The Oscars are over, and it’s time to move on with 2011. “Out with the old, in with the new” as they say. There are tons of great screenings in Seattle this week. Here are a few suggestions.
New Releases
So ugly and sensitive
Beastly directed by Daniel Barnz, starring Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgins and Mary-Kate Olson. The premise–Alex Pettyfer plays a hot guy (such a stretch) who’s completely stuck up and basically a total dick to everyone he meets. However, he picks on the wrong girl, who happens to be a witch, played by Mary-Kate Olson (Go on, I’m listening). She puts a curse on him, which turns him into a monster that can only regain his original beauty if he finds true love. Sound familiar? Yup, it’s a modern day retelling of Beauty and Beast. In this tale the totally ugly and not hot at all Pettyfer gets it on with sweet and sensitive Vanessa Hudgins (gag me) and the curse goes poof. Somehow everyone’s favorite gay Neil Patrick Harris helps the plot out, but it doesn’t really matter. Basically, the movie is banking on sensitive teenage girls and their best gay friends hoping for a Twilight replacement. Seriously that beast isn’t ugly, just kind of goth. Now, if he was fat and pimply, that would be a tough curse to break. Am I right? (Regal Meridian, 1501 7th Ave, 12:35, 2:40, 4:50, 7:00 and 9:10 p.m.)
Rango directed by Gore Vebinski, starring voices of Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher and Timothy Olyphant. Dream Works is predicting a huge weekend for this new animated feature from the same director as the original Pirates of the Caribbean and featuring the voice of that franchise’s biggest star. Just look at how many screenings it has this weekend. It looks cute. Bring the kids. (Pacific Place, 600 Pine S, 10:45 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40, 1:50, 3:10, 4:30, 5:45, 7, 8:25, 9:40, 10:25 and 10:55 p.m.; Landmark Metro, 4500 9th Ave NE, 1:45, 4:20, 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Columbia City Cinema, 4816 Rainier Ave. S, 1, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.; Majestic Bay Theaters, 2044 NW Market St, 2:20 and 7:20 p.m.)
There's a conspiracy behind you! Run!
The Adjustment Bureau directed by George Nolfi, starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. In the Bourne Identity writer’s directorial debut Matt Damon plays a politician who falls for sexy ballerina (Blunt) but nefarious and conspiratorial forces are hell bent to keep them apart. Action sequences follow. Best to sum it up as Inception meets Black Swan in a remake of The Matrix. (Regal Meridian, 1501 7th Ave, 12:30, 1:20, 2:10, 3, 3:50, 5:35, 6:20, 7:10, 8, 9 and 10:30 p.m.; Landmark Metro, 4500 9th Ave NE, 1:30, 4:15, 7:10 and 9:40 p.m.; Majestic Bay Theaters, 2044 NW Market St, 12, 2:30, 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m.)
Also opening this weekend: Take Me Home Tonight directedy by Michael Dowse, starring Topher Grace and Anna Faris. A comedy set in a 1988 frat party. Haven’t the 80s been beaten to death by now? Who’s ready for a comedy set in the distant past of the 1990s? (Pacific Place, 600 Pine St, 12:30, 3, 5:30, 8:10 and 10:30; Landmark Metro, 4500 9th Ave NE, 1:20, 4:10, 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.)
Seattle Screenings
Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave)
Alien vs. Ninja directed by Seiji Chiba. Sexy ninjas. Cheap alien costumes. Gore, gore and more gore. What’s not to love?
(All weekend, 10 p.m.)
The early show this weekend is Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfus, Francois Truffaut and Terri Garr. (7 p.m.)
Collide-O-Scope’s Kiddie Matinee. Michael and Shane bring back their special brand of found footage magic to Central Cinema. Last time they presented the talent segment of the 1983 Miss America pageant. Miss Kentucky was totally robbed! (Monday, 7 p.m.)
Arrested Development TV Dinner. Fans of the cult show will get a special cinema treat with three episodes of the tragically short lived show–all for the price of a $5 food voucher. (Tuesday, 7 p.m.)
Face/Off in Hecklevision (1997) directed by John Woo. Two of Hollywood’s biggest scenery chewers face off (literally) in this action classic. Bring your cell phones to text snarky comments on the screen. (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave)
fans seriously had no clue
Metalhaus, curated by Fantagraphics author Boyreau and archivist Aboulafia, sponsored by Easy Street Records. This screening is a curated compilation of live footage from mostly metal acts. There’s some punk and new wave thrown in for good measure. This show will transport you back to a time when metal dudes could dress like Rob Halford of Judas Priest (pictured) and still have redneck kids from Arkansas worshiping them. Featuring live performances by the likes of Judas Priest, The Jam, Iron Maiden, The Ramones, Black Flag, Slayer, Motorhead, (lesbian fav) The Runaways, Gwar, Metallica, and Oliver Reed (?!). (Friday and Saturday at 11 p.m.)
Also this week: Three films featuring Merce Cunningham: Merce By Merce By Paik, Parts I and II (1973) directed by Nam June Paik and Shigeko Kobuta and Merce Cunningham and Company (1982) directed by Benoit Jacquot. (Wednesday, 8 p.m.)
Grand Illusion (1403 NE 50th St.)
Night of the Living Dead: The Zombie Apocalypse Begins
Night of the Living Dead (1968) directed by George Romero. Some people say zombies aren’t scary, because they don’t move fast and they can’t sneak up on you like a serial killer can. In George Romero’s original zombie horror flick, the zombie’s numbers are countless and they never stop coming. That is truly terrifying. (Saturday, 9 p.m.)
Seattle Art Museum (1300 First Ave)
Advise and Consent (1962) directed by Otto Preminger. SAM’s Art of Living: The Films of Otto Preminger series continues with this cold war political drama. Sure to be excellent. (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.)
Ryan Hicks is Development Manager for Three Dollar Bill Cinema, a film fan and contributor to Seattle Gay Scene.
