“Source Code” is the big studio flick to see this weekend. The science-fiction thriller stars Jake Gyllenhaal as an Air Force captain forced by government operatives to return over and over again — “Groundhog Day”-style — to the body of a man with eight minutes to live. His mission: find out who’s responsible for the bomb that blew up the Chicago commuter train his “host” had the bad luck of being on.
Its budget of $35 million is modest by Hollywood standards — but a giant leap for its director, who made his last film for just $5 million. Duncan Jones, the son of rocker David Bowie, charmed critics with the sci-fi flick “Moon” two years ago. He turned down the “Superman” reboot to work instead on this thoughtful thriller.
“Hop,” on the other hand, had a budget of $63 million. The movie combines animation and live action to tell the tale of a teenage rabbit (voiced by Russell Brand) who’s to inherit the title of Easter Bunny from his father (voiced by Hugh Laurie). Less family-friendly is “Insidious.” The horror movie, from the minds behind “Saw,” seems like an example of the haunted house genre until a mother and father (Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson) realize it’s not their house that’s attracting evil spirits.
“Miral” seems to be the worst-reviewed film of the weekend. It features Freida Pinto of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame as a sheltered girl whose work at a refugee camp opens her eyes to the Palestinian people’s struggle. Message movies are rarely successful. Director Julian Schnabel should understand that — his last feature, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” was a moving work of art. One wonders if the fact he’s living with the screenwriter of “Miral” has anything to do with his decision to direct a dud.
“Happythankyoumoreplease” is the directing debut of “How I Met Your Mother” star Josh Radnor. But this inspiring piece of work is nothing like the sitcom. It’s a surprisingly serious take on the pleasures and perils of growing up, centering on a group of New York twentysomethings who learn to face the fact they have only themselves to blame — and applaud — for their situations. “Super” was the first film bought at last year’s Toronto Film Festival. This dark, dark, dark comedy stars Rainn Wilson from “The Office” as a put-upon loser who becomes a superhero of sorts in an attempt to get back his wife (Liv Tyler), who’s fallen under the spell of a smarmy drug dealer (Kevin Bacon).
This week found another preview stealing some thunder from films actually being released. The first full-length trailer for “The Hangover: Part II,” coming Memorial Day weekend, made the rounds on the Internet. Most of those watching found the two-and-a-half-minute clip to be filled with laughs. I’m not so sure. How can you top a movie as hilarious as “The Hangover,” the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever? Substituting a monkey for a tiger isn’t going to cut it.
Kelly Jane Torrance is The Washington Examiner movie critic. Her reviews appear weekly in The Washington Examiner. Reach her at [email protected].
