The Star-Telegram arts writers spotlight what's rocking their world this week.
1 A Royal Affair: Denmark's official entry into the Foreign-Language Oscar sweepstakes is an engrossing tale ripped from the history books. In 18th-century Denmark, the king's young queen is having an affair with his physician who, in turn, is using his position to foment political revolution with his support for the Enlightenment. While that might sound arcane, director Nikolaj Arcel brings it vividly to life. In Danish with English subtitles. Playing at the Angelika Dallas and Angelika Plano. Opens Dec. 21 at the the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
-- Cary Darling
2 Tarantino XX on Blu-ray: Ahead of next month's Django Unchained, director Quentin Tarantino's eight films to date (counting Tony Scott's True Romance, for which he wrote the screenplay) have been boxed up in a slick, 10-disc Blu-ray set, in stores Tuesday. Apart from the films, there are two discs of bonus material, including a documentary about Tarantino's two-decade career, as well as critical discussion of his remarkable oeuvre and Django trailers. From the gory, assured Reservoir Dogs through to the masterful, Oscar-winning Inglourious Basterds, Tarantino XX is a vivid tribute to an American filmmaking icon.
-- Preston Jones
3 Hunting Art Prize: The deadline is approaching. Entries for the 33rd annual Hunting Art Prize, the $50,000 annual award bestowed on a Texas-based artist, must be submitted via e-mail by Friday, Nov. 30. All entrants must submit one image in JPEG format of a single painting or drawing. One. That is all that is required for consideration. Fine-print details are available at www.huntingartprize.com.
-- Gaile Robinson
