Dollar Movie

Rounders 7:30 10 12:30 Matt Damon and Ed Norton play poker. Really good poker. In fact, many people think this movie is the best and most accurate portrayal of competitive poker that the silver screen has seen. Interestingly enough, Rounders came out before this country went through the poker craze we see today. Whether you come to Rounders for the great acting (besides the main players, you’ve got Martin Landau, John Malkovich, and John Turturro, plus other big names), or tips on how to play a great hand of poker, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself.

Peter FM 7

Behold! Carnegie Mellon’s fourth International Film Festival is upon us! First up is a Russian film about two young adults whose lives cross thanks to a lost cell phone. They had both already chosen their paths — Maksim as an accomplished architect, and Masha as a happily engaged radio DJ. When Maksim finds Masha’s lost phone, their lives become entangled and they start second-guessing themselves and their choices. These things happen when telecommunication devices get involved, you see. Nevertheless, this movie should be a breath of fresh Russian air; check it out.

The Pursuit of Happyness 7:30 10 12:30

Why, God, why did they spell happiness wrong? One of the unsolved questions of the universe. Other questions include “Why is the sky blue?” and “Why are women duplicitous she-devils?” In this Oscar-nominated film, Will Smith plays a single dad with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Thanks to his innate talents, he works his way out of poverty to support his son and learns the true meaning of hard work, or love, or fatherhood, or something like that. Whatever. It’s Will Smith being inspirational, I’m sure it’s a hoot and a half. And anyways, what else could you possibly be doing on a Friday night? On second thought, don’t answer that.

Eragon 7:30 10 12:30

What? You didn’t know this movie about dragons and sorcery is based on the derivative work of a 16-year-old novelist? You hadn’t heard that this is almost a direct rip-off of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and every other seminal piece of fantasy that a 16-year-old would have seen in his formative years? Oh. Well, now you have. Dragons and silly fantasy names are par for the course in this lackluster attempt at a Christmas-season blockbuster. I know everyone loves dragons, but personally, I prefer them with as few whiny teens as possible. Maybe you disagree; if so, I think I know what you’ll be doing Saturday night.

House of Flying Daggers 7:30 10 12:30

More Yimou Zhang, and we’re all better for it. House of Flying Daggers is like Robin Hood meets Hero, all with a beautiful female lead (Zhang Ziyi). It’s widely regarded as one of Yimou Zhang’s better films (almost as good as Hero). Based in medieval China, a dancer (Ziyi) is broken out of prison by a secret resistance force. What follows is a lot of martial arts and amazing cinematography. Will you love it? Probably, as long as you don’t mind reading subtitles. Seriously, though, there’s a good chance you’ll learn more from this movie than from Monday’s Intro to World History lecture you’re probably going to skip anyway. So go and get some culture. I dare you.