National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Nicholas Cage continues his journey as an adventurous archaeologist in the sequel to--what I believe is--his highest grossing blockbuster film. Together with his team, Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha (Failure to Launch), Cage embarks on a quest to clear his family name. Apparently his great grandfather is being accused of participating in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and all of it boils down to revealing the secrets of a book that is in the possession of the President of the United States. Of course the Secret Service isn't the only thing in his way. With his parents (Jon Voight and Helen Mirren) in tote, Cage defiles many American landmarks, as well as a few foreign ones, and tries once more to fill the void that Indiana Jones left.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
There is a plot to this story, but before I tell you what it is, let's first address the cast and production. Martin Starr, the bearded fellow in Knocked Up, Kristen Wiig from "SNL," and David Krumholtz ("Numb3rs"), who was in Superbad and will be in the Harold & Kumar sequel, all cameo. But the funniest guest appearances are from actors who either impersonate musicians or play themselves because they are musicians. Frankie Muniz plays Buddy Holly, Jack White plays Elvis, Jack Black plays Paul McCartney, Justin Long plays George Harrison, Paul Rudd plays John Lennon, Jason Schwartzman plays Ringo Starr, and Ghostface Killah and Lyle Lovett play themselves. That alone should have you on line for a ticket, but if it doesn't: Judd Apatow co-writes with the director, Jake Kasdan, who happens to have written the well-reviewed, David Duchovny-indie farce The TV Set. Spoofing is Kasdan's specialty, which explains why this film is sort of a classier version of Scary Movie or Date Movie. It alludes to all of the stages that a singer goes through in his career with a heavy focus on the biopic Walk the Line. In the lead is John C. Reilly with Jenna Fischer as his Reese/June Carter.
P.S. I Love You
Ladies everywhere sure lucked out. Not only did they get to see Gerard Butler's sculpted abs in 300, but now they get to watch him bestow the sweetest gift to his widow. In this romantic dramedy, Hilary Swank falls madly in love with Butler and then he dies unexpectedly. To help her move on and not resolve to dying alone, he leaves behind a series of notes to inspire her to live her life to the fullest, each leading to the last that will set her free to fall in love once more. Her friends Gina Gershon ("Rescue Me") and Lisa Kudrow are there to encourage her and of course provide comic relief. The letter writing portion reminds me of The Lake House. Unfortunately, in this film there's no chance of him coming back. But I guess the cast of good looking men, like Harry Connick Jr. ("Will & Grace"), Jeffrey Dean Morgan ("Grey's Anatomy"), and James Marsters ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), are there to cushion the blow. If you enjoy quirky heart-wrenching love stories, then you just might fall for this one.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Johnny Depp dons a costume once more, this time disappearing behind the mask of a heartbroken murderer. He plays Benjamin Barker, a man who was banished from London and whose one true love and daughter were taken from him by Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman from Harry Potter). Fifteen years later, he returns under an alias, Sweeney Todd, to open a barber shop, knowing that his enemies would eventually come for a haircut or a close shave. He's the best barber in town and he gives the closest shave--so close it's fatal. His little helper is Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), who owns a Meat Pie Shop, where the meat is bloody fresh. With her help he gets revenge for his banishment and the death of his wife, and hatches a plan to free his enslaved daughter from the clutches of Judge Turpin. Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) also factors in here somewhere. Oh and did I mention that everybody is singing. Trust me. It's one musical you'll never forget.
Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams (Enchanted) star in this dark dramedy about the true story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson, who illegally led a covert war in Afghanistan to help the rebels fight off the Soviets during the Cold War. What he did created consequences for decades to come and watching this film will clue you in to what they are. "Studio 60" and "The West Wing" writer Aaron Sorkin adapted George Crile's novel and Mike Nichols (Closer) directs. It's not exactly Christmas-time material, but it's a nice break from all the shopping and eggnog.
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