New Movie Releases: Frozen River, Surfer, Dude and More

Frozen River We see her outside in the cold, fixing her hair, smoking, the camera surveying her roughed skin, nightgown, prematured wrinkles, a face that is haggard times and hard work. She walks into her trailer and the camera follows almost uncomfortably close, as Ray gets dressed and checks her hair in the mirror, until her youngest son enters the room, and she fixes a forced smile.

Ray's husband has left for Atlantic City, or elsewhere, taking the family's savings for a new double-wide along for the ride. Left in the wake of this event, the family picks from its last straws. Ray's salary at the Yankee One Dollar ain't gona cut it. So she drives to the Bingo Hall in the Mohawk reservation next door, and spots her husband's car, just as a young girl drives it out of the parking lot. Ray follows the girl, who travels deep into the woods of the reservation.

The young Mohawk girl, played by Misty Upham, is the film's secret weapon and left turn, as well as Ray's foil. She brings mystery to the deal, even before "the deal" is struck. The deal, we find out, involves driving across a frozen river, Ice Road Truckers' style, to ferry back Chinese and Pakistani immigrants from Canada, through Mohawk land, into the United States. Based on true stories, this arrangement, of course, is the cruxt of the film; the transport for its central dilemmas.

Ray's story is one that looks and feels pretty familiar to us, though Melissa Leo brings serious edge and bite. But Lila's struggle is new to us, and her eyes seem impenetrable; dark, but always in thought. She is the film's wildcard, the thing that makes it worth watching. In immersing itself in the Mohawk culture, the film becomes something unique, and we watch it transform both characters.

Occasionally, it strikes a misstep, like when Ray's oldest son hollers that he'd like to go "kick some Mohawk ass" to get his dad's car back. We no believee. (The kid generally does a creditable job, though, of being teen-angry, and runs into some hilarious problems because of it.) And later, there is an episode at the film's climax that feels a little off.

But all in all, we forgive these faults. First time writer/director Courtney Hunt creates a sombre and realistic drama that explores the effects of poverty and culture on the struggles of motherhood in an unfriendly world.

Shot in a gritty style with digital cameras, in two weeks last year, the film works on different levels. It's sparse but gripping. The drama unfolds patiently and productively, engaging us in its characters and their decisions.The whole thing has a sort of late Clint Eastwood feel to it (as a director, of course): emotional heft, powerful, if slight, musical score, strong acting. Sundance chose pretty wisely here .--Luke Quinton
[Trailer] [Showtimes]

Surfer, Dude
Austinite Matthew McConaughey is back, and more shirtless than ever! Surfer, Dude follows professional surfer Steve Addington as he returns to his hometown of Malibu only to find that the waves have dried up. Faced with the choice between selling out to corporate sponsors and keeping his dignity, the surfer dude must face a life-changing spiritual crisis. --Matt Smith
[Trailer] [Showtimes]

Bangkok Dangerous
A remake of The Pang Brothers' 1999 action film (directed again by the Brothers themselves), Bangkok Dangerous follows a hitman (Nicolas Cage) who suddenly has an attack of conscience while on assignment in Thailand. His bosses, predictably, don't like that very much. Early word is not positive, but if you're a fan of Cage's recent action flicks we suspect you'll dig it. --Matt Smith
[Trailer] [Showtimes]

The Little Red Truck
This kid-safe doc follows the Missoula Children's Theatre, a touring theatre company that casts local children to fill roles at each of its tour stops. With only a week to rehearse, 50-60 kids must come together to put on a show for their community. --Matt Smith
[Trailer] [Showtimes]