RED (Summit) Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman play retired spies - "Grumpy Old Hitmen" - dragged back into action. The result, based on a DC comic, has a desperate, adorably inane need to please. Director Robert Schwentke - who turns Mirren into Hitgirl - positively dares you to not have a good time. (PG-13; violence, brief language) ***
THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST (Music Box) Final film in Swedish-language trilogy based on bestselling novels about an anti-social computer hacker who has been the victim of a government conspiracy, and the crusading journalist who befriends her. While she is in the hospital awaiting trial after attempting to kill her abusive father, who had tried to kill her first, a grandfatherly group of Cold Warriors begins a clumsily violent campaign to neutralize her. Rather than refresh the mythology for newcomers, the film preaches to the converted. But anyone familiar with the previous films and the books they are based on should be satisfied by the outcome. With Noomi Rapace, Michael Nykvist. In Swedish with English subtitles. (R; violence, rape, language) ***
SECRETARIAT (Disney) Diane Lane gives a performance of sturdy grace as one of the few women in horse racing, in this case the owner of the legendary Triple Crown winning racehorse. Film has wince-worthy dialogue, but also a golden nostalgic quality and a safe for the whole family appeal. (PG; mild language) ** 1/2
FEED THE FISH (Strand) In this made-in-Wisconsin comedy-drama, a blocked children's book writer goes to Door County in the dead of winter to find inspiration, but instead finds love with a local waitress. Green Bay native Tony Shalhoub plays a gruff, gun-toting sheriff who is also the waitress' father. Although the film feels half-baked, it is professional-looking in ways that belie its modest budget. Directed by Green Bay native Mike Matzdorf. (Not rated; some crude humor and drinking, brief nudity) **
NOWHERE BOY (Sony) Drama chronicling the growing up of a Liverpool lad named John Lennon, with a largely absentee mother and a doting aunt. With Aaron Johnson as the future Beatle, and Kristin Scott Thomas as his aunt Mimi. (R; language, sex) Not reviewed.
SAW 3D (Lionsgate) Seventh film in torture film series - also called "Saw: The Final Chapter" - in which survivors of the previous films meet with a self-help guru with a twisted past. (R; grisly bloody violence, torture, language) Not reviewed.
LIKE DANDELION DUST (Fox) Earnest and well-acted if occasionally flat inspirational family drama about an ex-con and his wife who attempt to reconnect with the son they gave away for adoption. With Barry Pepper, Mira Sorvino. (PG-13; violence, child in peril) **
CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER (Magnolia) Documentary about Eliot Spitzer, crusading New York attorney general and governor who seemed like he was just steps away from running for president when his career was cut short by his involvement with a prostitute. (R; nudity, language, some sex) Not reviewed.
SEX & DRUGS & ROCK & ROLL (New Video) Drama about the life of British punk icon Ian Dury. With Andy Serkis. (Not rated) Not reviewed.
ADVENTURES OF POWER (Phase 4) An underachiever travels across the country to take part in an air-drumming competition. Written and directed by and starring Ari Gold, with Jane Lynch, Adrian Grenier and Michael McKean. (PG-13; language) Not reviewed.
THE TRAVELER (Paramount) Thriller with Val Kilmer as a mysterious man who shows up in a sleepy town on Christmas Eve and wreaks havoc. (R; violence, pervasive language) Not reviewed.
REFLECTIONS (Monarch) A U.S. agent heads to Spain to track down a serial killer. With Timothy Hutton. (Not rated) Not reviewed.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment