It’s raining men — hallelujah
This has become the season in which one-time summer movie stars and sundry other adult male actors go, not to die, but to do some of their most grounded work or at least to kick some smarter hiney. Think: Harrison Ford, Dennis Quaid and Kevin Costner. (Denzel Washington’s “The Equalizer” could easily have fit the bill.) The first quarter of 2015 continues the run with Liam Neeson’s “Taken 3” (Jan. 9); Costner’s compelling race drama (Jan. 30); Colin Firth in “Kingsman: Secret Service” (Feb. 13) and Sean Penn in the spy thriller “The Gunman” (March 20).
Loins on Fire
It’s always worth remembering the that is. The Littleton locale of the Austin-based hipster exhibitor never has a shortage of eclectic programming. But even it surprises with “Loins on Fire,” a four-flick nod to Nicholas Sparks. The best-selling author’s books begat these modern weepies: “The Notebook,” “A Walk to Remember,” “Message in a Bottle” and “Dear John.” Not enough for you sentimental fools? Alamo will provide a punch card allowing attendees of all four to see the upcoming Sparks-inspired flick, “The Longest Ride.” The rodeo-set romance is slated to open in April. And that’s no bull.
Alamo Drafthouse-Littleton. 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. drafthouse.com/denver or 720-588-4107. Feb. 9-12
Festivals a-go-go
With approximately 40 film festivals a year, Colorado is surely film-fest country. And now through April is arguably its season. Sure, the two biggies — Telluride and Denver — have their moments later in the year, but starting in February things get busy — very busy — with smartly programmed fare that goes beyond niche-appeal. Among the strongest offerings, these gatherings will take you across town or over the Continental Divide: Denver Jewish Film Festival (Feb. 4- 15; maccjcc.org); Colorado Environmental Film Festival (Feb. 19-21; ceff.net); (March 5-8; biff1.com); Women + Film: Voices Film Festival (March 17-22; denverfilm.org); Vail International Film Festival (March 16-19; vailfilmfestival.com), and Aspen Shortsfest (April 7-12; aspenfilm.org).
Lisa Kennedy: 303-954-1567, lkennedy@denverpost.com or twitter.com/bylisakennedy
