Feast of Love: I strangely like Greg Kinnear. I don’t understand why. There really is no specific quality that I can pinpoint. I guess I like him in the same way that people like vanilla ice cream. Or Bill Pullman. In any case, he stars in this new romantic comedy alongside Morgan Freeman, Radha Mitchell and Selma Blair. The movie looks a lot like Kinnear: bland but likeable. This is playing at the Angelika.
I get very little respect.
The Kingdom: A group of American government agents are sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate a murder. I at first thought this was going to be a political thriller, but now it appears to be a straight-up action movie. Lots of stuff explodes. Jamie Foxx yells. Jennifer Garner cries. Jason Bateman says something funny. This is playing at the Pavilion, Cobble Hill Cinemas and the United Artists on Court Street.
The Game Plan: In the tradition of such great films as Kindergarten Cop, The Pacifier and Mr. Nanny comes this new comedy starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I don’t know who the genius that came up with the “muscular dude + cute kids = movie magic!” formula is, but we have him to thank for this. The Rock plays a quarterback who is surprised to discover that he has a kid. He has to put his life of partying, bachelorhood and illegal dog fighting aside in exchange for childish shenanigans. I like The Rock. In a time when most action movies cast actors that would be eligible for senior citizen discounts if they chose to see their own films, I think The Rock is a candidate for the new generation of action stars. He’s made some interesting choices, one of which is the new Richard Kelly movie Southland Tales (try to make sense of the trailer, I dare you). So Rock (can I call you Rock?), if you’re reading this, and clearly you are, stop starring in crap like The Game Plan. This is playing at the Pavilion and the United Artists on Court Street.
Lust, Caution: Is it me, or has Ang Lee gotten a whole lot sexier? First he made controversy with Brokeback Mountain and now this. Lust, Caution has earned itself an NC-17 rating. Ang, you’re making me blush. The film takes place in 1942 Shanghai. The Japanese have invaded and are occupying the Chinese city. This is getting a lot of mixed reviews thus far, but I think it will undoubtedly be an interesting film. We saw Into the Wild at the Sunshine tonight, and there was a premiere for Lust, Caution. So I think it’s playing at the Landmark Sunshine.
Trade: You’ve written letters. You’ve harassed Hollywood producers and studios. Finally, your prayers have been answered. Yes, that’s right, it’s the Kevin Kline movie about sex trafficking that we’ve all been dying to see. It’s playing at the Angelika.
The Darjeeling Limited: This is my pick of the week. But I’m still a little trepidatious. While I love Wes Anderson and all the wonderfully quirky films he’s made, I’m getting a little tired of the whole “estranged family reuniting on a strange journey” story. All the same, this looks like it will be an entertaining trip in familiar territory. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman star as the three brothers who travel through India together. This opens on Saturday and is playing at the Regal at Union Square and the AMC Loews at Lincoln Square.
I like Bill Pullman. His portrayal of a man who gets cut to ribbons by a shattered glass shower door in Igby Goes Down still gives me the shivers. Also, I haven’t taken a shower since…
Why don’t you and Bill Pullman get a room?
bill pullman is the human equivalent of a quaalude. like i feel pretty good after my daily dose, but not really motivated to get up and do anything for a while
[...] Natasha wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptYes, that’s right, it’s the Kevin Kline movie about sex trafficking that we’ve all been dying to see. It’s playing at the Angelika. The Darjeeling Limited: This is my pick of the week. But I’m still a little trepidatious. While I love … [...]