Jack the Giant Slayer

The current trend of translating childrens stories into action/adventure movies continues with the re-imagined version of Jack and the Beanstalk. X-Men director Bryan Singer is at the helm with a script written by Darren Lemke, Christorpher McQuarrie and Dan Studney. The young boy Jack is now a young man and the giants that live at the top of the beanstalk are lead by a two headed org looking creature and they have a taste for humans.

Nicholas Hoult who charmed us in Warm Bodies plays the farm boy who lives with his uncle on his deceased parents land. Jack, like all young boys were raised on the stories of a race of giants who once came to earth but were turned away by the good king Eric who used a magic crown forged from the heart of a giant. As long as the crown was in the hands of Eric's descendants the land would be in peace from the giants. Enter the princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) who like all refurbished female characters of fairy tales, have more than just a heart, they have grit. Isabelle is looking for an adventure and is not happy to be wed to smarmy Roderick (Stanley Tucci) the adviser of the her father King Brahmwell (Ian McShane). Jack comes to her rescue when she is being harassed and their meaningful quick eye contact sparks interest between them. When Isabelle runs off in the middle of the rain it's no surprise when she ends up at his front door for shelter. Jack who had a fight with his uncle when he came home with magic beans in exchange for his horse gets caught up with Isabelle as his house rises upward when the tossed beans erupt into the sky because they were touched by water.

The CGI effects and the motion captured giants play heavily in the visuals as the king orders Jack, the loyal first knight Elmont (Ewan McGregor) to climb the stalk and save his daughter. He also sends up Roderick who with the help of his evil henchman Wicke (Ewen Bremmer) who have plans of their own. Bill Nighy grumbles loudly as the two headed leader of the giant army rallying the troops to head down the stalk to feast on human flesh. There is a lot of running around (like can a small human really out run the stride of a giant?) by Elmont, Jack and Isabelle as they try to thwart the invasion and warn the unsuspecting humans down below. Director Singer knows how to pace the adventure so that it's flows and spaced with comic relief like Elmont being rolled in dough along side of a couple of pig as in “pigs in a blanket”, ready to bake.

It's hard to imagine that this movie is aimed for children despite it's fairy tale roots. There's some unsettling moments of the rescue party falling to their demise from the stalk. A cut stalk crashing to the earth into countless buildings and stuff, and giants stepping on their victims or eating off their heads. However, this film is actually better than it has a right to be, mostly saved by the great cast. McGregor is low keyed and insightful as the dutiful knight who is loyal to the kingdom. Tucci stands out as the evil and oily adviser. But it's the sweet romance between Isabelle and Jack that holds the movie as Jack proves that even a commoner can become worthy of a princess. The 3D version probably isn't worth the extra cash for the glasses. It's just as enjoyable in regular 2D.
(Review by reesa)

Phantom

In the 1968 the K-120 Russia submarine was sunk with all 98 hands lost. It was later recovered the CIA. There was also an undetonated nuclear missile found in the Pacific. What happened to the submarine and missile was the inspiration for the film written and directed by Todd Harrison. It's based on the book Red Star Rogue by Navy veteran Ken Sewell who also served as technical consultant. It's a nice packaged thriller only offset at first by the actors not affecting a Russia accent. When your mind wraps itself around the fact that it's ok they are supposed to be Russians, then you can relax a bit and enjoy the story.

Ed Harris is Dmitri Zubov, a Soviet Navy captain who is being forced to retire after a spotty career. His own father was a famous officer who pretty much wrote the book on Soviet submarine warfare. He is given the command of a sub that's to be decommissioned for it's last run as it's already been given to the Chinese. It's the sub that was Dmitri's first command and in which he tragically lost some men. He himself suffered a brain trauma that causes him to have epileptic fits and he's often haunted by images of fire and death. His loyal first officer Alex (William Fichtner) tells him some special guests are on board to supposedly test some equipment on this mission. Bruni (David Duchovny) a KBG officer is in charge of the group of some shady characters who are not very friendly or forthcoming. In fact some of the new crew on this run have suspicious records. Alex believes they may be extremists. Dmitri is even more alert when the equipment they test manages to mask their signal, virtually making them sound like a merchant ship to a passing submarine. When Dmitri collapses in a seizure, Bruni uses his illness as an excuse to take over the ship. He separates the officers and takes away their nuclear launch keys. Dmitri figures out that he was chosen for this mission because they figured he would fail. It's up to Dmitri and Alex to take back their ship and stop the bad guys from starting a war.

Submarine movies are by nature cramped and crowded, but the actors seem to have adapted to moving quickly and stealthy through the tight spaces, pipes and equipment. The hierarchy of command on a Russian sub is also controlled by the political officer (Johnathon Schaech) who has to keep the Party informed and the captain in check. It's bad enough working in a small space, but having someone always looking over your shoulder to make sure you do things the proper Russia way makes for even more claustrophobia. When push comes to shove, battling on board and random bullets flying seem sort of ill advised when the ship is underwater. Director Harrison keeps this thriller tight but not exactly gripping and the ending is somewhat confusing at first. But the movie does explore the ideas of loyalty and honor and that's not a bad thing.
(Review by reesa)

Playing For Keeps DVD Contest

Win a copy of Sony's Playing for Keeps which will be released on Blu-ray/DVD Tuesday, March 5th. To enter contest send an email to dalscreenings@gmail.com with Playing for Keeps in the subject header and a short sentence on why you want this movie in the body of your email. Also include your full name and mailing address. Contest ends on March 5 and the winner's name and address will be submitted to Sony who will mail it. If you do not follow all the instructions your entry will be disregarded. If you don't win, you can always order it from Amazon!


http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Keeps-UltraViolet-Digital-Copy/dp/B00A2H9UG6/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1362079662&sr=1-1&keywords=playing+for+keeps

DIFF Announces First Ten Films

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 2/24 - 3/2

It's the big night kids. Hope you have your Oscar night plans in place and enjoying the show. We really had some nice films this year, although it seemed iffy at times. Here's my Oscar predictions for tonight. Tell me what you think. http://www.dallasmoviescreenings.com/2013/02/reesas-oscar-predictions-2013.html

There's a lot of movies happening this week. So it goes without saying, although I will say it because some of y'all just don't seem to get it...when offering, wanting, trading, or releasing, write to the person directly and not to the group when responding.

Also, Facebook is really a valuable tool for finding out about the available passes. But I know it's hard for people to connect on this. This does not mean, write to the moderator to get those GOFOBO codes. Find someone in your world to do this for you. This list is for informing y'all of the screenings and how to get passes. It's up to you to get them.

February 24 - March 2

Sun
Feb 24

Oscar Watch Party - 6:00 pm - Angelika Dallas

Mon
Feb 25

Phantom - 7:00 pm - Angelika Dallas
Jack the Giant Slayer - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark

Tues
Feb 26

21 & Over - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley
The Call - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Royal

Wed
Feb 27

Bates Motel - 7:00 pm - AMC Northpark
A Place at the Table - 7:00 pm - Magnolia
Jack the Giant Slayer - 7:00 pm - Cinemark West Plano
21 & Over - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark
The Host - 7:30 pm - Magnolia

Thu
Feb 28

The Last Exorcism II - 7:30 - AMC Mesquite

Fri
Mar 1

Sat
Mar 2

Reesa's Oscar Predictions 2013

The Academy Awards is the Superbowl for movie fans. This is the night where we hang out with friends at the Angelika on the big screen, at someone's house, or sit in your jammies by the TV indulging in the spectacle of pretty people in designer clothes, hobnobbing and smiling while we watch for that telltale sign of disappointment flash in their eyes when they don't win. We run to the bathroom when they get to their long winded "thank you" speeches being grateful to God, and their third grade teacher, then forgetting the names of their kids and spouses. Seth McFarland is the host and it could go either way. Nothing sets the evening off badly than some Oscar night embarrassment. Remember that thing with Rob Lowe and Snow White? Or Angelina giving her brother a full kiss on the mouth? Or when Celine Dion was singing the Titanic song and hitting herself so hard on her bony chest it looked like it would cave in.

So did you keep track of your favorites? Please feel free to leave a comment of your choices this year.

Best Picture

Will win: "Argo"
Could win: "Lincoln"
Who I want to win: "Life of Pi"

Argo has been winning all over the place, and remarkably Ben Affleck was snubbed a nomination for this fine work. Since the momentum is with Argo, there may be chance for it to get it all. Lincoln is by far the best movie, but in my heart I want Life of Pi.

Best Director

Will win: Steven Spielberg
Could win: Michael Haneke
Who I want to win: Ang Lee

Spielberg may take this one because Affleck is not in the running. There's some much attention to Amour, but I really, really want Ang Lee to win.

Best Actor

Will win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Could win: Hugh Jackman
Who I want to win: Day-Lewis

It would be a major upset if anyone else wins.

Best Actress

Will win: Emmanuelle Riva
Could win: Jennifer Lawrence
Who I want to win: Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence has been getting lots of love for Silver Linings Playbook and much deserved. But Emmanuelle Riva may be honored because of her body of work and that would be the oldest recipient ever.

Best Supporting Actor

Will win: Robert DeNiro
Could win: Christoph Waltz
Who I want to win: Robert DeNiro

It may be Tommy Lee Jones who was wonderful. Actually everyone in the category deserves the attention. But in my eyes DeNiro should win.

Best Supporting Actress

Will win: Anne Hathaway
Could win: Sally Field
Who I want to win: Anne Hathaway

It will be another major upset if anyone walks away with the trophy except for Anne Hathaway.

Best Original Screenplay

Will win: "Django Unchained"
Could win: "Amour"
Who I want to win: Django Unchained

This is a no brainer.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Will win: "Argo"
Could win: "Silver Linings Playbook"
Who I want to win: "Lincoln"

Lincoln was an amazing piece of work and Silver Linings Playbook was brilliant, but Argo has the heat.

Best Foreign Film

Will win: "Amour"
Could win: "No"
Who I want to win: "Intouchables"

Intouchables wasn't even nominated but it should have been.

Best Documentary

Will win: "Searching For Sugar Man"
Could win: "The Gatekeepers"
Who I want to win: Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry

As with Ai Wei Wei:Never Sorry was out of the running. But hope to see Searching for Sugar Man take it home.

Best Animated Film

Will win: "Frankenweenie"
Could win: "Brave"
Who I want to win: “The Secret World of Arriety”

Another film that was completely ignored for the big budget movies. Studio Ghibli creates these beautiful little movies that are a wonder and deserve some attention.

Best Cinematography

Will win: "Life of Pi"
Could win: "Skyfall"
Who I want to win: "Life of Pi"

Skyfall was amazing, but Life of Pi was enchanting.

Snitch

There was a documentary about how the changes in the federal drug policy in the US encouraged the incarcerated to “snitch” on their accomplices which inspired the screenplay written by Justin Haythe and rewritten by Ric Roman Waugh who also directed it. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson usually plays the action-hero and he's built to take tuff, but in this he's just an everyman looking to help his family. It's nice to see him in a plain sort of role, but it's hard to imagine him not taking out the bad guys in a couple of punches.

John Matthews (Johnson) runs a successful construction trucking business whose son is arrested for drug trafficking when he's framed by the friend who mailed him the big bag of ecstasy. Jason (Rafi Gavron) faces up to 30 years of jail time unless he turns in the dealers who were buying the drugs. He refuses to purposely set someone up because doesn't know anything, but the law is the law according the the federal prosecutor Joanne Keeghan (Susan Saradon). Matthews offers to find the dealers on his own. Some of his employees have questionable pasts like Daniel James (Jon Bernthal) who did time for drug distribution. Daniel wants to get away from that life for the good of his family, but the offer of $20,000 by John just for an introduction will help him move out of his poor neighborhood. Daniel's old partner Malik (Michael Kenneth Williams) sets them up for a run to test them. Unknown to Daniel, John is working with undercover Agent Cooper (Barry Pepper) who has everything wired. Keeghan says if they can get Malik then she can reduce Jason's sentence to a year with time already served he would get out in 6 months. But things get hairy when the chances for a bigger fish presents itself and the prosecutor gets greedy.

Johnson has wisely surrounded himself with very competent actors. Melina Kanakaredes is his ex wife Sylvie and Jason's mother. Interestingly Jason doesn't look like either of the actors as his parents. Benjamin Bratt is nice to see on the screen again as the menacing drug cartel lord Juan Carlos “El Topo” Pintera. Pepper and Saradon elevate the film as something a bit more than another thriller. The director was a stunt man, so there's lots of good action sequences including a car chase involving a 18 wheeler. The lesson of the unfairness of the federal policy to mandate jail time no matter what the circumstances is brought home every time John visits his son in jail and he's been beaten and abused. But it doesn't quite explain why the DA would support John's attempts to put himself in harms way in exchange for bringing in the bad guys. Isn't that the job of those federal agents? And all these criminals with guns don't seem taken aback by the size of The Rock getting out of his big truck, which means it would have been more believable if a normal looking dude was in the role. Overlooking the holes, this movie is actually fairly more enjoyable than it should be.
(Review by reesa)

Bless Me, Ultima

Director Carl Franklin (One False Move, Devil in a Blue Dress, Out of Time) adapted the 1972 novel by Rudolfo Anaya which has become the best selling Chicano novel of all time. Christy Walton, heiress to the Walton fortune set up Tenaja Productions solely to finance the film in 2009. Filmed entirely in New Mexico, the beauty of country side is what makes this movie unique and lyrical.

Narrating the story as an adult the voice introduces himself as Antonio (Like Ganalon) the seven year old son of Gabriel (Benito Martinez) and Maria (Dolores Heredia). It's sometime during the wanning years of the WWII when Ultima (Miriam Colon) comes to live with his family where she wants to spend her remaining days. Antonio has 2 older sisters, but Ultima focus's her attention on the bright and inquisitive younger boy. She can see the potential in him and asks him if she can teach him the ways of plants of herbs. Ultima is what is known as a “curandera”, a medicine woman, a “bruja”, a witch. This brings her under the suspicious eyes of the small farming community who are mostly Catholic. The three daughters of the local saloon keeper/barber Tenorio (Castulo Guerra) put a black magic spell on Maria's brother. Ultima is asked to attend him and brings Antonio to assist. Unfortunately the cure has some reprecussions, as all good witches know, what you put out comes back to you three fold, and the daughters start dying. This is the major crisis of the film as Tenorio tries to rally the town against Ultima in his anger.

Most of the time, we are enjoying the daily life of Antonio going to school, to church, or working in the fields with his family. The young boy also witnesses old time community justice when the the local men chase after a veteran suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome shoots and kills someone. He also sees the violent death of an old family friend and that of a school friend. For anyone that is pretty heavy stuff, but especially for a small young boy. Antonio also has three older brothers who return from the war changed young men. They don't want to stay and work the farm like their father who dreams of moving the family to California. But the boys have seen too much an they are restless and tell them he still has Antonio to raise to do what them are unable. Antonio is their last hope, and probably the only one who graduate from high school.

The complicated world and the varied role models encountered is what Antonio has to absorb as he struggles to find his sense of place. The performances are at times stiff as the dialogue is theatrical and over stated, probably more true to the novel. The landscape and photography is a delight to the eye and you can almost feel the warmth and smell the land. We can all use a wise woman to mentor us like Ultima who doesn't let petty distrust to her ways of the world keep her from doing her job. It's a sleepy film, lovely, lulling and the book is probably better.
(Review by reesa)

IT CAME FROM DALLAS 8 – Behind the 8-Ball

IT CAME FROM DALLAS 8! – Behind the 8-Ball

Thursday, February 21, 2013
Studio Movie Grill - Dallas
11170 N. Central Expressway @ Royal Lane
7:30 PM; doors at 6:30 PM – first-come, first-seated basis
$10.00 Donations suggested
This is an annual fund-raising event for the Dallas Producers Association benefiting Texas Motion Picture Alliance

http://ItCameFromDallas.com


*********************************************************

About the February 21 event:

IT CAME FROM DALLAS, the Dallas film extravaganza with more sequels than ROCKY, will be presented on Thursday, February 21 at the Studio Movie Grill on Central and Royal in Dallas. The Dallas Producers Association and Replicopy present “IT CAME FROM DALLAS 8 – Behind the 8-Ball.”



“IT CAME FROM DALLAS 8 – Behind the 8-Ball” is the Dallas Producers Association’s 8th annual celebration of filmmaking and filmmakers in North Texas… from the ridiculous to the sublime.



IT CAME FROM DALLAS was created to not only honors the trailblazers of the Dallas film industry, but also to serve as an annual Dallas Producers Association fundraiser that benefits the Texas Motion Picture Alliance. TXMPA, founded by the DPA, has been vital in supporting the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program and is responsible for bringing film and television production jobs to Texas. The incentives program benefits in-state producers as well.



The event kicked off in 2005 with a look back at Dallas’ glorious B-movie past including hysterical clips and trailers from films such as THE GIANT GILA MONSTER, ROCK BABY ROCK IT, THE KILLER SHREWS and DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT just to name an illustrious few. Shows in subsequent years have included clips from commercials and documentaries produced in Dallas and put the spotlight on many of the more prestigious motion pictures filmed in North Texas.



For the 2013 version of IT CAME FROM DALLAS, the DPA has reached out to the community – the local production industry as well as local celebrities – to introduce film clips with a Dallas/North Texas connection. In addition, the show will also feature films that were produced in other parts of the state. Texas filmmaking professionals will share behind the scenes anecdotes as lead-ins to clips from films they worked on along with celebrities with Texas roots introducing films made in our state that have left a lasting impression.



For more information on the event, please visit: itcamefromdallas.com.

Information on the DPA: dallasproducers.org.

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 2/17 - 2/23

It's always great when celebrities visit Dallas and make themselves available to the public by introducing their films. This week's it's TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz with special guest Angie Dickinson for a special Q&A and screening of RIO BRAVO at the Texas Theater. Yes, it's in Oak Cliff and it's worth the trip. If you haven't been there, it's a great retro space for watching a classic film. It would be nice to show our visitors a warm welcome to the Big "D".

Also on the calendar this week is not at an actual theater house but at the Southwestern Medical Center with their screening of the Oscar nominated documentary "How to Survive a Plague". There's a screening of Snitch in Irving, which is out of our usual list of theaters, but it's nice for all those in that area. Fortunately Snitch is playing a couple other times in Dallas, so y'all should be good for that one. You may want to try Bless Me, Ultima. Studio Movie Grill on Spring Valley is offering a free classic movie screening of "Anything Goes" which is also a play that's currently running at The Winspear. For the horror movie crowd, "Dark Skies" is screening this week. Plus there are two family films this Saturday.

Hope you enjoy your week in movies. And PLEEZE people, when offering, wanting, trading, or releasing, write to the person directly and not to the group when responding.

February 17 - February 23

Sun
Feb 17

Mon
Feb 18

Tue
Feb 19

Anything Goes (1956) - 7:00 pm - Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley
TCM Presents "Rio Bravo" - 7:30 pm - Texas Theater
Snitch - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas
Bless Me, Ultima - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas

Wed
Feb 20

Snitch - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark

Thu
Feb 21

How to Survive a Plague - 6:30 pm - Zale Auditorium, Southwestern Medical Center
Dark Skies - 7:00 pm - AMC Northpark
Snitch - 7:30 pm - AMC Irving 14

Fri
Feb 22

Sat
Feb 23

Croods - 10:00 pm - AMC Grapeving
Jack the Giant Slayer - 11:00 am - Dallas

DIFF Announces Dallas Star Awards Honoree's

Sherry Lansing, William Friedkin to be Honored at DIFF

with Prestigious Dallas Star Awards


First female head of major studio and Academy Award-winning director of THE FRENCH CONNECTION and THE EXORCIST to be honored on April 12



DALLAS, TX – Feb. 15, 2013 – The Dallas Film Society is pleased to announce that Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin will each accept a Dallas Star Award at the 7th Annual Dallas International Film Festival presented by Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers for their contributions to the art and history of film. Friedkin and Lansing will receive the awards at the Dallas Film Society Honors on April 12, an evening of tributes to the Dallas Star Award honorees and Filmmaker Award Winners at the Hotel Palomar.

“These two individuals represent the marriage of great creativity with solid business acumen in the filmmaking industry,” said James Faust, artistic director, Dallas Film Society. “Both Lansing and Friedkin foster and elevate the creativity that is the necessary ingredient for truly great film. It’s an honor for us to have the opportunity to recognize their contributions in such a meaningful way.”


Lansing Leading Film, Fight Against Cancer

For nearly 30 years in the motion picture business, Sherry Lansing was involved in the production, marketing, and distribution of more than 200 films, including Academy Award winners FORREST GUMP, BRAVEHEART, and TITANIC. In 1980, she became the first woman to head a major film studio when she was appointed president of 20th Century Fox. Later, as an independent producer, Lansing was responsible for such successful films as FATAL ATTRACTION, THE ACCUSED, SCHOOL TIES, INDECENT PROPOSAL, and BLACK RAIN. Returning to the executive ranks in 1992, she was named Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures and began an unprecedented tenure that lasted more than 12 years (1992 - 2005), during which the studio enjoyed enormous creative and financial success.

Lansing is also deeply committed to philanthropic endeavors. She heads the Sherry Lansing Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to cancer research, health, public education and Encore Career opportunities. In addition, she serves on the board of the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation and is a co-founder of the Stand Up to Cancer initiative. Currently, she is also Chairman of the University of California Board of Regents.



Academy Award Winner Friedkin Revolutionized Film Genres

For sheer cinematic punch, it’s hard to equal the films of Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin. A veteran of live television in the 1950s, Friedkin trained in documentary filmmaking in the mid-1960s, which led to the unnerving, you-are-there realism of THE FRENCH CONNECTION and the terrible beauty of THE EXORCIST and SORCERER, and his action/crime TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA. His films are such pleasures to watch, so downright addictive, that it’s easy to forget what a meticulous craftsman Friedkin is on every level.


Within the last two decades, Friedkin has returned to his early roots in television drama with the highly acclaimed “12 Angry Men.” He has directed episodes of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and such searing action films as RULES OF ENGAGEMENT and THE HUNTED, BUG and his most recent film, KILLER JOE, starring Matthew McConaughey and Emile Hirsch, released in 2012. His long-awaited memoir, The Friedkin Connection (Harper, April 2013), provides a candid portrait of an extraordinary life and career.


A special showing of the 40th anniversary restored print of THE EXORCIST will screen Saturday, April 13, at the Texas Theatre, 241 W Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX 75208. The event will include a talk by Friedkin.


Dallas Film Society Honors

The Festival will culminate with the Dallas Film Society Honors Awards on April 12, an evening of tributes with Dallas Star Award Honorees and Filmmaker Award Winners. The DFS Honors Night, presented by The Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation, will be held at the Hotel Palomar with additional sponsorship provided by Central 214. A $10,000 unrestricted cash prize will be awarded to both the best narrative feature and documentary feature filmmakers. The Silver Heart Award winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the Embrey Family Foundation. Cash prizes will be awarded to both a high school and college winner of the TXU Energy Light Up the Red Carpet Student Film Contest. Panavision will award the winning filmmaker of the Texas Competition with a $30,000 camera-rental package for their next production. Other Grand Jury Prize awards will be presented to the best Short Film, Student Short Film and Animated Short Film. The coveted Audience Award winner will also be announced.


Passes and Tickets

DIFF passes are on sale now through the Prekindle Box Office. Passes are also on sale and range from $100 for a Festival Lounge Pass to $750 for an all-access Star Pass, which includes:

All-access pass to all screenings
One invitation to the Opening Night Screening & Gala on April 4, 2013, subject to availability.
Admission for one person to all Centerpiece screenings and parties during the Festival
Access for one person to the Festival Lounge. (Must be 21 or over to enter the Festival Lounge or to consume alcohol.)
Admission for one person to all regular film screenings and panel discussions
Dallas International Film Festival swag bag full of unforgettable merchandise

Tickets will go on sale in March 14. To purchase tickets and passes, telephone the Prekindle Box Office at 972-707-0838 or visit: www.DallasFilm.org.


About the Dallas Film Society

The Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Dallas Film Society recognizes and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today's world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. The annual Dallas International Film Festival, scheduled for April 4-14, 2013, is a presentation of the Dallas Film Society. In addition to producing one of the largest festivals in the Southwest, the Society produces numerous year round events, screening series and partnership programs with arts organizations around the city. For more information, call (214) 720-0555, or visit www.DallasFilm.org. The offices of the Dallas Film Society are located at 3625 North Hall Street, Suite 740, Dallas, TX 75219.




2013 Dallas International Film Festival Sponsors

ABCO; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld, LLP; Alamo Drafthouse DFW; The Angelika Film Center; The Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation; Austin Film Festival; Barefoot Wine & Bubbly; Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers; CBS Radio; Central 214; Cinemark USA, Inc.; Colibri Promotions; Community Trust Bank, The Container Store; The Crow Collection of Asian Art; D Magazine; Dallas Film Commission; Dallas Museum of Art; Dallas Observer; Deep Eddy Vodka; Downtown Dallas, Inc.; Earth Day Dallas; El Creative; Flagship Marketing; Forte; Gemini Light, Sound & Video; GrandLuxe Magazine; Hotel Palomar; KellyKitchensPR.com; Klyde Warren Park; LOOK Cinemas; Mary Kay; Mockingbird Station; Mockingbird Taproom; Modern Luxury Media; Movie Magic; My Sweet Charity; Nasher Sculpture Center; Panavision; Pencilneck Software; Post Asylum; Prekindle; Pure Evil Sound & Music Design; Rentex; ScreenFX Academy; Southwest Airlines; Stella Artois; Texas Association of Film Commissions; Texas Capital Bank; Texas Film Commission; Time Warner Cable; TXU Energy; Vergent Communications; West Village; WFAA; and Whole Foods.




About Boardwalk Automotive Group Volkswagen Dealerships

Boardwalk Auto Group has three Volkswagen Dealerships serving the North Dallas community. Boardwalk Volkswagen, located in Richardson, Texas, was recently named 2012 Volkswagen Dealer of the Year for Texas by DealerRater® reflecting on the dealer's commitment to unparalleled customer service. Park Cities Volkswagen and McKinney Volkswagen are also two of the Highest-Rated DealerRater® Certified Volkswagen Dealers in Texas. Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers offer the absolute best selection and price in the Metroplex in addition to their state-of-the art Service Departments. Boardwalk Auto Group is one of the premier auto groups in the nation representing Porsche, Audi, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Volkswagen. For more information about Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers, please visit www.DallasVWDealers.com.

A Good Day to Die Hard

The first Die Hard movie of what would become a franchise started in 1988. The adventures of saving the world as we know it in the hands of the everyman hero, New York City cop, John McClane continued for four more films. Each film was bigger, badder with McClane's signature “yippe ki yo”. Number 6, directed by John Moore (Max Payne, The Omen) from a script by Skip Moore (The A Team) takes the older McClane to Russia to help his estranged son Jack tangled in a terrorist plot. The first five Die Hard films are worthy of the movie marathon madness that will happen at your local metroplex theater in advent of this newest entry. It's too bad it doesn't satisfy as well as it's predecessors.

The subtitled opening shows some Russian political prisoner Yuri Komarov (Sebastian Koch) being offered a way out in exchange for a file by Chagarin (Sergei Kolesnikov) a high ranking but obviously corrupt Russian official. But the prisoner tells him smugly that he'll wait for his day in court. Meanwhile Jack McClane (Jai Courtney) has been arrested for assassinating Anton, a Chagarin associate. He tells the prosecutor that he has some incriminating information on Komarov. Back home in New York, John McClane (Bruce Willis) receives the information that his son had been arrested. Considering their past troubled relationship, McClane thinks the worst and takes the next flight to Moscow. He just happens to arrive just in time when the courthouse explodes and Jack escapes with Komarov. Jack doesn't make his extraction time when he comes face to face with his dad. McClane is not exactly surprised to find out that his son is a spy. Unfortunately he's also a burnable asset which means the CIA won't risk saving him when push comes to shove. Like his dad he is hardwired to make things right and save the day.

There's lots of cool car chases. Amazing, exciting, mayhem on the small Russia streets with a huge armored truck wrecking vehicles left right and over each other. There's a crazy violent helicopter vs hotel room with McClane and son managing to avoid getting shot. Alik (Radivoje Bukvić) is the tap dancing bad guy that is oily evil but somehow always manages to get away. And there's Yuri's beautiful daughter Irina (Yuliya Snigir) who the senior McClane senses something rather suspicious emanating from her despite his son's assurance that everything is going as planned. The whole story revolves around trying to find Komarov's secret file that supposedly will topple Chagarin. Eventually they end up in Chernobyl where the bad guys wearing gas masks (?) to defend against the lingering radiation of the poisoned site go to find the file in a vault full of uranium. More mayhem as expected.

There's no McClane catch phrases happening here. Except he's always saying “I'm on vacation” several times as if they are hoping that the wisecrack will be added to the collection. Willis still likes to shoot things and there's the farther/son bonding while firing machine guns together. Other than that there's no real sense of character for these two. Willis is almost too laid back. Jack is still mad about “John” always put work first, but there's no real information about him and how he got to that point. There's some natural bickering between the two but whatever development that could have been explored is filled with more bullets and explosions. The ageing Willis still has a few years to go for action movies so there's talks about another Die Hard coming. Whether they pass the baton to the son has yet to be proven.
(Review by reesa)

Safe Haven

Author Nicolas Sparks has pretty much cornered the market on novels involving love in crisis that are favored by big studios and filled with impossibly beautiful people. Directed by Lasse Hallström who has handled soulful romances like Chocolat and adapted from the novel by Leslie Bohem and Dana Stevens, this story has a different twist than the usual Spark's chic lit formula. It has an actual “villain” and probably the worst improbable ending that sort of takes the wind out of the whole movie.

Katie (Julianne Hough) arrives in a small seaside town in North Carolina after a hectic night that involves blood soaked clothes, hiding at a neighbor's house, cutting and dying hair, and a bus out of town with a Boston detective in pursuit. The bus stops at Southport, a quaint, sleepy and picturesque village with a small general store run by the widowed Alex (Josh Duhamel), the single dad of two kids. Josh (Noah Lomax), the quiet angry young man, and the precocious Lexie (Mimi Kirkland). Katie sleeps under the pier that night before asking for a job at the local seafood eatery. Because obviously there's not enough out of work locals to fill a waitress position at the busy restaurant. They help her find a place to live in a run down cabin in the woods (floors that cave in rustic). She buys her supplies at the general store where Lexie brings out Katie's kind sweet side. It's not lost on the the friendly and affable Alex who tries to welcome her to town. But Katie is wary and cautious, preferring to remain mysterious. Katie also meets Jo (Cobie Smulders) who says she's her neighbor and they end up walking together and hanging out. Between the nice people at her work and the general store, Katie begins to let her guard down.

Of course, Katie won't find peace at the moment because that New England cop is obsessed with finding her. Kevin Tierney (David Lyons) is single minded in his quest to find the find “Katie” to the point where he illegally posts a nationwide Wanted poster of her. He also harasses the neighbor who he suspects with helping her. You know he's on the edge because he's also drinking heavily and his bosses make him turn in his badge. Lyons' troubled detective is probably the best thing in the whole film.

Hough and Duhamel are wonderful to look at, they are pretty, they are sincere. The location shots are beautiful and like a travelogue of North Carolina. Spark's stories are interchangeable in concept so one knows what to expect. It's a genre guaranteed a audience no matter what. Fortunately director Hallström keeps the action well paced and photographed. Will Katie be able to hold on to the happiness she is finding with Alex and his kids? Will Kevin track her down for the ultimate showdown? Will Sparks pull the rug out of the whole movie with it's unexpected ending? If you read the book you know. If not, you've been warned.
(Review by reesa)

Escape From Planet Earth

The first Rainmaker Entertainment film to be theatrically released is the family oriented 3D computer animated feature about aliens. Directed and written by Cal Bunker with Bob Barlen, the film languished in development when the Weinstein Company was sued by writer/director Tony Leech and Brian Inerfeld. Despite the infighting, the film finally reaches the big screen with a story that's full of adventure, lessons on family unity, tolerance and embrace our differences. It's Nickelodeon Jr's Yo Gabba Gabba for older kids.

On the planet Baat, the much admired space hero Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) manages rescues and other astonishing feats with the aid of his mission control older brother Gary (Rob Corddry). Scorch has a habit of calling Gary his younger brother which irks the genius, nerdy sibling to no end. On top of it, Gary's son Kip (Jonathan Morgan Heit) is completely smitten by his uncle and wants to be just like him when he grows up. Lena (Jessica Alba) the head of BASA and their boss informs the team that an SOS was received from the dreaded dark region of space where many have gone, but none have returned. Flashy Scorch is ready to fly off right away, but Gary keeps warning him that more planning needs to be involved. They argue to the point where Scorch fires Gary, and Gary quits at the same time, both fed up by their mutual stubbornness. Scorch takes off anyways, and when the mission goes awry Kip tries to steal a ship to rescue him when Lena won't send help . Gary is reminded that family is what is important and not some ego sense to be right. It becomes up to Gary, his wife Kira (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Kip to save Scorch and the planet.

The planet in the dark area turns out to be Earth where the head of Area 51, Shanker (William Shatner) is holding various aliens that have come to earth over the years to steal their technology for profit. Shanker's is greedy over Scorch's space suit and wants to use Gary's science while holding his brother hostage. Gary is put with other aliens who believer Shanker will let them go home once they finish their work with Shanker. There's a mouse like alien, Doc (Craig Robinson), Io (Jane Lynch) a giant cyclops alien from the sun, and slug like Thurman (George Lopez) with three eyes and slime. When Gary discovers Shanker's ultimate plan to take over the universe, it's up to him and Scorch to work together to save the worlds.

It's nice to see the Gary's wife Kira is a strong and capable person in her own right when she's handling her end on Baat. Sofía Vergara shows up as the voice of news reporter Gabby Babblebrock, Scorch's girlfriend and Ricky Gervals is the snarky voice of the the main computer Mr. James Bing. If aliens from different planets get along and work together than we should all be able to face our worlds' diversity with same expectations. At least that seems to be the message to be ingrained in the young minds that will be attending this film with their parents.
(Review by reesa)

Lone Star Film Society 5th Annual Oscar Watching Party

Join Us for the 5th Annual Oscar Watching Party


The biggest awards in the world of film are just around the corner! DFW.com, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Lone Star Film Society teamed up once again to bring you the 5th Annual Oscar Watching Party on Sunday, Feb. 24.
 
Come soak in the glamour and excitement of the awards ceremony on three big screens at The Modern. Walk the red carpet, dress as your favorite Oscar nominated character, and enjoy food and refreshments while cheering on your favorite contenders of the year. We will award exciting prizes for best Oscar-inspired costume of the night. Prizes this year include a 48-inch flat screen TV and a package from the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau!
 
Additionally, those who purchase a membership to the Lone Star Film Society at the party will also automatically enter to win two (2) tickets to the 2013 LSFF Ball. Hosted during the Lone Star Film Festival, the LSFF Ball includes a plated dinner, an awards ceremony, a live auction and a special musical performance. The LSFF’s most prestigious honors are awarded at the ball, including the Achievement in Film and Stephen Bruton Awards. Past artists honored at the ball include Jeff Bridges, T Bone Burnett, Elizabeth Avellan, Willie Nelson, John Hawkes, Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Joe Shaver and Albert S. Ruddy.
 
During the month of February, all LSFS memberships are 25% off, so now is an excellent time to take advantage of this exciting offer! Click here to learn more about our various membership packages and benefits.
 
Admission to the 2013 Oscar Watching Party is free. The event kicks off at 6 PM at The Modern, and there is no advance ticketing this year. We look forward to seeing you there, cheering on your favorite performances and films competing for that famous gold statue!

Event:   5th Annual Oscar Watching Party
Date:     February 24, 2013
Time:     6:00 PM
Place:    The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
FREE Admission - No Advance Ticketing

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 2/10 - 2/16

Happy Valentine's Day Movie Group!

Since there is not much happening this week so y'all have time to go out for a date night, eh? Wishful thinking? Yeah...*sigh*

Of course check the calendar just in case some last minute screening is scheduled. As there's one huge screening this week with Die Hard on Tuesday, it's going to be crazy mad at the theater. Please remember that you and your party should be there at a reasonable time so that people are not cutting in line at the last minute. There's a limited number of seats, not everyone is going to get in especially if you are thinking of holding a place for extended families and their guests. The people behind you will be more than a little peeved. Reps as of late have been enforcing first come first serve policy so please be cooperative and considerate. Also please note that this is an "R" rated movie. Bringing your kids is probably not a good idea.

Welcome to all the new members, please, please, please read the rules on how to post. Don't forget to put a designator on your subject line if it's an OFFER, NEED, TRADE, RELEASE, or GONE. And to check the return address before responding to a particular person when someone offers their pass. Sending it to the group will only get your email returned to you stamped "rejected".

February 10 - February 16

Sun
Feb 10

Mon
Feb 11

Safe Haven - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Arlington

Tue
Feb 12

A Good Day to Die Hard - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark

Wed
Feb 13

Safe Haven - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark
Horro Remix:Love - 8:00 PM - Studio Movie Grill Royal

Thu
Feb 14

Valentine's Day

Fri
Feb 15

Sat
Feb 16

Croods - 10:00 am - Fort Worth

2013 DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Italy Spotlight and Opening Party at the New LOOK Cinemas

BUON GIORNO! DALLAS FILM SOCIETY’S 2013 DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO FOCUS LENS ON ITALY, NEW VENUE


From the birthplace of the Renaissance to a new local venue, DIFF brings together the best from around the world to celebrate the art of film—Dallas style


DALLAS, TX – Jan. 24, 2013 – The Dallas Film Society is pleased to announce the 7th Annual Dallas International Film Festival as it casts an all-star line-up of films for the much-anticipated event April 4-14, 2013. Many established and up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world will descend upon Dallas for the event, which will bring a host of worldly surprises and names to North Texas. This year, DIFF is pleased to add a new, world-class viewing venue to the Festival, LOOK Cinemas, whose state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled dining will elevate the experience of enjoying the art of film.


“Film is an experience best enjoyed in the company of good food and friends,” said Lee Papert, President/CEO, Dallas Film Society. “We are excited to add LOOK to our venue line-up, which includes a variety of Dallas’s best destinations, from theaters to parks – everywhere the art of film can be.”



DIFF takes over LOOK Cinemas

DIFF isn’t just taking place at LOOK Cinemas; the Festival is taking over LOOK Cinemas on Opening Night on April 4. Truly experience LOOK Cinemas, located at Prestonwood and Belt Line roads, Festival style. LOOK Cinemas opens as the new 1,900-seat entertainment and dining complex that combines thought-provoking film with mouth-watering food. Nick & Sam’s Grill and Coal Vines are both co-located within the complex.


“It’s our honor at LOOK Cinemas to roll out the red carpet and host the opening night of the Dallas International Film Festival as we introduce our new theater, dining and entertainment complex,” said Tom Stephenson, CEO of LOOK Cinemas. “This is the perfect complement to the public opening of LOOK Cinemas on March 29.”


Other DIFF venues host everything from panel talks to screenings and include Dallas’s new Klyde Warren Park, Angelika Film Center Dallas, Landmark Theatre’s The Magnolia, Cinemark West Plano, The Texas Theatre, Hotel Palomar Dallas and the Nasher Sculpture Center.



Italy Spotlight, Films and Special Events

More than 150 films from all over the world will screen over the 11-day Festival. This year’s Festival will have people lusting for all things “Italia” all Festival long. The Dallas Film Society will pay homage to the cinematic achievements of Italian filmmakers by featuring Italy as this year’s cultural spotlight.


“For more than 110 years, Italian filmmakers have been producing innovative films that capture audiences and awards around the Globe,” said James Faust, artistic director, Dallas Film Society. “Italian filmmakers have pushed the envelope for decades and have helped set the standard for great cinema. With Italy’s rich film past and present, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on that heritage at DIFF.”


Other special events include High School Day (April 5) in Dallas Arts District, Family Day at Klyde Warren Park (April 6) and Latino Day in West Village (April 7). There will be Red Carpet appearances and star-studded galas taking place at some of the finest venues Dallas has to offer.



Passes and Tickets

Passes are on sale now online only through the Prekindle Box Office. Passes are also on sale and range from $100 for a Festival Lounge Pass to $750 for an all-access Star Pass, which includes:

All-access pass to all screenings
One invitation to the Opening Night Screening & Gala on April 4, 2013, subject to availability.
Admission for one person to all Centerpiece screenings and parties during the Festival
Access for one person to the Festival Lounge. (Must be 21 or over to enter the Festival Lounge or to consume alcohol.)
Admission for one person to all regular film screenings and panel discussions
Dallas International Film Festival swag bag full of unforgettable merchandise

Tickets will go on sale in March 14. To purchase tickets and passes, visit: www.DallasFilm.org.




About the Dallas Film Society

The Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Dallas Film Society recognizes and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today's world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. The annual Dallas International Film Festival, scheduled for April 4-14, 2013, is a presentation of the Dallas Film Society. In addition to producing one of the largest festivals in the Southwest, the Society produces numerous year round events, screening series and partnership programs with arts organizations around the city. For more information, call (214) 720-0555, or visit www.DallasFilm.org. The offices of the Dallas Film Society are located at 3625 North Hall Street, Suite 740, Dallas, TX 75219.



2013 Dallas International Film Festival Sponsors

ABCO; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld, LLP; Alamo Drafthouse DFW; The Angelika Film Center; The Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation; Austin Film Festival; Barefoot Wine & Bubbly; Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers; CBS Radio; Central 214; Cinemark USA, Inc.; Colibri Promotions; Community Trust Bank, The Container Store; The Crow Collection of Asian Art; D Magazine; Dallas Film Commission; Dallas Museum of Art; Dallas Observer; Deep Eddy Vodka; Downtown Dallas, Inc.; Earth Day Dallas; El Creative; Flagship Marketing; Forte; Gemini Light, Sound & Video; GrandLuxe Magazine; Hotel Palomar; KellyKitchensPR.com; Klyde Warren Park; LOOK Cinemas; Mary Kay; Mockingbird Station; Mockingbird Taproom; Modern Luxury Media; Movie Magic; My Sweet Charity; Nasher Sculpture Center; Panavision; Pencilneck Software; Post Asylum; Prekindle; Pure Evil Sound & Music Design; Rentex; ScreenFX Academy; Southwest Airlines; Stella Artois; Texas Association of Film Commissions; Texas Capital Bank; Texas Film Commission; Time Warner Cable; TXU Energy; Vergent Communications; West Village; WFAA; and Whole Foods.



About Boardwalk Automotive Group Volkswagen Dealerships

Boardwalk Auto Group has three Volkswagen Dealerships serving the North Dallas community. Boardwalk Volkswagen, located in Richardson, Texas, was recently named 2012 Volkswagen Dealer of the Year for Texas by DealerRater® reflecting on the dealer's commitment to unparalleled customer service. Park Cities Volkswagen and McKinney Volkswagen are also two of the Highest-Rated DealerRater® Certified Volkswagen Dealers in Texas. Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers offer the absolute best selection and price in the Metroplex in addition to their state-of-the art Service Departments. Boardwalk Auto Group is one of the premier auto groups in the nation representing Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen. For more information about Boardwalk Auto Group Volkswagen Dealers, please visit www.DallasVWDealers.com.

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Side Effects

Steven Soderbergh directed Contagion from a script by Scott Z. Burns. Now they are back with another medical mystery thriller, Side Effects. Soderbergh who also directed Ocean's Eleven, Traffic and Erin Brockovich takes on pharmaceuticals with a fictional anti-depressant called Ablixa, complete with fake ads that could be in any magazine or television. The visuals of watery grey New York City evoke the sense of dreary gloom amidst the day to day existence. The whole movie seems bathed in a flat pallet. You are ready to start taking those drugs just to make everything all right and in color again. Soderbergh has said that Side Effects will be the last movie he will direct for the big screen because he wants to paint.

The movie opens with blood on the floor and bloody foot prints before it tells you the story that started three months earlier. Rooney Mara of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo plays Emily and looks a little more womanly, although she is still waif thin, fragile and vulnerable. She is waiting for the day her husband Martin (Channing Tatum) will be released from prison where he's spent the last four years on a charge of insider trading. Martin met someone inside prison who is offering a way to make all his money back and he is gung-ho promising they can get back the good life when he was a successful hedge fund manager. However, it appears that their time apart has not been kind to Emily. She's a quiet, pensive and sad. For no apparent reason she runs her car straight into a wall in the parking garage. The suicide attempt brings her to smooth, competent Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law). The different drugs that he subscribes doesn't seem to help. She feels nauseous, lowered libido, and can't concentrate. On the suggestion of Emily's previous therapist Dr. Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta Jones) she is offered Ablixia a new drug on the market. Emily says it's better but her husband is concerned when she starts sleepwalking.

The world of pushing pharmaceuticals by drug companies is lightly touched upon when Banks is offered to do a trial study that will net him an extra $50,000. Bank's wife just lost her job so the extra cash is attractive. His practice is busy and it supplements his work at the hospital consulting for the police. He lives in a nice Soho loft with his wife and stepson. It's a shock to Banks when he almost it all when something terrible goes wrong and he's being fingered as the doctor who should have known better. He looses his patients, his practice, his wife and stepson. The story shifts gears as Dr. Banks becomes obsessive to discover how all this happened.

Soderbergh paces the story very slowly to the point of it's almost too sleepy. Mara's Emily exudes an aura of someone who needs protection from her strong handsome husband, to concerned Dr. Banks and even from the chilly Dr. Siebert. As the tables begin to turn, the action becomes a little more urgent as Banks gets anxious to clear his name and make things right again. Law does an excellent job of a psychiatrist who is good at what he does, but suddenly has to defend how he does business causing his associates and wife are quick to cut him free. There are some questions that nag as the story quickly closes in a nice clean package. It's an interesting mystery, but at times felt a little manipulative. If nothing else, you will be reading all those side effect warnings when you pick up your next prescription.
(Review by reesa)

Identity Thief

Let me just start off by saying, when I watch a comedy I hardly ever view it in the same way as I would a drama or action movie. With either of those movies, I dissect it and inspect every aspect of the story, acting, lighting, etc… But with a comedy, the only thing I look for is if it makes me laugh or not. Sometimes the acting, but the most important aspect of the movie in my opinion is whether it entertains and amuses me. So, in saying that, Identity Thief delivers.

The movie starts out with Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman) getting a phone call from who he thinks is someone trying to protect his credit card. In reality it’s Diana (Melissa McCarthy), the identity thief. At the same time as Diana is stealing Patterson’s identity, he is in the process of quitting his job to start a new business with some work colleagues. Patterson is a family man with two daughters and another on the way. Financially, he’s making it, but it’s hardly enough. It happens that one day he is unable to pay for his gas. Shortly after that he’s arrested because of a warrant out for Sandy Patterson in Florida. But the Sandy Patterson that’s been arrested is living in Colorado and has never been to Florida. Thus, the cops call for a mug shot and realize that Mr. Sandy Patterson has had his identity stolen by a woman (McCarthy). Patterson then heads off to Florida to hunt down Diana and get his life back in order. Little does he know that this isn’t going to be some easy pick up, this is going to take work, and the work it does take is filled with laughs and several, “Oh my gosh I can’t believe this is happening!” moments.

Ever since stealing the show in Bridesmaids, Melissa McCarthy hasn’t actually “starred” in anything besides her TV show Mike & Molly. This is her first chance to carry a movie as a lead role, and she does a magnificent job of it. What’s great about her performance in this movie was not only that she drew several boastful laughs from your mouth, but that she was able to get extremely emotional when the script called for it, which isn’t something you see in most comedies. There were two scenes that were cutting to the core and made you really sympathize for McCarthy’s character. It totally came out of the blue, but it hit you like a ton of bricks when they appeared.

I really have no complaints about this movie, as a comedy. If this were a drama or an action movie, it might be a different story. In fact it would definitely be a completely different story. But as far as spending an hour and a half watching a road trip go wrong, there’s not too much to complain about. You spend over half of the movie laughing your butt off, and the other half you’re close to tears. Melissa McCarthy does a great job of carrying this movie and Jason Bateman does a great job of supporting her. Out of all the comedies that are going to come out this year, there’s no reason to not see this one. (Unless you just don’t like to laugh) I’d recommend heading to enjoy this one if you have any free time to spare or you want a nice laugh. I’m giving it 6.5-7/10.
(Review by Weston Baker)

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD RED CARPET ARRIVALS LIVE FROM LONDON

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD RED CARPET ARRIVALS LIVE FROM LONDON

FEATURED ON YAHOO! MOVIES AND IN ASSOCIATION WITH MERCEDES-BENZ



Cast and Filmmakers to Answer Fan Questions During the Broadcast



Tune in for a Sneak Peek of the Movie!



LOS ANGELES (February 7, 2013) – Fans around the world are invited to watch and participate in a live broadcast of the red carpet arrivals at the London premiere of A Good Day to Die Hard. The event is being held in association with Mercedes-Benz on Thursday, February 7th at 6:00 pm GMT exclusively on Yahoo! Movies at http://uk.movies.yahoo.com. Viewers will be able to see the stars arrive and be interviewed, including Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, among others. The show will be hosted by Alex Zane, and special co-hosts SeaNanners and Khail Anonymous from Machinima.

The live broadcast will include an exclusive debut of never-before-seen footage from the film. Additionally, cast and filmmakers will answer questions submitted by fans during the event. You may start sending questions now by visiting A Good Day to Die Hard on Facebook (facebook.com/diehardmovies) and Twitter (twitter.com/diehard) for the chance to have them presented. Be sure to include #DieHard when submitting your questions. You may also provide questions via Mercedes-Benz on Facebook at facebook.com/MercedesBenz and Yahoo! Movies on Facebook at facebook.com/YahooMoviesUK.

Fans will get to experience the excitement of the red carpet as if they are there! Here are the details:

WHEN: Thursday, February 7th at 6:00 pm GMT

WHERE: Yahoo! Movies at http://uk.movies.yahoo.com

WHO: The cast and filmmakers of A Good Day to Die Hard

Watch it here:







Bruce Willis returns in his most iconic role as John McClane - the “real” hero with the skills and attitude to always be the last man standing. This time the take-no-prisoners cop is really in the wrong place at the wrong time after traveling to Moscow to help his estranged son Jack - unaware that Jack is really a highly-trained CIA operative out to stop a nuclear weapons heist. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClanes discover that their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes.

A Good Day to Die Hard opens February 14th. For more information about the film, visit https://www.facebook.com/DieHardMovies and https://twitter.com/DieHard, and click HERE to view the trailer.

Movies Scheduled for the Week of 2/3 - 2/9

OK, let's get this straight. The purpose of this group is to share information and passes to the free screenings in DFW. If you have a pass, want a pass, or want to trade a pass, this forum is here to facilitate and help you get to those movies. This moderator has to go through the same efforts that y'all have to do, like entering contests, signing up for newsletters, going to pass pickups, or whatever. This moderator is not a distributor of passes. Just because it's posted here doesn't mean that Dallas Movie Screenings has them to give away. Occasionally we are allowed a pass we can share with everyone here, but it's not often. So personally writing to the moderator to send you a pass is not going to work. You either enter those contests, sign up for those newsletters, go to those pass pickups and if all else fails, ask the subscribers here if they have one they are not using and if they would kindly share it.

Also, another reminder...please DO NOT hit reply and send when a pass if offered. Double check the return address and send your request directly to the person offering. Otherwise, *poof*, your email is rejected and sent back to you as a nudge that y'all did it incorrectly. And you probably missed getting that pass. Save time, go right to the source of the email.

February 3 - February 9

Sun
Feb 3

Mon
Feb 4

Tues
Feb 5

Identity Thief - 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark
Side Effects - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas

Wed
Feb 6

Beautiful Creatures - 7:30 pm - Angelika Dallas
21 & Over - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Royal

Thu
Feb 7

Safe Haven - 7:30 pm - Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley

Fri
Feb 8

Sat
Feb 9

Escape From Planet Earth - 10:00 am - AMC Northpark

Warm Bodies

The beginning of the year usually brings out the non-starter films that didn't make the big summer and winter releases. But there's always one movie that floats to the top like last year's The Grey that was released about the same time. This year it's Warm Bodies written and directed by Jonathan Levine (The Wackness and 50/50) from a 2010 novel by Isaac Marion. This “R” rated zom-com bends the bar on your typical Walking Dead munch fest. Like the amusing Shaun of the Dead it takes the typical 20 something blasé mind set and puts it into a corpse.

“R” (Nicholas Hoult) can't remember his name or how he came to wander the airport with the other undead. The running inner commentary is how the film opens as the young man in a dirty hoodie and jeans explains his predicament. Usually zombies are portrayed as mindless animated dead flesh that must feed on live humans. Apparently this zombie in particular has some self-awareness. Eating of brains sparks memories of the victim into the zombie's cortex. R tries to hold onto to those moments of cognisance just for a chance to feel anything. When he eats the brain of Perry (Dave Franco – James Franco's brother) he sees glimpses of Julie (Teresa Palmer) and instead of eating her too, he saves her and takes her back to his big body airplane home. R manages to say her name and relay to her that he won't eat her and she's safe. Julie, obviously frightened, is also fascinated that there's a zombie that is talking and helping her. He convinces her to stay a few days in his comfy hideout with his tchotchkes and other collectables, playing vinyl records. (The musical choices being spot on for the film like Springsteen's Hungry Heart and Dylan's Shelter from the Storm) R's growing affection for Julie also sparks something in the other zombies who witness Julie and R holding hands. R's zombie friend “M” (Rob Corddry) also recognizes that something is different. The Romeo and Juliet romance is challenged by the “Bonies” – skeletal zombies that have gone completely feral and Julie's father, General Grigio (John Malkovich), who leads the militia of the remaining humans behind the protective Green Zone wall.

Hoult as R does a good Zombie shuffle and while trying to blend Julie into the pack coaches her overacting as “too much”. The child actor of About a Boy does a fine job as the angst young dead guy trying to impress the girl by pushing his hair off his blood stained face. Palmer is pretty, competent in a fight, and liberal minded as she accepts the shrugging zombie as if hanging out with the school nerd. There's some good comic moments from Corddry and Analeigh Tipton as Nora, Julie's best friend. This is a pleasant, funny, surprising date movie with Twilight type lovey romance and a little brain eating.
(Review by reesa)

Bullet to the Head

Sylvester Stallone is like the Jack LaLanne of action movies. If you recall Jack LaLanne was the preeminent health and fitness guru back in the 50's, 60's and 70's, keeping himself buff until his death at 96 years of age. At 66, Stallone has a few miles on his face, and his enunciation still sounds like he has marbles in his mouth. Standing straight back and walking stiffly, he's still kicks butt in this new film directed Walter Hill (48 Hours, Streets of Fire, Red Heat) and adapted from Alexis Nolent's graphic novel Du Plomb Dans La Tete by Hill and Alessandro Camon.

Hitman Jimmy Bobo (Stallone) gets angry when he's double crossed on an assignment and his partner Louis (Jon Seda) is killed. He ends up teaming with a Washington DC detective Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang) who comes to New Orleans to investigate the death of the rouge cop that Jimmy put down. The idea is that they can share information to help each other since Jimmy wants to get paid and get revenge on the guy who killed Louis. Taylor is very idealistic and is often conflicted when dealing with Jimmy's way of doing things, like shooting everyone when they are done questioning them. The local police department made him give up his gun in their district and obviously up to no good. He has no choice but to join forces with Jimmy. The plot has something to do with bribes, payoffs, Senators, government officials, real estate, and money. Bad guy Morel (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) doesn't trust anyone who doesn't put money first. Including his hired mercenary Keegan (Jason Momoa) and his yesman Marcus Baptiste (Christian Slater). There's also Jimmy's tattoo artist daughter Lisa (Sarah Shahi) who serves as the pretty young thing and possible love interest for Kwon,

It's a blunt, violent, yet a lot of the action is played for laughs. The earnest young cop using his cell phone to gather intel vs the dinosaur who blows things up. Stallone delivers the lines from one side of his mouth, and his dead pan delivery keeps the movie from being just another revenge thriller. Sung Kang balances Stallone's one note criminal but has to deal with all the racial references that are insulting and annoying for anyone who is of Asian descent. Momoa does a good job as the hired killer who thinks himself a hero in his work. The ultimate mano a mano with the sadistic Keegan even includes fireman axes. The action is well paced and at times fun to watch. Granted most of the movie is predictable with testosterone overkill, the soundtrack is distractingly loud with it's jazzy New Orleans rhythms, the plot holes big enough for the Titanic, it's still somewhat a curiosity just to see Stallone at the Turkish bathhouse showing off his tattooed shoulders.
(Review by reesa)