CULCHA

Trailer Hitch: Lives in public

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Getting in touch with yourself: It’s basic to two high-profile films this weekend, both of which cast bankable but underseen stars in unconventional stories of lives in public and the private demons that haunt them. Black Swan, the new psychological thriller by the refreshingly unconventional Darren Aronofsky, stars Natalie Portman as a driven but tormented New York City ballerina in an intense rivalry with a fellow dancer, played by Mila Kunis. The personal competition between the dancers plays out on stage and (chillingly) off stage as well. Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder also star. IMDb: 8.9/10.


 

The King’s Speech, directed by Tom Hooper, stars Colin Firth as the man who would become King George VI, who reluctantly assumes the British throne in the wake of the abdication of his brother, Edward, in 1936. George, a lifelong stutterer, faces challenges in his need to communicate with his countrymen at a time when World War II is on the horizon. The man who will be king is assisted by a speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) who brings an unconventional style to helping the King of England through his own darkest hour. Helena Bonham Carter (Alice in Wonderland) also stars in a film believed to be a strong Oscar contender. Rotten Tomatoes would seem to agree (93%), calling it “a predictable but stylishly produced and rousing period drama.”

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