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ReUse, ReCycle, ReSell! 10 am-6 pm Mon-Sat 1 in 4 young people will get an STD. Get yourself tested today.
nowplaying Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel J
Zachary Levi, David Cross, Jason Lee, Justin Long (voice) Animated Rodent Musical/Adventure Everyone’s favorite singing chipmunks are back—whether you like it or not. This time, starting off at high school. Manages to be both bottom-of-the-barrel and incredibly grating. This might be the first time I’ve watched a movie that’s completely made up of filler. Rated PG
Avatar JJJJ
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez Science Fiction In the future, an ex-Marine inflitrates the indigenous race on the planet Pandora, only to find their simple ways superior to those of civilization as he knows it. An undeniable effects and design extravaganza, Avatar is nonetheless a fairly basic story with a new paint job. Rated PG-13
The Blind Side JJJJ
Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Ray McKinnon, Kathy Bates, Jae Head Fact-Based Uplifting Sports Drama Fact-based story of Michael Oher, a poor black kid adopted by an upscale white family. A manipulative, but effective, uplifting sports drama that benefits from a strong cast, but never escapes a sense of condescension and questionable messages. Rated PG-13
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Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Jack Nation Redemption Drama With Country Music A downon-his-luck alcoholic country singer on the dead-end circuit gets a chance at a comeback and personal redemption. A straightforward redemption drama that’s damaged by an unpersuasive romance, but offers the compensation of a strong lead performance from Jeff Bridges. Rated R
Dear John JJJ
Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas, Scott Porter Goopy Romance A soldier finds the love of his life, only to have the romance complicated by 9/11. Strong direction isn’t enough to counteract the onslaught of goofy melodrama and paper-thin characterization on display. Rated PG-13
Edge of Darkness JJJ
Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, Shawn Roberts Standard Revenge Thriller Wrapped in Endless Convolutions When a Boston detective’s daughter is murdered, the detective follows a trail that leads him to
pretty high places in his search for her killers. A simple revenge thriller that’s tarted up with not very convincing conspiracy nonsense that isn’t helped by a sluggish pace. Rated R
From Paris With Love JJJJ
John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kasia Smutniak, Richard Durden Action/Adventure With a High Body Count A rookie agent and his seemingly insane mentor blast their way across Paris on the trail of drug dealers—or maybe terrorists—without ever attracting the attention of the French police, who must be off somewhere listening to Josephine Baker records. Terminally stupid, but reasonably entertaining—if splattery deaths of the wholesale variety don’t offend you. Rated R
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus JJJJJ
Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Andrew Garfield, Tom Waits, Verne Troyer Mystery/Fantasy/Allegory Dr. Parnassus and his traveling imaginarium roam about London in quest of an audience and as part of a contest between Paranassus and the devil. A wildly imaginative and fantastic film from Terry Gilliam that ranks up there with his best work. Rated PG-13
The Last Station JJJJJ
Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti, Kerry Condon, Anne-Marie Duff Biographical Domestic Farce/Tragedy The story of the last year in the life of the writer Leo Tolstoy—and the battle for the control of his estate. A surprisingly entertaining, beautifully made historical film with large doses of humor and brilliant performances from Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. Rated R
Sherlock Holmes JJJJJ
Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan Action/Mystery Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson pit their skills against a criminal mastermind who has apparently risen from the grave. One of the most enjoyable and beautifully crafted films of the year—and built around an interpretation of Holmes and Watson that’s more than a worthy addition to their cinematic predecessors. Rated PG-13
Tooth Fairy J
Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Julie Andrews, Stephen Merchant, Ryan Sheckler Family/Fantasy A callow hockey tough guy is sentenced to magical tooth-fairy duty for crushing the dreams of little kids. Filled with hokey CGI and a grown man in fairy wings and tights, the movie is yet another foray into nauseating family cheesiness. Rated PG
The Twilight Saga: New Moon JJ
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Michael Sheen Teen Romance/Horror/Fantasy More teencentric romantic entanglements among the supernatural set and one whiny girl. It’s better made than the first one, but it may be even dumber in its attempt to go for the world’s record in moping teens. Rated PG-13
Up in the Air JJJJJ
The Oscar-Nominated ShortS JJJJ
George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Melanie Lynskey Dramatic Comedy A man whose job is to fly around the country and fire people finds his way of life—and his perceptions of life—changing. Bitterly funny on the one hand and heartbreaking on the other, Up in the Air is a film of surprising depth and humanity. Rated R
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief JJJJ
Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Topher Grace, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine Hoiday-Themed Romcom Various people’s lives and romances cross paths on the titular day. Big stars and not-so-big stars flit past on the screen in a creatively specious, multistory film that works on the premise that everything can be made right in two hours. It’s not unwatchable, but it’s not good. Rated PG-13
Various actors Collection of Animated and Live-Action Shorts A collection of the 2009 Oscar nominees in the short-film categories. Uneven—as all such collections tend to be—but a generally worthwhile set of films of a genre that isn’t often seen. Rated NR
Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean Teen Fantasy A teen finds out he is the son of Poseidon and it’s up to him to prevent a potential war between the gods. A good enough piece of entertainment that works within the confines of a CGI spectacle, with all the depth (or lack of) that implies. Rated PG
Valentine’s Day JJ
The Wolfman JJJJ
Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Geraldine Chaplin, Art Malik Classic Horror With Viscera When his brother is mysteriously killed, an actor appearing in London visits the family’s ancestral home to learn the truth—with tragic results. A respectable and respectful remake of the 1941 horror staple. It’s good as a straightforward horror picture, but it could have been more. Rated R
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Feb. 17th 7-8:30 pm Body Image: No More Shame! A sexuality and spirituality workshop and discussion with Dianna Ritola - Sex Coach 36 Battery Park Ave. Downtown Asheville, NC 28801 828-254-6329 • www.vavavoom.com
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