For movies opening January 21, 2011
BIG BUDGET FILMS
The Company Men is a downsizing drama about the fallout for three fired corporate executives and their families. A conglomerate restructures its business as a cost-cutting measure and they all lose their jobs. It was inspired by the global economic meltdown. The setting is the corporate world and life outside, after bad news. Unfortunately the storyline never gets to the heart of anything or even anyone. That is the reason critics and audiences didn’t give it stellar ratings. It is headed for an early arrival in the DVD graveyard.
Stars Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones, all three Academy Award-winners. Cast also includes Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson and Oscar-winner Kevin Costner. The Company Men is rated R for profanity and brief nudity.
No Strings Attached Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher star in a romantic comedy in reverse. A couple of “friends with benefits” start off with a strictly physical relationship, but they start to develop deep feelings for each other. The cast includes Kevin Kline, Ludacris, Cary Elwes, Greta Gerwig and Olivia Thirlby. No Strings Attached is rated R for sexuality, profanity and drug use.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Applause Redemption drama about the attempt of a substance-abusing actress (Paprika Steen) fresh out of rehab to regain custody of her sons (Noel Koch-Sofeldt and Otto Leonardo Steen Rieks) from her skeptical ex-husband (Michael Falch). (In Danish with subtitles) Applause is rated R for profanity.
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance Japanese Anime sequel finds the paramilitary organization NERV making a valiant stand as the last hope of humanity in a showdown of Biblical proportions with the evil, immortal Angels. Voice cast includes Spike Spencer, Colleen Clinkenbeard and Brina Palencia. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance is unrated.
Gabi on the Roof in July Romantic comedy about a profligate, aspiring artist (Lawrence Michael Levine) forced to rethink his wanton, womanizing ways when his college-age, younger sister (Sophia Takal) moves into his apartment for the summer in the wake of their parents’ divorce. With Lena Dunham, Amy Seimetz and Robert White. Gabi on the Roof in July is unrated.
Johnny Mad Dog Liberian Civil War Saga, set in 2003, recounting the rape, pillaging and other atrocities committed by an army of child soldiers during their march to the country’s capital, Monrovia. Cast includes Teddy Boy, Galaxy Chea and Prince Doblah. Johnny Mad Dog is unrated.
Mumbai Diaries Serendipitous drama, set during the Monsoon season, about four strangers whose lives intertwine by chance, with the quartet being comprised of a Hindu-American banker (Monica Dogra), a reclusive artist (Aamir Khan), an ambitious laundry boy (Prateik Babbar) and a recently-married Muslim girl (Kriti Malhotra). (In Hindi with subtitles) Mumbai Diaries is unrated.
The Woodmans Overwhelming regret bio-pic revisits the abbreviated career of the late photographer Francesca Woodman via wistful reflections by her painter/photographer father, her potter mother and electronic artist brother as they still struggle to come to grips with her suicide 30 years ago at the tender age of 22. The Woodmans is unrated.
Zenith is a futuristic, sci-fi thriller revolving around a pair of parallel plots set 40 years apart, one, revolving around a father (Jason Robards, III), the other, around his son (Peter Scanavino), as they try to crack the same conspiracy. With Ana Asensio, Zohra Lampert and Didier Flamand. Zenith is unrated.
