Weekend US film releases: thrillers from Scorsese and Polanski

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Scorsese's Shutter Island opens big, also releasing simultaneously in Australia, Russia, Spain, and other countries, and will roll out around the world over the next few weeks.

Shutter Island

Director Martin Scorsese returns to the big screen after winning the Oscar for The Departed in 2006. He's teamed up again with Leonardo DiCaprio in a haunting thriller, also starring Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Mark Ruffalo ( Where the Wild Things Are) and Michelle Williams ( Brokeback Mountain), and Patricia Clarkson ( Vicky Cristina Barcelona).

Set in 1954, DiCaprio plays a US Marshal investigating the disappearance of a murderess who vanishes from a hospital for the criminally insane, uncovering mysteries within the institution and himself. An adaptation of Dennis Lehane's best-selling novel.

The Ghost Writer
This political thriller by director Roman Polanski stars Ewan McGregor ( Angels & Demons, The Men Who Stare at Goats), portraying a ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister, played by Pierce Brosnan but when top secrets are uncovered, the writer's life is on the line. Also features Kim Cattral ( Sex & the City) and Tom Wilkinson ( Michael Clayton, Duplicity). After a much-anticipated debut at the Berlinale, the film opens in New York and Los Angeles. Select US cities follow on February 26, as well as internationally.

Happy Tears
An independent drama directed and written by Mitchell Lichtenstein, son of renowned American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, and former actor. The story focuses on two sisters who return home to deal with their ailing widowed father, coping with surprising situations, such as his lady friend, and their own different approaches. Features Demi Moore, Parker Posey ( For Your Consideration and other Christopher Guest films), Rip Torn ( Marie Antoinette), and (Ellen Barkin of Ocean's Thirteen). The film was nominated for a Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival 2009.

The Good Guy
Set on Wall Street among its new talent, this romantic comedy also features possible up-and-comers, Alexis Bledel ( The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), Scott Porter and Bryan Greenberg. The story follows a fast-track career on the rise and budding romance which all get thrown off track unexpectedly, when charm and money are put to the test.

http://www.shutterisland.com
http://www.theghostwriter-movie.com/
http://www.happytears.net/
http://www.thegoodguyfilm.com/

RC