In a Better World

"In a Better World": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Kenneth Turan:

Danish director Susanne Bier deftly presents complex moral questions in 'In a Better World,' which won an Academy Award for foreign language film.

How do we react to the presence of evil and injustice when, as an adult or a child, it intrudes on our world? It's easy enough to say "you fight it," but the reality is never that simple. When do we act, how far do we go, what price are we willing to pay? When, if ever, is retaliation legitimate? How do we deal, finally, with the pain and suffering of the world?

Read Turan's full review of "In a Better World" at the LA Times

In a Better World
Anton and his wife Marianne, who have two young sons, are separated and struggling with the possibility of divorce. Their older, ten-year-old son Elias is being bullied at school, until he is defended by Christian, a new boy who has just moved from London with his father, Claus. Christian’s mother recently lost her battle with cancer, and Christian is greatly troubled by her death. Elias and Christian quickly form a strong bond, but when Christian involves Elias in a dangerous act of revenge with potentially tragic consequences, their friendship is tested and lives are put in danger. Ultimately, it is their parents who are left to help them come to terms with the complexity of human emotions, pain and empathy.

Opened April 1, 2011 (Limited 4/1) | Runtime:1 hr. 58 min.

R - Violent and disturbing content some involving preteens, and for language

Cast: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, Markus Rygaard, William Jøhnk Nielsen
Director: Susanne Bier
Genres: Drama, Childhood Drama, Juvenile Delinquency


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Queen to Play

"Queen to Play": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Kenneth Turan:

French actress Sandrine Bonnaire mesmerizes in the story of a working wife and mother whose soul is stirred by the game of chess.

You may go into "Queen to Play" looking forward to seeing Kevin Kline acting in French, but when you come out you will have Sandrine Bonnaire on your mind.

A two-time César winner and a major star in France ("Vagabond," "La Cérémonie," "Monsieur Hire"), Bonnaire is an actress of formidable skills who holds the screen without noticeable effort. She is someone we naturally care about; her yearnings become our own, even when, as here, she beautifully plays a character who initially doesn't think she has any yearnings at all.

Read Turans's full review of "Queen to Play" at the LA Times

Queen to Play
Alluring, repressed and quietly intelligent, French Riviera chambermaid Hélène (Bonnaire) discovers she has an uncanny talent for chess. This obsession — much to the resentment of her husband and teenaged daughter — draws her to seek the clandestine tutelage of a gruff and reclusive American doctor, played by Kline in a meticulously observed performance and in his first entirely French-speaking role. The unlikely liaison radically transforms both of their colorless lives.

Opened April 1, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 36 min.

In French with English subtitles.

Cast: Sandrine Bonnaire, Kevin Kline, Francis Renaud, Jennifer Beals, Valerie Lagrange
Director: Caroline Bottaro
Genres: Comedy Drama


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Sucker Punch

"Sucker Punch": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Betsy Sharkey:

"Sucker Punch," Zack Snyder's violent mash-up of Dickensian dark morality with Moulin Rouge couture is stun-gun gorgeous, psychosexually unnerving, fantasy action-riffic and most definitely not for the faint of heart. Starring the pretty pout of Emily Browning's Babydoll — sporting machine guns, Mary Janes, black stockings and little else — the film is, existentially speaking, a Freudian nightmare gunning for debate as much as entertainment.
Read Sharkey's full review of "Sucker Punch" at the LA Times

Sucker Punch
Locked away, a young woman named Babydoll (Emily Browning) retreats to a fantasy world where she is free to go wherever her mind takes her. Determined to fight for real freedom, she finds four women -- Rocket, Blondie, Amber and Sweet Pea -- to join together and try to escape the terrible fate that awaits them. With a virtual arsenal at their disposal, the allies battle everything from samurais to serpents, while trying to decide what price they will pay for survival.

Cast: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Oscar Isaac, Carla Gugino, Jon Hamm, Scott Glenn
Director: Zack Snyder
Genres: Psychological Drama, Fantasy Adventure, Adventure
Opened March 25, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 49 min.

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Paul

"Paul": LA Times Critics' Choice Award from Betsy Sharkey:

The whimsical and gentle buddy comedy comes as a relief. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost star as fanboys who go on the run to protect a weed-toking alien (voiced by Seth Rogen). After the sharp bite and harsh light of most American-style guy-based funny films today, "Paul" comes as such sweet relief. If not for a lot of F-bombs and other naughty words, this would be a family film, a sort of fractured "E.T.," with Seth Rogen never more likeable than as the bald-headed extraterrestrial who just wants to phone home (he should consider this kind of disappearing act, a la Mike Myers and Shrek, more often).

Read Betsy Sharkey's full review of "Paul" at the LA Times

Paul
Opened March 18, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 44 min.

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Blythe Danner, John Carroll Lynch, Sigourney Weaver
Director: Greg Mottola
Genres: Road Movie, Sci-Fi Comedy, Comedy


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