New This Weekend

Premium Rush (PG-13)

In Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city  (IMDb).

I must confess, when I saw this trailer in theaters, my first reaction was not positive.  It felt like a writer pitched this one saying, "So, it's like a car chase movie, but not at all, because those are over done and this movie is unique.  You see, they aren't in cars, wait for it... they're on bikes, being chased by cars!"  All I can say is, good luck to the guy on the bike.

The Apparition (PG-13)

A couple are haunted by a supernatural presence that is unleashed during a college experiment (IMDb).

I don't watch horror, but this one seems pretty interesting.  The concept that paranormal events happen because the human mind wills them into existence isn't new, on the contrary it is the most popular rationalization for ghost sightings and anything that "isn't real."  This film takes a literal interpretation of that and runs with it.  The monster comes alive and feeds off the belief of humans.  "Once you believe, you die."  In case you need a cherry on top, Tom Felton is in it.  As a geeky science guy.  'Nuff said.

Hit and Run (R)

Former getaway driver Charlie Bronson jeopardizes his Witness Protection Plan identity in order to help his girlfriend get to Los Angeles. The feds and Charlie's former gang chase them on the road (IMDb).

In case bike chases aren't exciting enough for you, here is a car chase flick!  Judging from the trailer, it is car chase film, meets witness protection film, meets raunchy comedy.

That's all that is coming out on wide release, here are the limited release titles.

Sleepwalk With Me (NR)

A burgeoning stand-up comedian struggles with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore (IMDb).

General Education (PG-13)

Levi Collins is set to go to the local University on a tennis scholarship, but he forgot to tell his parents one thing - he didn't graduate. As a result, he must take summer school before his mom and dad discover he's failed senior science. At school, Levi falls in love with his classmate, Katie, and learns that he has to make a choice between playing tennis and receiving a proper education. General Education is a quirky comedy about a family learning to grow together (IMDb).

This film is also available for download on iTunes.

What's New in the Box Office

Hello, everyone!  There are a lot of new releases in the box office this week, so I hope there is something out there that meets your fancy.

The Expendables (R)

Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat (IMDb).

This film's cast is practically a roll call of the most popular action flick actors.  Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Norris, and more unite to make this sequel to the 2010 original, entitled The Expendables.

ParaNorman (PG)

 A misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse (IMDb).

ParaNorman hails from the same production company that presented Corpse Bride and Coraline, Laika Studios.  It promises to have the same darkly humorous feel of those two films, in a style that I can best describe a Burton-esque.

Sparkle (PG-13)

Set in the 1960s, three sisters form girl group and soon become Motown sensations, but fame becomes a challenge as the close-knit family begins to fall apart (IMDb).

Sparkle is gaining notoriety because it is Whitney Houston's final film after her death February this year at the age of 48.  This will no doubt give a film that may have flown under the radar more attention.  Houston recorded two songs for the sound track, though I am not sure if they are included in the film.  I only hope that  Sparkle a swan song fitting for one of such talent and voice as Whitney Houston.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (PG)

A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears (IMDb).

I am really excited for this one!  It seems like a warm and fuzzy, family-friendly film.  The premise is interesting, and hopefully the writing will realize its potential.  Trailers say it is about slowing down appreciating every day moments.  Who doesn't need a message like that?

That is it for wide release.  Here is what is out on limited release this week.

Cosmopolis (R)

Riding across Manhattan in a stretch limo in order to get a haircut, a 28-year-old billionaire asset manager's day devolves into an odyssey with a cast of characters that start to tear his world apart (IMDb).

Compliance (R)

When a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee, no-one is left unharmed. Based on true events (IMDb).

Robot and Frank (PG-13)

Set in the near future, an ex-jewel thief receives a gift from his son: a robot butler programmed to look after him. But soon the two companions try their luck as a heist team (IMDb).

Why Stop Now (NR)

When a college piano prodigy tries to check his mother into rehab, he is taken hostage by her drug dealer and swept along on a wild adventure.

What's New in the Box Office!

Hello everyone!  Don't worry, Victoria and I are still breathing and we are sorry for our hiatus, but life sort of ran away with us.  The weekly release update it back with what you can look for in box offices this weekend.

Total Recall (PG-13)

Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid, even though he's got a beautiful wife who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life - real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police – controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen, the leader of the free world – Quaid teams up with a rebel fighter to find the head of the underground resistance and stop Cohaagen. The line between fantasy and reality gets blurred and the fate of his world hangs in the balance as Quaid discovers his true identity, his true love, and his true fate. (Yahoo! Movies)

This is a reboot of the 1990 film, also entitled Total Recall, in which the lead takes a virtual vacation to Mars via memory-meddling.  Just as in this film, his escape doesn't go quite as well as he had hoped.  I think both of these films seem intriguing, if done well.  Toeing the line between dream and reality becomes tricky business.  Perhaps this could be turned into a double-feature weekend?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  Dog Days (PG)

During his summer vacation, "Wimpy Kid" Greg Heffley, the hero of the phenomenally successful book series, hatches a plan to pretend he has a job at a ritzy country club -- which fails to keep him away from the season's dog days, including embarrassing mishaps at a public pool and a camping trip that goes horribly wrong. (Yahoo! Movies)

This is the third film adaptation from the popular children's book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  I saw the first film, released in 2010 while babysitting.  The kids, two elementary-age girls, loved it.  I thought Greg Heffley's struggles to fit in at his middle school, while greatly exaggerated, was a comedy of errors.  It was by no means sophisticated or particularly plot-driven, but it was okay.  If this film follows suit, it will go over well with the kids; parents will have to resist the temptation to face-palm every so often, but they will get a few laughs out of it, too.

Here are the films out on limited release:

Celeste and Jesse Forever (R)

A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people (IMDb).

Am I the only one who thinks that several sitcoms have already explored this topic, Old Christine and Reba to name a few.  The difference here is that they are still BFFs!  It rates a 77% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, so it may be worth a chance if it is playing near you.

The Babymakers (R)

After trying everything to get his wife Audrey pregnant, Tommy Macklin realizes to his horror that he may be "shooting blanks." Terrified that his marriage may fall apart, Tommy recruits his friends to rob a spermbank where he made a deposit years ago. As with any half-baked scheme, everything can and does go wrong, testing the limits of Tommy and Audrey's relationship and showing how far one couple will go in hopes of getting pregnant (Yahoo! Movies).

The Rotten Tomatoes rating for this one it painfully low at 7%.  Reviews say it fails in the attempt to blend raunchiness with romantic comedy.

Mosquita y Mari (NR)

In a fast-paced immigrant community where dreams are often lost to economic survival, two young Chicanas contemplate life when they stir unexpected desires in each other (Yahoo! Movies).

Craigslist Joe (NR)

In a time when America'’s economy and sense of community were crumbling, one guy left everything behind - to see if he could survive solely on the support of the 21st century's new town square: Craigslist. It was in this climate that 29-year-old Joseph Garner cut himself off from everyone he knew and everything he owned, to embark on a bold adventure. Armed with only a laptop, cell phone, toothbrush, and the clothes on his back - alongside the hope that community was not gone but just had shifted - Joseph began his journey. For 31 December days and nights, everything in his life would come from the Craigslist website. From transportation to food, from shelter to companionship, Joe would depend on the generosity of people who had never seen him and whose sole connection to him was a giant virtual swap meet. Would America help Joe? Could he survive with nothing, apart from the goodwill of others (Yahoo! Movies)?