Weekly Previews for Movies Opening Nov. 24

BIG BUDGET FILMS

 

127 Hours (R for profanity, violence and disturbing images) James Franco stars in this bittersweet tale of survival recounting the real-life dilemma confronted by a mountain climber who had to amputate his own arm after it got pinned under a boulder while he was hiking alone in Utah. Cast includes Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Treat Williams and Kate Burton (Richard's daughter).

 

Burlesque (PG-13 for sexuality, profanity, mature themes and partial nudity) Musical drama about an aspiring singer (Christina Aguilera) from the Midwest who moves to L.A. where she's given a big break to perform on stage by the stripper-turned-owner (Cher) of a failing burlesque theater. With Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci and Alan Cumming.

 

Faster (R for profanity, drug use and graphic violence) High body-count crime saga featuring Dwayne Johnson as a recently-paroled ex-con determined to avenge the murder of his brother who died during the botched bank robbery that landed him behind bars. With Billy Bob Thornton, Mike Epps, Carla Gugino and Maggie Grace.   

 

Love and Other Drugs (R for nudity, drug use, pervasive profanity and graphic sexuality) Academy Award-winner Edward Zwick directs a couple of Oscar-nominees (Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal) in this romantic comedy based on Jamie Reidy's memoir "Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman" about a free spirit who meets her match in a charming ladies man. Support cast includes Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria and recently-deceased Jill Clayburgh, a two-time Oscar-nominee.

 

Tangled (PG for brief violence) Animated adventure, based on the classic Grimm Brothers' fairy tale Rapunzel, about an extraordinarily long-haired Princess (Mandy Moore), imprisoned all of her life in a 70 foot-high tower by an evil witch (Donna Murphy), who finally escapes with the help of a handsome bandit (Zachary Levi) . Voice cast includes Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Tambor and Ron Perlman.

 

 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

 

Break Ke Baad (Unrated) Coming-of-age romantic dramedy about a couple of lifelong friends (Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan), pals since the age of 4, and sweethearts since they were 15, who find themselves facing separation for the first time when one decides to move from India to Australia in order to study abroad. (In Hindi with subtitles)

 

The King's Speech (R for profanity) Costume drama, set in the Twenties, recounting the rise to power of shy and retiring King George VI (Colin Firth) with the help of the therapist (Geoffrey Rush) who helped his majesty to suppress his stutter. With Claire Bloom as Queen Mary, Michael Gambon as King George V and Oscar-nominee Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth.

 

The Legend of Pale Male (Unrated) Bird watching documentary about a Belgian ornithologist who became obsessed for years with a rare Red-Tailed hawk which built a nest on a perch atop a posh 5^th Avenue apartment building in the middle of Manhattan.

 

The Nutcracker in 3D (PG for mature themes, scary images, action and brief smoking) Musical fantasy, set in Vienna in the Twenties, revolving around a lonely little girl (Elle Fanning) with a vivid imagination who goes on a magical journey after her Uncle (Nathan Lane) gives her a wooden doll (Shirley Henderson) as a present on Christmas Eve. With John Turturro, Richard Grant and Charlie Rowe.

 

Open Five (Unrated) Mumblecore romantic comedy about a couple of groupies (Shannon Esper and Genevieve Angelson) from New York City who venture to Memphis where they spend a very eventful weekend with a struggling musician (Jake Rabinbach) and his aspiring filmmaker sidekick (Kentucker Audley).

 

Undertow (Unrated) Out-of-the-closet drama revolving around a Peruvian fisherman (Cristian Mercado) torn between his pregnant wife (Tatiana Astengo) and the ghost of his gay lover (Manolo Cardona) that only he can see. (In Spanish with subtitles)