For three straight weekends, The Dark Knight Rises has been the champion at the box office thanks to a lack of competition, but with the fourth film in the “Bourne” franchise, a political comedy starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, and Meryl Streep-led dramedy hitting theaters in wide release, it will finally be time for the Caped Crusader to have a seat.
PICK OF THE WEEK
Hope Springs
Directed by David Frankel
Written by Vanessa Taylor
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell
Theater Count: 2,361
What’s It About? Meryl Streep leads as a woman trying to bring life back to her marriage. Her husband, played by Tommy Lee Jones, only begrudgingly goes with her to a week-long session of counseling at Hope Springs.
Early Reaction: This dramedy was expected to get only mildly warm reception, but it’s actually picked up some stellar reviews, including glowing notices for Streep and Jones.
Metacritic: 67/100
Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
Why It’s Our Pick: Meryl Streep – We can argue about how she gets Oscar buzz for blinking or that her success keeps other actresses in her age range from getting good work. I’ve done it on many occasions. However, the fact of the matter is that Streep is an engaging screen presence who can more than capably handle herself in comedy. We’re also looking forward to Jones’ turn as the difficult husband and Steve Carell’s performance as the couple’s therapist.
WIDE RELEASES
The Bourne Legacy
Directed by Tony Gilroy
Written by Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy (screenplay); Robert Ludlum (Bourne series)
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
Theater Count: 3,600+
What’s It About? The days of Matt Damon as Jason Bourne are over, but the “Bourne” franchise continues as Operation Outcome agent Aaron Cross, portrayed by Jeremy Renner, evades the CIA's disposal of its black ops programs.
Early Reaction: The first three installments pulled off an accomplishment rare for action films, being audience favorites while also earning acclaim from the critics. The response to this Renner-led spinoff isn’t quite so enthusiastic, but it's still altogether positive.
Metacritic: 61/100
Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
What to Watch For: References to Jason Bourne and previous “Bourne” films – Even if the movie itself isn’t particularly special, it might be fun to take note of how “Legacy” mentions the franchise’s former protagonist and his adventures.
The Campaign
Directed by Jay Roach
Written by Chris Henchy, Shawn Harwell
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott
Theater Count: 3,250
What’s It About? North Carolina Congressperson Cam Brady, played by Will Ferrell, has never had to fight for his political power. However, when two CEOs want to have influence in Brady’s district, they recruit Tourism Center director Marty Huggins, played by Zach Galifianakis, to replace him.
Early Reaction: With Roach’s television film Game Change earning raves, one might hope that his more humorous take on politics would earn strong notices. Reaction to The Campaign thus far hasn't leaned too far left or right.
Metacritic: 52/100
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%
What to Watch For: Ferrell and Galifianakis – The former’s been a huge name in comedy for years, and while the latter only broke through in the last few, he already has an impressive reputation for his comedic work. Both Ferrell and Galifianakis are incredibly hysterical performers, so they should be highlights regardless of the film itself.
Nitro Circus: The Movie
Directed by Gregg Godfrey, Jeremy Rawle
Written by Gregg Godfrey, Travis Pastrana, Jeremy Rawle
Starring: Travis Pastrana, Tommy Passemante, Jeremy Rawle
Theater Count: 800
What’s It About? This is the first feature film to come from the Travis Pastrana-led “action sport collective.” However, its poster that advertises the stunt of “jumping a school bus with 7 people 167 feet” makes this feel more like an offshoot of Jackass than X Games.
Early Reaction: The cinematic takes on MTV’s aforementioned stunt show didn’t swoon the critics, but it certainly fared more favorably than Nitro Circus is right now.
Metacritic: 45/100
Rotten Tomatoes: 10%
What to Watch For: People who can successfully perform dangerous stunts – Regardless of how you feel about this particular brand of entertainment, there’s something to be said for the people who can take these chances and make it out alive.
LIMITED/INDEPENDENT RELEASES
Red Hook Summer – In Spike Lee’s new drama, a boy from Atlanta sees the world in a whole new light after staying with his very religious grandfather in Brooklyn for the summer (Metacritic: 52/100; Rotten Tomatoes: 75%) – Variance Films
2 Days in New York – Julie Delpy directs, writes, and leads this follow-up to her 2 Days in Paris alongside Chris Rock as her boyfriend. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and can also be caught on videon on demand. (Metacritic: 60/100; Rotten Tomatoes: 73%) – Magnolia Pictures
Goats – Vera Farmiga and David Duchovny star as the eccentric parents of a freshman heading to prep school in this comedy. (Metacritic: 40/100; Rotten Tomatoes: 9%) – Image Entertainment
This Time – Disco performer Pat Hodges, cabaret crooner Bobby Belfry, and girl group The Sweet Inspirations – of which Cissy Houston was once a member – are front and center in this documentary.
It Is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl – Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley narrates this documentary about Theodor Herzl’s long journey to establish Israel once again. Another Academy Award winner, Christoph Waltz, voices Herzl. – Moriah Films
La folie Almayer (Almayer’s Folly) – Chantal Akerman’s film about a merchant’s greed and his ultimate demise premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival and also played at the Toronto International Film Festival. (Metacritic: 100/100; Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) – Shellac Distribution
Meet the Fokkens – This documentary focuses on Amsterdam’s Fokken twins, who’ve been prostitutes for more than 50 years. (Metacritic: 68/100; Rotten Tomatoes: 100%) – Kino Lorber
The Lion of Judah – Matt Mindell makes his directorial debut with this documentary about a Holocaust survivor named Leo Zisman. – JEC Productions
Max et les Ferrailleurs (Max and the Junkmen) – Originally debuting in France in 1971, the late Claude Sautet’s crime drama about a Parisian detective finally makes its way to U.S. theaters. – Rialto Pictures
The Green Wave – Award-winning director Ali Samadi Ahadi accounts for Iran’s Green Revolution in this animated documentary, which played at last year’s Sundance Film Festival. (Metacritic: 64/100; Rotten Tomatoes: 86%) – Red Flag Releasing
Tejiendo sabiduria (We Women Warriors) – This doc accounts for three Colombian women who use nonviolent means to survive amidst warfare in their republic. – Independent Pictures
$upercapitalist – Television actor Simon Yin makes his directorial debut with this thriller about a hedge fund trader from New York who gets in over his head once he begins working in Hong Kong. – Truly Indie
