'Win Win,' 'Your Highness,' 'Arthur,' midnight 'Rocky Horror,' and more on screen
Win free movie tickets
Editor's note: Comment on today's "Cinema Chat" for a chance to win free movie tickets to the Michigan Theater. Some time between now and 9 a.m. Monday, leave a comment on this column, written by the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins. Offer your opinion on a recent movie you've seen, or on anything Russ mentions. A winner will be randomly selected, and we’ll notify that person via the email address they signed up with. They will get two passes to a movie of their choice, courtesy of The Michigan Theater. Full rules here.
Opening downtown

"Win Win"
“Win Win,” our Midwest premiere from the Sundance Film Festival USA 2011, officially opens here at the Michigan Theater. Writer and director Tom McCarthy follows his critical favorites “The Visitor” and “The Station Agent” with a solid ensemble cast dramedy starring Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti, Oscar nominee Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor and Bobby Cannavale.
Paul Giamatti stars as disheartened attorney Mike Flaherty, who volunteers as a high school wrestling coach, and who stumbles across a star athlete (newcomer Alex Shaffer) through some questionable business dealings while trying to support his family. Just as it looks like he will get a double payday, the boy's mother shows up fresh from rehab and flat broke, threatening to derail everything. Linda Bernard of the Toronto Star says, “McCarthy builds his narrative with care and without sentiment and it's impossible to not feel for these characters. Who hasn't taken an easier way out rather than the high road at some time in their lives?” “Win Win” opens Friday at the Michigan Theater.
Legendary auteur Abbas Kiarostami (“The Wind Will Carry Us”) delivers his first feature film made outside of Iran with “Certified Copy.“ Juliette Binoche, who won the Best Actress prize in Cannes for her performance, stars as Elle, a gallery owner living in a Tuscan village who attends a lecture by a British author (opera star William Shimell) on authenticity and fakery in art. Afterward, she invites him on a tour of the countryside, during which he is mistaken for her husband. They keep up the pretense and continue on their afternoon out, discussing love, life and art, and increasingly behaving like a long-married couple. But are they play-acting on a whim or is there more to their seemingly new relationship than meets the eye? David Denby of the New Yorker calls the film, “a brilliant, endlessly fascinating work.” “Certified Copy” opens Monday, April 11 at the Michigan Theater.
Tomorrow is your last chance to catch “Poetry,” a look at sixty-something Mija (Jeong-hie Yun), who when faced with the discovery of a heinous family crime, finds strength and purpose as she enrolls in a poetry class while suffering through a personal crisis all her own.

"Monsieur Verdoux"
Chaplin series continues
“Monsieur Verdoux”, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1947, stars classic comedian Charlie Chaplin as a bank teller driven to murder when he can't find a new job after losing his old one (a theme that brought Chaplin under attack for his left-wing politics). Martha Raye stars as Chaplin's foil in this dark comedy that also features Irving Bacon, Marjorie Bennett, Mady Correll and more. Dave Kehr of the Chicago Reder says, “A film of serene elegance and sharp teeth.” “Monsieur Verdoux” plays on Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. and like all of the Chaplin films in the series, is presented from a new 35mm print.
Midnight movie

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will play at 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 in a special presentation of this cult classic with the live interactive fun led by the Tickled Fancy Burlesque Company. The film is a notorious horror film parody, a fast-paced potpourri of camp, sci-fi and rock 'n' roll.
The basic plot follows the exploits of a naïve couple, Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) after they stumble upon the lair of transvestite vampire Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). This bizarre musical also stars Meat Loaf and Richard O'Brien. Tickets are on sale in advance at the State Theater during business hours. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 the day of the show.
Opening at the cineplex
“Your Highness” finds the hilarious Danny McBride and James Franco teaming up as two princes on a daring mission to rescue the heir apparent's fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed. Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he's settled for a life of wizard's weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious' bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off. James Mottram of Total Film says,” Infinitely superior to a 'Meet The Spartans'-style spoof, chiefly thanks to a first-rate cast, Highness ticks all the bawdy boxes. But if you seek sophistication, raise the drawbridge.” “Your Highness” opens Friday.
“Arthur” a remake of 1981 Dudley Moore classic, stars Russell Brand as the loveable billionaire Arthur Bach, a childish playboy with a limitless fortune. When his unpredictable public image threatens the staid reputation of the family foundation, Bach Worldwide, he is given an ultimatum: marry the beautiful but decidedly unlovable Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner), an ambitious corporate exec who can keep him in line, or say goodbye to his billion-dollar inheritance. Helen Mirren also stars as Arthur’s butler, Hobson. “Arthur” opens Friday.
“Soul Surfer” is a fictionalized account of surfer Bethany Hamilton, played by AnnaSophia Robb, a surfer taking part in a national surf competition when a 14-foot-long tiger shark emerged from the depths and changed her life in the blink of an eye. By the time Bethany reached shore, her left arm was almost completely gone. But just when it started to look like she would never ride a surfboard again, young Bethany used her faith and determination to reclaim the title of champion. Rob Nelson of Variety says, “The true story of one-armed surfer girl Bethany Hamilton keeps its balance in 'Soul Surfer,' a kind-hearted coming-of-age drama with killer waves.” “Soul Surfer” opens Friday.
“Hanna”, raised by an ex-CIA father, in the wilds of Finland, has been trained since birth to be the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity. Drew McWeeny of Hitfix.com says, “I'm happy to say that (director Joe) Wright is on his game... and he's made a really strange, lovely little arthouse action movie that delivers an emotional kick and some strong visceral thrills.” “Hanna” opens Friday.
What to see
The following is Russ’s list of the newest and the best to help you prioritize what to see this week: Opening: • “Win Win” - The Sundance hit starts its run at the Michigan. • “Hanna”- An action film with an art house flair. I’m getting a “Leon: The Professional” vibe from this one. • “Monsieur Verdoux” - Chaplin’s Little Tramp character is nowhere to be seen in this dark comedy on a newly restored 35mm print. Still playing • “Source Code” - Duncan Jones' breakout film “Moon” was a sci-fi smash. Can lightning strike twice? “Jane Eyre” - A classic piece of literature comes to the big screen again.
Russ Collins is executive director of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Tune in to the audio version of “Cinema Chat” on WEMU radio (89.1-FM) each Thursday at 7:40 a.m. and 5:40 p.m., or listen to it online at WEMU's web site.
Comments
KathrynHahn
Fri, Apr 8, 2011 : 3:51 a.m.
I'm not too sure about all these remakes, this time "Arthur". Russell Brand is funny, but Dudley Moore he's not. Without the winning cast of the original (John Gielgud, Liza Minelli, et al) not sure if modernizing will make it worthwhile. I had enough popcorn thrown in my hair watching midnite showings of Rocky Horror back in '80-'81, so I'll pass on that one! P.S. you can get Charlie Chaplin movies you missed at the Library (at least I got a few at Ypsi Pub. Lib.) they are Classic!!
Erich Jensen
Thu, Apr 7, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
Really loved the Korean film, Poetry; cried at the end!
Tracey Marchyok
Thu, Apr 7, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
For the new film, Win Win with Paul Giamatti, I am anticipating that his role will be something like "Lady in the Water" in which he played a regular guy in an unusual circumstances. I trust this will be entertaining.