New films in theaters this week:
-- "All About Steve" (rated PG-13), a comedy starring Sandra Bullock as a woman obsessed with a news videographer.
-- "Extract" (rated R), Mike Judge's latest live-action comedy, starring Jason Bateman.
-- "Gamer" (rated R), a science-fiction thriller starring Gerard Butler as a rebellious video game character.
-- "Little Ashes" (rated R), a gay-interest drama starring Robert Pattinson as artist Salvador Dali.
-- "Management" (rated R), a comedy starring Steve Zahn as a man obsessed with a hotel art dealer.
-- "Soul Power"(rated PG-13), a documentary feature about the Zaire '74 music festival. With English subtitles.
"Gamer" was not pre-screened for critics in most markets. Given how unpleasant and exploitative its content is, that's not a surprise.
Poster art courtesy Twentieth-Century Fox
And bizarrely, two films -- the alleged comedies "All About Steve" and "Management" -- feature nearly the same, stalker plot. At least Steve Zahn (who stars in "Management") is endearing. Bullock's character in the other film is annoying.
Frankly, there are more laughs -- albeit unintentional ones -- in "Little Ashes." British actor Pattinson's attempts at a Spanish accent are ridiculous, and the film itself in pretty dull.
Unfortunately, so is "Soul Power," which features too-brief concert performances from James Brown, the Spinners and others. The filmmaking itself is dry and flavorless.
Poster art courtesy Miramax Films
Of the week's releases, "Extract" is the most rewarding. It's an acquired taste -- as most of Judge's projects are -- but at least there are some healthy laughs.
Which, if any, of these movies fit into your weekend viewing plans?