'Jack the Giant Slayer,' '21 and Over' feature local stars and open this weekend

Thursday February 28, 2013 2:00 PM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Photo credit: Getty Images | Stanley Tucci arrives at the premiere of Screen Gems' "Burlesque" at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. (Nov. 15, 2010)

Are you tired of Oscar-nominated prestige pics and ready to kick back and relax with a popcorn movie? Then head to the multiplex this weekend to check out two movies that feature Hudson Valley actors in key roles.

“Jack the Giant Slayer," a fantasy-adventure retelling of “Jack and the Beanstalk," stars Nicholas Hoult (the ex-boyfriend of Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence) as the titular character who tries to save a princess after she's kidnapped by giants. Stanley Tucci, a Peekskill native who owns a home in northern Westchester, plays the unscrupulous king’s adviser who wants to align with the giants to take over the throne. The movie co-stars Ewan McGregor and Bill Nighy. Check out the trailer below:

Also out in theaters Friday is “21 and Over,” a raunchy comedy starring Skylar Astin, the Rockland native best known for his roles in “Spring Awakening” and the 2012 hit “Pitch Perfect.” Astin plays Casey, one of two best friends who take their straitlaced buddy out for a wild 21st birthday celebration, which happens to take place the night before an important medical school interview. Expect a lot of hijinks and debauchery -- sort of like a younger version of “The Hangover.” Here’s the trailer:

Which films are you planning to go see this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

Tags: Peekskill , Rockland , Jack the Giant Slayer , Stanley Tucci , 21 and Over , Skylar Astin , movies