This Week's New Movies: “Resident Evil” vs. “The Romantics” and Joaquin Phoenix

Looking at today's slate of releases, we're tempted to declare this the worst week of the year for new movies. There's only one "big" film out today and the studio has so much contempt for the competition that they're not even bothering with press screenings -- at least they told us there weren't any.

"Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D"
It's the fourth installment in the Mila Jovivich zombie-apocalypse saga based on the beloved video game. Yes, there are folks making snide remarks about the lack of press screenings, but if you're Screen Gems, why bother? There's zero competition this week and the fans of the previous three films are all but guaranteed to show up. What would be the point of inviting a bunch of critics to hate on the film? In theaters everywhere, the trailer looks awesome

"The Romantics"
Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel and Anna Paquin star in this ensemble drama about yet another group of privileged young white folks who come together for a wedding only to discover there are some unresolved tensions of varying flavors between a number of them. In limited release, read our full review and watch the trailer

"I'm Still Here"
Joaquin Phoenix's tiresome two-year-long performance art piece -- wherein he pretended to quit acting and pursue a career as a rapper -- comes to its climax with the release of the documentary (directed by his brother-in-law Casey Affleck) chronicling the failed transition. As completely over Phoenix as we are, the film has been well received. In limited release, watch the trailer

"Bran Nue Dae"
From the niche genre hall of fame, a coming-of-age Australian Aboriginal musical set in the late '60s, starring Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush. In limited release, watch the trailer

"De Mai Tinh (Fool for Love)"
Dustin Nguyen, best known to American audiences as Officer Harry Truman Ioki from the Johnny Depp launching pad "21 Jump Street," stars in this Vietnamese romcom as a working-class guy competing with a much wealthier man for the love of a beautiful woman. In limited release, watch the trailer

"Heartbreaker"e
Romain Duris stars opposite pop star and Johnny Depp paramour Vanessa Paradis in this French romcom about a man who makes his living breaking up relationships by wooing the women. It may startle you to learn that he falls for one of his targets. In limited release, watch the trailer

"Le Refuge (Hideaway)"
Isabelle Carre stars in this French drama as a woman whose boyfriend dies of a drug overdoes, after which she learns that she's pregnant. When his mother tells her to abort the pregnancy, she goes into hiding, where her dead boyfriend's brother tracks her down. In limited release, watch the trailer

"Legendary"

A scrawny 16-year-old hunts down his brother, a former world-class wrestler played by WWE star John Cena, to teach him the sport. How Patricia Clarkson ended up in the film is anyone's guess. In limited release, watch the trailer

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