Previews for Dec. 3: Black Swan, Night Catches Us, and More

Films opening the week of Dec. 3, 2010



BIG BUDGET FILMS

 

The Warrior's Way(R for graphic violence) Western action fantasy, set in the Badlands, about a martial arts master (Jang Dong Ton) who emigrates from Asia to America to retire in peace, only to have to pick up his sword again to defend his adopted hometown and a beautiful local gal (Kate Bosworth) from the returning gang of marauders who had made her an orphan many moons ago. With Danny Huston, Tony Cox, Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush.  

 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

 

All Good Things (R for drug use, violence, profanity and some sexuality) NYC crime saga, set in the Eighties, about the real-life case of the son (Ryan Gosling) of a real estate tycoon (Frank Langella) who falls in love with and marries a tenant (Kirsten Dunst) over his father's objections only to have his wife subsequently disappear under mysterious circumstances. Support cast includes Philip Baker Hall and SNL's Kristen Wiig. 

Bhutto (Unrated) The definitive documentary chronicling the life and times of Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007), the polarizing political figure and two-time Prime Minister of Pakistan who was poised to return to power in the face of terrorist threats when she was felled by an assassin's bullet. With appearances by Arianna Huffington, David Frost and Condoleezza Rice.

Black Swan (R for graphic sexuality, disturbing violent images, profanity and drug use) Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) directs this psychological thriller, set in NYC, revolving around a couple of ballet dancers (Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis) competing to land the lead role in a production of Swan Lake. With Vincent Kassel and Oscar-nominees Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder.  

Come Undone (Unrated) Romance drama about a sexually-frustrated accountant (Alba Rohrwacher) who, against her better judgment, becomes embroiled in a torrid, clandestine affair, rendezvousing once a week at a cheap, cheaters' motel with a married colleague (Pierfrancesco Flavino) with a wife and two kids. (In Italian and French with subtitles)

Dead Awake (R for profanity, drug use and brief sexuality) Romance thriller about a morose mortician (Nick Stahl) who finds himself reassessing his dark view of the world after being reunited with the love of his life a decade after she mysteriously disappeared. With Rose McGowan, Amy Smart and Ben Marten.

I Love You Phillip Morris (R for sexuality, profanity and graphic dialogue) Ewan McGregor handles the title role in this homoerotic comedy about a happily-married police officer (Jim Carrey) who comes out-of-the-closet after a motorcycle accident and subsequently falls in love with his cellmate when he lands behind bars. With Lesley Mann, Rodrigo Santoro and Nicholas Alexander.

Mars (Unrated) Animated sci-fi comedy, set in the near future, revolving around the race between a robot and manned missions to Mars in the wake of the discovery of life on the Red Planet. Voice cast includes Kinky Friedman, Mark Duplass and Zoe Simpson.

Meskada (R for profanity, violence and one scene of sexuality) Crime thriller about a small-town detective's (Nick Stahl) effort to bring to justice the killers of the son of a powerful, local socialite (Laura Benanti).With Norman Reedus, Kellan Lutz and Jonathan Tucker. 

Night Catches Us (R for violence, profanity and some sexuality) Prodigal Son drama, set in Philly in 1976, about a former Black Panther (Anthony Mackie) who returns to his 'hood after a four-year absence only to be met with suspicion by his former comrades except for an old flame (Kerry Washington) who has become a lawyer in the interim. With Tariq Trotter, Jamie Hector and Wendell Pierce.

Queen of the Lot (R for profanity and some sexuality) Romantic comedy about a conniving, aspiring actress (Tanna Frederick) under house arrest who attempts to leverage her drunk-driving convictions and her relationship with a matinee idol (Christpher Rydell) into a tabloid feeding frenzy. With Noah Wyle, Peter Bogdanovich and Sabrina Jaglom.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (Unrated) Holiday fantasy, set in Scandinavia, where children start disappearing mysteriously right after Santa Claus is unearthed at an archaeological dig. Cast includes Peeter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela and Jorma Tommila. (In Finnish and English with subtitles).