Black Snake Moan
directed by Craig Brewer
Craig Brewer, the writer-director of Hustle & Flow, might be on to something in Black Snake Moan. In the movie, Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to cure Rae (Christina Ricci) of her insatiable sexual appetite by bounding her in chains and exercising some tough love. (Not that kind of tough love!) Just imagine how intimidating other kinds of rehab would be if confronted by a tough-as-nails Sam Jackson ready to drive evil out by keeping you put with a length of chain. Social possibilities aside, Brewer continues carving out his place in independent moviemaking with this throwback to exploitation cinema. Also starring Justin Timberlake and S. Epatha Merkerson.
Full of It
directed by Christian Charles
In a world where lies are truths, Sam Leonard (Ryan Pinkston) is king. A nerdy teenager who takes to fibbing to become popular, Sam’s life is no longer his own when his tall tales start coming true. But heavy is the head that wears the crown. Sam’s life starts becoming too much to handle as his lies become greater and the consequences larger. Full of It proves the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for as you just might get it,†is true. Unless you wish for an interesting movie and wind up at this one, then you’re just lying to yourself. Also starring Teri Polo, Craig Kilborn and Kate Mara.
Two Weeks
directed by Steve Stockman
In this family reconciliation weepy, four siblings reunite at their mother’s house to be with her as she nears death. But Anita (Sally Field) hangs on longer than expected, keeping the siblings together for two weeks under one roof—just enough time to deal with years of emotional baggage. This well-meaning family drama is saddled with a worn out plot, but bolstered by the presence of Field, who hasn’t be seen in theaters since 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde. Also starring Thomas Cavanagh, Ben Chaplin, Julianne Nicholson, Glenn Howerton and Clea DuVall.
Wild Hogs
directed by Walt Becker
Wild Hogs should be retitled Easy Payday. How else can you explain the presence of William H. Macy, Ray Liotta and even John Travolta in this retread story of male bonding and busting out of a midlife crisis? Macy and Travolta are joined out on the road by Martin Lawrence and Tim Allen as a group of guys trying to escape their humdrum, suburban existences by strapping on to the back of their hogs and tasting the freedom of the open road. Hopefully, the open road doesn’t taste as stale as this movie. Also starring Marisa Tomei and Jill Hennessy.
Zodiac
directed by David Fincher
David Fincher’s first movie in five years is a return to the serial killer genre that put him on the map as a big-time director. While Se7en was fiction, Zodiac is rooted in reality, based on the Zodiac Killer murders of the 1970s. Fincher takes a page out of the Munich playbook and soaks the movie’s aesthetic in the ’70s, from the set design down to the vintage clothing and sideburns worn by an all-star cast that includes Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Brian Cox. Fincher is comfortable with this kind of movie, and it should return him to the top of the directing ranks. Also starring Anthony Edwards and Chloë Sevigny.
If you’ve seen any of the films listed above (or even if you haven’t, but have exceptionally strong feelings that you’d like to share nonetheless), write your own review in the comments.
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