Opening Films

by Inlander Staff & r & & r & ANGEL-A


A metaphysical groaner with what looks like mob-thriller (!) elements, Angel-A is Luc Besson (Fifth Element, The Professional) at his most palatably French. Sure it's in black and white, and it's Francophone, but it's got the mentally challenged dude from Amelie (Americans LOVE Amelie!) and a girl who has Milla Jovovich-type swagger (Americans LOVE Milla Jovovich!) and a bunch of death-defying camera angles (Ameri... you get the point) aided, it seems, by CG. (LB) Rated R





LICENSE TO WED


When Mandy Moore and John Krasinski (Jim on The Office) decide to tie the knot, she insists on using her family's favorite man of the cloth (Robin Williams) to conduct the ceremony. But they but find out, too late, that if he's going to do the job, they must take a two-week pre-marital training course of his design. And both of them must pass. Too bad that the comedy is more flat than inventive, and that the story takes about every predictable course imaginable. Still, Krasinski shows some leading man potential. (ES) Rated PG-13





TRANSFORMERS


Autobots and Decepticons descend to Planet Earth to continue their longtime battle and search for a missing source of power. It's one of those good-versus-evil things. But Earth's occupants don't have much to do but get out of the way of these huge machines that can convert into cars, trucks and planes. Directed by Michael Bay, and starring Shia LaBeouf and the gorgeous Megan Fox, with John Turturro and Jon Voight in the supporting cast. Much eye-popping devastation and unexpected humor. (ES) Rated PG-13





HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX


The franchisists at Warner Brothers have made a bunch of odd but, so far, solid choices about who should direct the Potter series. First the Home Alone guy, then the Y Tu Mama Tambien guy, then the Donnie Brasco guy. Now, it's David Yates, the TV guy. He's directed one fabulous teleplay (The Girl in the Caf & eacute;). Other than that, though, dude's an unknown quantity helming a crucially important chapter in the saga. Ballsy, WB. (LB) Rated PG-13