Weekly Alternatives: 'Rubber,' 'Heartbeats' and 'Cool Hand Luke'
Don't like the major theatrical offerings, try these instead
This week's theatrical offerings look promising for probably the first time in 2011. I was pleasantly surprised with The Adjustment Bureau and by all accounts Rango looks like a winner. Still, here are a few options for those of you who may be looking to stay in this weekend:
| Rubber |
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| I haven't decided if I should look at Rubber as proof that filmmakers have run out of good ideas or as evidence that some still exist. Either way, it is one of the most oddly fascinating and original films I have seen in a long time. The film centers on Robert, a demented tire with psychokinetic powers. When he falls in love with a beautiful woman, he explodes the heads of anyone in his path. As Lieutenant Chad explains in the film's prologue, Rubber "is an homage to the 'no reason' — that most important element of style." It's completely ridiculous and inexplicable, but a hell of a lot of fun. Rubber is now available On Demand. So grab a case of beer, round up some buddies and split the $9.99 movie rental. I can't see how that wouldn't result in a good time. | |
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| Heartbeats |
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| Heartbeats is the second film from 21-year-old Canadian auteur Xavier Dolan. It follows a pair of friends one male (Dolan himself) and one female, competing for the attention of a guy resembling a curly haired Rob Pattinson. The film brilliantly covers the evolution of a crush, mixing in pseudo-documentary testimonials a la When Harry Met Sally. An absolute feast for the eyes and ears, Heartbeats is an "art film" of the purest regard — meaning that it's better viewed as an artistic venture than as a piece of entertainment (though there is some good humor involved in the desperation of these characters). It's probably the most "artistic" film I've seen since A Single Man. Whatever that means. Dolan's vibrant palette of primary colors is reminiscent to that of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, while his extensive use of colored filters and slow motion gives the film an intimate, voyeuristic feel. Dolan has also drawn comparisons to the likes of Godard and Kar Wai Wong (In the Mood for Love), but he reveals in this interview with Speakeasy that he isn't even familiar with the work of many of the directors he's compared to. Check it out if you're interested in learning more about the up-and-comer. Heartbeats is now playing On Demand and in L.A. and N.Y. theaters. I can only imagine how great this thing would look on the big screen. | |
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| Cool Hand Luke |
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| I'm picking Cool Hand Luke this week because it's one of my favorite movies of all time and TCM airs it at 8:00 ET Saturday night. Remember when this used to play on AMC damn near every day? Those were the days. Cool Hand Luke was one of the movies that first got me interested in classic film. So many memorable lines and classic scenes that you can watch over and over again. I'd call this a must-see for anyone interested in film. | |
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I like this article. You should do this every week.
Good to hear! This is actually the fourth consecutive week we've done the Weekly Alternatives column. Look for it every Friday.
Wow, I'm surprised I missed that. Thanks though.
You can find the previous and all future editions right here.
RUBBER WAS AMAZING! I haven't seen anything like it in a long time.