Coming Attractions.

On Autómata And The Rest Of This Weekend's Special And Wide Releases.

Autómata.
Director: Gabe Ibáñez.
Writer: Gabe Ibáñez, Igor Legarreta, Javier Sánchez Donate.
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Dylan McDermott, Melanie Griffith, Robert Forster.
Playing At: AMC Grapevine Mills.

Here are four words I'm so delighted to write: Antonio Banderas is back! He never really left, I suppose, having lent his voice to the Shrek series and taking on smaller roles (including a turn in The Expendables 3, which you probably missed). But if you’re into sci-fi and Banderas taking charge, Autómata is a movie for you.

Men, Women & Children.
Director: Jason Reitman.
Writer: Chad Kultgen (novel); Jason Reitman, Erin Cressida Wilson (screenplay).
Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Judy Greer, J.K. Simmons, Dean Norris, Ansel Elgort, Kaitlyn Dever, Emma Thompson.
Playing At: Angelika Dallas.

How can you say no to a Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Thank You for Smoking) movie with a stellar cast like the one Men, Women & Children has? Well, you can, turns out. I've seen it and am here to tell you that skipping this will do your frustration wonders. Check my full review when it comes later.

Addicted.
Director: Bille Woodruff.
Writer: Christina Welsh, Ernie Barbarash (screenplay); Zane (novel).
Cast: Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, John Newberg.
Playing At: Everywhere.

Director Bille Woodruff's career has survived off spinoffs and sequels, but now he can add book-to-film adaptation to his resume. Addicted is the name, and it's about an art dealer who puts its all on the line — her job and family — when she begins an affair with a painter.

Pump.
Director: Joshua Tickell, Rebecca Harrell Tickell.
Writer: Johnny O'Hara.
Cast: Adhemar Altieri, Dr. Greg Anderson, Edwin Black.
Playing At: Texas Theatre.

Pump is a 2014 documentary on America's affinity for oil, but I saw this in 2007 when it was called There Will Be Blood.

Pride.
Director: Matthew Warchus.
Writer: Stephen Beresford.
Cast: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West.
Playing At: Angelika Dallas, Angelika Plano.

Since science only made me one man, I can't make every screening for every movie, every week. And there's always one movie I wish I caught before writing this feature so that I can talk more about it. This week, it's the cheerful Pride, starring Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead), Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter series) and Dominic West (The Wire). It's set in 1984 and is about U.K. gay activists doing their thing to help miners during the National Union of Mineworkers strike.

Meet the Mormons.
Director: Blair Treu.
Playing At: Everywhere.

If the title hasn't spoiled the movie, I will: It's about Mormons. Six, actually. And, seemingly, their diverse lives as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kill the Messenger.
Director: Michael Cuesta.
Writer: Peter Landesman (screenplay); Gary Webb (Dark Alliance novel); Nick Schou (Kill the Messenger novel).
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Robert Patrick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Michael Kenneth Williams, Andy Garcia, Rosemarie DeWitt, Paz Vega, Oliver Platt, Tim Blake Nelson.
Playing At: Landmark Magnolia.

Kill the Messenger is based on a tragically true story about journalist Gary Webb, an American investigative reporter who killed himself after losing his career for an article exposing the CIA for aiding the Nicaraguan Contras rebel army by selling cocaine in ghetto parts of the U.S. Yeah, it's deep. And it stars two actors whose talents you will never need to doubt: Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Smashed).

The Judge.
Director: David Dobkin.
Writer: Nick Schenk, Bill Dubuque (screenplay); Nick Schenk, David Dobkin (story).
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga.
Playing At: Everywhere.

Director David Dobkin is the guy who brought you the classics Fred Claus, Shanghai Knights and The Change-Up. If, for some tragic reason, you liked those movies, there's a chance you won’t hate this one. But to be fair to Dobkin also directed Wedding Crashers and I remember that being truly funny. So there's that. And since this stars two of the greatest Roberts in Hollywood — Downey Jr and Duvall — maybe Dobkin has decided to take his career seriously. It's still buy my movie ticket with caution.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Director: Miguel Arteta.
Writer: Rob Lieber (screenplay); Rob Lieber (screen story); Judith Viorst (book).
Cast: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Ed Oxenbould, Megan Mullally.
Playing At: Everything.

I think it's against the law to hate a children’s book adaptation, right? I haven't seen Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, I admit. But I have read the book and can empathize with the fella. I have a good feeling this is probably the movie you will want to take your family to this weekend.

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead.
Director: Tommy Wirkola.
Writer: Stig Frode Henriksen, Vegar Hoel, Tommy Wirkola.
Cast: Vegar Hoel, Ørjan Gamst, Martin Starr.
Playing At: Alamo Drafthouse.

I hated the original, Dead Snow. It's a silly gimmick capitalizing on a saturated sub-genre and wore out its fun real quick. That said, I have heard nothing but praise about its sequel, Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead, from my horror-aficionado comrades. I think the obvious thing to do first would be to test the waters of part one and, if you like it, see part two. If you don't, nobody's going to chew on your arm to watch this sequel.

Dracula Untold.
Director: Gary Shore.
Writers: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless (screenplay); Bram Stoker (characters).
Cast: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon.
Playing At: Everything.

The story of Dracula Untold reminds me of the legend of Robert Johnson, who allegedly sold his soul to the devil to be the best blues player around. In Dracula Untold, Vlad Tepes (who becomes Dracula) cuts a deal with evil forces to protect his family and kingdom, which as you know by the countless number of vampire books, comics and movies, doesn't end well for him.

The Houses October Built.
Director: Bobby Roe.
Writers: Bobby Roe, Zack Andrews, Jeff Larson, Jason Zada.
Cast: Brandy Schaefer, Bobby Roe, Zack Andrews.
Playing At: AMC Stonebriar.

The Houses October Built is another found-footage movie, but the filmmakers hail from Dallas (well, Plano, actually), so even if found footage isn't you’re bag, you should at least be able to appreciate them for trying to being something new to the sub-genre. Or not, and just read my interview with them coming soon.

Batman.
Director: Tim Burton.
Writers: Warren Skaaren, Sam Hamm.
Cast: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger.
Playing At: Inwood.

I'm not sure how old you are, but the Batman I grew up with — and the man who will always be The Dark Knight to me — is Michael Keaton. He and Christian Bale each played the Caped Crusader really well, but Keaton brought more darkness and depth to Bruce Wayne, and I will cut you if you disagree.

The Shining.
Director: Stanley Kubrick.
Writers: Stephen King (novel), Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson.
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall.
Playing At: Angelika Film Center (Dallas).

Yes, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is one of the greatest horror films of all time. Have you seen it? Good. Now see it in a theater, and then pick up the book sequel, called Doctor Sleep. It's not nearly as chilling, but it's a good read on Danny (the boy in Shining) all grown up an an alcoholic still seeing dead people.

Life After Death From Above 1979.
Director: Eva Michon.
Playing At: Video On Demand.

We don't usually report on Video On Demand titles, but since I like documentaries and I know you like music, we figured you'd want to know about this release. It's a doc on the life, death and rebirth (read: reunion album and tour) of Death From Above 1979.