QUICK FIX In Theaters is a weekly column dedicated to letting you know what’s new in theaters every weekend. If you’re a fan of buttering up a bucket of popcorn, topping off a large soda, and settling in to a theater seat for some escapism see what’s playing near you. “Buy the ticket, take the ride,” as a wise man once said.
This weekend’s note-worthy new releases are White House Down, The Heat, and Byzantium (limited). Read a synopsis and watch a trailer for each film after the jump.
The Heat
Release: June 28th, 2013 Rating: R Director: Paul Feig
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport, Taran Killam, Jane Curtin
What’s being billed as a female buddy cop film, but labeled as simply a hilarious buddy cop film that happens to star women by critics (think about it), The Heat looks like an R-rated romp through great back and forth between some back and forth between some funny gals. Director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) is at it again, and some are calling this film one of the funniest they’ve seen all year.
Here’s the official film synopsis:
Uptight and straight-laced, FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Bullock) is a methodical investigator with a reputation for excellence–and hyper-arrogance. Shannon Mullins (McCarthy), one of Boston P.D.’s “finest,” is foul-mouthed and has a very short fuse, and uses her gut instinct and street smarts to catch the most elusive criminals. Neither has ever had a partner, or a friend for that matter. When these two wildly incompatible law officers join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected: buddies.
And here’s a trailer for The Heat:
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White House Down
Release: June 28th, 2013 Rating: PG-13 Director: Roland Emmerich
Stars: Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Richard Jenkins, Jason Clarke, James Woods, Jimmi Simpson
If March’s Olympus Has Fallen can be compared to the asteroid movie Deep Impact then White House Down would be the Armageddon equivalent. Loud, in your face, and a Die Hard-esque one-man-against-terrorists-style plot, the film could be a big ol’ heap of popcorn munching fun. Or it could kind of suck. Check it out and decide for yourself if terrorists taking over the White House sounds like your thing.
Here’s the official film synopsis:
Capitol Policeman John Cale (Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it’s up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.
And here’s a trailer for White House Down:
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Byzantium (limited release)
Release: June 28th, 2013 Rating: R Director: Neil Jordan
Stars: Gemma Arterton, Saoirse Ronan, Sam Riley, Caleb Landry Jones
Byzantium sees a world where only male vampires are allowed (it’s a film about vampires if you weren’t aware), and when two women exist in this men-only world it turns things upside down. The film looks to be dark and intelligent ala Interview with the Vampire, and seeing Arterton and Ronan playing vampires could prove enjoyable and hopefully a little disturbing.
Here’s the official film synopsis:
“Clara (Arterton), ever-practical, sells her body,” says the official blurb. “She soon meets shy and lonely Noel, who provides a roof over their heads in his seedy guesthouse, Byzantium. Clara, always looking towards the future, turns it into a ‘pop-up’ brothel.”
“Meanwhile Eleanor, the eternal schoolgirl, meets Frank, a kindred spirit who unwittingly prompts her to tell the truth about her life. She tells him that Clara is her mother; yet Clara is only a few years older. She says that she was born in 1804; yet she is just sixteen. She confesses that she must drink human blood to stay alive – and so must her mother. In the small, quiet town, people start to die.”
And here’s a trailer for Byzantium: