March 29, 2012

Since its Midnight Madness premiere at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival, Gareth Evansâ?? new Indonesian action thriller has blown audiences away with its smart storytelling and relentless action. Evans, renowned for 2009â??s MERANTAU, turns intense fight scenes into elaborate production numbers staged in cramped quarters. The plot involves a SWAT team targeting a drug lord on the top floor of a 15â??story tenement, but each floor brings a new challenge. When bullets run out, knives, batons, machetes, and even a light bulb enters the fray. Finally, nothingâ??s left but bare knuckles in handâ??toâ??hand combat.

The filmmakers have bestowed some fantastic video blogs on the internet. Here, they take us through the on-location SWAT team action in the film:

Check out THE RAID this Friday 3/30 at the Angelikas Dallas, Plano, and Hawaii!

Watch the other production blogs in the series: part 1 | part 2

 

In case you missed the biggest TV event this side of 2012, AMC’s Mad Men returned to the air last week after a long hiatus. This of course means the return of our weekly watch parties at the Angelikas Dallas and Plano – if you haven’t attended in the past, let this be your season! We promise it’s worth getting off the couch and putting on pants.

Both locations broadcast it live in HD on their biggest screens, and there’s nothing like watching Pete Campbell throw a hissyfit with friends and like-minded television fiends by your side. Angelika Plano has champagne available in the cafe, Dallas is mixing up classic cocktails from their in-theater cash bar, and era-appropriate dress is encouraged.

Angelika Dallas has also teamed up with the Vintagemobile, a mobile vintage clothing store that roves the streets of Dallas offering curated vintage clothing from a cool green schoolbus. The bus won’t be parked at Mockingbird Station during the watch parties, but they will be giving away gift cards to the shop during commercial breaks (brush up on your 60’s trivia!)

Missed the 2 hour season premiere last weekend? Watch it free on AMC’s website – and we’ll see you at the theater this Sunday @ 9pm CST!

March 26, 2012

With its frenetic pace and nonstop action, it’s no wonder people are calling this groundbreaking Indonesian film the greatest action movie of all time — our sources are already speculating THE RAID will be one of the best films of 2012 (and it’s only March!).

Before the film opens go behind the scenes with the cast and filmmakers and see how this modern action classic was made. First up in this 5 part video series: director Gareth Evans and star Iko Uwais discuss the intense boot camp the main cast was put through prior to shooting, and the innovative blend of martial arts styles used in the film’s epic fight sequences.

THE RAID opens Friday 3/30 at the Angelikas Dallas, Plano, and Hawaii.

March 22, 2012

The Dallas International Film Festival is almost upon us at AFC Dallas (4/13 â?? 4/22) and the just released their full schedule. Some highlights of this yearâ??s festival include:

LIBERAL ARTS

Director: Josh Radnor

From actor/director Josh Radnor comes his follow up to last yearâ??s indie hit happythankyoumoreplease. When 30-something Jesse, played by Radnor, is invited back to his alma mater, he falls for a young 19 year old college student, played by last yearâ??s Sundance breakthrough performer Elizabeth Olsen, and is faced with the powerful attraction that springs up between them. Also starring Zac Efron, Allison Janney (JUNO), and Richard Jenkins.

SAVE THE DATE

Director: Michael Mohan

Two sisters, played brilliantly by Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie (funny ladies from some of our favorite TV shows) fumble their way along the road to happiness. Stuck between having it figured out and screwing it up, theyâ??re compelled to learn how to love and be loved in the moments when everything changes. Also stars Martin Starr and Mark Webber (SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD).

SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME

Director: Bob Byington

The film follows Max, his best friend Sal (played by Ron Swanson Nick Offerman), and a woman ( Jess Weixler, TEETH) they both adore â?? through 35 years of mandatory but apparently unfulfilling entanglements.

THE IMPOSTER

Director: Bart Layton

Layton uncovers the story about a young Frenchman who convinces a grieving Texas family that he was their 16-year-old son who went missing for 3 years. A hit at this yearâ??s Sundance Film Festival, this is a gripping documentary that must be seen to be believed.

ALPS (Greece)

Director: Giorgos Lanthimos

From the director that brought us last yearâ??s disturbing but engaging DOGTOOTH comes a more light hearted film that retains all the same quirkiness we have come to expect from Giorgos Lanthimos. Itâ??s about a nurse, a paramedic, a gymnast and her coach who have formed a service for hire, standing in for dead people by appointment, hired by the relatives, friends or colleagues of the deceased.

EXTRATERRESTRIAL

Director: Nacho Vigalondo

From the visionary director of TIME CRIMES comes a take on an love story during an extraterrestrial invasion. Everyone knows what to do if the sky is suddenly full of UFOs: run as fast as you can. But what do you do if the invasion starts while youâ??re in the apartment of your dream girl, that you just met? Starring Michelle Jenner, Carlos Areces, Julian Villagran, Raul Cimas and Miguel Noguera.

ROBOCOP (1987)

Director: Paul Verhoeven

This Dallasâ??made sci-fi film is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and what better way to celebrate than to watch it on the big screen at DIFFâ??s Closing Night Screening. In a dystopic and crime ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg with submerged memories haunting him. Starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan Oâ??Herlihy, Ronny Cox and Kurtwood Smith.

COMPLIANCE

Director: Craig Zobel

When a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee, no one is left unharmed. Starring Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker (starring in the upcoming TV show Donâ??t Trust the Bâ??in Apartment 23), Pat Healy, Bill Camp and Philip Ettinger.

COMIC-CON EPISODE IV: A FANâ??S HOPE

Director: Morgan Spurlock

From the director of SUPERSIZE ME and THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD comes this behind-the-scenes look at the fans who gather by the thousands each year in San Diego, California to attend Comic-Con, the worldâ??s largest comic book convention. Produced by Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, and Harry Knowles (Ainâ??t It Cool News) and featuring interviews with Seth Rogen, Eli Roth, and some real life fanboys and girls.

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997)

Director: Curtis Hanson
Chosen as the last film in Chris Vognarâ??s Screening Room Film Noir Series, it shows how the classic genre films in the series have influenced modern filmmaking and made way for a whole new subset of films called Neo Noir. The film celebrates its 15th Anniversary this year and looks to have some special guests in attendance for the screening. Starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger and Danny DeVito

View the full schedule and purchase tickets online at the 2012 Dallas International Film Festival.