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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The week’s movie openings: Old hikers and daffy women

Dan Webster

Another week and another series of big-screen movie offerings. And, hey, just in time to act as a nice break from Pig Out. The week's mainstream movies are as follows:

Wednesday

"A Walk in the Woods": Robert Redford and Nick Nolte star in what looks to be a farcical adaptation of Bill Bryson's best-selling 1998 memoir of his walking the Appalachian Trail. They must be looking for the elder hostels.

Friday

"The Transporter Refueled" (IMAX and standard): Ed Skrein steps in for Jason Statham in this continuation of the series about a former British special-operations officer who now freelances as a driver boasting specific talents. Big question: Does he still drive an Audi?

"Mistress America": Writer-director Noah Baumbach casts Greta Gerwig in another role that requires her to play a daffy-yet-lovable "Frances Ha"-type character. Read: typecasting.

"Dope": Geeky Malcolm tries to transform his inner-city L.A. high school experience into something that will earn him admittance to an Ivy League university. Think urban "Risky Business."

And at the Magic Lantern:

"Phoenix": A Jewish woman survived World War II but emerges disfigured. After facial reconstruction, she searches for her former boyfriend who may, or may not, have betrayed her to the Germans. Well, love does mean never having to say you're sorry. Right?

And you know the drill. Go see a movie. Enjoy yourself.