Admit One 8/17

The Expendables 2

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Chuck Norris, Liam Hemsworth, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jean Claude Van Damme

Directed by: Simon West

Plot: The Expendables are out for revenge when one of their own is murdered by a vicious terrorist, who plans on unleashing nuclear weapons.

Rotten Tomatoes Freshness: 66%

Critic Consensus: “Taut, violent, and suitably self-deprecating, The Expendables 2 gives classic action fans everything they can reasonably expect from a star-studded shoot-’em-up — for better and for worse”

ParaNorman

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Casey Affleck, Tucker Albrizzi, Jeff Garlin, John Goodman, Anna Kendrick

Directed by: Chris Butler, Sam Fell

Plot: Norman, who can talk to ghosts, is the only person who can save his town when a witch’s curse causes the dead to rise.

RT Freshness: 84%

Critic Consensus: “Beautifully animated and solidly scripted, ParaNorman will entertain (and frighten) older children while providing surprisingly thoughtful fare for their parents”

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Garner, Dianne Wiest, CJ Adams, Rosemarie Dewitt, Ron Livingston

Directed by: Peter Hedges

Plot: A couple who are unable to have a child seemingly get their wish when a strange young boy winds up on their doorstep.

RT Freshness: 39%

Critic Consensus: “It means well, but The Odd Life of Timothy Green is ultimately too cloyingly sentimental — and thinly scripted — to satisfy all but the least demanding viewers”

Sparkle

Starring: Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo

Directed by: Salim Akil

Plot: A young singer must deal with family and business drama

RT Freshness: 55%

Critic Consensus: “While undeniably melodramatic and old-fashioned, Sparkle transcends its formulaic trappings thanks to Salim Akil’s empathetic direction and strong performances from a committed cast”