IN THEATERS:
RED 2 (PG-13)
Starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich
Screenplay by Jon & Erich Hoeber
Directed by Dean Parisot
I’m expecting another breezy, enjoyable action flick that doesn’t insult my intelligence. Basically everything that A Good Day to Die Hard wasn’t.
R.I.P.D. (PG-13)
Starring Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon
Screen story by David Dobkin & Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi
Screenplay by Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi
Directed by Robert Schwentke
The toughest call of the summer. If it succeeds, you’ve got a supernatural buddy-cop film that works as well as the original Men in Black. If it doesn’t, you’ve got an expensive dud on your hands.
The Conjuring (R)
Starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor
Written by Chad & Carey Hayes
Directed by James Wan
I’m a big fan of atmospheric horror, and James Wan is a skilled filmmaker. But there’s such a glut of horror films lately, it’s hard to know which are actually going to be not just pretty good, but great.
Turbo (PG)
Starring the voices of Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Snoop Lion
Written by Darren Lemke, Robert D. Siegel, David Soren
Directed by David Soren
Gun to my head, I take this animated flick about a racing snail (which is sadly not the one from Neverending Story) over Planes. But I’d take ’em both over The Smurfs 2.
Check out movies opening in limited release after the jump…
Only God Forgives (R)
Starring Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm
Written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
This violent homage to Asian revenge thrillers is the most stylish and least substantive movie you will see all year. Read my review at College Movie Review.
PLAYING AT BOTH ANGELIKAS
Fruitvale Station* (R)
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer
Written and directed by Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler’s timely debut is startlingly self-assured and filled with great performances. I have some bigger issues with the message it sends, which you can read about here. Short answer: Go see it.
PLAYING AT BOTH ANGELIKAS
I’m So Excited (R)
Starring Javier Cámara, Lola Dueñas, Cecilia Roth
Written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Almodóvar’s first straight-up comedy in ages is set entirely on a flight to Mexico City. The title couldn’t be more apt.
PLAYING AT ANGELIKA DALLAS
VHS 2 (R)
Another scattershot anthology film for horror junkies only.
PLAYING EXCLUSIVELY AT THE TEXAS THEATRE
AT HOME:
Top Pick
Orphan Black (Season 1)
Yes, you’ve heard correctly. Orphan Black is as crazy awesome as the praise that has preceded it. Led by a spectacular performance from Tatiana Masley, it’s like nothing else on TV right now.
To rent:
• 42 (77%)
• Bullet to the Head (47%)
• The End of Love (56%)
• Erased (28%)
• Evil Dead (63%)
• Solomon Kane (65%)
• Wild Bill (100%)
To buy (click the link to watch on Netflix):
Music: Rick Springfield: An Affair of the Heart
TV: Alphas (Season 2), Damages (Season 5), Endeavour (Season 1), Hell on Wheels (Season 2), Regular Show (Seasons 1 & 2), Young Justice (Season 2, Part 2)
Blu-ray: Black Sabbath, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Heavy Traffic, Kidnapped
Criterion: Lord of the Flies