Volume V No. 1

A publication of the National Association of Theatre Owners

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Pooh’s Heffalump Movie
Animated comedy about what happens when Rabbit tells the rest of the Pooh Crew that only one thing could be responsible for the loudness and shaking that has been visiting the Hundred Acre Wood: the mysterious Heffalump. Longtime animator Frank Nissen makes his feature directorial debut from a screenplay by Brian Hohlfeld (“He Said, She Said,” “Piglet’s Big Movie”) and Evan Spiliotopoulos (“The Jungle Book 2”). Featuring the voices of Jim Cummings, Ken Samson, Brenda Blethyn and David Ogden Stiers. Flat. Rated G. Feb. 11. Buena Vista.

 

 

Schizo
Russian-language drama, set in rural Kazakhstan, about a 15-year-old pugilist who finds himself pursuing the girlfriend of a fellow fighter accidentally killed in the ring. Written and directed by Sergei Bodrov Jr. With Oldzhas Nusupbayev, Olga Landina, Eduard Tabishev, Viktor Sukhorukov and Gulnara Yeraliyeva. Flat. 86 min. Feb. 4 Picture This.

 

 

Son of the Mask
Comedy-fantasy about a man whose infant son gains superpowers when the tot dons the mask of Loki. Returnees from “The Mask” include actor Ben Stein (“Osmosis Jones”). Newcomers to the series include director Lawrence Guterman (“Cats & Dogs”), screenwriter Lance Khazei and actors Jamie Kennedy (“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”), Traylor Howard (“Me, Myself and Irene”), Alan Cumming (“Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over”), Bob Hoskins (“Vanity Fair,” “Beyond the Sea”), Jerry Minor (“Anchorman”), Jeanette Cronin (“Danny Deckchair”), Kal Penn (“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”), Magda Szubanski (the “Babe” series) and Steven Wright (“Coffee and Cigarettes”). PG: Action; crude and suggestive humor; language. Feb. 18. New Line.

 

 

Rory O’Shea Was Here
Drama about a young man with cerebral palsy whose life changes after he becomes fast friends with the enigmatic, slightly rebellious newcomer to his longtime residential facility. Directed by Damien O’Donnell (“East Is East”) from a screenplay by Jeffery Caine. With James McAvoy (“Wimbledon”), Steven Robertson, Romola Garai (“Vanity Fair”), Brenda Fricker (“Veronica Guerin”), Gerard McSorley (“Veronica Guerin”), Ruth McCabe (“Intermission”) and Stanley Townsend (“What a Girl Wants”). Scope. 110 min. Feb. 4 in New York and Los Angeles; wider Feb. 11; wider Feb. 18; wider Feb. 25. Focus.

 

 

Schultze Gets The Blues
German- and English-language drama about a middle-aged bachelor who, laid off after years of working the local mines, copes with the boredom of unemployment by embracing the Zydeco music of Louisiana. Michael Schorr makes his directorial debut from his own screenplay. With Horst Krause, Harald Warmbrunn, Karl Fred Müller, Hannelore Schubert (“Legend of Rita”) and Ursula Schucht. Flat. 114 min. Feb. 11 limited. Paramount Classics.

 

 

 

The Wedding Date
Comedy, set in London, about a woman who – in an effort to impress her ex-fiancé – hires a male escort to accompany her to her sister’s wedding. Directed by Clare Kilner (“How to Deal”) from a screenplay by Dana Fox. With Debra Messing (“Along Came Polly”), Dermot Mulroney (“Undertow”), Holland Taylor (“Spy Kids 3D: Game Over,” “D.E.B.S.”), Jeremy Sheffield (“Anna Karenina”), Amy Adams (“Catch Me If You Can”) and Jack Davenport (“Pirates of the Caribbean”). Also known as “Something Borrowed.” Flat. PG-13: Sexual content including dialogue. Feb. 4. Universal.

 

 

Alone in the Dark
Action thriller about investigators of the supernatural who, while trapped on a mysterious island, learn that evil demons are planning to take over the world. Loosely based on the horror video game series of the same name. Directed by Uwe Boll (“House of the Dead”) from a screenplay by Elan Mastai, Michael Roesch and Peter Scheerer. With Christian Slater (“Masked & Anonymous”), Tara Reid (“My Boss’s Daughter”), Stephen Dorff (“Cold Creek Manor”), Will Sanderson (“House of the Dead”), Mark Acheson (“The Chronicles of Riddick”), Daniel Cudmore (“X2,” “Are We There Yet?”), Mike Dopud (“I Spy,” “White Noise”) and Catherine Lough Haggquist (“Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed”). Jan. 28. Lions Gate.

 

Gory Gory Hallelujah
Comedy about four actors who, while motoring to New York, stumble upon a small town in which an Apocalyptic conspiracy has pitted zombies against Jesus Christ. Sue Corcoran makes her directorial debut from a screenplay by Angie Louise. With Laura Kenny (“10 Things I Hate About You”), Todd Licea, Tim Gouran, Greg Allen, Paige Green and Keith Winsted. Flat. 89 min. Jan. 21. Indican.
Solitude
Drama about the dysfunctional relationship shared by two middle-class siblings – a brilliant but suicidal brother and an alluring but disturbed sister – who are constantly terrorizing each other in a destructive, co-dependent power struggle. Susan Kraker and Pi Ware make their feature directorial debuts from a screenplay by both Kraker and Ware. With Patrick Belton, Mary Thornton and Roanne Orenna. Flat. 99 min. Jan. 7 in New York and Los Angeles. Indican.

Beautiful Boxer
Thai-language action drama about a determined transvestite who masters kickboxing to earn the money he needs for a sex change operation. Based on the real-life story of Parinya Charoenphol. Directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham. Parinya Charoenphol stars as herself. Also with Sorapong Chatree (“The Legend of Suriyothai”), Kyoko Inoue and Nukkid Boonthong. 108 min. Jan. 21 limited. Regent.

 

 

Hostage
Drama about a troubled ex-LAPD hostage negotiator who retreats to a small town and its two-man police department, only to learn that he must fight to keep his family safe there. Based on the novel by Robert Crais (“El Secuesto”). Directed by Florent Emilio Siri (“Nid de guepes”) from a screenplay by Doug Richardson (“Die Hard 2,” “Bad Boys,” “Money Train”). With Bruce Willis (“The Whole Ten Yards,” “Ocean’s Twelve”), Kevin Pollak (“The Whole Ten Yards”), Ben Foster (“The Punisher”), Serena Scott Thomas (“The World is Not Enough”), Rumer Willis (“The Whole Nine Yards”), Kim Coates (“Assault on Precinct 13”), Marshall Allman (“Little Black Book”), Michelle Horn (“Stuart Saves His Family”), Jonathan Tucker (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Stateside,” “Criminal”) and Johnny Messner (“Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid”). R: Strong graphic violence; language; some drug use. Jan. 21. Miramax.

 

 

 

 

"Because of Winn-Dixie" — "Nina's Tragedies"

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