Zero Dark Thirty / R (Action | Drama | History | Thriller) WIDE
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Mark Strong
THE BUZZ: A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May, 2011. Kathryn Bigelow's never known the level of controversy her follow-up to The Hurt Locker has generated. Even before cameras rolled on the recreation of the events leading up to the assassination of Osama bin Laden, a government watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against the CIA and the Department of Defense since details of the reported meeting between the agencies, Bigelow, and writer Mark Boal have not been released via the Freedom of Information Act.
Gangster Squad / R (Action | Crime | Drama) WIDE
Stars: Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Giovanni Ribisi
THE BUZZ: A chronicle of the LAPD's fight to keep East Coast Mafia types out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s. For his new movie Ruben Fleischer makes a wise directorial move away from action comedies and goes back to the midcentury for a hard-boiled crime drama with a fine ensemble cast. Its an awards friendly release date, but I'm thinking this will find its true success with audiences here and abroad. Screenwriter Will Beall is developing the potential Logan's Run remake to which gangster squader Ryan Gosling is attached.
A Haunted House / R (Comedy) WIDE
Stars: Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Nick Swardson, David Koechner
THE BUZZ: Malcolm and Keisha move into their dream home, but soon learn a demon also resides there. When Kisha becomes possessed, Malcolm - determined to keep his sex life on track - turns to a priest, a psychic, and a team of ghost-busters for help. Marlon Wayans presents his Paranormal Activity spoof months before Scary Movie 5 -- the franchise Wayans helped launch -- tests its cultural relevancy. Scary will have more marketing power, but we bet Haunted will bring the funny.
