What's New in Theaters This Weekend: August 31, 2012

From left: Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Orlando Bloom, Jessica Biel. (Photos by: Bauer Griffin | Getty Images | Pacific Coast News)LawlessDirected by John HillcoatStarring: Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Jason Clarke

During prohibition, the Bondurant brothers have their bootlegging operation threatened by a new deputy and other authorities. Directed by Australian John Hillcoat (The Proposition), Lawless is inspired by true events and should court the high brow action crowd this weekend. With the exception of LaBeouf, the cast is stellar and Hardy looks especially intense. Expect long, heavy gunfights, and Guy Pearce to steal scenes as the slimy deputy Charlie Rakes.See it? Yes.

The PossessionDirected by Ole BornedalStarring: Natasha Calis, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick

An antique box houses an evil spirit, unleashed by a young girl who purchases it. Her parents try to end the curse. Seems like the same old exorcism-type story, but who knows? Horror is hard to predict, but this one has all the signs of a swing and a miss.See it? No.

For a Good Time, Call.! ..Directed by Jamie TravisStarring: Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, Justin Long

In order to pay for their cool apartment, two former enemies team up as roommates and start a phone sex line together. Miller co-wrote the script and it's filthy dirty, sometimes funny stuff the younger dating crowd should find appealing. The film is further proof of the huge influence of Bridesmaids, which blasted open the door for raunchy female sex comedies .See it? Sure.

Little Birds (Limited)Directed by Elgin JamesStarring: Juno Temple, Kay Panabaker, Leslie Mann, Kate Bosworth

Two young women face a life-changing event when they follow two boys to Los Angeles. Director James has received some attention for his life story gang member turned filmmaker, but the real story is the continued success of Juno Temple who's having a huge year appearing in five films, including a brave role as a virgin sexpot in Killer Joe, another turn in the porn industry flick Lovelace, and this film, Little Birds, which is more of a lead performance. The 23-year-old actress is helped by her girlish good looks which continue to land her roles as teenagers.See it? Yes.

The Tall Man (Limited)Directed by Pascal LaugierStarring: Jessica Biel, Jodelle Ferland, William B. Davis

A mother loses her child and she starts investigating "The Tall Man," an unknown criminal who supposedly abducts children. Biel seems an odd choice for this role and this film, but she seems to relish taking weird roles. This is a glorified TV movie-type project.See it? No.

The Good Doctor (Limited)Directed by Lance DalyStarring: Orlando Bloom, Riley Keough, Taraji P. Henson, Rob Morrow

Another actor who loves to select strange roles for himself, Bloom stars here as a creepy MD who goes to insane lengths to continue treating a patient he becomes obsessed with. Reviews have been decidedly mixed so far for this one so fans of Bloom will probably still want to see it, but the rest of us can take or leave it.See it? Nope.

Breathing (Limited)Directed by: Karl MarkovicsStarring: Thomas Schubert, Karin Lischka

The directorial debut for actor Markovics (The Counterfeiters), Breathing presents an interesting, edgy plot: An incarcerated man comes to terms with his crime through his job working at a morgue. Reviews have been positive for this one due to the heavy subject matter and Markovics is a talent worth watching.See it? Yes.

(Warning: trailer contains nudity)

See more photos of Jessica Biel here:

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