New Movies
In Theaters
Opening This Week - December 9
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.
Director:Tomas Alfredson |
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The Buzz: Despite the presence of Colin Firth and Tom Hardy and the anticipation of director Tomas Alfredson's follow up to Let the Right One In, all indications point to this being a tour de force for Gary Oldman -- a long overdue proper starring role for one of our favorite actors. Working Title Films/Universal sorta botched their last attempt to modernize a classic BBC mini-series (remember State of Play?), but now that the studio has smartly moved the project over to Focus Features, we're thinking this thriller has serious Oscar potential now that the Best Picture race isn't so uptight.
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New Year's Eve (2011)
The lives of several couples and singles in New York intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve.
Director:Garry Marshall |
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The Buzz: If you must name a movie after a holiday, make it good enough to watch every year on that special day. Will you ever watch Valentine's Day again? For this sorta-sequel, Garry Marshall heads across country to NYC with a new celebrity cast -- most of whom could really use a hit. My suggestion: let the stars who have created iconic New Yorkers reprise their characters here. This way, Sarah Jessica Parker could play Carrie Bradshaw and Robert De Niro could revisit Johnny Boy.
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Young Adult (2011) - [limited]
Soon after her divorce, a fiction writer returns to her home in small-town Minnesota, looking to rekindle a romance with her ex-boyfriend, who is now married with kids.
Director:Jason Reitman |
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The Buzz: When Charlize Theron says she understands this character, doesn't necessarily like her, but would have a beer with her, it's the sort of moment that helps me remember that not every Hollywood actor walks into a press room with a set idea of what's to be said. Back when this project was announced, Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody's reunion created the kind of online frenzy typically reserved for comic-book movie casting; as the film neared completion, reports emerged that its particular kind of dark humor might make it a tougher sell than Reitman's previous works. I feel like we've had to endure countless man-children over the past several years, and they've enjoyed varying levels of success, so stop prognosticating and make room for an actress who can embody an unlikeable lead character and deliver feelings of satisfied ambivalence.
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The Sitter (2011)
A comedy about a college student on suspension who is coaxed into babysitting the kids next door, though he is fully unprepared for the wild night ahead of him.
Director:David Gordon Green |
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The Buzz: More than anything, this R-rated comedy will be forever known as the last Chubby Jonah Hill movie, as the now-svelte actor looks more like a stand-in for Ryan Reynolds and less like Chris Penn these days. Hill and director David Gordon Green have run in the same circles for the last few years, but this is their first time working together. Our question: can they bring anything new to this babysitting adventure aside from swearing kids and jokes about reefer?
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W.E. (2011) - [Limited awards qualifying run]- Drama | Romance
A two-tiered romantic drama focusing on the affair between King Edward VIII and American divorcée Wallis Simpson and a contemporary romance between a married woman and a Russian security guard.
Director:Madonna |
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The Buzz: Sadly, it's getting progressively easier to dog on Madonna, especially when she makes a movie. Her directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom, was as bad as many people wanted it to be, and though her sophomore effort received mixed praise initially, it's gone the way of Swept Away now that its awards-baiting quiet release has arrived. OK, that's not entirely accurate, but this is no King's Speech-like contender.
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I Melt with You (2011)
When four 40-something college friends meet up for their annual reunion, things start to spiral out of control, and a pact they made as young men is revisited.
Director:Mark Pellington |
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The Buzz: Seriously, one of the worst movies I have ever seen. So bad, in fact, that I sort of cannot wait to see it again. Director Mark Pellington and his admittedly brave cast attempt to mine the adult male psyche for equal servings of truth and shock, but it's hard to feel anything for such pathetic characters aside from the notion that Melt is experimental, low budget filmmaking at its worst and most entitled. Also, when Carla Gugino's character is introduced, it's as if the main characters have become so high that they enter a completely different movie.
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We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) - [One week Oscar-qualifying run in LA/NYC]
The mother of a teenage boy who went on a high-school killing spree tries to deal with her grief - and feelings of responsibility for her child's actions.
Director:Lynne Ramsay |
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The Buzz: Lynne Ramsay's third film has been reviewed as an artful interpretation of Lionel Shriver's novel, a meditation on family, violence, guilt. Clearly this is the sort of role that's a custom-fit for Tilda Swinton, and we understand each member of this tragic family turns in crushing performances; John C. Reilly truly is an under-rated dramatic actor. Can't wait to see how Ms. Ramsay fits into the larger film discussion with her most high profile project to date.
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Knuckle (2011) - [limited]
An epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting. This film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans.
Director:Ian Palmer |
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The Buzz: An unsettlingly real version of pro wrestling grudge matches (right down to the videotaped rants meant to taunt one's opponent), Ian Palmer's documentary, which he shot over a 12-year period, reveals a series of truth about three Irish Traveller families, the most unexpected being the idea that the clans have essentially created their own economy, since the stakes are high at their brawls. Personally, I wish Palmer opted for keep a better distance from the story and removed himself as narrator, but this is a solid work.
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London River (2009) - Opens 12/7 in limited release]Certificate: NOT-RATED - Drama | Mystery
Two strangers come to discover the fate of their respective children in the 2005 terrorist attacks on London.
Director:Rachid Bouchareb |
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The Buzz: A diminished level of praise precedes the U.S. release of Rachid Bouchareb's 2009 drama, which has an outsider's chances of scoring an Oscar nomination for Brenda Blethyn. Blethyn's co-star, Sotigui Kouyaté, who starred in Bouchareb's Little Senegal, passed away last year, and I understand his minimalist performance is a stark, welcome contrast to Blethyn's frantic and sheltered mum.
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Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl (2011) - [limited]Certificate: NOT-RATED - Comedy
A charismatic fraudster who cons ladies for a living finally meets his match when a bunch of his conquests form an equally crafty plan.
Director:Maneesh Sharma |
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The Buzz: Director Maneesh Sharma reunites his Band Baaja Baaraat stars for a romantic comedy that sounds like it could easily be a movie made in the States by New Line Cinema.
In Theaters Now - Box Office Top Ten
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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
The Quileute's close in on expecting parents Edward and Bella, whose unborn child poses a threat to the Wolf Pack and the towns people of Forks.
Director:Bill CondonBox Office:Weekend: $16.9M, Gross: $247M |
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The Muppets (2011)
With the help of three fans, The Muppets must reunite to save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon.
Director:James BobinBox Office:Weekend: $11.2M, Gross: $56.1M |
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Hugo (2011)
Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.
Director:Martin ScorseseBox Office:Weekend: $7.62M, Gross: $25.2M |
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Arthur Christmas (2011)
On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa's youngest son looks to use his father's high-tech operation for an urgent mission.
Director:Sarah SmithBox Office:Weekend: $7.35M, Gross: $25.3M |
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Happy Feet Two (2011)
Mumble's son, Erik, is struggling to realize his talents in the Emperor Penguin world. Meanwhile, Mumble and his family and friends discover a new threat their home -- one that will take everyone working together to save them.
Director:George MillerBox Office:Weekend: $6M, Gross: $51.8M |
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Jack and Jill (2011)
Family guy Jack Sadelstein prepares for the annual event he dreads: the Thanksgiving visit of his twin sister, the needy and passive-aggressive Jill, who then refuses to leave.
Director:Dennis DuganBox Office:Weekend: $5.5M, Gross: $64.3M |
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The Descendants (2011)
A land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.
Director:Alexander PayneBox Office:Weekend: $5.2M, Gross: $18.1M |
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Immortals (2011)
Theseus is a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.
Director:Tarsem SinghBox Office:Weekend: $4.39M, Gross: $75.6M |
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Tower Heist (2011)
When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence.
Director:Brett RatnerBox Office:Weekend: $4.13M, Gross: $70.8M |
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Puss in Boots (2011)
A story about the events leading up to the sword fighting cat's meeting with Shrek and his friends.
Director:Chris MillerBox Office:Weekend: $3.05M, Gross: $140M |
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