Indie Picks: At The Movies This Weekend

Sony Pictures Classics/Focus Features International

Area theaters are still mostly in a post-Oscar nomination haze. The overcrowding of quality pictures is a blessing unless, like us, you've seen damn near everything in release that you would consider watching. There are a few notes on last week's releases: IP Man 2 moves to the Alamo Ritz for a week and you have one last shot to catch Tiny Furniture there as well for a Sunday matinee (which we highly recommend). Also, Oscar nominated Biutiful expands this week. You can still catch it at the Regal Arbor, but it's also now screening at the AMC Barton Creek and Tinseltown South.

Another Year (Regal Arbor)
Director Mike Leigh is no stranger to awards. His 1996 film Secrets & Lies was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. He's also gotten nods for Topsy-Turvy, Vera Drake and his last feature, Happy-Go-Lucky.

His latest film is up for Best Original Screenplay and is one of the last major Oscar nominees to open in Austin. It follows a year in the lives of Tom and Gerri, a long-married couple (played by frequent collaborators Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen). If you're a fan of Leigh's previous works (or are familiar with other "kitchen-sink" films from England), you'll know that there are no great surprises in the story. What you will find are many fantastic performances including Lesley Manville, who was named Best Actress by the National Board Of Review. With a whopping 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Austin film fans have a clear choice at the movies this weekend.