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The Avengers
Joss Whedon
Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson
The Avengers
It’s all led up to this, the Iron Man success, the takes on Thor and Captain America. Even the big green failures of the Hulk have paved the way for Marvel to finally bring their superhero team The Avengers to the big screen, and early buzz has director Joss Whedon knocking it out of the park. Granted, at nearly two and a half hours, there’s a lot to cover and Loki may not be the most compelling villain, but the end result appears to have capitalized on all the promise presented in the material. Get ready for the mandatory sequel talk come release date.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
John Madden
Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Talk about taking a risk. This is counterprogramming at its most brash. While other areas of the country will see this roll out slowly, John Madden’s latest will go head to head with a group of costumed crusaders in the major markets. Apparently, Mr. Shakespeare in Love and his studio believe that disgruntled fanboys, unable to get into a sold out Avengers screening, will take their tired dates one theater over to see a retirees seeking a more financially fit lifestyle in India. Some “veddy British” hijinx ensue. Yes, it’s another culture shock comedy, but the cast and credentials support one’s initial interest.
4 May
First Position
Like most closed societies, the world of ballet is something only a dancer can truly appreciate. The hardships and sacrifices, the joys of performance and the ever-present possibility of never being able to do so, professionally haunt the six individuals featured here. Ranging in age from nine to nineteen, we watch as our subjects enter the Youth America Grand Prix, the largest competition that awards full scholarships to top ballet schools. Within such a backdrop, personality and problems are highlighted and harnessed. A festival circuit favorite, this sounds like a standard documentary approach to an otherwise intriguing idea.
LOL
Lisa Azuelos
Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, Ashley Greene, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Adam Sevani, Douglas Booth, Marlo Thomas
LOL
When a foreign filmmaker comes to Hollywood, career resume intact, and attempts to reboot their bankability by making an English language version of their original triumphs, something specious usually happens. Just ask George Sluizer (The Vanishing) and Michael Haneke (Funny Games). This time around, French director Lisa Azuelos is remaking her 2008 coming of age comedy Laughing Out Loud—now going by the shorter and more tech savvy LOL—and she’s bringing Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore along for the repetitive ride. The plot synopsis, filled with hints at sexual awakening and drug use, must be driving the House of Mouse stars fanbase loopy.
A Little Bit of Heaven
Nicole Kassell
Kate Hudson, Gael García Bernal, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lucy Punch, Romany Malco, Treat Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates
A Little Bit of Heaven
Poor Kate Hudson. Twelve years ago, she was an Oscar nominated starlet whose parental lineage (she’s the daughter of Goldie Hawn) suggested a successful career as a leading lady/comedian. A series of sizable flops later, and she’s appearing in this five handkerchief weeper about a successful woman who falls in love with the doctor who diagnoses her terminal cancer. Of course, the actress can argue that she can only make what is offered to her, but what does it say about her commercial credentials that her choices run the gamut from this to Bride Wars and Something Borrowed?
