Here is a look at what is hitting the big screen this weekend.
The Eagle: This movie is about 2nd Century Britain and Roman solders. I read the description and it gave me a headache. I’m pretty sure anything that stars Channing Tatum is probably not going to be all that good. But if you like Gladiator movies (and who doesn’t) this movie might be right up your ally.
In 2nd-Century Britain, two men – master and slave – venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism. In 140 AD, the Roman Empire extends all the way to Britain – though its grasp is incomplete, as the rebellious tribes of Caledonia (today’s Scotland) hold sway in the far North. Marcus Aquila arrives in Britain, determined to restore the tarnished reputation of his father, Flavius Aquila. It was 20 years earlier that Rome’s 5,000-strong Ninth Legion, under the command of Flavius and carrying their golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth, marched north into Caledonia. They never returned; Legion and Eagle simply vanished into the mists. Angered, the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of a wall to seal off the territory. Hadrian’s Wall became the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire – the edge of the known world. Driven to become a brilliant soldier and now given command of a small fort in the southwest, Marcus bravely leads his troops during a siege. Commended by Rome for his bravery, yet discharged from the army because of his severe wounds, Marcus convalesces, demoralized, in the villa of his Uncle Aquila, a retired army man. When Marcus impulsively gets a young Briton’s life spared at a gladiatorial contest, Aquila buys the Briton, Esca, to be Marcus’ slave. Marcus is dismissive of Esca, who harbors a seething hatred of all things Roman. Yet Esca vows to serve the man who has saved his life. Hearing a rumor that the Eagle has been seen in a tribal temple in the far north, Marcus is galvanized into action, and sets off with Esca across Hadrian’s Wall. But the highlands of Caledonia are a vast and savage wilderness, and Marcus must rely on his slave to navigate the region. When they encounter ex-Roman soldier Guern, Marcus realizes that the mystery of his father’s disappearance may well be linked to the secret of his own slave’s identity and loyalty – a secret all the more pressing when the two come face-to-face with the warriors of the fearsome Seal Prince.
Gnomeo & Juliet: The 3D movie of the week, two gnomes try to find love. James McAvoy, and Emily Blunt lend their voice talents to this film.
Two garden gnomes, Gnomeo and Juliet, try to avoid tragedy and find a happy ending to their star-crossed love affair when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors.
Just Go With It: The romantic comedy right before Valentines Day. This one stars Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, and Brooke Decker.
A plastic surgeon, romancing a much younger schoolteacher, enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie. When more lies backfire, the assistant’s kids become involved, and everyone heads off for a weekend in Hawaii that will change all their lives.
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never: What’s a Bieber? Who f*cking cares?!?
Teen pop idol Justin Bieber toplines his own biographical film, which reinacts his rise to stardom alongside real-life concert footage in this 3D Paramount Pictures production. Jon Chu (STEP UP 3D) directs
