PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Jane Eyre” (PG-13) — A young woman in Victorian England, plain in appearance, leaves a troubled past behind and finds herself in the employ of a charming and complicated man. It’s another in a long series of adaptations of Charlotte Bronte’s novel, and this one stands out among the rest.
The pace of the film is handled with care, but keeps in mind that motion pictures just don’t have time like novels do. The story has quite a few twists and turns as the tides change for the protagonist, yet the film still takes the necessary time to get every drop out of the astounding scenery and the smoldering performances of Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.
“That’s What I Am” (PG) — This coming-of-age dramedy set in mid-’60s America tackles issues of tolerance, determination and principles. The story follows the trials of Andy, a fairly typical 12-year-old boy, as he sets his sights on his first crush. When wise, compassionate eighth-grade teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris) pairs Andy with the class reject — a lanky, awkward red-haired boy called “Big-G,” lessons are learned all around.
It’s a touching family movie that is nothing short of a full-on surprise from World Wrestling Entertainment Productions. You may recognize a wrestler trying on a dramatic role, and holding it up well enough. But Harris does the real heavy lifting, as he puts even-handed wisdom in a suplex and breaks a chair over the head of adolescent issues.
DOG OF THE WEEK
“Priest” (R) — In an alternate world where mankind has been at war with vampires since the beginning, the Priests are an elite vamp-killing order established by the church. Well, they’re not vampires so much as slimy, eyeless, computer-animated reptiles that don’t do well in sunlight. For a movie that has no problem playing fast and loose with rules for vampires and priests, it sure doesn’t take any chances trying to be original in any other way. The characters, the dialogue, the plotline, and especially the setting are all straight-faced, unapologetic, 100 percent recycled material.
CULT CORNER
“The Big Lebowski” (Limited Edition) [Blu-ray] (1998) — The definitive set for any devotees of The Dude. The new edition comes with all the bells and whistles, packaged in a 28-page book full of extras, set photography and an exclusive interview. Follow the story of Jeffrey Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), possibly the laziest man in LA, as he is thrust into an absurd pulp mystery, beset at every turn by the most ridiculous characters and circumstances ever put together by the Coen brothers.
MORE RELEASES
“Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs. Evil” (PG)
“No Eres Tu, Soy Yo” (PG-13)
“Something Borrowed” (PG-13)
“The Conspirator” (PG-13)
“Dexter: The Fifth Season”
“Must Love Cats”
“Paranormal State: Season 5”
“Voltron: The Legend Begins”
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.