By Rene Rodriguez, McClatchy Newspapers –
Opening Wednesday:
THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN (PG) A couple (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) who long to have children bury an empty box in their backyard as a symbol of their wish. Soon, a curious little boy (CJ Adams) shows up at their door. A family-friendly fantasy directed by Peter Green (“Dan in Real Life,” “Pieces of April”).
Opening Friday:
THE EXPENDABLES 2 (R) Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li and Terry Crews reunite for more head-banging exploits. This time, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris join the faded 1980s action-star party, and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis show up for more than just cameos.
PARANORMAN (PG) Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and John Goodman provide the voices for this animated tale of a boy with the ability to speak to the dead waging a war against zombies and monsters.
SPARKLE (PG-13) Director Salim Akil’s musical drama about a girl (Jordin Sparks) who forms a musical group with her sisters in 1960s Motown-era Detroit is a remake of the 1976 Michael Ritchie cult favorite. The late Whitney Houston, in her final screen appearance, plays the mother of the three singers.