Weekend Movie Guide: Rock Hard, Cox!

John C. Reilly is Dewey Cox

One day the golden touch of Judd Apatow will fade and one of his films will bomb (Drillbit Taylor is the likeliest culprit). For now, though, he can seem to do no wrong and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story looks to be his latest triumph. It's a bit of a departure for Apatow--there's a strong Zucker vibe coursing through Walk Hard--but I'll be piling into the theater along with everyone else this weekend to marvel at the daring of John C. Reilly.

If you want to see a film where every department is performing at the top of their game then find a theater where Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is screening. Hands down, it is Tim Burton's best film since Ed Wood. Furthermore, after years of playing Captain Jack, Johnny Depp reminds us what a superb actor he can be. Some may be put off by the phantasmagoric violence, but Sweeney Todd is among the year's best.

Charlie Wilson's War is not a great film, but it is a very good one that could have been great had it been vested with a little more ambition. Still, Tom Hanks seems rejuvenated in the role of the titular character and Philip Seymour Hoffman adds yet another winning performance to what is becoming a startlingly rich career. Trust me, you'll walk out of this movie wanting to know much more about the real Charlie Wilson and Gust Avrakotos.

LAist Sweeney Todd review
LAist Charlie Wilson's War review

Diane Kruger and two other guys

The original National Treasure was a guilty pleasure (hereafter defined as "any movie you get caught up watching on TNT") and National Treasure: Book of Secrets looks to be in the same vein. Any movie with Helen Mirren is worth a look and any movie with Diane Kruger is worth a long, leering stare. Sure, Nicolas Cage (bad toupee alert!) may as well be from Mars, but the faux-history of the series should be distracting enough.

Every year, one studio decides to counter-program against the dominant fare and every year that strategy seems to fail spectacularly (see Lucky You vs Spider-Man 3). This year that sacrificial lamb looks to be P.S. I Love You. For such an accomplished actress, Hilary Swank sure does make some odd choices. Likewise, for Gerard Butler in this case. Something tells me he signed on before 300 took off. God, I hope so.

Tickets & Showtimes

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Charlie Wilson's War
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
P.S. I Love You

Reviews

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Charlie Wilson's War
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
P.S. I Love You

Previews

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story