prolific Alex Gibney (“Inside Job,” “Taxi to the Dark Side”).

Star Power: Um, the Catholic Church?

Festival/Awards Buzz: Gibney’s extensive look at accusations of clerical pedophilia likewise premiered at Toronto. Our reviewer found the material tough to take, but ultimately worth watching.

Release Details: One screen each in NY and LA this week before an eventual HBO premiere.

See This If… You’re both willing and able to watch a sobering yet well-made documentary that treads where “Funeral Kings” dares not to go.

‘SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK’

Filmmaker Cred: Writer-director David O. Russell previously made “The Fighter,” “Three Kings” and “I Heart Huckabees.”

Star Power: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Julia Stiles.

Festival/Awards Buzz: The response to this bi-polar rom-com has rarely been short of rapturous, and our own review falls in line with the widespread praise.

Release Details: 15 screens in the top 10 markets this Friday, with a wider release to 400+ screens in time for Thanksgiving.

See This If… You’re trying to keep up with the current Oscar front-runners. (It’s pretty much this and “Argo” at this point in the game.)

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

Tags: Aaron Johnson, alt weekly, Anna Karenina, David O. Russell, funeral kings, Jennifer Lawrence, mea maxima culpa, Silver Linings Playbook

Weekly Trailer Report: ‘The Mortal Instruments,’ ‘Oz,’ ‘Europa’ and More

A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and before you know it, Friday’s here again and we’ve whipped up a special trailer report, just for you.

A dramatic new vintage trailer for the Lindsay Lohan starrer “The Canyons,” a riotous drinking romp with “21 and Over” and a tender father and son drama “In Our Nature.”

Fantasy and adventure turn in a strong showing this week, with the mysterious space jaunt “Europa,” a new trailer for the James Franco film “Oz the Great and Powerful” and a new alien infiltration film from the mind of Twilight scribe Stephenie Meyer, “The Host.”

Horror rears its ugly head with a massive collaboration, “The ABCs of Death,” as well as the afterlife inspired “Hellgate,” bringing up the rear is the shocking prison drama “K-11.”

The hodge podge of leftovers includes an animated film about a cat seeking religion, “The Rabbi’s Cat,” as well as a documentary exploring the nature of young love, “Only the Young.”

‘Oz the Great and Powerful’

A fantastical exploration into the origin of the Wizard of Oz, and the struggles he faces in uniting the land of Oz.
Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz
Release Date: March 8, 2013

’21 and Over’

Two friends seek to give their friend the birthday party of a lifetime, on the eve of his medical entrance exam.
Starring: Miles Teller, Justin Chon and Skylar Astin
TV Release Date: March 1, 2013

‘The Host’

This drama follows a romance between a young man and a girl inhabited by an alien life force.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger and Max Irons
Release Date: March 29, 2013

‘Europa’

Little is known about this mysterious film, but we do know it centers on a cadre of astronauts sent to Jupiter’s icy moon.
Starring: Christian Camargo, Sharlto Copley and Michael Nyqvist
Release Date: 2013

‘The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones’

A young girl’s life is destroyed when her mother is taken from her, opening her eyes to a whole new fantastical world where she may hold the power to save humanity.
Starring: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower and Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Release Date: Aug. 23, 2013

‘In Our Nature’

In this drama, a father and son struggle to reconcile the past, over a long weekend with their new lovers.
Starring: Jena Malone, Gabrielle Union, John Slattery and Zach Gilford
Release Date: Dec. 7, 2012

‘The Canyons’

From the minds of Paul Schrader and Bret Easton Ellis comes a tale of sex, drugs and youth, set in Los Angeles. This second trailer for the film is campy, through and through.
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, James Deen and Gus Van Sant
Release Date: TBD

‘The Rabbi’s Cat’

An animated adventure that follows the exploits of a 1920s talking cat who wishes to convert to Judaism.
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Hafsia Herzi and Mohamed Fellag
Release Date: Dec. 14, 2012

‘The ABCs of Death’

NSFW: A horror film from 26 different writers and directors that explores the violence and gruesome nature of the alphabet of death and destruction.
Starring: Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Iván González and Kyra Zagorsky
Release Date: March 8, 2013

‘Hellgate’

A businessman’s life is shattered when his family is torn from him, and he finds himself seemingly trapped between two worlds.
Starring: Liz Burnette, Cary Elwes, William Hurt and John Henbest
Release Date: TBD

‘K-11'

After coming off a drug and alcohol high, a record producer finds himself in a section of the Los Angeles prison reserved for transsexuals in this dramatic thriller.
Starring: Goran Visnjic, Kate del Castillo and D.B. Sweeney
Release Date: TBD

‘Only the Young’

A documentary centering on three different teenagers and their romantic yearnings.
Starring: Kristen Cheriegate, Kevin Conway and Skye Elmore
Release Date: TBD

Categories: Columns, Trailer Roundup

Tags: 21 and Over, europa, Hellgate, In our Nature, K-11, Only the Young, Oz: The Great and Powerful, the ABCs of death, The Canyons, The Host, The Rabbi's Cat, The Host, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Alt Weekly: ‘A Royal Affair’ and More

Welcome back to Alt Weekly, a column in which we shine a spotlight on the independent films brave enough to open opposite Hollywood’s behemoth blockbusters before rolling out in wider release.

This week, monarchs and mutant hoodlums take on Bond, James Bond, in “Skyfall.”

‘CITADEL’

Filmmaker Cred: Writer-director Ciaran Foy’s feature debut.

Star Power: Not really.

Festival/Awards Buzz: This thriller premiered at South by Southwest last March and went on to win the Midnight Audience Award there. Our review can be found right here.

Release Details: Only NY this Friday, but expanding to LA next week and these cities after that.

See This If… You’re not too jumpy for an agoraphobic thriller about a young man, his young son and some very feral locals.

‘THE COMEDY’

Filmmaker Cred: Director/co-writer Rick Alverson previously directed 2011's “New Jerusalem.”

Star Power: Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim (“Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie”), LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Gregg Turkington (better known as intentionally wretched stand-up comedian Neil Hamburger).

Festival/Awards Buzz: This film earned walk-outs at its Sundance premiere. Read our review to understand why.

Release Details: In addition to already being available On Demand, it will open in these select theaters this weekend.

See This If… You’re a fan of humor that makes you cringe, and you’re not easily offended.

‘IN THEIR SKIN’

Filmmaker Cred: This marks Jeremy Regimbal’s directorial debut.

Star Power: Selma Blair, James D’Arcy.

Festival/Awards Buzz: Our own Eric D. Snider was a fan of this thriller out of the Tribeca Film Festival last spring, when it was known as “Replicas.” Read his review here.

Release Details: At the IFC Center this weekend, and already available On Demand.

See This If… You’re in the mood for a creepy home-invasion thriller.

‘NATURE CALLS’

Filmmaker Cred: Writer-director Todd Rohal previously brought us “The Catechism Cataclysm.”

Star Power: Patton Oswalt, Johnny Knoxville, Rob Riggle, Maura Tierney, Patrice O’Neal in his last film role.

Festival/Awards Buzz: The response to this camping comedy was understandably mixed out of SXSW.

Release Details: In NY/LA theaters this Friday, and it’s currently available On Demand.

See This If… Cursing kids are all it takes to get a giggle.

‘A ROYAL AFFAIR’

Filmmaker Cred: Director Nikolaj Arcel has a storied Danish film career but has yet to really cross over to Stateside audiences.

Star Power: Mads Mikkelsen is best known as the villain from “Casino Royale,” while Alicia Vikander is already earning acclaim for her supporting turn in this month’s “Anna Karenina.”

Festival/Awards Buzz: This historical drama premiered at Berlin last February and has gone on to earn overwhelmingly positive reviews. We gave it an A-.

Release Details: These theaters in NY, LA and Chicago this week, before expanding in the coming weeks.

See This If… You love 18th-century love in all its loveliness.

Categories: Alt Weekly, Columns

Tags: A Royal Affair, alicia vikander, alt weekly, ciaran foy, Citadel, in their skin, james d'arcy, Johnny Knoxville, Mads Mikkelsen, Nature Calls, nikolaj arcel, patton oswalt, replicas, rick alverson, Selma Blair, The Comedy, Tim Heidecker, todd rohal, Nature Calls, Replicas, The Comedy, A Royal Affair, Citadel, Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Selma Blair, Patton Oswalt, Johnny Knoxville, Rob Riggle, Maura Tierney, Patrice O'Neal, Mads Mikkelsen

Weekly Trailer Report: ‘World War Z,’ ‘Warm Bodies’ and More

The weekly trailer report is here, and with it, a host of new movies to excite your eyeballs and brain cells.

A few big budget blockbusters, including the Brad Pitt zombie outbreak film “World War Z,” and the continuation of Channing Tatum’s star power takeover in “G.I. Joe Retaliation,” hit the airwaves. Also up is the latest Steven Soderbergh film about the dangers of psychiatry and medication, “Side Effects.”

Action makes a strong showing with Andy Garcia as an ex-CIA operative on a dark mission in “A Dark Truth,” and Arnold Schwarzenegger returns to the screen as a sheriff up against a hostile drug lord in “The Last Stand.” There’s plenty of horror for the shock enthusiasts among us, including a Santa Claus killer in “Silent Night,” Elijah Wood making an appearance as a slasher in “Maniac” and a case of creepy kids ruining a couple’s vacation in “Come Out and Play.”

The much lauded documentary “West of Memphis” gets a trailer, and smaller indie gems such as the zombie love story with a twist, “Warm Bodies,” the dark murder romantic comedy “Country Cottage,” the biopic about the life of a Brazilian soccer star, “Heleno,” and the quirky film about an Italian horror film sound effects producer, “Berberian Sound Studio,” flourish.

As always, we want to hear what gets your pulse pounding, so let us know which of these films excites you.

‘Warm Bodies’

When a zombie falls in love with a girl, their romance may shake up the undead world in a way that’s never been seen before.
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer and John Malkovich
Release Date: Feb. 1, 2013

‘Jurassic Park 3D’

The 20th anniversary of “Jurassic Park” sees the film about a dinosaur theme park gone wrong with a 3-D release!
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum
Release Date: April 5, 2013

‘World War Z’

A United Nations employee struggles in his attempts to stop a violent zombie outbreak across the globe.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and David Morse
Release Date: June 21, 2013

‘Side Effects’

In this thriller from director Steven Soderbergh, a married couple deals with the fallout of the wife’s prescription drug problem as the husband is released from jail.
Starring: Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum and Jude Law
Release Date: Feb. 8, 2013

‘G.I. Joe Retaliation’

The G.I. Joes are at it again in their battle against Cobra, but also face extreme measures from within their own government.
Starring: Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson and Ray Park
Release Date: March 29, 2013

‘The Last Stand’

A sheriff and his staff are all that stand between an escaped drug warlord and freedom.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eduardo Noriega and Forest Whitaker
Release Date: Jan. 18, 2013

‘Maniac’

NSFW: A horror film revolving around the quiet owner of a mannequin shop and a beautiful young artist who seeks his assistance and unwittingly unleashes his urge to kill.
Starring: Elijah Wood, America Olivo and Liane Balaban
Release Date: Dec. 26, 2012

‘A Dark Truth’

An ex-CIA operative is called back into duty when an explosive secret is uncovered in Ecuador.
Starring: Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria and Forest Whitaker
Release Date: Jan 4, 2013

‘Heleno’

A dramatic biopic revolving around the life of tragic soccer star Heleno de Freitas.
Starring: Rodrigo Santoro, Priscila Assum and Othon Bastos
Release Date: Dec. 7, 2012

‘Cottage Country’

An intended country proposal gone wrong leads to murder in this dark comedy.
Starring: Malin Åkerman, Lucy Punch and Tyler Labine
Release Date: TBD

‘Silent Night’

A serial killer Santa is on the loose in a small Midwestern town, much to the chagrin of local law enforcement.
Starring: Jaime King, Malcolm McDowell and Ellen Wong
Release Date: Nov. 30, 2012

‘Escape from Planet Earth’

An animated adventure that finds an alien astronaut in deep trouble when he responds to an SOS from a hostile planet.
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker and James Gandolfini
TV Release Date: Feb. 14, 2013

‘West of Memphis’

A documentary exploration of the mishandling of the case against the West Memphis Three.
Starring: Jason Baldwin, Damien Wayne Echols and Jessie Misskelley
Release Date: Dec. 25, 2012

‘Come Out and Play’

A horror thriller that tracks a couple on vacation who visit a strange island and face terrifying consequences.
Starring: Daniel Giménez Cacho, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Vinessa Shaw
Release Date: TBD

‘Berberian Sound Studio’

In this horror comedy, life begins to imitate art as a sound engineers works on the sound effects for an Italian horror film.
Starring: Tonia Sotiropoulou, Toby Jones and Susanna Cappellaro
Release Date: TBD

Categories: Columns, Trailer Roundup

Tags: A Dark Truth, berberian sound studio, Come Out and Play, Country Cottage, Escape from Planet Earth, Heleno, Maniac, Silent Night, The Last Stand, West of Memphis, world war z, Warm Bodies, Berberian Sound Studio, World War Z, A Dark Truth, Come Out and Play, Escape From Planet Earth, Heleno, Maniac, Silent Night, The Last Stand, West of Memphis