Film Clips: Declaration of deeds gone rampart

• Universal Pictures
• Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd star in the comedy ‘Wanderlust.’

OPENING TODAY

’’ACT OF VALOR ( R) This feature film draws on documentary techniques, casting a group of active duty U.S. Navy SEALs to dramatize a dangerous operation.
’’DECLARATION OF WAR (NR) Director Valérie Donzelli and Jérémie Elkaïm co-wrote and play versions of themselves in this dramedy about a young couple who discover their newborn child is gravely ill and “declare war” on both the disease and the grim emotions that accompany it. Despite the subject matter, it’s supposed to be unexpectedly humorous.
’’GONE (PG-13) Amanda Seyfried plays Jill, a young woman who suspects that her younger sister taken by the same twisted murderer who kidnapped her two years ago. When the police write Jill off as being crazy and unstable, she takes matters into her own hands to find her sister and stop her former kidnapper before it’s too late.
RAMPART 4 stars ( R) Woody Harrelson gives a career-best performance as seething LAPD cop “Date Rape” Dave Brown in this gritty drama co-written by director Oren Moverman and L.A. Confidential’’ author James Ellroy. Against the backdrop of the Rampart corruption scandal of 1999, Dave’s personality problems — and possibly a conspiracy against him — begin tearing his life apart. While Ellroy’s work can sometimes seem like apologias for sadists willing to break the law to protect the peace, Moverman provides a more humanistic counterweight, with sensitivity that refuses to glorify or demonize the character. Harrelson’s excellent sparring partners include Ice Cube, Ann Heche, Ben Foster and Robin Wright. — Curt Holman
’’TYLER PERRY’S GOOD DEEDS (PG-13) Tyler Perry plays the title role (sort of) as Wesley Deeds, a successful businessman who, despite his good fortune and great life, is unhappy. One night he discovers the janitor Lindsey (Thandie Newton) has been letting her daughter sleep in a supply closet at night while she works. Will Wesley’s friendship with Lindsey teach him how to be happy for the first time in his life? Spoilers.
’’WANDERLUST ( R) When Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston suddenly find themselves both unemployed in NYC, they realize they must move away to stay financially stable. After driving aimlessly, they arrive at an off-the-map bed and breakfast that turns out to be a hippie-esque commune. The comedy ensues as Rudd and Aniston learn whacky lessons from the eclectic group of people living on the commune.
DULY NOTED
ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1930) Legendary silent film director D.W. Griffith helmed this biopic of Honest Abe as one of his first and only talkies. Starring Walter Huston as Lincoln, who probably doesn’t hunt many vampires in this one. Sat., Feb. 25. 8 p.m. High Museum, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. $5-$7. 404-733-4200. www.high.org’’
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (1935) Cinematographer Hal Mohr won the first and only write-in Academy Award for this lavish adaptation of Shakespeare’s magical comedy, featuring Mendelssohn’s music and a cast that includes Olivia de Haviland, James Cagney and Mickey Rooney as Puck. Introduced by Salman Rushdie. Painting With Light. Wed., Feb. 29. 7:30 p.m. Emory Cinematheque. 208 White Hall, 301 Dowman Drive, Emory University. Free. filmstudies.emory.edu/home/events/film-series/emory-cinematheque.html’’
PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (1965) (NR) In this Italian sci-fi movie, two huge spaceships crash on another planet, where alien creatures use the bodies of the dead crew to attack the living. Silver Scream Spook Show. Feb. 25, 1 and 10 p.m. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave., $8-$12. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com’’
THE ROOM (2003) 1 star (R ) This hilariously incompetent, sub-Skinemax-level romantic triangle has become a wildly entertaining monthly viewing party, a la The Rocky Horror Picture Show’‘. Writer-director-star Tommy Wiseau strikes a freaky presence as a long-haired, heavy-lidded, thick-accented bank employee cuckolded by his vicious fiancée (Juliette Danielle). The film’s bizarre touches, like framed photographs of spoons, inspire audiences to throw plastic spoons at the screen, and more. Not to be missed. Tue., Feb. 28, 9:30 p.m. $8. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com.
SKIP THE OSCARS NIGHT (NR) Counterprogramming against the Academy Awards, this fundraiser for the Plaza Theatre presents “an evening of anti-hollywood, anti-copyright art” including “Hollywood Burn” and “short films by local culture jammers Adam Bruneau, Anna Spence and Bland Hack (Jamie Hawkins-Gaar and Julian Modugno).” Sun., Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave., $6 suggested donation. 404-873-1939. www.plazaatlanta.com’’
VITO (NR) This documentary profiles Vito Russo, the late LGBT activist and film historian best known for the book The Celluloid Closet, which inspired the film of the same name. A fundraiser for Out on Film. Wed., March 7, 7:30 p.m. Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 930 Monroe Drive. outonfilm.org

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