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Director Bay gains by taking dramatic pains
There’s no shortage of pain in this near-alchemical transmutation of a grim true-crime story into whacked-out black comedy, but bupkis in the way of gain.
‘Hava Nagila’ dances through modern Jewish history
Sometimes, we think we understand things because they’re so familiar they seem almost like part of the natural order, like the sun coming up each morning — or the Cubs self-destructing just when it seems certain they’re headed for the playoffs.
What’s new and still in theaters
Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton get un-divorced in “The Big Wedding,” Matthew McConaughey gets down and dirty in “Mud” and Mark Wahlberg gets pumped for crime in “Pain & Gain,” all in area theaters.
Robinson bio ‘42’ scores a solid hit
It’s been awhile since we were offered a good, on-the-field baseball movie, not to mention one that also switch hits as an inspirational drama, and “42” scores on both those fronts. Just don’t expect to see anything particularly flashy, either on the diamond or in the script.
New releases on DVD, Blu-ray
Bill Murray gets presidential in “Hyde Park on Hudson” and director Sam Peckinpah gets a vindicating reissue with “Major Dundee” on Blu-ray.
What’s new and still in theaters
Harrison Ford throws the major leagues a curve ball in “42,” Robert Redford comes up from the underground in “The Company You Keep” and James McAvoy attempts a criminal masterpiece in “Trance,” all in area theaters.
What’s new and still in theaters
Demonic forces mess up a cabin-in-the-woods vacation in “Evil Dead,” paleolithic monsters wreak havoc again in “Jurassic Park 3D” and Ryan Gosling rides for redemption in “The Place Beyond the Pines,” all in area theaters.
‘Admission’ blindsides funny lady Tina Fey
With “30 Rock” off the air, legions of Liz Lemon fans are undoubtedly primed for a Tina Fey fix, but they’re likely to be a little disappointed by the mismatched moods and modest laughs in this so-so romantic dramedy.
Butler cleans house with macho aplomb in ‘Olympus’
North Korea posted a video the other day of long-range missile to destroying the White House. Well, director Antoine Fuqua puts that movie to shame with “Olympus has Fallen,” which depicts an apparently independent Korean paramilitary group attacking, virtually destroying and capturing the White House.
New releases on DVD, Blu-ray
Peter Jackson begins a new adventure in “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and Jessica Chastain goes Bin Laden hunting in “Zero Dark Thirty.”
No fun in the sun in dreary ‘Spring Breakers’
At first glance, it appeared that indie shock auteur Harmony Korine (“Kids,” “Julien the Donkey Boy”) might be attempting a change of pace with “Spring Breakers.”
