Well, “Watchmen” fell off pretty sharply last weekend and lost to the Rock’s latest vehicle, “Race to Witch Mountain.” With three major releases this weekend–and quite a few films in limited release–it should be interesting to see what comes out on top. So, here’s the choices:
First up is “Duplicity,” the new movie by writer/director Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”). Apparently Gilroy has chosen decidedly lighter fare for his follow up to ‘Clayton’ in this romantic comedy that follows two corporate spies played by Clive Owen (“Sin City”) and Julia Roberts (“Pretty Woman”). Paul Giamatti (“Sideways”) and Tom Wilkinson (“Shakespeare in Love”) co-star as the heads of the respective companies who presumably set in motion the sequence of hilarious hijinks that constitute the plot. Critics have been fairly kind with the movie clocking in at an above average 64% right now, though most seem to agree the plot is highly contrived and somewhat difficult to follow.
If watching Clive Owen and Julia Roberts repeatedly scam each other doesn’t sound like a great time, you could always jump on board with the latest Apatow-ish comedy “I Love You, Man.” The pic stars Paul Rudd (“The 40 Year-Virgin”) and Jason Segel (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) as two post-collegeiate dudes enjoying a budding bromance when Rudd’s character has to find a friend to serve as his best man. SNL star Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones (“New In Town”) co-star in the movie, which is currently sitting at a warm 76% on the Tomatometer. We really enjoyed it, finding it to be a pretty faithful adherent to the Apatow style. Director John Hamburg’s (“Along Came Polly”) stock would seem to be on the rise.
On the other hand, if you’ve given up all hope you could go see the new Nicholas Cage bomb “Knowing” which stars the eyebrow-y actor as a professor who unwittingly discovers a numerological code that foretells major disasters and, worse, (or better, depending how you look at it) the possible end of the world. Under the aegis of Alex Proyas (“I, Robot”) the film has racked up a predictable 19% right now.
In Limited Release
Outside of major releases, this weekend has a nice array of smaller features. Not among those is “The Great Buck Howard,” which we found to be pretty hokey and contrived. The RT folks are less scathing with a 71% but the cast features some big names in John Malkovich and Emily Blunt, as well as Colin Hanks. Directed by first-timer Sean McGinly, the movie is about a law school dropout who becomes the assistant to a second-rate magician. If you’re a big fan of indies, you could check it out–but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
In the mood for a documentary? Then look no further than the mega-acclaimed “Hearts and Minds” which is seeing some limited play this weekend. A stunning condemnation of American involvement in Vietnam, the film is profoundly disturbing and equally moving. The movie has a staggering (but deserved) 100% rating right now and it totally lives up to that reputation. If you’ve never seen it and you’re living somewhere that it will play, then do yourself a favor and go.
Also highly recommended: “Sin Nombre” from first-time director Cary Fukunaga. You can read our extremely positive thoughts from SXSW here or check out the overwhelmingly favorable remarks at RT here (83%). The film weaves together plots about a family emigrating to the United States from Honduras and a brutal depiction of Mexican gang warfare in a staggering accomplishment. Do not miss this film.
Less well regarded is “Skills Like This,” a comedy about twentysomething bozos with grandiose ambitions. Though it won an audience award at SXSW, it’s gotten pretty tepid reviews that amount to a 43% rating as of press date. If you’re still in the mood for a comedy, though, and not that interested in solipsistic youngsters, you could check out the superhero comedy “Super Capers.” There’s not much in the way of reviews yet but the plot sounds similar to a warmed-over “Mystery Men.”
On the other end of the spectrum is the harrowing and beautiful “Hunger,” directed by the artist Steve McQueen. We loved this sometimes-brutal movie and highly recommend that you check it out. Opening in limited release, it follows the sixty-six day hunger strike and eventual death of IRA activist Bobby Sands in a British jail during the Troubles. The film stars Michael Fassbinder (“Inglorious Basterds”) as Sands and Liam Cunningham as a priest who tries to talk him out of the eventual suicide, both giving unforgettable performances. Another can’t miss.
Another well-regarded documentary opens in “Valentino: the Last Emperor” which chronicles the world of high fashion by examining the legendary Valentino Garavani. The film follows Valentino as he and his business partner Giancarlo Giammetti wind their careers down to a close. The result is a moving film about passion and commitment in the face of a capricious world. And the 70% RT rating doesn’t look too bad either.
If you’re in New York, don’t forget that Costa Gavras’ political thriller, “Z” is playing at Film Forum, director Robert Mulligan’s (“To Kill A Mockingbird”) retrospective plays at Walter Reade, and David Cronenberg’s minor masterpiece, “The Dead Zone,” with Christopher Walken plays the IFC Center at midnight over the weekend. That just about rounds up the weekend–good viewing!