Whether you're visiting New York for a few days or a Manhattan local used to asking people next to you in film screenings to put their fucking cell phones away, you probably have some inclination to see what all the hubbubs about over the film festival that got its start at the hand of Robert De Niro after the 9/11attacks to attract people back downtown. With 85 features screening at this year's festival it can be a tough decision about which one or two films most deserve your $16.
Ignore Time Out New York's predictable picks like "Joan Rivers – a Piece of Work" (bleck!) and go straight to Mat Whitecross's punk icon Ian Dury biopic "sex & drugs & rock & roll." Chameleon character actor Andy Serkis is on fire as the polio-afflicted singer who led his band The Blockheads through London's '70s and '80s pub rock circuit with a vengeance of catchy rhymed couplets. You will not be disappointed.
(Public screenings: Sat. 4/24 9pm–Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave @12th street, Mon. 4/26 3pm–School of Visual Arts 333 West 23rd st., Wed. 4/28 11pm—School of Visual Arts 333 West 23rd st., Thurs. 4/29 11:30pm–Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave @12th street).
If you're more in the mood for an unconventional drama, Robert Duvall can do no wrong as Felix Bush, a '30s Tennessee hermit who decides to stage his own living "funeral party" where people can gather to tell infamous stories of his life. Bill Murray gives an understated performance as funeral director Frank Quinn. There's clever humor and muted pathos in this deceptively sophisticated drama from debut director Aaron Schneider.
(Public screenings: Tues. 4/27 6pm–BMCC Tribeca Pac 189 Chambers st. (btwn.Greenwich & West st.), Thurs. 4/29–Chelsea Clearview Cinema 260 West 23rd st. (betn. 7th and 8th st.), Fri. 4/30 4pm–Chelsea Clearview Cinema 260 West 23rd st. (betn. 7th and 8th st.)
Suspense tightens in J. Blakeson's UK thriller "The Disappearance of Alice Creed." Eddie Marsan ("Happy-Go-Lucky") and Martin Compston ("Sweet Sixteen") play a couple of hoods who kidnap a young woman (Gemma Arterton – "Quantum of Solace") with 2 million euros worth of ransom plans. There's nothing like a good British crime thriller, and this one is packed to the gills with talent.
(Public screenings: Sat. 4/24 7pm—-School of Visual Arts 333 West 23rd st., Sun. 4/25—-Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave @12th street, Mon. 4/26 7:30pm–Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave. @12th street).
Want get into a gritty New York mood? Then check out Jay Anania's drama "William Vincent" in which the always impressive James Franco plays a Manhattan loner who drifts toward crime as he wanders in and out of places and situations. Julianne Nicholson plays Anne, the woman who will draw William out of his shell.
(Public screenings: Sun. 4/25 6pm–Chelsea Clearview Cinema 260 West 23rd street, Tues. 4/27 6pm–Chelsea Clearview Cinema 260 West 23rd street, Thurs. 4/29 7:30pm–Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave. @12th street, Fri. 4/30 9:15pm–Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave. @12th street).
You could go farther into the mind of a sociopath with Michael Winterbottom's modern noir "The Killer Inside Me." Casey Affleck plays Lou Ford, a small-town Texas deputy sheriff who makes a pact with the devil, or in this case Jessica Alba as prostitute with bad ideas. Escalating violence attends.
(Public screenings: Tues. 4/17 7pm SVA Theater 333 West 23rd street, 4/29 9:45pm–Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave @12th street, 4/30 10:30pm–Village East Cinema 181 2nd ave @12th street).
