This is the first edition of Now Playing, a column dedicated to informing the great citizens of San Francisco what new movies — big and small — are coming to a theater near them.
Generally, this column will highlight new films being released into theaters. Unfortunately, the first week of September is a notoriously slow and sluggish one in the movie industry. Thus, I apologize in advance for the slim pickings.
Plot: The fourth film of the Riddick trilogy pits the titular anti-hero against an alien race of predators.
Info: Directed by David Twohy (A Perfect Getaway and Pitch Black), starring Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, and Katee Sackhoff.
Theater: Wide-release, in multiplexes here.
Critical response: At 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is receiving lukewarm reviews. Eric D. Snider of Twitch wrote:
“‘Riddick’ wisely takes things back down a notch, returning to Pitch Black’s simple formula of scary creatures, scarier humans, and a barren planet.”
Conversely, Amy Nicholson of L.A. Weekly insists:
“We must pan for scraps of pleasure-a scene where Diesel poses naked on a cliff like a truck stop coyote, the way half of his attacks look like rhythmic gymnastics.”
Plot: A documentary focusing on the wild and radical Burning Man festival that occurs every year in the Black Rock desert of Nevada.
Info: Directed by Steve Brown and Jessie Deeter.
Theater: Limited release, Roxie Theater and Rialto Cinemas Elmwood.
Critical response: Since there haven’t been many screenings for critics, the film hasn’t been widely reviewed. Nick Usen of Slant Magazine said:
“Ultimately, the doc suffers from a too-roving eye: Though it ostensibly wishes to reveal the sacrifice that’s required to make Burning Man go off without a hitch, it’s more interested in the spectacle of painted ravers writhing around in the desert.”
Check back next week to read about what films to see and where to see them.
Last modified September 7, 2013 2:43 pm
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