Now Showing
Some reviews originate at newspapers that do not award star ratings; some movies are not screened in advance for critics. Ratings range from zero to four stars.
OPENING THIS WEEK
“Rush” * * * ½ Reviewed on page 1C “Enough Said” * * * ½
Reviewed at right
“Don Jon” * * *
Reviewed on page 8C
“Blue Caprice” * * ½
Reviewed on page 9C “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” * *
Reviewed on page 10C
“Metallica Through the Never” * *
Reviewed on page 9C “Baggage Claim”* * Reviewed on page 9C “Money For Nothing”
* * ½ Reviewed on page 10C
“Thérèse” * * * Reviewed on page 8C
“The Trials of Muhammad Ali” Reviewed on page 10C
“You Will Be My Son” Reviewed on page 10C
Continuing
Selected mini-reviews of films in theaters, listed alphabetically:
“Blue Jasmine”
Drama. * * * ½ PG-13. Cate Blanchett is as good as you’ve heard as the unraveling wife of a disgraced financier (Alec Baldwin). When she shows up at sister Ginger’s San Fran apartment, she resembles one of those widowed or dumped ’50s wives who find themselves with nary a skill to survive in the manner they’d grown accustomed. (Lisa Kennedy, The Denver Post) 98 minutes
“C.O.G.”
Dramedy. * * * R. A pretentious Yale student (played by an excellent Jonathan Groff) immerses himself in the working-class world of Oregon, uses a familiar formula: A fish out of water embarks on a trip of self-discovery. But there’s nothing else formulaic about this assured film, a dramedy that keeps you guessing where the main character is going (emotionally and physically) as he drifts from one odd situation to the next. At the Sie FilmCenter. (David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle) 88 minutes
“Elysium”
Dystopian action flick. * * * ½ R. To save his own radiated skin, Max (Matt Damon) illegally crosses the space border from a ruined Earth to the space station Elysium. Jodie Foster portrays the chilly defense secretary of that 1 Percenter haven. (Kennedy) 109 minutes
“The Family”
Dark comedy. * * * R. Adapted from Tonino Benacquista’s farcical novel “Malavita,” “The Family” is the rare breed of -black comedy that uses violence seriously or comically, depending on the situation. But what you remember most are the unconditional love these family members have for each other. Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer star. (Rene Rodriguez, The Miami Herald) 112 minutes
“In a World … ”
Comedy. * * * ½ R. Even Lake Bell’s fans should be pleasantly wowed by the actress’ debut as writer-director of this funny, smart comedy. Vocal coach Carol Solomon gets a shot at a voice-over trailer gig that puts her in direct competition with Dad Sam Sollo, a legend. At the Chez. (Kennedy) 93 minutes
“Lee Daniels’ The Butler”
Historical drama. * * * ½ PG-13. A history lesson in violence and endurance. Director Lee Daniels and his dedicated cast deliver all that and more. Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker rate Oscar nods. “The Butler” traces the Civil Rights era through the experiences of White House butler Cecil Gaines (Whitaker) as he serves seven presidential administrations. (Kennedy) 132 minutes
“Prisoners”
Thriller. * * * ½ R. Two girls disappear from outside their homes one drizzly Thanksgiving, A suspect (Paul Dano), is apprehended by the police led by lone-wolf, Det. Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) then released. Director Denis Villeneuve takes us on a gripping, provocative journey, plunging us into fury, swerving toward moral dilemmas, teasing us with conviction and tormenting us with uncertainty. This expert thriller continually poses the question, How far will Keller Dover go to find his daughter? (How far would we?) Hugh Jackman is a force to be reckoned with as Keller Dover,. Maria Bello plays wife Grace and Terrence Howard and Viola Davis portray their dear friends, whose daughter also goes missing. Melissa Leo also stars. (Kennedy) 153 minutes
“Riddick”
Sci-fi. * ½ R. Vin Diesel is back in the third and latest installment of the sci-fi saga. The bald and beefy Diesel, whose sturdy commercial appeal is proven again and again, is always fun to watch. (Jocelyn Noveck, The Associated Press) 119 minutes
“Short Term 12”
Drama. * * * ½ R. One wants to take care in trumpeting “Short Term 12” as one of the best films of 2013. Take care that the blare of acclaim doesn’t drowning out the powerful hush of writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton’s gentle drama about Grace, Mason, newbie Nate and the at-risk kids they tend to as line staff at a group home. At the Mayan. (Kennedy) 96 minutes
“The Spectacular Now”
Teen romance. * * * ½ R. After a night of drinking, high-school senior Sutter Keely wakens on a lawn with classmate Aimee Finecky. At the Mayan. (Kennedy) 95 minutes
“Thanks for Sharing”
Dramedy. * * ½ R. Sexual addiction earns a big-screen discussion that is equal parts serious and silly in this sober-minded dramedy. The serious side spins out of the struggles of Adam (Mark Ruffalo), a 12-step devotee . Josh Gad and Gwyneth Paltrow also star. (Roger Moore, McClatchy News Service) 112 minutes
