Film Clips: Pakistani Politics, a Deranged Roommate and a French Magician
Bhutto, let’s have The Illusionist work his magic to save The Roommate and her Sanctum.
- SONY Pictures
- In The Roommate Rebecca (left, Leighton Meester) gets to close for Sarah’s comfort (Minka Kelly)
BHUTTO (NR) Documentary filmmakers Duane Baughman and Johnny O’Hara present a nonfiction portrait of the recently-assassinated Pakistani political figure Benazir Bhutto.
THE ILLUSIONIST 3 stars (PG) In the late 1950s, a French stage magician finds his brand of entertainment pushed aside in favor of rock ’n’ roll, but a young Scottish lass renews his zest for life. The Triplets of Belleville director Sylvain Chomet helms this animated adaptation of an unproduced screenplay from beloved French filmmaker Jacques Tati, and constructs a loving homage to his spiritual mentor’s brand of gentle slapstick. Bittersweet and slow-paced, The Illusionist serves as a loving tribute to any profession or art form being replaced by new trends and technologies. - Curt Holman
THE ROOMMATE In this psychological thriller, the excitement of moving away to college is countered by the common fear of the dreaded roommate. When a college freshman, Sarah (Minka Kelly) is assigned a random roommate Rebecca (Leighton Meester) things get too close for comfort as Rebecca becomes obsessed with Sarah.
SANCTUM (R) James Cameron produces this thriller about a team of explorers who become trapped in a series of underwater caves. One wonders how the 3D effects will look in a film that’s probably dark most
of the time.
DULY NOTED
GOD’S GONNA TROUBLE THE WATER (NR) Ruby Dee narrates this documentary about the Gullah people inhabiting islands off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina. Movies With a Mission. Sun., Feb. 6, 3:30 p.m., Atlanta-Fulton Central Library Auditorium, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square. Free. 770-234-5890.
QUEEN TO PLAY (2009) (NR) In his first French-speaking role, Kevin Kline plays an ex-pat American who accepts a request to teach chess to his chambermaid (Sandrine Bonnaire) who gradually undergoes an intellectual transformation. It sounds a little like Educating Rita, in Corsica. French Film Yesterday and Today. Free-$7. Sat., Feb. 5, 8 p.m. Rich Theatre, High Museum, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000. www.high.org.