After a pretty dismal few weeks at the theater, Hollywood is unleashing a multitude of new flicks upon us.
THE TRIP TO ITALY (Unrated; showtimes): I am thoroughly thrilled to travel some more with Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Michael Caine, Al Pacino and whatever other celebrity impressions Coogan and Brydon decide to unleash.
THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU (R; showtimes): This Is Where I Leave You has a killer cast, including Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Dax Shepard and Timothy Olyphant; it’s also unfortunately directed by Night at the Museum’s Shawn Levy. Will the source material— Jonathan Tropper’s book of the same name—and actors be enough to overcome Levy? Hopefully.
THE MAZE RUNNER (PG-13; showtimes): Expectations for The Maze Runner are lower, but the book was intriguing enough. A bunch of teenagers awaken with no memories, trapped in a deadly maze, and have to find a way out. In the book, the protagonist, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien of MTV’s “Teen Wolf”), is too angry for my tastes. Still, the scenario intrigued, and the trailer looks loyal to it.
A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES (R; showtimes): We also get Taken 5: A Walk Among the Tombstones. Here, Action Star Liam Neeson seeks the killer of a drug kingpin’s wife. Excellent screenwriter Scott Frank directs; his previous feature, The Lookout, was worth a look.
OTHER STUFF: Perhaps most exciting and least likely to reach Athens (though it’ll be available on VOD) is Kevin Smith’s Tusk. In Smith’s first entry into body horror, Justin Long plays a podcaster imprisoned by a mysterious man (the always wonderful and underrated Michael Parks) who wants to turn him into a walrus. (What?!) The trailer and festival buzz promise a good time.
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