New Release
‘Plane’
When the commercial plane he’s flying is struck by lightning, crack pilot Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) manages to save the passengers by landing on an island. But they soon realize that the island is occupied by dangerous forces, and Torrance must team up with an unlikely ally in accused killer Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter).
This is a fast-paced flick that features a good amount of righteous brute force. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to take its far-fetched premise too seriously and manages to revel in its own campy charm.
Indie Pick
American tourist Jesse (Ethan Hawke) is traveling by train to Vienna, where he plans to fly back to the United States. He meets French student Céline (Julie Delpy) and convinces her to get off the train and spend the day with him in Vienna. As an attraction develops between the two, they realize that they may never see each other again.
This film boldly diverges from many of the usual romances and features natural and realistic dialogue that doesn’t seem contrived. It’s a charming depiction of a romance that develops organically.
A Mesmerizing Tale of Honor and Vengeance
‘Lone Wolf and Cub’
This famous Japanese film series was originally based on a manga series. Ronin Ogami Itto (Tomisaburo Wakayama) wanders the lands of feudal Japan with his sole remaining relative, his very young son Daigoro (Akihiro Tomikawa), after having been betrayed by his own scheming clan.
In this entrancing saga, Wakayama shines as a grim yet principled figure bent on revenge. Everything—the set design and pacing, the direction and acting—is impeccable. A note: The film contains mature subject matter.
The Ultimate Titanic Disaster Film
Based on author Walter Lord’s book of the same name, this gripping film tells the tragic tale of the supposedly unsinkable RMS Titanic after it collides with an iceberg and lacks sufficient lifeboats to facilitate its passengers.
Barring a few technical flaws here and there, this is the most definitive version of the infamous maritime mishap. It’s a true disaster-movie classic.
