Film

Avatar_smallteaser James Cameron's "Avatar" recently replaced James Cameron's "Titanic" as the highest grossing movie, and Telluride can see "Avatar" this week, Friday, February 5-Thursday, February 11, at Telluride's Nugget Theatre. On Friday and Saturday, there are two showings each day.

If you know nothing about "Avatar" you must have been living in a cave. In fact Roger Ebert calls "Avatar" "...one of those films you feel you must see to keep up with the conversation." The movie is a hero's quest in the sense of Joseph Campbell, and now you can join in the conversation.

See below for showtimes, and the Nugget website for trailers and reviews.

Itscomplicated_smallposter Alvinandthechipmunksthesqueakuel_smallteaser Something for everybody at Telluride's Nugget Theatre this week, Friday, January 29-Thursday, February 4. And those of you who are young or young at heart have two opportunities to see Alvin and company on Saturday.

In "Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel" the furry ones go to high school and are pitted against a girl chipmunk trio in a music contest. Alvin and group hope to win the $25K first prize to support the school music program. Need more plot than that? It's rated PG.

Meryl Streep (Jane) and Alec Baldwin (Jake) are ten years divorced, and find themselves out of town together. This being Hollywood, they have an affair, though Jake is re-married and Jane has an incipient relationship. "It's Complicated" is rated R, for sexual situations and some drug content.

See below for showtimes, and see the Nugget website for trailers and reviews.

Upintheair_smallteaser + The Nugget Theatre in beautiful downtown Telluride is showing two movies for the week of Friday, January 22-Thursday, January 28.

"Sherlock Holmes" is back for a replay. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law are Holmes and Watson. The movie is rated PG-13. Check out last week's "Nuggets."

Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air" stars George Clooney and premiered at the 2009 Telluride Film Festival. The film was singled out by TIO for the awards season, garnered several Golden Globe nominations, and won Best Screenplay. Rated R, "Up in the Air" was right on in its timing. With the U.S. economy on its ear, the film tell the story of a man whose job it is to go around the country firing people. Pretty funny, eh? But pertinent.

See below for showtimes and the Nugget website for trailers and reviews.

[click "Play" to listen to Erika Gordon speak about Sunday at the Palm]

Endurance.11x17 The Telluride Film Festival's Sunday at the Palm series kicks off the 2010 season with the award-winning docudrama, "The Endurance: Shackleton's Lengendary Antarctic Expedition," back on Telluride’s big screen for the first time since its Telluride Film Festival premier in 2000.

Vain-glory-mongering or scientific curiosity? A desire to get there first? What motivated Ernest Shackleton matters less than the fact that, when all was said and done, after 22 harrowing months, he emerged from his dangerous and failed adventure a hero, having led 27 men to safety.

Sherlockholmes_smallteaser "Sherlock Holmes" plays twice nightly at Telluride's Nugget Theatre the week of Friday, January 15-Thursday, January 21.

Director Guy Ritchie's "Holmes" is a modern take on the Arthur Conan Doyle classic, complete with some impressive special effects. The movie stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as the faithful Watson. Rachel McAdams is Holmes' love interest/foil. "Sherlock Holmes" is rated PG-13.

See below for movie times, and the Nugget website for reviews and trailers.

Telluride's Palm Theatre is offering up a little recession-friendly entertainment for the whole family AND a great after school activity. Where else can you see your favorite films on the big screen for only $1? Can you deduce the names of these movies from the clues below? The Palm says they can't tell us the titles, but surely it's more fun this way, right?

Upcoming in January:

Blindside Olddogs_smallposter Telluride's Nugget Theatre is showing "Old Dogs" this week (Jan 8-14) along with the repeat performance of "The Blind Side".

TIO talked about "The Blind Side" last week: the story is about a homeless kid in Memphis who is adopted by a well-off family, and becomes a football star. (PG-13)

"Old Dogs" is a comedy with John Travolta and Robin Williams, one a confirmed bachelor, the other a bachelor by way of divorce. They are on the verge of a big business deal with the Japanese, with the complication of having to take care of 7 year old twins. The critics mostly hated it; audiences seem to love it. You'll have to go and make up your own mind. (Rated PG)

Showtimes below, reviews and trailers on the Nugget website.

425.princess.frog.010709 Theblindside_smallposter-1 Telluride's Nugget Theatre is showing two films for the week of December 25-31.

"Blind Side" tells the story of Michael Oher, who is rescued from homelessness by a wealthy Memphis couple, and goes on to be a football star. This feel-good movie is rated PG-13.

Hard-working Tania, in Disney's old-fashioned animation, "The Princess and the Frog" is a fitting role model in our self-absorbed age. The old classic is set in New Orleans, and takes a few liberties with the original. The movie is a Golden Globe nominee for Best Animated Feature.

See below for showtimes, and see the Nugget website for trailers and reviews.

Newmoon_smallfinal Fantasticmrfox_smallposter2 For the week of Friday, December 18 to Thursday, December 24, Telluride's Nugget Theatre is showing "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and "New Moon" with a FREE screening of "That's It, That's All" on December 18.

"That's It, That's All" is high octane snowboard porn, shot over two winter seasons in New Zealand, Utah, Wyoming and Alaska. It shows Friday, December 18 at 8:30 pm.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" is an animated feature by Wes Anderson based on the book by Roald Dahl. Rather than computer animation this film accomplishes its magic using stop-action. Voices are by George Clooney, Meryl Streep and other recognizable stars. (Rated PG)

Missing out on the supernatural lately? Been a while since you spent an exciting weekend in Forks, Washington? Catch "New Moon" this week. This sequel to "Twilight" is rated PG-13.

For showtimes, see below. For reviews and trailers, see the Nugget website.