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Jack Reacher
Who: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, David Oyelowo, Werner Herzog
What: Based on the ongoing book series, Cruise plays a drifter ex-Army-MP who is called upon to investigate a brutal mass shooting, and finds a much deeper conspiracy at work.
When: May 7th - DVD and Online On Demand
Why: This movie was at the top of my must-see list last holiday season because the trailer made it look like a high-octane action flick. I was seriously disappointed when I saw it in the theater, though, because there's very little music to support what's happening on screen, which makes the action sequences feel few and far between. That's not to say it's a bad movie - Cruise is a good fit in the role (which might have gone to Dolph Lundgren if they'd stuck with the book character description) and has some fun dialogue scenes.

Mighty Fine
Who: Chazz Palminteri, Andie MacDowell, Jodelle Ferland, Rainey Qualley
What: Set in the 1970s, a businessman moves his wife and two daughters from Brooklyn to New Orleans with dreams of a better life. But his his business plans fall apart and his stress extends to the family.
When: May 7th - DVD and Online On Demand
Why: I'm not big on movies set in the '70s. This movie interests me as a marker in the potential careers of Jodelle Ferland and Rainey Qualley (Andie MacDowell's real life daughter).

Norman
Who: Dan Byrd, Emily VanCamp, Richard Jenkins, Adam Goldberg
What: Dan Byrd plays an oddball high school kid manages to land a great girl, improving his life. But his father's terminal cancer throws his life into turmoil.
When: May 7th - DVD
Why: I'm a big fan of the humor in the TV series Cougar Town, in which Byrd plays the son of Courtney Cox. It doesn't surprise me that he might be good in a dramatic role as well. I've liked VanCamp since first noticing her in Brothers & Sisters (currently starring in the TV series Revenge). Plus, Richard Jenkins is always good.

The Oranges
Who: Hugh Laurie, Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Allison Janney, Alia Shawkat, Adam Brody, Leighton Meester
What: A pair of families in suburban New Jersey go from friends to enemies when the father of one has an affair with the daughter of another, in this R-rated comedy.
When: May 7th - DVD and Online On Demand
Why: I'm a big fan of Laurie, Keener, and Platt - Platt especially. This looks like it could be a fun, absurd comedy-drama.

Revenge for Jolly!
Who: Brian Petsos, Oscar Isaac, Elijah Wood, Ryan Phillippe, Kristen Wiig, Adam Brody, Gillian Jacobs, Bobby Moynihan, Garret Dillahunt
What: A dark action comedy starring the movie's screenwriter Brian Petsos who is out to avenge the death of his pet dog.
When: May 7th - DVD
Why: I don't know what this is, but anything with Kristen Wiig automatically gets my attention. It sounds a little similar to Seven Psychopaths, which was good crazy fun.

Safe Haven
Who: Josh Duhamel, Julianne Hough, David Lyons, Cobie Smulders
What: A romantic thriller based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, an aloof young woman moves to a small town to escape her past and begins a relationship with a widower (Duhamel), but the past comes back to haunt her.
When: May 7th - DVD and Online On Demand
Why: I am not ashamed to admit that I enjoyed The Notebook, but I also don't have to hide my lack of interest in Sparks's chick flicks since then. Therefore this movie wouldn't normally interest me, but... I kind of like Duhamel, Hough is easy on the eyes, and I mostly tune in to How I Met Your Mother because of Smulders. I'm saying if this was one of only four movies released this week, I might actually watch it.

What I'm watching this week:

I've already seen Jack Reacher, and despite my complaints about the movie I would still recommend it to most Cruise and action fans. I haven't seen the rest of these movies yet, and a bunch have some equal appeal. I guess the one I want to see most is The Oranges for its comedic potential. Platt is the draw there for me. Close behind, I want to check out what Revenge for Jolly! is about and see how dark the comedy is. Hyde Park on the Hudsoninterests me as a Bill Murray completionist, and I feel compelled to watch Barrymore for both the award pedigree of the performance as well as just a general interest in all of Plummer's work. The others I would consider watching if I had more time.

Coming next week:

A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III, Texas Chainsaw 3D

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