Brave: PG – 2012 – 93 min.
dir. Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell w/Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
A princess boldly defies decades of tradition – fragility, vulnerability, helplessness – in a DISNEY movie. How did that happen?! No, don’t tell us, we’ll just take it. The fire-haired, fierce archer heroine accidentally makes makes some trouble in the Scottish countryside, and takes care of it herself. The animation in Brave is absolutely astounding, setting the bar even higher. Funny, charming and refreshing.
The Legend of Hell House: PG – 1973 – 95 min.
dir. John Hough w/Roddy McDowall, Pamela Franklin, Clive Revill
Acclaimed writer Richard Matheson (Incredible Shrinking Man, I Am Legend, Stir of Echoes) weaves a suspenseful tale of a physicist and two mediums who are commissioned to investigate the possibility of survival after death in a brooding mansion with a dark and twisted past.
Soldier: R – 1998 – 99 min.
dir. Paul W.S. Anderson w/Kurt Russell and some other people
Kurt Russell teams up with British director Paul Anderson in this often overlooked well made film focusing on characters and cinematography. Soldier is much more than the usual shoot-em-up flick.
Trailer Park:
See what the future holds as Rex dishes out trailers for hot upcoming releases, as well as some independent shorts and other fun stuff.
Dredd: R – 2012 – 95 min.
dir. Pete Travis w/Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey
You probably didn’t see this film. Rex won’t judge you (heh): with the wretched 1995 Sylvester Stallone version in mind he almost didn’t see this one either – but trust Rex, this film will wash that bad taste out of your mouth. This excellent film is dark, violent, and captures the spirit of the Judge Dredd comics quite well.
From Hell: R – 2001 – 122 min.
dir. Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes w/Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane
Based on Alan Moore’s (Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentleman) dark and gritty graphic novel, this stylish film plays with the story of history’s most famous serial killer. A beautiful film set in victorian era London, follows a drugged up psychic and a mysterious man who has a thing for women’s insides.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows: PG-13 – 2011 – 129 min.
dir. Guy Ritchie w/Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Stephen Fry, Jared Harris
The bro-mance between the eccentric genius detective and his reluctant partner continues. This time around is as fun and enthralling as the first. Quirky, amazing soundtrack, dazzling visuals, phenomenal acting and Robert Downey Jr. in drag. Come on.
Corpse Bride: PG – 2005 – 77 min.
dir. Tim Burton, Mike Johnson w/ Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson
A nervous young groom finds himself practicing his wedding vows in the woods . . . and accidentally marries a corpse. Oops. Talk about the ex from hell.
Wuthering Heights: NR – 1939 – 104 min.
dir. William Wyler w/Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier, David Niven, Donald Crisp
Considered by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest films ever made, this telling of the classic novel by Emily Bronte is a haunting story of passionate undying love . . . with just maybe a ghost or two.
Best of 2012 Midwest Sci-Fi Short Film Festival:
Filmmakers from around Minnesota and the upper Midwest submitted short films of various geeky genres and styles. Come see some of Rex’s favorites.
Richard III: R – 1995 – 114 min.
dir. Richard Loncraine w/ Ian McKellen, Annette Bening, Jim Broadbent, Robert Downey Jr., Nigel Hawthorne, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith
This phenomenal cast includes Magneto/Gandalf as Shakespeare’s famous hunchback king doing battle with Iron Man, Harold Zidler, and Professor McGonagall in his mad grab for power. Putting Shakespeare plays in a modern setting is nothing new, but this top-notch World War II-style version is anything but ordinary.
Renaissance: Paris 2054: R – 2006 – 105 min.
dir. Christian Volckman w/Daniel Craig, Romola Garal, Ian Holm, Jonathan Pryce
The beautiful aesthetics of this futuristic film noir are enhanced by the unusual high contrast black and white animation. Daniel Craig heads up a top notch cast of voice talent in this well made, unique, and obscure British/French film.
V For Vendetta: R – 2005 – 132 min.
dir. James McTeigue w/Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry
Remember, remember, the fifth of November! A mysterious man in a Guy Fawkes mask fights against a society of cruelty and corruption with an unlikely ally.
Best of the James Bond Opening Credits:
It’s British Invasion year at Convergence and James Bond is invading Cinema Rex! Come join us as we celebrate 007’s 50 years of service to Queen and Country by playing some of the best opening credit sequences from the Bond films.
Skyfall: PG-13 – 2012 – 143 min.
dir. Sam Mendes w/Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes
Hello From Casino Rex With Love. Rexopussy can Never Say Dr. No to A View To a Bond film and Skyfall is where we start. We can swear On Her Majesty’s Secret Service that we certainly have A License to Live and Let Die.
If you miss it this time, don’t worry Tomorrow Never Dies; and there will be a Golden Eyeporunity to see it again For Your Eyes Only. But remember . . . you Only Live Twice!
Paul: R – 2011 – 104 min.
dir. Greg Mottola w/Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen
British geeks (yay!) find themselves out of their element after traveling to the US to attend a comic convention (yay!) but culture shock is the least of their problems when they find and assist an alien (yay?)
Shaun of the Dead: R – 2004 – 99 min.
dir. Edgar Wright w/Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield
Your girlfriend breaks up with you, your job is a joke and your step-dad is a royal asshole. What to do? Save London from a never ending hoard of flesh eating zombies.
Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit: G – 2005 – 85 min.
dir. Steve Box, Nick Park w/Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter
The duo Wallace and Gromit has never failed to deliver undeniably charming and delightfully quirky short films. Curse of the Were-Rabbit is this pair’s first feature length film, and it doesn’t disappoint. With a horrible monster on the loose, and it’s up to Wallace and Gromit to set things right.
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events: PG – 2004 – 108 min.
dir. Brad Silberling w/Jim Carrey, Emily Browning, Liam Aiken, Meryl Streep
The orphaned Beaudelaire children struggle to avoid the clutches of their creatively evil distant cousin in this clever movie based on the series of novels. Jim Carrey as Count Olav is the highlight of a stellar cast, and the film is simply delightful to watch.
The Place Where You Live: NR – 2013 – 13 min.
dir/writ/prod. Alexis Van Hurkman w/Dawn Krosnowski, Lana Rosario, John Bruce
Nina Ashton, a professor of physics, is abducted by her counterpart from an alternate dimension – one in which her husband has died. As her doppelganger takes her place, Nina struggles to rebuild the machine and reopen the gateway between worlds to regain the life that should be hers.
After the show the film maker and members of the cast will talk about feature and have a Q&A.
Eye of the Devil: NR – 1966 – 92 min.
dir. J. Lee Thompson w/Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Sharon Tate, Donald Pleasence
There is a dark secret hiding deep in the ancient vineyards of France. A disturbing legacy that is calling from the past. Can a man waver from his destiny?
This artfully done, rare and difficult to find, high budget classic horror film has a A-list cast rounded out by the ill-fated newcomer Sharon Tate.
Sunshine: R – 2007 – 107 min.
dir. Danny Boyle w/Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, Rose Byrne
The director of Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, and 28 Days Later takes on the sci-fi genre with excellent results. This intense, stylish thriller set in space will keep you guessing while you find yourself creeping to the edge of your seat.
The Woman in Black: PG-13 – 2012 – 95 min.
dir. James Watkins w/Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciaran Hinds, Sophie Stuckey
Woman in Black is your standard horror film set up. We’ve got a run-down protagonist, a strange, unwelcoming village stocked with creepy locals and of course, a sprawling mansion that no one in their right mind would enter without contemplating if they were, in fact, going to be a run-down protagonist in a creepy village in a huge haunted house.
What sets this film apart is that even though it may feel like you’ve seen this movie a dozen times going in, you’ll soon forget it. It does such a wonderful job sucking you in you’ll forget all about ol’ Amityville. Also – OMG LOOK ITS HARRY POTTER!
Anonymous: PG-13 – 2011 – 130 min.
dir. Roland Emmerich w/Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, David Thewlis
The idea that Shakespeare didn’t actually write the works attributed to him could be considered a tired trope, but this gorgeous costumed epic plays with that concept so well that you forgive the historical liberties taken for the sake of a truly engaging story. It’s sort of like a “What if…” comic for Shakespeare fans.
Lifeforce: R – 1985 – 116 min.
dir. Tobe Hooper w/Steve Railsback, Peter Firth, Mathilda May, Patrick Stewart
This high budget British sci-fi/horror film, scored by Henry Mancini touts space exploration,
Space exploration, vampires, and Henry Mancini, what more can anyone ask for? This rare British gem of film still seems to be overlooked by most. An intelligent script, smart characters, stunning special effects, and an outstanding British cast.
Cockneys vs. Zombies -with guest James Moran: R – 2012 – 88 min.
dir. Mattias Hoene w/Harry Treadaway, Rasmus Hardiker, Michelle Ryan
A group of bank robbers in London find themselves fighting off zombies, with violent and hilarious results. CVG guest James Moran will be here to talk about his work as screenwriter of the film. Come see it before its theatrical release in the US!
Tower Block -with guest James Moran: NR – 2012 – 90 min.
dir. James Nunn, Ronnie Thompson w/Sheridan Smith, Jack O’Connell, Ralph Brown
Guest of Honor James Moran is back in Rex to discuss his writing for this tense and funny thriller. Residents trapped in a high rise are being picked off by a sniper, so steel your nerves for this intense story.
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