Three new movies bring action and romance to theaters

It's an action packed week for new movies at the box office, but there's also room for a little bit of romance.

This week's new movies also pack some series star power, with films starring George Clooney, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba and Robert De Niro.

Here's a look at what's new in theaters.

The American

Opening Wednesday, The American stars George Clooney as an assassin who hides out in the Italian countryside while working on a mysterious assignment. While there he spends time with a priest and gets involved with a beautiful woman named Clara.

Italian actors Paolo Bonacelli and Violante Placido play the priest, Father Benedetto, and Clara. Based on Martin Booth's novel A Very Private Gentleman, The American is directed by acclaimed music video director Anton Corbijn, who has worked with Metallica and U2, among others.

The American is rated R and runs 1 hour 45 minutes.

Machete

The latest movie from Robert Rodriguez, Machete is based on a "fake" trailer from Grindhouse, Rodriguez's 2007 collabaration with Quentin Tarantino. It stars character actor Danny Trejo as the title character, a former Mexican Federale who takes on a contract to assassinate a corrupt Senator. Robert De Niro plays the corrupt senator.

Machete also features appearances by Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson, Lindsay Lohan, and Rose McGowan as Cherry Darling, the character she played in both halves of Grindhouse. Also keep an eye out for Cheech Marin who has appeared in almost all of Robert Rodriguez's movies.

Machete is rated R and runs 1 hour 45 minutes.

Going the Distance

Starring real life couple Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, Going the Distance is about a man and woman who have a summer fling in New York City and decide to try and keep it alive when the realize they've fallen for each other. Long is Garrett while Barrymore is Erin, the girl who is heading home to San Francisco in 6 weeks.

Going the Distance also features Christina Applegate, Jason Sudeikis, and Ron Livingston. It was directed by Nanette Burstein, who also did 2002's The Kid Stays in the Picture.

Going the Distance is rated R and runs 1 hour 37 minutes.