Weekly Previews for Movies Opening Jan. 14

BIG BUDGET FILMS

 

The Dilemma (PG-13 for sexuality and mature themes) Buddy comedy about a confirmed bachelor (Vince Vaughn) agonizing over whether to tell his best friend (Kevin James) whose wife (Winona Ryder) he caught cheating with a young stud (Channing Tatum). Cast includes Queen Latifah, Jennifer Connelly and Amy Morton.

 

The Green Hornet (PG-13 for violence, profanity, sexuality and drug use) Seth Rogen stars in this action hero adaptation based on the Thirties radio show about the heir of a media empire who secretly moonlights as a crime-fighting vigilante with the assistance of a trusted employee (Jay Chou) trained in the martial arts. With Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz, Tom Wilkinson and Edward James Olmos. 

 

 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

 

Barney's Version (R for profanity and some sexuality) Screen adaptation of Mordecai Richler's picaresque novel of the same name featuring Paul Giamatti in the titular role as a heavy-drinking, cigar-smoking, politically-incorrect, TV producer doing his best to reflect upon his life despite the limitations of advanced Alzheimer's. With two-time Academy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman and nominee Minnie Driver.  

   

Breaking and Entering (Unrated) Guinness Book documentary chronicling the exploits of assorted endurance enthusiasts as they endeavor to break world records in everything from juggling to cycling to catching grapes to twirling hula hoops.

 

Every Day (R for profanity, sexuality and drug use) Midlife crisis comedy, set in NYC, about a miserable couple (Helen Hunt and Liev Schreiber) in a sexless marriage dealing with a host of issues ranging from depression to adultery. With Brian Dennehy, Carla Gugino and Eddie Izzard.

 

Hood to Coast (Unrated) Track and field documentary tracks the fate of four teams competing in the world's longest relay race, a grueling, 197-mile test of endurance featuring thousands of entrants.

 

I'm Dangerous with Love (Unrated) Detox documentary about Leisure Class lead singer Dmitri Mugianis' miraculously beating his 20-year heroin addiction with the help of Ibogaine, an experimental, hallucinogenic drug illegal in the U.S. but available in a clinic in Amsterdam.

 

Ong Bak 3 (R for graphic violence and bloody images) Writer/director Tony Jaa reprises his starring role in the action-driven finale of the martial arts trilogy which finds the hero preparing for a duel to the death with his diabolical archenemy (Dan Chupong). Supporting cast includes Primrata Det-udom, Sorapong Chatree and Sarunyoo Wongkrachang. (In Thai with subtitles)

 

Petition (Unrated) People's Court documentary exposing flaws in China's dysfunctional legal justice system where citizens frequently find themselves frustrated for years by unnecessary delays due to government bureaucracy. (In Mandarin with subtitles)

 

Plastic Planet (Unrated) Eco-documentary examining how humans' increasing dependency on plastic over the past century has come to imperil the health of both people and the environment. (In English, Italian, German and Dutch with subtitles)

 

Repo Chick (Unrated) Action comedy revolving around a disinherited debutante (Jaclyn Jonet), forced to fend for herself for the first time, who ends up saving the day with the help of her entourage when terrorists threatening to wipe out Los Angeles steal a trainload of guided missiles. Cast includes Rosanna Arquette, Chloe Webb and Karen Black.   

 

A Somewhat Gentle Man (Unrated) Scandinavian crime comedy about a recently-paroled hit man (Stellan Skarsgard) who has a hard time juggling the competing demands of his gang, his ex, his girlfriends and a snitch, when he emerges from prison a mellow fellow following a dozen years behind bars for murder. With Bjorn Floberg, Kjersti Holmen and Aksel Hennie. (In Norwegian with subtitles)

 

A Useful Life (Unrated) Nostalgic romantic comedy, set in Montevideo, Uruguay, about a melancholy, movie theater manager (Jorge Jellinek) who falls in love with a law professor (Paola Venditto) attending a screening at his struggling art house. (In Spanish with subtitles)