Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (July 6, 2012)

by HELEN GEIB

Bol Bachchan is the one new limited release this week, but if Bollywood comedy isn’t your thing, not to worry- there’s the usual variety of repertory screenings. However, it must be said that with the universities on summer break, most of the action right now is in Indianapolis and environs.

My Top Pick for the Week

No matter what part of the state you live in, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a convenient theater for the Fathom Events screening of Singin’ in the Rain on Thursday night. If you’ve seen it before, no sales pitch is necessary. If you haven’t seen it, seize the opportunity to see it for the first time the way it was meant to be seen.

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

Bol Bachchan- Abhishek Bachchan stars as a man who gets in under his head when a friend persuades him to create an alter ego in this Bollywood comedy. It starts today at the Republic Theaters Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis.

THEATRICAL HOLDOVERS (AND “RE-OPENINGS”)

Note: Moonrise Kingdom has expanded beyond, and To Rome with Love opens beyond, the scope of TOTM in IN.

Bernie- In director Richard Linklater’s black comedy-docudrama, 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 Yes Cinema in Columbus (the Yes is closed Monday and Tuesday).

Safety Not Guaranteed- A man in a small town in Washington places a classified ad for a time traveling companion: bring your own weapons, safety not guaranteed. A Seattle lifestyle magazine dispatches a writer in mid-life crisis and two interns to get a story out of it. The unexpected, funny, and 100% delightful Safety Not Guaranteed holds over at the Landmark Theatres Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis.

Your Sister’s Sister- This indie relationship drama, “a twisted tale of ever-complicated relationships”, stars Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt, and Rosemary DeWitt. It holds over at the Landmark Theatres Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis.

FESTIVALS, REPERTORY SCREENINGS, AND MORE

State Wide

There will be a Fathom Events showing of a restored print 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.

Indianapolis and Central Indiana

The Days of the Dead movie convention is this week in Indianapolis at the airport Wyndham Hotel; get all the info at the con website. It’s billed as a horror convention but, given that John Waters is the headline guest, evidently spills over into other cult movie regions.

The classic MGM musical On the Town, starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra as sailors looking for love on a weekend leave in New York, screens today and tomorrow at 2 and 7:30 at Franklin’s historic Artcraft Theatre.

The Heartland Film Festival will screen the short film The Archive at intervals through the evening at its Fountain Square headquarters as part of the monthly First Friday arts event; admission is free.

The Summer Nights series of movies on the terrace continues tonight with the classic screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby; full lineup and screening details.

The Keystone Art Cinema’s midnight movie series continues with Jurassic Park; shows on Friday and Saturday nights through June and July (the full lineup here- jump to the end of the page).

Southern Indiana

Mahler on the Couch, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and Elles this weekend in the Ryder repertory film series in Bloomington; check the Ryder’s website for showtimes and screening locations.

Northern Indiana

The Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso will have two screenings this week of Peace Love and Misunderstanding, on Sunday and Tuesday nights. There will also be a matinee showing of the Russian thriller Elena on Tuesday.

This week’s film in the Cinematheque for All repertory series is Norwegian marital comedy Happy Happy (2010); Wednesdays at 7 on the Purdue campus.

NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND

Manoranjan has added the Bollywood romantic comedy Cocktail, starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, to the coming soon list for next Friday.

Last week’s “next week and beyond” list, one week closer:

The Indiana Black Expo Film Festival is the afternoons of July 14-15 at the IMA: “Screen a selection of independent films produced and written by African American and African filmmakers, including films with a distinct cultural message to share, and those with stories highlighting challenges and triumphs of the human spirit.” Admission is free.

A new made-in-Indiana indie horror movie, Found, will have its premiere at the Buskirk-Chumley on Saturday, July 14 at 8: “Shot throughout Indiana, Found features an all-Hoosier cast and crew, including special makeup effects by Bloomington’s Clockwerk Creature Company. This premiere screening at the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater will be followed by an on-stage Q&A panel with members of the production.”

The Jewish Community Center will screen the drama Mulberry Child, about a Chinese immigrant’s attempts to re-connect with her Americanized daughter, on Wednesday, July 18; $5/$3 members.

The Indy Film Fest (a/k/a Indianapolis International Film Festival) is July 19-29 with screenings at the IMA and Earth House. The opening night film is the indie infidelity comedy The Oranges. Visit the fest’s website for tickets, logistics info, and the full schedule of films.

The annual ANDkids World Film Festival starts Wednesday, July 25 and runs through the 28th at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. The opening film is Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey; the lineup includes a mix of features, documentaries, and programs of shorts.

Finally, the Landmark has the indie drama Take This Waltz on the schedule for next Friday at the KAC. Music documentary Shut Up and Play the Hits, on LCD Soundgarden’s farewell concert, will have a one-night-only showing at the theater on Wednesday, July 18.

Films and events scheduled for next Friday:

The Shakiest Gun in the West at the Artcraft

Alien at the IMA

Fight Club at the KAC