Spend an afternoon with Anh Hung Tran’s lofty film adaptation about young love. Set in ’60s Japan, the story begins with death: Kizuki commits suicide, leaving best friend Toru and girlfriend Naoko pining. Jonny Greenwood and Mother Nature score the marathon movie; its trek through the changing seasons feeds hungry eyes. So just sit back, and let it grow on you.
It’s like: Legends of the Fall — and winter and spring.
Take: The scenic route.
Premiered: January 6
Find showtimes online at fandango.com.
Should you fancy an upbeat British coming-of-age drama away from the comfort of your sofa, here’s your cup of tea. Emilia, a slender aspiring writer hindered by her mother’s suicide, falls for her best friend’s married father. You’d think it was Felicity Jones who hooked us, but it’s the Tamara Drewe-esque Jessica Brown Findlay whose bait we bit.
It’s like: A splendid case of Poison Ivy.
Take: Birds of a feather.
Premiered: January 13
Find showtimes online at fandango.com.
Smacking 2011’s AFI Film Fest goers with his high-action rollick, Steven Soderbergh released badass MMA fighter Gina Carano as covert agent Mallory Kane in a big-screen debut saltier than Angelina Jolie’s Evelyn Salt. Getting to the root of a setup, Mallory beats her way through a leading-man cast Danny Ocean would be proud of. And, hey, when you earn a living with your fists, who needs a stunt double?
It’s like: Bourne with boobs.
Take: A maneater.
Premieres: Today
Find showtimes online at fandango.com.
He owned the ’70s. Get your groove on with André Leon Talley, Liza Minnelli, and Diane von Furstenberg as they reveal the man behind the shades. From his pillbox creation for Jackie O. to the allure of Victor Hugo, the Tribeca Film Fest documentary answers all your burning questions. Burn, baby, burn.
It’s like: Valentino: the Last Emporer meets Studio 54.
Take: Disco queens, fashion fiends, and anyone in between.
Premieres: Today
Find showtimes online at fandango.com.
Tribeca Film Fest frequenter and indie savant Ed Burns returns with a funny faux documentary about wedded bliss and marital blisters. Honeymoon stagers Katie and Buzzy hit a wall once Buzzy’s wild-child little sister invades their NYC hive. Some may get an HBO Real Sex vibe from it. We just got a modern Woody.
It’s like: Last Night in the confessional.
Take: Your honey.
Premieres: On demand now
Battling for an Oscar nom, brave heart Valérie Donzelli shares her personal story of woe in a French delight that continues to blow audiences away. As Juliette, she and her Roméo tread through no man’s land, fighting their baby’s cancer one optimistic smile and lyrical duet at a time. Don’t get us wrong: It’s full of bad news, but somehow it’s easy to watch.
It’s like: 500 Days of Summer meets Crazy Sexy Cancer.
Take: The troop.
Premieres: January 27
Find showtimes online at fandango.com.
Booking many a 2011 festival (SXSW its first), Ti West’s latest chiller has us leaving the lights on. Run by a pair of paranormal hard-ups (Sara Paxton included), a soon-to-close inn welcomes a few spooky guests who never check out. Since it’s more simmering Psycho than seething The Shining, it’s fit for horror die-hards who live for a slow-burner.
It’s like: The Eclipse meets The House of the Devil.
Take: A go at it alone — shutter the thought.
Premieres: Next month, but Time Warner customers can sneak a peek now.
Find showtimes online at fandango.com.
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A Day at The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu
