IN THEATERS:
The Hangover, Part III (R)
Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis
Screenplay by Todd Phillips & Craig Mazin
Directed by Todd Phillips
After the ugly repetition of the second film, who could possibly be excited for what we all pray to God is the last time we’ll see The Wolf Pack? The trio returns to Vegas to retrieve a kidnapped Doug (Justin Bartha) from the clutches of an evil John Goodman. But who cares? There are probably some rape jokes to occupy your mind.
Fast & Furious 6 (PG-13)
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker
Screenplay by Chris Morgan
Directed by Justin Lin
The Series That Will Never Die keep chugging along with a sixth installment, only deemed necessary because the fifth film was the highest-grossing of the franchise. Where’s the Tylenol?
Epic* (PG)
Starring the voices of Amanda Seyfried, Christoph Waltz, Pitbull
Written for the screen by Tom J. Astle & Matt Ember
Directed by Chris Wedge
This animated wonder could have used a more developed backstory and some less distracting voicework. Still, it’s an enthralling movie for both adults and children with terrific animation.
Read about films opening in limited release after the jump…
Frances Ha* (R)
Starring Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver
Written by Noah Baumbach & Greta Gerwig
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Sometimes a movie just completely knocks you on your ass. I absolutely despised Baumbach’s last film Greenberg, but Frances Ha is some kind of wonderful. It’s like a micro-season of Girls, but with a more sympathetic lead and more honest about friendship. If you’re under the age of 35, this should be required viewing.
PLAYING AT ANGELIKA DALLAS
Love is All You Need (NR)
Starring Pierce Brosnan, Trine Dyrholm, Molly Blixt Egelind
Story by Susanne Bier & Anders Thomas Jensen
Screenplay by Anders Thomas Jensen
Directed by Susanne Bier
After winning an Oscar for the maudlin In a Better World, Bier goes a little lighter with this romantic comedy, about a cancer survivor who dumps her cheating husband and falls in love with her son-in-law’s father.
PLAYING AT BOTH ANGELIKAS
What Maisie Knew (R)
Starring Alexander Skarsgård, Julianne Moore, Onata Aprile
Written for the screen by Nancy Doyne & Carol Cartwright
Directed by Scott McGehee & David Siegel
The directors of the trippy Uncertainty get a little more straightforward by setting Henry James’ divorce drama among the hip Brooklyn elite. Sounds pretentious, doesn’t it?
PLAYING AT THE MAGNOLIA
Also opening:
Angelika Dallas: Dead Man’s Burden (NR)
AT HOME:
Top Pick
Side Effects (85%)
One of the only films this year I’ve actually been over the moon for was this twisty erotic thriller from Steven Soderbergh. It’s a dark mystery that pays homage to those late-night films you might stumble across on cable, but a heck of a lot smarter. Even if you see where it’s headed (and that will take you a while), it’s still entertaining to watch it all unravel.
To rent (click the link to watch on Netflix):
• The ABCs of Death (39%)
• Beautiful Creatures (45%)
• The Last Stand (59%)
• Parker (40%)
• Stand Up Guys (37%)
• Struck by Lightning (24%)
To buy:
TV: True Blood (Season 5)
Blu-ray: The Burning, Captain America (1990), Howl’s Moving Castle, Little Caesar†, My Neighbor Totoro, The Petrified Forest†, The Public Enemy†, Sommersby, White Heat†
Criterion: Medium Cool
*recommended
†Available separately or as part of the Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics.
(Release dates and locations subject to change.)