Popcorn & Candy is DCist’s selective and subjective guide to some of the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.
Vin Diesel (Universal Pictures)
Fans of Dame Helen Mirren should be alerted that the beloved Shakespearean actress has an uncredited and possibly villainous cameo in the latest installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise. After surviving the death of star Paul Walker, the eighth film in this stupid-fun series that our colleagues at Gothamist “vigorously defend is a rogue’s gallery of today’s hottest action stars, with Vin Diesel, The Rock, Jason Statham, and Charlize Theron. Read Gothamist’s thorough summation of the FF films and go see something fun this weekend.
Watch the trailer.
Opens tomorrow at area theaters.
Jason Sudeikis and Anne Hathaway (Neon)
This monster-movie in indie-dramedy clothing follows Gloria (Anne Hathaway), a troubled alcoholic who leaves Manhattan for her small-town home, where she reconnects with childhood friend Oscar (Jason Sudeikis). After watching TV reports of a towering creature attacking Seoul, Gloria realizes to her horror that she may have unwittingly released this evil upon the world. This inventive premise comes from writer-director Nacho Vigalondo (Timecrimes), but the film comes with its own critique when Oscar chides Gloria for thinking the world revolves around her. Are the personal problems of white indie-drama America really any concern for South Korea? Colossal = (Godzilla + Dance Dance Revolution) X white privilege, which, factored with mysterious character motivations, finally doesn’t add up to much.
Watch the trailer.
Opens tomorrow at Landmark E Street Cinema, AMC Loews Georgetown, Regal Majestic, Angelika Mosaic, and ArcLight Bethesda
Yoo Gong (Well Go USA)
If the last season of The Walking Dead left you disappointed, this Korean horror-thriller might remind you of the urgent thrills in that series’ early seasons. A self-centered businessman (Yoo Gong) is on a bullet train when a zombie outbreak unleashes havoc on South Korea. Director Sang-ho Yeon explains that “this is a genre that has not been fully explored in Korean cinema, and it has to contain elements of emotion and tone that aren’t felt in Hollywood films or those in the same genres.” Take it from me: even if you’ve seen a lot of zombie movies, you haven’t seen this combination of intense action and emotional manipulation (and I mean that in the best way).
Watch the trailer.
Saturday, April 15 at the AFI Silver.
Joan Caulfield and Claude Rains (flapperdays.blogspot.com)
Radio host Victor (Claude Rains) specializes in true crime dramas, but he gets caught up in his own mystery when his secretary is found hanging from a chandelier. Michael Curtiz (who directed Rains in Casablanca) is at the helm of this underappreciated thriller from 1947, co-starring noir favorite Audrey Totter and shot by cinematographer Elwood “Woody” Bredell. The Library of Congress will be screening a new 35mm print fresh from its preservation lab.
Watch the trailer.
Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at the Mary Pickford Theatre, third floor of the Madison Building, Library of Congress. Free. Seating is on a first-come first-serve basis. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
(Embassy of the Czech Republic)
A young man (Martin Dejdar) returns to Prague to take care of his aunt and brings with him the sounds and fashions of rock ‘n’ roll, which sets the Communist-run locals reeling. This Czech musical comedy from 1993 is set in 1959. Part of Bistro Bohem’s monthly Film and Beer series. I recommend the bratwurst plate.
Watch a clip.
Tuesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at Bistro Bohem, 600 Florida Ave NW. Free, but make reservations at 202/735-5895 or bistrobohem@gmail.com. Guests must arrive by 6:45 pm to keep their reservation.
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Also opening this weekend, a father wants what’s best for his teenage daughter in the acclaimed Romanian drama Graduation. We’ll have a full review tomorrow, and stay tuned for our coverage of FilmFest DC next week.
