Kip Mooney
On Krampus And The Rest Of The Weekend’s New Film Releases.
Krampus.
Director: Michael Dougherty.
Writers: Michael Dougherty, Todd Casey, Zach Shields.
Cast: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman.
Playing At: Wide.
Michael Dougherty's Trick 'r Treat is one of the best horror comedies of all time, despite the fact that few people have seen it. He's getting a much better shot at connecting with audiences now with Krampus, which takes the traditional squabbling family Christmas and throws in a demon that tries to kill the whole bunch of 'em. This one should be a real treat for those who like their holiday movies sour instead of sweet.
The Letters.
Director: William Riead.
Writer: William Riead.
Cast: Juliet Stevenson, Rutger Hauer, Max von Sydow, Priya Darshini.
Playing At: Wide.
Mother Teresa was one of the noblest humans to ever walk this earth — but even she was not without her controversy. This movie probably won’t address that head on, instead tackling the loneliness and depression she battled, even while devoting her life to caring for the poorest and sickest people on the planet.
Chi-raq.
Director: Spike Lee.
Writers: Spike Lee, Kevin Willmott.
Cast: Teyonah Parris, Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett.
Playing At: Wide.
Spike Lee returns with his most vital film in years. A wild adaptation of the ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata, Lee sets the film in a modern-day, violence-riddled Chicago. Mad Men's Teyonah Parris plays a woman who encourages her fellow Chicago women to deny their men any sex until they agree to stop killing in the name of their gangs. Striking the right tone for a project like this will be difficult, but what Lee lacks in subtlety, he makes up for in passion. Our own Angela Jones thinks so, at least.
A Royal Night Out.
Director: Julian Jarrold.
Writers: Trevor De Silva, Kevin Hood.
Cast: Sarah Gadon, Bel Powley, Emily Watson, Rupert Everett.
Playing At: LOOK Cinemas, Cinemark West Plano.
Somehow not playing on Masterpiece Theatre is this previously untold story about V-E Day, in which Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth were allowed to leave Buckingham Palace and celebrate with commoners. Sounds like a movie built for watching at home in sweatpants while drinking wine.
The Assassin.
Director: Hsaio-Hsien Hou.
Writers: Zhong Acheng, Hsiao-Hsien Hou, Hai-Meng Hsieh.
Cast: Qi Shu, Chen Chang, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Shao-Huai Chang.
Playing At: Angelika Dallas.
Taiwan's official submission to the Oscars is this breathtaking martial arts film where Qi Shu plays the titular character, who is appointed to kill her former lover by the nun who trained her. It's classic martial arts stuff, but it looks absolutely stunning.
James White.
Director: Josh Mond.
Writer: Josh Mond.
Cast: Christopher Abbott, Cynthia Nixon, Kid Cudi, Ron Livingston.
Playing At: Angelika Dallas.
In case the real world wasn't depressing enough, here's James White, a film about a young guy (Christopher Abbott) who returns home after sowing his wild oats to take care of dying mom (Cynthia Nixon) while also trying to repair his many broken relationships. Critics have been unanimous in praising the film as powerful but devastating.
The World of Kanako.
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima.
Writers: Tetsuya Nakashima, Miako Tadano, Nobuhiro Monma.
Cast: Hiroya Shimizu, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Nana Komatsu, Koji Yakusho.
Playing At: Alamo Drafthouse.
This ultra-stylish Japanese film follows a detective (Koji Yakusho) as he searches for his missing daughter (Nana Komatsu). The trip takes our lead down some dark alleys and backrooms he probably wishes he'd never gone down. Expect lots of trippy sequences and unrestrained gore.
Entertainment.
Director: Rick Alverson.
Writers: Rick Alverson, Tim Heidecker, Gregg Turkington.
Cast: Gregg Turkington, Tye Sheridan, John C. Reilly, Michael Cera.
Playing At: Texas Theatre.
Any time Tim Heidecker or Eric Warheim are involved in a project, you should know to expect something subversive — but not necessarily something you'll enjoy. Entertainment tells the story of a struggling comedian (Gregg Turkington) whose odd act generally elicits a long string of boos. Critics are split right down the middle, either digging the film's dark anti-humor or hating every miserable second. Our own Javier Fuentes fell into the former camp.
Night Owls.
Director: Charles Hood.
Writers: Charles Hood, Seth Goldsmith.
Cast: Adam Pally, Rosa Salazar, Rob Heubel, Tony Hale.
Playing At: Texas Theatre.
Adam Pally is one of the most gifted comedic actors around, as any fan of Happy Endings or The Mindy Project will tell you. Here, he gets his first leading role, playing one half a one-night stand gone awry. The other half (Rosa Salazar) accidentally overdoses on pills, so he has to try to keep her awake until morning. I'm hoping this is a raunchy but sweet comedy like this year's earlier winner The Overnight.
Home Alone.
Director: Chris Columbus.
Writer: John Hughes.
Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara.
Playing At: Alamo Drafthouse.
Showing: Saturday, December 5.
Unlike Kevin McAllister, you will not be denied your cheese pizza. The Drafthouse offers all-you-can-eat pizza with this screening of the Christmas classic, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. (Yes, we all feel old now.) Let the holiday season begin, you filthy animal.
