Thinking Outside the Multiplex

by MIKE MACCOLLUM

LIMITED RELEASE THEATRICAL OPENINGS IN INDIANA THIS WEEK – If you enjoy Indian films on the big screen, then this is your kind of week at the Georgetown 14 -  five movies from India will be playing at that theater between now and next Friday.  The Keystone Arts has no new limited release films this week, since Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire also will be at five other local theaters, and will be on multiple screens at several venues (including the Landmark).  For all of the news on what’s new (and holding over) in the world of limited-release films across the state, read on below.

(Note: For showtimes, directions and other information about the Indiana theaters and venues listed below, follow the links in the “Outside the Multiplex: Moviegoing in the Hoosier State” section of the sidebar.)

Arya 2 – This is a Telegu-language film which apparently does not have English subtitles.  I could not find a web site for it, but this link says that it is a romantic comedy which involves a software engineer.  Arya 2 will have three showings at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis this weekend; for information on the show times, go to manoranjaninc.com.

De Dana Dan – Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif are the stars of this Bollywood comedy about a group of schemers trying to get rich by any means possible; it starts Wednesday at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis (follow the manoranjaninc.com link for the show times).

Kurbaan (The Sacrifice) – Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan star in this Indian drama about a woman who slowly realizes that her new husband may be up to no good – and that he may be using her as part of his schemes.  Kurbaan will be shown Friday through Sunday at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis (follow the manoranjaninc.com link for the show times).

Puthiya Mukham (The New Face) – This Malayalam action film from India (which apparently does not have English subtitles) is about a musician and engineering student, Kichu, whose girlfriend is being pursued by a well-connected and wealthy fellow student.  After the bad guy’s intentions are made clear, Kichu decides to do what it takes to rescue her.  I couldn’t find an official site for this film, so here is a link to its Wikipedia page, and here is a link to a trailer on Youtube.  Puthiya Mukham will be shown twice at the Georgetown 14 this weekend (follow the manoranjaninc.com link for the times).

Raaj, the Show Man – A young man living in a village becomes an actor in this Kannada-language film from India; he then tries to persuade a reluctant actress to work with him, and tries to save her from some unsavory relatives.  Raaj will have three showings at the Georgetown 14 this weekend (follow the manoranjaninc.com link for the times).

THEATRICAL HOLDOVERS, FILM FESTIVALS, REVIVAL SCREENINGS, AND OTHER SPECIAL SHOWINGS IN INDIANA THIS WEEK

Anime Crossroads – I don’t know if this annual convention – which will take place November 20 through 22 at the Marriott East in Indianapolis – will feature any movie screenings; I couldn’t find any listed on the event’s site, for whatever that’s worth.  According to the home page for the event, however, it is a celebration of “eastern animation, Japanese culture and music,” so I thought it would be appropriate to mention it here.

Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day – Holds over at the Movies 14 in Mishiwaka, ShowPlace 16 in Schererville and the ShowPlace 16 in South Bend.

Cane Toads: An Unnatural History – This 1988 documentary on the introduction of cane toads to Australia – and their subsequent population explosion there – will be shown again this weekend in Bloomington courtesy of The Ryder Magazine and Film Series.

Coco Before Chanel – Holds over at Landmark’s Keystone Arts in Indianapolis for two shows a day, at 4:30 and 9:45 PM through at least Tuesday, November 24; also plays through November 25 at the Cinema Center in Fort Wayne.

An Education – Continues through at least November 24 at the Keystone Arts in Indianapolis; also starts Friday at the Carmike 20 in Fort Wayne.

The Godfather – Francis Ford Coppola’s classic film will be shown at Franklin’s historic Artcraft Theatre at 2 and 7:30 PM on Friday, and at 7:30 PM on Saturday.

Good Hair – As part of the Georgetown 14′s return to first-run fare, they will be showing Chris Rock’s documentary through at least Tuesday, November 24.

Holy Land Hardball – The Jewish Community Center in Indianapolis will screen this award-winning documentary about an attempt to popularize baseball in the Middle East on Saturday, November 21, at 7 PM; the screening will be preceded by a short film, Validations.

Is Anybody There? – Michael Caine stars in this drama/comedy, which plays through Monday, November 23, at the Lotus Petal Cinema in Nashville.

Kicking It – The Ryder Magazine and Film series in Bloomington will have one showing of this documentary – which is about people around the world training to compete in the 2006 Homeless World Cup, a street soccer competition – on Saturday, November 21, at 7:30 PM.  Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to several groups working to alleviate poverty and homelessness in the Bloomington area.

La Strada – Fellini’s classic film will be shown at the University of Notre Dame’s Browning Cinema on Sunday, November 22, at 3 PM.

The Limits of Control – Jim Jarmusch’s film plays through Monday, November 23, at the Lotus Petal Cinema in Nashville.

Mall of America and 0% Down – These two short films by Josephine Meckseper will be shown simultaneously (on different walls of the same gallery) at the Indianapolis Museum of Art through February 7, 2010.

The Milky Way and Simon of the Desert – These two films by Luis Bunuel will be shown at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at 7 PM on Friday, November 20.  The first involves a pair of French pilgrims encountering a series of distractions as they attempt to reach a Spanish holy city; the second is about a man who tries to avoid temptation by living on top of a pillar.

My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure – Continues at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis through at least November 24 with two shows per day (at 1 and 2 PM); also showing at the same times – but on Saturday and Sunday only – at the Studio 10 in Shelbyville and at the Showplace Cinemas East in Evansville this week at 11 AM (at least through November 24).

The Nutcracker – This production of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet was filmed at St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theater in 2007; it will be shown at 1 PM on Sunday, November 22, at the Rave Jefferson Pointe 18 in Fort Wayne.

Omer Fast: The Casting – This fourteen minute, four channel video installation continues at the Indianapolis Museum of Art through March 14. The piece intercuts excerpts from the artist’s conversations with a soldier about to leave for his second tour of duty in Iraq with footage of actors mimicking the dialogue.

The Perfect Gift – Holds over through at least November 24 at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis.

Pirate Radio – Holds over through at least November 24 at all four theaters at which it opened in the Indianapolis area – although it will have four shows per day only at the Regal Village Park 17 in Carmel and the AMC Castleton Square 14 in Indianapolis.  At the Goodrich Hamilton 16 and IMAX in Noblesville, it will be down to three shows a day (at 2:15, 4:55 and 7:35 PM); the Kerasotes ShowPlace 16 and IMAX in Indianapolis will have just two shows per day, at 1:10 and 7:10 PM.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Showing at 10 PM again this Saturday at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis.

Save the Lotus Petal – A notice requesting the public’s help to save this unique mini-cinema in Nashville apparently was posted on the theater’s site last week, but I didn’t see it until two days ago.  I have been able to go to the theater only twice, but I really enjoyed both of my visits.  While I cannot contribute any money to the cause at this time, I did want to get the word out, so that anyone with some money to spare could donate it to this worthy cause.

A Serious Man – Continues through November 25 at the Cinema Center in Fort Wayne; also continues through at least November 24 at the Keystone Arts in Indianapolis.

Still Walking – Director Kore-Eda Hirokazu’s family drama will be shown at the University of Notre Dame’s Browning Cinema on Friday, November 20, at 6:30 and 9:30 PM.

Stolen Kisses – François Truffaut’s 1968 film about a soldier who has just been discharged from the army and is trying to reunite with his girlfriend was released in the US in early 1969, which probably explains why it is part of the “Time Capsule: 1969″ film series presented by the Indiana Film Society.  Stolen Kisses will be shown at 7 PM on Tuesday, November 24, at the Jewish Community Center in Indianapolis; the screening is free and open to the public.

Thomas & Friends: Splish, Splash, Splosh – This children’s film will be shown at 11:15 AM on Saturday and Sunday at the Rave Metropolis 18 in Plainfield.

The Wet Your Pants Comedy Film Festival – The inaugural edition of this festival will get under way at noon on Saturday, November 21, at the Community Playhouse at Clay Terrace in Carmel.  It is presented by Stick Figure Pictures and the National Kidney Foundation, and will raise money for the NKF while showing indie comedies from across the US.  Three feature films and a number of shorts will be screened at this festival; for more information, visit the festival’s official site.

OPENING ELSEWHERE – The calendar tells us that the end of the year is approaching- and the number of high-profile films opening around the country (and hoping for awards and nominations) is another sign.  The Sun is my (by necessity) sight-unseen choice for the most interesting movie below, and the one I would most like to see in a theater- but then again, I would love to see all of the rest (especially Broken Embraces, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Mammoth, Red Cliff, Frontier of Dawn, Until the Light Takes Us, Defamation, My Dear Enemy andThe Missing Person) in theaters as well.  Two of these films – Broken Embraces and Red Cliff – have scheduled release dates at the Keystone Arts in Indianapolis, according to their official sites… and Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant re-do may have enough star power and critical support to make it to an Indianapolis theater as well.  Or it might be just too damned odd; who knows? 

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans – In all honesty, I thought this sounded like a horrible idea when I first read about it – a thoroughly unnecessary remake/reimagining/whatever, and a rank cash-in project for both star Nicolas Cage and director Werner Herzog.  Now, however, the overwhelmingly positive reviews the film has received (so far) from impressed-but-sort-of-bewildered critics have put this near the top of my want-to-see list.  Cage reportedly gives another of his cranked-up-to-11-and-beyond performances here – and this time, at least, that seems to be exactly right for the movie.  He plays a detective whose addiction-driven personality and disregard of the rules lead to him running amok in post-Katrina New Orleans.  Eva Mendes, Fairuza Balk, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Coolidge and Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner co-star in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.  As best as I can tell, this starts Friday at twenty theaters around the US (three in or near Chicago, four in or near San Francisco, three in the Washington, DC area, four in and around Los Angeles, and six in New York City); it is scheduled to open in six more cities (Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Diego, Seattle and Phoenix) on November 25.  I certainly hope that this crackpot-sounding film makes enough money to get into wider release, and soon….

The Beacon – Teri Polo stars as a woman grieving over the death of her young son; she and her husband move into an old apartment, where she starts to see a young boy around the building – only to discover that this boy died in that same building.  Michael Ironside co-stars as a cop looking into the spooky happenings; Elaine Hendrix and Ken Howard are in the cast as well.  The Beacon opened last Friday for a one-week run at the ShowBiz Cinemas 12 in Waxahachie, TX (where it was filmed); I am mentioning it here for the record.

Blood Equity – The title (and poster) might make you think that this is some sort of a horror movie, but it’s actually a documentary about the serious problems (physical and otherwise) facing some football players after they retire.  Mike Ditka and Tony Dorsett are among those interviewed for this film, which also covers the former players’ struggle with NFL team owners – and the NFL Player’s Union, surprisingly enough – when it comes to treatment of their present-day ailments.  Blood Equity starts Friday at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles.

Broken Embraces – Penelope Cruz stars in the latest film from Pedro Almodovar, which (based on the previews and the film’s official US site) seems to be a melodrama with some key plot threads from film noir; it also apparently features a number of references to other films and filmmakers.  The story involves a director who is having an affair with his lead actress – until a tragic event changes everything.  Years later, the director has a new identity and a new job, and he recounts the story of his past life to the son of a dedicated former employee. Broken Embraces starts Friday at two theaters in New York City; its official site says it is scheduled to open at the Keystone Arts in Indianapolis on January 15, 2010.

Defamation: Anti-Semitism, the Movie – Israeli  director Yoav Shamir made this documentary, which examines not only anti-Semitism as it exists today, but also a group of scholars and historians who contend that the concept of anti-Semitism is being used by some – especially the Israeli lobby in the US, they would contend – for political advantage.  Defamation starts Friday at one theater in New York City and one in San Francisco.

Farzaneh – This is a romantic comedy/drama about a Jewish man, Kayvon, who is about to marry in America – but his plans are complicated when his Muslim wife, Farzenah, suddenly re-enters his life after a long separation.  Kayvon’s fiancee then starts to suspect that something odd is going on.  Farzaneh starts Friday at the Laemmle Town Center 5 in Los Angeles.

Fix – A pair of documentary filmmakers, Milo and Bella, speed their way through the Los Angeles area, trying to get Bella’s brother into rehab before an 8 PM deadline- if he’s late, he has to serve s three-year stretch in prison.  As they race through the city, they meet a diverse group of several dozen people, each of them with a reason why he or she can’t do anything to help.  Olivia Wilde and Dedee Pfeiffer are in the cast of this drama/comedy, which starts Friday at the Village East Cinema in New York City.

For the Love of Movies – Film critic Gerald Peary directed this documentary, which interviews current critics about what led them to become critics, why they love movies, and which critics of days gone by inspired them.  For the Love of Movies also offers a history of film criticism in America from its earliest days to the Internet reviewers (and the ever-shrinking number of critics published in newspapers) of today.  This film started last Friday at one theater in San Francisco, and at a theater in Chicago named for a late film critic (the Gene Siskel Film Center).  It doesn’t appear to be in any theaters this week, as far as I can tell, but I am mentioning it here for the record.

Frontier of Dawn – Normally, I wouldn’t mention a film here if it had already opened several months ago.  (For example, several sites claim that a movie called Loot starts this Friday – but the film’s own official site says that it already played at one theater in New York City and one in Los Angeles in August of 2008, so I decided that movie wouldn’t be included here.)  But Frontier of Dawn is something of a special case, since several folks on the web referred to its Spring 2009 release in Brooklyn as something of a “secret” release, claiming that the film’s distributor did very little to promote it.  Anyhow, this film from Philippe Garrel stars his son Louis as a photographer who has an affair with a married actress, Carole.  He is devastated when his lover commits suicide; several months later, he is thinking of marrying his new girlfriend, but is troubled by haunting visions of Carole, who apparently wants him to be with her in the afterlife.  Frontier of Dawn opens Friday at the Anthology Film Archives in New York City.

Happily Ever After – A loving, hard-working wife stands by her loutish, jobless husband in this dark comedy from Japan; it starts Friday at the Viz Cinema in San Francisco.

Kabaddi (or possibly Kabbaddi – I’ve seen it both ways) – I couldn’t find a website for this Kannada-language film from India, but this review of the film says that it is a love story in which the sport of Kab(b)addi – allegedly the most popular game in the Indian state of Karnataka – features prominently in the plot: A talented Kab(b)adi player’s relationship with his girlfriend is affected by both the player’s ambitious coach, and by an injury which may keep him out of the game at a critical time for his team.  This film starts Friday at the Norwalk 8 in Norwalk, CA, and apparently plays there through Sunday only (?).

Kerala Cafe – Ten directors shot portions of this Malayalam-language film from India.  Each segment features at least one character on a journey – a character who makes a stop at the eatery mentioned in the title.  The segments of the film add up to a portrait of contemporary life in the Indian state of Kerala.  Kerala Cafe started sometime this past week at the Novi Town Center 8 in Michigan – it wasn’t there (as far as I can remember) when I checked the theater’s schedule last Friday, but a check of the theater’s site on Tuesday showed that it was playing that day.  It continues at the same theater this week.

Mammoth – Gael Garcia Bernal and Michelle Williams star as parents whose lives may change dramatically after his success creating a website leads to big bucks and global travel – and after her work as a surgeon keeps her away from their daughter for extended periods of time.  Lukas Moodysson (Lilja 4-Ever and Together) directed this film, which starts Friday at the IFC Film Center in New York City.

The Missing Person – Elements of film noir mix with the 9/11 tragedy in this film, which stars Michael Shannon, Amy Ryan, and Margaret Colin.  Shannon plays a detective trailing a man on a cross-country train trip; he finds out a stunning secret about the man’s real identity, and then has to decide whether to bring the man back home against his will.  The Missing Person starts Friday at the Village East Cinema in New York City.

My Dear Enemy – Two former lovers embark on a road trip to find the money to pay off a debt of $2,600 in this South Korean film from director Lee Yoon-ki; it starts Friday at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Red Cliff – Some purists will lament the fact that American theaters are getting a cut-down version (two hours and change) of John Woo’s historical action epic, which was released as a two-part film (running nearly five hours) in the rest of the world.  Then again, I’ve read some comments on the web indicating that the edits improved the film.  As for me, I plan to see this on the big screen, if possible, and then see the uncut version later on – a win/win (assuming the movie doesn’t stink).  Anyhow, Red Cliff is based on a massive, history-changing battle from 208 AD, in which the soldiers of two warlords faced off against the Chinese Emperor’s much larger army.  This film is Woo’s first Chinese film as a director since 1992, per the IMDb, and is also reportedly the most expensive Asian film in history (although I imagine that it will be surpassed in that regard within a few years).  Red Cliff started Wednesday, November 18, at two theaters in New York City, and expands to 23 more screens across the country on November 25.  The film’s web site also says that it will open at the Keystone Arts on December 11 – and since the distributor is part of the same corporate family as the Landmark Theatres chain, that means the odds are good that Red Cliff will play the Keystone Arts sooner or later – even if it doesn’t get there on 12/11.

Seeking Closure – I dunno if you’ve, like, heard this yet, but the whole freakin’ world is s’posed to get blowed up real good in about three years… oh, wait – I guess you most likely have heard about this.  Well, here’s the other (or at least another) movie ’bout all that.  This one doesn’t have any huge stars (not that 2012 really does either), or lotsa special FX – but it does have a release date of Sunday, November 22, according to a few sites on the web.  The only trouble is, no site that I have seen as of yet – including the movie’s own official site – says where this film will be released.  Until that is determined, you might want to check out the film’s synopsis, on its home page.  If the film and book (2012: Seeking Closure “The Novel”) are anything like this, then both are absolute musts.

Staten Island, New York – Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio and veteran actor Seymour Cassel star in this crime drama, which is set in what the film’s site refers to as “the forgotten borough of New York City.”  D’Onofrio is a local mobster, Cassel plays a man who wants to be free of the mob, and Hawke is a septic tank cleaner who wants a better life for his son.  (Who wouldn’t?)  Staten Island starts Friday at three theaters, one in Los Angeles, and two in New York City, including one on Staten Island.

The Sun – Russia’s Alexander Sokurov (Russian Ark, Mother and Son) is the director behind this film about Japan’s Emperor Hirohito as he deals with the end of World War II and the possible loss of his status as a divinity.  Issey Ogata of Yi Yi plays Hirohito in The Sun, which started Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Film Forum in New York City; it was previously an official selection of the New York Film Festival.

Until the Light Takes Us – “Black metal” – apparently the latest (or at least the most controversial) variation of heavy metal – is the subject of this documentary, which starts Friday at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz in Austin, TX.  The movement began in Norway back in the 1990s, and led to media reports of Satanists involved with murders, church burnings and suicides.   Until the Light Takes Us examines the truth behind these stories, and features interviews with some of the people behind the music (the directors moved to Norway and lived for a time with some of the musicians).  The film’s site maintains that the movement was “largely misunderstood” – but also seems to claim that “this rebellion against both Christianity and modern culture” did indeed blaze “a path of murder and arson across the northern sky.”

Vairam: Fight for Justice – This is a Malayalam-language film from India, about a father who seeks justice after his daughter is raped and killed; he finds that he also must confront the (initial) indifference of the legal and political authorities.  Vairam starts Friday at the Indian Movie Center 6 in San Jose, but apparently plays through Sunday only. 

The War on Kids – Director Cevin Soling’s documentary examines problems with the American public school system – and how these problems impair efforts to improve the quality of education in the US.  It contends that American public schools are unnecessarily impinging on the rights of students, and are now more interested in controlling students than educating them.  The War on Kids started Wednesday, November 18, at the Quad Cinema in New York City.

NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND - Manoranjan.com’s site now says that the unusual-looking Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan film Paa has one showing scheduled at the Georgetown 14, at 9 PM on Friday, December 4.  I suspect more showings will be added later on.

The Keystone Arts hasn’t added any limited release films to their online site this week, but a recent visit to the theater showed that posters for two such movies are now on display under the heading “Coming Soon”: A Single Man and Me and Orson Welles.  A check of the official sites for both films showed that they have yet to post any information about theaters that will be playing them (in Indiana or anywhere else), so I have no idea when they might be showing up at the Keystone Arts

After Dark Horrorfest – For anyone else out there who wants to bring the fourth Horrorfest to Indiana, there is one option beyond the one I mentioned last week.  You can register to participate in the Horrorfest Forum; after you’re approved as a member, you can then post your preferred city and/or theater(s) in the “What Cities Do You Want Horrorfest In!” thread.  (Or at least you can try to register – I did so several days ago, and have yet to hear back from the folks running the forum….)

Art-a-Ment – If you’re going to be in the Fort Wayne area on Saturday, December 5, you might want to check out this fundraiser for the Cinema Center.  Local artists have created a number of distinctive ornaments, and attendees have a chance to purchase them in a silent auction.