Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Now You See Me'

(KCBS) - KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews "Now You See Me," a flick with a great cast, made complete by a scene-stealing Woody Harrelson as a seedy mentalist.

NOW YOU SEE ME (PG-13)

From Houdini to Prestige, movies about magic can be compelling. This starts out with promise as we watch four elite illusionists perform. Woody Harrelson, as usual, steals the show, this time playing a seedy mentalist.

But, instead of staying with these cool magicians, the movie dissolves into a chase by the FBI. We go from smart and fun to overly complicated, little character development and a total shifting point of view. Fine for the first half hour, then nothing up its sleeve. One hat.

VENUS AND SERENA (PG-13)

Two sisters from Compton, California. From an early age, they faced opposition with courage, dominating women's tennis for over a decade. This well-made documentary tells their inspiring and very complicated story.

There are moments we see each woman soar with pride, then break with bitterness. Directed with depth by Maiken Baird and Michelle Major, with insightful commentary by Billie Jean King, John McEnroe and others. 3 hats.

See Right Now recommendations: Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Sapphires, The Great Gatsby, Kon-Tiki, 42.

DVD recommendations: The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg (reissued with extras).

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