Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (June 8, 2012)
by HELEN GEIB
Three new movies at the Keystone Art Cinema in Indy, including The Intouchables, a huge hit in its native France. I can recommend Bernie and Crooked Arrows, both playing at a few theaters around the state. More theater listings and the week’s repertory lineup after the break.
My Top Pick for the Week
The 40 minute drive to Franklin is more than worth it to see East of Eden in the theater. Derived from a sprawling novel by John Steinbeck, the story focuses on the troubled family dynamic of a stern father (Raymond Massey) and his two, polar opposite sons (James Dean, Richard Davalos) in a small town in California on the eve of America’s entry into WWI. Director Elia Kazan’s exceptional use of CinemaScope is a big reason I’m excited to see it on the Artcraft’s big screen.
Note: For trailers, cast and crew, and suchlike follow the title link to the movie’s official website. For showtimes and directions for the non-multiplex venues, follow the links under “Outside the Multiplex” in the sidebar.
OPENING THIS WEEK IN LIMITED RELEASE
Bel Ami- Robert Pattinson stars as a young man on the make in 1880s Paris in this adaptation of a novel by Guy de Maupassant. Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Christina Ricci are the women whose social influence he exploits. It starts today at the Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis.
The Intouchables- French drama “The Intouchables is the inspiring true story of two men who should never have met—a quadriplegic aristocrat who was injured in a paragliding accident and a young man from the projects.” The Intouchables starts today at the Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis.
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding- This mother-daughter bonding comedy stars Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener. It starts today at the Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis.
Shanghai- Despite its title this is a new Bollywood political thriller, set in an Indian city riven by corruption on the eve of an election. It starts this weekend at the Republic Theaters Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis. The Manoranjan website has become increasingly unreliable about giving subtitle information, but the Hindi-language films usually have them.
THEATRICAL HOLDOVERS (AND “RE-OPENINGS”)
Bernie- In director Richard Linklater’s black comedy, Jack Black stars as a funeral home director and pillar of his community who may also be the murderer of a very unpopular old lady (Shirley MacLaine). Bernie, which I really enjoyed and which features a really good seriocomic performance by Black, holds over at the Landmark Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis and expands to the AMC Evansville 16, AMC Marion 12, and AMC Muncie 12.
Crooked Arrows- This formulaic but winning indie sports drama follows the rising fortunes of a high school lacrosse team from an Indian Reservation in New York state, the ancient birthplace of the game. The story focuses on the coach, who is played with great charm by Brandon Routh. Crooked Arrows holds over, in some cases at reduced showtimes, at the AMC Castleton Square 14 and Indianapolis 17 in Indianapolis, AMC Bloomington 11, and AMC South Bend 16.
Darling Companion- A married couple (Kevin Kline, Diane Keaton) rediscover each other as they look for their lost dog, helped by a quirky group of friends and strangers. Lawrence Kasdan’s dramedy holds over at the Landmark Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis.
The Deep Blue Sea- Terence Davies (The Long Day Closes, The House of Mirth) directed this adaptation of Terence Rattigan’s play, a romantic drama set in post-war England. Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston star. It holds over at the Cinema Center in Fort Wayne.
Pina- Wim Wender’s excellent, and 2011 Oscar-nominated, dance documentary about the work of choreographer Pina Bausch makes a belated appearance at the Cinema Center in Fort Wayne.
Rowdy Rathore- Akshay Kumar’s new movie will have at least a couple more shows at the Republic Theaters Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis; check the Manoranjan website for up to date showtimes. It’s reputed to be a return to the action-thriller genre for Kumar after a long string of comedies.
FESTIVALS, REPERTORY SCREENINGS, AND MORE
Indianapolis and Central Indiana
You can see James Dean in Elia Kazan’s East of Eden today and tomorrow (at 2 and 7:30) at the Artcraft Theatre in Franklin.
The Summer Nights series of movies on the terrace continues tonight with Hitchcock’s classic suspenser Rear Window; full lineup and screening details. The IMA’s three-film series of documentaries on contemporary art and artists continues Sunday at 2 in the Toby with Gerhard Richter Painting.
The Keystone Art Cinema’s midnight movie series continues with Wes Anderson’s Rushmore; shows on Friday and Saturday nights through June and July (the full lineup here- jump to the end of the page).
The Irving Theater’s monthly Rocky Horror show is tomorrow night at midnight.
Southern Indiana
The Deep Blue Sea plays tonight and tomorrow at 7 at the IU Cinema. Japanese drama I Wish, about two young brothers separated by their parents’ divorce, starts its next weekend run on Thursday.
Monsieur Lazhar, Bonsai and Nobody Else But You have two showings each this weekend in the Ryder film series in Bloomington.
Northern Indiana
On Tuesday, the Valparaiso Memorial Opera House will have a matinee showing of American indie The Perfect Family and an evening showing of the Dardenne brothers’ The Kid with the Bike.
The Cinema Center’s free series showcasing great Hollywood leading ladies (scroll to the end of the page for the full lineup) continues with Meryl Streep in Silkwood on Tuesday and Pam Grier in Jackie Brown on Thursday; both shows at 7:30.
On Wednesday, the Cinematheque for All series in West Lafayette will screen The Way I Spent the End of the World, a Romanian coming-of-age drama set during the last years of the Ceausescu dictatorship.
NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND
The Indy Film Fest will announce the 2012 festival lineup, and screen a few trailers and short films, on June 20 at 7 at The Earth House in downtown Indy.
There will be a Fathom Events showing of Singin’ in the Rain, in connection with the 60th anniversary of the movie’s release, on July 12 at 7; at participating theaters state-wide. A recorded interview with Debbie Reynolds about the making of the classic musical will precede the film.
The Landmark has added the hotly anticipated new movie by Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom, to the coming soon list for the KAC for next Friday along with the new Scandinavian thriller Headhunters. Documentary The Art of Rap is listed for next Friday at the Landmark’s Glendale 12 theater.
In Bollywood release news, Manoranjan has added the romance Teri Meri Kahaani, starring my current favorite Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, to the coming soon list for June 22. Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra play three different couples in three different decades.
Films and events scheduled for next Friday:
The Room at the KAC at midnight
Father of the Bride (the original) at the IMA
Bonsai, Nobody Else But You, The Deep Blue Sea at the Ryder
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap also is scheduled to open next Friday at the AMC Castleton Square 14, according to AMC’s site. I hope it does well in Indy; as far as i know, it’s the first film from distributor Indomina Releasing to play in the city, and good box office returns might make it likelier that some of their other titles (which also look quite interesting) will play here as well.
http://releasing.indomina.com/
As of Friday, this was the only limited release title on AMC’s site for an Indianapolis theater in June. I thought that Seeking a Friend for the End of the World- set to start on the 22nd at the Showplace 17- would qualify, but (for now, at least) both Variety and Boxofficemojo say it will open wide on that date.
Screening update: The Heartland Festival is sponsoring a showing of indie drama “Paradise Recovered” at the Fountain Square Theater this Thursday at 7; tickets are $5. “Local filmmakers” will be on hand for a Q&A.