By David Weiner
6:37 AM PDT, September 16, 2011
Ryan Gosling puts the pedal to the metal in his new thriller; Sarah Jessica Parker juggles sex and family in a new city;The Lion Kingroars back in 3D and more in theaters this weekend.
1 / 6
'Stay Cool' (Limited Release)
Who's in it: Mark Polish, Winona Ryder, Hilary Duff, Josh Holloway, Chevy Chase, Jon Cryer, Sean Astin
Director: Michael Polish (The Astronaut Farmer, Twin Falls Idaho)
The Plot: Mark Polish plays a thirtysomething author who returns to his hometown high school to deliver the commencement speech, only to be caught up with old friends, underage temptations and unrequited love.
Reason to see it: Twin filmmakers Michael and Mark Polish enter light-hearted territory in this exercise in nostalgia that cleverly casts some '80s icons.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Michael Polish (The Astronaut Farmer, Twin Falls Idaho)
The Plot: Mark Polish plays a thirtysomething author who returns to his hometown high school to deliver the commencement speech, only to be caught up with old friends, underage temptations and unrequited love.
Reason to see it: Twin filmmakers Michael and Mark Polish enter light-hearted territory in this exercise in nostalgia that cleverly casts some '80s icons.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
'Restless' (Limited Release)
Sony Pictures Classics
Who's in it: Mia Wasikowska, Henry Hopper, Jane Adams, Schuyler Fisk
Director: Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk)
The Plot: Wasikowska plays a terminally ill teen who falls for a left-of-center boy who likes to attend funerals. As their relationship grows, they're counseled by the ghost of a Japanese WWII kamikaze pilot.
Reason to see it: Two teens facing death learn to live and love life in this atmospheric, autumn piece produced by Oscar winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk)
The Plot: Wasikowska plays a terminally ill teen who falls for a left-of-center boy who likes to attend funerals. As their relationship grows, they're counseled by the ghost of a Japanese WWII kamikaze pilot.
Reason to see it: Two teens facing death learn to live and love life in this atmospheric, autumn piece produced by Oscar winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
'Straw Dogs' (Nationwide)
Screen Gems
Who's in it: James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard, James Woods
Director: Rod Lurie (The Contender)
The Plot: An L.A. screenwriter relocates with his wife to her hometown in the deep South, where a brewing conflict with the locals turns very dangerous.
Reason to see it: For those who haven't seen the 1971 Sam Peckinpah original with Dustin Hoffman -- and for those who don't mind remakes of classics -- this one's a real, disturbing nail-biter. As the tagline says, "Everyone has a breaking point."
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Rod Lurie (The Contender)
The Plot: An L.A. screenwriter relocates with his wife to her hometown in the deep South, where a brewing conflict with the locals turns very dangerous.
Reason to see it: For those who haven't seen the 1971 Sam Peckinpah original with Dustin Hoffman -- and for those who don't mind remakes of classics -- this one's a real, disturbing nail-biter. As the tagline says, "Everyone has a breaking point."
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
'The Lion King 3D' (Nationwide)
Walt Disney Pictures
Who's in it: The voices of Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Jim Cummings, James Earl Jones, Cheech Marin, Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff (Stuart Little, Open Season)
The Plot: After being tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt-ridden lion cub goes into exile and ignores his responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to claim his place in the "Circle of Life."
Reason to see it: Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa are back for a whole new generation to laugh to, butter-stain their 3D goggles and hum "Hakuna Matata" on the way out of the theater.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff (Stuart Little, Open Season)
The Plot: After being tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt-ridden lion cub goes into exile and ignores his responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to claim his place in the "Circle of Life."
Reason to see it: Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa are back for a whole new generation to laugh to, butter-stain their 3D goggles and hum "Hakuna Matata" on the way out of the theater.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
'I Don't Know How She Does It' (Nationwide)
The Weinstein Company
Who's in it: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Meyers, Jessica Szohr and Christina Hendricks
Director: Douglas McGrath (Emma, Infamous)
The Plot: Parker plays a big-city finance exec and breadwinner for her family who attempts to balance both her job, love life and family life.
Reason to see it: Parker is in full Sex and the City mode, minus the sex, in this contemporary urban comedy based on the bestseller.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Douglas McGrath (Emma, Infamous)
The Plot: Parker plays a big-city finance exec and breadwinner for her family who attempts to balance both her job, love life and family life.
Reason to see it: Parker is in full Sex and the City mode, minus the sex, in this contemporary urban comedy based on the bestseller.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
'Drive' (Nationwide)
FilmDistrict
Who's in it: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhalla Rising)
The Plot: Gosling plays a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a wheel man for bad guys, only to discover that a contract has been put on him after a heist goes wrong.
Reason to see it: Something for both the men and the ladies: Gosling gets to flex his action-hero muscles and lead foot in this smart, high-octane thriller, but there's also the softer, romantic side of the star on display here.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhalla Rising)
The Plot: Gosling plays a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a wheel man for bad guys, only to discover that a contract has been put on him after a heist goes wrong.
Reason to see it: Something for both the men and the ladies: Gosling gets to flex his action-hero muscles and lead foot in this smart, high-octane thriller, but there's also the softer, romantic side of the star on display here.
To help you decide: Watch the trailer.