Movie TalkWeekend Picks: ‘Extremely Loud,’ ‘Haywire,’ ‘Red Tails’ & ‘Underworld Awakening’
Last weekend, "Contraband" stole "Beauty and the Beast's" share of the box office, thanks to the star power (and perfect abs) of Mark Wahlberg. But the funky bunch of movies that opened last weekend may have trouble contending against a strong crop of four major new wide releases.
Whether you like your action served up as a conspiracy thriller, a war epic, or a fang frenzy, this weekend's got you covered. And if you need to follow up all that excitement with some life-affirming drama, you can get your fill of that, too. Check out the movies below, along with what kinds of fans we think will enjoy them.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Rated PG-13 for emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language.
What's the Story?
As a coping mechanism for dealing with the death of his father (Tom Hanks) in the collapse of the World Trade Center, a young boy, Oskar ("Jeopardy!" Kids Week champ Thomas Horn), urgently searches the five boroughs of New York City for the lock that matches a mysterious key left by his father. Along the way, Oskar unlocks some of the mysteries that have terrorized his troubled world.
Who Will Dig It?
If you love movies about healing, emotional connections, and the beauty of life, or if you need to be reminded how important those things are, this is the story for you.
Find tickets for 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' >>
Rated R for some violence.
What's the Story?
Mallory Kane (former "American Gladiator" and mixed martial arts fighter Gina Carano) is a highly trained black ops spy who works for a government security contractor. After getting double-crossed and left for dead, Mallory finds herself the target of skilled assassins who want to finish the job. To survive, Mallory must turn the tables on her ruthless adversaries (Michael Fassbender and Ewan McGregor).
Who Will Dig It?
Soderbergh-ian savants, fight-hungry MMA fans, conspiracy theorists, and revenge-minded feminists should enjoy seeing Carano kick the snot out of some of Hollywood's leading men.
Rated PG 13 for some sequences of war violence.
What's the Story?
George Lucas spent some 20 years developing this project about the incredible true story of the first all-African-American air combat unit, the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The squadron takes to the skies escorting bombers, dog-fighting Germans, and breaking down barriers in this heroic tale about overcoming mighty odds to achieve uncommon glory.
Who Will Dig It?
Lovers of freedom, action epics, cutting-edge special effects, and uplifting, inspirational true stories should hightail it to this flick.
Find tickets for 'Red Tails' >>
Underworld Awakening
Rated R for for strong violence and gore, and for some language.
What's the Story?
Vampire warrior Selene (Kate Beckinsale) awakens from a cryogenically frozen state to discover that she's been taken captive, that humankind wants to eradicate all Vampires and Lycans, that her hybrid lover is already dead, and that she's given birth to a daughter. Of course Selene escapes, only to find herself in an all-out war between the species, where she'll have to kick some serious butt -- including that of the genetically engineered Uber-Lycans -- in order to protect her own.
Who Will Dig It?
The fourth "Underworld" should continue to appeal to hard-core fans, vampire virtuosos, action aficionados, 3D junkies, and anyone who appreciates a gorgeous woman in a cat suit.
