Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell, Henry Sheehan and Charles Solomon to review this week’s new films, including The Expendables 2, ParaNorman, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Sparkle, Cosmopolis, Why Stop Now and more. Also, we’ll take a moment to look back at the films of Elvis Presley, as today marks the 35th anniversary of his death. TGI-FilmWeek!
Guests:
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC and Box Office Magazine
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and dearhenrysheehan.com
Charles Solomon, animation critic for KPCC, author and historian for amazon.com
Films Reviewed:
The Expendables 2
A band of mercenaries seek revenge against and adversary.
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren
Written by: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Wenk, Ken Kaufman and David Agosto
Directed by: Simon West
R
Lionsgate
ParaNorman (in 3-D)
A boy who can communicate with the dead must save his town from zombies.
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi and Casey Affleck
Written by: Chris Butler
Directed by: Chris Butler and Sam Fell
PG
Focus Features
Cosmopolis
A wealthy financier finds his life increasingly fraught with danger.
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Sarah Gadon and Samantha Morton
Written and directed by: David Cronenberg
R
Entertainment One
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
A mysterious boy enters the lives of a couple who can’t conceive.
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Dianne Wiest and C.J. Adams
Written and directed by: Peter Hedges
PG
Walt Disney Pictures
Sparkle
In Motown-era Detriot, a young singer tries to become a star.
Starring: Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke and Mike Epps
Written by: Mara Brock Akil
Directed by: Salim Akil
PG-13
TriStar Pictures
Why Stop Now
A piano prodigy’s drug-addicted mother is set to enter rehab.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo and Tracy Morgan
Written and directed by: Phil Dorling and Ron Nyswaner
Not rated
IFC
2 Days in New York
A Frenchwoman’s family surprises her and her American boyfriend with a visit.
Starring: Julie Delpy and Chris Rock
Written by: Julie Delpy, Alexia Landeau and Alex Nahon
Directed by: Julie Delpy
R
Magnolia Pictures
The Awakening
After WWI, a supernatural expert investigates a series of ghost sightings.
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Dominic West and Imelda Staunton
Written by: Stephen Volk and Nick Murphy
Directed by: Nick Murphy
R
Cohen Media Group
Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same
Three aliens are sent to Earth to rid themselves of romantic emotions.
Starring: Lisa Haas, Jackie Monahan, Susan Ziegler and Alex Karpovsky
Written and directed by: Madeleine Olnek
Not rated
The Film Collaborative
Beloved
A French mother and daughter deal with love and infidelity over three decades.
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni and Louis Garrel
Written and directed by: Christophe Honore
Not rated
Sundance Selects
In French with English subtitles.
Painted Skin: The Resurrection
A fox demon is released from her frozen prison and tries to become human.
Starring: Xun Zhou, Chen Kun and Mimi Yang
Written by: Ran Ping and Ran Jianan
Directed by: Wuershan
Not rated
Well Go USA
In Mandarin with English and Chinese subtitles.
Side by Side
A look at the impact of digital filmmaking on the industry.
Starring: James Cameron, Martin Scorsese and Steven Soderbergh
Directed by: Chris Kenneally
Not rated
Tribeca Film
Trailer for The Expendables 2
Trailer for ParaNorman
Trailer for The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Trailer for Sparkle