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Weekend Movie Guide 05/06: A Sight For Thor Eyes
It's the first weekend of May, and there's already a battle of the blockbusters! Last week, Fast Five kicked the summer movie season into high gear with a surprising $86 million take. This week, Thor enters the fray.
Marvel's latest superhero film has already banked nearly $90 million overseas and, especially considering its genre, wields a divine score on Rotten Tomatoes. Thor sports some impressive talent: Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins and, surprisingly, Shakespearean actor/director Kenneth Branagh. Will you be thunderstruck?
The Beaver brings another big name, albeit one that packs a lot more baggage. Mel Gibson headlines the Jodie Foster-directed drama, playing an estranged CEO who turns to a hand puppet to overcome the depths of depression. The film began its life atop the 2008 Black List (an unofficial list of the industry's most popular unproduced screenplays). It finished shooting as its lead bottomed out amidst allegations of abuse against former lover Oksana Grigorieva.
The now-infamous release of tapes featuring Gibson infected with rage and screaming obscene threats sealed the deal, and Summit Entertainment dammed The Beaver. Now that the film's come up for air, can you forgive Mel Gibson? Will his off-screen collapse enhance his character in the film, or make art hew a little too close to life?
For a counter-programming palate-cleanser, several romances also see release this week. Something Borrowed stars Ginnifer Goodwin & Kate Hudson in an adaptation of a popular chick lit novel. Jumping The Broom is a pre-nuptial culture clash between two African-American families, one of means and one... not so much.
In limited release, Last Night stars Sam Worthington & Keira Knightly as a married couple facing temptations to cheat from both sides. Daydream Nation rounds out the pack with screenings at the Sunset 5 in advance of a blu ray release next week. The snarky teen smoocher stars Kat Dennings of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, The House Bunny and an up-and-coming little indie called Thor.
Looking for something further off the beaten path? Check out our weekly Film Calendar, spotlighting the best of LA's repertory theaters, midnight movies & special events. See you at the movies!
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Wide Release
Jumping The Broom (Showtimes)
Something Borrowed (Showtimes)
Thor (Showtimes) (3D Showtimes) (IMAX 3D Showtimes)
Limited Release
Beautiful Darling (Downtown Independent)
The Beaver (The Landmark)
Daydream Nation (Laemmle's Sunset 5)
Forks Over Knives (Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex) (Laemmle's Playhouse 7) (Laemmle's Sunset 5)
Last Night (Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex) (Laemmle's Playhouse 7) (Laemmle's Sunset 5) (Laemmle's Town Center 5)
Lost Journey (Laemmle's Music Hall 3) (Laemmle's Town Center 5)
Mia and the Magoo (Laemmle's Sunset 5)
Poetry (Laemmle's Playhouse 7) (Laemmle's Royal Theatre)
The Robber (Nuart Theatre)
Featured Trailers
Thor
The Beaver
Daydream Nation
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Something Borrowed
Jumping The Broom
Last Night
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That's all for this week. Fans of foodie documentaries will be interested in Forks Over Knives, but I can honestly only write about so many of these films without getting hungry... for change.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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