Weekly Previews for Movies Opening Jan. 21

OPENING THIS WEEK: Jan. 21, 2011
BIG BUDGET FILMS
The Company Men (R for profanity and brief nudity) Downsizing drama about the fallout visited upon a trio of fired corporate executives (Academy Award-winners Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones) and their families following a restructuring by a conglomerate as a cost-cutting measure. With Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson and Oscar-winner Kevin Costner.

No Strings Attached (R for sexuality, profanity and drug use) Romantic comedy in reverse about a couple of "friends with benefits" (Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher) who first agree to a strictly physical relationship only to find themselves subsequently developing deep feelings for each other. Ensemble includes Kevin Kline, Ludacris, Cary Elwes, Greta Gerwig and Olivia Thirlby. 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Applause (R for profanity) Redemption drama about the attempt of a substance-abusing actress (Paprika Steen) fresh out of rehab to regain custody of her sons (Noel Koch-Sofeldt and Otto Leonardo Steen Rieks) from her skeptical ex-husband (Michael Falch). (In Danish with subtitles)

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (Unrated) Japanese Anime sequel finds the paramilitary organization NERV making a valiant stand as the last hope of humanity in a showdown of Biblical proportions with the evil, immortal Angels. Voice cast includes Spike Spencer, Colleen Clinkenbeard and Brina Palencia. 

Gabi on the Roof in July (Unrated) Romantic comedy about a profligate, aspiring artist (Lawrence Michael Levine) forced to rethink his wanton, womanizing ways when his college-age, younger sister (Sophia Takal) moves into his apartment for the summer in the wake of their parents' divorce. With Lena Dunham, Amy Seimetz and Robert White.

The Housemaid (Unrated) Erotic remake of the classic Korean thriller about a rich man (Jung-Jae Lee) who embarks on an ill-fated affair with the nanny (Do-Yeon Jeon) recently hired to babysit his daughter (Seo-Hyeon Ahn) because his wife (Seo Woo) is pregnant with twins. (In Korean with subtitles)
Johnny Mad Dog (Unrated) Liberian Civil War Saga, set in 2003, recounting the rape, pillaging and other atrocities committed by an army of child soldiers during their march to the country's capital, Monrovia. Cast includes Teddy Boy, Galaxy Chea and Prince Doblah.  

 

Mumbai Diaries (Unrated) Serendipitous drama, set during the Monsoon season, about four strangers whose lives intertwine by chance, with the quartet being comprised of a Hindu-American banker (Monica Dogra), a reclusive artist (Aamir Khan), an ambitious laundry boy (Prateik Babbar) and a recently-married Muslim girl (Kriti Malhotra). (In Hindi with subtitles)

The Woodmans (Unrated) Overwhelming regret bio-pic revisits the abbreviated career of the late photographer Francesca Woodman via wistful reflections by her painter/photographer father, her potter mother and electronic artist brother as they still struggle to come to grips with her suicide 30 years ago at the tender age of 22.  

Zenith (Unrated) Futuristic, sci-fi thriller revolving around a pair of parallel plots set 40 years apart, one, revolving around a father (Jason Robards, III), the other, around his son (Peter Scanavino), as they try to crack the same conspiracy. With Ana Asensio, Zohra Lampert and Didier Flamand.