The Weekender: It’s good to be the king

IN THEATERS:


Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13)
Starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron
Screen story by Evan Daugherty
Screenplay by Evan Daugherty and John Lee Hancock and Hossein Amini
Directed by Rupert Sanders
As dull and heavy as Mirror Mirror was bright and featherweight. Read my review for Pegasus News here.


For Greater Glory (R)
Starring Andy Garcia, Oscar Isaac, Catalina Sandino Moreno
Written by Michael Love
Directed by Dean Wright
Andy Garcia leads an all-star cast in this tale of the little-discussed Cristero War, in which Mexican rebels fought against the government that banned all Catholics from practicing their religion in the country. It’s a fascinating topic, though I worry the director (a second unit guy and effects supervisor on films ranging from the Lord of the Rings trilogy to, uh, Snow Dogs) can handle such material.


Moonrise Kingdom (PG-13)
Starring Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis
Written by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
Directed by Wes Anderson
In my Summer Movie Preview, this ranked just below The Dark Knight Rises for excitement. That’s how much I adore Wes Anderson’s films. His latest follows two preteens (newcomers Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman) who sneak out of their pastoral small town for a romantic getaway. The more childlike townspeople (including Frances McDormand and Jason Schwartzman), form a search party. Expect a great soundtrack, outstanding production design, gorgeous cinematography and a script that will knock you out.
PLAYING EXCLUSIVELY AT THE ANGELIKA DALLAS


The Intouchables (R)
Starring Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny
Written and directed by Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano
An Avengers-level phenomenon in its native France (that’s not hyperbole), this dramedy about the friendship between a French aristocrat and his lower-class caretaker could be the feel-good hit of the summer.
PLAYING AT BOTH ANGELIKAS


Piranha 3DD (R)
Starring Danielle Panabaker, Ving Rhames, David Hasselhoff
Screenplay by Marcus Dunstan, Patrick Melton
Directed by John Gulager
Am I really recommending a 3-D sequel to a horror remake? Yes, yes I am. That’s because the first one was giddy, gory fun, and I’m expecting this installment to ramp everything up to eleven.
PLAYING EXCLUSIVELY AT AMC MESQUITE (Also available VOD)

Read about some real stinkers after the jump…


Battlefield America (PG-13)
Starring Marques Houston, Mekia Cox, Christopher Jones
Written by Marques Houston & Chris Stokes
Directed by Chris Stokes
Fortunately not a sequel to Battle: Los Angeles. It’s actually You Got Served—for Kids! Depending on your sensibilities, that’s either the greatest or worst idea for a movie ever. Can it be both?
PLAYING AT AMC FIREWHEEL and AMC MESQUITE


High School (R)
Starring Adrien Brody, Michael Chiklis, Matt Bush
Story by Erik Linthorst and John Stalberg Jr
Screenplay by Erik Linthorst and John Stalberg Jr & Stephen Susco
Directed by John Stalberg Jr
Get it? High? Because it’s about weed?
PLAYING AT AMC VALLEY VIEW and AMC MESQUITE


Hysteria (R)
Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce
Written by Stephen & Jonah Lisa Dyer
Directed by Tanya Wexler
Buzz—pun intended—is weak for this period piece (or what my mom would call a “wig movie”) about the British doctor who invented the vibrator.
PLAYING AT BOTH ANGELIKAS


Beyond the Black Rainbow (R)
Starring Eva Allan, Michael Rogers, Scott Hylands
Written and directed by Panos Cosmatos
Reviews are decidedly split on this grindhouse flick about a mute girl who tries to escape from the compound where a sadistic doctor holds her hostage. It’s set in the ’80s and features a synth score, which should seal the deal on whether or not you want to see this.
PLAYING EXCLUSIVELY AT THE TEXAS THEATRE


U.N. Me (PG-13)
Directed by Matthew Groff & Ami Horowitz
Documentary runs through a laundry list of U.N. failures. Somehow this movie’s less than two hours.
PLAYING EXCLUSIVELY AT THE AMC MESQUITE

AT HOME:
Top Pick:
No Top Pick this week, as I haven’t seen any of the new releases and there aren’t any major Blu-ray catalog releases. So go see Moonrise Kingdom this weekend, won’t you?

To rent:
96 Minutes (40%)
Coriolanus (93%)
Gone (11%)
Goon (82%)
House of Boys (57%)
Man on a Ledge (31%)
Sing Your Song (94%)
We Need to Talk About Kevin (76%)

To buy:
Music: The Goat Rodeo Sessions

TV: Maverick (Season 1), Rookie Blue (Season 2), Royal Pains (Season 3, Vol. 2), True Blood (Season 4)

Criterion: Summer Interlude, Summer with Monika

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