For Your Consideration - BRITMANIA Edition

For Your Consideration is a weekly round-up of upcoming indie limited releases. The idea is to either expose you to or remind you of films that can't afford to plaster their posters on the sides of buildings or accompany your Happy Meal in toy form.

After two sparse weeks, the indie release calendar is starting to pick up again as most of the summer tentpoles have already crashed into theaters. After looking through all of the releases, it turns out that it's Britmania week here at the FYC as the two openings worth recommendation both feature those jolly over-the-ponders trying to make a difference in the world by very different means. The rest of this week's efforts include an uneven horror movie almost worth considering, and two pedestrian star vehicles that never quite shift into gear. Deadgirl's intriguing twist on the horror genre - an exploration of the concept of male juvenile aggression in the context of a zombie film - seems to ultimately be undermined by its blunt and uneven execution. Shrink and The Answer Man both seem to be underachieving efforts centered around trite premises that are hoping to float on the shoulder's of their respective leads with Shrink being the superior endeavor.

IN THE LOOP

What: The first feature film from the brilliant British multi-hyphenate Armando Iannucci ("I'm Alan Partridge," "The Thick of It"), In The Loop is a dazzingly witty film about the importance of savvy word choice in a world where politics is hinged not on careful policy making, but on crafting clever soundbytes for a sensationalistic press corps. When Simon Foster, an inconsequential British government official, accidentally remarks that war in the Middle East is "unforseeable" on national radio, he sparks a political firestorm that sends both the US and UK scrambling to pave over the blunder. Sent off to Washington D.C. to rectify his mistake, Foster finds himself being bandied about between different political factions more interested in passing the buck and advancing their careers than the long-term fate of the world.

Where: NY- IFC Center and Lincoln Plaza Cinemas; LA - The Landmark and Playhouse 7

Why: Because if you haven't had a chance to be exposed the brilliant wordplay and infectious pacing of Armando Iannucci's television or radio work, you definitely need to, as he will no doubt be a film director worth watching in the future. And if you are familiar with his work, then you probably don't need me to convince you why you should see this. Starring the always brilliant Tom Hollander heading up a strong cast of character actors, In The Loop strips away all of the pomp and circumstance of politics glamorized on shows like "The West Wing" and spotlights how the governments of the world are not run by ideological warriors, but instead by normal people whose livelihoods are tied to poll numbers, public opinion, and organizations much larger than the ideals laid out in quaint documents like the Declaration of Independence.

THE ENGLISH SURGEON

What: The first feature film from Geoffrey Smith, The English Surgeon is a powerful documentary about the emotional burden placed on a man dedicated to saving lives while knowing all too well he is only human. Henry Marsh is one of London's foremost brain surgeons, and he has devoted his life to helping others. The film follows Dr. Marsh on one of his yearly trips to Kiev, where he tries to help patients survive against all odds. The equipment is ancient and the doctors there often misdiagnose patients, but it doesn't stop Dr. Marsh from doing all in his power to help people, even when he is faced with a supposedly inoperable brain tumor.

Where: NY - Cinema Village 12th Street; LA - Music Hall 3 starting 7/31

Why: Standing in stark contrast the cartoonishly absurd self-preservation of In The Loop, we arrive at an all-too-real tale of selflessness. Already an established fan favorite on the festival circuit, The English Surgeon is a refreshing reminder of the power of the human spirit in times filled with news about corporate corruption and poor leadership. If that warm and fuzzy statement doesn't pique your interest at all, then perhaps you should consider the movie for its sublime score provided by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, the musical geniuses responsible for the scores of The Proposition and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Everything Else

DEADGIRL


SHRINK


THE ANSWER MAN