At the movies
A military movie (“Act of Valor”), a relationship picture (“Good Deeds”), a police drama (“Rampart”) and a romantic comedy (“Wanderlust”) are among the titles arriving in theaters for this Oscar weekend.
The films scheduled to arrive are:
“Act of Valor,” with Alexander Asefa in an R-rated military tale that uses real Navy SEALS (all unidentified for security reasons) in a hard-hitting combat picture about a team that rescues a kidnapped CIA agent and then learns of an attack plot designed to kill millions. Filmmakers Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh made their directing debut.
“Chico & Rita,” with Eman Xor Ona and Limara Meneses providing the voices of the title characters in this unrated animated import about a Cuban songwriter and a singer. They chase each other across the globe in 1948 while on a quest for music-world success. Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal and Tono Errando co-directed.
“The Conquest,” with Denis Podalydes in an unrated European biopic about President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was the first French chief executive to divorce and remarry while in office. Xavier Durringer directed.
“Gone,” with Amanda Seyfried in a PG-13 chiller about a young woman, who finds her worst fears realized when the stalker who kidnapped her 24 months ago returns and abducts the former victim’s sister. Heitor Dhalia (“Adrift”) directed.
“Good Deeds,” with Tyler Perry, Gabrielle Union and Thandie Newton in a PG-13 comedy-drama-romance about a highly successful and engaged businessman. He finds himself drawn to a single mother who works on the cleaning crew at his office. Perry also wrote and directed.
“Rampart,” with Woody Harrelson delivering an unnervingly intense performance in an R-rated crime drama that unfolds in 1999 and follows a veteran policeman. The on-the-edge officer works in Los Angeles’ notorious Rampart division and is filmed beating a suspect. Famed crime author James Ellroy (“L.A. Confidential”) co-wrote the script with Oren Moverman (“The Messenger”), who directed. It’s playing exclusively at Philadelphia’s Riverview Plaza Stadium 17.
“Wanderlust,” with Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Malin Akerman, Justin Theroux and Lauren Ambrose in an R-rated comedy about a Manhattan couple who lose their jobs. They then decide to make a drastic change in their lives by moving into a hippielike commune with free love and clothing-optional living. David Wain (“Role Models”) directed.
Odds and ends
Denzel Washington ruled in theaters last weekend.
The superstar’s R-rated action thriller “Safe House,” which co-stars Ryan Reynolds, grossed an impressive $24 million in its second week of release.
Following close behind was “The Vow.” The PG-13 romantic favorite, starring Rachel McAdams as a married woman who loses her memory and Channing Tatum as the husband who must make her fall in love with him again, grossed $23.6 million.
Nicolas Cage didn’t generate much box-office heat as a fiery comic character. The sequel “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” grossed $22 million.
According to Box Office Mojo, the top 10 films last weekend were:
1. “Safe House” ($24 million)
2. “The Vow” ($23.6 million)
3. “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” ($22 million)
4. “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” ($20 million)
5. “This Means War” ($17.7 million)
6. “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” ($7.8 million)
7. “Chronicle” ($7.5 million)
8. “The Woman in Black” ($6.6 million)
9. “The Secret World of Arrietty” ($6.4 million)
10. “The Grey” ($3 million)