This weekend at the movies offers two major releases and a small indie thriller in limited release. One major release sees Will Smith take on the Sci-Fi genre with his son Jaden. The other aims to give audiences a stellar cast and magicians who commit crimes. While the indie sees eco-terrorists fighting big industry in a taut thriller. Here are the best movies to be released this week.
A Sci-Fi Epic for the Whole Family: After Earth
Father son duo Will Smith (Men in Black) and Jaden Smith (Karate Kid) join forces with M. Night Shyamalan (The Happening) for Sci-Fi adventure film After Earth. The film sees the Smith acting dynasty crash land on a post apocalyptic earth. Trying to survive the perilous of an earth left derelict following the mass exodus of mankind, the Smiths must live long enough for help to arrive.
The film has failed to ignite the interest of critics. Currently at 14 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, After Earth has been bashed for its poor direction and overly sentimental father/son plot.
Slight of Hand Adventure: Now You See Me
Led by a stellar ensemble cast, Now You See Me sees a group of magicians attempt to evade authorities while going on a bank robbing spree. The film sees FBI and Interpol agents try to uncover how a group of popular magicians are able to rob the banks while performing their act on stage.
The film stars Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers), Woody Harrelson (Cheers), Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers), Morgan Freeman (Se7en) and Michael Cane (The Dark Knight). It is directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk).
Now You See Me presently holds a 44 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics report the poorly developed characters fail to utilize the strong cast. While the exciting cinematography and direction is unable to overcome the overly complicated screenplay.
Counter-Programming: The East
Indie film sensation Brit Marling (Sound of My Voice) returns to the big screen with The East. The dramatic thriller sees Marling play a corporate espionage operative who goes undercover to unravel the plans of an anarchist terrorist group. Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood), Ellen Page (Beyond: Two Souls) and Patricia Clarkson (The Green Mile) co-star with Marling in the tight thriller.
Rotten Tomatoes has the movie at 71 percent. Critics say the political thriller uses its genre roots to present a running commentary on the nature of capitalism and environmental pollution.
Check out the trailers below: