TRAILER PARK: How Do You Know, Barney's Version and Green Lantern,

The latest trailers for some of the most noteworthy upcoming films.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic


HOW DO YOU KNOW

The trailer for this Christmas-timed romantic comedy basically tells you everything and nothing, which is better than the standard practice of divulging the entire plot, but also leaves you wondering what to care about...if anything. The film is reportedly about a love triangle between a woman (Reese Witherspoon) and two men (Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd), but you wouldn't know that from watching the trailer. What do you know about "How Do You Know?" Well, it's directed by James L. Brooks, and it co-stars Jack Nicholson, who worked with Brooks on the extraordinary "Terms of Endearment" and "As Good As It Gets." But something tells me lightning won't be striking thrice here.




BARNEY'S VERSION

In "Barney's Version," Paul Giamatti continues to heighten the artistry of his near-peerless ability to make everyday schleps deep and endearing. This drama follows his character, Barney, through a long stretch of his life, from marriages to divorces, dates to children, hardships to high times. The costars include Dustin Hoffman, Scott Speedman, Minnie Driver and the lovely Rosamund Pike ("An Education," "Made in Dagenham") as Barney's soulmate. The film, which seems moving if a bit generic, is an eleventh hour awards hopeful, and from the looks of Giamatti's work, the actor may just have a shot at some recognition.




GREEN LANTERN

Ryan Reynolds dons a CG supersuit in "Green Lantern," the latest comic book movie that promises big and bold new things, but will likely deliver more of the same old, same old. The effects here look disappointing, as does the choice of Blake Lively as a jet-flying love interest. How many superhero origin stories have there been? Can't we ever just pick up with a hero when their story is already in progress? When they've already bagged a baddie or two? The upside here is Peter Sarsgaard, who plays an exceptionally ugly villain. The versatile actor may be the movie's only shot at individuality.

HOME VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: The Kids Are All Right, Eat Pray Love, The Extra Man

Brief capsules on new movies worth renting.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

The ease with which writer/director Lisa Cholodenko's "The Kids Are All Right" makes a non-issue of its homosexual themes is deeply refreshing, but that the film exists, in all its embraceable splendor, is indeed an issue worth celebrating. This is the first major crowd- and critic-pleaser to feature a lesbian couple right at the forefront, and its dressed with a splendidly-cast bunch of actors, including Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, and Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as its central couple. Rarely does a family dramedy feel this true and current, and though Cholodenko doesn't give all her characters a fair enough shake, she's made a film for which the world is a little bit better. (Available Now)

EAT PRAY LOVE

Moviegoers have been waiting a long time -- 9 years, in fact -- for Julia Roberts to get back in the leading-lady saddle. They get their wish with "Eat Pray Love," "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy's glistening adaptation of author Elizabeth Gilbert's globetrotting memoir. As the story goes, Liz (Roberts) one-ups carpe diem and seizes the year, traveling through Italy, India and Bali to rediscover herself after multiple sour experiences with men. Set in Rome, the "Eat" segement blows the other two off the map, but Roberts makes the full trip worthwhile, winning your admiration as ably as ever. Javier Bardem, Viola Davis, JAmes Franco and Richard Jenkins -- in a fine supporting performance -- costar. (Available Nov. 23)

THE EXTRA MAN

No Kevin Kline fan should dare miss "The Extra Man," the film adaptation of Jonathan Ames' quirk-filled New York novel that sees Kline give his most nimbly unrestrained comedic turn since "In & Out." He plays a penniless socialite/male escort, who teaches his ways to an aspiring writer (Paul Dano) who movers into a spare room. Inspired by (and laced with) the work of F. Scott Fitzgerald, the class-conscious comedy is the latest effort from filmmakers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, the couple behind "American Splendor." Part Lynchian, part contempo indie curio, part classic lit, it's a funny little urban story, co-starring gifted folks like John C. Reilly and Celia Weston. (Available Now)

Star to Watch: SCOOT MCNAIRY

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

Scoot McNairy in "Monsters"

Don't be fooled by the playful name. American actor Scoot McNairy has a dedication to independent cinema that's serious and sincere. Born in Texas, and with a background in regional theater, McNairy set out for Tinseltown with ambitions to break into the indie film scene. While chasing his goals, he took bit parts in an eclectic mix of movies, including "Wonderland," "Herbie Fully Loaded," "Art School Confidential" and "Bobby."

His indie breakout was with 2007's "In Search of a Midnight Kiss," a black-and-white New York romance that starred McNairy as the lead character, Wilson. McNairy produced "Midnight Kiss" with his friend and manager, John Pierce, with whom he started the production company The Group Films. Since then, the company has worked on "Frank and Cindy," starring Rene Russo, and "The Last Time I Made Straight A's," which has yet to be cast.

McNairy can now be seen as the male lead in "Monsters," a highly impressive British thriller that makes extraordinary use of its meager budget. Written and directed by documentarian Gareth Edwards, the film sees McNairy star alongside his real-life wife, Whitney Able, in a story that's minimalistically told to great effect, and boasts topical immigration metaphors to boot. McNairy delivers an authentic, understated performance, which was good enough to nab him a British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Actor ("Monsters" received a total of six nominations, including Best Picture).

In addition to his projects as producer, McNairy now has at least five films on the horizon in which he'll be appearing on-screen, including "The Off Hours," "Everything Will Happen Before You Die," "Angry White Man," "The Listening Party" and "A Night in the Woods." True to the actor's pursuits, every film is an independent.

Trailer for "Monsters," which opens in Philadelphia today:

Trailer Park: SCREAM 4, RABBIT HOLE and GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

The newest trailers for some of the most noteworthy upcoming flicks.

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

SCREAM 4

It's been 14 years since the original "Scream" movie became a massive self-aware sensation, lampooning other films in the horror genre and laughing all the way to the bank. I can still remember rallying a troop of friends and sneaking into the very R-rated thriller, one of my favorites. Two inferior sequels, varying levels of fame and a break-up or two later, we've got the much-awaited fourth installment, which revamps the "rules" for a new decade. Stars David Arquette, Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox return, along with Hayden Planetarium, Emma Roberts, Kieran Culkin and more. Take a look:




RABBIT HOLE

Nicole Kidman shoots for the awards traction she had in the early 2000s in this screen adaptation of the stage play about a couple grieving the loss of their young son. Kidman plays the mother, Aaron Eckhart plays the father, and Dianne Wiest plays Kidman's own mom, herself having dealt with the death of a son. In the director's chair is John Cameron Mitchell, the highly talented New Yorker who delivered back-to-back triumphs with "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and "Shortbus." "Rabbit Hole" is one of my most anticipated films yet to be released in 2010.




GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

Jack Black is back in this modern-day retelling of Jonathan Swift's 18th century novel. Directed by Rob Letterman ("Shark Tale," "Monsters vs. Aliens") "Gulliver's" looks obnoxious as all get out, but it also seems to boast some coolly diverting funhouse efects. Starring alongside Black are Amanda Peet, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel and Billy Connolly. The film focuses on an underachieving mailroom worker (Black) who's swept away to a magical world full of action-figure-sized folk. It's set for release this Christmas.