MOViES
F R I D AY O C T O B E R 2 4 — T H U R S D AY O C T O B E R 3 0 Movie summaries by M at t hew St af fo r d l Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1:21) Disney version of Judith Viorst’s classic children’s tale about a singularly crappy day in the life of an 11-year-old boy stars Dick Van Dyke, Jennifer Garner, Steve Carell and young Ed Oxenbould. l Annabelle (1:30) Yet another home-invasion-bysatanic-cultists tale, this one involving a spooky-looking doll; don’t these suburbanites ever watch The Twilight Zone? l Art and Craft (1:29) Documentary focuses on embarrassingly successful art forger Mark Landis, whose faux masterpieces can be found incognito in many an American museum. l Awake: The Life of Yogananda (1:27) Biodoc of Paramahansa Yogananda, the Indian yogi who brought meditation and yoga to the West in the 1920s; Krishna Das and Deepak Chopra share insights. l The Best of Me (1:58) Nicholas Sparks tearjerker abut high school sweethearts who reunite, reignite and regress. l The Book of Life (1:25) Dazzlingly colorful Latinaccented, Day of the Dead-themed animated musical features vocals from Zoe Saldana, Hector Elizondo, Cheech Marin, Plácido Domingo and other luminaries. l The Boxtrolls (1:40) Stylish yet quirky stop-motion bonbon from LAIKA animation about a boy raised by trolls who tries to fit into human society. l Boyhood (2:44) Richard Linklater’s intimate epic, filmed with the same cast over the course of 12 years, focuses on one boy’s evolving life from age 6 to 18; Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette star. l Dear White People (1:46) Bitingly satirical Sundance sensation about racial identity in the Obama era follows four black students at the sort of Ivy League college where white students host African-Americanthemed frat parties. l Diplomacy (1:28) Gripping true story of the battle of wills between Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling and German commandant Dietrich von Choltitz over the fate of occupied Paris. l Dracula Untold (1:40) Prequel stars Luke Evans as a peace-loving Transylvanian count whose deal with the devil turns him into the bloodthirsty vampire we all know and love. l The Equalizer (2:11) The 1980s TV series hits the big screen with Denzel Washington as a former commando who comes out of hiding to take on the Russian Mafia; Antoine Fuqua directs. l First Person Singular: I.M. Pei (3:00) The groundbreaking architect discusses Japan’s Miho Museum, the National Gallery’s East Wing, Dallas’ Meyerson Center and other examples of his work. l Fury (2:14) WWII action flick about a Sherman tank, its five-man crew and their impossible mission behind the German lines; Brad Pitt leads the charge. l Gone Girl (2:28) David Fincher filmization of Gillian Flynn’s best-seller stars Ben Affleck as a seemingly stable family man who becomes a murder suspect when his wife goes missing. l I Am Eleven (1:34) Documentary focuses on dozens of kids around the world as they contemplate the cusp of adulthood. l John Wick (1:41) Retired hit man Keanu Reeves goes gunning for the punks who ruined his life, wreaking havoc on the borough of Manhattan in the process. l The Judge (1:42) Courtroom dramedy finds usedup lawyer Robert Downey Jr. defending small-town judge/estranged father Robert Duvall against a murder charge; Billy Bob Thornton co-stars. l Kill the Messenger (1:52) True story of San Jose Mercury-News reporter Gary Webb, whose exposé of
the CIA-backed Contra-cocaine scandal led to smears, controversy and the end of his journalism career. l A Leap to Take (1:25) Rob Nilsson tour de force (filmed in three and a half hours!) examines the economic downturn through the satirical lens of a halfbaked dinner party. l The Maze Runner (2:00) Sci-fi nightmare about a group of teenage boys trapped in a maze and the fragmented memories that sustain them. l Men, Women & Children (1:59) Scathing look at how digital technology has trumped human interaction, closeness and desire; Jason Reitman directs Jennifer Garner, Judy Greer and Emma Thompson. l The Metropolitan Opera: Le Nozze di Figaro (3:55) Update of the classic comedy finds Mozart’s royals and servants cavorting and philandering their way through the Gatsby era. l My Old Lady (1:47) Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas as expat Parisians who refuse to be ejected from their beloved apartment by ugly American Kevin Kline. l National Theatre London: Frankenstein (2:30) Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle stages a spectacular version of Mary Shelley’s horror classic, broadcast from London on the big, big screen; Benedict Cumberbatch stars. l National Theatre London: Skylight (2:15) Live from the West End it’s David Hare’s dramatic showdown between two ex-lovers on a stormy night; Stephen Daldry directs Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy. l One Chance (1:43) Inspirational biopic of Paul Potts, the shy, bullied shop clerk-turned-singing YouTube sensation. l Ouija (1:30) Clueless girl fools around with Ouija board, dies mysteriously, posse of friends investigates, Ouija board gets mad: Duh. l Pelican Dreams (1:20) Documentary follows a brown pelican from capture on the Golden Gate Bridge to rehab at San Rafael’s WildCare; Judy Irving (The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill) directs. l Pride (1:59) Feel-good true story about a group of gay and lesbian London activists who supported a tiny Welsh chapter of the National Union of Mineworkers during a nationwide strike. l Psycho (1:49) Groundbreaking Hitchcock horror flick about a boy, his mother and the unlucky runaway who seek shelter at their roadside motel; Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins star. l RiffTrax Live: Anaconda (2:00) The interplanetary wise guys of Mystery Science Theater 3000 take on the 1997 J-Lo horror-schmaltz jungle flick. l St. Vincent (1:42) Unwitting single mom Melissa McCarthy leaves her 12-year-old son in the questionable day-care of neighbor Bill Murray, who mentors the kid in the art and science of playing the horses, tipping the strippers and shooting the whiskey. l Take Me to the River (1:37) Documentary celebrates Memphis’ musical heritage with plenty of help from Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby “Blue” Bland and a host of others. l 20,000 Days on Earth (1:37) A fact-and-fantasy day in the life of rock icon Nick Cave; Kylie Minogue and Ray Winstone co-star. l What Happened Here? (1:34) Rob Nilsson freeform documentary focuses on the life of exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky as well as on art, history, politics and myriad other subjects. l Whiplash (1:46) Indie sleeper about the edgy, ferocious mentor-pupil relationship between a gifted young jazz drummer and his exacting taskmaster. l The Zero Theorem (1:47) Christoph Waltz stars as an existentially angst-ridden computer genius searching for the meaning of life; Terry Gilliam directs, fancifully.
k New Movies This Week
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (PG)
Fairfax: Fri-Sat 12, 2:15, 4:25, 6:45, 9 Sun-Wed 12, 2:15, 4:25, 6:45 Northgate: Fri-Wed 11:20, 12:25, 1:35, 2:40, 3:50, 4:50, 6, 7:10, 8:15, 9:20, 10:25 Annabelle (R) Northgate: Fri-Wed 12:10, 2:35, 5:05, 7:35, 10 Art and Craft (Not Rated) Lark: Fri 1:20, Mon 3:45 Awake: The Life of Yogananda (Not Rated) Rafael: Fri 4:45, 7, 9 Sat 2:30, 4:45, 7, 9 Sun 2:30, 4:45 Mon-Wed 7, 9 Thu 9:15 The Best of Me (PG-13) Fairfax: Fri-Sat 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 9:50 Sun-Wed 1:15, 4:15, 7:15 Larkspur Landing: Fri, Mon-Wed 7:15, 10 Sat-Sun 11, 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 10 Marin: Fri 4:20, 7:30, 10:15 Sat 1:15, 4:20, 7:30, 10:15 Sun 1:15, 4:20, 7:30 Mon-Wed 4:20, 7:30 Northgate: Fri-Wed 11:10, 2, 4:45, 7:40, 10:30 Rowland: Fri-Wed 11:20, 2:05, 4:50, 7:35, 10:25 The Book of Life (PG) Fairfax: Fri-Sat 12:10, 2:20, 4:35, 7, 9:20 Sun-Wed 12:10, 2:20, 4:35, 7 Larkspur Landing: Fri, Mon-Wed 7; 3D showtime at 9:30 Sat-Sun 1:50, 7; 3D showtimes at 11:20, 4:15, 9:30 Northgate: Fri-Wed 11:15, 1:40, 4:15, 6:45, 9:15; 3D showtimes at 12:30, 3, 5:30, 8, 10:30 Rowland: Fri-Wed 12:10, 5:05, 9:55; 3D showtimes at 2:40, 7:30 The Boxtrolls (PG) Northgate: Fri-Wed 12, 2:30, 5, 7:25, 9:50 Boyhood (R) Lark: Sat 5 Sun 3:15 Wed 2:45 Thu 3:45 k Dear White People (R) Regency: Fri-Sat 10:50, 1:35, 4:20, 7:10, 10 Sun-Thu 10:50, 1:35, 4:20, 7:10 k Diplomacy (Not Rated) Rafael: Fri 4:30, 6:45, 8:45 Sat-Sun 2:15, 4:30, 6:45, 8:45 Mon-Thu 6:45, 8:45 Dracula Untold (PG-13) Northgate: Fri-Wed 12:35, 2:55, 5:20, 7:50, 10:20 The Equalizer (R) Northgate: Fri-Wed 1:05, 4:05, 7:05, 10:10 k First Person Singular: I.M. Pei (Not Rated) Lark: Tue noon (lunch, film and discussion with urban design experts John King and Mitchell Schwarzer) Fury (R) Cinema: Fri-Wed 12:30, 3:45, 7, 10:10 Fairfax: Fri-Sat 12:30, 3:50, 6:50, 9:45 Sun-Wed 12:30, 3:50, 6:50 Playhouse: Fri, Mon-Wed 4, 7 Sat-Sun 1, 4, 7 Regency: Fri 11:15, 2:25, 5:35, 7:20, 8:45, 10:25 Sat 11:15, 12:55, 2:25, 4:05, 5:35, 7:20, 8:45, 10:25 Sun 10:45, 12:55, 4:05, 5:35, 7:20 Mon-Tue 11:15, 12:55, 2:25, 4:05, 5:35, 7:20 Wed 11, 12:55, 4:05, 7:20 Thu 11:15, 12:55, 2:25, 4:05, 7:20 Rowland: Fri-Wed 1, 4, 7, 10 Sequoia: Fri 4, 7:05, 10:05 Sat 1, 4, 7:05, 10:05 Sun 1, 4, 7:05 Mon-Wed 4, 7:05 Thu 4 Gone Girl (R) Fairfax: Fri-Wed 1, 4:30, 7:45 Larkspur Landing: Fri, Mon-Wed 6:30, 9:45 Sat-Sun 12, 3:15, 6:30, 9:45 Marin: Fri 3:50, 7, 10:10 Sat 12:40, 3:50, 7, 10:10 Sun 12:40, 3:50, 7 Mon-Wed 3:50, 7 Northgate: FriWed 12:20, 3:45, 7, 10:15 Playhouse: Fri, Mon-Wed 4:15, 7:30 SatSun 12:45, 4:15, 7:30 Rowland: Fri-Wed 12:40, 3:55, 7:10, 10:30 I Am Eleven (Not Rated) Lark: Sun 12:45 John Wick (R) Northgate: Fri-Wed 11:50, 2:25, 4:55, 7:30, 10 Rowland: Fri-Wed 12:20, 2:50, 5:20, 7:50, 10:20 The Judge (R) Larkspur Landing: Fri, Mon-Wed 6:45, 9:55 Sat-Sun 12:25, 3:55, 6:45, 9:55 Marin: Fri, Mon-Wed 7:15 Sat-Sun 1, 7:15 Playhouse: Fri, Mon-Wed 3:45, 7:15 Sat-Sun 12:30, 3:45, 7:15 Regency: Fri-Sat 12:20, 3:40, 7, 10:15 Sun-Tue, Thu 12:20, 3:40, 7 Wed 12:20, 3:40 Rowland: Fri-Wed 1:05, 4:15, 7:25, 10:35 Kill the Messenger (R) Northgate: Fri-Wed 11:40, 2:20, 5:05, 7:45, 10:25 k A Leap to Take (Not Rated) Rafael: Sun 7 (director Rob Nilsson, cinematographer Mickey Freeman and producer Celik Kayalar in person) The Maze Runner (PG-13) Northgate: Fri-Wed 11:05, 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 9:55 Men, Women & Children (R) Northgate: Fri-Wed 11:05, 1:50, 4:35, 7:20, 10:05 The Metropolitan Opera: Le Nozze di Figaro (Not Rated) Lark: Wed 6:30 My Old Lady (PG-13) Lark: Fri, Mon 6 Tue 3:45 Wed 12:15 Thu 1:15 National Theatre London: Frankenstein (R) Regency: Mon, Wed 7 k National Theatre London: Skylight (Not Rated) Lark: Sat 1 Thu 7:30 k One Chance (PG-13) Lark: Fri 3:30 Mon 1:20 Ouija (PG-13) Northgate: Fri-Wed 12:50, 3:15, 5:40, 8:05, 10:30 Rowland: Fri-Wed 11, 1:15, 3:30, 5:45, 8, 10:15 k Pelican Dreams (G) Rafael: Fri 4:15, 6:30, 8:30 Sat-Sun 2, 4:15 (filmmaker Judy Irving in person), 6:30, 8:30 Mon-Thu 6:30, 8:30 Pride (R) Marin: Fri-Sat 4:05, 10:20 Sun-Wed 4:05 k Psycho (R) Regency: Sun 2 Wed 2, 7 k RiffTrax Live: Anaconda (PG-13) Marin: Thu 8 Regency: Thu 8 St. Vincent (PG-13) Fairfax: Fri-Sat 1:10, 4:05, 6:55, 9:40 Sun-Wed 1:10, 4:05, 6:55 Sequoia: Fri 2:30, 5, 7:30, 10:10 Sat 12, 2:30, 5, 7:30, 10:10 Sun 12, 2:30, 5, 7:30 Mon-Wed 2:30, 5, 7:30 Thu 2:30, 5 Regency: Fri-Sat 11:30, 2:15, 4:55, 7:45, 10:25 Sun, Tue-Thu 11:30, 2:15, 4:55, 7:45 Mon 11:30, 2:15 Rowland: Fri-Wed 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45 Take Me to the River (PG) Lark: Tue 6:15 k 20,000 Days on Earth (Not Rated) Lark: Fri, Mon 8:30 k What Happened Here? (Not Rated) Rafael: Thu 7 (director Rob Nilsson and cinematographer Mickey Freeman in person) k Whiplash (R) Regency: Fri-Sat 11:25, 2:10, 4:50, 7:35, 10:20 Sun-Thu 11:25, 2:10, 4:50, 7:35 k The Zero Theorem (R) Lark: Sat, Tue 8:30
Showtimes can change after we go to press. Please call theater to confirm schedules. CinéArts at Marin 101 Caledonia St., Sausalito • 331-0255 | CinéArts at Sequoia 25 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley • 388-4862 | Cinema 41 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera • 924-6505 | Fairfax 9 Broadway, Fairfax • 453-5444 | Lark 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur • 924-5111 | Larkspur Landing 500 Larkspur Landing Cir., Larkspur • 461-4849 | Northgate 7000 Northgate Dr., San Rafael • 800-326-3264 | Playhouse 40 Main St., Tiburon • 435-1234 | Rafael Film Center 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael • 454-1222 | Regency 80 Smith Ranch Rd., Terra Linda • 479-5050 Rowland 44 Rowland Way, Novato • 800-326-3264
OCTOBER 24 - OCTOBER 30, 2014 PACIFIC SUN 21