Written for Examiner
Oy vey, the choices are a bit scarce for movies opening in New York City this week. Here’s the short list of film releases for Friday, April 19, 2013.
“Love Sick Love” stars Katia Winter as the sexy siren and sociopath Dori and Matthew Settle, who plays a handsome and successful New York City businessman named Norman. The dude has no idea what he’s in for and no matter how slick his suits are, nobody would want to be him. This film is campy and fun in a kinda sorta way. Suspense thriller. Rated R. 84 minutes. Playing at the Quad Cinema, 24 West 13th Street. Trailer
“Oblivion” stars Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Olga Kurylenko. Written and directed by Joseph Kosinski. There’s been very little promo on this big budget flick and that’s for good reason. The production company knew not to waste advertising bucks on a film that just ain’t worth it. Viewers who love special effects but who don’t care about plot won’t be terribly disappointed in this film. The biggest audience will probably be teenage boys.Action adventure sci-fi. Rated PG-13. 126 minutes. Playing at AMC Loews theaters.Trailer
“Disconnect” is a disturbing and cautionary tale of what can happen when you spend too much time online or otherwise digitally connected. This is a timely topic, well written with a talented cast. It stars Jason Bateman, in a serious role. He rarely plays serious and he does well. It also starsHope Davis, Paula Patton and Michael Nyqvist (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”). “Disconnect” is written by Andrew Stern and directed by Henry Alex Rubin. Playing at AMC Lincoln Square 13, 1998 Broadway and Regal Union Square Stadium 14, 850 Broadway. Thriller drama. Rated R. 115 minutes. Trailer
“In the House” was written and directed by François Ozon (“Swimming Pool”) and starsFabrice Luchini, Ernst Umhauer, Kristin Scott Thomas, Denis Ménochet and Emmanuelle Seigner. This is a winner. Go see it. Yeah, admittedly the ending is weak but thankfully it doesn’t ruin the rest of this absorbing and entertaining film. The great characters and preciously original plot stay with you. Playing at Sunshine Cinema Landmark Theaters, 143 East Houston Street. Rated R. 105 minutes. French with subtitles. Trailer
“The Lords of Salem” is written and directed by Rob Zombie (“Halloween,” “The Devil’s Rejects” and “Grindhouse”) and from the producers who brought you “Paranormal Activity” and “Dark Skies.” This almost-slapstick pure horror flick isn’t very scary but it’ll be fun for fans of this sort of thing… maybe. “The Lords of Salem” stars Sheri Moon Zombie (nee Sheri Lyn Skurkis), Bruce Davison and Jeff Daniel Phillips. Horror thriller. Rated R. 101 minutes. Playing at AMC Empire 25, 234 West 42nd Street. Trailer