Now Playing: Demonic Tony, Cancerous Javi, Brave Sibel
Friday, January 28, 2011 at 4:00PM 
A brief snapshot of new releases (links go to trailers) because even though I always pretend the cinematic year doesn't begin until after the Oscars, the studios don't agree.
WIDE
The Rite ~ is there any legendary name actor more in need of a career makeover than Sir Anthony Hopkins these days? Another character who the marketing department can pretend is Hannibal Lecter for the ads. That was 20 YEARS AGO! Move on. This one is about demonic possession because that horror trope never gets old. True story: during the trailer I was like "cat alert!" as I love my cats in the movie but then the trailer implies that cats are of the devil so I can't be having this movie.
The Mechanic - In which Jason Statham is too cool to look at explosions (twice in the trailer alone!) and Ben Foster tags along for the assassin-laced ride. Ben actually does look at an explosion in the trailer; Jason has much to teach him.
LIMITED 
Biutiful - You can now see what all the fuss is about. This film is nominated for Best Actor and Best Foreign Film and Bardem plays a Job... I mean Uxbal. He has cancer but what else can go wrong in his life? Alejandro González Iñárritu, Master of Miserabilism™, needs more than disease to bring a man down! He is a merciless god.
From Prada to Nada - a Latina spin on Sense & Sensibility.
Ip Man 2 - in case you saw Ip Man 1. I didn't. I'm saving myself for the Tony Leung Chiu Wai version of this same story which is still filming I believe. This version about the martial arts guru stars Donnie Yen.
Kaboom -Indie auteur Gregg Araki returns with another pansexual trippy oddity. Will Thomas Dekker be Araki's new James Duval or Jonathan Schaech? Araki hasn't settled on new muses in quite some time. He's been muse-hopping for the past few efforts (Mysterious Skin, Smiley Face and now this.)
When We Leave - Germany's Oscar submission from this past fall is also getting a micro release. The fine actress Sibel Kekilli (Head On) returns to US theaters in this story of a Turkish Muslim woman who breaks from tradition, leaving her abusive husband, to raise their child alone. Quite horrifically, her own family sides with the husband. Much heartbreak ensues. Sibel is predictably strong and won the German Oscar but my god this movie is sad.
Sibel Kekilli loves her family in When We Leave. They don't love her back.
OSCAR-SEEKING EXPANSIONS
127 Hours rehydrated by those six Oscar nominations adds over 800 theaters, in its last ditch attempt to be the breakout hit people initially thought it might be. The King's Speech, gaining confidence from a very impressive gross and a very impressive nomination tally, adds over 800 screens too. Blue Valentine, which is better than either of those films but only managed a Best Actress nod, adds 400 screens. A warning to those who are eager to see it: you will be very angry that Ryan Gosling wasn't nominated for Best Actor.
LAST CHANCE!
The Season of the Witch and Another Narnia Movie lost about half their screens this week so... if you've been dying to see the latest scraggly Cage weave or the latest in leonine CGI, have at it.
What will you be seeing this weekend?
Besides the SAG Awards on Sunday. Yes, we'll live blog it.
Reader Comments (13)
Our town finally got 'Barney's Version' and having just gotten back from it, I was blown away by how superb Rosamund Pike was in it. That Giamatti and Hoffman are terrific is never a surprise. This really was one of the best films of the year (though, I'm confused, did it ever actually come out in 2010?). It's also right up the Academy's alley. Perhaps their Canadian ways care little for Oscar gold, since there didn't seem to be a huge effort put forth. Also, the Best Make-Up nomination is so deserved that I'm surprised it actually happened. Very, very good!
I'm going to finally see 'TRON:Legacy'. I'm behind the times! I love my discerning filmgoing friends, but COME ON. Not wanting to see 'Tron' is more snooty than discerning.
James C -- no. Barney's Version did not actually open in 2010. Like Biutiful it did a one week qualifier. That TWO movies succeeded playing that game HORRIFIES me as each year i hope the final nail goes in that coffin strategy-wise.
I'll be seeing Nathaniel's Film Bitch Awards' Actress nominees...right? ;D
teehee
Ryan Gosling not only deserved a nomination but a win. I was very saddened not to hear his name called Oscar morning. How could you nominate Michelle Williams and not nominate Ryan. They don't function without each other. The performances depend on each other, and they both make gold. Whatever...the performances are the reward.
Just saw 'Biutiful.' Yeesh. Emotional torture porn. I like it a little more than a lot of people, but I'm kind of an Iñárritu apologist. Would not have worked at all without Bardem.
I don't understand why anybody would be angry that Ryan wasn't nominated. They should have released that movie way earlier.
Yes, very angry Gosling didn't get a Best Actor nomination. Egregious blunder by AMPAS.
KD -- well agreed about the release date. the problem is sstill that everybody wants to be the last movie out.
I haven’t seen Blue Valentine but Michelle Williams’ induction into the Best Actress club lets me know that all of her hard work in little seen Indie projects and supporting work in big productions like Shutter Island isn’t going ignored completely. I’m really curious how interested is The Academy in holding on to her.
Ryan Gosling is gorgeous as he is talented. A previous Best Actor nominee he’ll return soon enough – remember he’s a man in Hollywood; we could be talking about him well into his Eastwood years.
I'm seeing "The Way Back" and "Incendies" (because I live in Canada, and I CAN!). :)
Nicolas -- way to brag Nicolas. Let us know how it is (Incendies). I've only heard raves thus far. Curious if it lives up to its rep. can't wait to see it.
"Incendies" is amazing... instantly in my top 10 of the year. The film is beautifully acted and shot and uses Radiohead songs in a very haunting (though somewhat out-of-place) way. The two lead actresses are outstanding; expect them to be awarded at the Genie Awards and Jutra Awards. It's hard to talk about the film without spoiling it, so I'll just say that the climax is absolutely heart-wrenching and devastating. Definitely a film that will stay with me for a while.
It's also nice that the film is largely set in my hometown of Montreal. Between this and "Barney's Version", Montreal is everywhere these days.
As for "The Way Back"... meh.