This weekend at the multiplex, it's all about girl power, from Angelina Jolie's action heroics to an adaptation of a beloved children's book about two sisters, starring a Disney tween titan.Best Bet: 'Salt'
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
What It's About: Jolie is veteran CIA agent Evelyn Salt. While debriefing a Russian defector, the man fingers her as a sleeper KGB agent who's plotting to commit a political assassination in New York. Salt flees and finds herself pursued by both Russians and CIA colleagues (led by Schreiber and Ejiofor), who wonder whether she really is a mole or just a loyal Company woman out to clear her name.
Why Should You See It? Who doesn't enjoy watching the always fascinating and ferocious Jolie kick butt and take names? (Imagine how much less intriguing the movie would have been with its original star, Tom Cruise.) Her Evelyn Salt is Lara Croft, Mrs. Smith, and Fox (from 'Wanted') all in one wiry, athletic package. Director Noyce knows from old-school spy thrillers, having directed Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan in two Tom Clancy adaptations. Plus, Russian sleeper spies are a hot topic these days.
You Might Like It If You Like: 'Wanted,' 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' 'The Bourne Identity,' 'Patriot Games'
• 'Salt' Showtimes & Tickets
• Angelina Jolie, 'Salt' Stars and CIA Experts Give Us the Scoop on Real Spies and Paranoia
• Moviefone Minute: Live From the 'Salt' Premiere
• Survival Handbook for Agents on the Run
• Do A-Listers Still Matter at the Summer Box Office?
• Reviews: IndieWire | Boston Phoenix | More Critics' Reviews
Also New This Weekend: 'Ramona and Beezus'Starring: Joey King, Selena Gomez, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Ginnifer Goodwin
Directed by: Elizabeth Allen
What It's About: In this adaptation of Beverly Cleary's classic children's novels, trouble-prone imp Ramona (King) and her strait-laced teen sister Beezus ('Wizards of Waverly Place' star Gomez) are forced to mature quickly when their dad (Corbett) loses his job.
You Might Like It If You Like: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid,' 'Aquamarine,' 'Harriet the Spy,' 'The Baby-Sitters Club'
Showtimes & Tickets | Two Exclusive Clips | Critics' Reviews
In Limited Release
Two movies opening this weekend touch on themes related to 'Salt.' The documentary 'Countdown to Zero,' made by some of the same folks who made 'An Inconvenient Truth,' reminds us that there are still a lot of nuclear weapons out there, not very well secured, making the threat of rogue groups getting a hold of one (as suggested in 'Salt') frighteningly real. (Showtimes & Tickets) And the drama 'Farewell,' whose international cast includes Fred Ward and Willem Dafoe, recounts a real-life Cold War spy drama involving a renegade KGB agent and stolen information. (Showtimes & Tickets)Still in Theaters, Still Awesome
'Inception' - You know you want to see it again, just in case it makes more sense the second time around. Showtimes & Tickets'Cyrus' - This indie comedy hit, which is gradually expanding to theaters around the country, offers a sweet romance between John C. Reilly and Marisa Tomei that's complicated by an unlikely third wheel: her resentful grown son (Jonah Hill). Showtimes & Tickets
'The Kids Are All Right' - In a summer in which family values are defined by a loving clan of vampires and a supervillain who adopts three little girls, the family in Lisa Cholodenko's witty comedy -- two lesbian moms (Julianne Moore and Annette Bening), their teenage kids, and their rediscovered biological dad (Mark Ruffalo) -- may be the most refreshingly normal. Showtimes & Tickets
Staying in This Weekend?
New on DVD This Week: 'The Runaways' stars 'Twilight'-ers Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, leaders of the legendary 1970s all-teen-girl rock band. More | Buy or rent the DVDAlso out this week: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's classic, lush, dreamlike Technicolor 1940s melodramas 'Black Narcissus' and 'The Red Shoes'; 2010 action comedies 'Cop Out' and 'The Losers.'
Movie Homework: 'Salt's' tale of an American pursuing a KGB mole who may be none other than herself recalls such old-school Cold War thrillers as Kevin Costner's 'No Way Out.' (Buy or rent the DVD) Of course, such identity puzzlers -- how can you prove you're who you think you are? Can you overcome your own programmed responses and allegiances? -- work especially well in a sci-fi context. In the 'Salt'-y 'Impostor,' Gary Sinise is either a good-guy lawman or that lawman's ticking time-bomb clone, but even he can't tell which. (Buy or rent the DVD) In 'Minority Report,' future cop Tom Cruise is told he will murder a man he's never met and goes on the run to prove or disprove the prophecy. (Buy or rent the DVD) Both movies, of course, are based on stories by mind-bending author Philip K. Dick.
On My Netflix Queue: A kick-ass heroine of a different sort is hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) in the Swedish thriller 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' based on the first novel in Stieg Larsson's worldwide bestselling trilogy. Watch and ponder the question of who should play Lisbeth in the forthcoming American version that David Fincher is directing. Buy or rent the DVD
•Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman.
Reader Comments (14)
sandy at 8:37AM on Jul 23rd 2010
Angelina's got her PR people working overtime these days hasn't she? Pics of her and kids, inviting her estranged family to movie nights. Go Angie, but lighten up on the dieting, huh? You're making the rest of us look bad.
garry at 1:57PM on Jul 23rd 2010
she is a very good actor.ive seen most of her stuff and she plays the parts well. but it still took her many years and movies to make it big. still has movies that so called bombed at the box office.calling her the best action woman in show buisness today is ludicris. what about kate b,uma t,mila j,even megan fox. all of these women can do stunts with a 200,000,000.00 budget.take her down to a 40 million budget and see what you get.nothing.shes getting older and some things are starting to sag.look at her movies to date, only the ones with big budgets toped out.even clints movie with her in it didnt do well. i will admit her beauty, but to put her as the best, i cant buy it.
segs at 11:02AM on Jul 25th 2010
Wow, people are really mean spirited. She is a beautiful 30something woman. She is an very talented actor. She gives her money and time to help people in need all over the world. She has a good looking husband and beautiful children.
I think the only reason people are talked so negatively about her is that your jealous. Even in her lesser movies, she isn't the weak part of them. Its the directing or the script itself, but not her. I think peole just need to take into perspective things.
And in response to this post, I think it's the studio that is pumping out the PR. They want the movie to do well and so they are pushing her name into the forefront. That's what studios do.
allie at 9:53AM on Jul 23rd 2010
You forgot to mention the #1 selling selling and renting DVD "The Bounty Hunter" this week. Wonder why? Very strange.
kriskoss at 4:26PM on Jul 23rd 2010
Gee, I wonder when the female star of the "Bounty Hunter" will EVER get an OSCAR.
Valerie at 10:43AM on Jul 23rd 2010
I would not give Angelina the time of day......
RICK at 10:49PM on Jul 23rd 2010
I dont thing she would ask you for the time of day, so dont worry about it.
she's much to busy helping people who are in need.
JR at 4:54PM on Jul 23rd 2010
There will be a Salvadoran Film Showing at 2511 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles ,Heyworth Theater next to la Fonda Rest.First time this ever happens in The USA. 14 films 3 days from July 30th 6pm to Augost 1st
Friday Nigth 6 pm , for those that would like to see someting different.
BJ at 6:11AM on Jul 24th 2010
My husband & I attend 1-2 movies a week! Angelina is tops! And it sure helps when the story is a good one as is SALT! She IS the part - very convincing. Have to agree she needs at LEAST 30 pounds on her. Come on hollywood - look around America and see! She deserves an Academy Award.
teri at 12:33PM on Jul 24th 2010
Went to see SALT last night, first movie sold out so had to wait for second showing at 8:40. Fast action filled and great overall experience. I'm not on Angelinas payroll and this is by far one of her best movies. Want to see the next one for sure.
Anna at 1:35PM on Jul 24th 2010
We rented The Runaways and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo yesterday. The Runaways was amazing, Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart did a really good job portraying Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. Haven't watched The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo yet but I have the book and loved it. I don't mind watching it and reading the subtitles. Sometimes it bothers me when American directors think they can remake a foreign film, as they are trying to do with Dragon. Leave it alone, it was critically acclaimed for a reason.
EDITH at 6:15PM on Jul 24th 2010
EXCELLENT. ANGELINA ROCKS.
Bob at 11:06PM on Jul 24th 2010
Spoiler alert!
Truth is she is neither a traitor OR a Russian Spy;but you'll have to see the movie to find out why...then again why would you? If you do you will also be wondering why they set this supremely tepid movie up for a sequel.The movie has so many plot/logic gaps that it should have been called "Swiss Cheese".Jolie's acting chops are,to say the least,uninspiring at best in this huge yawn fest.
Give it a pass folks.
JEAN at 3:08PM on Jul 25th 2010
MY FOOT, YES SHES BEAUTIFUL,AND YES SHE'S TALENTED BUT SHE'D SCREW A SNAKE IF SHE COULD FINDS THE EARS