Film Clips: Gimme ‘Shelter’

• Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
• Rhys Ifans poised as Edward de Vere, alleged author of Shakespeare’s works

OPENING FRIDAY
ANONYMOUS 2 stars (PG-13) In Elizabethan London, the 17th Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans) tries to manipulate courtly intrigue by writing plays performed under the name of a boorish actor, Will Shakespeare (Rafe Spall). Like Rowan Atkinson’s “Blackadder II” without the jokes, this insanely convoluted period piece has trashy fun dredging up 400 year-old gossip about Queen Elizabeth (played in her dotage by Vanessa Redgrave and as a sexy monarch by Joely Richardson) and the era’s playwrights. And who would have guessed that Roland Emmerich, director of 2012 and ID4, would helm a loving tribute to the plays of Shakespeare (or whoever)? — Holman

PUSS IN BOOTS (PG) Before Puss in Boots was pals with Shrek, he led a heroic life of his own, brandishing his sword and being generally suave (his is the voice of Antonio Banderas, after all). His posse includes nursery-time fav Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakas) and the lovely Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), both of whom accompany Boots on his journey to thwart an evil plan by infamous outlaws Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris).

THE RUM DIARY 3 stars (R) The latest ‘Johnny Depp as Hunter S. Thompson’ involves an intrepid,
liberally minded, good looking reporter who gets in over his head by taking a job at a Puerto Rican newspaper. A Faustian millionaire played by Aaron Eckhart shows up to make things interesting and Giovanni Ribisi plays a hilariously ravaged drunk. Car chases, cock fights, and an acid trip ensue.

TAKE SHELTER 4 stars (R ) When a small-town construction worker (Michael Shannon) experiences visions of apocalyptic storms, is he suffering from a hereditary form of mental illness or having prophesies of the future? Writer-director Jeff Nichols borrows the vocabulary of a horror film for Take Shelter’s first hour as Shannon’s good-hearted character grows increasingly unhinged. The film slows down in its second half, however, as if worried that audiences won’t take it seriously enough, muffling its impact. Excellent performances from Shannon, Jessica Chastain as his concerned wife and Shannon’s “Boardwalk Empire” co-star Shea Wigham. — Curt Holman

TOAST (NR) This film based on the memoir of British cookery writer Nigel Slater stars Freddie Highmore as the teenage author who uses food in a struggle with his stepmother (Helena Bonham Carter) over his father’s affections.

DULY NOTED
CARRIE (1976) 4 stars (R) Mean teens pick on the high school wallflower (Sissy Spacek), unaware that she’s got telekinetic superpowers. Ooops. One of Brian DePalma’s best films, as well as one of the best adaptations of any Stephen King novel. Oct. 29-31. Cinefest Film Theatre, Georgia State University, 66 Courtland St., Suite 240. 404-413-1798. www2.gsu.edu/~wwwcft.

ITALIANAMERICAN (1974) (NR) Director Martin Scorsese turns the camera on his own parents for this charmingly gabby, affectionate portrait of Little Italy. Oct. 29, 2 and 8 p.m. Rich Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. /www.high.org/Programs/Programs.aspx

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) (R) If you’re ever going to see the famed kinky musical/audience interaction spectacle, Halloween is clearly the time to go. Hosted by Lips Down on Dixie. Oct. 28-29, midnight. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com.

SLAMDANCE ON THE ROAD (NR) The famed underground film festival arrives with two intriguing shorts: the documentary “Superheros” and the darkly comic “Hello Caller.” Wed., Nov 2, 9:30 p.m. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com.

WHO TOOK THE BOMP? LE TIGRE ON TOUR (NR) This rockumentary follows feminist electronic band Le Tigre on its 2004-2005 tour.Oct. 30, 3 p.m. Rich Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. /www.high.org/Programs/Programs.aspx