He’s been a solid supporting actor in dozens of movies, including recently: the gym manager in “Burn After Reading” (2008), the father in “Step Brothers” (2008), an alcoholic businessman in “Fun with Dick and Jane” (2005), and a priest in “One Night at McCool’s” (2001)… now in “The Visitor”, Richard Jenkins gets the oscar attention for his great turn in the leading role as a college professor who finds his way in life through some unusual circumstances.
  

Jenkins is Walter, a college professor wandering aimlessly through his job with no motivation or focus… until a clash of cultures when two illegal immigrants from Syria and Senegal are thrust into his life – and through his kindness and new found motivation – his life changes and despite some bittersweet moments, becomes richer in the end.

Jenkins’ oscar nomination for Best Actor is deserved, although with the rest of the talented actors, an unlikely win… but he is very good in this movie as he ranges from the dull and boring to the pissed off and charming.

The supporting cast is good too, including Haaz Sleiman, who is very good as the immigrant who Jenkins later decides to well beyond expectations to help… but ends up teaching Jenkins an important life lesson.

While this story is small and focused on a small group of people and their problems… its very good and very well shot, edited, and written… it never tries to be bigger than itself although it delivers some positive messages about different cultures.  

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

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Wow… its Thursday.. this week is flying… so I’ll have to make this quick…

In Theaters (Friday): “Body of Lies”, “City of Ember”, “Quarantine”, “The Duchess” (wider release)

MY TAKE: Look for “Body of Lies” to take over the #1 spot at the box office and “City of Ember” to grab the family $$$… “The Duchess” will now been seen by more audiences as it opens in more theaters nationwide… and “Quarantine” might not do well, it probably would have played better closer to Halloween.

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On DVD (Tuesday): “The Happening”, “Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead”, “Paranoid Park”, “Sleeping Beauty” (Platinum Edition DVD/Blue Ray Platinum), “The Visitor”, “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan”

MY TAKE: I know I’m one of a few people who liked “The Happening” but if you stayed away from it because of the reviews or the bad box office… now’s your chance to agree with me (I think its M. Night Shyamalan’s 4th best movie)… or tell me I’m wrong.

“The Visitor” got good reviews for its acting…. and although its now a rental, I’m still waiting a bit to see Adam Sandler’s “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan”… or you could go with an underated Disney Classic “Sleeping Beauty” out in new re-released formats.

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Next Week at Theaters: “W.”, “Sex Drive”, ”Max Payne”, “The Secret Life of Bees”

Next Week on DVD: “4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “Mongol”, ”War, Inc.”