Friday movie roundup – Nov. 2

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A couple weeks ago we had like six new movies, and they were all rated R. Today there are three new wide releases, and two of them are PG — and worth watching, too, which is kinda rare for PG movies nowadays.

The animated “Bee Movie” is more amusing than not, though it also makes no sense whatsoever and has more bizarre plot turns than you expect in a cartoon.

I was quite fond of “Martian Child,” my affection for John Cusack no doubt coloring my opinion. But honestly, who doesn’t love John Cusack?! (NOTE: That question is rhetorical. If you do not love John Cusack, I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT.)

Moving deep into R-rated territory, we have “American Gangster,” which has caused Lenny Kravitz’s version of “American Woman” to be stuck in my head all week, except my brain keeps replacing “Woman” with “Gangster.” Dear Brain: YOU ARE ANNOYING. I hate you so much.

Oh, “American Gangster” is pretty good.

Finally, in somewhat limited release is “Wristcutters: A Love Story.” I saw this at Sundance in January 2006 and am glad it’s finally seeing the light of day. It’s an unusual and imaginative film, set in an afterlife that’s only for people who died via suicide. It’s a lot more funny and life-affirming than it sounds.

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