Movies Scheduled 5/29-6/4

Hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day weekend! Then unofficial start of summer! I know I am ready for summer I hope y'all are as well!!

Not much in the way of movies this week so I hope you get to catch up on the ones you didn't get tickets for or what you wasn't able to get in!

If you have any questions please email me at damitdaina@hotmail.com.


Sunday May 29th


Monday May 30th


Tuesday May 31st

Popstar: Never Stop TBA
Me Before You Angelika Dallas


Wednesday June 1st

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows AMC Northpark


Thursday June 2nd


Friday Junes 3rd


Saturday June 4th

X-Men:Apocalypse

The first X-Men filmed in 2000, now number nine movies including the spin-off's for Wolverine and Deadpool, with more to come in the future. Obviously the series has to adjust to aging actors by exploring earlier time lines. The first films explored the X-Men in present time, then it went back in time. The new film is also from the past where we learn the origins of some characters and even how Professor Xavier looses his hair. Directed once again by Bryan Singer and written by Simon Kinberg, the movie will be fun for die hard fans, but for those not it will be hard to keep track of the who's and why's.

We are also introduced to the “villain” of the piece, En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) living in ancient Egypt with his four Horseman of mutant enforcers. He's trying to change his body to preserve his immortality, but some of his worshipers try to kill him and destroy the temple before the transfer is complete. The Horseman create a shield around the Sabah Nur which keeps him entombed over the years until Agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Bryne) discovers a cult worshiping him. Sabah Nur escapes, walking around modern day Egypt assessing the world around him. He enlists the help of mutant pickpocket Ororo Munroe who can control the weather. With Sabah Nur's help, he enhances her powers making her Storm, one of his new Horseman. He also recruits Psylocke (Olivia Munn) and Angel (Ben Hardy) who have some anger issues already. But his main man is Magneto (Michael Fassbender) who is upset after losing his wife and child while he was hiding his identity while living a normal life in Poland.

Meanwhile, the parade of mutants are quickly reviewed and introduced again, Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) who is out rescuing mutants like Night Crawler (Kodi Smith-McPhee). She takes him to Xavier's new mutant school where Beast (Nicholas Hoult( is a teacher who build things for troubled students. Like new mutant Cyclops (Tye Sheridan) who connects with Jean Gray/Phoenix (Sophie Turner) as being the most feared mutants in the school due to their lack of power control. They become aware of the new power stirring when Apocalypse almost destroys the school. And they have to unite to once again save the world.

The action sequences are better than usual thanks to the upgrades in technology, but it's still CGI overkill. All the mutants get a little screen time to shine so you will remember them in the upcoming films. The trouble is the films cuts from one thing to another too quickly. Besides the numerous characters thrown together, we get a taste of an early Wolverine in one sequence, all passing too soon. The origins of En Sbah Nur and how he came to be is never explained, nor why Magento joined his Horsemen. Big gaps and messy story opening too closely to the more superior Captain America. People will still see it.
(Review by reesa)

The Lobster

The Lobster is a dark comedic science-fiction tale directed by Yorgos Lanthimos who also wrote it with Efthymis Filippou. It is frankly bizarre and entertaining, winning the Jury Prize at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It's offbeat and somewhat deadpan humor may not sit well with most typical movie goers at a metroplex, but for those who want a bit of a different love story that confronts dating, power structures with a satirical bent that is surreal and disturbing.

In this alternate dystopian world, the rules of the City requires that single people spend 45 days at the Hotel where they have to find a partner. Those who fail at the end of their time limit are turned into the animal of their choice. David (Colin Farrell) whose wife had left him, arrives at the Hotel with his brother who had been turned into a dog. The Hotel Manager (Olivia Colman) explains the rules to David, takes his preferences of being straight or gay (bi is no longer an option), and what kind of animal he would chose, which he says “lobster”. The residents at the hotel are taken to the dining area which are separated with the singles sitting at long row of tables. Those who found a potential partner are allowed to sit together in another room. He befriends two men who he identifies as Lisping Man (John C. Reilly) and Limping Man (Ben Whishaw) who have been there longer to show him the ropes and discuss the possible women who are available.

The residents of the Hotel can also extend their stay by hunting escapees, the Loners who live in the surrounding forest. They are shot with tranquilizers, what happens to them is not explained. The most cold blooded woman at the Hotel (Angeliki Papoulia) has the record of captures because no body really wants to partner with her. Couples usually have to find something similar with each other to become compatible. Limping man smashes his nose against hard surfaces to feign nosebleeds to win the affection of a woman who suffers nosebleeds. Heartless woman decides she is matched with David when she feigns choking and he doesn't respond, but he realizes she is crazy and escapes the hotel. In the woods he joins the Loners. The Loners are forbidden romance which is punishable by violence. David who is near sighted begins a relationship with a near sighted woman (Rachel Weisz) and they try to keep it a secret with sign language. The Loners go on covert missions to the city and launch raids on the Hotel. The movie sort of gets muddled towards the end, but the last scene is a kicker and is kept ambiguous.

Colin Farrell is really paunchy and odd. He's numb with sadness, and his communications skills are pretty dim. He conveys the uncomfortableness of trying to maintain a working relationship with another human being. In fact everyone partnered seem only to be by one common element like David's nearsightedness with his Loner lover. The colors, pacing and direction are all planned to keep you sort of off kilter. You may leave wondering about your own partnerships and what kind of animal you would be.
(Review by reesa)

Love and Friendship

Jane Austen novels are full of plucky young women living in a world of ever so polite society, where a woman's worth is based on her future husband's material worth. Director Whit Stillman bases his script on Austen's novel Lady Susan borrowing a title from an earlier Austen story. The original novel was a series of letters which made it difficult to adapt to the screen. Whitman takes the character and plot from the perspective of Lady's Susan's nephew who hopes to counter criticism of his maligned aunt.

Kate Beckinsale is fascinating as the irrepressible Lady Susan Vernon. She has been recently widowed so even as she retains her noble title, she can not inherit any of the property of her husband. She seeks refuge with her in-laws Charles Vernon (Justin Edwards) and his wife Catherine (Emma Greenwell). Catherine's dashing and eligible brother Reginald DeCourcy (Xavier Samuel) is intrigued to meet Lady Susan after hearing of her scandalous reputation. She has been accused of having an affair with Lord Manwaring (Lochlann O'Mearáin) who is separated from his wife Lady Lucy Manwaring (Jenn Murray). Lady Susan is determined to find a new husband for herself and her daughter Frederica (Morfyyd Clark) who had just been kicked out of boarding school because her mother can't afford it any longer. While Lady Susan centers her charms on Reginald, she selects Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett) as a suitable mate for Frederica. However Sir James Martin is good natured fool who patters on and on in teeth grating annoyance. He's the funniest person in this film.

Lady Susan's confidante and one true friend is an American married to an Englishman, Alicia Johnson (Chloë Sevigny). Her husband has forbidden her to associate with Lady Susan on peril of being sent back to the States. Since Mr. Johnson is out of town, the two meet for tea, or rides around town while Lady Susan expresses her views on life and society despite her friend being an American “who has none of the uncouthness but all of the candor”. Lady Susan, while graceful and beautiful, is audacious, witty and confident in her views of life. The film demands that you listen closely to enjoy all the nuances and flavor that is usually missing in the usual Austen fluff pieces. Lady Susan is a force to be reckoned with while negotiating and manipulating her way through society's limitations.
(Review by reesa)

15th Annual AFFD Announces First Titles

15th ANNUAL ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF DALLAS PRESENTED BY WELL GO USA ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES
FIRST TITLES, FIRSTS & FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

THURSDAY, JULY 14 THROUGH THURSDAY, JULY 21
ANGELIKA FILM CENTER DALLAS in MOCKINGBIRD STATION
5321 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206

May 25, 2016 (DALLAS, TX) – The Asian Film Festival of Dallas celebrates its 15th year with returning presenting sponsor Well Go USA Entertainment, from Thursday, July 14 through Thursday, July 21, 2016.

This festival year boasts its first Iranian film as part of its repertory program. To commemorate its 15th anniversary, they will be showcasing past film festival favorites from its first, fifth and tenth years (films will be announced in the next coming weeks!)

Film fans can also expect films from the U.S., Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Vietnam and from all genres: action, anime, comedy, crime drama, documentary, drama, martial arts, psycho drama, thriller and romantic comedy.

AFFD organizers are excited about adding its first Iranian film and announcing its first three of many diverse Asian and Asian-American films:

The Brick and the Mirror
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 131 min
Released: 1965
Country: Iran
Language: Persian w/ English Subtitles
Director: Ebrahim Golestan
Starring: Taji Ahmadi, Zackaria Hashemi, Goli Bozorgmehr
Trailer: Unavailable
Hashem is a cab driver who finds an infant child in the back seat of his cab one night after he gives a ride to a young woman. He and his girlfriend, Taji, try to cope with this unwanted child. Hashem insists on getting rid of the child, Taji on keeping him.

Port of Call
Premiere status: Southwest premiere
Genre: Crime
Runtime: 126 min
Released: 2015
Country: Hong Kong
Language: Cantonese w/ English Subtitles
Director: Philip Yung
Starring: Aaron Kwok, Jessie Li, Patrick Tam
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeZkE31VUmA
**Port of Call won seven awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards including best actor (Aaron Kwok) and best actress (Jessie Li).
The film is based on a real murder case where a dismembered corpse of a murdered 16-year-old prostitute girl was found in Hong Kong in 2008. Jiamei Wang has moved to Hong Kong from Dongguan, China. Desperate to become financially independent from her mother and step-father, she ends up becoming a prostitute. Chi-chung Ting, a truck driver who had just been brutally dumped, finds Jiamei online. They communicate with each other via text message and become friends right away. On the day of the murder, Jiamei and Chi-chung finally meet in person. Ching Sir, a quirky police officer in charge of the case, wants to find out the real reason behind the incident, to prove that human nature is not evil, to shine a light onto the darkness.

Hikawa Maru Monogatari
Premiere status: International premiere
Genre: Anime
Runtime: 90 min
Released: 2015
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese w/ English Subtitles
Director: Shunji Oga
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C58_D1q9soI
**Hikawa Maru Monogatari commemorates the real-life 85th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Hikawa Maru ocean liner from Kobe to Seattle. The film is based on essayist Genjiro Ito's book of the same name.
Jirō Hirayamais a boy who lost his mother in the Great Kanto Earthquake, and who runs a soba stall with his father. He decides to join the crew of the famous ocean liner Hikawa Maru, and finds work cooking in the ship's galley. Through his eyes, the film explores the ship's 85-year history.

Parties and events

VIP Reception: Invitation-only
Opening Night Party: Thursday, July 14
Filmmakers Reception/Panel: TBA
Closing Night Party: Thursday, July 21

More titles and full schedule of Q&As, parties, events and details will follow in the coming weeks. Visit www.asianfilmdallas.com.

About the Asian Film Festival of Dallas

Since its creation in 2002, the annual film festival has grown to become the South’s largest showcase of Asian and Asian-American cinema. Over the past 15 years, the festival has provided opportunities for nearly 500 Asian and Asian-American filmmakers and documentarians to share their vision, often providing the only venue for their films to be shown in Dallas.
The films have also allowed festival goers a chance to experience other lives and cultures without leaving their seats. The Asian Film Festival of Dallas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting emerging and established Asian and Asian-American filmmakers and sharing the rich diversity of Asian culture through the medium of cinema.
For more information about AFFD or to purchase passes and tickets, please visit www.asianfilmdallas.com.

Movies Scheduled for the Week of May 22 - May 28

Wasn't there a time when May was full of movies? Or is this just the calm before the summer movie madness? In any case, there's not much of a selection, and movie lines will be long and crowded. Plus lots of rain is in the forecast. Good luck out there.

My apologies for not updating the daily movie notices on Facebook and Twitter. Or posting the contests to the group. It's been a busy week with my son getting married, and my daughter and grandbaby visiting from Brooklyn. My life has not been my own and I've missed some good movies the last weeks. Hopefully things will return to normal soon.



May 22-May 28

Sun
May 22

Mon
May 23

Alice Through the Looking Glass - 7:30 pm - tba

Tues
May 24

Me Before You - 7:00 pm - AMC Northpark
Alice Through the Looking Glass - 7:30 pm - AMC Parks Arlington
Alice Through the Looking Glass - 7:30 pm - Cinemark 17

Wed
May 25

X-Men:Apocalypse - 7:30 pm - Cinemark 17

Thur
May 26

Alice Through the Looking Glass - 7:00 pm - AMC Northpark

Fri
May 27

Sat
May 28

Movies Scheduled 5/15-5/21

Lots of movies this week on my normal off days. I wish I could go but working lots of overtime so I won't be going to movies for a little while. Okay maybe more like a month! But hey extra money for vacation is always a good thing!!

So if I don't answer your email timely please know I may be asleep. My alarm is set for 3 in the afternoon but most days I wake up earlier.

If you have any questions please email me at damitdaina@hotmail.com.


Sunday May 15th


Monday May 16th

Nice Guys Angelika Dallas
A Big Splash Magnolia


Tuesday May 17th

Warcraft AMC Northpark
Me Before You Angelika Dallas
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising AMC Northpark


Wednesday May 18th


Thursday May 19th


Friday May 20th


Saturday May 21st

The Man Who Knew Infinity

This intellectually entertaining film tells the story of S. Ramanujan, a poor and uneducated genius, who comes from India to England in search of publishing his work. This true story illustrates the subject of math as outstandingly beautiful while exploring Ramanujan’s brilliance throughout the piece. Ramanujan takes up residence at Cambridge University while being supervised by Professor G. H. Hardy. Films that explore intellectual brilliance and hard work are mesmerizing to watch. These films explain how the brain is capable of the unthinkable that a human can do.

Ramanujan’s severe underdog tale is a perfect encapsulation of how people at first are scared of what they cannot understand. A Brilliant Young Mind was another fully grabbing tale of someone who excelled at mathematics. As the film opened, I got chills up my spine as I hear Jeremy Irons’ Hardy state how his first and ever romantic experience was with Ramanujan. He means romantic as obviously an emotionally filling relationship between two friends. That narration sets the tone of the inspirational tale that is to follow while demanding a serious vow of attention to the picture.

We can see through that line how Ramanujan changed Hardy’s life forever with his “thoughts from God” as Ramanujan puts them. The extraordinaire man we can see comes from extremely humble beginnings. He is basically homeless at first and is turned down by multiple potential occupations. Elements of racism that were obviously rampant in the early 1900's appear in the film but not in an intense way as to turn one off. When Ramanujan finally gets a job by the quick words a fellow Indian says about him, he acquires a small place with his wife that they are both grateful for. As she puts it “It is okay, it’s a home.” This scene is so telling to the fact that Ramanujan, his mother, and his wife were so destitute even when he was eons beyond anybody else in his thoughts.

I thoroughly love how God was tied in to this story. Hardy is an atheist who has something to learn besides mathematics from the outrageously gifted new mind. In some of the most trying scenes, which were not too painful, Hardy is faced with his acceptance of God in gripping ways. In a poignant scene Ramanujan answers Hardy’s question while saying that his formulas embedded in thoughts come from God. This man, although viewed by some as arrogant, was a humble and God believing being. This is a definite see that gives great substance to the underdog concept.
(Review by Wyatt Head)

Movies Scheduled 5/8-5/14

Happy Mother's day to all you Moms out there!! Even if your kids have two legs or have four legs!

Not much going on in the screening world this week so maybe catch up on some of the movies you missed?

I am doing a few extra days of overtime this month and the start of next month so please forgive me if I miss something. I do my best not to miss anything but trying to get enough sleep during the day is tough.


If you have any questions please email me at damitdaina@hotmail.com.


Sunday May 8th

Asian Movie Madness: Kill Zone 2 Mulberry Street Catina

Monday May 9th


Tuesday May 10th


Wednesday May 11th

Money Monster AMC Northpark


Thursday May 12th


Friday May 13th


Saturday May 14th

Angry Birds Cinemark 17

Movies Scheduled 5/1-5/7

May is finally here. Getting closer to getting to see Civil War! I am so excited!! I got my ticket when they did the pre sale a few months ago. I had a feeling the screening passes would be super hard to get. But then I ended up saying I would work some overtime and it was on the night of the screening.

Not a lot of movies this week. Some may pop up during the week. If not it is always a good time to catch up on movies you have yet had a chance to see.

If you have any questions please email me at damitdaina@hotmail.com.


Sunday May 1st


Monday May 2nd

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Cinemark West


Tuesday May 3rd


Captain America: Civil War AMC Parks Arlington


Wednesday May 4th

Thursday May 5th

Friday May 6th

Saturday May 7th