The Headliner

Puss in Boots

It might be tough to get excited about a spinoff of the Shrek franchise, but at least in the case of Puss in Boots, Antonio Banderas — voicing the titular kitty — sounds like he’s having a ball (of yarn) (I had to, guys). And at least this tertiary Shrek character has a little charm; we very well could have gotten a Gingerbread Man movie, and for all the money we’ve given DreamWorks for Shreks over the years, we would have deserved it.

New and Notable

Silent House

Third Olsen sister Elizabeth followed up her awards-baiting Martha Marcy May Marlene with this schlocky real-time horror movie … which might be just the thing for a rainy summer afternoon?

Footnote

This story of mistaken literary identity was nominated for the Oscar this year for Best Foreign Language Film (to wit: Hebrew).

The Deep Blue Sea

All the gorgeous British people committing adultery in the elegant past may remind you of The End of the Affair — that is, if the title hasn’t already reminded you of the movie Deep Blue Sea, in which Samuel L. Jackson faces off against smart sharks. This is a very different movie. But they’re both good. It’s not a competition.

Pray for Japan

All I have to say about this documentary about the aftermath of last year’s Japanese tsunami is: I hope Ritsu can see the fish kites from heaven on Children’s Day. EXCUSE ME, I HAVE SOMETHING IN MY EYE.

30 Beats

Scandalous turn-of-the-(last-)century play La Ronde gets remade and transplanted to present-day New York, with a bevy of mid-list stars including Thomas “The Newsroom” Sadoski, Justin “Weeds” Kirk, and Paz “Crazy” De La Huerta.

The Monitor

Between the creatures in Prometheus and the unnamed horror in this Norwegian thriller, Noomi Rapace is having kind of a rough summer.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

I guess this documentary about the world’s best sushi chef looks pretty cool, but where’s the movie about the world’s best grilled cheese chef? (Me. I’m the world’s best grilled cheese chef.)

“In Theaters” VOD Pick

Trishna

Director Michael Winterbottom continues his tour through every genre of film in existence with this retelling of Tess of the D’Urbervilles, set in India and starring Freida Pinto.

Weird Indie of the Week

Bathory
[Trailer might be NSFW, so we’ll link out to it here.]

In this sketchy-looking Europudding, Anna Friel plays a notorious serial killer. Who says women can’t have it all?!

Early VOD Premiere of the Week

Burning Man

I’m not sure why Matthew Goode is so unhappy in Burning Man. Doesn’t he realize how handsome he is?

Masochist’s Choice

Buzzkill

Is it the billionth take on a schlubby blocked writer? Or is it a rote portrayal of a disastrous road trip? Trick question: Buzzkill is both!