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Volume
IV No. 4
A
publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners
Advertise
in In Focus
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Crust
British comedy about a pub owner and retired boxer who finds a
mutant 7-foot-tall mantis shrimp, then trains the mammoth crustacean
to box humans. Mark Locke makes his feature directorial debut from
his own screenplay. With Kevin McNally ("Pirates of the Caribbean:
The Curse of the Black Pearl"), Bob Mason ("The Emperor’s
New Clothes”), Madhav Sharma (“East is East”),
Perry Fitzpatrick and Louise Mardenborough. Flat. 90 min. April
9. Small Planet.

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The
Mudge Boy
Drama, set in rural Vermont, about an awkward,
chicken-toting teen who, following the death
of his mother, develops a more-than-friendly
relationship with a handsome neighbor lad.
Michael Burke makes his feature directorial
debut from his own screenplay. With Emile
Hirsch (“The Emperor’s Club,” “The
Girl Next Door”), Tom Guiry (“Mystic
River”), Richard Jenkins (“Cheaper
by the Dozen”), Pablo Schreiber (“Bubble
Boy”), Zachary Knighton (“The
Prince & Me”) and Ryan Donowho.
Flat. 94 min. R: Strong sexual content including
graphic dialogue; a rape; language. April
23 in New York. Strand.

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Saved
Dark
coming-of-age comedy, set at a Southern Baptist
high school, about a student who finds herself
ostracized after becoming pregnant. Brian Dannelly
makes his feature directorial debut from a
screenplay by Dannelly and Michael Urban. With
Jena Malone (“Cold Mountain”),
Mandy Moore (“Chasing Liberty”),
Macaulay Culkin (“Party Monster”),
Mary-Louise Parker (“Pipe Dream”),
Martin Donovan (“Agent Cody Banks,” “The
United States of Leland”), Patrick Fugit
(“Spun”) and Chris Evans (“The
Perfect Score”). PG-13: Strong thematic
issues involving teens; sexual content; pregnancy;
smoking; language. April 23 limited. MGM.

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Twentynine
Palms
French-
and English-language drama about two young
lovers who meet misfortune after they travel
to the rural Southern California desert town
of Twentynine Palms for a magazine shoot.
Written and directed by Bruno Dumont (“Humanité”).
With Katia Golubeva (“Pola X”),
Jeremy Davies (“Solaris,” “Dogville”)
and David Wissak. 130 min. April 9 in New
York and Los Angeles.
Wellspring.

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A
Thousand Clouds of Peace
Spanish-language
drama, set in Mexico City, about a dejected
17-year-old homosexual who, after breaking
up with his beloved boyfriend, embarks upon
a series of empty sexual encounters with strangers.
Julian Hernandez makes his directorial debut
from his own screenplay. With Salvador Alvarez,
Gloria Andrade, Llane Fragoso, Martha Gomez,
Rosa Maria Gomez and Manuel Grapain Zaquelarez.
Also known as “Mil Nubes de paz Cercan
el Cielo, Amor, Jamás Acabarás
de ser Amor.” Flat. 82 min. April 9 in
New York. Strand. |
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I’ll
Sing For You
French-language documentary about African guitar legend Boubacar
Traore, fondly known to many (by the name “KarKar”)
for his romantic Elvis-influenced music. Directed by Jacques Sarasin.
Also known as “Je Chanterai Pour Toi.” Flat. 76 min.
April 9 in New York. First Run.
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The
Prince
& Me
Romantic comedy
about a college freshman who falls for one
of her classmates – a disguised British
prince who decided to escape his royal obligations
for a year by hiding out in America. Directed
by Martha Coolidge (“Three Wishes,” “Out
to Sea”) from a screenplay by Katherine
Fugate, Jack Amiel and Michael Begler. With
Julia Stiles (“Against the Ropes”),
Luke Mably (“28 Days Later”), Alberta
Watson (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”),
Miranda Richardson (“The Hours,” “Spider”),
James Fox (“The Mystic Masseur”)
and Zachary Knighton (“The Mudge Boy”).
Also known as “The Prince and the Freshman.” Flat.
152 min. PG: Some sex-related material; language.
April 2. Paramount.

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This
So-Called Disaster
Documentary about
dramatist Sam Shepard and his 16-year struggle
to produce his autobiographical 2000 play, “The
Late Henry Moss.” Directed by Michael
Almereyda (“Hamlet”). Featuring
interviews with Shepard as well as “Henry
Moss” stars Sean Penn, Nick Nolte and
Woody Harrelson. 87 min. April 21. IFC.
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The
Twilight Samurai
Japanese-language
drama, set in a northern province of Japan
during the 19th century, about a low-ranking
samurai whose mundane life consists of domestic
chores and servitude until he is called upon
to kill a rebellious superior clan member.
Based on the three short novels “Twilight
Seibei,” “Sukehachi, the Begger” and “Record
of a Bamboo Sword” by Shuhei Fujisawa.
Directed by Yoji Yamada from a screenplay by
Yamada and Yoshitaka Asama. With Hiroyuki Sanada,
Rie Miyazawa, Nenji Kobayashi, Min Tanaka,
Ren Osugi (“Brother”) and Mitsuro
Fukikoshi. Also known as “Tasogare Seibei.” Scope.
127 min. April 9 in New York and Los Angeles.
Empire.
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Young
Adam
Drama,
set in 1950s Scotland, about a working-class
lad who becomes involved with the saddened
wife of his barge-owner employer. Based on
the novel by Alexander Trocchi. Written and
directed by David Mackenzie. With Ewan McGregor
(“Big Fish”), Tilda Swinton (“The
Statement”), Peter Mullan (“The
Magdalene Sisters”), Emily Mortimer (“Formula
51”), Jack McElhone and Therese Bradley.
Scope. 99 min. April 16. Sony Pictures Classics.

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