Reel Rentals: April 2010

Saturday, 24 April 2010 13:12

This April in Reel Rentals, Peter Jackson explores heaven in The Lovely Bones, Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep spark an old flame in It’s Complicated, and Daniel Day-Lewis leads an all-star cast in Nine, director Rob Marshall’s follow-up to Chicago.

By Victoria Phillips

The Lovely Bones
Released: April 20

Susie Salmon is a 14-year-old from Pennsylvania who has been brutally murdered. Telling her story from a teenage girl’s version of heaven, she watches over her family and her killer—a creepy dollhouse builder who is right under everyone’s noses. Based on the 2002 bestseller by Alice Sebold, Susie must decide which means more, getting revenge or helping her family move on from the tragedy.

Their Take: "A deplorable film,” —Roger Ebert

Our Take: Peter Jackson needs to stick to his specialty—Lord of the Rings-type movies.

It’s Complicated
Released: April 27

Ten years after getting a divorce, Jake and Jane find themselves strangely attracted to one another all over again during their son’s college graduation. As if things aren’t complex enough, Jake is married to a younger woman and Jane finds herself fascinated by another man. Will Jake and Jane rekindle their romance or is it just too complicated?

Their Take: “You don't have to feel guilty for lapping up this froth. Just don't expect nourishment,” —Rolling Stone

Our Take: Cute, but a bit more appropriate for an older sense of humor.

Nine
Released: May 4

Haughty Italian movie director Guido Contini finds himself struggling for inspiration a week before his latest film begins shooting. He turns to the nine women who have influenced his life for a sense of purpose and a creative vision. Together, his wife, his mistress, his mother and his muse tell the story of Guido’s floundering life. He must learn to find a balance before everything comes crashing down around him.

Their Take: “Perhaps ‘Zero’ would have been a better name,” —L.A. Times

Our Take: This all-star cast’s dancing, singing and sexuality is sensational.