As the first full week of 2009 comes to a close, it’s time for us to look once again at the choices moviegoers will face in the coming weekend. It’s predictably slow–usual for the post-Oscarbait season that turns January into a dumping ground–but there are a few (and not many) rays of light out there this weekend. So, without further ado, the films.
First up is the dismal-looking “Bride Wars” starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway. Directed by Gary Winick (“13 Going on 30,” “Tadpole,”) it’s the story of two lifetime friends who both plan a dream wedding to take place at the Plaza Hotel in June. Unfortunately (but predictably), there is a planning snag of some sort that places both weddings on the same day. This catastrophe sets in motion an escalating prank war wherein each bride-to-be tries to force the other to relinquish the wedding date and culminating in a dress-clad catfight. The critics have universally panned this one as it sits with an anemic 12% rating at Rotten Tomatoes. This probably doesn’t bode well for all that momentum Hathaway had coming off of “Rachel Getting Married.”
For the select few of you out there who haven’t yet gotten your fill of J-horror, “The Unborn” opens this weekend to further tap out that already fallow genre. Directed by David Goyer (co-writer of “The Dark Knight” and “Batman Begins“) and starring Odette Yustman (“Cloverfield“) and Gary Oldman, it’s the story of a girl who discovers that she is one of a pair of twins and the other died during birth. When this deceased sibling begins to haunt her, she turns to a spiritual advisor and finds that she has to break some ridiculously convoluted curse in order to put an end to the haunting. If this sounds mentally retarded, that’s probably because it is–the healthy 14% rating at Rotten Tomatoes certainly doesn’t seem to suggest that this will be the next “Rosemary’s Baby.”
If you live in New York your best bet is easily Carlos Reygadas’ stunning and thoroughly beautiful “Silent Light” which is currently sitting pretty with an 80% RT rating. Centering on a a very devout Mennonite facing a spiritual and moral crisis in the form of wanton adultery, we absolutely adored the slow-going, but incredibly moving piece of art. Some with little patience might not enjoy its glacially-paced artfulness, but if you don’t trust us, trust Marty Scorsese who also fully loves it. It’s in limited release and it’s currently unclear what its expansion plans are, but if you do have chance to see this you must. Canadians should note: this is already on DVD in the Great White North.
Lastly, this week sees the limited release of “Yonkers Joe” starring Chazz Palminteri (“Down to Earth“) and Christine Lahti (“Housekeeping“). Written and directed by first-timer Robert Celestino, it’s the story of a dice hustler out for one more big score when his son re-emerges in his life. Billed as part con movie and part family drama, the 50% rating means it’s about as good as you’re going to get this weekend.