‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning’ (R)
Who’s in it: Andrew Bryniarski, R. Lee Ermey, Matt Bomer, Jordana Brewster, Diora Baird, Taylor Handley
What it’s about: Just how did little Thomas grow up to become the chainsaw-wielding madman Leatherface (Bryniarski), and how did his Uncle Hoyt (Ermey) become crazy Sheriff Hoyt?
Worth watching? (star and a half)
“The killers are the focus, and we know they’re going to survive anyway. It’s a prequel, duh. And so there’s no suspense, no fear, just an endless stream of blood and the roar of the chainsaw ringing in your ears.”
[ christy lemire, ap ]‘Employee of the Month’ (PG-13)
Who’s in it: Dane Cook (above left), Dax Shepard, Jessica Simpson (above right)
What it’s about: Warehouse-store rivals (Cook and Shepard) vie for Employee of the Month honors, and thus, a date with the hot new cashier (Simpson).
Worth watching? (star)
” ‘Employee’ squanders opportunities in just about every aisle it goes down.”
[ jan stuart, newsday ]‘Al Franken: God Spoke’
(not rated)
Who’s in it: Ann Coulter, Al Gore, Michael Moore, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, among others
What it’s about: A look at Franken’s world during the 2004 election.
Worth watching? (star)(star)(star)
“Even if it does little more than coast along the surface of its subject, ‘Al Franken: God Spoke’ proves to be an illuminating (if perhaps unintended) demonstration of how hard it is to keep one’s sense of humor when mixing it up in the political mainstream.” [ gene seymour, newsday ]
‘Darshan, The Embrace’ (not rated)
What it’s about: Documentarian Jan Kounen follows Indian teacher/guru Amma, a world-famous spiritualist whose preachings inspire massive gatherings of disciples.
Worth watching? (star) (star)
“Less National Geographic and more personal history would have added a dimension to ‘Darshan.’ “
[ stephen williams, newsday ]– – –
Opening this week
–“Al Franken: God Spoke”
–“Darshan: The Embrace”
–“The Departed”
–“Employee of the Month”
–“The Last King of Scotland”
–“Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning”
Opening next week
— “The Queen” — “Infamous”
— “Man of the Year” — “Pandora’s Box”
— “The Grudge 2” — “The Marine”
— “My Country, My Country”
— “Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker”
— “National Lampoon’s Pledge This!”
