Opening This Week: For Movies Opening Oct. 12

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Argo (R for profanity and violent images) Ben Affleck directed and stars in this fact-based espionage thriller, set in Teheran during the Iranian Revolution, revolving around a CIA exfiltration specialist who hatches a plan to rescue a half-dozen American diplomats hiding at the home of the Canadian ambassador (Victor Garber). Cast includes Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston and Philip Baker Hall.

Here Comes the Boom (PG for sports violence, crude humor and mild epithets) Overcoming the odds comedy about a bored biology teacher (Kevin James) who decides to moonlight as a mixed martial arts in order to raise the funds to save the music program at his cash-strapped high school. With Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler and Joe Rogan. 

Seven Psychopaths (R for sexuality, nudity, drug use, bloody images, graphic violence and pervasive profanity) Crime comedy about a struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell) who unwittingly gets mixed-up with the mob after a couple of his buddies (Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell) steal a gangster's (Woody Harrelson) beloved pet Shih Tzu. Support cast includes Gabourey Sidibe, Abbie Cornish and Tom Waits.


Sinister (R for terror and disturbing images) Found footage horror flick about a crime novelist (Ethan Hawke) who encounters more than he bargained for when he moves with his wife (Juliet Rylance) and kids (Clare Foley and Michael Hall D'Addario) into the haunted home of a murdered family of four. With Fred Thompson, Tavis Smiley and James Ransone.   

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

3,2,1… Frankie Go Boom (Unrated) Sibling rivalry comedy about a guy (Frankie Hunnam) who seeks refuge from civilization in the desert after being humiliated in a Youtube video posted by his drug-addicted brother (Bruce O'Dowd). Ensemble includes Whitney Cummings, Chris Noth, Ron Perlman, Lizzy Caplan and Nora Dunn.

Atlas Shrugged: Part II (Unrated) Sci-fi sequel revolves around a corporate exec (Samantha Mathis) in a desperate race against time to save a global economy on the brink of collapse. Featuring Jason Beghe, Richard T. Jones, Esai Morales and Patrick Fabian.

The Iran Job (Unrated) Hoops documentary chronicling a year in the life of Kevin Sheppard, an African-American playing professional basketball in a Middle Eastern country he finds surprisingly hospitable. 

Janeane from Des Moines (Unrated) Presidential race docudrama, set in Iowa, about a conservative housewife (Jane Edith Wilson) who becomes disenchanted with the Republican candidates vying for the nomination when they fail to offer satisfactory solutions for her host of concerns. With appearances by Michelle Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, New Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.

Middle of Nowhere (R for profanity) Self-discovery drama, directed by Sundance-winner Ava DuVernay, about a young woman (Emayatzy Corinealdi) who drops out of med school to help her imprisoned husband (Omari Hardwick) only to embark on a torrid affair with an ardent bus driver (David Oyewolo). Cast includes Dondre Whitfield, Sharon Lawrence and Lorraine Toussaint.   

Nobody Walks (R for sexuality, profanity and drug use) Love triangle drama about a happily-married father of two (John Krasinski) who risks his marriage by cheating on his wife (Rosemarie DeWitt) with the aspiring writer (Olivia Thirlby) living in their pool house. With Dylan McDermott, India Ennenga and Justin Kirk.

Simon and the Oaks (Unrated) Screen adaptation of Marianne Fredriksson's surrealistic saga about a German Jewish boy (Jonatan S. Wachter) adopted by a Swedish family during World War II. With Bill Skarsgard, Helen Sjoholm and Karl Linnertorp. (In Swedish, German, Hebrew and English with subtitles)

Special Forces (R for profanity and violence) Afghan War drama starring Djimon Hounsou as the leader of an elite commando squad on a rescue mission to save a French journalist (Diane Kruger) and a translator (Mehdi Nebbou) kidnapped by the Taliban. Cast includes Denis Menochet, Benoit Magimel and Alain Figlarz.

The Thieves (Unrated) Crime caper about a gang that hatches a plan to steal a diamond worth $20 million from a Macao casino. Starring Gianna Jun, Hae-suk Kim and Hye-su Kim. (In Korean, Cantonese, English, Mandarin and Japanese)

War of the Buttons (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama set in Occupied France during World War II where a macho kid (Jean Texier) develops a crush on the town tailor's Laetitia Casta) Jewish goddaughter (Ilona Bachelier) who's in danger of being discovered by the Nazis. With Clement Godefroy, Theophile Baquet and Louis Dussol. (In French with subtitles)