Opening in Wide Release:
- An American Carol - A filmmaker who's out to abolish the 4th of July holiday is visited by three ghosts who try to show him the good sides of the U.S.A. This is essentially a "Disaster/Epic/Scary/Superhero/Date/etc. Movie"-type movie that attempts to make fun of Michael Moore (the main character's name is Michael Malone). It was made by and stars many politically conservative actors... hell, even Bill O'Reilly pops up in the film! Look, I'm all for taking the piss out of Moore and annoying people like him (and I am a liberal, by the way), but I have no interest in seeing yet another crap-tastic parody movie. If you really want to see someone make fun of Moore in a way that's actually funny, see "Team America: World Police." Avoid this no matter where you politically stand. Rated PG-13.
- Beverly Hills Chihuahua - A pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua finds herself lost in the mean streets of Mexico without a boutique or day-spa anywhere in sight. Looks to be the most annoying, mind-numbingly stupid film that's come out in a long time (and, regarding the state of modern day movies, that's saying something). I actually suffered a slight mental breakdown just watching the trailer. So, unless you want to end up like Winona Ryder in "Girl, Interrupted," do not see this movie. Rated PG.
- Blindness - When a plague of blindness devastates a city, the afflicted band together to overcome the horrific conditions of their quarantine. Julianne Moore ("Magnolia," and no relation to Michael) stars as the one person in the city who can still see. This has been very controversial and gotten a lot of mixed reviews ever since it started playing in film festivals earlier this year. Personally, I think it looks very intriguing, and I want to see it. But it does look to be a very dark and unhappy film. Rated R.
- Flash of Genius - Greg Kinnear ("Little Miss Sunshine") stars in the true story of an inventor's long battle with the automobile industry after they stole the design for his creation: the intermittent windshield wiper. Yeah, it's kind of a strange story to make into a film, but honestly it looks like it could be pretty good, especially if you like movies about underdogs going against the big evil corporations. And it is a pretty interesting story too. Rated PG-13.
- How to Lose Friends and Alienate People - A small-time British celebrity journalist is hired by an upscale New York magazine and enters high society with disastrous results. This definitely makes my must-see list because it stars the great Simon Pegg ("Hot Fuzz"), and it looks to be a very funny movie (you know, in that kind of uncomfortable, squirm-inducing way). And the fact that it's based on a true story makes me want to see it even more. Rated R.
- Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist - Two teens, with nothing in common but their taste in music, go on an all-night quest to find their favorite band's secret show. Sure, it looks like it's trying to mine off the success of "Juno", but you can cut it some slack - the movie is actually based on a book that's been out for quite a while. Plus, "Juno" writer Diablo Cody has even given the movie her enthusiastic support, and if she says it's worth seeing then that's good enough for me (I kind of worship her, just a little bit). Rated PG-13.
Opening in Selected Release:
- Rachel Getting Married - Anne Hathaway ("Brokeback Mountain") plays a fresh-out-of-rehab woman who returns home for her sister's wedding, bringing a long history of personal crisis and family conflict along with her. When I first saw the trailer for this film, it looked like just a bunch people, mostly women, yelling at each other. Yeah, that sounds like fun. But since then the buzz for this film from people who have actually seen it has been universally strong, with many people saying it's a surefire Oscar nomination for Hathaway. So I'll give it another chance. Rated R.
- Religulous - Comedian/TV host Bill Maher examines the state of world religion, from Muslim riots over cartoons to The 10 Commandments in front of courthouses. As a Christian who has a lot of issues with modern-day organized religion, I am always up for someone openly questioning and exploring those issues (see last year's "Jesus Camp"). But, based on what I've seen, Maher doesn't seem like he's really interested in exploring anything... he seems more interested in just criticizing and making fun of religion, which doesn't sit well with me. Still, I might see this on DVD someday just to see what he has to say. Rated R.
- RocknRolla - In director Guy Ritchie's ("Snatch") latest, a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal that attracts all of London's criminal underworld. Stars Gerard Butler ("300") and a bunch of other cool actors. This is my top pick of the week; just watch the trailer and tell me it doesn't look awesome! You can't do it! Definitely see this movie. Rated R.
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