Can the Sundance favorite score with the larger moviegoing audience? Public plugs from mega-producers and tastemakers Oprah and Tyler Perry should help. Written and directed by Lee Daniels. With Mariah Carey. THE ROOM (R) 2003. I’ve wanted to see writer-director-star Tommy Wiseau’s personal cinematic atom bomb since reading an article in Entertainment Weekly about the prominent billboard for the would-be auteur’s debut, an awful picture beloved by two of my favorite ensembles, “The State” and “Arrested Development.” Wiseau’s film is supposedly THE new cult phenomenon. Now screening monthly at Ciné. A SERIOUS MAN (R) The Oscarwinning Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan, return with a black comedy set in the late 1960s. Midwestern prof Larry Gopnik’s (Michael Stuhlbarg) life starts to fall apart after his brother (Richard Kind) takes up semi-permanent residence in his home. His wife, Judith (Sari Lennick), is preparing to leave him; his son is stealing his money for pot; and his daughter is stealing to finance a nose job. The trailer is a true work of art. I’m really excited about this one. ST. TRINIAN’S (PG-13) A smash hit in its native Britain, St. Trinian’s stars Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace’s Strawberry Fields) as the ringleader of a gang of private school girls who plan a heist to save their rundown institution. The cast includes Rupert Everett and Colin Firth so it’s got that going for it. A sequel to co-directors Oliver Parker (Othello) and Barnaby Thompson’s comedy has already been greenlit. Nominated for an Empire Award and four National Movie Awards, including Best Comedy. THIS IS IT (PG) This Is It is a wonderful memorial to this strange man who thrilled millions. While the film will
appeal most to MJ’s superfans, only the most virulent haters will not find some moment that proves his right to reign as the eternal King of Pop. TRUCKER (R) A carefree trucker, Diane Ford (Michelle Monaghan), looks to settle down after taking in her 11-year-old son (Jimmy Bennett, Star Trek). Then again, Trucker does have Nathan Fillion in it, so it can’t be all bad. Winner of an Excellence in Acting Award (Monaghan) from the Vail Film Festival and the Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature Film from the Woods Hole Film Festival. Written and directed by James Mottern. Featuring Joey Lauren Adams and Benjamin Bratt. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON (PG-13) You either cannot wait for the continuation of Stephenie Meyer’s teen vampire romance films or you do not care at all; it seems that the middle ground has pretty much eroded. The Golden Compass director Chris Weitz’s pic does look better than Catherine Hardwicke’s 2008 blockbuster. For those who don’t know, Edward (Robert Pattinson) leaves Bella (Kristen Stewart), who goes all reckless while under the protection of a changed Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Enjoy. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (PG) Rambunctious Max (tremendous little Max Records) angers his single mother (Catherine Keener) while she is trying to entertain a male friend (Mark Ruffalo). Running away from home, Max hops in a boat and travels to a land of wild things where he becomes king. It is quite impressive what director Spike Jonze and cowriter Dave Eggers do with Maurice Sendak’s beloved 339 words. They expand upon his wild world, populated by giant-headed monsters and a boy in a wolfsuit named Max, with the same imaginative recklessness as Sendak. Drew Wheeler
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revenge on the man who killed his parents. Director and star Jaa reportedly took a two month sabbatical before returning to finish shooting the movie with the help of writer Panna Rittikrai. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (R) Micah and Katie (Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston) think their new house is haunted. Micah buys a fancy new camera to record the unusual things that go bump in the night. After a tedious 10 minutes or so, the movie reels you in like a marathon of “Ghost Hunters.” With the help of a psychic, Micah and Katie discover the entity is not a ghost but a demon, and it is not the house that is being haunted. It is Katie. Paranormal Activity updates Robert Wise’s psychological The Haunting with a modern technological savvy, and the film’s simplicity—two people, a camera and a haunted house—is never its flaw. PIRATE RADIO (R) See Movie Pick. PLANET 51 (PG) Astronaut Chuck Baker (v. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) lands on Planet 51 and finds an alien race paranoid of an alien invasion. He must recover his spaceship with the help of his new alien friend. Three firsttime directors—Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad and Marcos Martinez—bring Shrek Oscar-nominee Joe Stillman’s script to animated life. This family flick does not look terrible, but it does not much resemble a holiday blockbuster either. Featuring the voices of Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott and John Cleese. PRECIOUS (R) Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire tells the story of an overweight illiterate teen mother (Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe), who is pregnant with her second child when she gets a chance to turn her life around at an alternative school. I never thought I would write that Mo’Nique is generating serious Oscar buzz with her portrayal of Precious’ abusive mother.
AL
LERY
GOOD
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One God... countless paths. Unity Athens Sunday, Nov. 22 • 1:45 Unity Athens welcomes the Grammy-nominated
KAREN TAYLOR GOOD www.karentaylorgood.com A Fundraising Event for Hospice Donation Basis Karen will also perform a message in song at the 11:00am service
Unity Athens
Meeting Sundays at 1435 Oglethorpe Ave., Athens 11 a.m. Sunday Service • 706-613-8050
www.UnityAthens.com
NOVEMBER 18, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM
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