Of Gods and Men Dir. Xavier Beauvois

[Sony Pictures Classics; 2011]

Styles: drama
Others: Essene

In March 1996, seven French Trappist monks from the Algerian monastery of Tibhirine were kidnapped and beheaded by the GIA, a Jihadist organization seeking the creation of an Islamic state in Algeria. According to a French military attaché, the monks may have been killed accidentally by the Algerian army during a rescue attempt, but of course that it would have been an accident is above suspicion, seeing as they were beheaded. Nevertheless, the GIA claimed responsibility for the deaths, and that became the main historical line on this grim page of postcolonial Algerian history.

Immigration Tango Dir. David Burton Morris

[Roadside Attractions; 2010]

Styles: romantic comedy
Others: Green Card, The Birdcage

When Sergei Eisentstein established cinema’s ability to cut to another image as the basis of film aesthetics, he probably did not envision its role in contemporary comedic cinema as an almost magical means by which the filmmaker relieves the discomfort he or she creates in a scene. Awkwardness between people in real life tends to drag and grind to an unsatisfactory resolution, but awkwardness in film comedy breezes on by with the click of the editor’s mouse.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son Dir. John Whitesell

[20th Century Fox; 2011]

Styles: comedy
Others: Mrs. Doubtfire

I’ve never really understood the conceit of the Big Momma character. So the muscly gangsters and shifty-eyed drug dealers might try to rough her up thinking she’s just a fat, elderly woman, but they’ll be shaking in their boots to learn that, lo and behold, Big Momma is in fact the alter ego of… shrimpy little Martin Lawrence?

The Chaperone Dir. Stephen Herek

[Samuel Goldwyn Films; 2011]

Styles: family comedy, thriller
Others: Houseguest

Owning to the histrionic, fundamentally stagey nature of professional wrestling, it’s unsurprising that so many former wrestlers have pursued careers in film.

Vanishing On 7th Street Dir. Brad Anderson

[Magnolia; 2011]

Styles: Supernatural Horror
Others: Session 9, The Happening

Would you rather be sucked into an ominous void or be left alone in a room with Hayden Christensen? It’s a dilemma I wouldn’t wish on anyone and the drama at the heart of Vanishing On 7th Street, the latest thriller from director Brad Anderson (Session 9, Transiberian). Christensen plays one of but a handful of survivors wandering the streets of Detroit after a city-wide blackout seemingly takes everyone with it, leaving behind their clothes.

Cedar Rapids Dir. Miguel Arteta

[Fox Searchlight; 2011]

Styles: comedy
Others: The Good Girl, About Schmidt, Up in the Air

As if it were its main character moving in reverse, Cedar Rapids is a movie full of promise that will end up disappointing you. It’s about a rural Wisconsin insurance salesman named Tim Lippe (Ed Helms), a man who is at times heartfelt, at times a clown, but who has never been very ambitious — most likely because he isn’t too bright. Over a weekend seminar for insurance salesman in the titular city, where he’s been sent to schmooze his company into some credentials, Tim learns the name of the insurance game as well as a few things about his own moral fiber.

Most Read



Etc.