The Way Back

The King's Speech

In the 2011 Oscar winner, Colin Firth gives a tour de force performance as Prince Albert, Duke of York / King George VI. Throughout the film, he overcomes both his personal fears of being king and a debilitating stutter that prevents him from speaking in public. He finds his confidence in a friendship with Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), a tutor that uses unorthodox methods to change Albert's temperament and impediment. Helena Bonham Carter also turns in an excellent performance as Albert's wife, Queen Elizabeth. DVD extras include a commentary with director Tom Hooper, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a Q&A with the cast and crew.

95%

Rabbit Hole

Aaron Eckhart and Nicole Kidman play a couple grappling with the grief of losing their 4-year-old son eight months after his death. As they mourn their loss in different ways, the film focuses on how the tragedy affects their every day lives and interactions with friends and family. The film received rave reviews and an Oscar nomination for Kidman. DVD extras include deleted scenes.

87%

One more release when you read more

When I think of Siberia, two words come to mind: cold and remote. The trailer for The Way Back, which is set in Siberia in 1940, certainly plays up both of those conditions. The film, which is based on the memoir by Sławomir Rawicz, follows three soldiers (Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, and Colin Farrell) as they escape from a Soviet labor camp. The break out is just the beginning of a long trek that includes climbing the Himalayas as they seek a passage through India to safe territory.

This preview has "epic" written all over it: epic journey, epic music, epic true story. But will the inspiration be overshadowed by bleak overtones? The trailer looks heart-pumping and gut-wrenching, which is enough to get me to the theater. (My big crush on Jim Sturgess may or may not play a small part as well). See it for yourself after the jump.