“Fool’s Gold”
Producers have the right instinct: There’s chemistry worth mining in the Matthew McConaughey-Kate Hudson pairing. Only the makers of this ever-so-slight rom-com haven’t figured out how to get to it. McConaughey plays treasure salvager Finn to Hudson’s over-it-ex-wife Tess. It’s a jaunt into “National Treasure” territory minus the history lessons but plus miles of the bluest Caribbean waters. Donald Sutherland stars as their millionaire patron and beleaguered pop of a spoiled daughter (Alexis Dziena). PG-13. 1 hour, 41 minutes. Released today. Lisa Kennedy
“Be Kind Rewind”
There’s a charming idea buried under landfills of whimsicality in “Be Kind Rewind.” It is: Wouldn’t most people, given a chance to remake their favorite movies the way they want and starring themselves, get a kick out of it? After a mishap, all of the videotapes in the video store are erased. Desperate to keep the customers satisfied, two idiots set about reshooting “Ghostbusters,” “Rush Hour,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “King Kong” and others, starring themselves and with homemade effects and camera tricks. PG-13. 1 hour, 41 minutes. Released today. Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News
“Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins”
Behold this year’s first contender for the Norbit, a dubious achievement award handed out to films that have PG-13 ratings when they deserve harsher. It’s not that there aren’t laughs in Malcolm D. Lee’s comedy starring Martin Lawrence as a successful talk-show host who returns to his Southern home after a nine-year hiatus. There is a smattering. Joy Bryant reveals a game comedic sensibility as RJ’s (nee Roscoe) ambitious fiancee Bianca. But the vulgar wins out here, with Mo’Nique’s low-rent turn as RJ’s sis having us wishing for Less ‘Nique. PG-13. 1 hour, 54 minutes. Released today. Lisa Kennedy
