Volume V No. 4

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Unleashed
Action-thriller about a developmentally disabled, gladiator-style fighter, and what happens after his “owner” - who treated the boy like a dog from childhood - falls into a coma. The “Transporter” team of director Louis Leterrier and screenwriters Luc Besson (“Wasabi”) and Robert Mark Kamen (“Kiss of the Dragon”) reunite. With Jet Li (“Cradle 2 the Grave”), Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), Bob Hoskins (“Son of the Mask”), Kerry Condon (“Ned Kelly”), Christian Gazio (“Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre”), Scott Adkins (“The Medallion”) and Vincent Regan (“Troy”). Also known as “Danny the Dog.” Scope. 103 min. R: Strong violent content; language; some sexuality/nudity. May 13. Focus.

 

 

The Writer of O
French- and English-language documentary exploring the creation of Dominique Aury’s bestselling erotic French novel “Story of O," whose risqué content precipitated an infamous literary scandal. Pola Rapaport writes and directs. Flat. 80 min. May 4 in New York. Zeitgeist.

 

 

Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room
Behind-the-scenes documentary focusing on the technical details underlying the infamous Enron scandal. Based on the book by Peter Elkind. Directed by Alex Gibney. Written by Gibney and Elkind. April 22 limited; wider April 29. Magnolia.

 

 

Kung Fu Hustle
Cantonese-dialect action-comedy, set in 1940s Canton, China, about slum residents who exhibit supernatural martial arts acumen when they’re challenged by members of the city’s all-powerful “Axe Gang.” Directed by Stephen Chow (“Shaolin Soccer”) from a screenplay by Chow, Tsang Kan Cheong (“Shaolin Soccer”), Huo Xin (“Quitting”) and Chan Man Keung. With Chow (“Shaolin Soccer”), Yuen Wah (“Supercop”) and Feng Xiaogang (“Happy Funeral”). Also known as “Gong Fu.” Scope. 99 min. R: Sequences of strong stylized action and violence. April 8 in New York and Los Angeles. Sony Pictures Classics.

 

 

Nina’s Tragedies
Hebrew-language comedy-drama, set in Israel, about a young man who falls for his own aunt. Written and directed by Savi Gavison. With Yoram Hattab (“Kippur”), Ayelet Zorer, Alon Abutbul and Aviv Elkabeth. Also known as “Ha-Asonot Shel Nina.” 111 min. April 1 in New York. Wellspring.

 

 

 

Smile
Drama about an American teenager who, as part of a volunteer organization, embarks on an adventure to China, where she forms a life-changing friendship with a severely deformed young girl. Jeffrey Kramer makes his feature directorial debut from his own screenplay. With Mika Boorem (“Sleepover”), Ding Yi (“Pavilion of Women”), Sean Astin (the “Lord of the Rings” series), Beau Bridges (“Sordid Lives”), Linda Hamilton (“Dante’s Peak”), Cheri Oteri (“Dumb and Dumberer”) and Erik von Detten (“The Princess Diaries”). PG-13: Some mature content involving teen sexuality. April 15.
IFG.

 

 

Winter Solstice
Drama about a suburban widower coming to grips with his younger son’s self-destructive behavior and his older son’s decision to leave home. Josh Sternfeld makes his feature directorial debut from his own screenplay. With Anthony LaPaglia (“Analyze That”), Aaron Stanford (“Spartan”), Mark Webber (“People I Know”), Allison Janney (“How to Deal”), Ron Livingston (“Little Black Book”), Michelle Monaghan (“Constantine”), Brendon Sexton III (“Black Hawk Down”), Jason Fuchs (“The Hebrew Hammer”) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“Mona Lisa Smile”). 93 min. R: Language. April 8 limited. Paramount Classics.

 

 

15
Mandarin- and Hokkien-language drama about five 15-year-old boys who deal with their adolescent angst by interacting socially only with each other, denouncing school and family, and seeking out painful and often harmful experiences. Written and directed by Royston Tan. With Melvin Chen, Erick Chun, Melvin Lee, Vynn Soh and Shaun Tan. Flat. 92 min. April 13 in New York. Picture This.

 

 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Science fiction comedy about Arthur Dent, a human who finds himself a homeless stowaway on an alien spacecraft after extraterrestrials – making way for a new space-freeway – destroy the Earth. Based on the novels by Douglas Adams (“Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”). Veteran music video director Garth Jennings helms from a screenplay by Adams, Jennings and Karey Kirkpatrick (“Chicken Run,” “The Little Vampire”). With Martin Freeman (“Shaun of the Dead”) as Arthur Dent, Mos Def (“The Woodsman”) as Ford Prefect, Zooey Deschanel (“Eulogy”) as Tricia “Trillian” McMillan, Warwick Davis (“Ray”) as Marvin the Android, Sam Rockwell (“Matchstick Men”) as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Anna Chancellor (“Agent Cody Banks 2”) as Questular Rontok, Bill Nighy (“Enduring Love”) as Slartiblartfast, Steve Pemberton (“Birthday Girl”) as Prosser and John Malkovich (“Johnny English”) as Humma Kavula. Scope. 110 min. PG: Thematic elements; action; mild language. April 29. Buena Vista.

 

 

Pure
Drama, set in London, about a son’s efforts to halt his recently widowed mother’s descent into drug addiction. Gillies MacKinnon (“Behind the Lines,” “Hideous Kinky”) directs from a screenplay by Alison Hume. With Harry Eden (“Peter Pan”), Keira Knightley (“The Jacket”), Molly Parker (“Max”), Vinnie Hunter (“Intimacy”), David Wenham (“Van Helsing”) and Nitin Chandra Ganatra (“Bride and Prejudice”). Flat. 96 min. April 8. Indican.

 

 

State Property 2: Philly Streets
Crime drama sequel to the 2002 gangster film “State Property,” this time centering on three rival gangsters fighting over a piece of turf. Returnees from part one include Beanie Sigel as Beans and Damon Dash as Dame. Newcomers to the franchise include Victor Santiago (“Paid in Full”) as Loco, Derege Harding as Thug, Roselyn Sanchez (“Chasing Papi”), Mariah Carey (“Glitter”) and Robert Feeley. R: Pervasive violence and language; strong sexuality; drug content. April 13 limited. Lions Gate.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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