Nationwide Releases

Be Kind Rewind
Directed: Michel Gondry
Starring: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover
Trailer

Synopsis: Two video store guys have all their VHS tapes erased, but instead of buying new videos (or possibly upgrading to DVD), they make their own versions of the movies, hoping no one would notice.

My Take: I have no idea why anyone would watch VHS tapes still, but it looks hilarious.

RT Score: 69%
RT Consensus: Slighter and less disciplined than Gondry’s previous mind-benders.

Charlie Bartlett
Directed: Christophe Beck
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings, Tyler Hilton, Jake Epstein, Lauren Collins, Dylan Taylor, Mark Rendall, Jonathan Malen
Trailer

Synopsis: A brilliant, bored kid has been kicked out of every private school, so he goes to public school and acts like a psychiatrist to all the other kids who no one is listening to.

My Take: Goofy little movie that looks charming, but also probably thinks too highly of itself to be truly outstanding.

RT Score: 55%
RT Consensus: With engaging performances marked by an inconsistent tone, Charlie Bartlett is a mixed bag of clever teen angst comedy and muddled storytelling.

Vantage Point
Directed: Pete Travis
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Matthew Fox
Trailer

Synopsis: During a presidential assassination attempt, there are eight different view points on what actually happened.

My Take: While it could get too convoluted from so many viewpoints, the trailer makes it look pretty thrilling.

RT Score: 35%
RT Consensus: Vantage Point has an interesting premise that is completely undermined by fractured storytelling and wooden performances.

Witless Protection
Directed: Charles Robert Carner
Starring: Larry the Cable Guy, Jenny McCarthy, Ivana Milicevic
Trailer

Synopsis: A small town sheriff kidnaps a women who is being held by FBI for the witness protection program.

My Take: Why do these movies go to the theater? Why aren’t they straight to DVD or cable so I don’t have to watch the trailer?

RT Score: 0%

Limited Releases

The Counterfeiters
Directed: Stefan Ruzowitzky
Starring: August Diehl, Karl Markovics, Devid Striesow, Dolores Chaplin, August Zirner, Marie Baumer
Trailer

Synopsis: True story of one of the biggest counterfeit money scam in 1944 German concentration camp.

My Take: Supposedly very good, but didn’t look exciting enough for me in the trailer.

RT Score: 92%
RT Consensus: The Counterfeiters is a gripping account of one prisoner’s moral dilemma, superbly portrayed by Karl Markovics.

The Signal
Directed: David Bruckner
Starring: Anessa Ramsey, Sahr
Trailer

Synopsis: A transmission comes in through cell phones, tv and radio and turns people into killers.

My Take: This movie came out last August as a limited release and here it is again. Are they hoping more people will watch it this time around?

RT Score: 53%

Cover
Directed: Bill Duke
Starring: Vivica Fox, Aunjanue Ellis, Razaaq Adoti
Trailer

Synopsis: A wife is a suspect of her dead husband’s killing since she just found out he was leading a double life.

My Take: I could not figure out what was going on from the trailer. Would the movie be more of the same confusion?

RT Score: 0%

The Duchess of Langeais
Directed: Jacques Rivette
Starring: Jeanne Balibar, Guillaume Depardieu
Trailer

Synopsis: A woman flirts with a general who proclaims his love for her, but she does not return the love while teasing that she might one day. When he is finally fed up, she realizes she is in love with him, but it is too late.

My Take: Already saw it at the Portland International Film Festival and hated it! So very boring. Don’t see it!

RT Score: 68%
RT Consensus: At times plodding and dialogue heavy, The Duchess of Langeais is nevertheless an intriguing and rewarding dissection of class and gender relations.

Popularity: 10% [?]