Thinking Outside the Multiplex

by MIKE MACCOLLUM

So it’s another unusual week for theatrical releases in Indiana.  We get the curious-looking Paa, along with a most-unexpected documentary about steam-powered trains in England – but all is again quiet on the new-art-film-front at the Keystone Arts (although some relief may be in the offing two weeks from now).  For all of this and more, more, more – not to mention this week’s listing of limited release films opening around the country – read on below….

LIMITED RELEASE THEATRICAL FILMS OPENING IN INDIANA THIS WEEK

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas/Olivia: Winter Wonderland – This double-feature for children will be shown at 1 PM daily this week at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis, and at 11:10 AM daily at the Showplace Cinemeas East in Evansville; there will also be 1 and 2 PM showings on Saturday and Sunday at the Studio 10 in Shelbyville, and 11:30 AM showings on Saturday and Sunday at the Jefferson Pointe 18 in Fort Wayne.  The first title features Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat getting ready for Christmas and trying to find the best present for each other, and then (SPOILER ALERT!!) finding out about the what the holiday is really all about.  I haven’t been able to find out much about the second film, even on what seems to pass for an official site for the double feature – but it looks like a computer-animated movie about a pig (dressed in a Santa suit).  And since the link for the “trailer” on that official site doesn’t seem to be working, here’s a link to a site with a trailer for the Curious George movie, along with some more info.

(By the way: the aforementioned “official site” claims that these films will also be at the Carmike 20 in Fort Wayne and the Carmike Encore Park 14 in Elkhart this weekend, but I found no evidence of this on the web pages for these theaters.)

East Anglia’s Steam Years – Why is a short (under an hour) documentary about the railway system in England’s East Anglia region getting an “archive screening” at the Rave Metropolis 18 in Plainfield and the Rave Jefferson Pointe 18 in Fort Wayne starting this Friday?  I have no idea – but I can tell you that the film will be showing at other Rave theaters across the country as well.  In fact, the moviefone site claims that this will be at 27 of the 30 Rave theaters starting Friday.  Stranger things have happened, I suppose – but this still seems mighty peculiar.  (Maybe someone in the Rave heirarchy is from East Anglia, and/or is a real railroad fan?)  Anyhow, I found a British site selling a DVD version of this film; the site says that the doc uses amateur film footage, clips from other documentaries and interviews with men who worked on the rail lines back in the day to tell the story of East Anglia’s railways.  So if any of you are really into trains – and British trains during the steam power era in particular – then this is your lucky week, by Jove.

Paa – Auro (played by sixty-seven year old Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan) is a thirteen year old boy with a genetic disorder that causes him to age much more rapidly than he should.  Abhishek Bachchan (Amitabh’s son) plays an idealistic politician who is also Auro’s father – so Bachchan the son is playing his father’s father in this film.  (Sorta confusing, eh?)  From the trailer, Paa looks like a Bollywood re-do of Francis Ford Coppola’s insufferable Jack, with some Benjamin Button-style visuals mixed in.  It starts Friday at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis (where it is scheduled to have five shows through Sunday night; check the manoranjaninc.com site for details), and at 57 other theaters across the US.

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

Addicted to Plastic – This documentary exploring the widespread environmental damage caused by plastics will be shown at 7 PM on Friday, December 4, at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis.  A discussion will follow the screening, which is presented by the Epworth United Methodist Church Green Team and the Heartlands Group of the Sierra Club.  Admission is free, but donations are accepted to offset the cost of the screening.

Aida – The Metropolitan Opera’s production of Verdi’s epic-scale work will be shown at 1 PM on Friday, December 4, at the University of Notre Dame’s Browning Cinema in South Bend.

Artament 2009: A Reel Good Cause – This fundraiser to benefit Fort Wayne’s Cinema Center will auction off “original hanging art” and will take place from 6 to 9 PM on Saturday, December 5, at the Cinema Center.  For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the event’s official site.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day – Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery, Julie Benz, Peter Fonda, Judd Nelson, and Billy Connolly  star in Troy Duffy’s sequel to his 1999 crime drama The Boondock Saints; it holds over this week at the Regal Village Park 17 in Carmel, the ShowPlace 16 and IMAX in Indianapolis, the Shiloh Crossing in Avon, the Greenwood Park 14, the Eastside 10 in Lafayette, the ShowPlace 7 in Muncie, the Honey Creek West 8 in Terre Haute, the ShowPlace East 11 in Bloomington, the Carmike 20 in Fort Wayne, the ShowPlace 16 in South Bend, the ShowPlace 16 in Schererville, and the Stadium 16 in Evansville.

Bright Star – Jane Campion’s film will be shown on Friday, December 4, 2009, and Saturday, December 5, 2009, at 6:30 and 9:30 PM at the University of Notre Dame’s Browning Cinema in South Bend.

Capitalism: A Love Story – Michael Moore’s latest film starts Friday at both Indianapolis-area Cinemarks.  (Since this was in wide release in the Indianapolis-area first run theaters a few weeks ago, I normally wouldn’t mention this here – but since it is so unusual for the Cinemarks to show any kind of documentary, I thought I would make an exception.)

A Christmas Story – Franklin’s historic Artcraft Theatre will show the Christmas classic at 2 and 7:30 PM on Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5.  There will also be showings on Sunday, December 6, according to the theatre’s site – but no show times are provided for that day on the site, as far as I can tell.  (Given the times on the previous two days, however, your best bet – apart from calling the theater and asking – would be that the film will be showing at 2 and 7:30 PM on Sunday as well.)

Creed Live­ – According to its official site, this concert film – which features tunes from the albums My Own Prison, Human Clay, Weathered, and the newly-released Full Circle – will be shown on Monday, December 7, at the Carmike 20 in Fort Wayne.  Or maybe it won’t be; there is nothing on the Carmike 20′s web page about this film showing at that theater on December 7 (that’s why there’s no show time listed above; it isn’t on the film’s official site, either, as far as I can tell).  Anyhow, the film – which was shot at a Creed concert in Houston on September 25 of this year – was shot in full HD and 5.1 Surround Sound, although we in Indiana may have to wait for the film to hit DVD and Blu-Ray to see it.

An Education – Continues for another week at the Keystone Arts in Indianapolis; also starts Friday, December 4, at the Cinema Center in Fort Wayne – and An Education will also be shown at 6:30 and 9:30 PM on Thursday, December 10 at the University of Notre Dame’s Browning Cinema in South Bend.

Glenn Beck’s The Christmas Sweater: A Return to Redemption – Encore – A repeat screening of this event will take place at 8 PM on Thursday, December 10, at the ShowPlace 16 and IMAX, the Castleton Square 14 and the Galaxy 14 in Indianapolis, the Hamilton 16 and IMAX in Noblesville, and eleven other theaters across Indiana.

Good Hair – Chris Rock’s documentary holds over for another week at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis.

Hermie & Friends: A Fruitcake Christmas – Tim Conway and Don Knotts provide two of the voices for this 2005 children’s film, which will be shown at 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday at the Showplace Cinemas East in Evansville.

It Might Get Loud – Showing from Friday, December 4, through Monday, December 7, at the Cinema Center @ Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne.

Lewis and Clark: The Great Journey West­ – Showing Friday, December 4, at 10 AM only.

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.  Also, Meckseper will be giving a talk at the IMA on Thursday, December 10 at 6 PM.  Admission is free, but a ticket is required.

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.

Paper Heart – This semi- (or pseudo-) documentary about modern-day love and relationships continues – most likely through at least Monday, December 7 – at the Lotus Petal Cinema in Nashville.  (The Lotus Petal didn’t have their December calendar online as of Thursday evening, so I don’t know if it will continue past then.)

Pirate Radio – Starts Friday at the ShowPlace 7 in Muncie.

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

A Serious Man – Continues this week (at 1:15 and 7:10 only) at the Keystone Arts in Indianapolis; also starts Friday at the Yes Cinema in Columbus, the Stadium 16 in Evansville, the ShowPlace East 11 in Bloomington, and the Honey Creek West 8 in Terre Haute, and re-opens at the Fort Wayne Cinema Center.

Singin’ in the Rain – The classic musical comedy will be shown at 3 PM on Saturday, December 5, at the University of Notre Dame’s Browning Cinema.

35 Shots of Rum – The Ryder Magazine and Film series is behind what are likely to be the only big screen showings in Indiana of Claire Denis’ drama, which continue this week in Bloomington.  Go to The Ryder’s site for show time and movie information.

Tuya’s Marriage – The Indianapolis Museum of Art’s Toby Theater will show this 2006 Chinese film at Thursday, December 10, at 7:00 PM. Tuya’s Marriage – which won prizes at both the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival and the 2007 Chicago Film Festival – is set in inner Mongolia, and concerns a woman who is married to a herdsman who lost both of his legs while looking for water in the grasslands.  This means that Tuya is now responsible for providing for herself, her husband, and their two children.  After Tuya herself is hurt while working, her husband agrees to a divorce, and Tuya starts looking for a new husband who can provide for her family – including her ex-husband.  (Note: The IMA’s site recommends this film for ages 12 and up.)

Warren Miller’s Dynasty – The latest skiing documentary from filmmaker Miller – who made his first such film in 1949 (!) – will be shown at 7 PM on Tuesday, December 8, and Wednesday, December 9, at Cinema Center @ Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne.  According to Miller’s site, this film features skiing footage from around the world, and combines newly-shot segments with clips from past Miller skiing documentaries.

OPENING ELSEWHERE

The Art of the Steal – This documentary about the fight over the art collection of the late Albert C. Barnes supposedly starts somewhere in the US on Friday, but I have not been able to determine exactly where.  If and when I do so, I’ll add an update in the comments section.

Before Tomorrow – A group of Inuits in mid-nineteenth-century Canada have not met any white people, although they have heard stories about them.  As the seasons change, three tribe members journey to an isolated island – and when they return, they find everyone else in their group is dead.  They then must decide what to do next – even as one of the three fears that she may be dying herself.  Before Tomorrow – a 2008 film from Canada – started Wednesday, December 2, at the Film Forum in New York City.

Big River Man – This documentary about the attempts of a distance swimmer to be the first person ever to swim the length of the Amazon River – even while downing two bottles of red wine every day – started Wednesday, December 2, at the IFC Film Center in New York City.

Breaking Point – Tom Berenger stars in this crime drama as a defense attorney trying to recover his good reputation after overcoming drug addiction and family heartbreak.  He takes on a complicated case involving corrupt police, his own former drug dealer, and a local gang leader.  Armand Assante, Frankie Faison, and Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones are also in the cast of Breaking Point, as is the lovely Musetta Vander (who is also in the widely released Transylmania, which opens on the same day).  Breaking Point starts Friday at six theaters (two each in New York City, Chicago, and greater Los Angeles). For more info, go to the film’s official site (warning: R-rated content).

The Cry of the Owl – Paddy Considine and Julia Stiles are top-billed in this suspense drama based on a book by Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley).  Considine plays an odd dude who likes to spy on Stiles; after she finds out about this, she eventually befriends him – although she may be doing so with ulterior motives.  The Cry of the Owl opened last Friday at one theater (the Edwards Westpark 8 in Irvine, CA), and doesn’t seem to be playing anywhere this week.  I mention it this week – when I first found out that the movie existed – for the record.

FILM IST. a girl and a gun – Director Gustav Deutsch pieced together this film from clips taken from the first forty-five years of film, using footage found in eleven archives around the world.  Quotations from ancient mythology help tie the footage together; the film – described on its official site as a musical “film drama in five acts”- juxtaposes footage based on “visual analogies” between images from films from several widely-different categories (“documentary, fictional, pornographic, scientific and propaganda” – again, this per the official site).  FILM IST, a girl and a gun­ started Wednesday, December 2, in New York City.

Gigante – A lonely night security guard in Montevideo, Uruguay, becomes entranced with a younger cleaning woman, Julia, and uses the building’s security cameras to follow her throughout the building.  It isn’t long before he starts to follow her when they’re both off the clock as well – and then must come to a decision about whether he should stop what he is doing, or actually speak to Julia.  Gigante starts Friday, December 4, at the IFC Center in New York City.

The Last Station – Helen Mirren stars as the Countess Sofya, the loving wife of Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) in this drama from director Michael Hoffman (Soapdish, Restoration, A Midsummer Night’s Dream).  When Leo makes some drastic changes in his life – after the pair has been married for nearly five decades – Sofya suspects that this is all a result of maneuvering by Leo’s disciple Chertkov (Paul Giamatti).  When a new assistant (James McAvoy) arrives on the scene, he finds himself being used by both Sofya and Chertkov in a struggle to control Tolstoy’s legacy (and fortune).  The Last Station starts Friday for a one-week-only Academy-Award-qualifying run in New York and Los Angeles; it then begins a regular run on January 15 in those same cities.

Linda, Linda, Linda – A group of Japanese high school students get a Korean exchange student (who doesn’t speak Japanese very well) as the lead singer for their band – even though there are only a few days to go before the big high-school festival/rock concert starts.  The group then has to practice like crazy in order to learn three songs before the fast-approaching deadline.  This 2005 musical comedy/drama from Japan starts Friday at the Viz Cinema in San Francisco.

Made for Each Other – Christopher Masterson, Bijou Phillips, Patrick Warburton, Danny Masterson, Lauren German and George Segal all appear in this comedy about a couple who have been married for three months, but have yet to consummate the marriage.  When the husband, Dan, has casual sex with another woman, he decides that the way to fix the situation is to get his wife to cheat on him with another man.  Made for Each Other – which sounds like it could have been based on a script floating around for several decades – started Wednesday, December 2, in New York City.

One Peace at a Time – Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Muhammad Yunus, Willie Nelson and Congressman Lloyd Doggett are among those who make appearances in this documentary about the search for solutions to various problems (including clean water, quality education, and war) vexing the planet.  Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and Willie Nelson provide the music for this film, which starts Friday at the Arbor at Great Hills 8 in Austin, TX.

The Secret of Kells – Brendan Gleeson provides one of the voices for this hand-drawn animated film, which is about a young monk in a remote medieval abbey who embarks on a journey to put the finishing touches on an ancient, magical tome.  The stills on the film’s official site make it look like the animation tries to capture the feeling of medieval drawings, so this definitely doesn’t look like your average animated film.  The Secret of Kells starts a one-week Academy-Award-qualifying run at the AMC Burbank 8 this Friday; its official site says it is supposed to open in “select cities” on March 12, 2010.

Serious Moonlight – Cheryl Hines makes her feature directorial debut with this comedy that was written by the late Adrienne Shelly (who directed Hines in Waitress).  Meg Ryan plays a big-time lawyer who discovers that her husband (Timothy Hutton) is planning on leaving her for his young girlfriend.  Ryan – like any sensible person facing a similar situation – makes her spouse her prisoner, and says she won’t release him until he agrees to work on their relationship.  Then, both Hutton’s girlfriend (Kristen Bell) and a gardener (Justin Long) arrive at the house, and things get even stranger.  Serious Moonlight starts Friday at eight theaters (four in the greater Los Angeles area, and one each in New York City, Detroit, Saint Louis and San Francisco).

Sleeping and Waking – According to its official site, this is a romantic drama about a man who was facing a terminal illness until he took a chance on an experimental medical procedure.  The treatment worked, but now the man must deal with the consequences – which include his deep doubts about whether he made the right choice in the first place.  Sleeping and Waking starts Friday at the Regal Park Terrace 6 in Charlotte, NC.

The Strip – Dave Foley (The Kids in the Hall, NewsRadio) heads the cast of this comedy about an average day in the lives of five workers at a lower-level electronics chain store; it starts Friday at ten theaters (one each in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, San Diego and Seattle).

Up in the Air – George Clooney plays a man who has spent lots of time flying between different destinations to carry out his job as a corporate downsizer.  After his own job status is threatened – and he falls in love with another frequent flyer – he faces major changes in his life.  Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick and Jason Bateman are also in the cast of this comedy/drama from director Jason Reitman (Juno; Thank You for Smoking).  Up in the Air­ starts Friday at fourteen theaters across the US (three in the Los Angeles area, two in New York City, and one each in Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Minneapolis, Miami, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, DC); it is currently scheduled to go into national release on December 25.

NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND

The Keystone Arts’ site now says that Antichrist, The Road, Me and Orson Welles and Red Cliff are all scheduled to open at that theater on December 18.  I think it’s more realistic to expect that two of those four will actually open at the Keystone Arts on 12/18 – with the others postponed, or not opening there at all – but I suppose it’s possible that three movies could open there on that date.  (I just don’t see how four new movies could fit into the theater by December 18, given the lineup of films now playing – especially since Invictus is scheduled to open on at the Keystone Arts on December 11.  I guess that two of the above movies – most likely Red Cliff and Antichrist – could share a screen, but that seems like the only way that all four films could be squeezed into the theater on December 18.)  Also, The Young Victoria has now been added to the theater’s web page, with a scheduled opening date of December 25.

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year is set to open on Friday at the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis.  Only five screenings are scheduled, as of now, per manoranjaninc.com – but more may be added later on.  While that film has English subtitles, according to manoranjan’s site, the other Indian film opening at the G14 next week – the Malayalam epic Pazhassi Raja – apparently does not.  Pazhassi Raja is scheduled for just two showings at the G14 as of now – but again, that could change.  Finally, a Telegu-language film, Adhurs (a.k.a. Adurs), has been added to the manoranjan site as well.  There isn’t much info out there yet about the film itself, even on its Wikipedia page – and the only information about it on manoranjan’s site is that it will open in December.

Also, the official site for the concert film Larger Than Life in 3D – which features performances by the Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper and Relentless 7, and Gogol Bordello – says that it will have a one-week run at the Castleton Square 14 in Indianapolis, the Metropolis 18 in Plainfield, and the Jefferson Point 18 in Fort Wayne starting on Friday, December 11.

Finally, the Rave Metropolis 18 is no longer on the “Now Playing & Coming Soon” page for Homeless for the Holidays at the film’s official site.  I’ll let you know when and if that theater is added back on to the “Coming Soon” page.