Passion, mystery and thrills

People who don’t like liberals, Obama or the media will be talking about: “A Slobbering Love Affair: The True (and Pathetic) Story of the Torrid Romance Between Barack Obama and the Mainstream Media.”

Apparently the media are liberal and love Obama. And apparently this is why he won the presidential election and became the nation’s first African American president, says conservative talking head Bernard Goldberg in his new book. (Monday)

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Whodunit fans will be talking about: “The Associate.”

Phew! Another John Grisham novel. Mystery’s favorite son is back with the tale of Kyle McAvoy, a bright law student with many a skeleton in his closet. Will he join the dark, seedy world of big-time litigation when those skeletons start rattling or develop a conscience before it’s too late? (Tuesday)

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Gearing up to talk about: “Taken.”

The beginning of 2009 is all about thrillers, and Liam Neeson’s latest joy ride is no exception. A former spy only has four days to find his kidnapped daughter in Paris before losing her forever to Albanian bad guys. Neeson is graced with good ol’ American CIA training, but can he save his offspring in time? (Friday)

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Anglophiles will be talking about: “Of Time and the City.”

British filmmaker Terence Davies loves his hometown and wants to tell you all about it. Liverpool was once the rust belt of England but has in recent years become a destination for artists, musicians and other fashionable people. But there’s more to this seaside jewel than the Beatles and fierce soccer matches. (Friday)

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You should be talking about: “The Class.”

High school can be a painful experience, especially when classroom violence, racial tension and socioeconomic prejudice top the day’s lessons. In Laurent Cantet’s film, watch a fairly nice and ordinary teacher suffer through adolescent hell in a Parisian school filled with enough issues to keep social workers very, very busy. (Friday)

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People who love watching beautiful people are talking about: “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”

Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) loves the ladies. And who wouldn’t when they come in the forms of Vicky (Rebecca Hall), Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and his crazy ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz)? Woody Allen’s sexy, romantic comedy comes out on DVD and Blu-ray. (Tuesday)

-- Alicia Lozano