reel to reel | Week of Nov. 10, 2011

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50/50

The tender and funny 50/50 addresses its subject, cancer, with a refreshing lack of melodrama. Based on a true story of Will Reiser, a comedy writer, the movie follows Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who gets diagnosed with the C-word. Rated R. At Century. — Michael Phillips/TMS

Anonymous

In Elizabethan England, intrigue swirls around Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, who in this film is the true author of Shakespeare’s oeuvre. Rated PG-13. At Century. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Blackthorn

It’s been said that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were killed by the Bolivian military in 1908. In the Western Blackthorn, Cassidy (Sam Shepard) survived, and is quietly living out his years under the name James Blackthorn in a secluded Bolivian village. At Esquire. — Landmark Theatres

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

This film mobilizes a treasure trove of 16-mm material shot by Swedish journalists who came to the U.S. drawn by stories of urban unrest and revolution. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

Buck

Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy, possesses near magical abilities as he transforms horses — and people — with his understanding, compassion and respect. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

Dolphin Tale

This heartwarmer based on a true story follows the tailless dolphin Winter (played by Winter) through all sorts of adversity alongside its human protectors. Rated PG. At Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Michael Phillips/TMS

Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone

A feature-length documentary on the band Fishbone. With director Chris Metzler in person. At International Film Series. — IFS

Footloose

This remake of this ’80s classic misses a few steps, most notably when it comes to dancing. While director Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow) adds weight, the leads don’t pop onscreen. Rated PG-13. At Century and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

The French Connection

This gritty, fast-paced and innovative police drama with arguably the greatest car-chase scene ever filmed earned five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. At International Film Series. — IFS

Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life

Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amélie, comic book artist Joann Sfar’s film is an original take on one of France’s greatest mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Jewish singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. At Chez Artiste and International Film Series. — Landmark Theatres

Happy

This feature documentary takes us from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what makes people happy. It combines interviews with leading scientists in happiness and real-life stories of people from around the world. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

Howl

James Franco stars as the young Allen Ginsberg. Howl is a portrait of a renegade artist breaking down barriers to find love and redemption. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

The Ides of March

In the hectic days before an Ohio presiden tial primary, an up-and-coming campaign press secretary becomes embroiled in a political scandal that threatens his candidate’s chances. Rated R. At Century and Colony Square. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Immortals

When a bloodthirsty, power-hungry king rampages across ancient Greece in search of a legendary weapon, a brave young stonemason assembles a band to stop him. Rated R. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

In Time

In a future where time is the universal currency and the wealthy live forever, a poor young man stumbles into a fortune but is falsely accused of murder and tries to bring down the system. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Inland/Outland

Svavar Jonatansson has traveled the circumference of Iceland several times taking more than 200,000 photos of landscapes. Of these, 40,000 have been assembled, each one a beautiful moment to itself, into a series of mesmerizing time-lapses with original soundtracks from Icelandic musicians. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

International Animation Day

The Boedecker Theater is partnering with ASIFA-Colorado to bring a collection of new animation from around the world. This event is in honor of International Animation Day (Oct. 28), as designated by the International Animated Film Association. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

J. Edgar

A biopic about the life of J. Edgar Hoover, who ran the FBI for nearly 50 years. Rated R. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Jack and Jill

A successful ad executive with a beautiful wife and kids dreads the Thanksgiving visit of his passive-aggressive twin sister. Rated PG. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg

This film explores the life of the greatest poet of the Beat Generation. Along with his biography, it features the poet’s readings of his work, including his masterwork, Howl. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

Like Crazy

A love story is both a physical and emotional tale, one that can be deeply personal and heartbreaking for an audience to experience. At Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

Machine Gun Preacher

The inspirational true story of Sam Childers, a former drug dealer who finds an unexpected calling as the savior of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

Martha Marcy May Marlene

A powerful psychological thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young woman rapidly unraveling in her effort to reclaim a normal life after fleeing a cult and its charismatic leader (John Hawkes). Rated R. At Century and Esquire. — Landmark Theatres

Metropolis

Long unavailable, Giorgio Moroder’s 1984 cut of Metropolis adds a contemporary, synth-heavy score to Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece of power and oppression, along with a pop music soundtrack featuring some of the biggest stars of the era. At Esquire. — Landmark Theatres

Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris, a romantic comedy from writer/director Woody Allen, depicts a family that travels to the French capital on business. The party includes two young people (Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams) who are engaged to be married and have experiences that change their lives forever. Rated PG-13. At Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

Moneyball

Director Bennett Miller’s Moneyball is based on the true story of baseball general manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt. Somewhat of a renegade, Beane bucked the norm and employed a new statistical way of analyzing players. Rated PG-13. At Century and Colony Square. — Michael Phillips/TMS

My Afternoons with Margueritte

In a small French town, Germain (Gérard Depardieu), a nearly illiterate man in his 50s, takes a walk one day and sits beside Margueritte (Gisèle Casadesus), a little old lady reading excerpts from her novel aloud. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

Opera: Tosca

Puccini’s popular Tosca performed at the Royal Opera House with a fabulous cast. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

Paranormal Activity 3

Now that Saw has run its course, a new franchise steps in to spawn a film every Halloween. The third installment is an origin tale and is set in the ’80s. Rated R. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Rene Rodriguez/MCT

Pianomania

This documentary follows the chief technician and master tuner of Steinway & Sons as he helps pair world-class pianists and their instruments. At International Film Series. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Puncture

Puncture, directed by brothers Mark and Adam Kassen, is a real-life, issue-driven drama that finds its footing in a contemporary David and Goliath story. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

Puss in Boots

The eponymous swashbuckling cat embarks on adventures with Humpty Dumpty in this spinoff prequel to the Shrek animated films. Rated PG. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Real Steel

In 2020, human boxing is no longer; robot boxing rules. Charlie (Hugh Jackman) and son Max (Dakota Goyo) prepare their junkyard robot to face a Russian-owned force. Rated PG-13. At Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Michael Phillips/TMS

The Room

The film depicts friendships and relationships and raises life’s real and most-asked question: “Can you really trust anyone?”At Esquire. — Landmark Theatres

The Rum Diary

See full review Page 37. Rated R. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Sarah’s Key

Decades after a French woman’s harrowing experiences during the Nazi occupation, her story intertwines with an American journalist doing research. At Century and Colony Square. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

The Secret of the Kells

A 2010 Academy Award nominee from the producers of Kirikou. Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology meet in this story about the power of imagination and faith. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Dark

A riveting portrait of the great writer whose stories became the basis of the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

The Skin I Live In

Since his wife was burned, plastic surgeon Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) has been obsessed with making a new skin. After 12 years, he creates one that is sensitive, yet a real shield. He needs three things: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. At Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

Starz Denver Film Festival

Nov. 2 through Nov. 14. Full schedule online at www.denverfilm.org. At Denver FilmCenter/Colfax. — Denver Film Society

Take Shelter

A father begins having terrifying dreams about an apocalyptic storm. He channels his anxiety into the obsessive building of a storm shelter in his backyard. At Century and Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

The Three Musketeers

Matthew MacFadyen, Luke Evans and Ray Stevenson are the titular trio, with hotheaded D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman), fighting baddies played by Christoph Waltz and Orlando Bloom. Rated PG-13. At Century. — Rene Rodriguez/MCT

Toast

Based on the bittersweet story of food writer Nigel Slater, and set to the songs of Dusty Springfield, this film features Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore as the young Slater who uses cooking as a way to compete for his father’s attention. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

Tower Heist

The staff at an upscale Central Park condo discovers the billionaire resident has stolen their retirement money and conspires to take back what’s theirs. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas

See full review Page 37. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

Weekend

This is a startlingly authentic love story full of intimate conversation. “One of the truest, most beautiful movies ever made about two strangers.” At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater