Opening Films

by INLANDER STAFF & r & & r & DAN IN REAL LIFE & r & Dan (Steve Carell) is a sad widower who, during a family get-together, finally finds another woman who interests him (Juliette Binoche), only to discover that she's the new girlfriend of his brother (Dane Cook). It's a great idea, but it falters, then runs out of steam, then tries a little too hard to pick up the beat again. Carell and Binoche are pretty good, but they need stronger writing around them. (ES) Rated PG-13





THE DARJEELING LIMITED


Three estranged brothers take a train trip slash religious pilgrimage through India to try and heal their relationship. Written by Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman (who also stars), and directed by Anderson, expect the same kind of family strife meets storybook whimsy that is the perennial hallmark and occasional bane of Anderson's technique. (LB) Rated R





LARS AND THE REAL GIRL


Ryan Gosling stars in this much-lauded film that's said to be a comedy-drama. It's about a troubled fellow with no social skills who brings a girl home to meet his family. But she's an inflatable doll he calls Bianca -- a "missionary" who's confined to a wheelchair. Lars chats away with her while everyone else looks on with concern, except a psychologist (Patricia Clarkson) who tells them all to humor him. The premise wears out early, yet plods on. (ES) Rated PG-13





SAW IV


There's nothing shocking or surprising in the Saw IV trailer. It's looks to have the same dank corridors, arcane, flesh-shredding traps and clueless victims that have populated the previous three flicks. The scariest thing is seeing a news item confirming that executives at Lion's Gate have already given the green light to Saw V and Saw VI. (LB) Rated R