Austin360 blogs > Austin Movie Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 11
Friday, July 11, 2008
Jason Bateman joins Judge’s latest
Update on Mike Judge’s latest film “Extract” — which we reported on some time ago — from EW (without addressing the key question: Will he make it in Austin?):
Mike Judge prepping comedy film with Jason Bateman and Kristen Wiig
Maybe three’s the magic number for Mike Judge. The talented but unlucky writer-director, whose last two films (“Office Space” and “Idiocracy”) were ignored by moviegoers, is assembling a new comedy called “Extract,” which centers on a flower-extract plant owner (played by Jason Bateman) who’s facing a stream of bad luck, including workplace issues and a cheating wife. Sources tell EW.com that “Saturday Night Live’s” Kristen Wiig, who just landed a role in Drew Barrymore’s Roller Derby movie “Whip It!” (a shoot that Austin lost to Michigan — C.G.), is in negotiations to play the cuckolding spouse, while “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star Mila Kunis is in early talks to play one of the plant employees. Production is set to begin in August, pending the potential actors’ strike and Wiig’s “SNL” schedule.
Do not Judge. Yet.
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“Chop Shop” a modest gem
Just watched a great little movie that’s fresh out on DVD, the 2007 festival hit “Chop Shop.” It gleaned sterling reviews from top critics, and it’s one of the most satisfying movies I’ve seen in a while.
Directed and co-written by Ramin Bahrani and starring a humidly naturalistic cast of non-pros, this gritty urban story about surviving and growing up hits many of the same notes as the amazing teen urban romance “Raising Victor Vargas.” In fact, the two would make a perfect double feature.
Bahrani’s previous tiny buzz film was “Man Push Cart,” another worthwhile rental. I will be watching whatever he does next.
More about “Chop Shop” here and here.
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The Arbor gets Alamo-y
The Regal Arbor, way up north, is kicking off its new Retro Replay series July 30 with 007 classic “Dr. No.”
The offbeat program emanates an Alamo Drafthouse-esque tang (“Army of Darkness” — totally), which is, of course, a really good thing. Add to that prizes and special guests and stuff, and the analogy sharpens focus.
This is the tentative sked for Retro Replay. Shows are 7: 30 p.m. Wednesdays.
“Dr. No” (new print), July 30
“The Hudsucker Proxy” Aug. 6
“Joe vs. the Volcano” Aug. 13
“So I Married an Axe Murderer” Aug. 20
“Army of Darkness” Aug. 27
“Better Off Dead” Sept. 3
