Los Angeles Times –
Ratings by the Motion Picture Association of America are: (G) for general audiences; (PG) parental guidance urged because of material possibly unsuitable for children; (PG-13) parents are strongly cautioned to give guidance for attendance of children younger than 13; (R) restricted, younger than 17 admitted only with parent or adult guardian; (NC-17) no one younger than 17 admitted.
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OPENING IN HOLLYWOOD THIS WEEK
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“The Anderson Monarchs” — A documentary following a nationally competitive girls soccer team from an at-risk neighborhood in urban Philadelphia. Directed by Eugene Martin. (1:16) NR.
“The Apparition” — When a young couple are haunted by a presence conjured during a university parapsychology experiment, they enlist an expert in the supernatural to try to save themselves. With Ashley Greene, Sebastian Stan and Tom Felton. Written and directed by Todd Lincoln. (1:30) PG-13.
“Compliance” — An overworked manager at a fast-food restaurant receives a call from a police officer accusing one of her employees of stealing from a customer, leading to a situation that quickly escalates out of control. With Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, Pat Healy and Bill Camp. Written and directed by Craig Zobel. (1:30) R.
“Downtown Express” — In a Russian immigrant enclave in New York, a young virtuoso violinist and Juilliard student prepares for a critical recital but also finds himself drawn to a woman and a world outside his purview. With Philippe Quint, Nellie McKay and Michael Cumpsty. Written by Kathleen Cahill. Directed by David Grubin. (1:30) NR.
“Hermano” — Two boys raised as brothers in a Venezuela slum strive to escape poverty by becoming professional soccer players. With Fernando Moreno, Eliu Armas and Ali Rondon. Written by Marcel Rasquin and Rohan Jones. Directed by Rasquin. In Spanish with English subtitles. (1:37) NR.
“Hit & Run” — A former getaway driver ditches a witness protection program to drive his girlfriend to Los Angeles so she can land her dream job, but federal agents and criminals are on their trail. With Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper and Tom Arnold. Written by Shepard. Directed by Shepard and David Palmer. (1:35) R.
“Little White Lies” — In the wake of a tragic accident involving one of their own, longtime friends reunite for an annual beach vacation, where they must confront the lies they’ve been telling one another and themselves. With Francois Cluzet, Marion Cotillard, Benoit Magimel and Jean Dujardin. Written and directed by Guillaume Canet. In French with English subtitles. (2:34) NR.
“Love Free or Die” — A documentary about the life and work of Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. Directed by Macky Alston. (1:22) NR.
“Of Two Minds” — This documentary about bipolar disorder follows a number of men and women living with the disorder. Directed by Doug Blush and Lisa Klein. (1:29) NR.
“Premium Rush” — For an intrepid New York City bike messenger, a routine delivery turns into a life-or-death chase. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Dania Ramirez and Jamie Chung. Written by David Koepp and John Kamps. Directed by Koepp. (1:31) PG-13.
“R2B: Return to Base” — A demoted hotshot pilot for the South Korean Air Force and his squad mates must spring into action when an unidentified jet appears in the middle of Seoul. With Jung Ji-hoon, Shin Sae-kyung and Yu Jung-san. Written by Ahn Sang-hoon and Kim Dong-won. Directed by Kim. In Korean and English, with English subtitles (1:53) NR.
“Red Hook Summer” — After his father is killed in combat in Afghanistan, a middle-class black teenager is sent from the suburbs of Atlanta to spend the summer with his religious grandfather, whom he has never met, in a Brooklyn housing project. With Clarke Peters, Jules Brown, Toni Lysaith and Nate Parker. Written by Spike Lee and James McBride. Directed by Lee. (2:01) R.
“Robot & Frank” — In the near future, an aging former cat burglar’s two adult children buy him a humanoid robot helper, with whom he forms an unexpected partnership. With Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden and Liv Tyler. Written by Christopher Ford. Directed by Jake Schreier. (1:29) PG-13.
“This Time” — This documentary follows six performers struggling to find success in the music industry. Directed by Victor Mignatti. (1:51) NR.
“We Women Warriors” — This documentary follows three native women advocating for indigenous rights and practicing nonviolent resistance in war-torn Colombia. Directed by Nicole Karsin. In Spanish with English subtitles. (1:19) NR.
“Words of Witness” — A documentary following 22-year-old journalist Heba Afify as she covers the 2011 Egyptian revolution and experiences her own personal and political coming of age. Directed by Mai Iskander. (1:09) NR.
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ALSO IN THEATERS
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“The Amazing Spider-Man” — A teenager grapples with the trials of high school, the mysterious disappearance of his parents years ago and a transformation that leaves him with superpowers. With Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans and Denis Leary. Written by James Vanderbilt. Directed by Marc Webb. (2:18) PG-13.
“The Bourne Legacy” — Another mysterious black-ops agent follows in the footsteps of Jason Bourne in this fourth installment of the espionage franchise. With Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton and Albert Finney. Written by Tony Gilroy and Dan Gilroy. Directed by Tony Gilroy. (2:15) PG-13.
“The Campaign” — When a long-running congressman commits a public gaffe ahead of an election, two wealthy CEOs arrange for a puppet candidate to challenge him. With Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis and Katherine LaNasa. Written by Chris Henchy and Shawn Harwell. Directed by Jay Roach. (1:25) R.
“The Dark Knight Rises” — The masked vigilante Batman must save Gotham City from dangerous new threats, including the mysterious villain Bane. With Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy. Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Directed by Christopher Nolan. In Imax. (2:45) PG-13.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” — An adolescent boy tries to survive summer misadventures in such fraught situations as swimming at the public pool and going camping. With Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris and Robert Capron. Written by Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky. Directed by David Bowers. (1:34) PG.
“Ek Tha Tiger” — A secret agent investigates a university scientist suspected of selling missile technology secrets. With Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. Written by Kabir Khan and Neelesh Misra. Directed by Kabir Khan. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2:13) NR.
“The Expendables 2” — After a seemingly routine mission goes awry, a band of mercenaries seek revenge against an adversary and stumble onto a global threat. With Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren. Written by Stallone, Richard Wenk, Ken Kaufman and David Agosto. Directed by Simon West. (1:43) R.
“Hope Springs” — Decades into a devoted marriage, a wife persuades her skeptical husband to see a renowned couples’ therapist. With Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. Written by Vanessa Taylor. Directed by David Frankel. (1:40) PG-13.
“Ice Age: Continental Drift” — A group of Paleolithic animal pals try to survive a continental cataclysm in the fourth installment of the “Ice Age” series. With the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Queen Latifah. Written by Michael Berg and Jason Fuchs. Directed by Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier. In 3-D. (1:27) PG.
“Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” — In this animated film, a group of animals trying to return to their home in a New York zoo get waylaid in Europe, where they join a traveling circus. With the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith. Written by Noah Baumbach. Directed by Eric Darnell, Conrad Vernon and Tom McGrath. (1:33) PG.
“The Odd Life of Timothy Green” — A childless married couple who can’t conceive fantasize about what their child would be like, and shortly afterward a mysterious young boy enters their lives. With Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Dianne Wiest and C.J. Adams. Written and directed by Peter Hedges. (1:44) PG.
“ParaNorman” — In this animated film, a misunderstood boy who can communicate with the dead is called upon to save the day when his small town is overrun by zombies. With the voices of Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi and Casey Affleck. Written by Chris Butler. Directed by Butler and Sam Fell. In 3-D. (1:32) PG.
“Sparkle” — In Motown-era Detroit, a talented young singer tries to balance a new romance with her manager, her family life and her ambition to become a star. With Jordin Sparks, the late Whitney Houston, Derek Luke and Mike Epps. Written by Mara Brock Akil. Directed by Salim Akil. (1:51) PG-13.
“Step Up Revolution” — Newly arrived in Miami, an aspiring dancer falls for the leader of a local dance crew, and together they battle a wealthy developer. With Ryan Guzman, Kathryn McCormick, Misha Gabriel and Peter Gallagher. Written by Amanda Brody. Directed by Scott Speer. (1:37) PG-13.
“Ted” — A grown man has to put up with his every-present teddy bear, who was brought to life by a childhood wish and remained by his side ever since. With Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi and Joel McHale. Written by Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. Directed by MacFarlane. (1:46) R.
“Total Recall” — In the future, a factory worker’s role-playing mental vacation as a super-spy goes awry, leaving him a hunted man and blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. With Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel and Bryan Cranston. Written by Kurt Wimmer and Mark Bomback. Directed by Len Wiseman. (1:58) PG-13.
