“The Soloist” – Robert Downey Jr. stars as Steve Lopez, a columnist for a Los Angeles newspaper. As he’s searching for a new column idea, he comes across Anthony Ayers (Jamie Foxx), an ex-Julliard attendee and classical music prodigy. Ayers, who is homeless, plays his broken violin on the streets of Los Angeles. Lopez and Ayers form a strange friendship as the journalist continues his columns on the musician with the hope of giving Ayers a new life. “The Soloist” also stars Katherine Keener, Nelsan Ellis and Michael Bunin. The film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug use and language, and is an hour and 57 minutes long.
“The Informers” – An adaptation of a Bret Eason Ellis novel (“American Psycho,” The Rules of Attraction”), “The Informers” is set in the 1980s and follows the story of numerous characters living on the top and bottom of the Los Angeles cultural spectrum. Characters include a rock star, a newscaster and an ex-con among others. The characters’ lives, although completely different, come together in a very strange manner. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke and Jon Foster. “The Informers” is rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, drug use, pervasive language and some disturbing images, and is one hour and 38 minutes long.
“Fighting” – A scam artist sees hidden street fighting potential in a young boy named Shawn and takes him in. Shawn is down on his luck selling stolen goods, hardly scraping by, but his luck changes after he’s thrust into a ring of professional fighters. However, after obtaining a great deal of fame in the underground fighting world, Shawn wants out, and begins a tough, upward battle. “Fighting” stars Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Zulay Henao and Michael Rivea. The film is rated PG-13 for intense fight sequences, some sexuality and brief strong language, and is an hour and 45 minutes long.
“Obsessed” – Beyonce Knowles and Idris Elba play husband and wife Sharon and Derek Charles. Although the two seem to have a perfect marriage their balance is thrown off when Lisa (Ali Larter), a temp at Derek’s office begins stalking him. The film is 105 minutes long and rated PG-13 for sexual content, violence and thematic content.
ALSO IN THEATERS
“State of Play” – A U.S. Congressman is on his way to become a presidential candidate, but his assistant (and also mistress) is murdered. A reporter, who is old friends with the congressman, is assigned to investigate the murder. However, he ends up in a giant cover-up and finds out that in the world of politics no life is safe. “State of Play” stars Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren and Robin Wright-Penn. The film is rated PG-13 for some violence, language and drug content, and is one hour and 58 minutes long.
“Crank: High Voltage” – After being kidnapped by the Chinese mob, hitman Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) wakes up to find his heart replaced with a battery. To stay alive, Chelios’ new heart requires a jolt of electricity regularly. After he escapes, the hitman is on the run from various baddies including Mexican gang boss, El Huron, and head of the Chinese Triads, Poon Dong. Chelios must do what it takes to get his real heart back at the cost of the lives of those who took it from him. Expect a ton of explosions anf fighting. “Crank: High Voltage” also stars Amy Smart, Clifton Collins Jr., Efren Ramirez and Bai Ling, and is rated R for strong, bloody violence, crude and graphic sexual content, nudity and pervasive language.
“Fast and Furious” – The original cast returns in this fourth installment of “The Fast and the Furious.” Feuding ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) return to L.A. A crime and a common enemy force the two to work together again. Expect plenty of stunts as the two men learn to trust each other. Also starring Michelle Rodriguez, the film is an hour and 39 minutes long. It is rated PG-13 for intense action and violence, sexual content, language and drug references
“Adventureland” – A college graduate wants to take a post-school trip to Europe, but finds out he doesn’t have the money. He must find a way to make enough money, even if it means taking a minimum-wage job at an amusement park. “Adventureland,” from director Greg Mottola (Superbad) stars Jesse Eisenberg, Ryan Reynolds, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr and Bill Hader. The comedy is rated R for language, drug use and sexual references, and is an hour and 46 minutes long.
“Alien Trespass” – Set in 1957, “Alien Trespass” is a story about a murderous alien creature that escapes a flying saucer and lands in California. To stop the creature, an alien takes over the body of a local astronomer to try and save the world from imminent destruction. “Alien Trespass” stars Eric McCormack, Jenni Baird, Dan Lauria, Jody Thompson and Robert Patrick. The film is rated PG for sci-fi action and brief historical smoking, and is an hour and 30 minutes long.
“Gigantic” – Brian (Paul Dano), a young mattress salesman, falls in love with the quirky daughter of an equally quirky client. The two slowly become closer, all the while juggling Brian’s life-long dream of adopting a Chinese baby. This fun, romantic comedy also stars Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner, Jane Alexander and John Goodman. “Gigantic” is rated R for language, some sexual content and violence, and is one hour and 39 minutes long.
“Bart Got a Room” – Danny (Steven Kaplan), a socially awkward high-school senior, is ready for prom. He has the limo, a tux and a snazzy hotel room. However, he can’t seem to find a date. The problem escalates when Danny learns that Bart, the school’s biggest nerd has a room and a date. Danny faces typical teen angst and peer pressure as he deals with his parents’ divorce. The film is one hour and 20 minutes long and is rated PG – 13 for sexual content and strong language.
“Monsters vs. Aliens” – After a meteor hits a girl in California, she grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. She’s captured by the government and placed into holding, along with a slew of other, real monsters. However, when an alien robot comes to Earth, she and the rest of her newfound compatriots must battle the aliens to save the world. “Monsters vs. Aliens” is also shown in 3-D.
This is the first film to be produced in real 3-D instead of being converted afterward, which added a hefty $15 million dollars to the film’s budget. “Monsters vs. Aliens” stars the voice talents of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogan, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Paul Rudd and Stephen Colbert. The film is rated PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language, and is an hour and 34 minutes long.
