“Breach”
*** 1/2 The true story of FBI traitor Robert Hanssen becomes a fascinating exploration of deception and betrayal in the capable hands of writer-director Billy Ray. Shattered Glass”) and star Chris Cooper. Suspicious that Hanssen was passing secrets to the Soviets, the FBI put fellow agent Eric O’Neill (Ryan Phillippe) on Hanssen’s trail. Their relationship begins in admiration, and quickly expands into uncharted territory of treachery and virtual patricide. Cooper’s performance as the wildly contradictory Hanssen is tremendous. |PG-13|110 minutes |Released today|Michael Booth
“Ghost Rider”
** The devil has this contract he once failed to collect. An earlier Ghost Rider kept it from him rather than relegate humanity to some awful fate. And now the devil’s son, Blackheart (Wes Bentley), wants it, to depose Daddy. The “new” Ghost Rider (Nicolas Cage) stumbles into The Caretaker, perfectly growled by Sam Elliott, who gives him advice on riding without a helmet and other really important questions. Also stars Eva Mendes. |PG-13 |105 minutes |Released today|Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
“An Unreasonable Man”
*** 1/2 Brutally honest filmmakers Henriette Mantel and Stephen
Skovran give us a balanced and fascinating look at civic activist Ralph Nader, warts and all. The movie begins with Nader’s controversial runs for president in 2000 and 2004, then swings back to explain how he got to be the stubborn crusader he is. It’s also a great reminder of all the good Nader has done for the world since his auto-safety campaigns began in the 1960s. A complex, brilliant, and yes, unreasonable, man. |NOT RATED|120 minutes |Released today| Michael Booth
“The Messengers”
* 1/2 The Solomon family (Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller) moves from the big city to a haunted farmhouse where teenager Jess (Kristin Stewart) pouts and toddler Benny (Evan Turner) sees ghosts. The family soon begins to suspect it is not alone in the new rural digs when Jess and Ben encounter apparitions. Eventually, of course, the dark history of the family that once lived in the remote farm begins to emerge. |PG-13|84 minutes |Released June 5|Ty Burr, Boston Globe
