The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Out & About

Blindness

Rating: R
Mystery/Thriller
Starring: Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Gael Garcia Bernal, Alice Braga

An epidemic of "white blindness" sweeps through an entire city, affecting everyone except for a doctor's wife (Moore) who hides her lack of affliction. Victims are quarantined in a former mental hospital.
The doctor's wife (all of the characters are unnamed) must lead a small band of victims out of the hospital. The film, based on the book by Nobel Prize-winner José Saramago, explores the degradation of society within the quarantine and the tenacity of the human spirit.
Prediction: 'Blindness' opened at the Cannes Film Festival to mixed reviews. With all the apparent cruelty and violence, enjoying this film may depend on whether or not the human spirit prevails.


My Best Friend's Girl

Rating: R
Comedy
Starring: Dane Cook, Kate Hudson, Alec Baldwin, Jason Biggs

Dustin (Biggs) really likes Alexis (Hudson), but he comes on too strong and they break up. He employs his best friend Tank (Cook), a date-from-hell for hire, to
make her realize how great Dustin is. Unfortunately, Tank and Alexis begin to fall for each other.
Prediction: Has Dane Cook's heyday not come and gone? Reportedly, director Howard Deutch strongly encouraged the actors to improvise their lines, which may be entertaining enough to save the film's predictable storyline.

The Duchess

Rating: PG-13
Drama/History
Starring: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper

"The Duchess" chronicles the extravagant life of the 18th century Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Cavendish (Knightley). Famous for her glamor and beauty and infamous for her drinking and
gambling, Georgiana becomes trapped in her unhappy marriage to the duke (Fiennes).
The duke and his live-in mistress become entangled in a steamy affair, and the Duchess falls in love with politician Charles Grey (Coopers).
Prediction: This film is already in talks for Oscar nominations. Even if it falls flat, the period costumes and the promise of soirees and forbidden love scenes will provide plenty of eye candy.

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