Opening This Week: August 3rd, 2007

Monday, July 30, 2007 | 12:00 AM

By Christopher Bonet

IFC News

[Photo: Anne Hathaway in "Becoming Jane," Miramax Films, 2007]

A round-up of the best (or worst) $10 you'll spend this week.

"Becoming Jane"

Anne Hathaway gets all period piece on us and tries out her best British accent in this biographical tale of a pre-fame Jane Austen's romance with a young Irishman, played by the ubiquitous James McAvoy (seriously, what hasn't he been in recently?). "Kinky Boots" director Julian Jarrold helms the film; fellow Brits Julie Walters and Maggie Smith step in for supporting roles.

Opens in limited release (official site).

"The Bourne Ultimatum"

Three films in, our favorite amnesiac spy finally discovers the origins of his identity (and then some!) in the third (and final?) installment of the Jason Bourne trilogy. While "Ultimatum" is the final Bourne novel written by the late Robert Ludlum, a fourth and fifth entry were written by Eric Van Lustbader, continuing the Bourne storyline. We'll see if "Ultimatum" remains Jason Bourne's last film or whether he's due for a return. "Supremacy"'s Paul Greengrass is back to direct.

Opens wide (official site).

"Bratz"

After recently watching the trailer for this new teen film based on... dolls, we can only presume one thing: "Mean Girls" did it better. Much, much better. While we may not be in this film's key demographic, we don't think we can forgive the director (frequent Disney Channeler Sean McNamara) for including the word "Brattitude."

Opens wide (official site).

"Cash"

Indian director Anubhav Sinha directs this Bollywood thriller about an ace con artist who hires a set of top notch robbers to steal some priceless diamonds in South Africa.

Opens in limited release (official site).

"El Cantante"

J.Lo hubby Marc Anthony portrays the enigmatic performer Hector Lavoe, the man who's credited with introducing salsa music to the U.S. in the 1970s, in this biopic told mostly from the perspective of his wife Puchi (played by Lopez). Early reviews claim that the film suffers from music biopic clichés and poor directional decisions, but, seriously, what did everyone expect?

Opens wide (official site).

"Hot Rod"

Internet sensation and SNLer Andy Samberg stars as a self-proclaimed stuntman who plans to jump 50 school buses on a moped in order to win over his emotionally distant stepfather. While we have nothing against Samberg (we adored "Lazy Sunday"), "Hot Rod" does look like one of the weaker comedies of the summer. But, hey, we're always ready to watch menacing character actor Ian McShane play for yuks.

Opens wide (official site).

"If I Didn't Care"

Benjamin and Orson Cummings' Hitchcockian thriller is set in the resort community of the Hamptons as a trophy husband's attempts to produce an heir lead to infidelity, murder and tragic consequences. The film channels the noir style of the '40s and '50s and stars Bill Sage and Roy Scheider.

Opens in New York (official site).

"The Ten"

A morally flawed narrator oversees ten stories based on the Ten Commandments in this comedy from former "The State" member David Wain. Critics may complain that the film's uneven narrative structure hurts the overall feel of the film, but that's not going to stop diehard "The State" fans from seeing this. Plus, Winona Ryder has sex with a ventriloquist's dummy. Who doesn't want to see that?

Opens in New York and Los Angeles (official site).