Opening This Week: January 18th, 2008

Monday, January 7, 2008 | 12:00 AM

By Christopher Bonet

IFC News

[Photo: "The Business of Being Born," Red Envelope Entertainment, 2008]

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

"The Business of Being Born"

Ricki Lake narrates this Abby Epstein-directed documentary about the birthing process and current medical techniques as the film follows a group of soon-to-be parents exploring their options both within the medical community and outside of it.

Opens in New York (official site).

"First Sunday"

While we miss the old Ice Cube of the N.W.A. and "Friday" days, it's about time for us to accept he's on the path of Steve Martin — a formerly brilliant Renaissance man now stuck doing Stone Age-level family-friendly fare for a big paycheck. But at least "First Sunday," the debut theatrical feature from underground playwright David E. Talbert, has a surprising lead role for our favorite "30 Rock"-er Tracy Morgan as both he and Cube star as petty criminals who attempt to rip off a local church, only to learn the error of their ways from the parishioners they're holding hostage. It may be Tyler Perry-lite, but at least no one's in drag. That we know of.

Opens wide (official site).

"In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale"

2008 might be the Year of the Boll, as Uwe Boll, the universally panned director, is set to offer at least a double dose of what past efforts indicate are likely to be awful movies. First up is "In the Name of the King," Boll's highest budgeted film to date (an astounding $60 million) and, as usual for Boll, an adaptation of a semi-popular video game. Reading the plot summary makes us scratch our heads, so, in short, Jason Statham stars as a man named Farmer who attempts to rescue his wife from and avenge the death of his son on the Krugs, a race of animal warriors controlled by an evil Ray Liotta. Look forward to "Seed," another Boll effort, later this month.

Opens wide (official site).

"The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie"

The popular 2002 animated film "Jonah" gets a sequel as favorite VeggieTales characters Larry the Cucumber, Mr. Lunt and Pa Grape are whisked away from their jobs at the Pirate Times Dinner Theater and dropped in with real 17th century pirates. We may be outside the film's faith-based kiddie demographic, but we're still expecting this spoof film to be smarter than "Epic Movie." We're just sayin'.

Opens wide (official site).

"Running With Arnold"

Journalist Dan Cox's documentary, which premiered at SXSW last year, examines Arnold Schwarzenegger's life and gubernatorial campaign.

Opens in Los Angeles and San Francisco (official site).

"Woman on the Beach"

Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo releases another semi-autobiographical drama about an out of work filmmaker who convinces his friend to join him on a weekend beach getaway, only to be stricken with envy when that friend's girlfriend joins them for the trip. Equal parts Francois Truffaut and Woody Allen, Hong's latest is a gem worth catching if you have the opportunity.

Opens in New York (official site).