Eastern Promises
Ever since I saw the trailer to this gritty mystery thriller, I was convinced that Viggo Mortensen must've been a murderer in a past life, because he's just so damn good at it. Just watching Mortensen sneer will give you chills. Playing the conscience-lacking assassin for a British mafia family, he is ordered to dispose of a midwife (Naomi Watts) and the motherless baby she delivered. So, it's kind of like Shoot Em Up, except it's not crap. If the poor woman wants to live she'll have to hand over the the dead mother's diary that's filled with incriminating details about the family. But of course that's a moral dilemma she'll have to struggle with.
The Brave One
Women up against all odds seems to be a trend this weekend. Jodie Foster channels the inner beast within all battered/tortured/abused/sexually harassed women in the world and becomes the baddest vigilante since (some are saying) Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver). After watching her husband get murdered and then being raped, she goes on a Kevin Bacon-Death Sentence-like quest to rid her city of those who would prey on innocent women. The trailer shows her literally killing people in trains, convenience stores--hell, she even goes to her assaulter's house. Aside from Terrence Howard playing the voice of reason police officer and Zoe Kravitz (Lenny's daughter) continuing her Hollywood initiation, Foster is the real attraction here. She embodies a woman who must shed her old victim skin and don a strong defensive one.
Mr. Woodcock
Unfortunately for Sean William Scott (and us), he's decided to make his comeback after a 2yr hiatus in this comedy--and I use that term loosely--about a guy who was tortured by his high school gym teacher (Billy Bob Thornton) to the point that he grows up to be a self-help writer with a bevy of insecurities. And when he returns to his hometown, he discovers that his jerk of a gym teacher is dating his mom (Susan Sarandon). Really? Susan Sarandon? Does she not have anything better to do? Expect a lot of pratfalls.
The Hunting Party
Richard Gere plays a discredited reporter stationed in the middle of a Bosnian war with his loyal camera man (Terrence Howard) and a young go-getter (Jesse Eisenberg), who join him on his venture to get the story that'll relaunch his career. He plans on finding the #1 war criminal of Bosnia, which happens to not be the hard part of his mission. Not dieing is the hard part. Because he and his crew are so covert and sneaky and ballsy enough to track this man, find him, and pursue him, he mistakes them for a CIA hit squad. Expect a lot of shooting, realistically terrified expressions, and political jeering--like when the U.S. Embassy coyly admits to ignoring the fact that they know exactly where all of the Bosnian terrorists live.
Across the Universe
It's a movie based on the Beatles' songs, which should be its main selling point. It tells the story of a Brit (budding newcomer Jim Sturgess) who falls in love with an American girl (Evan Rachel Wood) in the 60s. It really runs the gamut of love in all its stages during a revolutionary decade, reflecting how historical moments affected their relationship. But it doesn't do it using the traditional romantic drama formula. It's more like the Science of Sleep and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, because of its surreal qualities and animation. What better way to personify the 60s than to make you feel like you're on an acid trip?
In the Valley of Elah
Tommy Lee Jones plays a concerned father who investigates the death of his son who just returned from Iraq. He tries his best to soothe his wife (Susan Sarandon) and reveal the truth with the help of a military career officer (Charlize Theron) who learns lessons of her own along the way. Although there's a lot of conspiracy-fueled scenes, the film is actually about the damage that war has done to the souls and psyches of men. It's a strong political statement that may bring you to tears.
Silk
This indie is an adaptation of a 19th century love story about a married American (Michael Pitt) silkworm smuggler who travels to Japan and falls in love with a baron's concubine. The baron finds out and informs him of the charges that could be brought up against him if he were caught again, threatening him with death. Over the years, he writes to her and carries on this love affair under the suspicion of his faithful wife (Kiera Knightley). The girl begs him to return and get her and he embarks on a journey that could save her, kill him, and destroy his wife.
December Boys
Daniel Radcliffe is slowly edging away from the Harry Potter franchise. In this drama, he plays an orphan whose birthday falls in the same month as three other kids, and thus they are dubbed the December boys. As their gift, the parish sends them to spend the month with a couple in hopes that they'll want to adopt one of the boys. They grow closer and become like brothers, and Radcliffe's character--the oldest of the four--learns about sex and confronts his fears of abandonment. I wouldn't say it was Oscar-worthy, but it serves to show his range.
Ira & Abby
While most comedies these days revolve around men who can't seem to commit or grow up, this comedy is about a woman (Jennifer Westfeldt writer of Kissing Jessica Stein) who commits a little too often. Whenever she sees a relationship is fun, she gets married. Up and comer Chris Messina ("Six Feet Under") just can't fend off her charms. She seems like the perfect woman--requesting that they have sex every night no matter what--so he can't quite figure out what's wrong with her. Although they marry while "in like" with each other, they eventually fall in love. So if you're in the mood for a couple of romantic laughs, find the closest indie theater near you.
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