Escape the cold weather in the multiplex

“The Fountain”

Warner Bros.

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Sean Gullette, Sean Patrick Thomas, Donna Murphy
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Story: Jackman plays a medical researcher whose wife (Weisz) may have terminal brain cancer. The film also features two other incarnations of Jackman’s character: One a 26th-century astronaut and one where Jackman is a Spanish soldier trying to save Queen Isabella (Weisz) from the Inquisition.
Buzz: This film has received mixed response. It was booed when it screened at the Venice Film Festival. When she saw it in Toronto, Salon’s Stephanie Zacharek wrote, “Part historical fantasy, part lovers-separated-by-death weeper, part New Age fever dream, ‘The Fountain’ isn't truly horrible, just very, very silly.” Hollywood Elsewhere’s Jeffrey Wells, disagreed, calling it “the most beautiful and best-crafted cosmic head-trip movie since I don't know what.” This is only Aronofsky’s (“Pi,” “Requiem for a Dream”) third full-length film — and he may have bitten off more than he could chew with this one.
Web site: http://thefountainmovie.warnerbros.com/

“The History Boys”

Fox Searchlight

Starring: Richard Griffiths, Clive Merrison, Frances de la Tour, Stephen Campbell Moore, Sacha Dhawan, Samuel Anderson, Dominic Cooper, Andrew Knott, Samuel Barnett, Russell Tovey, Jamie Parker, James Corden
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Story: Based on the Tony-award-winning play, this film tells the story of an unruly group of British students who are taught by a maverick English teacher (Griffiths), a young teacher (Moore) hired to raise their test scores, an overwhelmed history teacher (De la Tour), and a results-oriented headmaster (Merrison).
Buzz: The play won six Tonys, three Olivier awards and five drama desk awards. The entire original cast reprises their roles for the film. However, a great play does not always translate into an award-winning movie. “Proof,” anyone? Leslie Helprin of Variety called the movie “stagy,” adding “blow-up to the bigscreen makes the material's fault lines look more chasm-like.” Hytner and writer Alan Bennett (who also penned the play) already teamed for the very good “Madness of King George,” but they may not have recaptured that magic with this film.
Web site: NA

“Déjà vu”

Touchstone

Starring: Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Paula Patton, Bruce Greenwood, Adam Goldberg, Jim Caviezel
Director: Tony Scott
Story: An ATF agent (Washington) investigating a ferry bombing in New Orleans must solve the case by harnessing his sense of déjà vu. Can Washington stop the bomber from striking again? Caviezel co-stars as a suspect. Patton plays the woman — who seems so familiar — that Washington is trying to protect.
Buzz: For some of us (pleading guilty), Tony Scott movies (“Man on Fire,” “Crimson Tide”) are a bit of a guilty pleasure, and they’re never more fun than when they co-star the talented Washington. OK, so you know what you’re going to get: washed-out lighting, tons of explosions, and amped-up tension. This isn’t brain surgery but it could be a fun holiday weekend treat.
Web site: http://touchstone.movies.go.com/index.html?dlink=deja

“Deck the Halls”

20th Century Fox

Starring: Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Davis, Kristin Chenoweth, Alia Shawkat, Sabrina Aldridge, Kelly Aldridge
Director: John Whitesell
Story: In his neighborhood, Steve (Broderick) is so enthusiastic about the holidays that he’s known as the king of Christmas. But when Danny (DeVito) moves into the neighborhood, he suddenly has a rival. Danny wants to decorate his house so brightly that it can be seen from space, while Steve is more interested in the true spirit of the holidays. But will their rivalry ruin the holidays for both of their families? Davis co-stars as Broderick’s wife; while Chenoweth plays DeVito’s wife.
Buzz: It’s curious to see Broderick venturing into Tim Allen’s territory, especially under the direction of Whitesell (best known for “Big Momma’s House 2” and “Malibu’s Most Wanted”). This seems like one of those “for the money” roles. Look for pratfalls and a kick or two to someone’s crotch (most likely Broderick’s) in this holiday fare.
Web site: http://www.deckthehallsmovie.com/

“Let’s Go to Prison”

Universal

Starring: Dax Shepard, Will Arnett, Chi McBride, Dylan Baker, Steve Dahl, David Koechner, Michael Shannon
Director: Bob Odenkirk
Story: When John Lyshitski (Shepard) finds himself in jail for the third time, he realizes the son (Arnett) of the now-dead judge who convicted him is incarcerated too. The best way to pass the time in prison? Watch as Arnett gets the full treatment from his fellow inmates — which involves everything from betting on when Arnett will die to  the advances of a lusty cellmate (McBride). But will Arnett somehow be able to turn the tables on Shepard?
Buzz: At first glance, this looks like the typical stupid wacky comedy, but Odenkirk is best known as one-half of the "Mr. Show" team. Writers Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon are co-creators, writers and actors on the very funny “Reno 911.” So maybe there’s more to this wacky comedy than meets the eye — and maybe it’s actually funny. Arnett is best known for his hilarious work on “Arrested Development.”
Web site: http://www.letsgotoprison.com/

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