Reel News: Week of Nov. 7 – Jack and Jill, Immortals, J. Edgar, Harry Potter 7, The Change-Up

Theatrical Releases This Week

Jack and Jill
Director: Dennis Dugan
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA48UG0gkJI

Jack and Jill is a comedy focusing on Jack Sadelstein (Adam Sandler), a successful advertising executive in Los Angeles with a beautiful wife and kids, who dreads one event each year: the Thanksgiving visit of his identical twin sister Jill (also Adam Sandler). Jill’s neediness and passive-aggressiveness is maddening to Jack, turning his normally tranquil life upside down. Katie Holmes plays Erin, Jack’s wife. (Synopsis by Sony Pictures)

Telegram for Mr. Sandler: Stop. Like a joke that has gone on so long it’s just cruel, Sandler keeps making these “films.” Either he really needs the money or he’s blackmailing Sony Pictures.

Immortals
Director: Tarsem Singh
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VdONYkKFmQ

The brutal and bloodthirsty King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) and his murderous Heraklion army are rampaging across Greece in search of the long lost Bow of Epirus. With the invincible Bow, the king will be able to overthrow the Gods of Olympus and become the undisputed master of his world. With ruthless efficiency, Hyperion and his legions destroy everything in their wake, and it seems nothing will stop the evil king’s mission. As village after village is obliterated, a stonemason named Theseus (Henry Cavill) vows to avenge the death of his mother in one of Hyperion’s raids. When Theseus meets the Sybelline Oracle, Phaedra (Freida Pinto), her disturbing visions of the young man’s future convince her that he is the key to stopping the destruction. With her help, Theseus assembles a small band of followers and embraces his destiny in a final desperate battle for the future of humanity. (Synopsis by Relativity Media)

This was an enjoyable film in 2007 when it was called “300.” The same idea applies here. Base the story loosely off a myth (in this case, a classic Greek one), apply 3D and video game artistic styling, and: profit. Hopefully this will be better acted that it’s predecessor, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

J. Edgar
Director: Clint Eastwood
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6lveTYlHic

J. Edgar explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life. (Synopsis by Warner Brothers)

This Eastwood biopic character study is less focused than his better work. The film takes a serious and important subject and manages to deliver it in a dull way. DiCaprio will find himself in the Oscar running again for his role, but moviegoers may not make it through this iceberg.

DVD Releases This Week

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Director: David Yates
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_kDb-pRCds

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here. (Synopsis by Warner Brothers)

Something about a magic show or…something? Might be worth renting. I thought I heard it was pretty popular.

The Change-Up
Director: David Dobkin
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHnyW5Fvtvw

Growing up together, Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and Dave (Jason Bateman) were inseparable best friends, but as the years have passed they’ve slowly drifted apart. While Dave is an overworked lawyer, husband and father of three, Mitch has remained a single, quasi-employed man-child who has never met a responsibility he liked. Following a drunken night out together, Mitch and Dave’s worlds are turned upside down when they wake up in each other’s bodies and proceed to freak the &*#@ out. Despite the freedom from their normal routines and habits, the guys soon discover that each other’s lives are nowhere near as rosy as they once seemed. (Synopsis by Universal Pictures)

Previously reviewed by the Dagger.