Bloglander

On behalf of all film-loving Spokanites, I would like to thank our tiny arthouse, The Magic Lantern, and the faceless corporate overlords who control the AMC 20 from St. Louis. Both theaters have demonstrated a dedication to indie cinema that has made this the best summer for film I can remember.

Love,
Luke Baumgarten

P.S., here are some trailers affirming this point: 

Another Earth
What if you had a chance to travel to a parallel world and save the lives you ruined? Rhoda attempts to do just this when the discovery of another Earth with identical populations offers her the chance to undo the biggest regret in her life. Though the film ignores physics, plot holes, and a metaphor so obvious it is insulting, early critical reception says Another Earth does achieve some unique introspection. (EW) Rated PG-13

Colombiana
Zoe Saldana (Avatar) leads this new action opus as a woman with a gun on a rampage. Having witnessed the murder of her parents when she was very young, she of course raises herself as a well-trained assassin hell-bent on annihilating anybody involved all those years ago. Luc Besson (The Professional, Taken) writes another film about a conflicted killer put into unbelievable yet entertaining circumstances involving massive explosions. (EW) Rated PG-13

The Devil's Double
The true story of the man forced to be Uday Hussein's body double is a bit too polished, but it’s still riveting. A gangster movie like none other, the film follows the double as he's forced to abandon his life and family for an existence of heinous and unfathomable corruption. Critics generally feel the film has little new to say about Iraq or the doppelganger narrative, but it does manage to present a story very few know in a haunting and enticing manner. (EW) Rated R

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark  
This remake of the creepy, fondly remembered 1973 TV movie retains the scariness in a story of scurrying creatures who live underneath an old house with a haunted history. They’ve been there a long while, just waiting for some young blood to move in. That would be unhappy little Sally (Bailee Madison), who goes, against her will, to live there with her dad (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend (Katie Holmes). A bit gory but, thankfully, not gross-out gory. (ES) Rated R

El Bulli: Cooking in Progress
El Bulli was one of the most famous restaurants in the world. Located in Spain, the restaurant and its head chef, Ferran Adria, were known for creating avant-garde masterpieces out of food. This documentary shows the kitchen's process as they take six months off to craft a new menu. Eschewing frenetic editing, Gordon Ramsay yelling and all the other tedious elements of reality TV, it’s classic food porn. (EW) Not Rated

The Double Hour
A lonely chambermaid meets an ex-cop through speed-dating, the two have a romantic getaway in the country, and a grisly crime changes everything. As their pasts are revealed, with the attention and suspense of Hitchcock, it becomes clear that every meticulous detail provides a rewarding purpose. Grand character development, subtle storytelling — fans of twist-filled psychological thrillers will not be disappointed. (Sean Burns) Rated R

Our Idiot Brother
Paul Rudd excels as pot-head and organic farmer Ned (a role written specifically for him). As he squats at the homes of his three sisters (Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, and Elizabeth Banks) after a stint in jail, his unwavering trust and honesty force the sisters to examine their values and what defines their lives. A comedy that aims to prove that those who have the least have the most. (EW) Rated R