Romantic comedies heat up video stores
The new motion pictures opening today at a theater near you include: – “Biker Boyz”: Laurence Fishburne (“The Matrix”), Derek Luke (“Antwone Fisher”), Orlando Jones (“The Replacements”), Djimon Hounsou (“Gladiator”) and rocker-turned-actor Kid Rock (“Joe Dirt”) hit the road and race motorcycles in this PG-13 picture, directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood (“Dancing in September”).
The plots of frontier tales and biker flicks merge in this story about an aging racer (Fishburne) who leads an underground motorcycle club and, like an old gunslinger, doesn’t plan to relinquish his top-gun title to a young newcomer (Luke).
Bythewood also co-wrote the script, which is based on a newspaper article about the individualistic members of low-profile biker organizations who feel the need for speed.
– “Final Destination 2”: A teenage girl (A.J. Cook of “The Virgin Suicides”) saves herself and some friends from a fatal car accident and then discovers that an evil spirit wants to collect the souls of those who escaped death. Cherry Hill native Ali Larter, who also appeared in the original, returns for the R-rated sequel. David Richard Ellis (“Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco”) directed.
– “His Secret Life”: A widow (Margherita Buy of “The Best Day of My Life”) mourning the death of her doctor/husband, who specialized in AIDS cases, is shocked after discovering that her late spouse had been cheating on her with a man (Stefano Accorsi of “Journey Called Love”).
She then embarks on a journey to find her husband’s lover and learn about his life. Ferzan Ozpetek (“Hamam”) directed the unrated Italian import.
– “Intacto”: During this foreign thriller, some people who have survived catastrophic disasters gamble their lives in a deadly game that only one of them can survive. The R-rated import, which stars Max von Sydow (“The Exorcist”), earned its creator, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, a Goya Award (the Spanish equivalent of an Oscar) for best new director.
– “The Recruit”: An extremely intelligent and resourceful young man (Colin Farrell of “Minority Report”) is recruited into the CIA by a veteran operative (Al Pacino of “Insomnia”). The newcomer is soon given the life-and-death assignment of identifying a mole who could compromise the lives of government operatives on dangerous missions. Bridget Moynahan (“The Sum of All Fears”) and Gabriel Macht (“Bad Company”) co-star in the PG-13 thriller. Australian filmmaker Roger Donaldson (“Thirteen Days”) directed.
– “Tully”: In this unrated tale, two very different brothers – one a sly playboy (Anson Mount of “City by the Sea”); the other a sensitive cineast (Glenn Fitzgerald of “Igby Goes Down”) – suddenly find their lives drastically altered. That happens after a dynamic young woman (Julianne Nicholson of TV’s “Presidio Med”) lands in their Nebraska town and their widowed father (newcomer Bob Burrus) reveals some surprising family secrets. Hilary Birmingham made her directing debut.
At the buck$ office
Despite the frigid weather, moviegoers still wanted to be chilled at theaters last weekend.
The fright film “Darkness Falls” took the No. 1 spot at the box office, followed closely by the comedy “Kangaroo Jack,” which has turned into a surprise hit.
The top 10 films last weekend were:
1. “Darkness Falls” ($12.5 million)
2. “Kangaroo Jack” ($11.9 million)
3. “Chicago” ($8.5 million)
4. “Just Married” ($7.5 million)
5. “National Security” ($7.4 million)
6. “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” ($6.9 million)
7. “Catch Me If You Can” ($6.6 million)
8. “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” ($6 million)
9. “About Schmidt” ($5.5 million)
10. “The Hours” ($4 million)
Coming Soon!
Major titles scheduled to open Feb. 7 include: Kate Hudson (“The Four Feathers”) and Matthew McConaughey (“The Wedding Planner”) in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” a romantic comedy about a magazine writer penning a story about things that turn guys off, and Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson teaming again in “Shanghai Knights,” a sequel to the hit frontier comedy “Shanghai Noon.”Lou Gaul is film critic for Calkins Media. He can be reached at lgaul@phillyBurbs.com.