New Movie Friday! Secretariat, Life As We Know It, My Soul To Take – Watch the Trailers

I’ve heard nothing but bad things about ‘Life As We Know It,’ but of course, I’ll check it out and report back to you, dear readers. Don’t get your hopes up, though. Also new in theaters today is a horse movie (Sea Biscuit? No, Secretariat) and a scary thriller about a dead serial killer. Here’s the rundown:

life-as-we-know-it-posterLife As We Know It. If you’ve seen the trailer for this movie, you’ve pretty much seen the whole thing. Parents die, two opposites take over guardianship of baby, fall in love, yada yada. I’m not giving away any spoilers, because it’s all in the trailer.

Katherine Heigl plays Holly Berenson, an up-and-coming caterer who suffers through a disastrous first date with Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel), a promising network sports director.

Surprise! When their goddaughter, Sophie’s parents die, they’re forced to put their differences aside to raise the little angel. Directed by Greg Berlanti; 112 min.; rated PG-13 for sexual material, language and some drug content.

Secretariat. Based on the true story of Sea Biscuit, I mean Secretariat, this movie follows the journey of the famed 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mom Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing dad’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables.

Despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge and against all odds (of course), Chenery — with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) – nurtures the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

I’m really hoping this movie doesn’t turn me off Diane Lane movies forever (because she’s sort of lame in the trailer, but I really love her). Directed by Randall Wallace; 116 min.; rated PG for brief mild language.

My Soul To Take (3D/2D). Horror guy Wes Craven is back at it with this creepy thriller about the sleepy town of Riverton (you know if a town is sleepy, it’ll be terrorized). Legend tells of a serial killer who vowed to return to murder the seven children born the night he died.

Now, 16 years later, people are disappearing again, and the killer’s son (Max Thieriot) might have the answers. Directed by Wes Craven; 106 min.; rated R for strong bloody violence, and pervasive language, including sexual references.

In Limited Release: As Good As Dead, Cherry, I Spit On Your Grave: Unrated, Inside Job, It’s a Wonderful Afterlife, It’s Kind of a Funny Story , Letters to Father Jacob, Marwencol, Nowhere Boy, Rachel, Stone, Tamara Drew

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

Comments

  1. Roxanne Avatar

    Oh, dear. I had high hopes for Secretariat. I know it’s probably the usual Disney churn, but you know … who doesn’t love a girl and a horse.

    I’m taking a day OFF. A real day off tomorrow for brunch and a movie with an old friend. I would totally do the FB movie, but she hates FB, so I suspect I’ll have to wait for netflix on that one.

  2. Jennifer Margulis Avatar

    I think I’m skipping the movies this week. None of these appeals to me, I fear. Hopefully the weather will be nice and we’ll go for a hike instead. It’s cheaper!

  3. Carolyn Avatar

    Oh, I hope Secretariat is great! I know there are a thousand movies like it–I’ve liked them all. 🙂

  4. Ruth Pennebaker Avatar

    Once again, you’ve spared me the time and money of going to movies that aren’t any good, Jane. Thanks for the smart, succinct heads-up.

  5. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    I think I’ll add Life as We Know It to my Netflix queue, rather than going to the theatre. Thanks for keeping us up to date on all things film!

  6. MyKidsEatSquid Avatar

    Sea biscuit, I mean, Secretariat, does look pretty predictable–but I think it would probably be worth renting. None of these movies makes me want to run in to the theatres.

  7. Alisa Bowman Avatar

    I love that you are willing to sit through bad movies for the benefit of people everywhere. I can’t stomach horror anymore (probably connected to the fact that I can no longer stomach spinny rides at carnivals), so the last movie is out. I’ll wait to hear back on the first one (love having you as a guinea pig. I loved Sea Biscuit the book and kinda love learning about horse racing for some strange reason (despite the fact that my gfather and great uncle were both compulsive track gamblers), so this sounds like my flick.

  8. Vera Marie Badertscher Avatar

    I’m still trying to find time to go see Social Network. Always a bit behind.

  9. Vera Marie Badertscher Avatar

    Comment Luv doesn’t want to cooperate, so I”m just trying again. Thanks for the three notices on this weeks movies. (AHA! It worked that time!)

  10. merr Avatar

    When I saw that Secretariat was being made by Disney I thought it would be quite good. I have not seen it yet but a friend did–and LOVED it. Life as We Know It holds little interest, though the premise is interesting.

  11. sheryl Avatar

    Not sure about either one of these. Neither makes me want to pay good money to see them. Thanks for the head’s up, though, Jane~!

  12. Christine Avatar

    I appreciate this review! I hadn’t even heard of the last two, though I did read a review of the first one on the NYTimes website. Thanks for the heads-up!

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