Zombies, mob widows, class reunions and more are headed to theaters this week. Here’s a sneak peek at new movies opening wide in theaters. Movies opening in limited release include “Playing It Cool,” “5 Flights Up,” “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared,” “Hunting Elephants,” “Saint Laurent,” “Noble,” “Skin Trade,” and “Preggoland.”
HOT PURSUIT
PG-13 for sexual content, violence, language and some drug material | In Theaters 5/8 | Ok for Kids 14+ | New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. | Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels | Hot Pursuit | Facebook | Twitter
Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara team up for laughs in this action comedy directed by Anne Fletcher (she helmed the very funny Sandra Bullock film “The Proposal”).
Witherspoon stars as an uptight, by-the-book cop who tries to protect the sexy and outgoing widow (Vergara) of a drug boss as they race through Texas pursued by crooked cops and murderous gunmen.
It’s an odd couple buddy movie with a fabulous female twist.
MAGGIE
PG-13 for disturbing thematic material, including bloody images, and some language | In Theaters 5/8 | Ok for Kids 14+ | Roadside Attractions | Reel Preview: 4.5 of 5 Reels | Maggie | Facebook
Arnold Schwarzenegger gets vulnerable in this thoughtful sci-fi drama that puts a human face on the familiar zombie virus. When Maggie (Abigail Breslin), a vivacious teenager becomes infected with a deadly zombie plague, her father (Schwarzenegger) brings her home to let her be with their family.
As Maggie’s condition worsens, their relationship is tested, but her dad’s love is stronger than the disease. It’s a heart-wrenching character study about the lengths a father will go to protect his daughter. Check out Paula Schwartz’ write-up of the Tribeca Film Festival screening.
THE D TRAIN
R for strong sexual material, nudity, language and drug use | In Theaters 5/8 | Ok for Kids 17+ | IFC Films | Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels |The D Train | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That’s about to change — IF he can convince Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who’s now the face of a national Banana Boat ad campaign, to show up with him to their class reunion.
A man on a mission, Dan travels from Pittsburgh to LA and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless. But he gets more than he bargains for as the unpredictable Lawless proceeds to take over his home, career, and entire life.
Showcasing Black and Marden’s considerable comedic talents, this movie ponders that age-old question: how far would you go to be popular? Directed by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, Kathryn Hahn and Jeffrey Tambor also co-star.
BRAVETOWN
R for some language, drug use and brief sexuality | In Theaters 5/8 | Ok for Kids 17+ | Entertainment One | Reel Preview: 3.5 of 5 Reels | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Josh Harvest (Lucas Till), a hardened New York City teen from a broken home (and one of the country’s top dance club DJs and remixers) is sentenced to counseling for a minor drug infraction, along with an extended stay with his estranged father (Tom Everett Scott), who lives in a small town in North Dakota.
Josh is slow to warm to his new environment, a town best known for sending its young off to war, many of whom never return. But when he’s asked to help out the last-place dance team as they vie for the state championship, his rough exterior begins to soften as he connects with his therapist (Josh Duhamel), his team’s captain (Kherington Payne), and her troubled mom (Laura Dern), still reeling from the loss of her son.
Directed by Daniel Duran, this movie also stars Jae Head as Josh’s new friend at school and Maria Bello as Josh’s mom.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Images in this feature used courtesy of the studios and distributors.
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