Opening Films

by INLANDER STAFF & r & & r & CHANGELING & r & & r & Clint Eastwood delivers a great study of people in distress. In late-1920s L.A., a single mom's son vanishes, and inept police insist that a different boy that they found halfway across the country is hers. Angelina Jolie gives a powerful performance as the distressed mom, while Jeffrey Donovan is terrifically cold as the police captain trying to avoid even more tarnish on the department. The film's intensity grows when it's revealed that a serial killer (of young boys) may be on the loose. Oscar nominations are in the film's future. (ES) Rated R





THE HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEY


Combine the more well-trod, fetishistic aspects of The Exorcist, Doctor Faustus, The Ring, Carrie and Catholic school uniforms, and you have The Haunting of Molly Hartley. A girl's mom offers her soul to the devil, to be turned over on her 18th birthday. In an attempt to escape that fate, Molly and her pa move to a new town and enroll her in an episode of Gossip Girl meets 90210 meets 10 Things I Hate About You. High school drama and demon possession ensue. (LB) Rated PG-13





ROCKnROLLA


Exactly what you want it to be, if you loved Guy Ritchie's Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels for their exuberant cartoon aggression and winking, wicked wit. You might call this a crime comedy of manners, what with all the criminals you can barely distinguish from legitimate businessmen. Being a villain ain't what it used to be: Now, it's a respectable living. It's our world -- Ritchie's just playing in it. (MJ) Rated R





ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO


Kevin Smith's newest comedy has gobs of nudity -- male and female -- and more cursing than your average Scorsese film. Still, it's a sweet, funny and raunchy tale of two broke roommates and pals (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) who decide to make a porno -- starring themselves, even though they've never kissed -- for some quick bucks. Did I mention it's raunchy? (ES) Rated R