Do It. Panique au village (A Town Called Panic) at the Nuart.

What's better than a lazy Sunday afternoon? Spending a lazy Sunday afternoon happening upon a totally awesome movie. The Sunday: mine, just past; the movie: Panique au village (A Town Called Panic), an animated French film currently having a one-week engagement at the Nuart.

A cowboy. An Indian (ahem, Native American). A (talking) horse. Put them together in a big yellow house and you get...A Town Called Panic. ?

It's not that easy to explain. Here's a trailer to help me out.



So..this movie's a little crazy. But in the most delightful, incredible way. There isn't really a discernible plotline, but basically Cowboy, Indian (a dim-witted but lovable pair) and (the mature, lovesick) Horse live together in a small rural town, and through a random, insane chain of events, they encounter sea creature thieves, unintelligible scientists and a giant robot penguin. There's also a super fun punk rock soundtrack (the French are just the best at soundtracking!).

All I can really say is that it's a smart comedy at its simplest (because can you get more simple than Claymation?), with the ability to laugh at itself and a desire to give the audience a no holds barred ride. I absolutely loved it. I can't even begin to try to explain what you can expect (because you won't be able to expect it, believe me), but that's okay. Sometimes, it's just nice to be lazy and watch a great movie.

Panique au village will be playing at the Nuart until this Thursday, showings at 5:20, 7:30 & 9:40.

-- Chau Tu