The Brothers Bloom

Plus: Imagine That, Lemon Tree and more.

By Volcano Staff on June 11, 2009

THE BROTHERS BLOOM: Brothers named Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (Adrien Brody) are con men from early childhood, until Bloom tires of the game at about the time they meet the beautiful millionaire Penelope (Rachel Weisz).  Lovely Eastern European locations, an ingenious plot, persuasive actors, but finally a little too smug and pleased with itself. (PG-13) Two and a half stars – Roger Ebert


FIGHTING: What’s advertised as a genre picture about New York professional street fighters turns out to be a lot more: The characters and actors bring uncommon interest to the story.  Terrence Howard plays a mild-mannered boxing promoter who sidesteps all the clichés of such roles. (PG-13) three stars – RE


IMAGINE THAT: Eddie Murphy teams with the charming 7-year-old Yara Shahidi to play a desperate investment adviser who relies on Wall Street advice from her imaginary friends.  Thomas Haden Church is his rival, an American Indian broker who relies on native wisdom for his insights.  Pleasant, amusing, but too predictable for grown-ups and not broad enough for children. (PG) two and a ahlf stars – RE


LEMON TREE: The Israeli Prime Minister moves in next to a Palestinian widow and the two go to court over the woman’s Lemon Tree grove.  Invisible and forbidden bonds bridge two different civilizations. (NR) – Bill White


THE PROPOSAL: Sneak preview/early opening. (PG-13)


THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3: The story, you already know from cable reruns. There are a few changes: The boss hijacker is now an ex-con instead of a former mercenary. The negotiator is now a transit executive, not a cop. The ransom has gone up from $1 million to $10 million. The special effects are much more hyperkinetic and absurd than before, which is not an improvement. When a police car has a high-speed collision, the result is usually consistent with the laws of gravity and physics. It does not take flight and spin head over heels in the air. (R) Two and a half stars — RE


YEAR ONE: Early opening. (PG-13)