The Duchess

Movie Info

Directed by: Saul Dibb (Bullet Boy)
Written by: Text
Starring: Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Carribean, Atonement), Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter, The Chumscrubber)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for sexual content, brief nudity and thematic material
Runtime: 110 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 61% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 64/100
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
My Response: If you like period films, The Duchess is a can't miss movie. The British talent that is combined here is second to none, especially the cast. Keira Knightley has been looking for an opportunity to showcase her acting skills, and this is her chance to shine. She's been building up her resume with films like Atonement and Sense and Sensibility, and this film should be her best chance for an Oscar nod so far. See it, unless you're not big on period films.

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Nights and Weekends

Movie Info

Directed by: Greta Gerwig & Joe Swanberg (directorial debut as team)
Written by: Greta Gerwig & Joe Swanberg (screenplay)
Starring: Greta Gerwig (Baghead, Hannah Takes the Stairs), Joe Swanberg (Quiet City, Kissing the Mouth)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Not yet rated
Runtime: 80 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 75% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: N/A
IMDB Rating: 9.4/10
My Response: Gerwig and Swanberg have teamed up for a few films already, and decided to dive right in on Nights and Weekends, with both writing, directing, and starring. Now this may be a little shocking and maybe even off-putting, but I really think they have something here with this film. All the early reviews rave about how real and intimate the film is, and I'm really looking forward to seeing it. It's in limited release, so check your local listings. If it comes to your city, don't miss it!

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City of Ember

Movie Info

Directed by: Gil Kenan (Moster House)
Written by: Jeanne Duprau (book), Caroline Thompson (screenplay)
Starring: Bill Murray (Lost in Translation, Garfield 1 & 2), Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption, Top Gun)
Genre: Children's
MPAA Rating: PG - for mild peril and some thematic elements
Runtime: 95 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 8.0/10
MetaCritic Score: 58/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
My Response: City of Ember has been delayed a few times, as I remember first seeing the trailer quite a while ago. Delays never bode well for a movie, but I don't think this one will be completely ruined by them. The cast is still good, they story has some environmental overtones (which is so hot right now), and director Kenan has already directed a solid family film in Monster House. Take the kids and enjoy it. Wait for it to be on TV if you don't have kids.

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Quarantine

Movie Info

Directed by: John Erick Dowdle (The Poughkeepsie Tapes)
Written by: John Erick Dowdle & Drew Dowdle (screenplay)
Starring: Jennifer Carpenter (Battle in Seattle, White Chicks), Steve Harris (Minority Report, The Skulls), Jay Hernandez (Friday Nights Lights, Lakeview Terrace)
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: R - for bloody violent and disturbing content, terror and language
Runtime: 89 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 67% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 52/100
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
My Response: This movie is a remake of a Spanish horror film that is somewhat respected. Quarantine uses the same hand-held camera technique that was so effective in Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project, but we don't know how well it will work out here. Director Dowdle has already made some lower end horror films, so I don't have too much hope for this one. Expect to see some a lot of camera shaking and expect to hear a lot of screams (mainly coming from the screen, not the audience). I'd skip this one.

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The Express

Movie Info

Directed by: Gary Fleder (Runaway Jury, Kiss the Girls)
Written by: Robert Gallagher (book), Charles Leavitt (screenplay)
Starring: Rob Brown (Finding Forester, Coach Carter), Dennis Quaid (The Rookie, In Good Company)
Genre: Sports drama
MPAA Rating: PG - for thematic content, violence and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality
Runtime: # minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 80% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: N/A
IMDB Rating: 5.0/10
My Response: Disney is bringing yet another mid-century, football-themed movie from that comments on racism. Remember the Titans, anyone?? Well, I do, and I liked it. I'm sure The Express will deliver on all the goods that Disney movies thrive on, and with the talents of Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid, there are definitely worse ways to spend your movie ticket money.

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Happy-Go-Lucky

Movie Info

Directed by: Mike Leigh (Vera Drake, Secrets and Lies)
Written by: Mike Leigh
Starring: Sally Hawkins (Vera Drake, Layer Cake), Alexis Zegerman (feature film debut)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R - for language
Runtime: 118 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 96% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: N/A
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
My Response: Happy-Go-Lucky is one film that is entirely summed up by it's title, and that's not a bad thing. I dare anyone to watch this film and not leave smiling. Actually, trying to NOT enjoy it would go against everything it is about, so scrap that! :) This is the ultimate feel good movie, and not in any sappy, cheesy way. Think Amelie, but in English! It's only in limited release (which only seems to happen to good movies), and if it comes to your town, count your blessings and go check it out with a smile.

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Body of Lies

Movie Info

Directed by: Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Black Hawk Down)
Written by: David Ignatius (novel), William Monahan (screenplay)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator, The Departed), Russell Crowe (Gladiator, Cinderella Man)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R - for strong violence including some torture, and for language throughout
Runtime: # minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 70% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 58/100
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
My Response: Body of Lies seems like a perfect follow up for Leonardo DiCaprio, as he comes off The Departed and Blood Diamond. This film seems to be almost a mix of these two successful movies, and it allows him to match up against another aging Oscar winner, Russell Crowe, like he did against Jack Nickolson in The Departed. Ridey Scott is a terrific director, and he'll know how to pair these talents up. See it.

Trailer


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