Friday, October 03, 2008

FILM: New in Theaters - Nick & Norah, and more

MY PICK FOR THE WEEKEND: Laugh your ass off this weekend at Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, a hilarious teen romantic comedy about a recently dumped guitarist (Michael Cera from Juno) who meets his musical soulmate (Kat Dennings from Charlie Bartlett) in one amazing night as they search Manhattan for her drunken friend (Ari Graynor) with the help of his queer core band (Aaron Yoo from Disturbia and Rafi Gavron from Breaking and Entering). Alexis Dziena (Fool's Gold and "Invasion") does a great job of playing the girl we're meant to loathe and newcomer Jonathan B. Wright plays the most adorable gay guy you'll ever meet. Rounding out the cast are a few actors with small bits: Jay Baruchel (Tropic Thunder), John Cho, Eddie Kaye Thomas ("Til Death"), Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express) and SNL's Seth Meyers and Andy Samberg. And if you're in NYC, I'd suggest memorizing one or two of the locations the film mentions, and hit 'em once the film is over.

If you're looking for something indie this weekend, try the adaptation of Jose Saramago's novel Blindness. The thriller focuses on an epidemic that takes over a city and blinds everyone in it except for one woman who's as much of a voyeur as the audience is, witnessing the de-evolution of humanity as it's pushed to its limits of survival. Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, and Gael Garcia Bernal star.

If you're looking for some good old British humor, try the adaptation of Toby Young's hilarious novel How to Lose Friends & Alienate People. It tells the story of a British writer who comes to America to work for Vanity Fair, schmooze with celebrities, and make a name for himself. Unfortunately, he is socially retarded, unattractive, and has a crass sense of humor that his employer--or anyone really--isn't amused by. Simon Pegg stars as the pathetic putz, and Kirsten Dunst and Megan Fox provide the commercial eye candy to lure in moviegoers. Trust me, the humor in itself is reason enough to go.

If you're looking for a chick flick with substance, try the indie Rachel Getting Married. It's the story of a recurring rehaber who causes drama during her sister's wedding. It stars Anne Hathaway and up-and-comer Rosemarie DeWitt ("Mad Men").

If you miss Lauren Graham having a job, then I'd support her latest indie Flash of Genius so she'll get more. It's about a guy (Greg Kinnear) who gets his invention (the windshield wiper) stolen and fights for the patent in court.

If you haven't grown tired of the sports' movie genre being butchered to death, then catch a showing of The Express. Dennis Quaid plays the inspiring coach to the first African American to win the Heisman trophy, played by Rob Brown (Finding Forrester).

And if you have a death wish, strap yourself to a seat and brace yourself for the uber racism gift-wrapped as comedy in Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Will someone please take George Lopez's Mexican card away? Honestly, is this the only way Hispanic people can get paid in Hollywood? They didn't even get to play the leads in human form. And for those actors who did, like Jamie Lee Curtis and Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly), you should be ashamed of yourself.

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