The Weekender: It’s a kind of ‘Magic’

IN THEATERS:

Ted (R)
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, the voice of Seth MacFarlane
Story by Seth MacFarlane
Screenplay by Seth MacFarlane and Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild
Directed by Seth MacFarlane
A foul-mouthed talking bear that’s best friends with Mark Wahlberg? Is there any way this is good? Maybe at least as good as a later-period episode of Family Guy? I mean Ted (the bear) is essentially Brian here. But the reviews are surprisingly good, so maybe MacFarlane got his mojo back?

Magic Mike (R)
Starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey
Written by Reid Carolin
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
He’s a stripper, but what he really wants to do is make custom furniture. Say what? That’s the plot behind what may be Steven Soderbergh’s last film, which is somehow reaching for the lowest-common denominator while being pretentious as possible. How is that gonna work?

People Like Us (PG-13)
Starring Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer
Written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci and Jody Lambert
Directed by Alex Kurtzman
One of the oddest dramedies to come out of Hollywood in many years. Not good or bad, just interesting. Read my review for Pegasus News here.

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection (PG-13)
Starring Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, Denise Richards
Written and directed by Tyler Perry
Are you as sick of this guy as I am? Probably, but this one maybe–just maybe–could provide a few chuckles.

Also opening:
Texas Theatre: Cure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story (NR)

AT HOME:
Top Pick:

The Artist (98%)
Though nowhere near as magnificent as many of the reviews would have you believe, this Best Picture winner, an ode to the silent era, is a complete delight. Not five Oscars good, but certainly worth your time.

To rent:
• 21 Jump Street* (85%)
• Bullhead (83%)
• The Decoy Bride (20%)
• The Hedgehog (88%)
• Mirror Mirror (50%)
• Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (94%)
• Oranges and Sunshine (70%)
• The Perfect Family (48%)
• A Thousand Words (0%)
• Wrath of the Titans (25%)

To buy:
TV: Damages (Season 4), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (Season 7), RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 4)

Blu-ray: Deliverance, Little Lord Fauntleroy

Criterion: The 39 Steps, The Samurai Trilogy

*recommended
(All release dates and locations subject to change.)