By Diana Srougi

MONTREAL (RushPRNews) 01/29/09–This week’s new releases seem to be based on encounters of different sorts, creating relationships of love and discovery, of friendship and support, and even of hatred.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Free Love

There’s no need to be a faithful disciple of Woody Allen to appreciate his latest film about unconventional passion. As he often does, Allen explores in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” the thin line between moral principles and freethinking. On their summer trip to Barcelona, two girlfriends (Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall) rediscover romance when they meet a sensual and exciting artist (Javier Bardem). His eccentric and emotionally unstable ex-lover is played by Penelope Cruz, who won several prestigious awards for Best Supporting Actress, and the Oscars have yet to take place. This film has participated in too many festivals to be mentioned, the most impressive being Cannes in 2008. Among other wins, it was also nominated for several awards and took the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture.

DVD release date USA: January 27th 2009
Distributor:  The Weinstein Company
Rating: 7.6/10

The Lucky Ones: A Fortunate Encounter

After the success of his Oscar nominated film “The Illusionist” (2006), Neil Burger’s third and latest film is “The Lucky Ones”, a light post-war road-movie with a cynical yet heartfelt message about a changed country. Rachel McAdams, and Michael Peña and Academy Award winner Tim Robbins play three soldiers, estranged to each other, who return to the USA on leave from the war in Iraq. They travel together across the country in order to get back to their loved ones and fulfill their respective duties. “The Lucky Ones” premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.

DVD release date USA: January 27th 2009
Distributor: Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment and Roadside Attractions
Rating: 7.5/10

Lakeview Terrace: Racism in the Suburbs

This week’s newly released crime thriller is “Lakeview Terrace”, directed by Neil Labute, winner of the Filmmaker’s Trophy and nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 1997 Sundance Festival for his film “In the Company of Men”. Labute was even nominated for the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 for “Nurse Betty”. His latest film might not be quite as successful as the aforementioned, however it did screen at the 34th Deauville Film Festival in France. Golden Globe and Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson plays alongside Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington in this psychological thriller about an interracial couple who become the target of harassment of their disapproving new neighbor.

DVD release date USA: January 27th 2009
Distributor:  Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rating: 6.4/10