James Wallace
A Look at This Week's New and Specialty Film Releases Around Town.
In lieu of a full-on review of one of this week's releases, we'll use this space today to catch you up on all of this week's new offerings.
Hitchcock
Director: Sacha Gervasi.
Writer: John J. McLaughlin.
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson.
Sir Anthony Hopkins fills the silhouette of the iconic Alfred Hitchcock in this biopic that hones in on the Master of Suspense's relationship with his wife, Alma Reville (Helen Mirren), during the making of 1959's Psycho. Wait: Helen Mirren and ScarJo in the same film? That's enough foxy to make us all go a little mad sometimes. This one sure ain't for The Birds. (Only at the Angelika Dallas and Plano.)
Killing Them Softly
Director: Andrew Dominik.
Writer: Andrew Dominik.
Cast: Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Sam Rockwell.
Brad Pitt returns to badassery with a film about a mob enforcer (Pitt) entrusted to restore the natural order of a crime syndicate after a protected card game is hit by three unwitting heisters. We've missed you here, BP. I think we both need this after that recent Chanel No. 5 incident. Thank goodness this one's not called Spritzing Them Softly. Then again, we wouldn't expect that from the guy who directed both Chopper and The Assassination of Jesse James.
The Collection
Director: Marcus Dunstan.
Writer: Marcus Dunstan, Patrick Melton.
Cast: Josh Stewart, Emma Fitzpatrick, Christopher McDonald.
Remember the 2009 horror flick The Collector, a film that could have easily just have been a sequel to Home Alone, in which Kevin McCallister, tormented by the memories of the numerous times his family forgot about him, grows up to be a Mouse Trap-style serial killer? No? Well, that's OK. Not many people do. But maybe you'll give the sequel a chance! It's basically the plot of Saw II… written by the guy who penned Saw IV, V, VI and The Final Chapter. (Playing exclusively at the Texas Theatre.)
Detropia
Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
This weekend, the Texas Theatre is showing a very cool, Detroit-centric double feature of sorts. First, the Sundance award-winning documentary Detropia from the directing duo behind other notable docs including Jesus Camp and Freakonomics. This portrait on the City of Tomorrow, Hope and Heartbreak looks at its downfall and the part that it played in the collapse of US manufacturing. (Playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Texas.)
True Romance
Director: Tony Scott.
Writer: Quentin Tarantino.
Cast: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper
Next up in the Texas Theatre's two-fer is the late, great Tony Scott's classic tale of love, drugs and violence (and rock 'n' roll if you count Val Kilmer's Elvis), written by a fresh-faced Quentin Tarantino, hot off Reservoir Dogs. And, in true Texas Theatre style, it's in 35mm! The scene between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken alone is worth seeing that on the silver screen. By the way, if you get the Detroit tie-in here, “You're so cool!” (Playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Texas.)
Spaceballs (1987)
Director: Mel Brooks.
Writer: Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan, Ronny Graham.
Cast: Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis.
This week's midnight movie at The Inwood is Mel Brooks' intergalactic classic, Spaceballs! Whether you've seen it once or a million times (or never!), this is a must-see on the big screen. Enjoy it from the comfort of the Inwood's LoveSacs and pretend you're in your very own Eagle 5! Wear a black trash bin on your head and go as Dark Helmet! Or put pizza on your face and go as Pizza the Hutt! Bring your dog and make him Barf! (Don't do that, actually.) Whatever you do, just don't miss it, Dink. (Playing Friday and Saturday at midnight at the Inwood.)
