Shadows & Lies

James Franco of Pineapple Express and 127 Hours toplines this tense, visceral crime thriller. He stars as William Vincent, a laconic criminal with an enigmatic past, who falls hard for a New York gangster's prostitute lover (Julianne Nicholson). When the thug finds out, he forces William to leave the city and threatens him with death should he ever dare to return. Initially, William agrees, but after four years in exile spent pining for the young woman, he secretly returns to Manhattan, planning to rescue her from the ugly life that ensconces her.